Sewing Day!

Well some of you ladies may not have this problem, but I'm still working a day job M-F and then also a part time job 2-3 shifts a week so this is a BIG thing for me! So I took a vacation day today - to sew with friends - called sanity break! LOL!

Well upon my arrival at Faye's home I was invited in for coffee and raisin bread/cheese tea biscuits (the gals were just finishing theirs as they arrived just after 8:00 am and me at 10:30) and then down to the sewing room we went. I promptly started on the charity blocks I promised my sister and did take a few pics but waiting for the cold camera and batteries to warm up some before uploading. Beryl and Maureen were working on some cute bags for lunches or books and Faye was working on preemie quilts - such cute little things! Then we had a very scrumptious lunch of a pasta/chicken bake, raisin/greens salad w poppy seed dressing (Yummie) and freshly baked homemade buns and awesome cranberry pudding (like Christmas pudding) with carmel sauce for dessert!!! Then back down for more sewing and chatting naturally. I even helped her DH find some answers to his crossword online and a couple of searching tricks for him to use. And then Faye brought down afternoon tea with homebaked star shaped bread grilled with cheese, raisin bread, New York slice and my lemon pudding cake - UGH I felt that's all we did was eat! But you know I was looking forward to nourishment, so not sure if it was the scents or a result of the energy used in my steady sewing? LOL!

Then to top it all off I met my retired co-worker for supper at Perkins, had a lovely catch up time over food again and then she very kindly drove me home (downtown and she lives on the outskirts of the city where we were at). So as you can see a lovely day!!!

Gosh I think I've had more food since Saturday than I've had in the last two or three weeks!!!!

Beryl and Maureen (Mobird) stitching away and Faye's baby for me to use on my blocks.

Faye a stitching her "preemie quilts" and a view of part of her sewing corner.

Mobird and an embroidered PC and Faye was walking by so I stopped her! LOL!

Beryl, me, Faye and Mobird - taken by Ron who was relegated to the dining room for lunch!

The "TRIO" with afternoon tea and Ron's artwork in the background! Lovely too! And sorry but I forgot to ask the girls to take pics of me sewing!!! DUH!!!

Postcards caught up on!

Well I've finally caught up on some of my WISPS, minor ones though.

So Ulla F and Faye S my block challenge gifts are finally completed and your crazy patched and embellished postcards should be mailed Monday morning, winging their way to you. I hope you like them - I even made one for myself and have received many compliments on them too.

Also I've finally completed my January FAPC Birthday postcards so Linda K and Sue S should soon be getting their slightly belated birthday cards too! Hope they are worth the wait ladies. This next one just did not photograph so great (should me a mossy green but it looks coppery).

Celtic Knot Workshop

Oh boy what a day even if I was tired!!! Our quilting Guild sponsored two major workshops today and my niece Pat, Edna another quilter and myself were up nice and early to join other quilters for another learning session. This time we chose the ins and outs or guess it should be the overs and unders of Celtic Knot applique by Anne Schmidt (nice and concise with samples a plenty). We didn't get too far even though it was most of the day but at least I hope we learnt enough to be able to finish off at home! One even challenged the group to finish this table topper for next month's Guild meeting - yeah right!!! BUT I sure will as this time around I used fabrics I LOVE and so look forward to seeing it completed. Here are a couple of pics taken. You'll have to wait till we are finished to see the finished pics. LOL!

What a week!

Well the week started off with some type of bug setting in my chest but thankfully not staying! So I had a rough weekend and couple of week days then seemingly feeling more and more myself. I didn't get much sewing accomplished and thus am late on my one set of fabric postcards. I'll have them finished this weekend and then hopefully off in the mail too. I've planned out my next couple of PC swaps so hopefully will stay on track from now.

As for this weekend, tomorrow I'm taking a Celtic Knot table topper workshop and hope I can put it all together to show you. I've packed my digital (and extra batteries) with me so hope to have some pics to post tomorrow evening. It will be a sort of refresher course for my quilting retreat coming up Feb. 16-18th. Can't wait!

Then I found out my friend wants me to cat/house sit for them again this summer so hopefully my part time job will be a gonner by then and with less vacation time taken in June this year I might be able to swing a couple of extended long weekends to enjoy her beautiful home and have breakies out on the deck in the swing lounge!!! That is if our pesky mosquitoes leave me alone! Oh something to look forward to!

Jeni's CQd block

Well I sent the cq'd block package XP Friday at noon and Jeni received it in BC this afternoon. Needless to say she was sooooo excited to open it and then in awe of it's loveliness that she had to call me and gush over whatever her eyes stopped on. She's now decided it will have a place all it's own on the wall and hopefully she'll take a picture of it when finished.

Well just like I have to with the block she gave me! I know I'll be adding some type of borders and then I'd like to do some stitching around to finish it off. So one day!

Sandie & WISPs

Sandie asked that those of us participating in the WISPs (UFOs) Challenge to post a message from her to let you know what's happening. So here it is!


"I am still not able to use blogger, and have waited over a week to get a reply from them re my problems in using blogger. I am at my wits end with it all and need to find another blogging service which is reliable and doesn't have these problems. Anyone else still having troubles??

