Thanksgiving.

The pioneers went through a lot, to create new lives for themselves.  They were not meek, taming large tracts of land and creating new communities all over the world.  The reasons they uprooted themselves, was numerous, just like people today do, in the every changing world we live in.  On one of our trips over the summer months, we visited a few places, one of them had lots of antiques.

 It is amazing how resourceful they were.  Take this stool, it is covered with a cover made from strips of fabrics, which have been braided and sewn together.  Strips from clothing past there best?

The quilts they created to keep themselves warm.

Some of the everyday items they needed to do household chores.

Books was treasured and most households had a Bible, to be able to read and write, not everyone had a chance to go to school,  to do so. Today we just accept these gifts as normal.  We have come a long way!

Transportation, was a lot more tricky.  A horse, a wagon, walking and eventually the railroad arrived with trains.  What took months, now take mere hours, we are truly blessed.

As for food,  it was pretty much,  grow it yourself.  Life was a lot tougher, than it is today.  When the crops failed in lean times, it could not have been easy for these families.  When the harvest was good, the pioneers gave thanks, for the bounty and the rewards for their hard labour.

 Every year, Thanksgiving is celebrated in the USA, the last thursday of November.  In Canada it is in October.  Other countries celebrate it as well, at different times of the year and for different reasons.  We all give Thanks, for very special reasons!

Red Work Embroidery.

A-Z  Quilt.

The original is done in colour.  Red and white is timeless. 

The back of the work is stabilized, with iron on light weight stabilizer.

The Wish Quilt, from Red Brolly.  (This is a free pattern).

This quilt is done a little bit at a time.  In a few years time, it may be done!  It is the stitching project that can be pulled out at a moments notice, just a few stitches, to sew and relax.

Time is flying!

Currently life is busy, blogging has taken a backseat, while other projects has become priority.  With the cooler weather the painting has started again.  Secret Santa projects, which has to stay that way, is also keeping me busy, along with family and everyday happenings.  So with all this in mind, I would like to share some recent Retreat eye candy with you...

Abby continue with her amazing stitching project.

Anita's table runner.

Her snowman quilt.

Diane's quilt on the design wall.

 
 One of the blocks from Doreen's applique quilt.

The quilt being assembled.

Her landscape wall hanging.  All of her applique is raw edge, she use different threads to create the embroidery on top.  At the last retreat she did a dancing lady, she inspired Lynn and Joan to create their own dancing ladies...

The applique is done on a black background fabric.  It is fused before stitching it in place, neat!

Judy's quilt, she used a kit for this one.  The ladies bring a few projects and they finish  them , so if one want a picture, one has to be quick.

Kate's bag, she turns out the most beautiful bags, different patterns and the insides of the bags always holds surprises, be it a secret pocket or some unexpected funky fabrics, you never know what hidden treasures await...

What can I say?...did not get a picture of her nails, they will snag your attention, when you least expect it!

Kathryn made a bow tie quilt, with ties.

Talk about arriving, ready to hit the ground running. This for someone who still called herself, a beginner.  We told her she has to change that title, it no longer applies.

One of Margaret's projects, she packs away one finish and has the next one ready to stitch in no time.

 These are quilt-as-you-go.  Just need to add the binding, then they are done.

Place mats, Table Runners was being whipped up by a new member at retreat.

We also go shopping, came home with some cheddar's and blue and white.  All part of the fun, the best part was spending time with my best friend, not to mention the games we play and the stories we share. The laughter we share until we almost expire from it, until we go home and meet up again at retreat.  The gift we give ourselves, our partners insist we go.

Lots of blues this year, Anita started a few more projects just before we all went our merry ways, my project is 007, will only reveal it once it has been gifted and have settled happily into its new forever home!

The Gift of Freedom.

 Freedom comes with great responsibility.  Each and everyone who live today, can only do so, because of the sacrifices of those who came before us.  It is up to us, to guard it for the ones who will follow us.  We hold the next generations futures in our hands.  What we do today, will shape the challenges they will have to endure and conquer.  We honour those in Remembrance of this precious gift.  Our grandfathers did not think twice, to fight the battle for each and everyone of us.

 Medals showing just how widespread the battles were that they fought.

The leaves falling of the trees, preparing for the winter slowly creeping upon us.  The weather has been extremely mild, something which we know can change in the blink of an eye.

Love Entwined is finally getting leaves sewn on.  Secret Santa and other projects keeping me from working on it.

Some more fabrics for it.  It may be a bit pink, will have to add little bits of it, to keep the colour balance with the coral.

The weir is covered with the brisk water flowing over it.

Process for success.

Preparation, planning is crucial to the successful outcome of all projects.  Infusing what we do with the passion for what we do, is reflected in the final product.  When something is done without this, the end result is disappointing and flat.  Lack lustre is the apathetic way to discribe this failure, all because one team member was not prepared to bring their A-game to the table.  Failure to deliver, shows a contempt to those, who are on the receiving end of service.

 

When a chef treats the people he cooks for in this manner,  it is time for him to go back to school or leave the industry completely. If he is not interested to step up to the plate. The time has come to replace him with someone who care and is passionate about their craft:  The Art of loving people,  with the food they produce!

 

Women cook everyday for their families, they have to be creative and inventive, feed their families on a daily basis.  Whether unexpected guests arrive or they plan for large family gatherings, they do this and plan ahead.  When the event happens, they are ready.  One expect the same from professionals in the industry, especially when they have had notice of one's arrival for months.  When the day arrive,  they not only do not deliver, but fail the most important one's: Their customers.  My only question is this, WHY?

The day we think we know everything and we cannot learn anything from anybody,  is the day we have to reinvent ourselves.  We know so little,  there is so much more we can learn.  It is up to us, to continuously follow the journey and educate ourselves.  Country doctors, miles away from the hub, in little towns do this all the time.  They keep up with what is happening in their chosen professions, reading medical journals, speaking to others in their respective fields.  In order to hone their skills and to keep them in tip top condition, to look after their patients well.   They invest the time to learn,  it is a priceless investment, which save lives and improve lives for the better.

It can be done anywhere, by anyone.  The challenge is,  why some do and some don't?.....

 Being polite is good, normally one do not sweat the small stuff.  In this instance, one has to speak up, otherwise the bad service will continue and give everyone a bad rap, which can be prevented.  The root of the problem has to be dealt with,  in order to restore the balance.