Christmas Club reveal - at LAST!!!!!

We finally had our show n tell for the Christmas Club project yesterday. The weather wasn't cooperating with us in December!    Thanks to Judy at Sew Sisters for letting us use her class room.

This was our FOURTH project in Christmas Club and not that we had exhausted the Christmas theme by any means - we chose a pictorial WINTER scene instead of something specific to Christmas.  I think we learned a valuable lesson - while these pictorial quilts are great and fun to do - they are a challenge to do in the monthly Christmas Club format!!!!

Anyway - I am happy to report that we have a NEW HOME for our Club and anyone is welcome to join in. More details on that in a separate post.

The project was called Bringing Home the Tree by Seams Like Home.    I should have taken close ups but I did not!!!!    But the detail in these quilts is fabulous!!!!!!     There were embellishments, thread painting and fabric choices that were absolutely stunning!!!!!!!!!!!

Marlene - she has about 1/3 of the stitching done. She used satin stitch on the window shutters and curtains, she machine stitched the wire on the fence and look at that sky fabric!!!!!     Awesome job Marlene and so proud of you - she just jumped right into the unknown!!!!!!

Helen Anne - a little further behind, but again - excellent fabric choices, stitching is amazing and hand painted fabric on the bridge to get some value contrast!!!

Mary - who was completely done and the quilt has been given away. We only got to see pictures!!!!    She did bobbin work for the fence, mini rick rack on the trim for the house and a 3-D wreath on the bridge. 

Detail of the quilting that Mary used in the border

More of the quilting

There were others working on it, but were not able to attend yesterday.


I had asked the class to bring in show n tell from other years or whatever they happened to be working on. Oh my - have a look................

We started with Marlene

Her Amish with a Twist  blocks. We had received the first six months of this quilt and then the store where we took it closed. I had put mine away. Marlene ordered the extra fabric and has some to spare. I pulled mine out this morning and I'll be in touch Marlene!!!!!

Marlene was working on sample blocks that were posted by someone on the internet. There was a name to the project and I have forgotten it now. But these are her blocks. They look awesome and she made an alternate block in grey and white!!!!     Marlene has been busy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy brought in O Tannenbaum. This was our Christmas Club quilt from a couple of years ago. It is absolutely stunning. Nancy changed the houses to some some styles that she saw when she was on vacation in Germany. While it is mostly quilted, she still has the houses to do and add some embellishments and the of course - the binding. 

Karen Powers did the quilting - and it looks awesome!!!!

Linda brought in another one of our Christmas Club projects!   This was called Candy Cane Lane and was loads of fun. 

Linda also brought in Welcome to the North Pole - another one which I just LOVE. 

One year our group worked on an exchange. Each person chose a theme and we all worked on blocks to go with that theme. Linda's theme was autumn and she had this BIG block for the center. We had to make a 16 inch block.   I made the sunflowers.

Linda's AUTUMN themed quilt. It is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!     Nicely done Linda!!!!!!!!!!

Linda's sister quilted the quilt (on a semi-industrial - Mega Quilters) and did an amazing job!!!!!

Linda had also participated in an exchange at one of her guilds. Same idea as the autumn project - this time her theme was Halloween. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!    Her sister quilted this one as well. 

Linda has been VERY busy because she was also working on a couple of quilts to use up 9-patches that she had made in another exchange.

Here are samples of two of her designs that she is putting together

And another setting for 9-patches. 

Helen Anne has also been extremely busy and completed her knitted shawl. One of the yarns is silk and then there was something else - alpaca????   But not wool. Anyway - this is the SOFTEST thing you ever touched. It is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!

Helen Anne also brought in this quilt which the top is complete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary brought in this made with hexagons. I JUST LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!    It is so spring like and we need that right now!!!!!!!!!!!!   Now she doesn't know what to do with it!!!!!     Trust me - we all gave her advice!!!!

I did take in show n tell, but I can`t show you. Not quite yet.


I did buy something though ----------   I COULD NOT help myself. It was in the sale bin and all alone. I felt sorry for it!!!!!!!

Halloween fabric

I will post the NEW project for 2014 in a separate post so it doesn't get lost with all this other stuff.

I finished the book - The Power of Habit.

The end is rather sad as it describes how a lady got addicted to gambling and how it changed her life. And as Mary Kay noted yesterday  - buying fabric is a HABIT!!!!    Oh yes - if you think that as a quilter - there are no bad habits - no one is tracking what you buy. THINK AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!    Buying fabric is a HABIT - not as addictive as gambling, but it is right up there!!!!!!!!!!!  