I am meant to be doing the UFO WISP challenge and can't make one post in relation to it. This is all driving me barny, but will survive ... JUST! LOL

Can the girls who do have blogs, please place a post onto your blogs, that I am unable to blog at this stage ... until I can form a new blog - might save people wondering where I am. Which of course will take time. Think I will email Sharon B as well, as her blog seems to be where everyone reads with updated news.

No stitching here...... still. I'm in week 8 of my 13 week study period,one more exam to go in early March.

Off to go see if I can leave posts on any blogger now .......

Hugs to all.
Sandie"


Just a note that since I was switched from the Beta Blogger back to the regular BLOGGER I've had no problems with uploads of messages or pictures. Nice and fast too.

Darn CAR!!!

It's bad enough that we've been spoiled this winter season and now being threatened with blizzard like conditions a coming from the southwest - my car looses it's awesome heat!!! Our snow kinda fizzed out about 10:00 today (not at all like forecasted) but it sure is biting out there and supposed to be frigid temps for the weekend. Well seems like my water pump has sprung a leak and my mechanic is 200 miles away so as soon as it's a decent temp weekend and I'm not booked to work at the part time job, I'll head to Dauphin and get that changed along with the rad hose too.

So guess I'm back to bussing it to the part time job again - thank goodness I'm now down to two shifts a week!!! I just don't know about next Tuesday though as it's inventory time and I'm to work till midnight or there abouts as all stock has to be counted that night!!! I know I'm not walking home across half the city if the busses have stopped running! You can bet I'll be checking the schedule out and making sure I'm out there in time to catch a ride home. Darn it!

Hey if it's not one thing it's another with me!!! LOL!

I've Finished WISP #2

Yippie Yie Yover, I've finally finished a 2-year UFO!!! A private swap of cq'd blocks. My cq'd block for my friend "dragonfly" is now complete and here are some of the completed pics.

The complete block:

Top left corner:

Top right corner:

Bottom right corner:

Bottom left corner:

Centre:

I sure hope you like your block "dragonfly" as much as I LOVED stitching it for you! And thank you so much for my block too!

WISPs Update

Well I'm still working on "dragonfly's" cq'd block but it is just about finished!!! This evening I finished off the right side of the block so all that's left is the centre with the special silk ciggie and some embellishments around it. I'm so exhausted from the silk ribbon embroidery through all the layers that I think I'll have to take a break from it tomorrow - will see. Anyways, here's some new pics - top left, top right and bottom right.

WISPs update

Well I've been busy with the two jobs, but also trying to do some stitching in between. I'm about halfway through the Rosebud blocks for WISP #1 (problems with the 1/4" foot and block measurements) but have set them aside to complete the long overdue CQd block WISP #2 for my friend "dragonfly". I'm sortof on a roll here and doing a little everyday since I finally drew up a "plan" and it's so much easier to get to it, than thinking after each seam or space embellished of what's next!!!

I don't think I have a picture of the "naked" block but here is one of the halfway there block!

It's not such a great picture - I'm still learning with my digital carmera - and you can't see the purple beaded spider or the sparkly web on the black velvet - will have to retake again. I've also stitched more since this picture so stay tuned to hopefully the "finished" block soon.

Another year a coming!

Well I missed on wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends! I just slipped up I guess and working two jobs kinda quashed the festive cheer too. So being off for two days I've time to comtemplate things and hope to start the new year off on the right foot.

Happy New Year to you all and hope your future is full of your heart's desire!

Sister's cats!

Ooops I forgot about these critters!!! This is the second set of "babies" for Florence and Wayne and it don't matter what you want - they rule the roost that is for sure! LOL! Even to the length of the cold shoulder when left at home while they go away for the weekend - funny! And they even get a catsitter for them, sometimes even me!

Meet Blackjack, who's gotta help out with the wrapping, but also the unwrapping too!!! Also last year when younger crawled up the tree trunk and dared Daddy to come get him! He might not be crawling up the tree trunk this year but those decorations are still very tempting! LOL!

And Toffey (Daddy's girl) is a real tease too, who many a time gets Blackjack in trouble for initiating the rough stuff. She hightails it whenever visitors arrive or that dreaded vaccuum.

I overheard my sister informing them that Auntie is slow on the draw as the tree still does not have their pictures made into ornaments hung on the tree like the first three cats had. Hmmm guess another WISP to concentrate on!

Christmas and CQ pics

Howdy and gosh it looks a lot like Christmas out there!!! I worked 6 hours today and came out to 2" of heavy wet snow on my car and everywhere! Talk about a skating rink on the roads too. Good thing I'm staying put tomorrow and probably Monday too.

Okay here are some of the family pics from Christmas. Here are the "three kitchenteers" as they are always in charge of whatever family function being put together with Elsie (in red)tossing orders left, right and centre to the rest of us.



And here are a few of the BILs, naturally sitting and waiting for the food!

And here's dear Dad in his rearranged LR with the borrowed banquet table semi-set - waiting too!

Carollers have arrived! Elsie's son and his family arrived after supper for a visit and also sang a Christmas carol for "Gigi" - that sure brought smiles to everyone's faces!

