Another CQd Block Completed!!!

Okay this was very unusual and quite the honour for me and it's finally finished and it's still JUNE (suggested deadline) and I'll be mailing it back to it's owner tomorrow!!! See Lyn G emailed me back in February asking if I would work on her one remaining block for her "Mini Seanes" series embellished by her cyber friends. How could I refuse? WELL I can tell you I was "scared" as this was the first time I'd be working on someone's whole block by myself. I thought it was hard doing patches and seam treatments with others together on one block - HUH!!! Oh well maybe I'm finally taming some of those anxious feelings of working on others' blocks??? I sure hope so!

Anyways here is the naked block I received and my various embellishment steps to the "finish"!!!

"Lyn's naked block"

my scrunched chiffon sandbar with various beads and charms

with embroidered seaweed etc

closeup

with sea creatures: chiffon and SRE jelly fish, fish button and beaded/embroidered crab

SRE fish - upper half

- lower half

see angled clam shell and hidden pearl?

"finished" block!

Now I sure hope that Lyn is pleased with her block and this too was a learning curve for me and hopefully future blocks. And I can't wait to see this series completed - I've seen some blocks and just can't figure out how these are going to be put together!

My Cabachons Arrived!!!

Okay I'm not sure what exactly this is about, but here's some explanation:

CABACHON: A stone without facets, and shaped like a dome. CAMEO: Conch shell, onyx gem, coral and various gemstones, which were carved in either relief or intaglio. Cameos are also molded in synthetics such as plastic or glass.

Anyways here is what I got from another CQer who makes her own!



I love them and a couple I'm going to keep for myself and my own CQd block! Some are going into a "Faces" DYOB (do your own block) RR in the CQI group starting in July. Now many say these are easy to make, just like many say developing your own pictures is easy too - well sorry but I only like playing with the end result not the process to get there! Some things I know I do not want to dabble in and some I've tried and never expanded on either.

Retreat Followup

Well so much for sewing with you retreaters - well maybe in spirit!

Anyways, so much for late nights, I crashed I think it was early for retreaters and just not with it today, but did go and visit with Sylvia and Len and Pat - actually was treated to lunch at Applebys in exchange of being their chauffeur for the shopping they both wanted to do and be back by 2:30 - well we did it!!! I even got nice PJ bottoms at Superstore and ordered the sunclips for my new glasses so I can STOP switching to the old pair and stressing my eyeballs!!! LOL! Think I'm gonna get those over the frames sunglasses they advertise on TV and leave those in the car - Walmart has them I think for $6.99!

On my way home I stopped at TIMs and got a large Ice Cap - YUMMY!!! Sure needed that today as my car was boiling; but with the fans on and the sun behind clouds it is cooling off in the apartment.

BTW I wanted to tell you about my awesome ValuVillage find yesterday! I usually stop in there to check out their doilies - to get some really nice crocheted/tatted ones that I cut up for trims for my CQing blocks and also fine crochet cotton in colours that are not sold here in stores for my own made motifs etc. WELL yesterday not only did I get some of both but I also found this huge rolled up bundle of cotton quilt batting - it was washed and nice and plush - for a WHOPPING $3.99 - WOW!!! So not only did I get one from Michaels last week at 50% off but now I have this one too at an awesome bargain. Not sure how many quilts I have for myself in the making, but I think I have enough batts for now.

Well maybe back to more stitching???

Missing My WR Retreat!

Yep, this is the weekend that a smaller group of CdnQuiltSwappers called Western Retreat have their annual quilting retreat at Sylvan Lake, AB and I could not make it this year - thought I'd do some home sewing in "retreat spirit". The first couple of times I flew out but hated the 3-4 day turnaround for such a long trip so then I packed my stuff into my older car and drove out by myself (except for one year with my sister in her van). Sometimes I'd pick up others along the way and a fine time we would all have and also I'd visit before and after taking a two-week vacation. BUT as I said this year that was not possible, but hopefully I'll again be part of the quilting fun in other years!

