A Surprise!!!

Yep, I received a surprise gift in my Christmas card today from Kerry K and talk about a sweetie!!! See she claims I've got her started in Hardanger hand embroidery after seeing the couple of items that I've finished! HMMM??? Not sure about that but she definitely feels like I do that this is just awesome and also that you need QUIET to keep the mistakes at bay! LOL!!!

Well I just LOVE my special bookmark and yes it is in GREEN too!!! Thank you so very very much Kerry! And also I hope you continue to enjoy this handwork and maybe some day have a collection of Christmas ornaments to share with your family - talk about heirlooms to pass down to the family!!!

CQd Block

Well finally, I've stitched up my "first" naked crazy patched block for the small RR group I'm in - yep ready to send it on it's merry way to be embellished as soon as I get my booklet ready and find my rotation list. Actually it's not a block but a heart shape as I'm wanting to "frame" it with some type of matting for a special wall hanging. That's what I'm thinking but then who knows what will happen when it eventually gets home - hey I might have a totally different idea pop into my head!!! LOL!

I was Spoiled!!!

Yep, here I've been saying for years that I've not been getting the Christmas leftover care packages like I used to when Mom made the food. Sometimes I do get the odd items to take back but most times not. Oh well that's life, I don't make and take anything so why should I get any in return eh!!!

Anyways, this year Sylvia mentioned that she was making sauerkraut perogies for her family gathering and Christmas meals and I begged for at least a dozen if there were any leftover. WELL a few days later and email came and she said they were packaged and labeled and in the freezer for me!!! YAHOOIE!!!

I went over to Pat's to pick her up for some quick shopping and she had a gift from Sylvia for me. It's a lovely handmade beaded necklace which I put on right away - and there's a story behind this baby!!! See in Sept/Oct when I finally decided to tackle my finances I had a retreat that last weekend and no money for it. Somehow I managed the retreat cost but no spending money and I was very very very good that weekend but there was a Christmas craft sale going on in the community and we checked it out. There I saw this necklace but no money so I set it back down and just kept walking around chatting with my friends until the group I was with was ready to walk back to the retreat. Well guess my sister saw this so when I walked away she bought it and put it away for Christmas - what a sweetie!!! Thank you my dear. I was going to ask to borrow the money but I already owed enough so put on the brakes and felt good but yet shitty too.



So then Pat and I zipped out for quick in and out to St. Vital for a couple of things and coffee at Tim's and then back to her place. I picked up my care package and talk about spoiled, Sylvia packaged for me some cabbage rolls which I'm not really keen on so I left them for Pat as she likes them (thanks for the thought though Sylvia!!!); and some YUMMY cheese rolls and my hoped for sauerkraut perogies!!! My New Year's meal that is for sure!!! And I bought my Delicio's pizza's 2/$10 so now I'm set for sure with my boss's gifted ceasars too!!!

I "escaped"!!!

chuckling at this title See co-workers and family asked me how long I was visiting - I replied that I was hoping to come back Saturday instead of Sunday, unless Dad had plans for me!!!

So I had just arrived at Dad's and he quickly asked me when I was leaving??? Now I wasn't sure how to take that at all and Florence even chuckled and we teased him "what he's already wanting me to go - I just got there". So Nah that wasn't it at all, more like planning if I was going to be around to do his laundry on Saturday - I said I would. And that was okay then we visited.

Christmas Eve was okay with three sisters and spouces preparing naturally all the food which was awesome and I enjoyed some leftovers with Dad for the following days too. And naturally I got the gears for not bringing anything - but why bother as everything I do is never good enough - so I don't bother anymore.

Visiting with Florence and Wayne was also good and even had a lovely after Christmas dinner with their family yesterday as Dad said he'd look after himself. Their grandson also arrived for a visit so that made their day, I know. Nope I've no pics except for the two cats, Blackjack who was snoopy and had to check out my fabric testing on some samples Florence gave me (soaking away the paper and it worked) and naturally Toffey couldn't care less and continued to snooze!!!





Needless to say both cats high tailed it when the grandson arrived, but later emerged to check things out - curiosity got the cat!