And here is a 12.5" cq'd block I've received (Dec. 22nd) from my dear friend "dragonfly" - basically a private swap planned like two years ago and she's beat me to finish too! I'm very pleased with the gift!

And here is my block for "dragonfly", but it's not finished yet!!! I've still some more embellishing to go yet, but hope to get it finished and off to her in the near future. You can't see my spider web or the fancy purple beaded spider just to the left of the Abalone Angel. Hope to get another better picture or the block when finished.

Okay, back to my chair and relax as I'm beat or maybe coming down with something!

Hardanger gift

WOW I'm jumping for joy as I was at my LNS (Mrs. Twitchett's Eye) and they had 35% off on books and I picked up the two Janice Love books "Hardanger Fundamentals made Fancy" and "Hardanger Basics and Beyond" - WOW! My Dad gave me $50 for Christmas so I decided instead of putting it to bills I was buying these much needed learning tools. Now I'm set with whatever web freebie pattern I pick and can't complete!

There is also on Nordic Needle a Collectors Angel pattern I want for myself and it's on sale right now so hopefully it's still there when I finally get around to ordering it.

Well I'm working on finishing a 2-year WISP for a friend and thoroughly enjoyed the embroidery and beading last night (4-day withdrawal), so hope to get to more tonight. I'll be taking some pics soon but I need new batteries first or I'll loose what I have in there now if I push to the limit.

Okay, back to stitching and hockey!

Post Christmas

Christmas greetings! Well I had a lovely visit with Dad and family and even surprised him with my sister and BIL from Ontario arriving unannounced. We had lovely mild weather (some brisk winds) for travelling and now I'm back home - well not quite as my PC is at the techie Dr so I'm borrowing another's to check emails before going home to relax and maybe stitch. Gosh I didn't take any stitching home and I think I'm in withdrawal.

I did take my digital camera home and took a "few" pictures but can't upload as yet, patience, it'll be soon, cause I'm anxious to upload myself!!!! LOL! My youngest sister was a GM in February and as yet Rylan has not travelled the 200 miles to Dauphin to visit them, it's always the GPs travelling to Winnipeg. So apparently they arrived this afternoon and my sister is just FLYING high and has toys and more toys yet for him to open up and I'm sure A/Us also have some for him too! Florence did say she was taking him over to visit with my Dad for a bit and well I too wish I could have stayed another day to visit too - but they've a full house now.

Well guess I'll go and maybe get into some stitching and hockey if it's on! That too I was in withdrawal for!!! LO!L

Aurora Christmas

Oh yes, I also "ditto" someone's asking to have the Christmas gatherings in the future at the church rather than a restaurant. Gosh we had so much food we could have fed another dozen easily, never mind the dessertssssss (and I was not up to cooking this time) and Linda did not think two chickens would be enough for us all. And to boot all the freedom to shout across or down the table (at times it got quite rowdy - me included), get up and visit, stitch if we wanted to, have an awesome show and tell and to play games too, without trying to keep the noise level down. Also not having others not in our group sometimes letting us know they did not care for our comaraderie (in a restaurant). So Thank You very much to everyone for such a lovely dinner and naturally all your smiling faces and so very sorry that some of you were under the weather or working or other commitments and could not meet with us. Maybe another year! Take Care and a Merry Christmas to all!

And I can tell you I was VERY VERY VERY glad I had booked off the whole day as I sure needed it. Not cause I was so tired like Judith (poor gal) from all the comings and goings, but more like the last unload of dishes out of that !@#$% commercial dishwasher did me in! This is telling how much it hurt, I couldn't even scream or cry or stomp my feet to commisserate my pain, I just gritted my teeth, finished up and left to cry at home. I know it was stupid to rush but I felt that the gals were waiting for me to finish up to lock the doors as I honestly am paranoid about leaving it opened or not locked properly. See I had left the dishwasher door down and the tray out instead of hauling it up and closing the door and then emptying the tray! Nooooooo, Rose Anne thought she can just work around the door and empty as is - well I missed the corner and clipped the inner top calf inside my left knee on the very very sharp corner, didn't cut my pants (how I don't know), but have this white/red () where it connected and now a massive blue purple bruise surrounding the mark.

My Chiro on Tuesday is just gonna shake his head with these incidents. LOL! Yeah I can chuckle now but yesterday I just about lost my lovely dinner from the pain. I'd take a picture of it but don't feel like shaving my legs so you're spared that at least. Sheesh first my shoulder was black, blue and swollen for a good week (slipping off a step stool at work backwards into the desk) and now my knee is bruised and swollen! I don't even think bubble wrap would have helped on this one girls - it probably would have burst to boot!!!

Sewing day with Linda

Oh my, me thinks me had a taste of retirement yesterday and wants more! LOL! Thank you so much Linda! Gonna have to plan more such getaway days next year.

See Linda M's hubby is away working and she asked if I can take a vacation day and come sew with her. Well I managed an afternoon and joined her around 2:00 pm after mailing off my Christmas cards and picking up my stuff. I got to use Bijou (her retreat machine) - not her fancier ones that is for sure - and stitched up four 12.5" blocks for a charity quilt. Linda was working on placemats from a class she had just completed and I loved the colours she had chosen. But I must say having that laptop smack dab in the middle of the sewing machines was mighty distracting especially with all the dinging that mail has arrived! LOL!

