Hunkered down

 We certainly had an interesting weekend which centered around a huge ice storm.  Our power went out at 7:30 Saturday morning and, due to the heroic efforts of our hydro crews, came back on around noon.  Thankfully it stayed on but keeps flickering on and off.  Other areas haven't been so lucky and they are still without power.  There are trees and lots of limbs down in the park just across from our building and more falling and by all reports there are lots more down around the area.  

This is the view from our balcony looking towards the river.  You might be able to see one downed tree on its side (to the right in the photo) and another root (middle of pic) with the tree in the river itself.  The next two pictures - a brave little woodpecker chipping away at the ice coating on the suet feeder....

.... and this is what greeted me when I opened the bedroom curtains.  Not a great picture but it was taken at a distance.  You might be able to make out the thick coating of ice on the tree.

Update  to add....been through 2 power outages.  Latest for just over 24 hours.   Had over an inch of ice on our balcony.  Trees and power lines down.  God bless our hydro and emergency services!  Will visit you all once we're sure our power stays on.

My efforts towards elbows up

 After several starts and rippits, I managed to convert a pattern for maple leaves into a hat that I know my family will like better.  The original pattern is THIS one which I changed by using the ribbed pattern for a brim from THIS hat that I know our family likes.

- As a coffee lover, I couldn't help but drool over some of THESE.  

- If you're a fan of granny squares perhaps one of the designs found HERE will inspire you.

- I thought THIS was a fun design.

- HERE is a tip you might find of use.

Today's quote is from Maximillien Robespierre...."The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant"

Design flaws

 

This is me.

(for those of you who get offended easily, you'd best move right along)

I have reached the conclusion that bras HAVE to have been invented by a man.  A diabolical, sadistic, and brain-dead man.  No woman in her right mind would design such a thing.

To explain....your writer has rather large 'girls' so really should wear one of those instruments of torture.  She also has 'Arthur' in her shoulder which means that the normal contortions required to do up a bra no longer apply.  So...she has to do up the instrument and then attempt to wiggle into it by putting it over her head.  That means much wiggling and floofing in an attempt to settle the girls in place.  Meanwhile, at the backside of the enterprise things are rolled up (and cemented thereby) which requires yet more contortions to get unrolled.  THEN....to compound matters (and here's the real design flaw)...the strap unsnaps itself from the back of the instrument and sproings away, striking your writer in the mouth, who by this time is uttering words not the least bit lady-like.  There's no hope of reaching behind to reattach the sproingee - so - after much more wiggling and uttering sweet nothings, said instrument is removed.  The sproinger is resnapped and she begins the entire enterprise again.  Why, I ask you, does said instrument have the sproing-ee strappy thingie do-upper (very technical term, only found in a Funk and Wagnall's tome)  at the BACK when it could just as easily be at the FRONT?

Now before you offer up interesting suggestions like maybe try a front-loading instrument or (horrors) a sports bra....those have all been tried and pronounced dead to me.  Front loaders mean that there's a huge 'hole' in the middle of my front...handy for holding a salt shaker, but looks absolutely disgusting beneath clothes.  Sports bras (see above for description of contortianisms, only multiply them ten-fold).  Going instrument-less is always an option but tucking 'em into my pants is a whole 'nother element of pain.  

Yep, had to have been a man....

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist.

- HERE is a quilt design that would be nice to make and use as a fundraiser for breast cancer.  I know the link there takes you to a paid pattern, but thought I'd share it anyway.

- There are some cute free designs HERE.

- I rather like THESE - something a little different for Easter.

Today's quote..."We seem to live in a world where the intelligent must keep quiet so that the stupid will not be offended"

Foggy progress?

 As you can see I've made some progress on the latest landscape.  I'm striving for the effect of fog but not sure how successful I've been.  I still have to finish working on the tree and it will have some 'bits' of fog added too.  Then it will be on to the embroidery.

