Busy!

I've had many projects on the go and these are just a few of the ones that I have been working on.  

I've made 5 of these scarfs - so much fun and quick to do.  I like to maximize my time so I wondered why I couldn't do two at a time on one set of needles.  Just had to try it and it worked like a charm.

 

Next thing I accomplished was to do a baby card for a young couple at church for their first little one.  Took the card to work to show some co-workers and wouldn't you know it - left it there and I was planning to drop off my gift that evening.  So I came home and whipped up another one which I thought turned out much better than the original.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the second one which I ended up giving the couple but here is a picture of the first.  The bear in the second one didn't turn out looking so 'angry'!

 

Then I had the privilege of having my 12 year old niece come and spend Friday night and Saturday with me to do some sewing.  She wanted to learn to quilt and not that I am an expert but I shared what I know with her and we had lots of fun.  She did everything from sewing to designing and ironing.  The only thing that I took care of was the cutting.  I didn't want to end up spending our time together in the emergency.

I think Alyssa did amazing in designing and putting together all of the pieces that we had to work with.  She kept measuring it by laying beside it to make sure it was long enough so now my job is to get it done before she outgrows it! lol

Great job Alyssa!!  I can see a future of quilting for you.

Shauna

Colourful Supper

Just had to take a picture of the supper I cooked last week.  It was so bright and colourful and full of flavour.

Enjoyed every mouthful!

Shauna

Design 'Floor'

I'm using my floor as a design 'wall' - works.  Thought I would lay out what I have completed so far on this quilt and it looks like I need to do a few more blocks.  It's going to be a decent size and I am thinking that it would make a good 'spring' quilt because of the colours.  So having said that, I will aim to have it all complete by then. 

The colours don't fit into my current house colours so  . . .  perhaps some lucky person will be the recipient of this quilt. 

I like this pattern and will probably do it again in different colours.

Long Time - No Post

 
Between holidays to Mexico - yes, Mexico with my sister and working . . . there has been little time for playing on my blog. 

We went for one glorious week to Puerto Vallarta.  Beautiful and hot!!!  No rain and not a cloud in the sky.  Worth every penny we saved to get there!

It felt so good to laugh and giggle and leave all the worries of home at home.

Our hotel room was on the fifth floor so we like to think that we wore off some of those calories that we obtained during our 'imprisonment' at the beach. 

Sure did enjoy the Spanish Coffee that we had most evenings.  Better than any fancy drink you would get elsewhere - could be that that atmosphere contributed greatly to the experience!

This is a view from our hotel room - doesn't it just exude warmth, happiness and joy!

Here's to next year's holiday!!

Shauna

Can You Spot the Hidden Star?

 

 

 

Progress is being made on the blue and white hidden star quilt.  This is coming together well.  Just wish I had more time to play - perhaps after my trip to Mexico.

 

Sashay

Here is my finished sashay scarf.  I think it turned out nice and I have gotten lots of compliments on it.

  

Love the changing of the seasons.  It has been a most spectacular show of colours this year - from reds to bright yellow.  It is just about done now.  The weather the last couple of days has been sunny but cool.  Each day that we get without snow or under 0 is a blessing. 

 

5 more sleeps and I'll be jetting my way to Mexico with my sister.  

Wow, I can hardly believe that we are actually doing this.  It has been a dream for a while and now it is becoming reality!  

Toes are all painted and ready to go!!

Almost Finished

Here is my latest 'almost' finished baby quilt.  It's all quilted!!  All that is needed is to bind it and throw it into the wash to give it that 'loved' look.  Outdoors seem to be the best place to take quilting pictures if you ask me.  Amazing that there are still a few leaves around.

 

The colours of this quilt are so bright and cheery and oh so girly!

 

Here is a close up of my quilting.  It's by no means perfect as I am just learning but I think it turned out pretty good. 

