New Year, lots of work done.

 Once again, it has been a while since I have posted. This seems to be a bad habit.

I have had a very productive I have finished a few tops and got multiple backing done, which means as of right now, I have 12 quilts to take to the Longarmers. 

This is Bellatrix, one of Gudrun Elra's patterns. This one was made for Kevin and I am excited to see it complete.

This years is the first to be posted but I have many more to add.

Moda Block Heads Block 2

 Block 2 and a couple other projects on the go.

This weeks block was given by Jenelle Kent of Pieces to Treasure. Here are my Cooee blocks.

Once again I did both sizes and I think I will be able to continue to do so throughout this sew along.

Here is my Hip To Be Square project. I love the way Jackie Kunkel of Canton Village Quilt Works uses the bold vibrant colors with the black and white  prints. There are a couple more patterns in her book that I will be doing after this one.

As my Leader and Ender project I am working on Ocra Bay by Bonnie K Hunter. These little quarter square triangles, or hour glass blocks are perfect for fitting in at the beginning and ending of my piecing. It is amazing how quickly I am zooming through these little guys.

I found Bonnie Hunter shortly after deciding to learn to quilt. Her yearly mysteries have taught me many techniques and her Quiltcam, is perfect to have on while sewing or cleaning. She invites you into her home, her quilt studio while she sews. She will answer questions and show off pictures what other quilters send her through email while she is live. This isn't a class but she is always giving little hints that help. She unfortunately can not do the quilt cams on a regular basis any longer. Her move to the mountains took her away from good internet service and the connection just isn't string enough anymore. This doesn't stop me from going back and watching the MANY episodes that she has on her YouTube channel and blog though. She is funny and caring and SO very encouraging.

On top of these fun exciting projects, on the cold nights I have been binding. I can't wait for this one to be finished so I can get a good picture of it.

Tomorrow Block 3 is released for BH 4 and I am picking up my Easy Street Quilt from the Long Armer. I have the binding for that one cut, sewn and ready to attach. I need to take some time out of quilting and get a few labels done to I can get these completely finished.

Moda Block Heads 4 - weekly block sew along

 This week the Block Head 4 sew along started. This is a sew along that will give a new block every week and this is my first time joining. This year there are 2 different block sizes. You can choose one of the sizes or do both. I am going to try and do both, at lease of some of the blocks. I will see what my time allows and just how tiny the pieces are. 

The first block is put out by Lynne Hegmeier of Kansas Troubles Quilters. She chose the Square Wheel Block.

I am using 2 layer cakes. The Compositions line from Moda, funny because it is a Basic Grey line, which was one of my favourite scrapbooking paper lines. The three bottom fabrics are from the layer cake.

The blue and black fabric is my background fabric. It is City Lights from Northcott.

Pieces cut and ready to assemble.

These are for the 9" block. The pieces for the 4.5 inch block are going to be TINY!! 

This is the 8.5 inch block. 

This was fun to put together and good practice for a kit I have that is completely this block.

Below is the smaller 4.5 size. 

I added a playing card and the dime to show JUST how tiny some of these pieces were to work with. This block, this was a challenge!

I have to say, Lynn Hagmeir had some great tips to make this block a little easier. The pressing with Best Press and putting some weight on the seams after pressing definitely help create a flatter block. This in turn helped get the correct size in the end. Thank you Lynn.

 Now that I have found my Blog again, I had better start updating it. 

This morning I went through some links, deleted the ones that were no longer relevant and added in my Quilting interests. I added a couple blogs and  I will add more as time goes on.

 I added some amazing CANADIAN online quilt/fabric stores. There are some wonderful online stores in the U.S. but the shipping to Canada is completely outrageous! So, just incase anyone ever reads my blog and is looking to support Canadian, I hope these links lead you to some fun shopping.

I still do my best to support my favourite pattern designers from around the world by going to their stores and purchasing their digital downloadable patterns. I think this is important as they have put the work into designing the pattern, creating a finished product to test their idea, and they spend hours writing the pattern in a way that is easy for us to follow. Some designers even provide multiple methods to achieve a certain block unit. By purchasing directly from them, they get more of the proceeds from that purchase.

