My Vacation in Cape Breton Nova Scotia

Here are some photos of my hiking trip to Cape Breton in September.  We think this was an immature bald eagle.  It was perched on a tree and allowed us to take many photos before flying away.

To arrive at this spot we had to climb a steep trail, parts of which were so steep that there were ropes strung along the side to hold onto.    The view from the top of Meat Cove Mountain made it all worthwhile.   It is beautiful up there.   It was also teeming with ripe blueberries which we sampled.

 Here is the ocean behind our rental cottage on a blustery but sunny day.  I love the way the light shines through the swell and the different shades of blue and aqua it creates.

 This was the eerie view from the Skyline Lookout on a misty day.      This trail starts at a high altitude as you walk in for several kilometres from the trailhead.  When you get to the ocean there are many many steps to descend with viewing platforms built into the side of the incline.   Breathtaking!   This is one of my favourite trails.

This photo was taken at the campground at Meat Cove.    To get to Meat Cove you need to drive a narrow winding road through the hills.   Last year, residents were stranded when a serious storm took out their bridge.   They needed to evacuate people by boat.

Computers Yuck!!

Two weeks ago my computer got a virus and shut down and refused to boot up.   After 12 (!!) days in the shop it was returned to me without virus this week.     However I had to re set my emails, reload up stuff, re-connect my printer etc.   And for a few hours I thought I had lost all my photos (some are backed up, some not).    Anyway they seem to be in the computer (but not where I left them!!) so I am going through a big learning curve.    Not good for someone who has serious computer anxiety.   There are still some issues that keep popping up but mostly it's working now.   And it is much faster now that most of the junk is gone.   So that's my story.

The good news is that my back is feeling much better and I had the best 12 days when I was free to quilt and have fun and not get bogged down with computer stuff.   I didn't really miss it! (except for blogging of course).     I realize that computers were taking over my life and my time.    So I am making a resolution even though it is not New Years.   I am determined to start having computerless days - to put it in its proper place in my life - a tool not my boss.

Experimenting with Fabric Bookmarks and More Fabric Cards

While nursing my back injury I haven't been able to do much stitching (not to mention bending or lifting or much of anything else).   However, since I seem to be more comfortable standing than sitting, I used the kitchen counter to fuse and cut fabric and experiment with making bookmarks and cards.   I ordered some plastic bookmark covers and tassels from Crystal Clear Bags Canada Inc where I also get my cardstock.    I found some backing material by the meter at Fabricland.  I don't know what it is called (it had the word 'craft' on it) but it's sort of an interfacing and the sales clerk said it was used in making lampshades.  So I used steam a seam 2 lite on the back of my fabric pieces and ironed them onto the non fusible side of the interfacing.   Then I ironed a piece of fabric onto the fusible back of the interfacing.  It worked like a charm.  Then I only needed to trim the edges and insert it into the cover.   I am presently looking for small gold foil labels that I can print my name and info on and stick to the back of the bookmark.

I made some more fabric art cards as well this time using the same light weight interfacing craft material and it worked well.   I concentrated mostly on blues, reds and purples for this batch and will do more autumn colours and greens once I fuse some more materials.   Here are some photos.  I am feeling better this week and have been working on finishing my 'Relationship Path' piece (which I think I will re-name "In the Beginning: Weathering the Relationship Path")