Saturday, February 27, 2010

Finally............

Finally I have my Shop Hop Quilt up on the wall .The last of the borders went on today and I actually got it up on the wall before I left the shop.
What a day! I was the in and out store all day today. Everyone was on a mission, had their list and they were in and out.
I want to see the finished quilt done with the Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Alicia's daughter is back quilting and doing a very neat Kaffe Fassett quilt and those are the things that grab you and make you want to get back at it.
Linda O. has done some amazing design work with the beautiful Songbird panels that just came in and I can hardly wait to see on Thursday how far she has gone with it. One thing I learned today is that everyone has their own way of doing things and that as long as we arrive at the same destination it doesn't matter what road we took.
Kent and Kathy were in for a visit and they helped me with the quilt and the ladder. I don't need to fall off another one so thanks to the two of them.
Bad Betty spotted my van in the parking lot and brought Linda and I lunch. Mmmmmm.
Travis's Hockey Team started playoffs last night and the little darlin' had a hat trick to start the playoffs. Hope tonights game goes as well.
Hope everyone had a great day at the Knit In in Warkworth.
I see that Rick Hillier has commented on the ladies knitting. We're attracting some big time attention.
M.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Sorry I won't be there

Sorry I won't be in Warkworth after all this weekend. The weather today and the predicted weather tomorrow has made me make this decision. I'm not the best driver in bad weather so for those of you who are, have a great day tomorrow. I hope the sun shines and the weather blows to the south of us but I had to make a decision this morning and I hope it was the right one.
The Knit In is still on so don't anyone be deterred by me. I am sure you are all better drivers. gggg
Have fun
Mary Anne

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Shut my mouth!

Serves me right. Earlier this week my post read Let it Snow..........
you know the rest. Well this morning I woke up to the real storm. I think it's only going to get worse from here on in this week so make sure you all drive carefully out there and I do apologize for the Snow post. Bring on Spring!
I was presently surprised to see ladies even show up to stitch this morning after what I woke up to but it was a very nice day. Everyone is stitching something different and I find myself thinking I'd like to start on a new project but no no no, I have to complete a few things first.
Bad Betty didn't show up this morning, we figure she stayed home because of the roads.
Just as well Betty, we don't want you wiping out. Who would bring us all the treats if you were laid up?
I'm packing for Warkworth tomorrow. It looks like it will be a fun day so anyone interested in coming out to support Carolyn from the Bees Knees please come and see us at the Warkworth community center next to the Bank on Main St. Bring your knitting needles with you and come and have fun.
Pray for good weather. I don't like driving anywhere north of the 401 when the weather is bad. It's like a whole new world once you go north of the 401.
Cliff's roasting chicken for supper. I'm getting very spoiled but I do need to show him how to make deserts. lol

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Canada vs. Russians

Tonights the night so hunker down with your knitting or quilting and sit in front of the tv and watch yourselves a game of hockey. My daughter is an Ovechkin fan in the regular season but she's not cheering for him during the Olympics. This is a must win game for Canada so cross your fingers and toes and make a big wish and I hope it comes true. My husband and son are off to Deseronto for a hockey practice (imagine on a night when Canada meets the Russians in an Olympic semi quarter) but playoffs are beginning this weekend and all rinks are up and running tonight regardless. I think we should take a break like the NHL.
Cliff made spaghetti and caesar salad for supper and took instructions on making croutons from Travis and I while I dyed Travs hair Bleach Blond from L'Oreal. It's the playoffs and blondes have more fun.
My ball winder and swift arrived today from KnitPicks and I have already put it to use. WooHoo! Doesn't take much to excite me so for those of you who need a skein wound I'm your girl. I'm sure the novelty will wear off but for now it's a new toy.
I'm down to one of the Tibetan handbags I talked about in yesterdays blog and am almost out of the needle cases and quite a bit of the yarn. Those Hookers.
I have some new two ounce braids in from Dyeing for Colour that are great for spinning or needle felting or hooking or knitting.
I received a call today from a sales rep in Vancouver and they are taking up the challenge for the helmet liners. We've gone country wide. I am sure we will be meeting our goal of 4000 helmet liners for the troops by September.
I'm off to Hockey Night in Canada. Me and the beagle and the kitty and no other men in the house. I've got the couch all to myself and a pair of hot knitting needles.
See you tomorrow for stitching.
Red