Then she fed me chicken divan on rice for supper - YUMMY - and green and yellow beans for the veggies - my favourites!

Then back up to the sewing room and I switched over to trying to stitch up some kleenex box covers - not so successfully but okay. I borrowed my ex-bosses bought one and my sister did the planning and I'm off to the races sewing them with no instructions - see my delimma. I'm sure there is a commercial pattern somewhere but heck I've enough bills/patterns I don't need to buy another one when there are more intricate ones I would like to have instead. Well I finished off the one and Linda graciously gave me two gold ball buttons and VOILA it's finished - sorry no pic either - maybe next week.

Then I assisted Linda in attaching binding the easy way and gosh I could slap myself up one side and down the other for doing mine the hard way all these years!!! This is so easy but you have to allow at least 12" play room as Linda found out, but we were trying to eliminate two joins just about side by side. It worked and I think she's stitched it in place today - if I read her email correctly.

I even was serrenaded(? ) by Jonathan practicing his flute and I was much appreciative and told him so even though he was reluctant to do so. On Sunday is my great nephew's piano recital and this will be the first one I'm missing and was quite put out about it. I passed on my hoorahs with Pat and was told he is feeling stage fright this year. I told him to just play for his own enjoyment and maybe it'll be okay - I hope so as he's pretty good and I love when he plays for me when I'm over there. Not that I'd know if he's following the music sheets but if I recognize the song I know when he slips up. And he gets a charge out of seeing Auntie with tears and smiles - heck what can I say, I'm a softie!!!

Tonight is guild meeting night and tomorrow evening I work. Then Saturday I have off for our satellite Christmas party and then Sunday I work. BUT inbetween and maybe during I'm working on crocheting the tops of the kitchen towels and also have my friend's crazy patched block to finish embellishing. She's already completed mine and it's probably in the mail already so I've got to get moving on it! I definitely need another 4-6 "free" hours added onto my evenings - there just is not enough time in my day!

OMGG I can do it!!!!

First off I have to say THANK YOU to Janet for this gift, I've thoroughly enjoyed this last hour reading the manual and experimenting with it! Oh what demons have you set free?

My heartbeat is just a racing but I'm smiling to beat the band! See I decided to make the time and read this manual and take a few pics and upload them if I could from the HP photosmart 320 digital camera my former boss gave me last night. WELLLLLLL (tonque in cheek) I just might have moved up into the realm of digital photography!!! LOL!

So here goes my first pics! These are of my phalaenopsis in spike and a fuzzy closeup too (gotta practice holding my breath and arm steady):

And now here is the Christmas stocking I received in the CdnQuiltSwappers Royal Treatment Swap from Joyce Hawkes - it was filled with much crazy patch fabrics and goodies along with angel ornaments, chocolates (just about gone now) and other nick nacks.

And here is a craft I made a few years ago from the office coffee cans and yes under the hat is the plastic lid and you can actually store things in there too - or hide pressies! Isn't he cute? I have one donated to the office too. This guy is mine and is on display all year round.


And next are three of the oil paintings that I've done under my sister Sylvia's very detailed tutelage and there's one set of three at the office (will take the camera to work and get them too). I think the poppies were first or the seals next but not sure and then the daisies along the fence and lastly the winter creek which needed much assistance when it came to the rocks - just too much for me to create.





Ooopsie, I forgot to post pics of the Singer Christmas ornaments that my sister Sylvia had painted for me.

Oh GOSH was this ever easy! And here I've been so petrified in buying myself a digital camera and spending money I don't have and then not learning how to use it! GO FIGURE!!!! No I'm not taking a picture of my goofy face from realizing my silliness on this adventure. LOL!

The Prize I Won!

Okay, here's what I won from the store Mrs. Twitchett's Eye birthday draw last week.

Jazlyn 28ct ColorScapes Hand-dyed fabric (very soft pink with sparkles) (18 X 26") http://www.picturet hisplus.com
Dusty rose oval and white molded rose Needle Minder by http://KelmscottDes igns.com
Kreinik Metallics 1/8" ribbon #195 (should be awesome for my embellishments)
Kreinik Mettalics Tapestry #12 Braid in a Fushia (also for my embellishments)
Needle Necessities Pearl #5 Overdyed cotton # 51471 (varigated earthy tones with soft pink and purple)
Weeks Dye Works Floss #2247 Flamingo (shades of pink)
Lizzie Kate pattern Merry, Friends - Santa '03 (5.5 X 5.5" counted cross stitch)
The Gentle Art counted thread embroidery #9 Rabbit Hop
Simply Old-Fashioned counted cross stitch WW 1320 Knitten' Kitten
Jeannette Douglas Designs canvas needlework Mini Topiary Sampler/Needleroll #4
Indigo Rose needlework pattern My Daughter

WOW, there's a lot of pricey things in here (but heck what's with the shades of pink???) but some I may never do but who knows. The threads, canvas and magnetic needle holder I'll definitely use and the Santa pattern I just might stitch up one day and the canvas sampler looks interesting too. Who knows.

