Happy Halloween

My first trick or treaters of the evening.  Brandon University Volunteers on behalf of the BU food bank.

Marilyn Munro dress.  This was Tanya's first sewing project.

Marilyn Munro with her date - the grim reaper~~~

Mom & Son

We had 64 ghosts and goblins up from only 23 last year.

Shannon's quilt 2nd update

14 of 22 rows are complete, past the halfway point.

I do hope she likes it!

Too funny not to share & Singer drawing room cabinet.

In my quest for knowledge I follow sewing machine websites.  Thanks for the chuckle ISMACs.

 

This is my drawing room Singer cabinet.  I bought it complete with an electric 1914 Singer 127 VS machine.  I think it is a bit of a rarity for a 1914 model to be electric, probably cost a fortune in its youth.. As I have a fabulous treadle 127, the cabinet was purchased for my 1950s Piedmont zig zag machine.

 

This cabinet is 95 years old and in great shape.

Rear view

The machine platform is spring loaded or hydraulic, which is activated by pushing a small button, then lifting the machine head up or pushing it down.

 

Right side view above and Piedmont installed below.

Please visit Colorado Lady's blog for more vintage treasures.  Cheers!

Shannon's Quilt - progress report

After two hours of ironing, four hours of cutting, six hours of piecing and two hours of ripping out seams.  Apparently piecing rows of multiple tie-dyed fabrics is confusing for me.

A labour of love!

Early Snowfall

My backyard on October 15, 2009!  Fortunately, the weather forecast for the weekend is above freezing so the snow should all melt.

This is what my backyard is supposed to look like in October.  These photos were taken from the house through a window so they are not as clear as they should be.

Fall leaves are amazing. Below are photos taken October 2007 in my backyard.

That's all for today as cutting and sewing Shannon's quilt await!

Excellent News!

I donated two sewing machines to the Brandon Friendship Centre today.

1. Brother Festival 451 zig zag 
2. Singer 127 VS electric portable machine

~yippee... dancing around the room with glee. Now to start Shannon's tie-dyed patchwork quilt.

 

 

The background will be white and the ten fabrics above will be make up the overlapping blocks.

Thanksgiving Weekend in Waterloo

My daughter started her Masters in Biology at University of Waterloo in September 2009.  I travelled two hours east by car to the Winnipeg Airport, then flew to London, Ontario which is 2,054 kilometres or 1,276 miles by car.  I rented a car in London and drove to Waterloo another 105 kilometres or 60 miles.  We went to Stratford on Friday to enjoy the Stratford Festival.  We saw two live theatre performances  "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and the musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the Forum."  The shows were great.

Photos are not allowed in the theatres.  Shannon took these with her Iphone.

 

Below is a quilt hanging in the lounge area just outside the balcony entrance.

 

 

On Saturday, after we picked up AJ (Shan's sweetheart) we went to St. Jacob's Farmers Market just outside of Waterloo.

 

 

The quilts are pieced by machine and then hand quilted. These ladies were demonstrating at a log cabin called Quilted Heirlooms.  They sell finished quilts as well as thread, fabric and quilting books.  The lady told me takes about 1000 hours to handquilt a queen sized quilt.   The quality is fantastic.

 

 

Shannon & AJ in front of a Quilted Heirloom with the horses for hire.
It was a most excellent weekend!