- THESE would be cute to make for Easter!  And THIS too.

- There are some really nice block designs HERE.

- THIS is a cute little item that would serve many purposes.

- I think THIS is intriguing.

- THIS is an awwww-thing.  While you're there, scroll through all her amazing free designs found HERE.

Today's quote...

Now what do you suppose...

 .....I am going to do with this?....

Reminded myself of how to paper piece to create this.

Here's a little gardening 'tip' from the Resident Chef....if you use a Keurig (or know someone who does), save the plastic pods.  Clean them out and they're perfect for starting your seeds.  They already have a drainage hole in the bottom.  He's also discovered that they fit into an egg carton bottom to keep them contained.  

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I guess I should mention that yesterday was my 18th year Blogiversary.  Who knew I could mumble on for that length of time!

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- THIS solves a burning question I'm sure you all have (hah).

- If your sewing machine skips stitches, check out THIS article.

- And I learned something (actually TWO somethings) when I read THIS.  

- I rather like THIS.  

- THESE would be cute additions to your Easter decor.

Here's your quote of the day....

Just a little smile to brighten your day

 

Sometimes I come across something that just makes me smile and this guy certainly did it for me, hope he does for you too.

- THIS looks like it might be fun to try doing.

- THESE are so cute!

- A few of THESE could brighten your life.

- There's a number of links HERE for some quick quilt patterns.  And if you have some layer cakes you would like to use up, perhaps something HERE will be just what you need.

Today your quote is by George Orwell..."In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act"

Pondering a new project and knitting in the evenings

 

For some reason the past few days have been spent pondering the state of my belly button instead of actually doing anything constructive.  I'm toying with seeing what I might be able to do with this image (once again shared by the very generous Dale Stewart)...

I think  I'm 'seeing' this with a foggy twist.  You'll have to stay tuned to see what I might manage to come up with.

Evenings have been spent knitting and I have the final hat set for the grandies Christmas box off the needles...

- For those of you who chain piece, try THIS!  So brilliant and uses things we already have (scroll down to see what I'm referring to).

- THIS is an interesting bag design.

- You might want to play with THIS technique.

- Have a peek at the incredible creations of THIS artist!  And THIS amazing artist too!!!

Today your quote is from Winston Churchill...."I no longer listen to what people say, I just watch what they do.  Behaviour never lies"

Another wee knitting project

 Just off my needles, this set, which is headed for the Christmas box...

The picture shows the colour as being blue, but it's actually black.  Same pattern as I used before and I believe the yarns are Canadiana (labels are long gone).  

- There are a number of ideas HERE for uses for scrap yarn.

- There's an excellent article HERE that might help you when adding borders to a quilt.

- Of course THIS would catch my eye!

- There are some great ideas HERE that you might find of interest.

- If you make fabric postcards (or would like to), perhaps the ideas HERE for finishing would be useful to know.

Today the quote is from Thomas Paine..."A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody"

A little update - of sorts

 It was brought to my attention that perhaps it might be nice to show you a selection of the landscapes I've done.  This certainly isn't ALL of them but many of these are still for sale.  I think you can click on the pictures to embiggen them if you'd like to see more details.  Enjoy!  (scroll down to get to the links and the quote of the day)

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Each one is created with fabric and features embroidery, painting, and many other techniques to create the images you see here.  I enjoy all that is old and abandoned - houses, churches, barns and vehicles. Most of the ones on offer here measure approximately 20" - 30" wide and have a hanging sleeve attached.

If you are interested in purchasing a piece of my art for your very own...or....if you would like to commission a creation using your own photograph...please contact me via marmic1954 AT email DOT com, using 'Landscape Enquiry' in the subject line. 