By the way, I leant the correct way to cut away Hardanger ornaments and how to make tassels and my own twisted hangers and how to make up a pocket ornament also. Now just to finish off all my ornaments so they can be enjoyed at Christmas.

BUT you gotta hear about my other surprise of the evening!!! I had gone over to my former bosses' place to pass on a baby gift for their daughter's first born with them as they are flying down to Florida to visit them this week through to Christmas. I couldn't chat long as she was going to play tennis and naturally I had my last Hardanger class tonight too. She had told me she had some "film" to give me as they don't use it anymore as their camera broke plus they use the digital always. WELLLLLLL, on top of the film she also gave me their HP photosmart 320 a 2.1 MP 4x digital zoom camera with connecting cord and software CD!!! She remembered I still didn't have one and since they'd gotten a newer one and weren't going to bother to sell this one she gave it to me until I can buy my own with more bells and whistles!

PHEW first Ada Betty let me have her first 1 mp digital to try out but I just haven't had a chance to check to see if it is compatible with my PC yet (might have to buy some $20 reader part) and now Janet gives me her's that she had been using till just recently on their PC. So will have to see if it works as is on mine and then decide which to keep or that I can work it probably is the operative word! LOL! I've got to find some time to check things out but when?????

Gosh I just can't believe how fortunate I feel lately!

I WON something!!!!

OMGG why did I have to work today!!!! I just sat in my armchair to watch more hockey and do some crocheting and thought I'd better check my phone for messages!!! WELL, lo and behold there was a message and from Mrs. Twitchett's Eye and apparently I've won one of two prizes drawn this last week from purchases made. Now I have to wait until Tuesday (my last Hardanger class) to collect my prize and find out what is inside. Hmmm unless it is on their website - will have to check it out and let you know - whenever I find out! OHHHH yummy!

More Pics

Okay here are more postcards received from my PC Cottage group:

from Carol L, ON, Canada, rec'd Nov. 21/06

from Linda M, MB, Canada, rec'd Nov. 22/06

from Carolyn J, BC, Canada, rec'd Nov. 30/06

And here is what I sent out to these three gals:

New Pics

Okay, a big thank you to Linda M for taking my pics for me! I really appreciate it.

Well here is my Hardanger Angel ornament that I had lots of problems with and had to ditch the first attempt as I messed up on my Klosters. This second one turned out great except for those dratted picots which a fellow classmate told me to skip totally and also there was to be a kloster star flower in the centre but the instructions were not clear so she suggested I stick to the stitches I had just learnt. Yep, it looks lovely! Hope it's new owner loves her too!

Here are all my CQ Friends Holiday Postcards I've received - thank you so very very much ladies for such wonderful embroidered items:

from Sandie W, Australia, rec'd Nov. 15/06

from Maureen B, Australie, rec'd Nov. 16/06

from Julia C, Australia, rec'd Nov. 16/06

from Maureen C, Australia, rec'd Nov. 23/06

from Katie B, USA, rec'd Nov. 30/06

And here is what I sent out to Sandie W, Ulla F, Margaret P, Julia C, and Maureen C (pic from Sandie W):

Okay, guess I'll save this before I loose it and have to start all over again!

Undivided Attention!

WOW was it ever neato to have a One-on-One with the teacher for undivided attention on my Hardanger ornaments the other night. See those that were there knew those stitches and just went ahead working on their pieces etc. WHILE Rose Anne here, even after reading it through, found it all "Dutch" (which brought on some laughter and comments about maybe another nationality etc), but still I was lost. So up I went and Carolyn demonstrated on my pieces each of the new stitches and gosh darn was that ever easy once shown how - now will I remember. I really think I'm one of those hands on type of people rather than learning on my own. I just about finished all the new stitches in class except for the larger ornament which was slightly behind - but I think now I've caught up and just have to do the new stitches on it. Then I'll be ready again for the last class which is the finishing and adding the crystals to each one too! Ohhhh can't wait to see the results. But then the fun will be over and I'll have to wait till I think February for the next Hardanger class!!!! There is even a one-day class on repairs which I'm definitely taking as I've already snipped the wrong thread and it needed patching. LOL!

Oh well, nothing says I can't make duplicates or try an online freebie - getting ready for gift giving for 2007!!!!

Orchid is in SPIKE!!!

OH MY, OH MY, it's been a while since I've had an orchid in bloom, especially a phaleonopsis!!! And talk about perfect timing to perk up this silly blue person!

This is one of the old faithfuls and I was debating if it ever was going to bloom again or should I give up on it! Well guess it proved me wrong! Now hopefully I'll see the blooms too! Yes, I'll keep you posted on the spikes progress and when it finally blooms I'll naturally post the pic too!

Dtps. Memoria James McPherson
Canyon Mist X Alice Loeb


Well I've finally gotten another postcard swap mailed (a few days late - sorry no pic as yet) and ideas clammering for another two swaps so guess I better get a move on and get them started so I can work on my long awaited for Chain of Hearts in the new year, especially when I just purchased a nice colour selection of EdMar rayon threads at 30% off. I've also a friend's crazy patch 12.5" block to finish embellishing hopefully for Christmas - guess I better get moving on that one! Apparently mine is coming along very well and should be posted soon - YIKES!!!