Now, to add some visual interest to this update blog post, I will add one of the quilts I finished before Christmas. This one was for me and I used the Tula Pink flannel collection called Holiday Homies with a few added pieces to get the quantity of fat quarters needed. This is a  Gudrun Elra pattern called Teen Spirit. This was fun and easy to put together. and with Flannel backing, it is SO warm on our cold winter Canadian Winter days.

Finally found my blog again!!

 

Wow, 2014 was the last time I posted! I have tried many times since then but couldn't get back into my account! 

Today I was checking out Lynne Hagmeir's Kansas Troubles Quilters blog for the details on the Moda Blockhead's first Block for BH4 and low and behold, I noticed I was signed in!! Taking advantage of this by creating a blog post.

A lot has happened and my blog needs an overhaul. I am no longer scrapbooking, am now quilting. I started 8 years ago and have MANY projects to post about going forward. 

Some of my favourite quilt designers are Gudrun Elra of GE Quilt Designs, Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville), Tula Pink, Tim Holtz (Fabric designer for Free Spirit)(YES he has amazing fabrics that are the same as his scrapbook deigns)and Jackie Kunkel. There are more but theses are the few that came to mind first. 

Now to get my photos off my phone and onto my computer so I can add then to my blog😀

Forever Changing

Wow, I look at my last post and it was from 2012! So much has changed since then. My oldest son is now taller than I. I have not scrapbooked in a couple years, I think due to moving and the new house being so Dark inside. I started learning to quilt last January and have really enjoyed sitting in front of my sewing machine again. I went from 1 sewing machine to 7 in a matter of a few months. I now have a treadle machine that I just have to figure out the timing on.

  We are trying to find a house to buy close to where we are living now. I am sick of paying someone ELSES mortgage, I want to be investing in our own future. Though finding a house is proving to be very difficult in our price range. We have put offers in on 3. Two we lost to other offers and one was not willing to budge on their price so we walked away.

I am going to try and record my progress in quilting  here. I have pictures to post but need to get them onto my new computer before I can upload them.
 
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah or Happy Holiday if you do not celebrate one those. I also wish for everyone to have a wonderful New Year full of fun and exciting adventures with those the love.

  Wow, I can't believe it has been over a year since I last posted on my blog. I do believe it is time that I catch up and document the past year. SO much has happened and there are pictures to go along with most, of course, lol.

  Some of the most recent events are, we have started Geo caching again. I didn't realize just how much I had enjoyed it and missed it. The boys have been taking a "Steve Nash basket ball" course. Owen has thrived and really caught on to a lot of the skills he has been taught. Gavin has just been playing to have fun. Both boys are in a mountain biking course on Sundays as well. Gavin now wants his next bike to be a mountain bike but Owen is still thinking BMX is his way to go, lol.

  One of the more important accomplishments this past year was Owen reaching his goal. A goal that has made both Kevin and I extremely proud. Not only because it had been 2-2 1/2 years in progress, but because it was such a selfless thing for him to do. He cut his hair for Cancer. Even with years of growing it and, near the end, getting ridiculed for his long hair he NEVER waivered in his decission. there are pictures and much more to this story to come soon.

  This is a little teaser of what it to come.

Bad Bad Mommy

Ok, so here it is,
I am a bad Mommy.

It is now the 31st of March and the only pictures I have taken ALL month are the ones I took of the purse I made to post here.

I know, you are all shaking your heads. I am too.

I had better pull up these big girl pants and do much better in April!! At least the weather will be nicer and the trees should start getting some green buds, if not whole leaves.

I think March is just so dreary and grey that I have no gumption to take pictures. I just want to crawl into bed and read all day long.

One thing that has me VERY happy though is the weekend forcast. By Saturday we are supposed to be up to 22 C with only cloudy periods. AND we just might get out first outdoor egg hunt this year. Sunday is a little cooler at 14 C but it is still calling for SUN with cloudy periods.
I just hope that bunny remembers to put the chocolate INSIDE or the critters are going be running sround on sugar highs. I picture the squirrel from Over the hedge after having caffine,
lol.

Kevin and I are hoping to take the boys to see How to train your Dragon over the Easter weekend. We have been waiting for this one for quite a while. The first time the boys saw the trailer was when we took them to see A Christmas Carol. They are excited to see it but wewill leave it as a surpise!

Sewing again!

