Country Walk along the trails.

 October 12th 2020

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

This has been an unusual Thanksgiving for a lot of people, trying a different way to celebrate time with family and friends in this Covid times.

For us it was very quiet just a couple of friends for supper who are in our pod for visiting. We kept it quiet as Paul had his op for knee surgery on the Thursday and within 24 hrs was released home. We had been told that it would be about 2 days stay but with Covid they are getting people in and out as quickly as they can. I wasn't allowed in only contact with him was on his phone when he was up to phoning me.

We had previously been self isolating per order from DR for 14 days prior to the hospital stay that also meant me as well. Paul didn't find it a problem but I found it more difficult than it had been in March. Probably because in March everyone was doing it and also the weather was cold and damp and snowy. But I was just itching to get out in the sunshine and fresh air and amongst the fall colours. So I dropped him off at the door of the hospital and couldn't really do anything until I was called to pick him up.

So I did some errands, and some housework, then headed out for lunch with our friends then my friend and I headed to the trailers, me with my camera. The colours are just beginning to change and managed to get a few nice shots.

I don't think the colours are quite so red this year, not sure why. But we did have a wonderful summer of hot weather once the summer started and usually there is a bit of a break in the heat but it seemed to go all summer long. We went in the water a lot at the lake and even going  early evening for a swim as it was too hot for me on the beach early afternoon.

The trail we were on goes through Brantford right to Paris and even onto Cambridge. Bikes are great on this trail too.It is times like this that I wish we had a dog.

I am hoping I can get out for a walk or a drive in the car with Paul to see the countryside and its array of colours.  Just hoping this beautiful weather will last to the end of October.

Hoping to take a run down to the trailer before the park closes depending on how Paul feel maybe this weekend.  We did close up but in our hurry to get things all done before the op I forgot to place the bounce sheets in the drawers and cupboards which I have done every year which helps keep the little creatures from trying to come in. So maybe some photos of the fall colours down in that area.

Sewing wise I have one commission to do by beginning of December and just finishing another commissioned textile card. Then I have some more cards lined up to do and perhaps some Christmas ones too.

Another thing right now trying my hand at doing socks they are wool and patterned not that I am making the pattern the wool how it is dyed makes the pattern. So maybe have them to post next time.

This all for now as I think someone wants a cup of tea.

Bye for now.and thankyou for your best wishes for Paul and the phone calls it has been much appreciated. God bless.

Ally.

Summer has gone and Fall is Here.

 Sept.29th 2020 

Well I see it is a while since I have been on my blog and I was full of good intentions to do it more regularly. But life has a way of kinda of getting in the way.

Well for most people it has been quite year so far with many changes and ups and down.

Once lockdown ended and some restrictions were lifted we made the most of our trailer going down every weekend even making into long weekends from Thurs to Monday.

We had beautiful weather and we were able to go to the private beach at our camp where the local beach has been closed all summer long. We enjoyed the refreshing waters of Lake Erie and were in swimming more than other years. Sometimes we found it just too hot in the early afternoon so would go down for a refreshing swim in the early evening.

Here is a picture of our beach surroundings not the actual beach but sometimes we have a campfire at the small beach were no one swims. We did that on Canada Day and as it grew dark we watched the fireworks there.Port Dover had a floating dock in the water where they set off the fireworks.

Here is another picture of the lake.

Between these two areas this is where the swimming beach is. We had hope to have friends down to the trailer but lots of restrictions so even our family only got down two times and there was a lot of forms to fill in and we could only have people that were in our family.

Right now Paul and I are in self isolation as he had has date for his knee op and the requirements were to self isolate for 14 days, Paul isn't finding it too bad but I must admit this has been harder than the earlier shut down for me. Especially I am missing the lovely fall walks which I love and hope there will be some more nice days after his op that I will be able to get out on my own.

We did have a lovely couple of days visiting some friends in the Coburg and Prince Edward Co and the weather was lovely too. Our friend has a market garden and this year he had goats so was able to get a few shots. If you remember I did a thread painting last year of his Alpacas.

I think he may make a nice subject to thread paint.

I have a thread painting I am working on at the moment and have just finished two commissions one was a special card for a 30th birthday and the other a big picture of a beach driftwood scene.

When I get it loaded on here I will post next time.

Until next time take care and God bless.

Ally.

It has been awhile.

April  18th 2020.

How is everyone doing on social isolating.

Wonder what things people have been doing to occupy their time around the house.

I haven't done too much as I had my allergies act up and felt very tired all the time. But feeling better now.

I did make a isolation gown for our midwife friend who put out a call for help. And also made some masks. And now I am back to my normal self am beginning to make more masks for the community.

Also I have been doing a bit of tidying up in my photos and came across a photo I took last fall when we were at Prince Edward County. And I think I would like to try and do a thread painting of it.

This week Paul and myself made pickled beets, bread and butter pickles and Red Pepper Jelly so nice to get those things done before the summer and heat is with us. Our thinking is we won't have to slave over a hot stove but enjoy our deck . Right now Paul is biting at the bit to get the back garden finished. Hoping to order online the wood for the railing and steps and then the deck will be finished.
We are hoping to do a small wall to retain the border for the shrubs we hope to put in. He has level out ready for the landscape cloth and then pea gravel to go on as we are not having grass at the back.

