Magical Encounters…

I woke up this morning to a heartwarming comment left on my website, under the “About the Artist” tab, by a gorgeous young woman I met in Calgary last week, while visiting my Dad.

Allow me to start at the beginning… since moving away from Calgary over ten years ago, I make a point of returning for the ‘big’ events if I can. Sometimes those big events overlap with the routine or mundane things that come up in life too. Well, such was the case on the weekend of February 9-12 when my Dads’ biannual Parkinson’s checkup at the Rockyview Hospital and his 86th birthday both fell on the same day. As a special treat to celebrate both our birthdays I took him for an early lunch at one of my favourite little places, “Bella Roma”, in Lakewood Plaza. My Dad had never been there before but it is a place I frequently go with my dear friend Tammy, whenever we stop in at ‘Out of Hand’.

The “Bella Roma” restaurant is a family owned business providing great service in a spotlessly clean atmosphere, with homemade food which is always delicious. I can’t even count how many times I’ve ordered the calamari and never been disappointed! But this time was even better, as we were served by Stavi, the owners’ daughter. This young woman was so attentive and considerate to my elderly father, politely listening to all his stories from the old country and taking the time to make him feel special, at one point bringing him a birthday beer ‘on the house’. As we were getting ready to leave we were completely blown away when she announced that there would be no bill for our lunch that day, in honour of meeting my Dad on his birthday. Dad claims that it was the best birthday of his entire life! and has made me promise to bring him back whenever I travel to Calgary. He says he wants to try the fish and chips next time!

Bella Roma Restaurant & Pub – Lakeview Shopping Plaza – 6449 Crowchild Trail S.W. Calgary, Alberta

Since arriving home on Tuesday, I haven’t had a lot of time for stitching but will post some of the latest Blindman’s Fancy blocks that I managed to create before my trip. I’ve decided that I will make five more of these blocks, for a total of twenty, rather than the sixteen I was settling on earlier.

Loving that hit of aqua in the triangles

I know I’ve grumbled a bit about getting bored with these blocks but I think that I would be disappointed if I short-changed myself by making this quilt smaller than it wants to be or should be.

A simpler, less busy, version of Blindman's Fancy

Blindman's Fancy block #14 (I think)

I love how the placement of value affects the design of each block. The one above demonstrates this perfectly by exhibiting a true cross formation, due to the darkest fabric positioned in the background and contrasting with light fabric in the corners. I have enjoyed playing around with the various effects and I feel as though this one in particular was quite successful.

Busy, busy, busy, just the way I like it!

That’s all the blocks for now but this week should be super productive in the sewing room (at least I hope so). I have a big clean up to do in my work space and then a list of priorities to make for upcoming exhibitions. I feel a strong shift into overdrive happening and hope I remember to slow down enough to take some photos to share with you here.

until next time, as always,

carol xox