One Quilt Repaired and Stitching by the Fire

My husband and I went on a much needed three day getaway this past week at an Airbnb.  The place we stayed in used to be a chicken coop and the current owners renovated it to become a cozy place for their guests.  It featured a woodstove, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a fancy outhouse and an outdoor shower with heated water.  The fall colours in the area were in their full glory and we enjoyed a walk in the woods at a local conservation area, a trip to a local small town and reading (both of us)  and stitching by the fire (me).  

Sunrise

Driving down a country road.

My current read--The Cheese Cure by Michael Finnerty.   One of our little field trips was to a local cheese Factory, Empire Dairy, where we purchased several interesting cheeses to take home.  

Walking in the woods at the conservation area. 

Juniper

The trees just glowed in the sunshine. 

Just before sunset one evening.

The sunset on a different day. 

We visited a chocolate shop in Warkworth and may have bought some interesting chocolate to bring home.   I like the way they have decorated their building.  Their chocolate bars have a similar pattern. 

My daughter's quilt has been repaired and the binding has been replaced.  Here it is on her new bed.  I will work on her new quilt after Christmas.  

Finn found a comfortable spot on top of my fall quilt on our couch before they went home. 

I have made a list of projects that I need to finish/work on and hope to get to some of them this week.  I promise there will be more quilty content in next week's post. 

I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers as well as Frederique. 

Fall Trees Framed, Quilt Repairs and Placemats

I picked up my Fall Trees cross stitch from the framer this week.  I'm really pleased how the orange frame looks with these colourful trees. It is now hanging in our living room.  I didn't even pick up my cross stitch this past week but hope to add some stitches this coming week. 

I made my daughter a quilt when she graduated from university and the binding was worn out so I cut it off and machine stitched some new grey binding on.  This will be my hand stitching project over the next couple of days.  There were a few spots on this quilt that needed to be machine mended where the fabric had worn through so those were fixed too.  This quilt has been used a lot and has been washed several times so the colours are a bit faded. I plan on making her a new quilt shortly but there has not been time to pick out fabrics yet.  She has decided on a pattern already. 

I found some bonus HST's in a bag in my sewing room while I was looking for something else so I made two placemats for Meals on Wheels.  I still have a few stitches to add on the binding of the second placemat.  The backing fabric is a Chrsitmas/Winter theme so the placemat can be used all year round. 

I bought backing for the jelly roll donation quilt and got started on the walking foot quilting.  I am about half done.   I think I have enough of the backing fabric to make the binding when the quilting is done. 

We took Finn for a walk in the woods today.  He is worn out tonight and is currently sleeping in his bed.  It was a beautiful day.  

This picture was taken on one of my morning walks this week.  

 I will link up with Frederique and Kathy.  

Fall Cross Stitch and Other News

It's been a couple of weeks since I have blogged.  There has been a lot going on and this will become apparent as you read today's post.  First, I have made a bit of progress on my fall cross stitch project.  The cardinal is done and more leaves and branches have been added. I love the colours in this picture although I am not sure a tree exists that has such a variety of leaves on one branch! 

I finished off one of the donation quilt tops I was working on.  I need to buy a backing fabric as I have nothing in my stash that is suitable.  I went to my local (small) quilt store yesterday only to find out they have moved  and do not reopen until later this coming week so this project is on hold.  I don't have enough of the dark blue background fabric to add borders so this is the size it will be. 

I made more blocks for the second donation quilt and have about 40 more blocks to make.  I have already filled in some of the holes in this picture. I will likely need to buy a backing for this one too. 

We spent several days over the last couple of weeks helping our daughter move to a bigger apartment.  Finn has been quite confused by all the packing and unpacking but he will settle in nicely once everything is unpacked and put away.  I brought home my daughter's quilts for some repairs so she has a quilt on her bed that I made for her a long time ago with leftover fabric from flannel pyjamas that I made for her when she was younger.  It is not quite big enough for her bed but will do until I get the other ones repaired.  Finn always approves of any blanket or quilt.  

While out on my morning walk, I met a new friend. 

Every year since my Dad died, my husband and I go to the local ice cream place and get some black cherry ice cream on my Dad's birthday.  It's a fun way to remember him. 

This past week, my 96 year old mother in law passed away peacefully.  As you can see, she also loved ice cream and our excursions with her always included a stop at an ice cream shop.    I made her many quilted gifts over the years and she always had my wall hangings, table runners and quilts out on display in her home and in her room at the nursing home.  I loved her dearly and will miss her every day.  I was blessed with a wonderful mother in law.

I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers as well as Frederique.