Well I've done basically no sewing so far but after a marathon of shopping last night and earlier today, I was relaxing crocheting hearts and pansies while WAITING patiently for my first time doing my PC Backup. See it's been giving me a black screen with system error lately - it's just to XXXXXXXXX hot in this apartment when the fans aren't on (don't leave the on unattended). Now the Backup is complete and I'm breathing easier knowing if it crashes I've got my stuff at least. Might not have the money to buy a new PC but in time.

So now back to checking emails etc. Tomorrow I'll get to visit with my sister Sylvia who last week drove to Dauphin to visit Dad who is doing OK but could be mucho better if he ordered the meals brought in but they cost too much and he does not like what is there etc etc etc. Oh well!!!

So onto seeing if I can get back to my sewing projects!

Maybe a Close Call?

See we were to get Tshowers yesterday so before going to work I had properly shut down my PC and so when I came home after work/shopping I proceeded to turn it on and waited for the various start up to end. This went through as usual and my Yahoo opened up but by then my supper was heated and I sat down to eat. Nothing new and my screen saver came up and was working when I soon after came to read my mail.

NOPE no can do the mouse/screen were frozen so powered down, waited a few minutes and then powered up again. YIKES some type of boot failure error message and Ctrl Alt and Delete to reboot. Nope that did not work either and then another message about insert system disk and enter - whoops not sure which that is so I shut down.

WELL this morning obviously it's working!!! Thank the LORD! So tonight I better do another backup as this is too scary for me and the last one was Oct. 2008! Guess just because this baby is only a few years old does not mean it can't fail!!!

Crafting Again

11:15 pm - the ordered dozen little Red Hats are complete and ready to be delivered - sure hope they are as much of a hit as the first batch were!



Now to finish off the other ones, one of these days!

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2:15 pm - Finally I'm back home and that was a long two hours to zip out for purple beads and ribbon!!! Dummy here decided to go to the Main & Redwood Dollarama to check it out! WELLLLLLL I couldn't get home as the Gay Pride parade was on and talk about messing up traffic and it was HOT out there on that pavement!!! I think I may have used up what little gas I had in the tank on this delayed trip home - hope I have enough to make it to the gas station on Friday to fill up!!!

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Well I've been having fun this morning but can you believe it I RAN OUT OF PURPLE 1/8 inch ribbon and beads and feathers??? Now granted these are not items I usually have lots of in my stash and probably used them up last year embellishing my little Red Hats. Yep that's what I'm doing again today! I crocheted and felted them a few weeks ago, so they are in dire need of dressing up now and once I get into that I'm hooked and forget everything.

So guess it's a good thing I need to zip out to pick up more supplies and then maybe eat before I become so "locked in" again! LOL!



These were last year's babies and I try to do them all differently but sometimes they are repeated. Some are brooches, fobs and keychains when dressed up! It's how I feel - is how I embellish!!!

Guild Garage Sale

Thank you to the Exec. who put this event on, to the many sponsors who donated and also Guild-purchased awesome prizes (nope I did not win this time around) and also the Fort's well maintained facility! Even though I enjoyed the visit with friends, I was fairly disappointed in the results of the garage sale, but then it might have had something to do with the fact is was not at the hall but out at Lower Fort Garry, outside the city! It was well attended considering and I was starving and ready for the BBQd hotdogs and also the member made cole slaw and quilt cookie!!! YUMMY!!!

Oh well that means I've lots ready for my sister's event in August and last year I did not to bad and this year I've more postcards made up and today I even prepared some of the landscape ones - just have to get down to doing the free hand machine embellishing and then maybe some paint in places for added OOOMPH!

For our return trip, after checking with my two passengers, we made a very slight detour to Stonewall to take in Stacy's Quilter's Cottage garage sale. Yep I found a few excellent buys but otherwise I behaved myself!!! Then back home to work on some other waiting projects.

Guess it's me!!!

Well I've had a !@#$ of a day and sitting here going over things from years back and not liking myself for it at all! Yes I am a might stubborn and have learnt over the years to stick to my guns or others walk all over me. I've got to deal with this, change, and somehow make myself feel better to go on from here in a positive manner.

