Being Intentional

It has been a while again since I've posted anything. Last I did I was in the midst of getting well from my breast cancer scare. I am so glad that 2016 is finally over and done with and I have the hope and promise of 2017. Also glad that I have been cured. I don't take it lightly as I know many who are walking the cancer road. Not much fun!

 

 My chosen word for 2017 is 'Intentional'. I hope to do things with great intention this year. I hope to be an encouragement to those I know and those who I meet. I'm not perfect, just working on it! 

We've had such a cold snap the last couple of weeks and finally it's warming up considerably. This is great news since I have been walking to and from work. Have to watch the sidewalks though, because warmer weather means more icy sections. The sunrises have been spectacular though and I often find myself stopping and taking a photo or two despite the cold.

Last year, I did finish my Aviatrix Medallion quilt top and have yet to sandwich it together. I'm just trying to decide how I should really quilt it. I'm not the best at top stitching and thinking I should save up to have it done. It was such a fun journey in the midst of health challenges. I have to say this IS my favourite quilt to date!!!

Through out last summer I did up a few more hexagons. The quilt itself is starting to take shape. It is another that will be bright and cheery.

Last October I had the privilege of getting out to Victoria to visit my son Graham. It had been a long while between visits. It's always nice to see your children in their elements. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of us together but it was a really nice trip. I'm always happy when I can be by the ocean. It just seems right for me!

December found me celebrating Christmas with both of my children at my parents house. Elyse has moved back to Calgary and is currently living with me and Graham grabbed a last minute flight from Victoria to Calgary to join with the family. So nice to have both of them around. 

I made a small wall hanging for my living room to hang up for Christmas. Very pleased with the colours and the results. I used my Quick Curve Ruler.

I am now currently preparing some projects for my annual quilting retreat at the end of this month. Next posting I will show you what I've got planned once I have them ready.

Enjoy the upcoming week and live intentionally.

Shauna

 

  

January Retreat

I cannot believe how fast January has whipped by ... it seems I am saying that more and more these days. 

There were a group of us that used to go to a retreat every January and then the place that we had our retreat no longer was available. I think it's been a couple of years since we were able to get together. What a lovely group of ladies who gathered. Each one was so very talented and offered so much to the group.

I started off by making valentines but still have to put them together. Have been debating what to do for sashing therefore I haven't finished it. There are nine and should make a lovely wall hanging.

Then I worked from start to finish on a Christmas quilt that I have had for a while. It was a kit and I took the time to cut out all of the fabric before I went. I love that it old fashioned.

The camp we were at is in a beautiful setting. Just before we got there they had just had snow. It warmed up considerably and was very windy and most of the snow disappeared. There is something beautiful about winter photography landscapes.

I also got another swoon block completed. It's happy as usual. I think I have 4 completed now.

I was really productive at the retreat. Felt so good to just sit and sew. I also started to put together a kit that I've also had for a very long time. It is not really colours I gravitate to now but it is a lovely quilt and I will finish it. Perhaps it will be one to donate or gift.

The setting was just perfect for taking pictures of quilts outside and could not resist taking a picture of my dresden plate. It just looked so wonderful with

the colour against the backdrop of drabness.

 

Well, this entry has been long enough. I will leave you with a picture that was greeting me as I drove back to my place. Always nice to get away, but always nice to land back at home.

Have a wonderful week!

Shauna

Happy New Year

I cannot believe how the time has flown by since my last post! Since then Christmas has come and gone, my children have come and gone, my time off work for the holidays has come and gone and new years has come and gone!! Oh my!

 

I haven't posted for a while since I haven't had too much to share.

I did finally finish my son's quilt and he was very pleased with his gift on Christmas Day! 

 

 

 

Over the holidays I did have a chance to sew a bit and boy did that ever feel good!!

 

 Just need a border for this little gem.

 And two more borders for this one

 

 

It was so much fun to have my kids home for the holidays. First time in 4, yes 4 years we have all been together for Christmas and what fun we had! Playing games, watching movies and documentaries, listening to Graham's favourite music (classical, no less), eating out at fancy restaurants and enjoying a coffee or two at Phil and Sabastian's. 

 

 

 

 It was just what this old mama's heart needed!! I always have a tough time saying goodbye but deep down inside I wouldn't want them to remain at home forever. 

So have any of you New Year resolutions? I don't usually verbalize mine but generally have things rattling around in my head. This year I plan to declutter my home and get rid of 'stuff' that has been hanging around way too long. I moved into my place 2 and bit years ago and just moved lock, stock and barrel without purging. Tough time in my life and not able to deal with things. Enough, I say it's time to tame the clutter!!

 

My resolutions for my quilting would include finishing some projects, maybe getting my stash down a bit and cut back on only buying the essentials. 