With all the hard work my sewing Machine did before Christmas, it decided to go on strike. I guess 12 pairs of flannel PJ's in a month was just too tiring. After a couple weeks away at Gertie's Sewing Machine Repair Service getting oiled and pampered was all it needed. I now have it back we are hanging out at the dining room table together,lol.
I just finished making my own purse. Thisis the firt timeI have attempted anythinglike this and I am happy with how it turned out. I used Ashley's instuctions for her Portable DVD player tote at Make it and Love I just made it a litte larger to suit my needs.

One of the reasonsI liked this tote was the sections inside.I have been reading alot, and I mean a LOT lately and my book goes everywhere wtih me. Having the divider inside is perfect because I have one side for my book(keeps it from getting marked or bent) and the other side for everything else.
I added a little loop inside with a small hiking clip to attach my key to. This will save me having to dig at the bottom of the bag to try and find them.

I liked the pocket on the back that Ashley used for the cables so I added it to my bag. I use this pocket for my phone I-touch. My earphones will fit in there as well but it is a little snug.

It has a top cover like a message bag so that things are not openfor al to see. I am still contemplating added a button or fastener of some sort to it.

I made a nice wide strap in hopes that it will stay onmy shoulder better. I generaly hate carrying a purse because the straps never stay onmy shoulders and I end up carrying inmy hand which is a royal pain.

All in all I am happy with my first attempt and I am checking out ideas for a second one.

I have to say thank you to Ashley(even though she will never see this) for her Make it and Love it blog!! She has amazing ideas on it and simple, easy to follow instruction with LOTs of pictures.

What a week,PHEW!!

We have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, lol.

Monday the boys had eye doctors appointment. Both did well, no worries.
Tuesday I had a family lunch with my Mom,My Aunts and another cousin. Very fun, and lunch was delicious. After lunch Mom and I took my Aunt Nellie to Fabricland so she could checkout the closing sales. I came home with some fabric to make myself a new bag/purse.
Wednesday I finally had a chance to clean up a bit and Owen had tutoring after school.
Thursday Kevin and I went into town while the boys were in school to do groceries. He also got his hair cut and I got some fabric. then home to get the boys because had dentist appointments. Gavin did great, no cavities. Owen on the other hand....
Friday, Owen BACK to the dentist to get 3 cavities filled. All were apparently very small, one in a molar that is take FOREVER to pop up. Dr Sun said that wasn't completely Owen's fault. the food was getting trapped under his gums which is what caused that cavity. While fixing that tooth he cut Owen's Gums so that his tooth can come up a little easier and stop the problem with food getting trapped. The other 2 cavities are in baby teeth but we took care of them anyways. I think they were getting sick of seeing us because Kevin had been in there inthe morning to get his root cannel finishsed off.

Which brings us to today Saturday, a day of relaxing and doing whatever comes along that sounds good. Started of reading in bed. I then finished off some sewing I was doing for a friend. And now I am sitting drinking my nice warm tea and catching up here. At some point we will be heading over to my parents for a visit. The boys are going to read to Gammie and Kevin is going to have a game of Wii golf with Dad. Just winging today.

I am hoping to start a new sewing project and possibly finish off my latest book, The Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. Will have to see which wins out.

Making Mom Proud!!

That is what my boys have been doing today. It started with Owen getting a character award at school today for Fairness.

Owen was then retested at school for his reading level. In the past month he has gone from a level 4 or 5 to a level 12!! He has been working so hard with Mrs C. I can't thank her enough. Both the boys just adore her.


Then while at tutoring today, Mrs C and I took turns reading with both boys. We do this once in a while so I can see what she is doing and so that Owen will read to me. He won't at home. Gavin is about a level 11 which is where he is supposed to be, so we are not worried about him being behind like Owen, though Owen won't be behind much longer if he keeps working THIS hard.

So as you can see I have many reasons to be a Proud Momma today.

Olympic Pride

Well, it has now been a whole week since we watched the opening performance of the Olympic Games. The only time our TV has not been been on the CTV Olympic watch is when there was no one home. Even the boys have been watching it, though sometimes not of their choice. They have shown a great amount of pride in our wonderful country and out amazing Canadian athletes. Cheering and yelling at the TV to encourage our athletes as been done more then a few times,lol. It is a good thing we live in the country and not in an apartment in town.
One of the of the events we have watched regularly over the past few days is the speed skating. The boys are just amazed with this sport. This is what I saw this afternoon in my dining room. I took Gavin outside to get a couple pictures while we still had some sunshine.

