Piecing Tops

Yesterday I actually got some sewing done. I pieced together the strippy rows of a basket and stars quilt that I haven't yet named. This pattern is from Fons & Porter, and it was intended to have applique in the centre strips, but this is the quilt I mentioned in a previous post that, in the end, I thought it was getting too big if I had continued to follow the pattern, and I actually liked it just fine the way it was turning out without the applique.



I also had a great time yesterday piecing the blocks for the sashings on the Folk Art Finery quilt top. Sometimes when I'm piecing, I can get in to a very calm, almost meditative state. Of course, this only happens when your pieces are cut and ready to sew, there are no calamaties with the sewing machine, and few interruptions. In the process of piecing, cut fabric to cut fabric, adding on one piece at a time, pressing, and continuing on the circle - I can get very quiet, and my mind can actually declutter itself - just watching the fabric feed through the sewing machine.



Pictures to follow later today, when Mike can help me by holding the finished top and the finished centre section of Folk Art Finery.



Canada Day!


Lists and surveys always create a lot of conversation. Of course there was published in time for Canada Day - what do we like most about Canada? or what are our symbols of Canada? I had to laugh to see Tim Horton's in a top 10 spot on the list - multiculturalism was number 1.



Our town has an annaul fireworks and party at a local park. We've been living in this town for 15 years - when we moved here it was still pretty much a rural town on the outskirts of Toronto. Now its a full fledged suburbian city with thousands of new homes, big box stores, a performing arts theatre being built, and numerous changes that go hand in hand with development. Our local fireworks continue, as the crowds continue to grow, and I'm so happy and thankful that our town continues this tradition, expands it to allow even more participants, and that all of us, those born here in Canada and those recently arrived, together can peacefully and joyfully celebrate Canada's birthday.