What is sad (and I see it in our house ALL THE TIME) - if the product (whatever that product is) and it is endorsed by someone with amazing credentials or creditbilty, it is the latest fad - we are COMPELLED to be part of that movement and HAVE to have that product. That product will DO THIS FOR ME - oh that product will DO THAT for me.      Product and service companies have MADE us NEED and WANT MOST of what we buy. By preying on how our brains work and by forcing themselves in our faces, we HAVE NO CHOICE but to give in and buy the product. The company makes money and when that product idea starts to wane - the product and service companies CREATE a NEW TREND (trends are NOT created by people - they are CREATED by those who stand to MAKE MONEY as a result of the new trend).

Now this does not have to be just for purchases - it can also be for a movement, a thought process, acceptance of safety standards and a whole pile of other things.   And this whole process CAN BE A GOOD THING.

Anyway - if you get the chance - you should read it. I am sorry I missed the discussion at book club.


And Kathy (thanks!!)  posted the link to this article. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!    You NEED to read this.


Data Collecting!!!!!!!!

Went to a two hour YIN yoga class yesterday. OH MY GOD - I am stiff today. But it was an awesome class and just the kind that I like.


On that note - I am out of here.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Club reveal

Yes - this post should have happened a LONG time ago. The important thing - I AM at last posting it. I told you yesterday that procrastination is one of my ENEMIES!!!!!


I wasn't able to attend the Christmas club meeting in November as I was away at the retreat. And then we couldn't meet in December because of the weather!!!   Well we will plan to have a show n tell in January to see what we missed in December.


But here is what the ladies were working on...............   (from the November meeting)

The sunflower was from a class that Linda took at CreativFestival with Jennifer Houlden - you create little bargello panels of gradated colour and cut your fusible petals out of them, orienting the petals to enhance the colour change in the finished piece.    Hey - I bought that pattern !!!!!!

Marlene brought her wall hanging and she has made progress on the thread painting, having done several of the trees and some work on the house

   Helen Anne is working on a shawl  (hopefully it is done by now)   (a Ravalry pattern called Art Deco) and has totally stopped quilting for the moment as she is doing it; it is an unusual and striking pattern and, as it is for herself and she can't wear wool, the yarn in it was interesting too (alpaca and mink, something else and the multi-colour is a pure silk

Hmmm - I am AFRAID - VERY AFRAID to go to that Ravalry site. I love to knit and I had better get my knitting projects out of the way before my fingers SAY NO to knitting (I have a bad feeling that is going to happen one day)

The snowman wall-hanging and the three advent calendars (see the pictures below) are part of an East Toronto Quilters Guild community donation to The Red Door shelter for Christmas. 

I think I have this panel as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully these cheered up some person's home for the holidays

Beautiful angel advent calendar

Oh Christmas tree advent calendar

Thanks Linda for taking the pictures and passing them along.   I know Mary has completed her wall hanging as well. I know I posted a picture of it when we had the iron man challenge. Hmmmmm - when was that??????        I noticed that there wasn't a LOT of work done on the current project?????  

Yesterday was a  LAZY day. I decided to take the day off. And why????   Just because................


But I also saw this in an e-mail which I thought was wonderful.   It was posted on the Life-Time web site. Honestly - you should look at it and PICK AT LEAST ONE THING to give yourself. I think I have PLANS (even before this came out) for EVERY ONE of those items. YES - they are important and haven't I been preaching about some of them for months - especially the goals). Hey - I wonder if new slippers counts as NEW SHOES??????  

Anyway - enjoy the list and hopefully you will find something to inspire you (as if my nagging hasn't been enough)

10 Healthy Gifts to Give Yourself Post-Holiday

Saturday, December 21, 2013

When all the gifts are unwrapped, the dinner is done and you're beginning to look toward the New Year, think about one more present you need to give--the one to yourself! With the winding down of the holiday season, it's a good time to imagine what commitments, tools and supports might help you ring in a happy and healthy New Year. Consider what you'd like to accomplish and also what you need to de-stress from the busy holiday weeks. Below are my ten suggestions for healthy gift ideas I highly recommend to my clients (and myself!) post holiday.

A Day Off

A day off can mean so many things: a day off from working out, a day off from eating perfectly, a day off from your typical life, etc. I’m a huge fan of routines, but I do believe that sometimes we are over-regimented and overcommitted to our lifestyles. Maybe you indulge in a complete spa day or keep it simple with a day off at home where you can just relax, take a bath and breathe. The goal is to give yourself full permission to play hooky from your normal life, responsibilities and expectations for the day.    

Self “Discovery” Book

What are your goals for this new year? Maybe it’s to save more money, better your relationships or even learn to eat more healthily. Whatever the goal, arm yourself with a book you’ll enjoy learning from. Reading is one of the most rewarding pastimes, yet many of us don’t make the time to do it. Commit to reading at least one book post-holiday on a topic that intrigues you and will enhance your wellbeing.  

