First Finish of 2013

I am determined to finish up some of the quilts and projects that I have had sitting around for a while.  2013 is the year to finish what I have started.

I affectionately call this quilt the 'Ugly Quilt'.  Poor thing!!

I ended up with these fat quarters that I purchased on line and when I got them I was not enamored with the colours and pondered what to do with them.  They are very different than what I would normally pick.  I'm a soft and delicate or bold colour person.

I think I found the pattern for this quilt in a magazine, not even sure now, it's been so long since I have had it on the go.

I spent a fair amount of time quilting it thinking what a waste of time on a quilt that I had determined was 'ugly', however, the more time I spent with it, it began to grow on me.  I even sat with it today around my shoulders and you know what, I kind of like it now.

I chose to stitch in the ditch around the lighter pieces and then do geometric shape in the darker, bigger squares.

The backing and binding is an oatmeal colour called Quaker Cloth from Walmart.

All said and done, it's not a bad little quilt.

The size is 59 x 49.  Just big enough to cuddle up with and take an afternoon nap.

I guess I should rename it, but for now, it shall remain, 'The Ugly Quilt'.

Update:  One friend suggested I call this quilt 'Quaint' and another friend says that it reminds her of the wind and sea eroded buildings on the maritime shoreline.  I can totally see that so yes, it is growing on me.

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  I sure appreciate that she hosts our finishes

Shauna

 

Placemats, Eiffel Tower and Coffee

My son and his girlfriend live in a different city from where I am so. . . . 

 was not able to see them this Christmas.

I did send a package to them and in the package I made two place mats.  I didn't have a clue as to what colours they would like so just picked something that I thought was more or less neutral.  

I just love the soft colours that I chose and think they turned out good.

I did get a call on Christmas day with thanks for the place mats so I think that they were liked.

I've made several place mats now using this pattern.  They whip up pretty quick and they seem to be my 'go to' pattern.

As I write this I am listening to my Jazz in Paris CD by Django Reinhardt called Nuages that I picked up in Bologna Italy.

I must admit that I have been thinking of my recent trip to London, Paris and Italy and how fantastic it was!!!!   It was a delight to be able to share my experiences with my daughter.   Wished that my son could have joined us to enjoy the sights and sounds.  

I was able to cross a couple of places that were on my bucket list.  One of course was Paris . . . if you have never been, it should be on your list.  Paris is everything they say it is and more.  We only scratched the surface and I am hoping that someday in the future that I can once again go back.

We decided to save the Eiffel Tower for the night time when it is all lit up.  My daughter knew exactly what train exit we should take and she didn't disappoint.  We came up and around the corner of a building and there was the Eiffel Tower.

So beautiful! It took your breath away!

We walked right under the tower.  Very impressive!!

Both of my children are big into coffee.  They both have and are working as Baristas, drink coffee and my son just recently acquired his own Cafe in Victoria, B.C. so it was very fitting that in London, Paris and Italy we sought out good coffee places to try. 

This coffee was from a place called Telescope in Paris.  

Beautiful little coffee shop with personality.  

This coffee was very good but expensive as most things are in Paris. 

It was at a cafe called La Cafeotheque.
Very nice quaint place that felt like you were in Paris.

Just before we went to the Eiffel Tower we stopped at a cafe called Coutume Cafe.  We needed to warm up as we had gotten soaked on our adventures that day and the temperature was hovering around the 2 or 3 and we were very chilly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this decadent coffee / chocolate drink along with Pavlova and several pasteries.
Beautiful little spot!!

Loved this cappuccino at a little cafe in Bologna, Italy.  I don't know what the name of the cafe was but I would dare say that it was one of the best that I had on the trip.

This cafe was very small and very busy but a neat atmosphere!

Take time during your busy day to listen to some inspiring music 

while drinking a cup of your favourite drink.

Thanks for visiting!

Shauna

New Year and Blessings

I do believe that there are blessings that happen all of the time.

. . . . but if you are like me, I don't see them

 . . . and if I do, I sometimes choose to ignore them.

 

Not this YEAR!

 

All of my blessings are going to be written down on beautiful, fancy paper

and placed in a jar that I decorated.

Next New Year's Eve, I will have a read through my blessings and reflect on this visible reminder of God's hand on my life.

 

This, of a sort, will be my new year's resolution.

I don't usually make resolutions but I do plan to stick to this throughout the year.

On my jar, I have a verse that says . . .

 

Yesterday is but a dream,

tomorrow but a vision.

But today well lived makes every yesterday

a dream of happiness,

and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Indian Proverb                       

So many times I get tunnel vision and only think of the 'bad' things that happen in my life.

I hope this year that I not only see the blessings in my life 

but that I am a blessing to others who I come in contact with.

 How do you plan to mark 2013?

Shauna

Pinwheel Delight

Here's a quick little finish. . .

A delightful pinwheel baby quilt.  Love how it is girly and pink.

If I haven't said it before, I LOVE making baby quilts.  

They are generally  quick and I like that I can try out new blocks to see if I enjoy making them. 

This one is for a gal at work who had a little one.

I trust you are all ready for the Christmas Season and will enjoy being with your family and friends.  Take time to contemplate the awesome gift of God's Son to us.

I'm linking up with Finish up Fridays by AmandaJean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  Take a moment to check out what everyone else is doing.

I'm linking up with Michelle at Michelle's Romantic Tangle.

Shauna

We Three Kings - Claymation Christmas HQ

Give Me a Star

This post will be heavy on photos.

My favorite quilt is finally finished.  

I'm not even sure when I started this one.  The top was finished for a long while before I finally got it quilted.  

I'd say a perfect house warming gift to myself 

and. . . . 

since it's close to Christmas, why not a gift for me! :)

 Love the way all the colours come together.

It's a little nerve wracking when you start to pull all the colours 

 but,

I LOVE the way it all came together

I can't decide what my favourite piece of fabric is.

Here's a close up of the quilting.  Looks great!  

Arlene from Strathmore did another wonderful job for me.

It's a really heavy quilt as I put a burgandy flannel on the back.  

 Should be warm and cozy!

One last shot before I bore you all to death.

I'm linking up with Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Enjoy your weekend!

Shauna

London and Fabric Shopping

It was so much fun to spend time wandering around London 

and enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.  

There is so much to do in London and I only scratched the surface while I was there. 

I tell people that I went to visit the Queen (of course I meant my daughter).

 

While I was there I so wanted to go to Liberty London and see their fabric.  They are every bit as nice as you have heard and just shopping there is an experience.  

 

The building itself is beautiful and the way they display their merchandise is magnificent.  I went one day by myself and wandered around but could not bring myself to buy any fabric.  I just enjoyed looking and drooling.

Then on my last day, Elyse and I went down that way again.  She had never been into Liberty so I talked her into going and guess what, she loved it as much as I did.  We went to look at the fabric again and she told me that I would regret it if I never bought anything from there.  So . . . .

 I bought myself a package of 50 hexagons.  

Here are just some of the beautiful fabrics that are included.  Of course I got to come home with a bag from Liberty London!

I did get to do some fabric shopping on Goldhawk Road which is just minutes from where I was staying.  There were probably a dozen or more little fabric shops.  They had everything from beautiful Sari type materials to sequins and everything in between.  

A couple of the shops specialized in African fabrics which were so beautiful.  

Shopping in those little stores was a very different experience but lots of FUN!

I came home with four different fabrics that I thought were so beautiful.

I hope that I have whet your appetite for fabric shopping in London.

Til next time,

Shauna