Needed so ice to take the top picture but it was getting to late, maybe tomorrow.

If there is one thing I have noticed in these pictures, it's that Gavin is no longer my baby boy.

Day On The Road

I was out on tour today with my friend Tamara. We took a drive up to Minden and around to Peterborugh then home in time to pick the boys up at the bus stop. We take these trips every once in a while with the intention of taking pictures. The first time we had a photo tour we took many many pictures. Ever since then we get talking and don't remember to watch for photo ops. today wasn't much different. However, we did stop at a Cemetery that had a lot of beauty to it. this is my favorite picture from today. We plan on going back in the spring to take some more photos when the ground isn't covered in snow and ice.

Here is a LO I finished yesterday for a challenge that I posted on Scrap central. The february theme is to use up your stash (to make room for all the fun CHA stuff that is about to ne released) My challenge is to use Paint, buttons and ribbon. I was going to add a digital element to the list but not everyone digi/hybrid scraps and that isn't going to make roomfor anythingnew so I left it off the list.

This picture was taken on December16th when the Olympic torch was carried through Lindsay. Our school went to support one of the torch carriers, Jack Prinns (not in this picture).Jack has huge ties to our school,not only did he attend the school, but BOTH his parents are teacher there. I think I am safe in saying that we all felt our heart swell with pride to watch him carry the torch up onto the stage and light the caldron.

After the ceremonies on stage took place the relay runners were walking around getting pictures taken with fans. This is us, (unfortunately I do not know this wonderful mans namebut I am trying to find it) of course Gavin being his shy self wouldn't look at the camera for the picture. Thank you Heide for taking it.

It is now a couple months later and the boys are still talking about this day. Hopefully if we keep them talking, they will remember this feeling for the rest of thier lives. This wonderful, over powering, all incompassing feeling of PRIDE. TRUE CANADIAN PRIDE!

Fun In The Winter Sun

On Saturday we met up with friends and went sledding. It was the first time the boys had been on a bigger hill all winter. We only had one mishap, Owen got a bloody nose. He bounced right off of his tube and did a nose dive into the snow,lol.

After Owen's bloody nose he got right back into the fun of the hill, though he did stay away from the little bit of a jump at the bottom, lesson learned.

Gavin had a blast. He laughed and giggle all afternoon.

One of the things that impressed me most on Saturday was the way they took turns pushing each other down the hill. We will definately beingdoing this again.

Wow Time Flies

Time just keeps fading away on me. I can't believe I haven't posted since November. Well we had a great Christmas here at home and went our friends for New Year's. Our holiday was fun and relaxed.

I have had a lot of fun this past month using my scrapbooking supplies again. I hadn't done much after the move in June and really have gotten the bug again.

Here are a few of the LOs I have done in the past couple weeks. I will start withthe digital LO I finished last night.

This is my first digital LO in MONTHS. I used supplies from a few different kits. digidesins resort - background PP, Digi Scrap Obsession - ribbon, beaded pin, gem flower, Little Dreamer Designs - mesh behind photo, Two Peas In a Bucket - title font, and "french Laundry" photo overlay Divine digital - green florals and glitter mist, and the 12x12 overlay is from the Wish kit by AJA Abney(sorry can't find kit again to get a lnk). I think I spend as much time looking through kits as I do actually creating the LO, lol.

Busy Busy Busy

It isn't even December yet but boy have we been busy.
I have finished off my sewing projects for my Nieces nephews and boys. I was going to take a picture of them all together onced finished but that didn't happen. Kevin had wrapped about 75% of the gifts. We only have a few items left to buy then we are finished our shopping. I have almost completed the advent Calendar, I just have to paint and attatch the numbers to the drawers then I can take a picture or two to share here. I got all 24 books wrapped and ready to start reading on Dec 1st. We even started reading When Santa fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke. It is a chapter book so obviously NOT wrapped to read in one night,lol


Some of these are on my TO DO-TO MAKE lists so that has releived a bit of the stress.