All my life I've lived with a Dad saying I was always doing things wrong, now don't get me wrong he said this to everyone just about, but seemed like it was always me. Then a sibling or two always calling me stupid or dumb or crazy or other such adjectives and I didn't know anything or how to do things, even when once I had the proof in my favour I was still wrong! Even at work had comments like "any dummy can do that" whenever I hit a snag and didn't know how to get out of it - really helpful. And lately even when asked my opinions and expressed they are not acceptable yet I have to accept others as "gospel". And they wonder why I explode sometimes??? Yep learning the hard way to keep my opinions to myself and do my work but yet somehow participate in the group too.

And over the years tolerated the "younger ones" always saying "you're embarassing me" and today it really hit home when told maybe I shouldn't have been invited to a family outing. Yep it was a bad day at work and just rotten timing for that comment, but you know these "so smart" young ones have to learn what their comments do to those that love them. No I'm not going to the outing and will try to come to terms with missing something that I've enjoyed more than anything. And he should have known better cause last year he asked I not "cheer" so loudly for him and since then I've done as asked.

Yep I'm having a bad day and will get over it, just not today! What's that line about you can pick your friends but not your family!!! MOM I now wonder how you survived our family as long as you did! LOVE YOU and miss you muchly!

Jane's Christmas Block

Okay, this was a previous RR block of Jane's that she wanted more encrusting happening on it so our Sew Buds group is giving it a go. Sorry but I forgot to take a picture of the block before I worked on it.

So here are the closeups of what I added to it. First off I added the gold wreath charm at the bottom of the buttons and beads cluster; a silver Snowman along the ribbon garland with other silver charms; and a gold angel charm next to the feather stitched green heart. Then I crocheted a green heart and attached it with gold beads and next to it stitched an SRE poinsettia. That's when the ideas flew the coop so I'm sending it onto Candi for her input.





Jane will be making this into an album cover - WOW eh!

Toe Followup

Okay I woke Sunday and just about fell onto my face getting out of bed - the whole foot hurt. So after breakfast I packed my crocheting and a book (forgot the water and snacks though - stupid) and put on my older looser walkers and off to Urgent Care to get it checked out. I knew the wait would be long so I stopped into see Ruth, a fellow quilter that was in the Care Home in this unit first, then off to the clinic.

Well first off they sent me for xrays and I should have taken the wheelchair offer but no I slowly limped my way there, had them taken but this time took the chair ride back! LOL! Then the long 5 hour wait with grumbling stomach (not up to the sandwiches in that machine though) before seeing the Dr. Gosh it's freezing in there and people with the flu had hospital blankets around their scantily clad bodies - SHEESH!!!

When I did see the Dr. he said the xrays were clear - no breaks this time - but very badly bruised and he thinks I hyper extended the foot and that's why it hurts so badly and not just the toe. A couple of days of icing and resting and it should be okay - so let's hope as I've three long blocks to walk to work!!!

OWIEEEE!!!

Okay I KNOW I'm supposed to wear SHOES ALL THE TIME so I probably have not right to cry the blues now - BUT IT HURTS!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness this was AFTER delivering Val's wedding cake!!!

See after an afternoon visit with my sister Florence from Dauphin, I came home to relax and not 5 minutes home I STUBBED my baby toe on the two wheeled cart (loaded with recycle stuff) and it did not BUDGE, you can imagine what my foot felt like (well still does). YES I've iced it and it's starting to turn a tinge of blue, swelling and hardly able to bend the baby toe!!! DANG IT, I don't need pain when I'm mopey already!!!

Well after supper I zipped over to Pat's and got Sylvia to check the under part of my foot - no discolouration there. Kinda hobbled as actual walking was not possible even in my runners!!! About an inch up the foot from the baby toe joint it hurts something awful on the top of the foot and to step on the ball of the foot and up the back near the ankle - not sure if I'll be getting it checked out tomorrow or if it'll subside by then. I even cut the cuticle around the little nail - SHEESH!!! I know I'm a WHIMP when it comes to pain so according to the Dr it just might be a bad bang and nothing done about it! Will see how I feel tomorrow!!!

A Wedding Cake!

June 10, 2009:

And here is a picture (thanks to Val and probably Ricky) of the cake table - wasn't it just lovely!!!