090325
"HARVEST TIME AT WILLOWVIEW FARMS"
(Abbotsford, BC)
measures approx. 22" square

130225
"Inside, Looking Out"
measures approx. 23x25"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart,
and used with his kind permission

220125
"FALLING LEAVES"
measures approx. 25x26"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
and used with his kind permission

150924

"WITCH HOUSE - 2"
measures approx. 25x27"

Inspired by a photo by Tracy Baker
and used with her kind permission

060824

"Kawandi Fields"

measures approx. 21x21"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart,
and used with his kind permission

270624
"The Red Chair (Muskoka TB Sanitarium)"
measures approx. 21x29"
Inspired by a photo by Michael Lalonde
and used with his kind permission

140624

"The Roads No Longer Travelled"

measures approx. 22x20"

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
and used with his kind permission

                                        280524

"The Witch House"  SOLD!
measures approx. 27x29"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart (and used with
his always kind permission),
as well as Michael Trueman and Glen Bowe

030524
"Hayfield School"
measures approx. 26 x 17"
Inspired by a photo by Glen Bowe
and used with his kind permission

100424
"Lonely Sentinel"
measures approx. 22" square
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
and used with his always kind permission

260224

"Lonesome Wheel"

measures approx. 22x25"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
and used with his kind permission

070224

"Grande Ol' Dame"
measures approx 24x20"

 
'Storm on the Horizon'
SOLD!!

Inspired by the preprinted panel

as well as a photo by Kathy Kelly
(used with permission)

Measures approx. 22x26"

121323
'Waiting For Spring'
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
Measures approx. 29x25"

101523

"Abandoned Blues"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart,
used with permission

Measures approx. 22x30"

092323
"ALL ALONE IN THE PRAIRIES"

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
Measures approx. 27 1/2" x 24 1/2" 

081723

"Dead End"

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart

measures approx. 26x22"

071823
"Three Churches of Mahone Bay"
SOLD

062623
"TRANQUIL SHORE"

Measures 27x23"
Commissioned

SOLD

                                                                       042423
                                                        "DANDELION LOVE"
                                              Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
                                                    Measures approx. 22"x29"

020423

"CABIN IN THE SNOW"

Inspired by a photo by Michael Trueman

Measures approx. 30x24"

123122

"GRIST MILL IN BABCOCK"

Inspired by a photo by Barbara Sanbro
measures approx. 23 x 27"

073122

"SOMEWHERE IN SASKATCHEWAN"

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart
measures approx. 29x23"

070922

"HERBIE NEEDS SOME LOVE"
Inspired by a photo by Michael Truman
Measures approx. 26 x 19"

060322

"Browers Homestead"
Inspired by a photo by Glen Bowe
Measures approx. 19" x 28"

SOLD!!

"Cobwebs and Splinters"

Inspired by memories of growing

up with an outhouse

Measures approx. 23 1/2" square

121421

"Ghostly Memories"
Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart

Measures approx. 29" x 23 1/2"

050521

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart

Measures 24 x 28"

020521

Measures 26" x 29"

Inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart

122820

Measures 32" x 24"

SOLD!

Inspired by a photo by Janice Holtom

060520       SOLD!!!

Measures 31" x 23"

Inspired by a photo by Jeff Fuhre

032320

Measures 34" x 25"

Inspired by a free domain photo

012720

Measures 24" x 30"

Inspired by a tractor owned by my uncle

052219

Measures 30" x 23"

Inspired by a photo by John Phillips

010519

Measures 30" x 22"

Inspired by a photo from Dale Stewart

040519

Measures 29" x 22"

Inspired from a photo by Euvah Bryant

102218

Measures 28" x 17"

Inspired by a photo from my personal collection

052818

Measures 31" x 20"

Inspired by a photo from my personal collection

I would like to thank all the great photographers who have been so willing to share their amazing photos with me.  The inspiration you've provided has been invaluable!

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- I thought THESE were fun.

- THIS looks like it would be a great project to try.

- And so is THIS!

- Some of you might have one of THESE and might want to make it pretty.

- THIS is a pretty project for spring (or would be nice for fall too).