Well I got up early today and was prepared to head over to Dad's to do his laundry but someone took over the washer/dryer so he said I could just head back in earlier if I wanted to. Which was exactly what I was hoping for as I just want to veg out nice and quiet like before going back to work Monday. So now guess I'll enjoy my frozen pizza, ceasar and book for a bit, then check out my scads of emails!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and now prepare to ring in the New Year safely and soundly!!!

CQI - Christmas Cracker Unveiling

Yes I know it's not Christmas but I've been sitting patiently since Nov. 22nd and have decided I'm opening this baby before joining my family for Christmas this weekend.



So without further ado a heartening Thank You to Hideko for this package all the way from JAPAN!!! It arrived in one of those plastic express type envelopes and I was kinda anxious about it's condition but even the awesome Oriental green box it was stored in was unmarked - WOW!!!



Okay, here is the cracker with the added lace on the ends to cover the raw edges (now why did I not think of that???) and the various ribbons to hold the insides in along with the lovely bauble charm and card. Now I'm wondering what is inside that I might use to embellish this lovely block?





Well inside there was a note wrapped around some kimono fabrics for another block and inside the tube were some neutral laces, three cards of varigated silk ribbon, various silk threads, a baggie with various buttons and beads along with a pair of Japanese scissors. Now these look lots more precise than the Dollar Store ones I've been using!!!





NOW WOW!!! I'm going to have to keep these items together in the lovely Oriental box and one of these days I'll tackle the challenge of embellishing this lovely block made for me.

Thank you so very much Hideko!
Hideko本当にありがとう!
(hope I got the translation correctly?)

My Christmas Message

Here's something that I feel strongly about and want to share with you!



Friends that light our pathways,
the memories warm and dear ...
... are treasures our hearts cherish,
every season of the Year.

Merry Christmas and

all the best in 2009!

Hugs, Rose Anne

Doggie Jacket n Boots

Okay, I'm getting emails about these and thought I'd put the particulars here so everyone is privy to them.

The jacket is a "redrafted to fit" from Quilting Arts Gifts, Holiday 2008/2009 edition, page 102 but I didn't do the embellishing - instead cut out a Winnipeg Blue Bombers football logo and reapplied that onto the center back. It sure would have been easier if I had the dog right here to model as I go type thing, but what I have to fix is minor and one of these warmer days I'll fix it for her lickety split. See I can prepare the addon now and then it'll just be to cut off the previous seam and add these together.

Then the booties I googled for and here's the one I basically followed by Domestika, but again please measure and allow at least 2-3" from the ankle up the foot for the length - something I didn't follow correctly. And then you might want to read this on how to teach your dog to wear booties. Yep, her greyhound reminds me of Belle when they were trying to dress her up too! Poor things, but then they don't want to go outside bear either!!!

Belle's Winter Gear

Well last week Pat asked if I'd make Belle a warmer doggie jacket out of Randy's older fleece hoodie and maybe use the emblem off his T-shirt to dress it up? See Belle never liked the cold and since she's gotten older these frigid temps we've been getting cramp her style badly. She doesn't even chase rabbits like she used to!!!

And I can tell you it's getting cold again after a lovely -16C temps today (balmy compared to last week) and with the snow that fell all day and now the wind picking up I'm glad I did my errands today and finished off Belle's outfit and delivered it. It's not perfect but without a model handy it's not that bad, but in need of some butt end extension!!! LOL!

Last week I stopped into ValuVillage and found this kids fleece blanket like brand new for $0.99 and could not resist making another inside cover for her as her sweater is looking well worn. I think its really cute and I even hand embroidered a black blanket stitch all around too!!!




It was kinda cute when she was getting dressed, she didn't know what to do and I wish I had a movie camera to catch her first steps in them booties!



I can just see her thinking "Gosh how many does it take to get me dressed and for what reason pray ask I - and pics taken too"!!! ROFLOL!



Kinda funny but she was spiffy that is for sure and the family LOVED the fact I cut out Randy's Bomber's logo and stitched it onto her back.



"Okay you - both you and Dad have tortured me to get this stuff on, now what?" Yep they were all happy for her and Byran even took her out for a walk and the fleece booties stayed on.



"HUH, but I was out today already, do I really have to go again???"