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Well I don't believe this, I finished all the decorating just after midnight, cleaned up a bit, took pics and now enjoying a glass of wine before bed. Yep, thank goodness Val wanted something simple and one layer as I KNOW my decorating days are pretty much over - my shoulder was giving me grief off and on!




I've done a few cakes with this variation over the years and I'm not sure if it's the various similar pictures or if it's just the simplicity yet elegance that attracts them to this baby. Guess it's good for me, but I do see the difference from the first cakes to this later one - my control just is not there.

Where's my Muse?

Okay, it's been a week or two of down time and I've had enough!!! It's no fun just thinking of work and I've read like three books off and on the evenings in between working on more of my crocheted heart motifs and the crocheted top kitchen towels. BUT I did hear from my sister and she's got a flower and a pansy crocheted pattern for me so maybe something new to perk me up!

Well the other night I met with a couple of fabric artists and got a few ideas for a 6" CQd block for the "Under The Sea" RR but I'm an added in block so only have the one to do. And FINALLY I got some inspiration and ideas hatching and even got a lovely "sand bar" stitched in place and today off and on I'm adding on some "seaweed". So maybe, just maybe this too will be finished this month. I hope so!

Then I've a couple of very late postcard swaps to catch up on, but it's hard to work on these "creative" tasks when your MUSE has escaped or your spirit is down. Let's hope this is a sign that it is coming back?

NZer visiting Canada!

Well I must say I was so pleased that my "Kiwi Patch Pal" for the past ten years or so was coming to Canada this summer - but yet very dissappointed as the cost was toooooooo much for a stopover in Winnipeg. So Sandra and her parents arrived out West, took a bus tour to Banff and Jasper (WOW!!!) and back to Vancouver Island before setting a spell in Vancouver at a time share. I was praying to win the lottery so I could make the trip out there to visit at least the weekend with her but even airmiles did not amount to enough for such a trip nor Lady Luck!!! Try as I did, I also could not rustle up any quilting friends from there to meet Sandra even for coffee.

Then Saturday they travelled to Toronto and ELAINE (bless her heart) said she'd try to meet up with Sandra who was there only three days this time - short and sweet I hope!!! And yes they did meet up for the morning and apparently had fun too! So please go to Elaine's blog for the day's adventures and pics. I can't tell you how happy I am Elaine that you were able to do so, just like you did (and others too) when I years ago made the trip out East and you took me to the Quilt Shop where you worked - WOW!!!

Now they are off to Hawaii for a visit and I wonder if there are any quilter friends of mine there that would like to meet if possible? Hmmmm!

Niece's Grad!

April Dawn, also my godchild, graduated from the Univeristy of Manitoba Thursday, May 28th, with a Bachelor of Physical Education with her Mom and Dad, Brad (her boyfriend) and his Mom, two of her cousins, and three of her Aunties in attendance! Yep when she was introduced to the audience to pick up her Degree we cheered with much glee!!! My camera took awful pictures in the auditorium and I'm awaiting some from her cousin to arrive.

being announced

receiving diploma

We did take pictures outside and those I have here:

proud graduate!

with Mom & Dad
with 3 of 7 Aunties
with cousins

with her guy & with Auntie Rose Anne

Then our family went to Earls for supper before they all departed for the long trip back to Dauphin/Ethelbert as most had to work the next day. It made my heart swell with pride to see her maturing so. Now in the fall she'll be continuing her education at the Brandon University.

A Music Concert!!!

Yes I was invited to Linda M's son's last CJS musique (spring concert) tonight - he's graduating from Grade 12 in June. It was just awesome and even thought I did not understand the French songs but I sure enjoyed the music - even the ones that sounded like the symphony playing!!! Very well done by all and I thorough enjoyed watching the two conductors and their own unique "dance" directing the musicians.

My 1st Prize!!!

Remember when I posted "I'm a WINNER!" from a contest I had entered on "Louanne's" blog? Well here is my prize uncovered!!! AND it arrived just about in time for my birthday - what a present!!!

OMGG Louanne this is one AWESOME package of fancies that arrived today safe and sound - I could not have chosen better myself - the greens are so deep and lucsious!!! Thank you so very, very much!!!

