Kim Hanson

Writing & Quilting

On the Way to Wayne, Alberta

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Good day everyone.

The idea of “hitting the road” has become oh-so-appealing these days; especially when heading to those places less travelled. From Calgary, most people head West, into the Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise and to places in British Columbia. . . and who could blame them? Nature’s beauty and splendour is on display everywhere you look.

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Or they travel South, colliding with the beauty and wonder that is Waterton National Park.

But, not many travelers head East from Calgary, so that’s where we want to explore!

Lately, I’ve been enthralled with the idea of finding standing ghost towns: you know, the little mining towns where one day, it seems like everyone living there just up and left. They’ve left behind their homes and barns and their way of life. I admit. . . I find it fascinating and unfathomable.

Last week, after doing a google search, we headed out of town towards Wayne, Alberta. The google searches listed Wayne as an Albertan ghost town, so I was eager to get a look at it. We drove through Drumheller and continued East a very short distance where, after crossing an extraordinary number of train bridges, we found Wayne. Disappointed, it turns out, Wayne is NOT a ghost town.

There are people living there. There’s a functioning hotel with attached saloon. People were outside working on their cars and buildings. Wayne is NOT a ghost town.

Driving on, in the rolling hills and beautiful landscape of Eastern Alberta, we did unearth a hidden gem; a space encompassed by hoodoo’s. It was just an old barn-like structure leaning toward the middle of an enclave of old, picked-apart cars. But, it was such a peaceful space, it really was beautiful.

Running parallel to this abandoned space, it was obvious that the train used to run right by the old barn. Following the path of the tracks left in the dirt, we happened upon a train bridge built over the creek.

Walking on the old, wooden slats of the bridge made me feel a little uneasy. There was quite a bit of space left between the boards.

It’s likely a little odd to feel this way, but we loved this place! And no one was there.

Take care of yourselves.

Kim

A Symbol of Unspoken Love

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I’m getting to that age in life where I’m so very grateful to be alive. I’ve lost family members and friends and acquaintances who have not been extended the same privilege as I have…to still be here in my sixth decade.

Thoughts turn to…What can I leave behind? What will my legacy be? Is it possible to touch the lives of my children and grandchildren when I’m no longer living? Basically, I wonder….can I leave a piece of my heart behind?

When they were young, my children were the center of my universe; my life revolved around them in a real sense. School, their activities and sports kept me running from one place to the next in a chaotic, frenzied way, never mind that my paid job also had to fit in. Days sped by like vehicles on the highway, turning into a blur month after month. Sometimes, the only way I remember those frantic and hectic days are when I look at all the photos, and thankfully, there are tons of photos.

My solace in those days, came in the evenings when the kids were tucked safely into bed. That’s when I would work on my latest quilting project, often late into the night. I felt such peace and strength and creativity as I sat stitching at my sewing machine, my fingers smoothing out the fabrics as they ran under my needle. Hours flew by, and I had to force myself to stop sewing and head to bed. I felt such joy and a sense of accomplishment when I would finish a quilt and be able to lay it atop one of my children’s beds. It was my way of protecting them, wrapping them safely in my love. But, did my children feel that?

Now, I have grandchildren – the greatest gift and blessing of all. I have quilted and sewn for both of them, many times over. Now, with the luxury of time, things have changed. I no longer have to choose between sleep and stitching; I work on my quilts during daylight hours. Life’s frantic pace has slowed down, and I can breathe and relax and reflect.

But one thing has not changed. I still feel such joy and a sense of accomplishment when I finish a quilt and lay it atop one of my grandchildren’s beds. It’s my way of protecting them, wrapping them safely in my love. But, do my grandchildren feel that?

My stash-cupboard has baskets and crates, filled to the brim with fabrics that tingle the senses; vivid, intoxicating colours of teals and pinks and reds, fabrics that are just waiting for me. The patterns and colours evoke joy and make me feel like a kid again – full of excitement, endless possibilities and wonder. But will those fabrics speak for me?

I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming years. So many quilts to make, so many stories to tell – I pray that I will get time to expand and express myself in all the ways that I wish to. Even at this age, my brain is still overflowing with concepts and plans and ideas for the future; I doubt that will change. As long as I’m able, I want to be creative. Perhaps that is part of my DNA…part of what drives me. More likely though, it’s my veiled attempt at articulating love.

