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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Matthew Holmwood's quilt.

Yesterday Matthew, Jan and I had coffee at McDonalds. I gave him his quilt. Matthew loved it and that made me happy. It turned out so well. Thirty one people liked it on Facebook. Matthew remarks today. It is very nice and warm too, thank you granny, love you. That's all I need to make me happy.


Matthew Holmwood's horse "Joe". I think he is a beautiful horse.  I thought the fabric horse, in the middle of the quilt, looked like JOE.







Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The Northern Lights, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Photos by.  Day Vid Z Photography, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 





A severe solar storm created a stunning display of light in the night sky here at home. 










The Northern Lights look amazing tonight!. Thunder Bay Ontario. March 17 2015 9:52 PM
— with Danny-Laura Ckpr Mornings and Gary Kenneth Spence.


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Good Books.

February wasn’t a great month. Bill always said. “I got the flu shot, and it worked, I got the flu.” Well I did get the flu and I was sick for two weeks, very unusual for me. The bad thing was, I missed some interesting quilting retreats. 

I want to write about a few of my Favourite books, This is not something I usually do but I have a few I want to keep forever.  The first is “Love you forever”. One day a few years ago I ran into Arlene Levis,  in a book store. I met her in grade four, we had been friends until her passing. She said,
"Betty you have to buy this book for your son, it’s a wonderful book.” I bought it for Chris’ son Trenton, he was just a year old. I picture Allan carrying me. It will never happen, but he does in my dreams. He lives in Calgary, Alberta. I have never read this book without crying before I got to the end.  


Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fordham University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and from Boston University in 1971 with a Master of Arts degree in He studied to become a Jesuit priest, but decided he would rather work with children after having jobs at orphanages and daycare centers. In 1973, he received a Master of Education in Child Studies from Tufts University. In 1975, he moved to Canada to work at the preschool at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He also taught in the Department of Family Studies at the University of Guelph as a lecturer and as an assistant professor. In Guelph, he was encouraged to publish the many stories he made up for the children he worked with.
One of Munsch's best-known books, Love You Forever, was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Best selling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies).  I'm glad he came to Canada.

A few other great books. Pillars of the Earth, author, Ken Follett. I read it 1999. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. It was a gift from the Utah Maki’s. The Book of Negros, by Lawrence Hill. To Kill a MockingBird by Haper Lee. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.












Allan and I love Edgar Allan Poe. We enjoyed, The Raven, and many others, including the movies, The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, with Vincent Price.  I gave one of my Poe's book to Chris. I will never forget when Chris came home telling me about the poem he read in hight school that day, The Tell-Tale Heart. It still a favourite of mine. Thanks Chris. 



1809 - 1849







Robert Service. born in England in 1874 - 1958. After spending his childhood in Scotland he came to Canada and here commenced the life of wondering and adventure which has given birth to songs, rhymes, ballads and poems that have spread over the wold world.
One of his famous poem,  The Cremation of Sam McGee.

Bill and I enjoyed reading this,  The Ballad of HANK THE FINN.  Bill’s dad’s name was Henry.

The Ballad of Hank the Finn
Published by Webmaster on 2003/7/26 (2466 reads)