I also like the pieces of fancy threads for hand embroidery too - lovely!!! Again THANK YOU!!!

My Day?

11:50 pm

Okay, I strolled through the spitting drizzle to my favourite haunt, Carlos & Murphy in Osborne Village, for my favourite nachos (minus the jalopinos) and Corona. Well much to my dismay there were MANY jalopinos within and I had to put the book down to watch for those sneaky beggars!!! Then on the way back I stopped into the Soul Beadery and found some awesome beads on sale that can be used for beach or ocean bed embellishing! So when I got home just vegged till after supper then ventured out to St. Vital Mall and picked up a few more of my kitchen towels to crochet tops. It was a fairly quiet evening afterwards just watching TV and crocheting and then having a late left over pizza supper and pepsi.

Well after Pat & Randy having me over yesterday for chicken BBQ and Pat & I enjoying a number of ceasars I thought today should be fairly quiet! LOL!

10:45 am

Yep another year older - but smarter me don't know??? LOL!!!

It apparently poured here overnight and still spitting out, as everything is soaking wet but OHHHH the trees are all budding into leaf nice and green and everything looks CLEAN finally!!! BUT I was awaken by the cell phone ringing - yes I have the day off. It is mainly used by my sister Florence to contact me and with Dad back in the hospital naturally my heart did a major jolt! Definitely NOT the way to start a lazy day!!!

I'm still debating on whether to go somewhere for lunch I've not been to or just have left over pizza at home and just veg out! HMMMM???? Guess you'll have to check back later to find out what I decided to do - LOL!

My DAD!

I guess this may be what we can expect from here on as my Dad is once again back in the hospital with breathing difficulties and some heart issues - no signs of a heart attack this time. BUT and this is the clincher, Dad has apparently "stopped" taking his medications now some 3 weeks and won't let the girls order any either. Hmmmmm!

So depending on how he is this week I will probably be going to Dauphin this coming weekend for a visit. Not exactly what I wanted to hear today but he is 95 and says he's tired of struggling day in and day out! What can one do?

Tatting Success!

I don't believe it, after deciding yesterday to maybe give up and just follow the chatroom and lessons, the instructor emailed to ask some questions and we finally got me on the straight and narrow and trying the beginning double stitch (DS) again!

the WRONG

Well I finally got the DS, or as they call them the "PANTS", actually 8 failrly neat pants in a row - WOW!!! - before I goofed again. But lots further than I've ever gotten since starting. So maybe this weekend I'll start on some of the lesson work from #1 and #2 and see how far I get! YAHOOIE!!!!!!!!! See the even weight threads??? That was my problem along with not knowing the technique.

the RIGHT

Wouldn't that be something to finally catch onto this so admired stitchery? I've been enthralled with some of the pieces worked for years and drooled whenever seeing an item on the CQd blocks!!!

What, Why & How!

Okay, I just did today my first attempt of a lunchtime walk (I hate going outside then as I find the afternoon drags). It lasted only 15 minutes, was a brisk one as my sandal bare toes and sweater clad body was COLD, never mind my just clipped head too!!!

Most family & friends know I’ve been up and down and anxious a lot these past few years and more so since the summer when I was mulling over what to do with my finances. Well this weekend was one from !@#$ and I’m glad I did not travel anywhere as I was not good company at all. I know I don’t want to ask for anxiety/mood/depression type meds and was thinking of checking out some vitamins that might help – but will bring it up with my Dr next month on BP check.

Well over the weekend I even debated with myself on dropping out of all my groups and then a major panic attack started so I stayed off the computer most of the weekend and READ, did not much else except finish off the close to be finished CQd block (now mailed off). Well I did have a few personal emails on this and also a call from Yvonne who has had me on her mind for a while and is concerned – YIKES – that made me realize I was on a bad path and have to do something!!! Then my coworker too said I have to get out and WALK at lunch – as others, Pat included, so I did!!!

I’m going to do this every day and try also for after work before heading home to play some with my stitching etc (might have to change that to evening depending on what I have on). BUT I did make a decision to try and not let work get to me as much. Also try to wean myself from some groups where I'm not so active in. That way I can continue to experiment with techniques etc and maybe even sell some on my "Creative Extras" blog???

