You may have seen this on the Bearbottom Facebook page, but I thought I should announce it here too.

We’ve just discovered that due to changes in customs regulations, we are now required to prepay import duties on all U.S. shipments. With the removal of the de minimis limit, every quilt shipped to the U.S. is now subject to a 35% tariff — that’s an additional $35 in fees for every $100 spent. (That’s over $100 extra on a $300 quilt).

Unfortunately, this makes it extremely difficult for us to continue offering fair prices to our American customers. As a result, we’ve made the tough decision to temporarily suspend sales to the U.S. while we explore solutions to make this process more manageable for both us and you.

We are really upset about this… and I’m not sure what the solution is, other than charging the additional money. We don’t sell quilts at a fast and furious pace, but at least 50% of our sales have been our friends south of the border

We’re going to mull it over and decide what to do. In the mean time, here’s a look at Mom’s latest quilt on the frame…

I convinced here to add a little snail in the quilting…

If that doesn’t make you smile today – nothing will!

Don’t ever let anyone tell you roses are delicate and fussy.

Here we are, almost mid-November, and most of the roses are still blooming. Above is Good as Gold. I find the colder weather tends to make their colours a little more intense and it’s a good example.

It’s very true of Koko Loko. I just love this rose more every time it blooms. I’m so glad I found it this spring.

Bolero is still best for scent though.

New Dawn is the climbing rose I have on the catio fence. It should bloom on and off all year – but the first couple of years it only bloomed once in early summer. This year however, it’s made up for it. And to see blooms on it now – this isn’t the only one, there are several more higher up where it’s harder for me to get a picture.

It has bright, beautiful hips too.

At Last (left) and Prairie Princess (Right) have fairly small flowers. But they are still so beautiful. Especially in November.

There are lots of buds on the roses too. I’m really hoping those bottom ones (Chicago Peace) will get a chance to bloom just a little bit more. At least enough to cut and bring them in.

But… they are calling for snow tomorrow. So I just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Furby’s outdoor house got a little upgrade.

We bought these letters from Michaels before we started letting him in for the nights, but it took a little while for Dave to paint them to withstand the weather. As you can see, Furby helped me make sure the letters were on just so.

We had to squeeze the “Y” in there, but overall I think he’s pleased.

In my last post about Furby, I realized there was a little confusion over whether Furby was a stray or not. Our understanding (from another neighbour) is that he once belonged to people who lived down the street. But he didn’t get along with their other cats so the put him outside – permanently. Apparently they were putting a can of food out for him each day, but judging from how he was looking when we started feeding him – either they stopped or he wasn’t getting it.

Either way – now he’s got steady feed and a warm place to curl up.

The second Deathflake has been started. Though as you can see, not a lot of progress has been made. But given how busy work has been lately, I’m honestly surprised I even got it started. As you can see, I’m using the same yarn, but in different colours.

The Brava is acrylic, but it’s nice and squishy. I like it much better than Patons Canadiana. I don’t knit a lot with acrylic, but I think this will be my go to when I do. It came from Hobbii.

The Deathflake motif will be done in more Universe (also from Hobbii). This one is called Outer Space. While it looks somewhat blue in the pic, it’s all varying shades purple. The rainbow used in the other version was called Galactic.

I’m still quite a ways to go before I get to play with the sparkly yarn. I’ve got 3 inches of ribbing then 3 inches of plain knitting.

I am heading out of town on Friday (taking the train!) so maybe I can make some progress then!

The other day, when I said we haven’t had any really cool thrift finds, it wasn’t strictly true. We have tried to be more discerning in our purchases…. really questioning if we need something or not – and as a result, we definitely haven’t had as many finds. But some have been very cool…

Our Value Village frequently has some good quilting fabric finds. Like the above Halloween print. Each is a 1 yard cut and I got them for $2 each. Do I need more quilt fabric? Absolutely not. But at that price, I’d be crazy to leave it behind.

It was just $4 for 4 yards of the construction flannel above, and $2 for 2 yards for the fire truck flannel. They will both become baby quilts at some point.

These fabrics are all part of a quilt kit.

The whole quilt was just $10!!!

But the real find….

For my non-quilty friends…that is two yards of Moda Grunge. It generally goes for about $20-$24 a yard here in Canada. So two yard for under $4… well that’s an absolute steal.

Grunge also happens to be one of mom’s preferred blenders… so that’s where this piece is going. Gotta share those great finds when you can!

The hoop has been moved up and a little progress made on the left witch.

I didn’t realize how big this part of the sampler was. These witches are going to take some time!

At long last… its done…

At least the first one is. I plan to make a second (in different colours). It looks a little oversized here, but my model, Roxy, actually has a really small head. It should be just perfect for the recipient.

I need to work on my pompom making – I never wind enough on to make them full and lush. I may remake this one, but I’d like to make a scarf with the remaining rainbow yarn so I might not have enough. We will have to see.

Details of the knit

Pattern: My Bakers Hat for the cast on, and crown decreases, Deathflake for the chart. The deathflake was repeated three times around the hat.

Yarn: Black – Brava from Hobbii (almost one full ball) and Rainbow – Universe XL also from Hobbii. (maybe 1/3 of the ball but probably less.

Needles: 3.75 mm… patterns calls for 4mm, but I couldn’t find mine and I was too lazy too look to hard. The 3.75 worked out just fine.

Now, this one goes into the gift box and I have to get started on a second.

Some of you may remember the unique little squirrels I discovered when we first moved here… little black squirrels with partial or completely red tails.

In truth, I haven’t seen them for quite a while now. In fact, it’s just been solid black squirrels this summer. The last grey one I saw was in spring.

But then this little one showed up.

Not just a full red tail – but a red streak from nose to butt!

And as cool as it is, it’s not magic – there is an explanation. Here’s the science: Black squirrels sometimes have red or rusty-colored patches of fur due to a mix of genetics and natural coat changes. Black squirriels are actually a melanistic form of the gray squirrels (so grey and black squirrels are the same species) but if they carry genes for lighter or reddish coloring, those can still show through in areas where the black pigment is weaker. Sun exposure and seasonal molting can also affect their coat, causing the fur to fade or grow back with brownish or reddish tones. It’s a completely natural variation. Because nature is amazing!

Halloween has passed – we had a very good night with over 100 kids – and now November is here.

Over the last week, I’ve woken up to frost on the ground several times.

Those beautiful nasturtiums are no more. The frost has taken out most of the annuals.

Including the amazing bunch of pink zinnias.

With the exception of the African Daisies which are holding up very well.

Several of the roses are still going. And both Chrylser Imperial and Chicago Peace have put up new buds. I don’t think they will get a chance to bloom fully, but they will try.

Locked between the concrete path, and concrete driveway, the driveway garden holds a little more heat so it’s not a total to surprise to still have things blooming – Left to Right – Armeria, Gaura, and Lavender.

My Chinese Lanterns are glowing bright.

And my Burning Bush isn’t quite on fire – but it’s getting there.

And we are still picking raspberries. Though they are fewer and smaller each day.

Not only is it Hallowe’en.. it’s also Lemmy Purrmister’s gotcha day!

Yup. It was three years ago today we went out for lunch and came home with empty bellies, but full hearts.

Lemmy continues to entertain us.

He really is one of the silliest cats we’ve ever had.

He’s also one of the sweetest!

He remains the best Hallowe’en Treat I’ve ever received!