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Arrivals

I love starting the week out with a delivery from Canada Post. Shortly after 9 a.m. Mr. Whaley delivered me a nice box of yarn from Mango Moon. In it were some very brightlycoloured woven Tibetin Bags as well as matching woven needle cases. The orange bag was the first to go as I knew it would be but we still have plenty left to choose from. Some very neat recycled silk yarns, some with beads and a very thin thread with beads that you can mix with the yarn of your choice. I thought I would like to make a pair of wrist warmers with the Alpaca Paints lace weight yarn and the beads mixed together. Cooool!
Janice D. showed up today with the cutest hat and pattern for the Fixation yarn from Cascade. One ball makes this ruffled hat that is knit in the round for your little cutie for the spring. Lots of colours to choose from.
Cubicle quilts is the latest thing that Cecile is up to and I have to say she is working with colours that I have never seen her use before and turning out some pretty amazing stuff.
I have ordered a swift and ball winder that I can hardly wait to arrive as I am dying to knit a pair of socks out of the silk and wool by the skein but I don't dare try to wind it into a ball or I could end up wrapped up in it. No patience.
Wednesday hookers tomorrow and I am working on a Deanne Fitzpatrick peice, Lady on the Path. I tried to resist but finally gave in. I am saving this project for Wednesdays and Mondays in Campbellford when I finally get there.
Saturday I am going to be in Warkworth at the town hall for a Knit In. Anyone interested in me bringing something particular please let me know and I will do my best to remember.
Canada vs. Germany game is about to start. Let's hope we are able to get by them tonight.
I have to say after my rant on the Olympics, Brian Burke gets interviewed and true to form tells it like it is. He thinks that Vancouver is great, Canada is great and is sick and tired of people bitching and complaining about the games and about the Canadians.
You go Brian!!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful sunny but cold day. The dog went out as usual but didn't like the feel of the cold icy ground in our back yard on his tender tootsies. I proceeded to watch Breakfast Television where Frank Feregini ( I hope I haven't screwed up the spelling of his last name to much) tells me that we're going to have the biggest winter storm this year. Well, you don't have to go far to beat the largest snow fall this year but it sounds like schools are closing and buses are cancelled. My sunny day has disappeared so I imagine that's a sign that the new front is moving in. For those of you who are getting water from a well I'm sure you're going to appreciate the precipitation. Now we are worrying that the farmers won't have enough moisture in their fields to plant this spring. It wasn't that long ago that they had so much water in the spring that they couldn't even get on the land with their equipment for fear of getting stuck.
It's Canada and it's cold in winter so let it snow. (just not to much)
My son returned last night from playing hockey in Gravenhurst and things he'd probably like to go to college up there. He loves winter and they were having a giant pond hockey game on the bay and he thinks it's the place to be in the winter, his favorite time of year. Only Travis walks onto the porch in the late fall when the air has a nip in it and takes a deep breath and while exhaling says" I love this time of year". Not me!
Tuesday afternoon is our knitters group so if it has to snow let's hope that it is all cleared away before that. It is a sanity day for me and I have almost finished the back of the sweater I've been furiously working on and I want to show off how much I've got done.
I won't get to high on myself as there will be those there who have finished items in the same time it has taken me to knit the back of a kids sweater. ggg

For now
Mary Anne

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Knit in a Success!!

Thank you to everyone who came to the knit in at St. Georges Church today and a big thank you to Rosemary Kirby who helped arrange everything. I think we solved most of the worlds problems and had a few hundred laughs doing it. It was good for the soul. However, those of us who talk to much were astounded that one among us was able to actually complete the helmet in a matter of about four hours. Please don't ask me how long it takes me to knit one.

What a glorious day. It felt like spring out there this afternoon. After listening to the sap run out of my old maple tree last year ( it literally ran and sounded like an open tap) I've decided to head off to the hardware store to get me a spout and a pail for the tree. For those of you laughing out there, I know how much it takes to make syrup but I thought it would be fun to do, if only once.

Mary Anne

Friday, February 19, 2010

SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!!

DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS AT THE "KNIT IN" AT ST. GEORGES CHURCH ON JOHN STREET IN TRENTON BEHIND LIQUIDATION WORLD.
SATURDAY FEB. 19TH FROM 10-3

Hope some of you are able to come out to knit helmet liners with us in support of the troops. It looks like it will be a fun day for all and it's for a great cause.