Yep, I think when she realizes those booties will keep the snow from freezing in her paws and there's the vinyl traction on them too she'll be more inclined to venture out - I can hope! But I'm not sure about the outer nylon and fleece lined ones I made too, was thinking for the really cold days, I think they are too small for Belle. Will see.

More Postcards

Well I've finally completed the December birthday postcards and before month end too - WOW for me!!! So hopefully tomorrow they will be in the mail and on their way to the Birthday Gals!!!

Now just one more to ship out and this full year's commitment of birthday postcards will be finished. I think I'll be rethinking this type of swap in the future as time is of the essence especially when I embellish thus!!!

Clear Postcard Envelopes

Okay, now I usually get my supply of these clear resealable mailing envelopes from:

Crystal Clear Bags Canada
56 Canaan Street
Strathroy ON N7G 1L8
PH (888) 436-6197
FAX (888) 469-4415
www.clearbargs.ca
B4X6XL - pkg of 100 - Bag 4 5/8" x 6 3/8" or 117 x 162 mm
$0.10/env - $10.00 Cdn = Total $13.62 (taxes and shipping)
They were received in three days of ordering (there is a US link also). But now without a credit card it is costing me $6-$7 more for payment by cheque or COD purchases - just too pricey for me.

BUT today I personally picked up locally a supply and at half the cost:

WR Display & Packaging
30 Plymouth Street
Winnipeg MB R2X 2V7
PH (204) 925-7900
Toll Free Phone 1-800-665-8447
Toll Free FAX 1-800-668-4743
www.retailsupplies.net
email: info@wrdisplay.ca

#655432 - 4.25 X 7.25" Clear Self Seal Bag
- 100/package @ $4.95/pkg (plus taxes)
Thank you Carol B for pointing this out to me!!! Much appreciated.

Also I found these and a larger size at Dollarama but not the postcard size - at least not yet!

Quality Archival Bags/Envelopes
25 pieces - $1.00 per package
clear plastic resealable & acid free
6 7/16 X 6 1/4"

Now these I used only for storage, not for mailing as I feel I would have to secure the two sides because it was folded over for the 4 X 6" mailing size - too much fuss for me.

So I thought I'd share just in case others were wondering where to buy from!

GRRRRR & BRRRRR

Well last night I was playing Majong Garden and was doing not bad when I noticed my mouse slowing down. Well I removed the ball and cleaned inside, continued for about 15 minutes and then total lock down, no mouse control at all - GRRRRR!!! Try reading emails and shutting down programs without the mouse - TRICKY!!! I did it and then didn't bother starting up this morning at all and figured it'll be a brisk jaunt to get another once stores open up.

Well last night my sister Florence called and made plans for lunch and shopping on Sunday. Silly kids travelling from Dauphin in these cold temps and that windchill of -43C - BRRRRR!!! Good thing as her car is newer and warmer than my holey one and after she checked out Indigo for Daycare items and Christmas gifts she took me to WalMart and then back to Staples (was cheaper than WalMart - can you believe that and not on sale) and I got an Optical Mouse for my PC and now I'll back in gear again.

Then we went to Montana's and shared nachos for lunch while Wayne was at his meeting. Now I presume they are well on their way back home and pray that this blowing snow in the city is not total white out conditions on the highway!!! I hope they call me when they arrive otherwise I'll be calling myself later on just to make sure they arrived safe and sound.

Amazing Angel

Yep, that is what I've named her and THANK YOU Linda for making her for me and also for her fortunate arrival.

See last week I was fretting horribly because of one of my creditors and their shennanigans and the next day I open a Christmas card and WOW there's this angel. Yes, Linda machine embroidered this lovely 3-D angel and walked me through how to form her and now she's hanging on my knick knack stand with many other angels etc.

Then I realized I needed to show her off!!! So I hooked her onto my crystal light pull to show her off.

Front view.

Back view.

Side view.

See, ain't she beautiful??? She is about 4" tall and maybe 2.5" wide (wider when flat and wings outstretched) and in a lovely white irridescent metallic thread. You can see the sheen on the back and side views very well.

Again thank you Linda for my Amazing Angel!!!

Personal Delimma

Okay, coming into work today was full of stressful apprehension I tell you.