I am thinking I may get my sketch book out and do some pen and ink drawings and watercolour wash, it has been a while since I did any. And I can only sit at the sewing for short periods of time other wise my shoulder plays up.

Every day I do about 35 minutes of floor exercise to keep my shoulder and back moving.

Most days we go for about 2Km walk but the last two days have been quite cold with the wind, today we went about noon so it was sunny and bright.

Well this is about all for no, but will share with you.
I am enjoying a book that our group of ladies are delving into it is called Fight Back With Joy by Margaret Feinberg. She tells of her walk with cancer and how her faith upheld her. And how we can have joy in all circumstances, which right now I am sure many could relate to. It is so great to meet up on Zoom with our friends and talk and share with each other. And one always comes away with a hidden gem that can give one JOY.

Keep smiling keep faith and we'll all be through this soon as long as we do our bit to help stop the spread of the virus.

Promise more pictures next time.
Ally.

A little blog today.

March 14th 2020

Here are some things I created at a workshop of lino printing.

This is the lino I carved for my print. I printed it on paper but I am hoping to overprint on fabric for my cards. If you see the paper print the background is black so I think I will carve out the background more to make a print of just the chickadee.

The second lino print is of daisies.

As you can see I am no professional at this but think one would get a much even coverage with the ink which probably comes with practice.

Schools are off now for 3 weeks with the Corvid 19 so stay safe everyone and try and keep away from crowds and be watchful in what activities you do.

Blessings to keep healthy.

Workshop #2

February.19th 2020.

Here is another photo of the second workshop.  I had three sisters join me and another gal making four of attending this workshop. Both workshops were successful.

I am busy working on another thread painting of Mare and her foal, I didn't take the picture but the gal that did is interested in buying it.

I was delighted to sell some more of my textile cards which went over very well with the gals at the workshop.  So I am back into making some more cards to build my stock up again. The girls at the last workshop mentioned if I was doing another workshop they would be interested, so I am thinking of doing the cushion with the thread painting of the little chickadee and branch with berries on.

A bit of news of the family, as you know my family from Hong Kong are back in Canada as schools are still closed and they have now extended the date to March 16th. One good thing in this day and age of the internet that the boys are able to complete there school work online and send in their work,  to their teachers. So they are enjoying the snow that Newfoundland has and being in  the outdoors and enjoying the fresh air. They have been ice skating and also they visited the school their aunt teaches at because they were having valentine celebrations and were able to join in with the other children. I am sure it is hard for Dad not being with them and working . I know Nora their helper is really missing the boys, but she says it is safer for them to be away from all that is going on.

On family day we took a drive down to the lake and checked over the trailer while there. The park has had tree surgeons in and have cut down a few really big trees and one was on our site so we will certainly see a difference next year as we will miss the shade that it provides. We had spent Sunday with Emma and Owen we had family day early as she had some studying to do for her course that she is taking in Toronto.

Well I will close now and get settled into a hour or so on the Mare and foal.

Bye for now.

Postcard Workshop

February 9th 2020.

Postcard Workshop.

I had the first postcard workshop on Thursday. It was a great time and learning experience for the ones signed up.
Here are a few photos of the ladies working away at their postcard.

I'm afraid that the photo is a bit dark but should have looked as light as the previous photo . Maybe I hit something on the phone when I was taking it.

Here are their finished postcard pieces.

My next class is on the 15th Feb with 4 attending which is all my studio can accommodate

I really enjoyed teaching this class, so great to see everyone so enthusiastic .

Another few days of light snow, just to let us know that winter isn't over just yet.

Bye for now, happy creating.

Ally.

Valentines Card .

February 5th 2020
  I can't believe January is over already to me it seemed to fly by.

I must apologize for an abrupt ending to my last blog, I was hoping to finish with the card that I had made for valentines. It seems not sure if it is my I Pad is getting old or wether it was because I had too much photos to post.  But it just wouldn't let me in to finish post and do my corrections. I know  I have been dragging my heels not purchasing a new I Pad but seeing this one is 10 years old I think it is telling me it is time!!😄

So here is the finished card I'm afraid it is a bit wonky on the easle .This is made from the demo I showed you in a blog a few weeks ago.

As many of you know that our son and daughter in law and three grandsons live in Hong Kong. As you may have heard Hong Kong and China are going through a difficult time. Our family have a home in Newfoundland which they use holiday times to be near Leigh's family. They were home for Christmas and went back to HK in January only to return a few weeks later. We had a lovely visit with Leigh and the boys for a couple of days and then a few days later with Duncan on his own heading out to Newfoundland. Because of the virus in China their schools have been closed until March 2nd and Duncan has a 10 day leave. Right now depending on the situation things could alter. Fortunately the schools post all the work on line for each child's level, so they continue with school work while in NF. Please keep our little family in your prayers and others in this situation so they can get a handle on this situation. Duncan brought us a lovely picture of them all for our wall.

Today I am finishing  prepping for the postcard workshop tomorrow. So I better sign off. I will try and get some pictures tomorrow while class is going.

Leaving you with a thought for the day.

Proverbs 3 verses 5&6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ally.