Now Fireman Flynn met Hank the Finn where lights of Lust-land glow;
"Let's leave," says he, "the lousy sea, and give the land a show. I'm fed up to the molar mark with wallopin' the brine;
I feel the bloody barnacles a-carkin' on me spine.
Let's hit the hard-boiled North a crack, where creeks are paved with gold."
"You count me in," says Hank the Finn. "Ay do as Ay ban told."
And so they sought the Lonely Land and drifted down its stream,
Where sunny silence round them spanned, as dopey as a dream.
But to the spell of flood and fell their gold-grimed eyes were blind;
By pine and peak they paused to seek, but nothing did they find;
No yellow glint of dust to mint, just mud and mocking sand,
And a hateful hush that seemed to crush them down on every hand.
Till Fireman Flynn grew mean as sin, and cursed his comrade cold,
But Hank the Finn would only grin, and . . . do as he was told.
Now Fireman Flynn had pieces ten of yellow Yankee gold,
Which every night he would invite his partner to behold.
"Look hard," says he; "It's all you'll see in this god-blasted land;
But you fret, I'm gonna let you hold them in your hand.
Yeah! Watch 'em gleam, then go and dream they're yours to have and hold."
Then Hank the Finn would scratch his chin and . . . do as he was told.
But every night by camp-fire light, he'd incubate his woes,
And fan the hate of mate for mate, the evil Artic knows.
In dreams the Lapland withes gloomed like gargoyles overhead,
While the devils three of Helsinkee came cowering by his bed.
"Go take," said they, "the yellow loot he's clinking in his belt,
And leave the sneaking wolverines to snout around his pelt.
Last night he called you Swedish scum, from out the glory-hole;
To-day he said you were a bum, and damned your mother's soul.
Go, plug with lead his scurvy head, and grab his greasy gold . . ."
Then Hank the Finn saw red within, and . . . did as he was told.
So in due course the famous Force of Men Who Get Their Man,
Swooped down on sleeping Hank the Finn, and popped him in the can.
And in due time his grievous crime was judged without a plea,
And he was dated up to swing upon the gallows tree.
Then Sheriff gave a party in the Law's almighty name,
He gave a neck-tie party, and he asked me to the same.
There was no hooch a-flowin' and his party wasn't gay,
For O our hearts were heavy at the dawning of the day.
There was no band a-playin' and the only dancin' there
Was Hank the Fin interpretin' his solo in the air.
We climbed the scaffold steps and stood beside the knotted rope.
We watched the hooded hangman and his eyes were dazed with dope.
The Sheriff was in evening dress; a bell began to toll,
A beastly bell tat struck a knell of horror to the soul.
As if the doomed one was myself, I shuddered, waiting there.
I spoke no word, then . . . then I heard his step upon the stair;
His halting foot, moccasin clad . . . and then I saw him stand
Between a weeping warder and a priest with Cross in hand.
And at the sight a murmur rose of terror and of awe,
And all them hardened gallows fans were sick at what they saw:
For as he towered above the mob, his limbs with leather triced,
By all that's wonderful, I swear, his face was that of Christ.
Now I ain't no blaspheming cuss, so don't you start to shout.
You see, his beard had grown so long it framed his face about.
His rippling hair was long and fair, his cheeks were spirit-pale,
His face was bright with holy light that made us wince and quail.
He looked at us with eyes a-shine, and sore were we confused,
As if he were the Judge divine, and we were the accused.
Aye, as serene he stood between the hangman and the cord,
You would have sworn, with anguish torn, he was the Blessed Lord.
The priest was wet with icy sweat, the Sheriff's lips were dry,
And we were staring starkly at the man who had to die.
"Lo! I am raised above you all," his pale lips seemed to say,
"For in a moment I shall leap to God's Eternal Day.
Am I not happy! I forgive you each for what you do;
Redeemed and penitent I go, with heart of love for you."
So there he stood in mystic mood, with scorn sublime of death.
I saw him gently kiss the Cross, and then I held by breath.
That blessed smile was blotted out; they dropped the hood of black;
They fixed the noose around his neck, the rope was hanging slack.
I heard him pray, I saw him sway, then . . . then he was not there;
A rope, a ghastly yellow rope was jerking in the air;
A jigging rope that soon was still; a hush as of the tomb,
And Hank the Finn, that man of sin, had met his rightful doom.
His rightful doom! Now that's the point. I'm wondering, because
I hold a man is what he is, and never what he was.
You see, the priest had filled that guy so full of holy dope,
That at the last he came to die as pious as the Pope.
A gentle ray of sunshine made a halo round his head.
I thought to see a sinner - lo! I saw a Saint instead.
Aye, as he stood as martyrs stand, clean-cleansed of mortal dross,
I think he might have gloried had . . . WE NAILED HIM TO A CROSS.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

The New Year. 2015.

Jan 19th,    Nicole never ceases to amaze me with her art craft, this is what she sent me. It holds all my quilt notions and it sits firmly on my table. Thanks Nicole & Chris.









A bag I made for Diana Huston’s Friend. 
What it looks like now. 







My mom's sister's family living in Slovakia. The Gaspar's.






January 15th. Well that was fast: After only two years, Target Corporation Announces Plans to Discontinue Canadian Operations. All 133 stores to be closed. Target says nearly all employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks compensation, including wages and benefits. Stores will remain open during the liquidation process.

Jan 19,  RIP: Don Harron was one of Canada’s smartest, funniest comedians. I still have a knit pattern for this sweater his alter hero Charlie Farquharson wore.

Feb 6th. Say good-bye to Candlestick Park my Calgary son, you were climbing the stairs to the Press Box during the earth quake.  Farewell, Candlestick Park: Demolition has begun at the stadium that was once home to the San Francisco Giants baseball team (1960 to 2000) and the San Francisco 49ers football team (1971 to 2013).   PHOTOS: http://cbsn.ws/1LRwrZr



I had many scraps left from my Asian quilts. I went on line and found this pattern. Twelve Moons by Sybil Shane designed by Karl Nichols, downloaded from www.robertkaufman,com. I'm pleased with the final result. When I quilted the top instead of using a straight stitch, I use a small zig-zag stitch. It was something I saw online. 