As I mentioned previously, one of my creditors is pushing for a money settlement or threatening repossession of some of my personal possessions, outside my Consumer Proposal that they had accepted. At the time I questioned them as to why they didn't counter the proposal to include this amount and they said it was separate. Well after talking with my Trustee and Financial Advisor who also contacted a Consumer Lawyer, I now have in a letter the legalities of this and have to write my letter to the creditor and hopefully close this delimma.

See they had a chance to counter the proposal - they didn't; the deadline to do so has now passed - so they can't reapply; also they can't accept the proposal plus press for additional settlement - which would be frowned upon by the other creditors and the Trustee's office; plus the items they listed for security did not have serial numbers attached as necessary for repossession purposes. So if they abide by the law - they haven't any legal rights for additional settlement. Also if they continue to persist it would be considered harrassment and charges could be filed with the authorities.

Yes this was a very very very hard and stressful lesson for me to learn!

The reason I'm noting such here is for others to maybe read and know that they really should not sign anything that has any "reasonable doubt" in their minds and that you should look for some type of Community (usually free) financial/legal assistance if such probjems arrise!!! You do have options and it's better to be aware of them when dealing with such creditors as I am right now.

More Postcards

Well it's a good thing I've these postcards to keep me occupied this weekend as I've been threatened with repossession of some of my personal items in the near future if I do not fork over a large sum of money (in my opinion anyways). So needless to say I'm unnerved and I've my Trustee and Financial Advisor looking into the legality of this and seeing what my resolution will be. Hopefully totally dropped, since the TV is not working and the other items are not worth what was noted even if they could resell them, also I've been told they don't want the items but the money - which is a non-issue. So like I said, a good thing I have these postcards to work on to keep me sane!

Here are three pictures, one is of a completed silhouette and the other two showing eleven various Hats n Boots I've prepared for that special order (if it goes through) - they are not finished as yet - see my home PC is being overhauled so I haven't finished the computer printed backs. Maybe this next week.







Yes, that's feathers you see in some of those hats!!! I still have to stitch a buckle of sorts on some of the bands then they'll be finished.

And in between these I've also been working on the December birthday postcards for another group and they are just about finished. Just to generate the computer printed backs and then they too are ready to be shipped off.

AND if that's not enough I did shortened a pair a pants I picked up a while ago and even hemmed them!!! WOW!!!

2008 Bead Journal Project

Ohhhh my but Robin is not going to be happy with me at all, hey I'm not myself either!!! See I signed up for this 12-month postcard journal project with a whole load of ensthusiasm and honest intentions and even planned out the whole YEAR's pages along with the write ups and where am I????

You guessed it, not even the first one completed!!! BUT I have started it and am working on it in amongst the other projects on the go too!!! I've even pulled out the leaves for the October page too so hopefully that won't take as long as September's BUT November is another that might take some time putting together! I've decided I'm getting a 4 x 6 photo album and pulling out the inside divider sheet and that way you can view the fronts and the back blurbs too! I'm not sure about putting them into a wall hanging - this will suffice for now.

I just have to get going on these and they'll get done, not sure if on time though!!!

Horses, Horses, Horses

Okay, I've been busy cranking out (as my boss wondered and asked for horse related postcards) since Thursday and as of now have 18 finished (6 more than I thought I'd have this weekend) and 7 fronts that need some work to them and 3 maybes to ponder on yet. Now to just finish off the 7 Monday/Tuesday and then see how they are accepted and whether I make anymore of these.

So here are the ones I've finished - and all machine appliqued too:











Now all I can say is why the heck do I pick such time consuming ideas for the postcard swaps when this technique is so much easier on me and just as lovely??? That's easy to answer! Well it's just not me - but then not too many would buy the postcards I loving and sometimes very painfully stitch by hand. LOL!

Facebook

Okay, these creative individuals are now posting their not nice messages in Facebook using some of your friends to get you to look at a "private video" or some such. It's a good thing I'm kinda suspicious and emailed my friend first to check and sure enough she hadn't sent me such and I promptly deleted it totally.

So since I barely use FACEBOOK anymore I'm going to dump it. If you want to get in touch with me you have either my email or my phone number. Sorry for the inconvenience but my computer knowledge is limited and I can't afford mischief.

