Cold January and packing

Edmonton was surprisingly warm when I was out there, sometimes above zero, while Long Point has been quite cold since I got back.

At the beginning of January the ice mountains (hills this year) were just beginning to form
and the lake was still open.

After a few stormy and cold days ice was jammed up against the shore and so the waves
couldn't add to the ice on the edge. Just a jagged mass of ice out to a still open
horizon.

When it snows, and before the wind blows it all off the beach, it can be quite blinding.

I wish we had these around here but I guess they would just be a big meal for our coyotes.
This huge rabbit (hare?) was in Mike and Aimee's yard in Edmonton.

I am getting ready to go to France and Rasta is not impressed. I am reminded of our Sealyham Terrier, Patsy, who sat on the suitcases when we packed to emigrate to Canada.

He has actually taken my travel diary out of my suitcase and deposited it under a chair and also dropped
a shoe from the bag on to the floor. I'm not sure how he does it as it is when I'm not in the room.

Stay tuned for daily updates from France if the internet at the apartment is good enough.

A tale of three rugs.

In August I posted a photo of my three nieces with their three punch needle rugs underway. Here is another one. They designed and started the rugs while they were visiting for a week.

Although they all started with the same club emblem, the differences are already obvious
in their colours and added design elements.

They left me colour plans for each rug and I punched on them all fall. I found I had to limit the amount of time I spent as punching for too long makes for an aching wrist.

Sarah's was the first one completed. She chose lots of design elements and carried the different colours around the rug with them. I took it to Ottawa with me for her to open at Christmas.

Heather's was finished next and she chose bright flowers and raindrops. I mailed hers to get
there by Christmas.

Fiona's was finished in time to give it to her for her birthday in January. She chose to add words
and a border. 

I was impressed with their designs and how hard they worked on the rugs while they were here. I thoroughly enjoyed working on each one, with their differences, but wont be punch needle hooking for a while as I need a break from it now.

Introducing Avery

I spent a wonderful week in Edmonton, getting to know Avery and enjoying watching Aimee and Mike as parents.

I never like pictures of myself but needed one of the two of us. He is a sweet little cuddler
and I was able to have lots of cuddle time. 

When I left he was 11 days old. In that time he had been to the base twice (once to the gym for a very loud
crossfit competition), to the doctors twice, to Walmart, out to breakfast and to lunch.
This is of him sleeping at a Pho restaurant for dinner.

Aimee is a very loving, relaxed and organized mum.

Mike is an involved and smitten dad. Although his screams of "projectile poo, help!" from
the nursery one day were very amusing.

And Avery is just the sweetest little boy ...... hanging out on his "donut" on the couch,

sleeping on his Dad,

or celebrating after achieving another "poo and pee everywhere" event.

I am going to learn to Skype so I can watch him grow and hear the stories.

Traditional Rug Hooking - Waterford Old Town Hall Scottish Canadian Show

The regular readers of this blog will know that the UK trip I took last fall was, in part, with friends, to view our rug hooking at a Scottish Gallery (in Kinguissie). The Canadian rugs have now returned and along with textile art from Scotland are being shown at the Waterford Old Town Hall Gallery in Waterford, Ontario.

The Waterford Old Town Hall has a lovely gallery space on the main floor and upstairs
a hall with a stage for concerts.

Today was the opening reception and there was a good turnout. I gather it was mentioned on CBC
this morning which can't hurt. The show runs until February 12, 2015.

It was lovely to, again, see our work hung as art.

All of the Canadian works are rug hooking but the Scottish ones are a variety of fibre arts: wet felting, needle felting,
quilting, machine and hand embroidery, printing and many of the pieces use a variety of techniques.

To see all of the pieces go to the JJ Ruggers Flikr account at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjruggers/sets/72157650250080135/

You wont be disappointed, it is a wonderful display of rug hooking and fibre art with the common theme of "Scottish Homecoming".

It's a boy!!!

I am officially a grandmother (though I am hoping to be referred to as "Nana") Avery Michael Sweeton was born on January 10, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta. These are the first pictures I have received, by phone, of course, so there has been some messing around to get them on my computer and then on to the blog.

To quote Christine "Mike looks about 12". I assured her that the next few months (and 20 years)
will age him.

Avery is a french name and was originally a boys name although the girls have been taking it over.
It means "Rules with Elf-Wisdom" or the English version is "Counselor"

He was 7.1 lbs and 18.5 inches long

He's home now, and the fun begins!

I can't wait to hold him, rock him, change him etc etc. I also can't wait to see Mike and Aimee adapt to this next stage. I'm going to have to learn how to Skype.