Projects

Lately I have been spending my time at the cutting board.  Haven't felt like sewing the last couple of days but have been very productive in cutting all of the material up for my hidden stars quilt.  I think this quilt will be very restful.  I just love the colours!  The stars will be in an off white that I purchased from Fabricland in Calgary.  They had the quilters cotton for a really good price so sprang for a few meters.  It feels very nice and is cutting up nicely.

A friend at work started knitting a scarf with this really neat yarn by Red Heart Boutique called Sashay so of course I had to stop at Walmart and buy myself a ball.  I'm not a great knitter but this is sooo easy to do!  Here's what I have accomplished so far.

A few weeks ago my son came down for a visit with his girlfriend Miyuki and her friend Kurara.  It was so good to see him even though it was short and sweet.  He is a very mature and sensitive person so spending time with him is a pleasure.  It's too bad though, that they won't be here for thanksgiving.
                                                                                                                           

My mom and dad came for a visit so they could see Graham and we did get a picture of the occasion.  Unfortunately, Peter and I ended up in different pictures so he won't show in the one I'll post and Elyse was unable to come for supper that night.   Never the less, we still had a nice visit.

Hidden Stars

I found this book and totally love most of the projects.  Even though it is marketed for layer cakes, charms and jelly rolls, I am going to be using fat quarters. 

 The first project I decided to do is Hidden Stars in blues and yellows. 

 
I can't get over the beauty of the fall this year.  








Look at these trees that are viewed from my deck!

Splendor

I woke up this morning thinking of the Chris Tomlin song called How Great is Our God.  He based this song on Psalms 93 and 104.  If you don't know the words, he writes in the first verse:

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

 

And then I saw the most spectacular sky this morning. 

 

I've been playing around with some fabric that a friend gave me for my birthday and think that this is the beginning of a table runner.  What do you think?? 

The Makings of a Hexagon Quilt

I think the picture speaks for itself . . .

Shauna

Another Radium Trip

My Mom and Dad invited me to join them in Radium for the long weekend in September.  What a beautiful weekend we had together.  Being that life has been difficult lately, it was nice to ground myself again and go back to my roots.    

My mom is such a caring, loving person who totally pampered me for the weekend.

My dad, as his usual crazy self, provided much in the way of hugs for this weary soul as well as much comic relief!

My mom bought these gigantic marshmallows - some were white, some pink and some white and pink and boy were they yummy.  Perfect for roasting over the open fire.  

But, believe me, one is enough, especially when smooshed in between two chocolate covered cookies!

Now onto some real exciting news!  My sister and I are planning a vacation together . . . can hardly wait.  She hasn't been on a vacation for a long time and I am looking forward to enjoying one with her.  Will post where we decide to go later.

Shauna

Hexagons in a Jar

What fun I have been having sitting on the deck, sipping ice tea and enjoying making hexagons for a quilt.  Was able to purchase these already cut out saving me loads of time. 

Now that I am back at work it gives me something to do to fill in that long hour lunch.

 

Aren't these just like drops of sunshine?

 

Look at the storm that came through the other night.  Doesn't it look angry?

And finally a picture of my favourite part of summer . . . . raspberries on the placemats that adorn my table!!

I'm thankful today for all of my friends and family . . . each of you are so special to me!

 

Summer and Thinking of Christmas

 Don't you just love summer!  These were actually from last year but there were so cheery I just had to post them.

More summer cheer

Reminds me so much of the prairies

Well, August is now half over and I have been thinking about what I had made last year for Christmas for each of my sisters and what I should do this year.  I have lots of ideas floating around in my head but haven't settled on one thing yet.

For inspiration I'll show you what I did last year.  Each of my two sisters got a table runner.  I enjoyed putting these together and wouldn't you know it I don't have one for myself.

I just loved the back on this one.  The fabric was from the Dr. Suess collection.  It was just the right shade of red and fun.

This one was for my other sister.  It was so fun to do the dresden plate pattern again (this was my second one like this - just different colours). . . and I would do this again. 

So the question remains . . .  what to do for this Christmas this year??