Oh and my Hardanger Christmas ornaments are coming along very nicely and tonight I think I learn a few more new stitches and some finishing too. Also my Hardanger Angel problem has been solved and it looks not bad since we changed the stitches and dropped the picots!!! Gosh they gave my grief and I hear others too, so now I don't feel too badly! Yep will post pics once completed.

Been Busy

Well I'm not sure if it's the after effects of my recent fall or if I'm coming down with a bug but I've been definitely not myself this last couple of days.

Wednesday, Nov. 22nd

See we were commandeered into having an OFFICE cleanup day today! Our Managers are going to do Shauna and I in soon! Then Sharon said while we are cleaning up how about if we help you put up Christmas decorations - I said Yeah thanks, so we did that too - looks lovely! Gosh it does look cleaner but my desk is still a bit messy so gotta get to work on it more never mind everything else. Oh and while I was out for 20 minutes!!! They took away my mail cabinet with the mail buckets - had to send them off to get the stuff back! Then they wanted to take my locker away too, had to put my foot down - guess gotta nail things to the walls and floors!!!! Then while cleaning off from the tops of the storage units, I backed off the step stool and stepped onto some piled up cardboard on edge and slipped backwards into the desk drawers. Yep my bad shoulder and looks like I skinned it (it's burning and hurts like heck) when sliding down plus my butt when I landed. And I had to work that night too!!! I swear I'll do myself in before my retirement!!

My part time job evening was work work work as stock came in this morning and lots of Christmas stuff. So I literally spent 4.5 hours pricing gift bags and putting them out. At least the time went by fast and I wasn't thinking about my sore side! LOL! Then I was called in to help out Thursday night too but had to run some errands after supper first.

Saturday, Nov. 25th

I worked the afternoon again, rushed through hectic traffic and packed my stitching bag. Well about halfway to the needleshop I just about turned around and went back home. I'm just not feeling great, ache all over and not sure if it's from the fall or if I caught a bug. I'm even in long sleeves today and even my runners which usually I can't stand keeping them on inside. Hmmmm and I work tomorrow too. But I perservered and arrived for another PJ party at Mrs. Twitchett's Eye (needlework) tonight. We got fed ham and meatball and salads dinner with awesome desserts, Flosso Bingo and stitching and even got to pick up some purchases (30% off on EdMar threads for my Chain of Hearts) later on in the evening. And got home about midnight!

It was an enjoyabe evening and I'm glad I went. Well Katherine, one of my fellow classmates in Hardanger helped me over my problem with my angel pattern but we changed the stitches instead of doing those dratted picots!!! Apparently not too many stitchers like doing them. Fine with me! My angel ornament was not finished for the ornament exchange but she will get hung up this year. So lots of fun but I think I can say I was not really myself and Linda kept asking how I was doing! Poor girl I think I kinda spooked her! LOL!

I'm Back!

Did ya miss me? Yeah right!

Anyways the weather cooperated and I hitched a ride with my sister and BIL to Dauphin for the weekend. We had a small impromptu supper Kentucky Fried Chicken (his favourite) with Black Forrest Cake with Dad on his 93rd birthday and a few siblings and a couple of grandkids. Dad was surprised that we'd made it home for the weekend and had an enjoyable evening.

Then the next day Sylvia and I tidied up his place, did his shopping and invited nearby siblings and spouces for supper Saturday evening (all came except for Marg who called but could not make it as she was just released from hospital - diabetic stabilizing). So we cooked up Dad's frozen half turkey, a beef roast and some meatballs, along with mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, coleslaw, bean salad and mixed veggies. We had Florence's home made angel food cake and strawberries in sauce topping and peanut butter squares for dessert. Yummie. He was totally surprised that just about all his kids/spouces arrived, even my brother came!

We visited Sunday and left very early Monday morning back to Winnipeg and I was chauffeur for the afternoon for Sylvia and Len before heading to their daughter's for supper and overnight. Then tomorrow they'll leave for NW Ontario and stay home for a while, especially if the snow or freezing rains hit! They too hate travelling in bad weather.

In between the visiting and on some of the 4 hr drive I even worked on my Hardanger class projects and my crocheted tops for the kitchen hand towels.

RAB's WISPs Listing for 2007

Sheesh Sandie what have you started!

I have 38 WISPs (that I could find that is) in various stages of preparation that I truly would like some day to see completed. Now this isn't the whole list by any means but those I'd like to concentrate on for completion in 2007 (there are some patterns I've bought or been given that are just that as yet but I would like to move on some of them too - another list maybe - Dream Projects?). So here goes for starters:

1. Rosebud blocks for guild's ABC quilt project (have 4 of the 7 half done)
2. CQd 12.5 inch block for Jeni (started on embellishing) (private exchange long overdue)

3. Moondance quilt - work on completing the remaining pieced blocks at the February retreat

4. CQd oval block for shadow box from CQ Round Robin (completed just needs assembly)
5. Under Stars Galore - 2005 WR Mystery Quilt - top completed, need to by backing and then my sister can quilt it for me (batting purchased, binding already cut too)
6. 2006 WR Mystery Quilt wallhanging projcet - top completed, needs to be assembled
7. Colourwash Applique Quilt - try to complete the assembly and stitching of colourwash blocks
8. Birthday Block Sampler Quilt - blocks are completed from a blockswap - needs sashing, borders and assembling
9. Fall Round Robin wallhaning - top is completed, needs assembly
10. Let it Snow Round Robin wallhanging - top is completed, needs assembly
11. Texas scenic wallhanging - needs appliqued pieces stitched on and then assembly
12. Necktie School Tote - whole new project to be completed by June 2007 from CraftBits