12:45 pm

I've just cleaned out my account as much as I could figure out and deactivated my account.

Yabba Dabba DOOOOO!!!

I have a large TV again and just in time to watch my HOCKEY!!!

Yes, a very much appreciated Thank You to Linda and Patrick for passing onto me their older but still working TVs now that mine has bit the dust and naturally nothing in my budget for a TV at this time. So the larger one is in my wall unit and the smaller ones are for the sewing room and maybe the bedroom but truly I do not "relax" in that room, just sleep!!!

Now to find a depot for my old TV and VCR as I know the city garbage does not take them.

Good Timing Maybe???

Well I had received a request for a horse type postcard earlier and then today out of the blue was asked how long it would take to hammer out 50 postcards horse related??? HUH!!! I think my face said it all, as I was quickly told that this friend has a type of shop at the stables and would probably sell them very easily if the cost was reasonable. Well you could have picked me off the floor with a feather.

See I already had two planned out for him and would have them ready this weekend and said if I had some others for him to take to her that would be good. So there I was online looking for various clip art or stained glass images of horses and will make some silhouettes up to go with these cowboy boots (fabric) and hats (I cut out of fake suede) I've steam a seamed onto grass backgrounds. I also did up two of a paddock and brown mottled fabric horse up next to the fence. Looks pretty good - just need the invisible stitching to hold in place.

Now to see what happens. Sure will help with budget restraints if they are a hit.

Bad Timing!

Yes, bad timing for my 15-20 year old TV to bite the dust; but good timing that my friend passed onto me her working TVs, so I can watch my sports etc!!!

See whenever I turned it on it would promptly go snowy and staticy for about 5 minutes and hit and miss like. Then after a couple of weeks this increased to like about 15 minutes and more often so I'd put it on MUTE and wait till it warmed up and then it would come back to the usual picture and sound. Well today it was on for half and hour and no picture or sound, even if I shut it off and put it on again. So guess it's a gonner to. I then switched to the newer smaller TV and VOILA instant TV again! Now I have the TV and VCR (died a couple of years ago and stayed for decoration) to drop off somewhere for disposal - SHEESH!!!

Must be my lucky day!!! See she also has a larger TV that they were going to try and sell but instead are passing it onto me as this is a small TV in a big hole kinda looks funny - LOL! Hey beggars can't be choosey, right!!! Gosh please nothing else go wrong for me, I'm on a tight budget and doing fine so far and that's all I can handle right now. LOL!

More PCs Finished!!!

YAHOOIE!!! I am now officially "caught up" with my delinquent postcard swaps!!! PHEW!!! Here are the two belated "birthday greetings" for the October birthday girls in one of my groups! I'm truly sorry!



Now it'll be onto some RR block swaps that have been sitting here waiting for some CQ embellishments before being sent onto someone else or home - whichever is the case. Then I've got to get working on the December birthday postcards too - it would be nice to have them in the mail sooner than later.

Spiders PCs are Finished!

Finally I've completed my set of swap postcards which reflect the fall season that I truly LOVE! See I started them a while back with my idea of showing them rimmed with frost but while at a quilting retreat someone (I'll not mention names) said frost is also on the inside veins and suggested that they would look lovely on the postcards too.

So I thought about it some and decided yep that would be nice and definitely a "frosty look" so I continued! Needless to say it took me double the time to finish them off and lots more metallic DMC thread too - LOL! BUT darn it I do LOVE them! Hope the gals do to!

A Surprise Arrived!

Yep, I received a card in the mail to pick up a parcel today so after my Aurora quilt stitching meeting and a quick shopping stint for winter boot (zippo too) I stopped by the post office. Then home to open it up!!!

This is from my Christmas Cracker swap within the Crazy Quilting International group I'm in and my package came all the way from Japan put together by Hideko and I know it's gonna be a dilly!!! Thank you so much Hideko and I'm tickled pink that I received one of your beauties!!!

Well first off it's in a box - hmmm - but I'm wrong the box is in a soft bag tied with a ribbon. Yes I opened this and also this very lovely box which arrived in immaculate condition with no protection. Yes I opened the box (which is my favourite colour) and inside is my lovely C R A C K E R and this is where I stopped my unveiling. I haven't even opened the card, I'll try to be good and wait for nearer to Christmas but no guarantees!!!







