A Cornucopia of Colour

Hello Friends.  The palate of inspiration is abundant, and fall is officially here.  My walks are filled with different smells, and the crunch of drying leaves beneath my feet is somehow soothing.  Here, in Northern Ontario, we are blessed with 4 distinct seasons.  Each gives us a unique emotional response.  Although I embrace summer and try to bank the feel of the warm sun on my face, fall gives me calm!  The river becomes quiet with only the occasional burst of honking geese who travel through.  The trees seem to take in the last little bit of warmth before the long winter deep freeze sets in. 

Hubby decided to try his hand at vegetable gardening this year.  The harvest has been overwhelming!

To date, I think we estimated a yield of approximately 80 cucumbers.  You know how some ladies’ stores ask you your body type, “Are you an apple, or a pear etc…”. Well, I have become a cucumber and soon I will be a butternut squash.  We only harvested 20 of those! 

I love fall! It is almost like a gift from Mother Nature before the vistas turn grey and white for winter.  My camera comes with me every day so that I can capture that special glimpse of sun dancing off the golden leaves.  Or perhaps the contrast of the dark brown to brilliant orange against the sky.  I try to capture these colours in photos, as an inspirational starting point for future quilts.      

I started taking pictures years ago on a trip to Paris and Rome with our youngest daughter Lauren.  We visited dozens of churches and museums and much to my daughter embarrassment, I was the one, not taking pictures of priceless art, but of the tile work on the floor. 

Oh look, I think I've made that quilt!

A quilters gotta do what a quilters gotta do!

Our many trips to Barbados were always a highlight. Just in the midst of the white and grey landscape at home, you land into a burst of colour.  Flowers a bloom, blue oceans, and colourful outfits, not to mention the very bright house colours.   I am so glad we have digital cameras now.  I would need a spare carry on for all the film and not to mention the cost of developing and storage of all the photos.  If you’re shaking your head in agreement, it’s not just your hairdresser who knows your age. 

I am off to a retreat for myself with a friend in little over a week, and like all the quilters who come to quilt at The Loft, I think I have about 8 projects packed and that’s just the beginning.  I like to take this opportunity to get going on some of my Christmas quilting, some class projects need to be started and finished, not to mention the UFO’s.  Oh ya quilters, we all have UFO’s.  I am also looking forward to just time away with my friend and the other retreaters. 

I think since Covid we have all missed being with each other and sharing our passion.  The friend time, the help me with my quilt time, the laughing and yacking, all those things that happen when we are relaxed and doing what we love. 

I can tell you about yacking and laughing.  Last weekend, The Loft saw the return of a group of quilters who have stayed with us before, and I have had the pleasure of knowing for some time now.  It truly warms my heart when you can hear the laughter billowing from the window.  The Loft, a creative space to share with friends. 

In the Studio this month, classes have started up again.  Some of the open sew quilters finished their projects that we started before summer and were nice enough to allow me to take their pictures.

I have a new addition to the Studio and this one is definitely making me humble and a bit cranky.

In keeping with my “nothing ever stays the same” I have upgraded my Longarm and added a computer unit to my old Millie.  Now, I knew there was going to be a learning curve and yes, that is an understatement. So, if you have a quilt in que to be quilted, bear with me as this old girl is gonna learn some new tricks.  It is just that right now, these new tricks are taking a bit of time. 

An enormous Thank you to my dear friend Cathy, who so graciously gave up her day to come out and get me going. We all need a friend to show you those tips and tricks to get you up and running. 

Speaking of tips and tricks, I have a few classes coming up at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shoppe in Espanola.

I will be teaching the Hunter’s Star Table Runner on the 27^th of this month and a Retreat Bag on November 1^st.  The response has been so overwhelming that we have added another class for the bag on Saturday Dec 2^nd.   If you have questions or would like to enroll, give Cindy a call at (705) 869-2548.

That’s about it for now, Thank you for dropping by.  Until next time, stay safe, eat leftover turkey and hugs some fabric.