Christmas temporarily postponed...............

...........by the worst ice storm ever recorded here. Forty hours of ice rain resulted in one big mess....trees down...power lines down.... and roads like skating rinks.

We had no power for 65 hours. It went out about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night and went back on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.

It got mighty cold in our house. It went down to 7C inside and it was a brisk -17C outside this morning. Needless to say my turkey was still frozen solid so we didn't have turkey for Christmas dinner today.

The gazebo frame and the wires going into the house.

The poor trumpet vine.

It looks pretty but boy was it cold and very treacherous to walk about.

The bird feeders were totally covered with an inch of ice.

The down spout on the back porch.....it looks like the rain froze instantly as it poured out..

Food wise we had to be creative.......and with a glass of very very chilled wine...bearable:) Scrabble by candle light was fun......like camping in the winter sort of.....although it was very hard to handle those little tiles with gloves on.

 
My husband finally found a fast food place that was open on Tuesday...Tim Horton's...and we had our first hot food since Saturday. The hot chicken noodle soup from Tim's was amazing:)

I was really starting to lose it on Tuesday afternoon.......my patience was wearing thin I think. I had so many layers of clothing on that if I fell over I wouldn't be able to stand up again....LOL I looked like the Michelin Man. The sound of the furnace going on was the best Christmas gift ever:)

Take care.

Next week.....

Lots of things happening ......

Next week I'll be celebrating yet another birthday. I figure that instead of thinking I'm getting mentally and physically older I'll think that I'm another year young. Can't hurt right? Mind over matter so to speak....ha ha.

On December 28th it will be another blogoversary here on My Tate Gallery......December 28, 2010 was my first post here. To celebrate I'll be having a giveaway in January for all of my followers. That way everyone will have settled down from all of the holiday stuff and will get a chance to participate if they wish. I haven't decided what it will be yet so stay tuned.
 

This picture was taken by my son after our first big snowfall...that bright window on the right is my sewing room. I should have turned off the lights for the picture.......ah well....next year:)

Christmas lights 2013

I want to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from me and my family.

Take care:) 

Stitch Dictionary.....

I did a post awhile back about making a stitch diary and then I found this ......definitely a very unique way to create a stitch dictionary:) Some where I have a version of these drawers. They were once used for holding the letters for printing.

Each little pillow has a stitch and it's name. I have often seen these types of drawers in flea markets and antique shops.  Sorry the pictures aren't very clear but you can go here and here and see a better version.

Source: The Fabric of  Meditation

Source: The Fabric of  Meditation

Take care:)

The Snowman Song by Phil Keaggy........

Snow....

Snow crystals under an electron microscope.....

Link

And even more wonderful pictures.....here

Source

I'm trying to stay in a positive mind frame about snow......I'm not sure if it's working.

Take care.

A Finished Make......

I decided to make myself a Stitch Diary as a place to keep my odd little bits of embroidery and crossstitch that I do.

I made the cover using plastic craft mesh that you can buy in craft stores. I bought about 10 of them eons ago when my favourite craft store (White Rose) was closing. Ten plastic mesh for a dollar. I finally found a use for two of them...LOL

I then covered the mesh with a thin padding on one side...almost like a very heavy Pellon interfacing....and regular quilt batting on the other. I had this gorgeous fat quarter with a Lily of the Valley pattern to use for the front book cover and a plain fat quarter in a matching green for the back. I believe it's a Robert Kaufman fabric.

The pages are fabric too. I had bought some packs of Pellon stabilizer....4 packs for $3 at Fabricland. It's supposed to be used for appliqueing, embroidery and monograms but what the heck. I used it as a stabilizer for my book pages. I covered the pages with some broadcloth that I inherited from my mum's stash. I was glad I finally found a use for it:) The pages are just a plain pale green and a very pretty pale blue that I can embellish on both sides. It sounds strange but they do match the book cover.

So now I have this nice soft squishy book...very tactile.....

Everything that I used came from my stash...bonus:)

Vintage lace and trim....and vintage buttons too.

A pretty dancing fairy pin..

I'm joining up with The Needle and Thread Network......come over and visit and see what my fellow Canadians are up to today.

Take care.

Todolwen.....

If anyone is a follower of Todolwen and have wondered where her blog has gone here is some news. She had a mishap while doing some changes on her blog and lost the whole thing and all of her followers:(

She now has a new blog address and has started up again slowly but surely.

You can find her here.....

TODOLWEN

Take care:)

Almost Wordless WIP Wednesday......

A wee bit of  Scotland

and......

A wasp waist doll circa 1880's

Crazy Quilt A Long 2014......