So let’s hope that by the time my Dr apt comes in June I might have some of this anxiety I’ve been feeling daily reduced!!! I hope so. I keep telling myself that there are others with legit reasons for depression and they are coping – so smarten up!!! But just not quite working!

Another Block Finished!!!

YAHOOIE!!! slowly but surely I might get myself out of the quicksand and onto terra firma!!!

Yes, I've completed my "last" block of the CQI crazy patched FFT#5 RR and it's packaged and ready to mail either today or tomorrow! YAHOOIE!!! AND I'm very happy with this one even though I've been very "scared" being the FIRST and LAST on these blocks. The FIRST was the worst - LOL - I just could not get my mojo working and it was near to mailing time when finally I just put the needle to the block and slowly started creating!!! I also dreaded being LAST as most of the block was completed and you were limited to "spots" to add your touches. Well as it turned out (at least with Ritva's block) that being last was not a problem at all. I had ideas popping up so I quickly printed a copy of the last photo on this block (by Shari) and then started to jot down my ideas! AND I barely deviated from those plans - WOW!!!

Okay here are the pics, the before and after Rose Anne (now I'm not sure why the difference in colour but if I have to I'll start taking pics outside)!



Then here are the closeups on the work I stitched on Ritva's block:

only vertical

This was inspired by JOs seam treatment and then I added my MOP shell buttons along with seed beads this time. I was thinking of sorta like a "fence" to hold the garden within???



Then my crocheted heart anchored with seed beads and some MOP finish hearts for accent anchored in place with a seed bead - sort of float around.



And here's my stitched motif (going to try and do one of these on all blocks) and I picked this time the Lily Pilly done with stem, straight and French knot stitches and the leaves in stem and satin stitches. This too came out of the Candlewicking book - lots of lovely ideas in there. Also because I extended into the other patch I was not sure about a seam finish so decided to add one of the MOP hearts with a seed bead and then Colonial knots in triangles to fill that space and not detract from the two motifs there.



And last but not least I thought this patch by Shari needed something but WHAT??? Then I thought I've those butterfly charms so added that and then tried my hand at a beaded dragonfly with metallic feather stitched wings. Now definitely I need some "finesse" to these but otherwise I love it!

Okay, I'm sure I could have gone on more like I wanted to add a bird charm into the upper left corner but forgot and then the block was packaged so well I did not want to try opening it. Sorry Ritva, maybe you'll think of something for that small corner or maybe it does not need it!

A New Language for ME???

What a day!!! It started off getting soaked to the skin walking to work in the pouring cold rain, a 9:30 Branch meeting and carried through just about to 11:00 when our 3-hr ASL (American Sign Language) training session starts (so we can communicate better with John our deaf co-worker). It was a rush to replenish the coffee and bathroom break plus wolf down half my sandwich before heading back into the meeting room.





Well we started off with the “interpreters” for the introductions then they LEFT accompanied by my gasps and it was “zip the mouth” and no talking for three hours unless on the one break, but there was a bit of it near the end when we were rehashing things – brain dead by then!!! THAT was CRUEL to me, but I survived, even though my heart was a racing and a couple of times I think I was on the brink of hyperventilating but took a few deep breaths and settled down. Sylvia, our teacher who is deaf, did promise us that we would learn and by golly she was right, we learnt lots, have sign spelling for homework and we have the Post It notes of words up in our office for rehashing sessions with John as our “work teacher”. I can tell you that by the last half hour, that my brain was fried and I could not remember the “symbols” for certain words that she taught us. DUH! I sure hope I don’t forget it all. I KNOW I don’t want to sign spell my requests out - easier with symbols for words or phrases!!!

Okay so we were back just after 2:00 and I wolfed down the other half of my sandwich and then back to work.

Then on the way home I again got soaked to the skin in the pouring cold rain, but it eased up some before going out to my evening meeting, but DANG chilly!!!



It's been forecast to snow just to the northeast of us and towards my sister Kenora ON way!!!

A New Hobby???

