Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Not Quite Winter

It was no surprise to find a sugar coating of snow on the ground early on Tuesday morning.
I  heard the wind moaning in the night and knew that the predicted cold front was moving through.
The above photo was taken about an hour after I got out of bed.
[I am rising earlier than I would like most mornings as our cats haven't tumbled to the fact that their resident humans have been on standard time for the past two weeks!]

I shut the bedroom door so that J. could have another hour of rest.
I bundled on a layer of clothes, stoked up the fire, dished out cat food.
When I stepped outside with my camera the wind assaulted me with a fierce blast.

Drifted leaves wore a powdering of icy crystals, as did the plants in the herb garden.

A grey mist clung through the morning, with the sun making tentative peeks before finally coming out in force about noon. The snow quickly melted save in pockets of cold on the north side of the dooryard trees.
The wind continued, biting and unfriendly.

J. brings in wood for the main fire in the living room. I carry some downstairs for my sewing room fire.
I decided to retreat downstairs after a brief tour of the yard with my camera.
There seemed to be no shelter from the wind.
The cold blasts whipped tears from my eyes, sent unwelcome draughts down the neck of my jacket.

I made up my fire, took down a mug of tea.
The cats, lured by my fire, followed me downstairs to sprawl--on the rug in front of the fire, on the old quilt on the daybed, and --unhelpfully--on the table where I needed to lay out quilt blocks.
I finished the quilt late on Tuesday evening and delivered it to a local quilter today.
There are often a few issues to overcome when I am 'creating' with fabric from my stash--there is only so much of each and I have to improvise.
In this instance, I had to piece the vivid directional print for the outer borders of the quilt--something I would have preferred not to do.
I took some pains over it, matching the busy pattern as closely as possible.
I tell myself that most of those who see the finished quilt will take in the general design and only another quilt maker would be likely to spot my contrivings.

J. and D. spent the day getting up more wood--they are like the hardworking ants of the old fable--preparing for winter.
There was no wind today and the sun prevailed, but we have had our warning that winter is hovering close by--ready to pounce.
Bring it on--I have another quilt started--and a goodly supply of wood for my fire!



16 comments:

  1. A great post except for your intimations of winter drawing closer....

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    1. Hildred; I imagine that winter in your part of Canada is very similar to the climate of Wyoming where we lived for 12 years. Winters take a certain toll of our energy. We smile politely when Kentuckians moan about 'snow days' or cold spells.

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  2. That quilt is looking good and I reckon you can make far better stars than me! ind you, the cottons I am using are slightly different weights (the whites are more lightweight) which doesn't help matters. It is certainly a real splash of colours and will brighten up the darkest winter day.

    We have a much colder spell here too, winds from the North, and it's set to get worse next week. I hope it is unseasonably mild for Sunday, when we are doing the Antiques Fair/Fleamarket, because standing around in 10 deg. or less is NO fun.

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    1. Jennie; I have noticed that whites and off-whites are made up in lighter weight fabrics than the prints, even by the same manufacturer. It does make for a difference in easing two pieces together.
      Being outside when there is a wind is very disheartening--standing around at any time can make me antsy. If I can sit and read a book while waiting for something to happen I can endure the discomfort of the weather more stoically.

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  3. I adore all your quilts but this one will always be my favorite. I am such a fan of Laurel Birch. It looks just perfect to me and the recipient is bound to love it!

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    1. Marilyn; Reading about Laurel Burch and the handicaps she endured make her creative success the more inspiring. I have a tote bag with her designs and an enameled pin. Maybe I'll make a cushion cover with the leftover quilt fabric.

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  4. Beautiful quilt. Don't like the look of the weather so much, though...

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    1. Isabelle; I'm glad you like the quilt. I posted the photo on face book and my grand daughter, for whom I made it, is enthused.
      Ah, the weather...I expect we brace ourselves each year for winter!

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  5. Yes, a good supply of wood does give you comfort. I think you have the right idea to keep busy with a project over the long winter. Deb

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    1. Deb; Jim and I come from a long tradition of getting ready for winter. Its not as long a season here in KY but a bit of extra wood is indeed insurance!

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  6. I'm not surprised that your granddaughter loved the quilt - what a treasure to receive from Grandma.
    Lillian

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    1. Lillian; I"m hoping that our grand daughter will take good care of the quilt as she is fairly casual about possessions. I've enjoyed the challenge of making it, quite relieved that the pieces all fit together.

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  7. Your quilt is beautiful, so colorful and vibrant. Someone is going to be very happy receiving it.

    I can almost feel the cold, winter air, coming in to your warm home, sipping on tea, enjoying your felines and creating.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Rainey; Vibrant is a good word for those fabrics---definitely a wild departure from my usual colors.
      I am enjoying the preparations for winter, although I am resigned to having cold feet for several months!

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  8. What lovely photographs, and a beautiful view from your house! No snow here, just mizzly rain today, and it's not cold yet - not properly cold that is, tho the wind can be wicked here too. I am not a quilter, and your amazing creation looks quite stunning to me! Beautiful and pulsating with colour and pattern. There is something nice about being shut in by the winter to get on with projects like that, and your sewing room sounds very cosy and enclosed. Happy stitching!

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  9. Lorely; Late autumn weather here in Kentucky is quite unpredictable [as we are learning.] It is very reassuring to have a cozy space and projects that interest me when its too cold or wet to be outside.
    The quilts I'm currently working on are much more subdued in coloring, but such a delight to 'play' with all my fabrics.

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