I hope to be in Warkworth next weekend for a fundraiser for Carolyn formerly of the Bees Knees. As I get older I realize that friends and family are really the most important things in life and Carolyn has plenty of those. Hopefully everyone can come out and support Carolyn in the fight. Knitters unite!!!
Anyone thinking of coming to either of these occasions just do it. Knitters are a wonderful bunch and you will have a great time and meet new friends and old.

We are busy working up some new quilting classes for the store so keep watching your email for an up to date list. Cecile picked up a new magazine the other day and I can honestly say that although I like some of the designs the colours leave me cold. In their effort to try and entrap the young market, fabric companies are coming up with the ugliest colour combinations I have every seen. You know you're getting old when ....................

Mary Anne

Thursday, February 18, 2010

My Olympic Rant

As promised this is my Olympic Rant.
Give it up already people. I have never seen so much complaining in my life. Finding fault with everything from the opening ceremonies, the weather and the untimely death of an olympic athlete.
First I have to say that as a parent my heart goes out to the family of the Georgian athlete who died as a result of a horrific accident. No one is making light of this. The International Luge people must have some kind of input into the design of the luge in the first place. I am not laying blame but you've got to know that this is a dangerous sport. I can hardly watch it as I'm always waiting for something awful to happen and this year it did.
I think the Olympic committee did a great job on the opening ceremonies and even one of my French customers thought they made it bilingual enough and she couldn't understand the complaints.
Now I know that we have a hotline to Mother Nature but isn't this pushing it a little to much?
I can hardly wait till the games in Britain so that I can rear my nasty Canadian attitude when things go awry.
The whole world needs to have a little more compassion for each other and a whole lots less criticism.
Onward and upward.
We had a great Stitchers Group this morning . Marie Paul is working on her 43rd 2 1/2" quilt block and Betty is happily working away on a tapestry that I think she has had for awhile. Linda nearly has all the greenery done in her embroidered piece (it's enormous and I can hardly wait for the flowers to develop) and Judy is knitting socks and taking a break from hand quilting while I am smocking a baby bonnet for spring.
The Thursday afternoon Block of the month group are really doing a great job and I notice that they are all feeling so much more confident in their work and that is what teaching is really all about. Cecile is doing a great job and they are having fun.
Until tomorrow................

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Home at last!

I am glad to leave Valentines Day behind me and be back in the shop. We had a smaller than usual turnout of knitters this week but some are also involved with the Trent Valley Quilters and as they meet the third Tuesday afternoon of the month we tend to lose a few bodies.
If found two more socks in my knitting bag, neither of which match. The next step is to find the yarn so those socks can have matching companions. The hunt is on. I am working on a childs sweater in the meantime but my eyes are peeled for those two elusive balls of yarn.
Beginner hookers start a new session of classes this morning and the intermediates tie up their last class this afternoon. Unfortunately there has been alot of illness this year and it's been hard to wrap up classes.
Thursday afternoon quilters has been moving along quite nicely with the ladies learning some new techniques and generally just feeling a little more confident in reading patterns and their sewing. We forget that not everyone spends their days knitting or sewing all day and sometimes we take that for granted and assume they don't always need our help. Point taken. If we ask questions about your project we are only trying to help you out and not to critique.
I have found that this is a real problem and that is why I am addressing it in this post. Customers are feeling very intimidated and are constantly pointing out any little seam that doesn't seem to intersect perfectly. Pleeeeeeeeeeeez. One customer said to me "if you can't see it from the 401 don't worry about it. I concur. Yes, it is nice to be perfect although I wouldn't know how that feels. I'm not and never intend to be. I leave that job to someone else. If I was working that hard at being perfect I wouldn't be enjoying the things I do. Lifeis short. If you are enjoying what you are doing, don't sweat the small stuff. And for you well meening quilters that feel the need to point out that their seams are out by 1/16th of an inch. We'll be checking your work. ggg
Apparently I have lost the job of cook. Cliff has added ham and scallop potatoes to his list.
I surrender. He is actually quite pleased with himself. The only problem I have is that I don't measure anything so in order to write a recipe for things I make is difficult. Men like exact measurements. So when you say two to three cups of milk the question is " is it two or three"?
Answer, if two is enough it's two otherwise it's three. He just shakes his head. Travis seems to thing the scallop potatoes were some of the best he's every had. Traitor. I'll get even with him.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentines Day over!