Okay am I off my rocker in tackling this one??? I don't know, but I can tell you I've been admiring "tatted" objects for many years and craved to learn. Even bought the book, shuttle and specific cottons but could not grasp self-teaching this one!!! Then a few years ago I bought the tatting needle and book but was holding down two jobs at the time and set it aside yet to be found!!! LOL! And since becoming involved in the hand embellishments of Crazy Quilting I see the awesome talents of others and their tatting motifs and crave to learn even moreso.

Well I found out there is an online tatting class and even a Yahoo group so off I went to sign up and last night was the Meet & Greet session. Thankfully not much in teaching as I'm fighting a cold and not really with it! I did try the double stitch last night but after half an hour just gave up.

see the white peaking through the purple?

Tonight I tried it again for a 2" length, took a rest and read then just tried it again and was happier with this attempt, but so uneven. So decided I'll try it twice a night and hopefully by next Thrusday's class be able to tackle that night's homework adequately.


back side

I'm a WINNER!

I was too wound up to work after receiving my email, that is for sure!!!

It was good news to see that my tax refund was in my bank account considering I dallied in sending it in and my Blue Cross benefit yesterday, but then I just got an email that I’ve won 1st Prize - a Stash Stretch Packet (25 pieces of 6 x 10” fancy fabrics for crazy patch valued at $12.50 US) and a surprise packet of beads or trims or Mother of Pearl buttons!!!

This was in celebration of LouAnne’s and Allie’s birthdays with a blog "give away" on LouAnne’s and I was one of many blog readers who submitted comments on that entry and in mine I had stated I liked greens. As the 1st place winner the prize was in your choice of colours, she emailed me the notification and also that the selection of greens was not that great and was there other colours she could add instead. WOW talk about accommodating! So I said anything from nature’s palette - creams, golds, oranges, rusts, browns and naturally greens - so who knows what I’ll receive - it’ll be a surprise. WOW!!!

Margreet's FFT#5 RR block

WOW, these blocks I thought would get easier as others stitched and gave a fuller picture to the block – NADA!!! I’m not sure if it is me or my “envisioning” or the blocks posing dilemmas for me but it’s still about a week or so before ideas fully hatch. It’s a good thing some are easier and I get those stitched on and pray others start percolating!!! I did work on Margreet's block while at McNally Robinson's Sharing Craft night last week and it received many compliments from passers by.


I LOVE your block Margreet and hope I’ve kept it “soft” as you’ve asked. I know I’ll be adding a web and spider somewhere and some camouflage too! I’m also hoping to work on that top left flower similar to what Shari did but in a different colour to compliment. Okay enough waiting to inspiration to hit me I’m diving in after a week of dreaming!!!
After Dianne & Shari

I auditioned my hearts and decided to put all three of them in as I could not decide on one and then beaded them in place. I also stitched over the fabric design with DMC floss in straight/stem and Colonial knots to emphasize that space but not take away from the hearts.


This is the first time I’ve used a teardrop bead body for the spider and bugle/seed beads for the legs – hope it’s not too much? With Needle Necessities overdyed floss I stitched a vine and leaves around the spider web and added some Japanese Buttonhole Twist Colonial knot flowers to it also.


And again I used Needle Necessities overdyed floss for the top left corner to imitate what Shari did on the other lace piece but in a rose shade and added the pink seed beads to all the flower centres. My last addition is below the upper left corner, Pat gave me the bridal lace trim and dusty rose accent trim which I anchored down with pale yellow seed beads. I guess these rolled blooms at the end will have to be unrolled for ease in stitching.


I also added the bead butterfly on the large lace piece too.


I hope you like how this is coming togetherMargreet! Now it’s onto Ritva to do her magic and finish off the block.

After Dianne, Shari and Rose Anne.

Ravenesque Stitching Night

I had a lovely evening, thank you very much Pat for hostessing it – I just love stitching time there and sorry we kinda went over the time too. AND yes I am jealous for such a bright and cool studio with such AWESOME creativity displayed too!!! I must also say thank you Pat for that trim you gave to me - it was just the touch on that seam treatment for my CQd block.