Yesterday we went to the movies and watched A Christmas Carol in 3D. It was the boys first 3D movie and they were so cute. Owen wasn't sure what to think at first, I was a little scared it was going to make him sick but once he got used to it he was fine and enjoyed thte movie. Gavin was was cute because he was trying to catch the snowflakes, lol. I will definately be buying this movie when it comes out on DVD.

This morning we are playing it low key, Kevin worked the night shift last night, but this afternoon we are heading out for the Santa Clause Parade in a near by town. It will be our first night parade and we are all looking forward to it. It is a whoe day of fun with face painting, dog cart and pony rides, gingerbread decorating, free photos, a petting zoo, free hot chocolate and movies at the highschool. I think it should be a great day. It is cool out but not cold. we still have not had snow. I am not complaining, but I know once it does give us our nice white covered ground the whole Christmas Spirit will grow.

Now, I am off to see if I can trim a few evergreens to make a decoration for the driveway pillers and get the garland up on the lamp post.

To all my American friends, I hoe you have a fantastic Thanksgiving and maybe found a few good deals on your Black Friday shopping sprees.

Holidays In Hand Prompts Display

Well, I did it. I was able to finish my display for my daily prompt that Jessica Sprague has given us for December. Nothing too special, not sure if I am going to the prompts in my album or not. My plan is to do the LOs in digital format but after finishing the display I am thinking of possible doing them hybrid. We will see what happens as time goes on.

Now to start reading the actual prompts and seeing if I can't get some of the journaling done to make putting the LOs together a little quicker, especially closer to Christmas Day.

Only Colds

Well, after a week with the boys home from school sick we took the drive to the emerg. I don't like going there but wasn't sure we would be able to get into the Drs office tomorrow and I really didn't want the boys missing more school if they didn't have too. After a look in their throats and ears, their temperatures being taken the results are.........just a cold. Well, Owen has an ear infection too but it is NOT H1N1!!
So tomorrow they are heading back to school with notes repeating what t he Dr has said and hopefully they will be able to stay. If the are able to stay then I can CLEAN MY HOUSE!!!

Day 2 Assignment

Our next assignment was to print out some daily promts, which I have done. And to make a couple lists. What we want to do and what we want to make over the holiday season. I have filled my lists out, mostly. It is obviously in no specific order and might change as the month goes on.

Christmas TO DO

1 Wrap 25 Christmas books to read every night at bedtime. When the books are all unwrapped it is Christmas!!
2 Have friends over for Dinner
3 Camp out one night under the Christmas tree
4 Go for an evening stroll in the falling snow.
5 go skating
6 Get a Christmas tree
7 Deliver cookies/fudge to neighbors
8 Mail Christmas cards
9 Decorate the tree
10 Read a Christmas story
11 Watch a Christmas movie, have popcorn and hot chocolate
12 Decorate the inside of the house
13 Finish decorating the outside of the house
14 Try a new recipe
15 Clear out corner to put tree in
16 Have friends over for a winter bonfire
17 take a trip to Lang Pioneer Village
18 wrap Christmas gifts
19 go tubing at the ski hill
20 have a night if watching Christmas specials
21 family Christmas with Kevin’s side
22 watch Jack Prins carry the Olympic torch through Lindsay
23 Have birthday party for Gavin
24 Go see “A Christmas Carol” as a family
25 take boys to Christmas work party
26
27
28
29 Take tree down
30 mail thank you cards
31 put decorations in shed.

TO MAKE
1 Make birdseed ornaments to hang outside
2 Go sledding
3 String cranberries and popcorn to hang on the tree.
4 Adopt a new tradition (wrapped)
5 Drive to Bowmanville to see the lights
6 Make cookies and fudge
7 Layouts to finish calendars
8 Make wreaths for the front door and 2 pillars
9 Make photo ornaments
10 Sew fabric gift bags
11 work on Christmas organizer
12 Make digital card to e-mail friends and family
13 write letters to Santa
14 Build a snow fort
15 Create my Holidays In Hand album
16 Make birdseed ornaments to hang outside
17 Build an ice rink (weather permitting)
18 Make thank-you cards
19 Make Rice Krsipie “gingerbread” House
20 finish sewing Christmas PJs
21 Make arrangements for beside the fireplace
22 Make Gavin a birthday cake
23 Make snowangels
24 Make stocking envelopes for Gift Cards
25 Make Jelly been trees for the boys school party treats
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