Good Earth Quilting is a having a Crazy Quilt Along in 2014. The rules are pretty easy going with no pressure and I think even I can do this:) I've always wanted to get started doing crazy quilting and this looks like the push I need. If you're interested here is the link........

Good Earth Quilting

Take care:)

Creative Daily Giveaway.....

Lorraine Stobie over at Creative Daily has a wonderful giveaway happening......

A beautiful selection of her hand dyed threads.....

and, a sampler designed by Rebecca of Dropcloth on Etsy to use them on......

Wow...I would so love to win both of these.

The giveaway is open until December 4th so go on over and enter at Creative Daily:)

Take care.

p.s. I won:) 

Almost Wordless Wednesday......

Finished...for now....

As mentioned in my previous post I thought that I would attempt one of the smaller projects from Allie Aller's Crazy Quilting book. I did learn quite a bit while doing it. Most importantly what not to do for one thing...LOL . Always good.

Here is my finished Dreaming Maiden. I could and may add a few more details but for now she seems to be done. I wanted to use what I hand in house without buying anything new. It was a bit of a challenge not having the called for interfacing etc but I went ahead anyway.

I decided to do her in shades of white as her pose reminded me of a bride.

I really tried to get some good pictures. It's very difficult to take pictures of white. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Some of the white trim has a bit of sparkle in it .  I bought it in Micheal's scrapbook department last Christmas.

Now I need to find an appropriate background to applique her to.

Well that's it from me.....I'm joining The Needle & Thread Network today....go over and see what my fellow Canadians are up to.

Take care:)

WIP......

I bought myself a new book in April called Allie Allers Crazy Quilting. I've looked at it several times trying to get motivated to finally try crazy quilting......ho hum.

I looked at it again yesterday. It wasn't a very nice day weather wise and I was at a loss as to what to do with myself.  I flipped through the book, as one does, and decided to try one of the smaller projects in the book....Crazy Quilt Soft Doll - The Dreaming Maiden.

Amazon

I dutifully followed all of the instructions...well some of them:) The main bits anyway. But, then I went off on my own tangent when it came to the face and hair. I started out with the original plan but then I decided her hair was way too big so I picked it all out and started again. I realize that part of the big hair will be turned under when it's appliqued onto a background but I'll figure that out later:) Also, I was originally using embroidery thread and then switched to a chenille type yarn.

The face is embroidered so that was a challenge on such a tiny face.....approximately 1 1/8 inches. The mouth in particular... so tiny....done in satin stitch.

This is my piece so far...after much picking out and a few swear words.

I've learned a lot so far and will use what I've learned the next time I do this. There will be a next time as this is really lots of fun.

One thing is that I'd do the face as a separate piece from the neck. I think it would be more visually appealing.

The crazy quilting comes in when I make the bodice and the skirt. I have lots of small pieces of  fabric to choose from so really I just have to decide on a colour scheme.

The hardest part for me will be the embellishing I think. I'm going to have to hone up on my embroidery stitches. I 've been looking through Pinterest to get some ideas and I set up a board for crazy quilting.....http://www.pinterest.com/mytategallery/crazy-quilting/....to gather ideas for future projects. There are some very talented needlework artists out there.

Take care:)

Happy All Hallow's Eve....

It's finally here.......

 

Sadly it's going to be a wet one here for the wee kids going from door to door. If you're out driving tonight take extra special care and watch out for those little ghosts and goblins.

Don't eat too much candy:)

A win.....

The Stitch Fiddler had a giveaway recently on her Halloween blog for three little bowl fillers.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the original winner didn't claim her prize. So the names were put in the hat again and this time I won:) They came in the mail this morning.

I love them...they are so darn cute. They have a sprig of Sweet Annie attached that smells so good.

Thank you  Bethann :)

This is cute:)

I found this sweet Christmas Owl cross stitch pattern....free....on Holly's Hobbies Blog.

Source: Holly's Hobbies Blog

I know I shouldn't mentioned the BIG C word but Halloween is almost over and it's time to get busy.......:)

This and that......

Hello...yes I'm still alive:)

I bought some foam to make something and I had the leftover piece standing in a roll in my  sewing room. It didn't take long for someone to move in....

She gave me the look when I suggested that she get out:) 

I actually baked something today. This is a big thing as I never bake unless forced to for family gatherings etc.

I was looking in my kitchen cupboard for something and rediscovered an unopened 540ml can of Canadian Maple Syrup that was given to my son on a photo shoot he was doing for a course on food photography. I'm embarrassed to say how many years ago that was....maybe 2004....eeeek.

I also discovered I had 2 packages of Tenderflake mini tartets...36 tart shells in total... in my freezer. I think I bought them last Christmas.......as I said I don't bake much...sigh.  I also had a half a package of walnuts. 