So again, I wonder when I’m gone, will my quilts remain? Will my family truly understand that they are, and always have been, an expression of my love for them? Will they “get” me? Of course, my secret wish is that they do understand. I’m ever hopeful that my quilts will serve as a symbol of unspoken love. I’m ever hopeful that my children and grandchildren will still snuggle under one of my quilts, late at night, and feel protected and cherished and secure. I’m ever hopeful that they will know, with each quilt I’ve stitched, I’ve left behind a teeny tiny piece of my heart.

Take care.

Kim

Super Quick, Super Easy Pinwheel Tutorial

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Good day everyone. I wanted to post a very short, quick tutorial for anyone who is currently stitching pinwheels or wants to stitch pinwheels.

For the quilt I’m sewing, I needed to end up with a finished pinwheel, measuring 8.5″x8.5″. In order to accomplish that size of a block, I cut two squares each 7″.

Step #1 – With right sides together, stitch around the perimeter of the fabric unit, 1/4″ from the outside edge.

Press. This is a very important step. It ensures that when the fabric unit is cut, the half square triangles all measure the same.

Step #2

Placing your ruler at opposite diagonal corners, cut through both layers of fabric with your fabric cutter. Leave pieces in place.

Pick up your ruler, place it on the alternating diagonal corners and cut.

Step #3

Press to set the seams of the four half-square triangle units.

Open and press towards the darker fabric.

Step #4

Lay out the pinwheel on your sewing table.

Step #4

Stitch one side together, pressing seams towards the top. Repeat on the other side, pressing seams towards the bottom. Stitch together along the mid-line.

There we go! You’re left with the perfect pinwheel.

It’s such an easy way to stitch a whole lot of pinwheels.

Talk again soon. Thanks so much.

Kim

Chicken Soup anyone?

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Good day. Last week, I heard the doorbell ring and sprinted to the front door. I cringed when my lighting-quick husband beat me to it. Peering over his shoulder, I watched him sign for a large, heavy box. My goal is to always be the first one to the front door. . . just in case the delivery is a giant box of fabric. My husband actually  thinks I have more than enough fabric already!

But this box was not fabric; it was way too heavy. Not being familiar with the return address, I ripped it open. Much to my surprise and delight, inside were my copies of  Chicken Soup for the Soul – Making Me Time. My story, Somewhere In-Between is featured within the pages of this inspirational book. 

This is a thrilling first for me; a non-fiction story of mine being published in the Chicken Soup series of books. I am pretty excited that all this is happening. The story in the book comes from one of those times that life overwhelms and you find yourself sitting alone, outside in the dark on the backyard deck at 3 o’clock in the morning. 

The book goes on sale soon; February 16, 2021. It’s available in bookstores everywhere and online.

Thanks so much everyone!

Kim

Perfect Flying Geese

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Good day everyone. I’ve always said, “I’m not a typical quilter. . . a typical quilter is very precise, pays close attention to working in a step-by-step manner and quilts by the rules.” Unfortunately, that’s not me, never has been.

I’ve always been too time conscious, worrying more about getting the project done quickly than getting it done precisely. My rushed manner has always left me with a mistake or two or more. It’s always left me with seams to rip out and many re-dos. Perhaps daily meditation has helped me to see this behaviour? I don’t know.

I’m trying to work in a less hurried and more well defined, concise way. I’ve decided to spend more time on my cuts and my stitches and my pressing. I’ve decided to be a little more detail-oriented and a little less time conscious. I want to slow down in my quilting work and get it right the first time.

Recently, I wrote a profile piece about a mother-daughter quilting duo for an American quilt magazine. While doing my due diligence, I watched several of their online how-to videos on youtube. One of the videos I tuned in to dealt with “how to make perfect flying geese”.

Now ordinarily, I would not have paid too much attention to the content of the videos. I figured my flying geese were good enough the way they were. But, in light of my new “intention”, I paid close attention.

The ladies used a Bloc-Loc flying geese ruler. Basically, all the ruler does is square-up all your geese so that they all measure exactly the same. It doesn’t help with the actual construction of the geese.

I chose to buy a 3″x6″ ruler; but it comes in many sizes. It’s a little expensive I’d say, but I now feel it’s very worthwhile.

The ruler has already come in handy for a quilt I’m making for my book. The ruler also comes with a guide to making flying geese – i.e. what size to cut the rectangle, what size to cut the squares, which is also very helpful. Once the flying geese units are stitched together, the ruler is placed over the unit, and any excess fabric trimmed away. (I used to trim flying geese units using my regular quilting rulers, but they were never all exactly the same). It’s very likely that most of you use a ruler like this already, but for me, it’s different and I love it! I will always use it now.

What do you know? They’re all exactly the same size! Yippee.

Please take good care of yourselves and your family.

Kim