Yep, still up at 1:30 am

It started out weird today! I woke with a head that felt like a 10 gallon pail, a fat tongue, and to boot felt like someone hit me across the nose with a bat! Sheesh it was so warm in the apartment that I even opened the windows and that did not help. Now it wasn't a hot flash even though I thought that at first too, but instead heat was just pouring out of the registers - YIKES!!! - and my thermostat was like right down. On my way out to work I ran into the caretaker and asked what's with the heat and she said the air compressor on the boiler is busted and the repair guy was heading up to fix it pronto like! When I came home after supper from work it was much cooler in here so guess things are back to normal.

Boy did I ever have quite the commotion just after 1:00 am and if anyone was in the hallway they probably are wondering what the heck set her off!!! See I received an email with some pics of a present for Linda M from her friend Joy (yep another of her bears) and was so surprised I laughed out loud for a few minutes (setting my poor head a knocking) and bringing tears to my eyes. The details are so amazing I just don't know how you do it Joy. And I mentioned to Linda that I'd love her to wait till I was back from my family Christmas before she opens it so I could be there to see her expression when she sees it. Personally I doubt she'll oblige me (and that's putting it nicely)! Oh well her hubby will take pics and they will probably be posted shortly after opening!

During the evening I completed my hardanger Christmas ornaments class homework, now I'm all set for Tuesday and the next step. And then I started on an angel hardanger ornament from the Kreinik site (lots of freebies of all crafts) and so far so good. Yep, you guessed it, I can't stop and get to bed, probably as soon as I hit a stitch I can't figure out. I sure hope this turns out as I would like to have it for an ornament exchange soon.

Okay a quick check on my emails and back to stitching or bed, not sure which will win out!

Stitching with Friends

There were four of us from Ravenesque satellite group at Dianne's for some stitching and gabbing and laughs! There was Pat making some unusually attractive business cards, Linda working on Christmas presents, myself working on Hardanger class homework and Dianne creating one of her materpieces again! Her DH went out on an errand to get away from us all me thinks! LOL! Linda had brought a pan of her lasagna and I brought orange almond salad (minus the almonds) along with strawberries for dessert. Pat was going to pick something up on her way out but couldn't cause it was all closed am - next time she said! It was scrumptious.

Afterwards I visited my friend Linda and while I continued stitching on my ornaments, I walked Linda through the steps for the Snippets postcards and I think she enjoyed herself immensely.

BTW I've only one more Christmas ornament to complete the first week's Hardanger class homework and then I'm ready for the next step come Tuesday! Here is Frosty Heart, one of the ornaments we're working on. If you'd care for mor information on these patterns please contact Mrs. Twitchett's Eye. These will be finished off with more stitches, metallics and crystals.

(Sorry, picture removed to protect designer's copyright. You'll have to wait for all the ornaments to be completed and a group picture taken then.)

Stained Glass Angel pictures

Okay, I've been convinced to at least put this on my BLOG!


Now it will be onto the next couple of sets I have to stitch up and send out. I've already got the ideas drafted out on paper, just need to trace onto the Dr. examination bench paper (which works like a charm for this and more durable than tissue or tracing paper) and off I go with paper piecing them up. A couple of friends even gave me ideas to change them slightly and so I've incorporated this already and found some lovely angel, heart and star charms to add for accent on some. WOW! Now I need some free time again to play!

What a LOVELY evening!

Well after the awful start with a pounding headache along with some smell that sent my allergies for a spin I was feeling kinda reluctant to go to a stitching evening after work too. Yes I'd taken a couple of meds but it was not clearing and then the floor below started reconstruction on their offices alongwith their washroom being demolished at the same time - needless to say I was not the only one with a headache!!!!

OHHHH but we have both mens and ladies facilities on our floor opened up as of today! HOOORRRAAAAYYY for something good at work! Yes, I still spent the day crunching numbers and preparing letters and memos to go out for my Yearbook data! Okay enough of this onto the good stuff!

I prepared for my second set of classes in Hardanger starting tonight - this time for Christmas ornaments with metallics and crystals - WOW! - they are lovely. I saw some of the ornaments on display (designed by Carolyn Mitchell of Mrs. Twitchett's Eye) and there are a couple more she's still drafting up for this class. Well I was a might apprehensive with this headache but I can tell you after a very slow and scary start back into the stitching, I just about finished the homework on two ornaments in class and the last half hour I even participated in the conversations - guess I was relaxing by then - LOL! As soon as I have the homework finished on the ornaments we have supplies for I'll post a pic and then also the progress after each week (5 in total). I'm still debating what colour of metallics and crystals I'll choose with my offwhite canvas and white perle cotton - my tendancy is to lean to the dark green but they all are lovely!