I surfed around and found a few simple recipes for tarts using maple syrup. I chose this one because I had all the ingredients in house...Canadian Maple Butter Tarts....

http://www.food.com/recipe/canadian-maple-butter-tarts-271529

This recipe is for 12 regular size tarts but I used the 36 mini tarts and it worked out perfect. 

OMG!!!!! They are delicious.......yummy!!!!! I thought they'd be super sweet but they weren't...a nice creamy. texture too. Sometimes butter tarts can be too dry.

It's a beautiful sunny day here today so I'm taking my book and a cup of tea outside to enjoy it. There won't be too many left before you know what.

Take care:)

Give-a-way....give-a-way !!!!!!

The Stitch Fiddler is having a giveaway in celebration of Halloween....

"..... a set of 3 Osnaburg Candy Corn Bowl Fillers. Each Candy Corn is embellished with a twig of Sweet Annie tied with Halloween homespun and a rusty bell."

Here's some pictures from her blog....The Stitch Fiddler 

I think they would look pretty nice on my hall table at Halloween:) 

If you would like a chance to win go on over and visit before October 1st and see what you have to do....The Stitch Fiddler.

Take care.

Winner, winner.........!!!!

Well I almost forgot about my giveaway....eeeek!

I was babysitting my granddaughter yesterday and I was so exhausted when I got home I completely forgot:)

Anyway not to worry....the names where written down, placed in my special red tin.

 I then had my wonderful son draw a name.

MARY ANNE !!!! from Magpie's Mumblings

Congratulations:) I've sent you an email.

I wish everyone who entered could be a winner but there's always the next time.

Take care.

Some news........and, a giveaway....

A short while ago I was very fortunate to win a giveaway from a lovely blog called Middle of Nowhere belonging to the wonderful Gretel Parker.

Gretel is a professional children's illustrator, toymaker and a wonderfully talented needle felter.  She is currently featured in a new book called Mollie Makes Feathered Friends. She had a giveaway for a copy of the book and I won:)

I received the book from the publisher yesterday:):):):):):)  So many lovely projects. I can't wait to try some of them out.

 Other news........

I also have a copy of a delightful new cross stitch book called What Delilah Did presents Storyland Cross Stitch

Go here to Delilah's blog to see more about the book and better pictures:)

It's a lovely little book full of really adorable and fun cross stitch projects. At the back of the book there is also a little freebie gift.

I love the table of contents.....Projects for beginners, Practice makes perfect and my favourite...Projects for the brave & determined...:) That's me.

Now you are all probably saying to yourselves...So what!!!

I have TWO copies of the book. Well I don't need two books the same do I? No I don't:)

So I will just have to give one away and share my good luck. Right?

In order to win all I ask is that you leave a comment on this blog post and that I can get in touch with you via email. Easy peasy.

I'll leave this open until August 10th and then I'll pick a winner.  Good luck everyone!!!

Take care:)

What is with all this rain Canada?

We'll Calgary and surrounds had their rain last month and now it's our turn here....not as bad so far but yesterday was not a good day for some Toronto area commuters. I  don't know who took these pictures so I can't give credit.....

The above picture is the Don Valley Parkway which runs along the Don River....a lot of rain and of course it flows over it's banks right onto the road. It got worse.

Are these people nuts?

A Go train was stranded by the high water and 1400 commuters had to be ferried off by small dinghies. It's a good thing the trains have an upstairs level as that's where most of the passengers waited.

Our power went out at 6:15 p.m. and came back at 11:00 p.m. About 300,000 homes were without power. I checked TV when the power came back to see what was happening and at that point they had only managed to rescue half of the passengers....long night for them:(

Here's a video to show you how much water was in the storm drains downtown. We have had so much rain lately that they were already at capacity.  Toronto is actually built in an ancient sea bed so all water naturally goes downhill towards Lake Ontario.

We had 100 mm plus in rain yesterday in some parts of the city. We are high up so we were very lucky in our neighborhood. There was a bit of a stream running past our back steps and the road was flowing but downhill and our storm drains managed the flow. 

Some of our neighbours who have underground garages will have flooding. Here's some more video of downtown T.O.

And guess what....it's starting to rain again!

Some Garden Pics....

My son took some pictures in our garden that I thought I'd share:)

With all the rain we have been having lately the garden is going crazy....

 The roses are a bit battered by the rain but still beautiful...

The bees just love the St. John's wort....look at how much pollen that bee is carrying. Sheesh.

Our weather is so unpredictable these days...one moment your sweltering and the next your cold.

This is my granddaughter wearing my sweater to keep warm.......it's a bit big for her....LOL

Some things are more interesting than flowers....specially cats named Deva:)

Have a good day:)