Well another Valentines Day at the flower shop behind me. I'm getting to old to stand on cement for 8 hours making flower arrangements. A good time was had by all and I'm back to work next week.
My Valentine has just made a lovely pork roast with glazed carrots and creamy mashed potatoes for dinner. I think he feels sorry for me. I'm playing it up.
Tomorrow is family day and I'm not sure whether I can stand to be in the house with the two men so I amy have to go to the shop and sew for awhile.ggg

There has been a huge support in our community for the mlitary after the past weeks events. Don't forget to come to the Knit In on Saturday the 20th and knit helmet liners for the troops.

My dinner awaits................

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Love is in the Air

Well, the lovers are out in full force today. I think I have broken all my nails and my hands are turning green from the fern and greenery. I have thorns in my hands from the roses and it will take me a week to get my hands in shape for knitting and quilting. Oh well, it's worth it. I have handled a few hundred beautiful roses today, some amazing gerbra daisies in every colour imagineable and the tulips, iris and lilies are top notch. There are some days that I miss working in the flower shop but I am always happy to return to my own little piece of the world when the holiday ends.
Cecile was in charge today so hopefully the shop ran smoothly. It takes alot to ruffle her feathers so I am sure all went well.
I'm not sure if any of you realize that it was Cecile that knit the reproduction of the Barbara Ann Scott sweater that is on display now in Toronto. I understand that because the original sweater is quite fragile that it will remain in the Sports Hall of Fame and that the one Cecile knit will be travelling. Our knitters group analyzed over this sweater for some time. We were lucky enough to have very good pictures to study so that the pattern could be decided but it was Cecile who was given the job of knitting it.
I have to say that Vancouver did a great job on the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games.
I am very disappointed with the protesters. There is a time and place for everything and although I understand that they make more of an impact when the world is watching but the violence that happened today was not acceptable and they just looked like a bunch of criminals.
Go for the gold!!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Valentines!!

Valentines day is upon us and I am off to the flower shop for the next couple of days. Cecile will be in charge of running the shop and hopefully she's not run off her feet.
We have had a large shipment of yarns this week. Splash double knitting yarn , Cascade 220 in new colours some new cottons and alpaca.
I love Tuesday afternoons. The knitters keep me going and I have finished two pairs of socks this week and can't wait to start a pair out of the Fixation. It is a stretch yarn in bright verigated colours for spring and I will need some new colors to go with my sandals.
I have only the border to get on my Shop Hop Quilt but it is essentially done. Woo Hoo!!!
I'm smocking baby bonnets for spring so anyone who wants to come and join our stitching group on Thursday mornings it is a great beginner item to learn on. Everyone seems to have a baby coming their way this spring. Not me, at least not yet.
I pieced a back for the Puzzle Quilt and it will be off to Hattie in the next couple of days. If everything finishes at the same time it will make for a nice touch to our booth at the Prince Edward County Quilt show in July. I'm preparing so far ahead for things it's kind of scary. We did our 300 gifts for the hookers this week and we're working on the kits for the shop hop and it's bussssssssssy in the shop. It's a great start to our 25th year.
The Thursday afternoon bi weekly block of the month has been very successful. We're up to 5 regulars in that class and people are still trying to get in. I think we'll rearrange the back room again after Valentines Day. I can make space where there is none.ggg

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

LIGHTS ARE OUT AND NO ONES HOME!!!

Typical for the Carrying Place Road. The lights went out this afternoon in the middle of ladies choosing yarn and others choosing fabric. Now , it's pretty difficult to sell either when you can't see the colour. Geri and I were able to make a few sales but then realized the futility of staying at the shop. No lights, no interact machine and no cash register. It was easy. I did still have my 20 year old solar calculator with hot glue stuck to it but even I knew that the end was in sight so at 4:00 I closed up and headed home. For those of you that showed up and wondered where we were . There's your answer.

I am going to touch lightly on a tender topic in our community right now. The charges against the Commander at 8 wing Trenton. Please understand that this was one man working alone. Don't condem all of our servicemen. I can tell you that the service people I have encountered are appalled and stunned by the crimes he has been charged with. Servicemen in the area are being verbally abused and it is quite ridiculous. These men and women do not deserve this type of treatment. Thing before you act. One bad apple ............you know the rest.