I have a dear friend of 55 years who is going to be a great-grandma. Her daughter Linda, asked me if I would made a crib skirt for her grand daughters. I didn't have a pattern so I just took a stab in the dark and did my best to make it. I sewed the skirt with netting, to the top leaving the four ends open.  I want to thank Wendy Kresack, for showing me how make a gusset for the sides. The two little girls will be born on Monday, March 2, 2015. 


Feb 12,CBS News and “60” Minutes correspondent Bob Simon, Most honoured field reporter in Television news, is dead at 73. He was killed in a car crash on Manhattan’s West side. I have watched him since the first Iraq War. He was a good man. 

Feb 14, I would like to introduce you to my friend, Mr. Chillingsworth, by Echo Park and Panel put out by Andover Fabric, the rest of the fabrics from my stash. I bought the kit on line. 

Feb 2, Chris and Nicole bought a new car.  Mazada CX5, 2016.


March 4th, 

I made a quilt for Matthew. Here are his horses. the one on the left and the one in the middle. 
Matthew lived in the country for many years but last year Matthew and his mom moved into town. Matthew had to give his horses away. This was very difficult for him so when I saw these fabrics I knew what I wanted to do with them. I only bought a half a meter of 3 fabrics. I fuzzy cut them and ended up with 3 different sizes. I didn’t have a pattern so I just put the block up on the wall and worked from there. The top and bottom 2 rows were 18” and the middle was 15”. I appliquéd horse shoes on two blocks to make them fit the 15” row. The colours of the fabrics and the horses made this an enjoyable quilt to make.  I will quilt it tomorrow. Posting the photo will take a few days. 

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

September to December 2014.

I can’t believe it has been months since I last posted! How did the time go so fast. Once upon a time I thought I could keep up with my blog. That sure was silly, wasn’t it? I’m so far behind that I’m not sure there’s really any chance to “catch up” so rather than feeling completely overwhelmed, I’m just going to start and see where it goes.
  
We had a decent fall but I’m so done with winter! We didn’t get a great amount of snow but we’ve had bitter cold temperatures for weeks.

Oct 1st. I saw 'cats and dogs' fabrics at Fabricland and immediately fell in love with them. I gave this "Snapshot Quilt" to Karen Miller for her grandson. Earlier I made one for her but one of her twin grandsons wanted it so I decided this was a good one for the other boy.




Oct 8th,  I received a wonderful unexpected gift from my two boys. A trip to Calgary for a visit with Al and his family, then on to Portland, OR for a visit with Chris and his family. What more could a mother want for her 80th birthday than time to spend with her kids. Thank you, Al, Jeanne, Chris and Nicole. Love you
Oct 9th, it’s a perfect week, I got my drivers licence for another 2 years, and I was the youngest one in the room. That's a big change. lol

Oct. A dear friend passed away so I made a memory quilt for her son Jon. Quilting by Wendy Currie.


Peta, Kathy, Jon, Danica.


Oct 19th, Allan Maki, The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake occurred in northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, October 17 at 5:04 p.m.PST, - 8:04 pm, EST. Al you were there. It's hard to believe it was 25 years ago. Happy you survived the ordeal. love you.


Oct 29th, I spent a week in Calgary with my Allan. We had fun. 

Nov 4th, I spent 10 days with Chris and his family in Oregon. Chris and I in the quilt shop, “Quilter’s Corner.”
For my 80th Birthday in Oregon.

 Brayden, Chris, Nicole and I went to a Hockey game.

Brayden and the cheerleaders. He is so handsome.


I helped Nicole sandwich her quilt.

Nicole made a beautiful birthday cake for me.  Chris and Nicole took me to many quilt shops for two days.  Love them with all my heart.

Dec. 16th, Verna, my neighbour, my friend, gave me a dress her mom made for her and ask me to make a bag. 


From Verna. I got the best gift EVER! The dress Mom had made me is now a purse! Thank you Betty. Means so much to me xo 

Nov 25th. For my birthday The Oregon Maki’s sent me -  Fat Quarters Jolly Bar,
 Best. Day, Ever fabrics with “Twist & Shout” quilt pattern. The precuts were perfect, all the lines were straight, a first for me. 



I pieced two Asian quilts this summer, but they are not quilted yet. I will do one for Isabel, and Wendy will do one for me. I also have two more quits at Wendy's, one "African Dancer Girls" and another "Shadow Box. When I get them back I will post some pictures. 


A News Items that was important. Getting ready for November 11, 2014.

House of Commons sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers is seen in this Oct. 22, 2014 photo after an attacker entered parliament buildings in Ottawa, Canada.

This is a cartoon that Bill would have loved, it's the best.
The actual scene of the deadly shooting.


Cpt. Nathan Cirillo, 24, seen at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, October 19, 2014.