Gosh I can't believe it but it's been just about a whole year since my first initiation class into Hardanger embroidery (placemat needs washing and finishing then a pic) and I did one little heart pincushion in between as a gift and nothing since! I was totally lost starting out tonight but my stitching neighbour was so helpful and even gave me a very easy tip for checking on alignment, I could have hugged her. So simple you needlework ladies will probably say DUH! but heck I did not know such. See you bring your needle up to the top and lay the thread across to the other side in the row of canvas and see if it lines up with the stitches on the other side - eliminates counting, missing stitches and/or crosseyed and having to start again!!! LOL!

So as soon as I finish checking emails I'm going to finish off the last few stitches and get the third canvas ready for tomorrow.

Another good day!

9:30 pm update

Well it was an early night for me in regards to house sitting, as after I picked up Byran from his football pool party windup at 7:00 pm - he looked totally exhausted - along with his trophy and photos package we went back to their house. I had to bribe him to have a shower with "more" TV time before bed and while he was taking it Mom and Dad arrived! Good thing Byran was occupied as Belle then got undivided attention and cookies - poor thing as if she didn't get any all weekend!!!! Talk about one very happy boy to see Dad coming around the door to his room! So I was home by 8:00 and able to catch up on my emails etc.

And Byran is game for another outing to Fort Whyte whenever I have an afternoon free! He sure loves walking around that place and it's only a nature park and the animals skedaddle fast not like at the zoo. But heck we did see two handsome bucks and probably 7 foes and 4 youngsters along with many geese and a woodpecker too! He wished I had my camera so I promised next time for sure. LOL!

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1:39 pm original post

WOW, I can't believe it Amanda stayed home (in her room but that's okay) and Byran and Belle both behaved and I got a good night's sleep! YAHOOIE!

And now lunch (joint effort with Amanda before she headed to work), pots and pans done - rest in dishwasher, towels and sheets in the wash and Byran out walking Belle for some exercise. YEP I'm off duty for a half hour or so !

I've been stitching up some quilt blocks to add to a couple of donationa quilts that my sister will be quilting up from the both of us. Guess I should put together the labels soon too. Sheesh it's been busy at least in one of my Yahoo groups but most are just about lifeless! Wonder what gives?

Morning!

Well I'm shaking my head wondering why oh why I set myself up for these house sitting escapes? They all start out okay but something inevitably happens and usually to me - sheesh!

Well this time the 21 yr old had "friends" over before going out - I bit my tongue on the noise level from the basement, then she came home with a friend around 3:00 and they chatted some and kept me awake a bit. Then got woken up three times with the DOG trying to get away with sleeping in Byran's bed so I had to get up and chase her onto her own bed. She even has a blanket to cover up with but guess not the same as the heated water bed! Well the third time I got fed up and gave her a swat on her rump and yep, guess I connected wrong and burst or bruised a blood vessel in my thumb so it's tender and a bit swollen - GRRRR! Then all quiet again and I get woken up by Byran at 7:30 wanting to go down to play video games - NO!!!! Well then I hear someone coming up the stairs and out the door - guess Amanda's friend - SHEESH! How my niece puts up with this I don't know! I need sleep!!!!

Thank goodness I booked off my part time job for the weekend or I'd really be !@#$%!!!!

Are You Up For A Challenge?

Anyone up for a challenge?

I decided to take up Sandie's offer of a challenge, you can read about it here upon her blog. The first 5 people to respond to this challenge, via comments will each get a crazy patched postcard or a crocheted angel ornament - your choice.

The catch is, you must also offer on your blog the same sort of offer. This is not an exchange where you send back to me, it's called 'paying it forward' to others who read your blog.

I've decided to offer a crazy patched and embellished postcard or a crocheted angel ornament - your choice. It may take some time to complete five of these babies, but you WILL receive it. Hmmm, I wonder who will bite first?

Why Oh Why!

Do I do this to myself???? Yep I joined up with another "smaller" postcard group and was going to lurk - well that lasted I'd say a day until my friend Linda M (co-owner of Postcard Cottage) uploaded a swap topic I could not resist.

OMGG Linda what have you done to me this time!!!! Here instead of going to Sears and Michaels for things or sewing my Christmas pressies I started, there I spent a good hour and a half and drafted up "three" not just one of my ideas for my new postcards! SHEESH! AND I really like two of these ideas so which to choose as I'm (and that's just me!) very adamant on keeping all the same for everyone in the swap. Okay, I'll check my emails, post this message and then head out the door as I really need boots for all this snow and cold. If you want to see the snow that fell this week check out Linda M's message and pics.

Heavenly Beauties

Sorry, that I've no pics as yet to show you how heavenly I think my stained glass angels postcards really are. That will come soon I promise.

Well all I had to do was sandwich the pieces then satin stitch around the outer edges but I had a slight delimma. See I really did not want to use the fancy rayon thread around the outer edges so was debating on whether to use the blue that matched the background, a darker blue or just white to pick up the angel pieces. Well I decided to experiment with my "keepsake" postcard and used the white on the top and the cream to match the backsides - I liked the effect - so I've now completed all the stitching and just have to bury my thread ends and they are READY FOR MAILING!!! WOW like two weeks plus early!!! That definitely is a first for Rose Anne! LOL!