My apartment is just too warm no matter what the season unless I have the AC working then that room is too cool – Go Figure!!! I also love that working table you have – one of these days I’m going to have to look into fixing myself up decently!!! I know I have to get rid of the lousy arm chair and space occupying couch that is just a project depositor and very very very seldome used as intended!!! There is so much I’d love do but so little time and funds – gotta prioritize I guess!!!

Barnswallows Morden Quilt Show

Sorry, but I've no pictures to blog as I was not able to get owners' permissions and also my camera batteries kept dyeing on my so I've no retreat pics either. BOO HOO HOO!!!

Well I’m not sure what gives with me but I know I’m not truly myself and it showed this weekend I’m sure. I thought I was coming down with a cold but then I think it’s more my allergies acting up and Benedryl did come to the rescue but it still leaves me out of sorts.

Anyways, this was the first time I was all packed and ready to go the night before (at a decent hour but tossed and turned for 2.5 hours then woke like 4 hours later in a panic but 2 hours too early - UGH!) and Norma picked me up lickety split and off on our adventure we went. First stop was in Carman at Kathy’s Fabrics and the Tea Room for lunch, but first we passed some fields of wide patches of standing water and also passed through a belt of SNOW – yep it snowed for about a 10 minute stretch then was all clear after that! WEIRD!!! We shopped briefly and I even bought some gauzy type stuff already splotched in shades of green and another in blues ready for landscapes and if not then bathingsuit coverups!!! We met up with Tami and Florence and all had lunch together in their lovely Tea Room – awesome food and ambiance!!!

Then onto Morden we went and naturally stopped at Quilters Jewel for their annual cleaning out fabric sale and yes I bought three awesome greens from the 70% off table and another piece for landscapes that I could not resist and a wider quilt hanger for myself. We then zipped over to the Barnswallows quilt show and did some damage there too then got settled into our room and met up with the other girls before supper. I was starting to get a headache and achey feeling again too. Some of us availed ourselves of the salt water hot tub and swimming pool and gosh did that feel great and after a shower I joined the girls in the breakfast room to play a fun board game too that Tami brought.

Saturday we were up and attem early and set up our stitching room for the day! Then off to Winkler for lunch and a brief stop into Fabricland (which I only spent $7.05 myself) but nothing jumped out at me that I had to buy! LOL! Then back to Morden and a leisurely tour of the quilt show and I must say I was mighty impressed with the variety that was displayed this year. The Challenge quilts were very good and I had a hard time choosing my favourite. The Featured Quilter was unexpected changed due to unforeseen circumstances but still awesome! Yep I enjoyed it and even found a beautiful 10” round tatted doily for a $1 in the garage sale next door – WOW!!!!!! Might even tea dye it to kill the dusty pink colour and keep it myself???

We went back to the hotel for some stitching but it goes to show one should not be dealing with money when not 100% as I could not split up a bill correctly worth a DARN and just about wasted more gas and effort driving back to Winkler to get the problem sorted out. It was MY fault and I had a calculator!!! In the end it was correct, just left me totally out of sorts and with a worse headache. Not even more ceasars and pizza for supper could fix that - even tried to snitch Ricky's drink but she caught me!!! LOL! After supper we continued to stitch and some girls went to relax in the pool too but most had an early night!

Sunday after the freebie hotel breakfast (wholesome variety) we all packed up and went our own way and both Norma and I decided to forego waiting for the show to open for a last look around and were back in the city by 1:00 pm. So I had the afternoon to catch up on some of my emails and the evening to tackle Margreet’s FFT#5 RR block as I did not get any stitching done on it this weekend at all. I did not DARE to attempt such the way I was. Nope, NADA!!!

Quilt Challenge Contest

Ok, on one of my groups this was just posted and I thought I would comment on it here too.

I just checked Marie's site and discovered her quilt challenge. The quilts will only be up a few days, so please go look, and vote, hopefully for the crazy quilted one. Click on the thumbnails and you will get a good look at each quilt and then vote just below.

Many of you may know Dean Deerfield ... I don't ... but just thought it was important we support our art form and vote for her (if you so wish). Voting ends May 8th and if you agree, you could put it on your blogs too...get the CQ word out!!