Lovers. Don't forget your sweethearts this weekend it is Valentines Day. If they are allergic to flowers then you can buy them a gift certificate for that thing they love to do. Knit, quilt or sew.
I've got you covered.

The body of the Shop Hop Quilt is finished! All it needs is a border and I'm on it. I can't believe I am this far ahead of the game. I love it.
Just in today are some very bright (you'll need sunglasses) 100% cottons for spring.
Good prices $9.99 metre.

Mary Anne

Friday, February 5, 2010

Off to the Salt Mines

Off to work on this gray Friday morning. It's a bit of a joke about the Salt Mines because I don't think to many people are fortunate enough to work at something they love every day.
I love to stitch, knit, sew and rug hook and do I have it made in my job. It is a joy to go to work everyday and I have great customers who are really more like friends.
St. Georges Church in Trenton in hosting a Knit In for the "Helmet Liners for the Troops" on Saturday February 13th from 10-3 and I hope as many of you can be there as possible. I will be unable to attend that day as I will be at Lottie Jones Florist helping with flowers for all you lovers out there. We will host a "Knit In" on a smaller scale in the shop at a later date and I will encourage the knitting guilds and shops in the area to do the same thing.
I have spoken to the Knitting Nimrod in Belleville, Knitting in a Haystack in Picton, the Robins Nest in Brighton, Pine Ridge Knit and Sew in Trenton and Happenstance in Peterborough. All of these shops are involved as well as Northumberland Needles and Pins. Hope I got the name of the Guild correct. Any of these places are drop off locations or you can pick up your patterns and yarn at their shops. This has been a great success so far and I love to see Canadians coming together for such a wonderful cause.
Several of my sons friends signed up and it was a real awakening for me. They are 19 and 20 year old men and they are off serving their country. I'm glad we can do something for them.
Off to work
Mary Anne

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Hookers Meet

Wednesday is Hookers Day at Andjareenas
Beginners meet in the morning and the advanced classs meet in the afternoon.
They are learning sculpting and everytime I go to the back room I see a beautiful new flower develop or a thistle and I know this is leading to a new rug.
Cliff can't seem to stay out of the shop on the days that there are classes. Very nosy and has to drop the one liners "I heard there were a bunch of hookers in here". Everyone giggles and I roll my eyes as we've heard the joke a million times. It's funny how those little things still make you smile.
Thursday morning we stitch . Everyone is welcome . We stitch anything from cross stitch to brazillian embroidery to Hardanger. I love this group as there is a vast array of stitching going on and it is at all levels . I must confess that I need to stay away from the cross stitchers because if I don't I'll be starting another project and I really need to finish some things.
The Shop Hop Quilt is going well and I hope to hang it shortly.
I will be off to the flower shop for Valentines Day so that will put a little cramp in my style but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
The knitters have really been out in full force this week. I think it's the sunny weather and the need to get out of the house. It's February after all and although it's been a great winter it's still winter.
An update on Canada Blast
At our meeting at city hall the sound analyst asked what the noise sounded like. Have you ever tried to answer a question like that? Do you want me to do a verbal demonstration of the noise?
Or do you want some kind of description in words? One of the gentlemen that walks his dog in Hannah Park stood up and yelled "it sounds like a Herc". A Herc? What do you mean?
You're kidding me. The sound anyalist is in Trenton . Doesn't he know what a Herc sounds like.
I'd like you all to do a verbal of what a Herc sounds like.
ya right!
Anyway, I digress. Tonight when I came home I said to Cliff, "sounds like a Herc". His reply,
that's right.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

What a day!

What a day. Couldn't sleep this morning so I was up at 3 a.m. and I was wide awake.
Nothing better to do at 3 a.m. than cook so after the coffee was on I decided to make a big pot of soup. After awhile I wasn't worried that the noise would wake them up but the smell of the soup. lol
Off to work at 8 a.m. with half my day already put it. It was a very busy day with about eight knitters out today. What a great group and a new learning experience every week. I think I have finished more knitting since this group has started to meet than I have in years.
New fabric arrivals today. Some beautiful songbird prints, pillow panels as well as wolf panels.
Lots of new things arriving daily.
I'm getting ready for the Rug Hooking Annual in Cobourg the first weekend in May and our Quilters Shop Hop on April 7,8 and 9th. lots to do and time is marching on.