My Mother, Patricia Ruby

Patricia Ruby Haley is my mother, and mother to my sister, Debra, and my brothers, Peter and Scott.

My mum was born in Montreal, Quebec eighty three years ago. She was an only child who was dearly loved by her parents, Phyllis and Percy Haley. They were from Leeds, England: good Yorkshire stock. Phyllis Rhoades came to Canada to marry Percy Haley after the first World War.

My mother, Pat, is opinionated, creative, social, funny and courageous. She is not afraid of trying new things.

Mum has won awards for her volunteerism, and likes to talk to people. She can carry on a conversation with anyone. Pat has joined many organizations, and is not afraid of hard work. She has been a member of the Hospital Auxilliary, Horticultural Club, Legion, Church social committees,  managed the gift shop for a Steam Railway, trained other volunteers, driven patients for Cancer, and supported many other causes.

Patricia married my father, Peter Baxter at 19, and they both provided lots of love to us. They grew up together, had 25 years of work and family, and grew apart. It happens, and it happened to a lot of families in the late 60s and 70s. It was a sad thing, but it was not a bad thing. And they always put us first throughout weddings, birthdays, Christmases, and any other family celebrations.

Mum moved to Ontario with my youngest brother, Scott. She got herself a job, and bought a house. They were not easy years, but Scott was a big help. We always tease her about Scott, but know that he was her main support during these years.

One of the best things that happened to my mum, is that she met William J. Hool. Bill and Mum married, moved from Toronto to Tottenham, then to Beeton. Together they have decorated and renewed every house they have lived in. Bill's carpentry, plumbing, stained glass making and gardening skills are legendary, as well as his penchant for tidiness. Mum is a wonderful cook, and always has tons of food for anyone who drops in. She may not be the neatest cook, but all is forgiven when the food is on the table!

 Patricia tries her hand at most creative things. Over the years, she has sewn, knitted, crocheted, done toile, tried quilting, painted folk art, water colours, and acrylics. She is generous and keeps her eye out for gifts for her children, their partners, and her many grandchildren.

Mum and Bill have traveled to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, and Europe. They visit us in New Brunswick, and host friends and family in Beeton.

We wish you all the best on your birthday, Mum! Much health and happiness!
We love you very much!
Donna and Tod
xxxoooxxx

Building Relationships

Improving my sewing techniques and skills has been a goal for me in this first year of retirement. I have had a wonderful experience taking online courses through Craftsy.com .  

Through these courses, I have learned that my biggest problem in sewing is in fitting a pattern to my body, so that it not only fits, but the alterations I make will be recordable on the paper pattern so that I can remake the pattern in a variety of fabric.

To do that, you really need a fit buddy. To do that well, you really need a person who has the knowledge of fitting and has a passion for sewing. 

Well, lo and behold, just talking about this with a person who does not sew, but who knows lots of people, I have been able to make a connection!

Thank you to Mary, who is a good listener, and who is one of those people who makes connections. She let me know about Diana.

Diana lives fairly close by, is passionate about sewing, and has the fitting, tailoring, and fabric knowledge that I covet! She writes two blogs, and contributes to pattern reviews as well.

Diana has graciously offered to meet with me, and from there I am hoping that we can build a group of sewists who are looking to work on some projects, and learn better fitting and sewing techniques from Diana. Check out her blogs if you need some sewing tutorials. I have spent a number of hours looking at her work and sewing projects and I am truly inspired!

So, perhaps I can get those Sandra Betzina pant muslin properly fitted, and then use it to make a variety of comfortable pants with the fabric I bought on sale!

As you can see, I am very happy to have been given this connection. That is what I wanted when I came here. I wanted to leave myself open to meeting new people and getting to know the strengths and interests of others. Keep your old friends, but open yourself to new people!

QUILTING

I love the feel of quilts, but was not brought up in the tradition of making them. But after seeing a friend's quilt that she made with fabrics cut from her children's clothing, and arranging it on black background, I felt that I should at least look into this type of sewing.

By taking a few courses, some free from Craftsy.com, I have made my first sampler quilt. This is from Amy from Stitchery Dickory Dock, who provided the free lessons on the BOM 2012 (Block of the Month). I loved piecing the fabrics and creating the layout. I found that I can measure accurately, and it certainly helps with spatial sense!

Now quilting these layers together has been a real learning curve. First I spent about 40 dollars in machine feet: a walking foot and a free motion foot that had to be adjusted with some mean looking pliers! But, I am enjoying the quilting designs. They are not perfect, and I am ok with that.