Okay, I tried to crochet a butterfly motif (yellow one) but it's too big so I've got to reduce it somehow. Then I saw this lovely butterly picture and gave it to my sister Sylvia and she did this one up for me but it's still to large too! Hmmm gonna have to look for smaller ones.



AND if I don't get off this baby I'll be late for my stitching PJ party!!! This is the ornament I made for the exchange - two sided Cathedral Window! I think it's lovely and will have to make up more but maybe slightly smaller.





Yes, I had a lovely evening and didn't get home until 12:45 - WOW!!! The buffet was very close to our own home cooked Ukrainian dinner and delicious as always! And this is the ornament I received (4 x 6 in) and I'm going to take it to work and display it somehow on my desk. Neato. I also just about finished my spider postcards - so tomorrow for sure and maybe even get them ready to mail out.

I'm Stitching Away!

Well after four days of fun and games I think it's about time I got back to my Spider postcards and the Christmas ornament I need for Saturday's stitching PJ party!!!

I'm just about finished embellishing the leaves for the background for the spider so hopefully these babies will be in the mail this weekend - sort of really late - SORRY ladies! I do LOVE the effect and hope you do too! Now let's pray for no slowdown of mail delivery or a flat out stoppage due to some postal workers on strike!

As for the ornament, well I totally forgot about it again this year till it's just about too late so I've decided to do a fussy cut inside for a Cathedral Window ornament. I've chosen two different fabrics for two different looks and with some metallic embroidery I think they'll look very nice too. So I've cut out my fabrics and pressed the seams ready for stitching tomorrow.

So back to my postcards and then relax some.

95 Years Young!

Officially, Monday, November 17th is my Dad's 95th birthday, but some of our family gathered in Dauphin Manitoba this weekend for a good old food feast and visit with Dad, Grandpa and/or Gido!!! Now no one let slip that we were doing this until Saturday morning when Sylvia and Len were elected to go visit and bring him over to the Senior Centre sometimes in the afternoon. Well he got dressed and came over and stayed till 7:30 ish - which was a long time around everyone and not in his own home.

First off thank yous to Elsie, Erlene and Florence for their behind the scenes efforts to prepare and pull off this family gathering which I can say Dad was happy to attend along with many that attended! And secondly thank yous to the three chiefs and all those that assisted throughout the day and evening too. Hope all enjoyed themselves and arrived home safely!


Margaret (3rd), Sylvia (1st), Dmetro, Rose Anne (6th)






Now can you imagine 23 great-grandchildren ranging from (I think) 3 to 23 years of age running around (and that's not all of them either) along with the grandchildren, siblings and all the spouces that were able to attend - in total 65 with Dad, to keep contained, fed, and then organized for picture taking??? Well it was accomplished!!! We started to gather at around 10:30 am and were out of there by 8:00 pm and it looked just as good as when we had arrived!!! Not bad at all.


Some of the many great-grandchildren (many missing too).


Some of the grandchildren (3 missing).


Dmetro's "girls"!!! Florence, Rose Anne, Marlene, Erlene, Margaret, Elsie and Sylvia. Son, Eugene, absent - working up north.

The following are "girls" and their families but not necessarily corresponding in order in the pictures but the "first name" of the couples are the children of the "girls".


#1 - Sylvia & Len, Audrey (Bethany & Kiernan), Pat & Randy (Amanda & Byran), Diane & Curtis (Bradley & Tyler).


#2 - Elsie & Pete, Tracy & Terry (Colin, Tani & Braden), Brian & Laura (Lucas, Haley, Brooke & Brianna).


#3 - Margaret & Len, Tammy, Dennis, Dean & Victoria, Terry.


#4 - Erlene & Ray, Trevor & Janine, Denise (Allyson, Meagan & Tyler), Bruce & Karen (Jake, Hayden & Keetyn).


#5 - Marlene & Henry, Debbie & Cam (Kailyn, Dylan & Brandon), Norman & Tina (Andrew, Craig & ???)


#6 - Rose Anne and Dad


#8 - Florence & Wayne

Needless to say I did not get any stitching accomplished this weekend!!!