A Christmas Miracle and Happy 2010!

My miracle took the shape of my husband this Christmas (see last blog for the reason). After 10 days in the hospital, 2 surgeries, and almost 100 staples holding his arm and the top of his head together, he came home. He still has a lot of pain and very little use of his right arm because of nerve damage during the first surgery but the bones are healing, thank God. He's on the mend, to the point of driving his (automatic) pick-up truck! I'm not sure this is a smart idea but since when did he take my advice? Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

My decorating is pretty simple, but I thought I'd share a few photos with you.

I made this Santa from a Pineberry Lane pattern this year.

And this little wallhanging from my Celebrate the Seasons pattern.

This is the Santas and Rudys candlemat I designed.

And my Ho Ho Crow stocking.
I made this nativity scene years ago out of crepe paper.
I think the design was in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
Hubby made the stable.

And finally, a little look at my living/dining room, renovated this past summer.

We're having a late Christmas family gathering this weekend,
so I'll gather fresh greens for the mantle then.

I wish you all a new year filled with joy.
Happy 2010!

Ups and Downs

First, the ups! On Monday I received a package containing the proofs of my upcoming book, "Country Comforts" due to be published by Martingale on May 3, 2010! It will contain 12 patterns--some brand new and some old favourites. How exciting to see it finally taking shape! So, just the last bit of proof-reading before it's sent back to the publisher. It will be out just in time to debut at Quilt Market next spring.

Another up--I received a wonderful note in the mail from a lady I'd never met but who had purchased and made my "Amish Country" pattern. Thanks Jacklyn, for taking the time to send this to me. She says the quilt is her treasure and I agree--it turned out gorgeous. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when my patterns get such rave reviews. I scanned the picture to share with you but my scanner doesn't do the colours justice.

Now for the "downs". On Monday my dear (almost 60 years old) husband decided one of our birch trees needed topping so he waited until I was out grocery shopping (since he knew I wouldn’t want him to do this) and climbed 30 feet up the tree and then fell. This is the tree.

He was knocked out but when he came to he managed to crawl to the house and call 911. I came home to find a firetruck parked in front of our house. They told me what had happened and that Ben had already been taken to the hospital by ambulance. He’s got a broken right arm, a bruised lung, and 7 fractured ribs and is pretty banged up but it could have been much worse. He was in ICU for a couple of days and is now in a regular room awaiting surgery and hopes to be home next week. He’ll be off work for at least 2 months. I hope now he’ll listen to me but I'm not holding my breath. Anyone out there who has a similar crazy husband story and can empathize with me?

Dyed in the Wool

Wow, a whole month has passed since my last post! It's been a very wet and wild November on Canada's west coast. Perfect weather for staying indoors and bringing some colour into these dark and drizzly days. So I ordered a bolt of natural wool and got to work. Here's the before picture:

And here's the after!

Aren't these gorgeous? I've posted them on the Wool page of my website http://www.countryquilts.ca.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

Last Show of 2009 and Halloween Decorating

Last Saturday I participated as a vendor at the Chilliwack Quilt Guild's show, A Shower of Quilts. It's always great fun to meet fellow quilters who have become friends over the years (one of the things I love most about what I do). It was a great show. It's amazing what you can cram into a little space. Here I am in my booth.

There were some wonderful antique quilts on display as well.

It's always fun to find a version of one of my designs on display. This is my "House Sampler" pattern done up by a local quilt shop.

And finally, here are some pictures of my Halloween decorating.

Happy trick or treating everyone!

Canadian Thanksgiving and Celebrating the Harvest

It's Thanksgiving in Canada this coming weekend (October 12th)

so I thought I'd start off this post with my Thanksgiving quilt.

The poem embroidered on the pictures is by Ralph Waldo Emerson and goes like this:

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends . . ."

We thank Thee.

We were able to spend last weekend in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia,

about 4 hours' drive from home.

The area is rich with vineyards and wineries and the grape harvest was being celebrated.

Here are pictures of some of the vineyards:

Grapes being loaded into boxes before being made into wine.

And some local fall colour.

Check out the pumpkins on the roof!

Aren't these guys great?

I loved all these old tractors.

Did you know that in Canada, squashes grow on trees?

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Quilts for Sale

Is there such a thing as having too many quilts? I'm not sure, but I know I've got so many now that some rarely get displayed, which doesn't seem right, either. So I've decided to part with a few. You can read more about them on the Quilts for Sale page on my website, www.countryquilts.ca.

Before and After

September 25, 1976

And 33 years later.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Quilts in the Garden Show

After months of planning, our Quilts at Tanglebank Garden Show is over and it couldn't have been better. Here on the "wet" coast of Canada, sunny weather is never guaranteed but we were blessed with beautiful sunshine, which helped make the day so wonderful.

We could not have attempted to produce a show like this without our amazing friends and family members who volunteered to help set up all the props the day before. You guys are the best and we can't thank you enough!

Arnold and Brenda Falk, the owner of Tanglebank Gardens, were so generous to us, allowing us to hold our show on their gorgeous property. Dougal Walker of The Freckles Collection, one of the three designers at the show, gave Brenda this wallhanging to express our appreciation.

Another "before" picture.

On Saturday, September 13, the day of the show, we arrived at Tanglebank at 6:00 am, just as the sun was rising, to begin hanging the quilts.

Sometimes the breeze blew a quilt off its rod. Fortunately, my husband was there with his tape for a quick fix.

Our wonderful greeters welcomed the guests as they arrived and gave them a brochure to guide them around the quilts and a ticket for the door prizes.

More creative thinking was required when the boutique tent threatened to collapse.

Heather McArthur, editor of "Quilters Connection", was there to launch this new Canadian quilting magazine. She also drew the tickets for the prize draw at 4:00 pm.

When Dougal, Sue, and I first talked about having a show like this, we had no idea what to expect. I was amazed and humbled to see the line of cars pulling onto the driveway. I think we had about 400 guests, which boggles my mind. Sometimes designing patterns can be a lonely endeavour and when there are long stretches of time between orders, I begin to question whether I should continue or move on to doing something else. This weekend was such a confirmation to me that I'm where I should be. And when I see the number of people who were willing to spend their day helping us, I realize how very blessed I am to have such amazing friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you all.