Rachel's Quilt for School =2011

So it is completed and it looks great. It is really pretty and modern looking. And it is in my favourite colour! I hung it on the clothes line as it is a full queen size and too difficult for me to hold up and take a picture. Plus look how nice it is outside.... maybe that is why it took me so long to finish!

Krissy and I have also been working on a secret project.... stay posted!

Sanibel May 2011

At Three Crafty Ladies I picked up some fat squares to add to my stash for Rachels new quilt for school in the fall. It will be blue and white to match with a duvet I got earlier in the spring. She has a queen size bed now so that increases the need and the project. I always prefer to make things that will actually fit a need vs. just making something for the sake of making something... hope that makes sense. I guess that is why I end up with huge projects that I have to admit overwhelm me sometimes or take me longer to complete. I learned this about myself early on though. I have an aversion to having a drawer or closet full of things that aren't useful to me or anyone else for that matter. When they sit in a closet no one is enjoying them. Reminds me of buying dishes that you are too afraid to use. I LOVE it when I see some thing I have made used and worn out. It makes me feel like they loved it as much as I loved making it for them!
This is the inspiration for the quilt. It is a pillow case and duvet cover that is embroidered in tones of blue on a white background.

and here is the pile.

 Decided to go with the Statavarious- Sweet and Sour pattern. This will give me a great opportunity to use leaders and enders....

Rachel even managed to go and have a look at the quilt hanging at Thimbles & Things and she likes it!! That is a relief especially since I have it cut out!



Thanks Sue for all your help... you are such an inspiration.

I think I may be getting it!

I have been trying to figure out how to quilt small projects on my machine. I took a chance on a small table runner that I really like... was this a mistake? Turns out it wasn't! I am really happy with how this turned out. Just the right amount to do on a small machine. My arms and hands were tired and I took a break but I was really surprised how addicted I was to just finishing the next little part! I also enjoyed coming up with 'new' patterns within the areas I was focusing on. I decided early on in this process the only rules were the ones in my head... so I went for it and I am really pleased with the results.

Lessons learned: GO FOR IT! ANYTHING GOES! ENJOY THE CREATION OF TEXTURE! Rules do not apply if you are happy with the result. You are the creator of the project after all.

I will definitely be practicing and play some more... after all there is an entire sewing room of projects that need finishing!!

Dear Jane

I was texting with Krista last night and she has found us a great project that I had never heard of and can't wait to do... . Dear Jane quilt. I went online and found the quilt at www.stitchinheaven.com .It is set up as a block of the month for 24 months... WOW...I also found a great blog for the Dear Jane quilt that also has tutorials for the squares.It can be found at
http://thatquilt.blogspot.com/
 There are so many blogs now it is really interesting and fun. I really enjoy looking at others and love that they are constructed the same as mine and mine is not so different!

Green Socks

All done the green socks while in Florida and managed to even get the socks for May Sock Club done it time! Whew. - that was serious pressure.

Picked up the June sock which looks like it is a bit of a challenge as this is a new technique. And it will certainly be a party trick! Maybe only at the Sock Club though!

Another Pair of Socks??!!

That is what my family says now on a regular basis....
have I gone too far?

May 2011

While away on  vacation in Florida on Sanibel Island, I toured the shops that I adore. One is Three Crafty Ladies. They have moved down Periwinkle Rd, but I have always managed to find them!

There is always something new to be found and I have a very hard time resisting! This time there was a beautiful top made of directional batiks that I had to have... another thing to pack... oh no. My suitcase is already very full!
Another shop that I visit is Geez Lewez. Both shops are a bike ride away and it is a good thing there is a large basket on the front of my bike!

This is a great needlework shop filled with interesting yarns and original needle work canvases.
I could spend days and days there! Look out retirement!

May 2011

So we have made the trek to Sanibel Island again! We had a good drive down and Rachel even survived the car ride. I think she caught up all her sleep from the year before. I can't believe how fast this first year has gone by. I feel like I have survived the year too. Ha ha.

Doggy Sweater

Poor Cessna got a hair cut and is cold! I got a pattern from Jody and I am going to start it today. The weather has finally turned nice... oh well she will need it for the fall and next year. And I need a  knitting project. I will make it in scrap wool because I am not sure she will leave it alone.

 So It turns out she likes it!!! And she is soooo cute!!

April - Withdrawal

Since Cory has been away I have tried to keep busy and have finished up quite a few projects!Thursday just before Good Friday, I had a panic of withdrawal! I ventured into the Purple Sock and pretty much forced  Lynne into finding me a pattern and some socks to knit. It was an emergency!! Ha ha. I was in withdrawal because I realized I was not going to make it to the next sock knitting group meeting and would have nothing (portable) to take with me to Florida. Lynne was great and quickly found a pattern for me and together we picked some really rich green alpaca wool. It is so soft and fine, love them already!

Lynne was great, stepped up to the plate even though she was on a minimal amount of sleep (she just returned from a well deserved vacation)  and I left a very happy woman. I also noticed a really nice sweater on the wall. The Purple Sock is such an inspiring shop. Thanks Lynne you really are great.