 

 

Already I've blown it by signing up for the block of the month with Sew Sisters to build up my Batik Stash.

In my personal life I plan to 'laugh for no reason' and will be looking for 'joy' in everything. 

 

 

Here's to a fabulous 2015!!

 

 

Modern Christmas

This week I whipped up 4 Christmas placemats called 'Modern Christmas'. Not your traditional red and green.

The material was purchased at the flea market in Phoenix when I was there last February. 

 

 The pattern is called Line in the Sand. It is from Alissa Haight Carlton's Blog. If you like the modern look you should check out the rest of her blog. She has some neat posts.

I had seen the pattern earlier and when I saw this material I thought it would work perfect.

I'm quite fond of the quilting that I did on the placemats. It really gives it texture.

All that needs to be done now is to put the binding on. The weather is closing in tonight so I see a good movie while I work on that.

I can't resist showing this last picture. This morning I had a hard boiled egg in my egg cup that I've had for a bizillion years. I got this as a young girl one year for Easter. It always puts a smile on me face as it brings back warm memories from a time gone by.

Hope you all have a terrific week and that you find something that makes you smile this week.

Shauna

Survival of the Fittest

Last week that definitely was the tune around here.

The temperatures ranged from anywhere from -15 to - 29 

and it even felt colder with the wind chills.

Not to mention the loads of snow that fell.

Just over a year ago I moved into the city and 12 blocks from work.

The roads were so bad and I have a thing about 

starting up the car and wiping the snow off

and I figure by the time I do that, I could be half way home.

So I bundled up and walked all except the one day.

It really is refreshing and only takes a half hour.  

I think I should be 20 pounds lighter due to all this effort but,

alas it doesn't seem to work that way.

I do feel better for it though.

Last time I posted, I was debating on putting up the Christmas tree

since I'll be the only one home for the holidays.

Well, I caved and decided to put it up.  

I truly do like sitting by the lights of the tree.

 

I only put about half of the ornament up on the tree 

and only a couple around the living room.

A good compromise, I would say.

Since last week, I was exhausted with all my walking, 

I watched lots of lame Christmas movies while cutting out material.

I now have all of my material cut out for my January retreat 

and also an extra kit that I had bought a long time ago.

So it hasn't been a waste of time.

My blogger friend, Jen at Glinda Quilts, put up a tutorial to making her 'famous' pants bag.

Drop over to her site to check it out.

I have been very lucky in that I have received one of her pants bags.

I'm about half way done in making one. 
I'll post once I have it completed.

Not sure where this week has gone. 
It'll be Christmas before we know it.

Have a good rest of this week,
enjoy your weekend,
take time to breath
and enjoy the season and all that it means to you.

Shauna

Working Hard or Hardly Working . . . .

I've been revisiting a couple of the projects that I have on the go.

It looks like I am starting to making headway on both of them.

I have 33 of these blocks done up.  When I calculate I think I will need 36 blocks to make this quilt on point.  I've been wanting to make a Christmas quilt for some time time now so am glad that I've gotten this far.  

I'm either behind or well ahead of schedule for the holidays!

I prefer to think the later.

I will need to purchase fabric for sashing and also for the set in triangles.  

Any ideas as to what colour I should use?  

I've also been sitting and working on my hexies in the evenings and finding it quite relaxing.

I now have 38 of these completed.

I love them because they are so cheery and can brighten up a dreary winter evening.

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

Shauna

Snowflake Table Runner

Put together this table runner for a dear friend of mine.  

She 'loves' the snow and I thought this would be most appropriate for her.

 Love how all of the snowflakes were different.














Would probably do this runner again.

I like the fact that this is not necessarily Christmassy but will do for most of the winter.  Which if you live in Calgary, know that this can last for many months! 

Shauna

A Little of This . . . a Little of That

Christmas has come and gone and so has the the beginning of 2012.  I hope all had a great holiday  celebrating the wonder of the season.  

My youngest sister has a two year old and my other sister is a foster mom of little children.  Always adds a neat dimension to Christmas celebrations to see things through a child's eye.  They were all so cute!

Thought I would post a picture of my Christmas Tree.  I think it was quite lovely this year.  It's been around the block a time or two but reminds me of a victorian christmas tree.

What would be a Christmas break without a puzzle to do?

I have been busy quilting too . . . here are two cathedral window pin cushions that I whipped up over the break.  They were quick and easy once I got my machine whipped into shape.  Amazing how well a machine will work when it is all cleaned and oiled up with a new needle.  Don't know why I don't do that more often!

I got the tutorial from Kim at My Go-Go Life.  You ought to try your hand at them.

Wishing everyone the best for 2012.  Only look ahead - never back!

Shauna