My little Janome My Style machine is chugging along, just fine! Tension is good, and aside from some resistance from the bobbin winder, my machine and I work well together.

Tod and I have decided to hang it above the fireplace on the big chocolate brown wall, until we can find a painting that we can afford.

I don't think I will become an obsessive quilter. It is too easy to fall down that rabbit hole, and I have too many other things I'd like to try. But, I will try a landscape quilt as my next project, after sewing a couple more blouses!

First Grandchild

So, I really didn't think I was ready to be a grandmother. After all, I just retired, still feel very young, and I'm just getting used to freedom, in a new province, in a new house, without any children physically needing us! And then the daughter gets married. It was such a happy occasion, because we really think she picked a wonderful man, who really loves her . . . and understands her! JOY!

But then, they have this most beautiful baby boy, born April 9th. I could not be there for the birth, as she went two weeks early. (Good thing, he was a whopping 8 lbs 11 ounces and she is only 5 ft 3 inches and had only gained 24 pounds!)

So, I was ready in an instant to be a grandparent, as was Tod. But, surprisingly, I was so anxious to see my daughter. I needed to know that she was fine. We already had seen a photo of the baby, and knew that he was healthy. But, no pictures of my daughter. It struck me how much your child is still your child, no matter now independent and capable they are. She was fine, but motherhood is a big change, and no one can prepare you for the sheer physical and emotional roller coaster it is. Tod and I were happy to be asked to stay to help out. After all, who but your mom and dad would be as much in love with your child as you are?

Organized Sewing Room

Having a large laundry room on the main floor, close to my computer area has been one of my favorite things about this house. I can watch my Craftsy.com classes, and choose to sew or knit with all my materials close at hand.

We bought some pre-cut 1/8 inch pegboard and I painted them in a melamine type paint. I chose a robin's egg blue, which seemed to pop on the tan walls.

The water heater is on the wall behind the striped curtain. We were able to buy a flexible velcro curtain rod, and by pinching some of the excess material, I made some pleats to add a little interest to the curtain, where I needed it. I also painted the legs on an Ikea dining room table, and painted an old sewing machine cabinet, too.

I am very surprised at how easy it is to find all my tools and to put them away when my sewing session is over. Is this how organized people live? I like it!

Croissants

I love good croissants, but never thought I would have the patience to make these. But, after signing up for Craftsy.com's Classic Croissants at Home, I will never buy them again! These are the results:

This is not a sponsored ad. I truly enjoyed the class, and when I had a little problem with my butter block, the instructor, Colette Christian responded with an email and posting within 24 hours. These croissants are really delicious, and I will definitely make them again, and again. Who cannot resist Pain au Chocolat or a nice marmalade and croissant hot out of the oven?  Well, I'm off to the YMCA so I can keep eating these at least once a month!

Sewing Hobby Renewed!

When I retired, I bought myself a basic Jenome sewing machine. I used to sew on and off. 
Remember crimpline?? I made a great pant suit with an pale blue embossed polyester crimpline that practically stood up by itself!! In fact, I used to sew quite a few clothes for myself. I loved blues, mauves and for my friend, Christine's wedding, I bought a lovely embossed organza and made a long puffy skirt and a fitted tailored blouse. I am certain that other people wondered why I was wearing a dress made out of what should have been hanging from a kitchen window. Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music must have inspired me to make my dress out of kitchen window curtain fabric. I thought I looked great!

There are grandbabies on the way in our neighborhood!

So, I am really enjoying sewing. There is such a great community of sewists (sewer is passe), and I love taking courses on line at Craftsy.com --giving me a chance to improve my technique.

But, I must say, while I sew, I hear the voice of my Home Ec teacher, Mrs. Embacher, a lovely German lady who taught us the basics of the sewing machine and had sewing. She had the patience of a saint. I remember a group of the girls trying to get her to say the word "Seersucker" because they thought it a little 'dirty'. She did not fall for it, but did not get angry, either. She was a great teacher. She must have been, as we only had classes with her once a week for about 8 weeks. But, all the solid basics I have, come from her. Yet, we have lost our Home Ec and Tech teachers in the Ontario Public Elementary Schools. What a shame!




The patience I have for sewing, is a result of having the time to sew, the family and friends to sew for, and a husband who makes supper without asking on the days sewing is going so well!!!!