Today my plan is to tidy up my sewing room to a bit of sewing on this quilt I started last October. I know this sounds like it is taking forever but it is a bit repetitive. I have over sized the original to fit our queen size bed. The original pattern was for a 9 square wall hanging and this will have 72 squares. My goal is to finish it by October 2011. I may actually make it!

Quilt Guild - Wed March 16/11

I have been the secretary for the past couple months and have been doing the minutes. I have managed to keep up with that I think OK, but maybe I should ask the guild members?? When is Jackie back?? At the last minute I was asked to do a presentation on 'leaders and enders'. I would have liked to have done a more through job, but I did the best I could. There was much discussion, so maybe that was a good thing?? Sue gave me a lovely quilt book  and I can't wait to sit with a cup of tea and have a really good look at it. Next meeting / month we are to bring in some scrappy quilts to show and tell... hum which ones. They really are my favourite. And when I think about it I do have quite a few!

Quilt - Scrappy Stars

Well after many months and lots of searching through my stash, I handed my quilt to Cathy Petrie to quilt. She did a great job, not sure you can really see the quilting on this but I was really happy with it. I finally got a round to binding it. The Evening Quilt Guild meets this week and the homework is to bring scrappy quilts... I seem to have alot of them. They are likely my favourite. Stars by Magic (book) is likely the best way to make stars. The points end up perfectly aligned.
I have barely made a dent in my stash... but oh well that is kind of the point. Endless!!

Well off to my sewing room to get inspired.....

Entrelac Socks All Done!!

Got them done! They were a bit of work (to learn a new pattern) and yet I really enjoyed making them.

I always love a challenge and surprisingly once you get the hang of the pattern, they are pretty straight forward. I liked doing the peasant heel and can see how they would make a great replacement heel for when socks wear out.

Izzy Dolls

One of the projects that the Purple Sock is working on are the Izzy Dolls for the Georgian College students to take to the Dominican Republic to give to children they will meet in the clinics where they will be volunteering. I had some scraps and then did go and get some hairy wool for some hair. They are fun to make and each has its own personality. So I ended up with 6 to send off.
I hope they put a smile on some little ones faces!

Sure Signs of Spring

On the way to work today out on Division Rd I saw 4 deer romping around. It is still cold but the sun was bright and they blended in with the brown fields.
Once I got further along, just past Marchmount - there were two very ugly turkeys!! Right there on the side of the road. They will be much fatter by Thanksgiving if they don't become road kill!

The third sign is the ice piling up at the lake front,,,,,

Plus it is a Happy Birthday! # 19 for Rachel!!

March 26 2011

Another day is here! It is so cold out -10 degrees... is the snow ever going to melt?? The high is going to be a whopping -4.

I'm not at work today and plan to take the dog later for a hair cut.. I have some running around to do in town while she is getting beautified. 
I got my fab and drab card renewed so I am good to go for the big sale.. doubt I will find much. Not like I need any more projects! 

Rachel is happy to have her school year nearly over. Hard to believe she has her first year at Western almost in. Big Birthday for her coming up on Monday - 19 years. WOW hard to believe. Seems like yesterday. 

Mom and Dad will be home soon from florida and it sounds like they have had great weather and a nice time.
Cory will be home in 28 days and counting.

Then we head to Sanibel Island. Can't wait. Sitting on the beach and reading a few good books - YEAH!!

Barb' Book Signing

I was working on Saturday, March 19, and at lunch time we headed down to Manticore Book Store to get a signed copy of Barb's latest book "A Winter Town". I think she was happy to see us - Polyann, Jody and me! There were lots of people there and I think the signing was a great success!! Barb I am so proud of you

Bored Cessna

Poor fluffy hairy dog.. So neglected!! haha
WOW I must be bored... yikes
This is too much fun.

What have I been up to??

Well I have been busy. I joined a sock knitting group! I have always loved knitting and am lucky to have been taught early in life. I joined the group at the Purple Sock in Coldwater. Lynn is the owner and is indeed a creative person. I really enjoy the group that meets in the back room! Jody encouraged me to join; it is indeed convenient for me as I drop in frequently after work! Some times too often. The socks are definintely a challenge but I have been able to figure them out. Between Jody and I we have successfully 'collaborated' and got the job done. It is great to have a friend that has similar interests and we really encourage each other. Keeps me going and when we meet up it is fun to see how far we get!!

The next sock assignment was to learn the technique called intralac. This is as far as I have managed. I do plan to get some more done today. It is the look of the interlocking weaving stitches I like. I am not really fond of this wool though for socks. It is a bit rough after all the really nice yarn we have been using. The colours have not worked out like I had hoped but that is the chance you take with this stuff. I am looking forward to trying the heel it is a new technique called the peasant heel... hum not doubt a challenge. Lynn keeps us on our toes. Don't look at the price! opps!

Here are a few other projects Yummy Mommy mitts and

Here are some others that take about 2-3 hours. These are for my niece Jilly!!

Hi, My first blog!!

I can't believe I am doing this... something I hope will challenge me and I hope this will be a place to keep 'stuff'!