Access to an Expert

When I ask my clients about their ultimate healthy “wish lists,” many mention how much they would appreciate a year of personal training or nutrition coaching, etc. Having an expert as a coach can be a true benefit when it comes to achieving your health and fitness goals. They’re there to help you implement the “how” and support you along the way. Maybe you’ve tried a new fitness routine or eating plan and haven’t seen the success you wanted. Alternatively, maybe you want to do an ultra endurance event (marathon, etc.) but have no idea where to start. Arm yourself with an expert this year to help do the thinking, planning and coaching as it relates to your goal. 

A Commitment to Yourself

With the new year approaching, now is the time to start taking personal responsibility and make the commitment to embrace a healthier way of living. We often find it easier to commit to others and put them before ourselves. Commit to making more time for yourself whenever you can to help maintain your health.  One way to fully embrace this could be participating in Commitment Day.  Commitment Day happens on January 1^st and is a nationwide, family-friendly New Year’s Day 5K. More than a 5K, however, Commitment Day gives you the opportunity to start the new year off right with the goal of embracing a healthy way of life throughout the entire year. Once you cross one finish line, you’ll be more than ready to discover your next one, whether it be another 5K, a gym membership or other healthy behaviors. Registration for Commitment Day is now open.

New Shoes

I’m always surprised to hear how infrequently people replace their gym shoes. If you’re a regular exerciser, be sure to replace your workout shoes at least every six months. A new pair of shoes after the holidays can be a great motivator to get you going on your New Year fitness routine and gives you the opportunity to make sure you’re taking care of your feet. You can preserve your shoes by only wearing them indoors at the gym or club, especially during this time of the year when most states have snow on the ground.  

Relaxation Tools

Purchasing tools that encourage you to relax can be a great gift for yourself. For my clients who need regular massage but are terrible at getting them done, I encourage them to get into a monthly membership. Buying a yoga mat or meditation audio book might be just the tools you need (strategically placed in your house as a reminder) to embrace new relaxation habits each day. I often commit to a monthly date with my sister on the weekends to get a manicure or pedicure done just because I know I’ll feel amazing and relaxed afterward. Find out what helps you manage stress better and give that gift to yourself throughout the entire year.

A Health Workshop

Workshops are fabulous learning experiences because they provide education along with showing and practicing the “how” in an easy, low-barrier experience. Yoga workshops, cooking classes or fitness-related seminars are all great examples of ways to gain more knowledge and inspiration without a big price tag. Find some friends or relatives to come learn with you, and make a day out of it!

Fitness Technology

We use technology every day to make our lives easier and more efficient. That can hold true for our health as well! Certain devices can encourage and track our healthy behaviors and activity. There are all sorts of options depending on what your health goal is, but arm yourself with at least one device this year to help keep you on track. If your goal is to move more, an activity monitor or FitBit might be a nice gift for yourself. If your goal is to get more sleep, a Zeo sleep monitor can help you track towards your goal. Take some time to determine what’s most important for you and choose a device that will make the process easier.

A Gratitude Journal  

A gratitude journal is something I re-buy for myself each year. There’s something so powerful about taking the time each week (or even each day) to record what you are grateful for. I always pick something beautiful that I’m going to want to open up frequently. Whatever your style, the real gift comes with the process of recording and the difference it will make in your life. Reflecting on what you’re grateful for increases overall happiness and mood and gives you quiet time to look at the bigger picture of your life. 

A Planned Vacation  

I can’t speak enough about how imperative it is to take time off. Research has shown that almost 60% of Americans don’t take their full vacation allotment each year. Don’t let that be you this year! Work stress can make it feel like there is never a good time to be away, but if you plan ahead, you’ll be more likely to stick to it. Your time away could be anything from a luxurious beach vacation to a simple stay-cation at home. It could be a full week off of work or a long weekend. The point is to commit to it--for your health’s sake.  

Have these inspired you? What gift will you give yourself for the new year? Share your ideas, and happy holidays, everyone!

Written by Anika Christ, Senior Program Manager of Life Time Weight Loss

This article is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations in this and other articles is at the choice and risk of the reader.

Isn't that just WONDERFUL advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!      I am so excited about 2014 - well NO - actually I am EXCITED about each new day and what new things I will discover!!!!!  

I went to the library yesterday morning because there was a book that the library said I still had out and it was now ONE WEEK over due, but I was CERTAIN that I had returned it. A quick phone call to the branch that owned the book and a system verification and VOILA - I was RIGHT. The book was logged in properly and the fine was taken off. Whew - bad enough that I already one book in the house that I can't find and will have to pay for.

While I was at the library, I saw a book that I have on my HOLD list. It is the latest Kathy Reichs book - Bones of the Lost. Well I saw it on the lightening loans shelf. That is SEVEN days - I don't normally take out those books because one week sometimes is not enough for me. Yesterday I thought - what the heck. Nothing pressing today so I will get the book. I finished it this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!    A good book, but VERY DISTURBING subject matter.


Didn't get much sewing done, got a few errands done and I think I am ready to work today!!!!!!!!!!!   Oh yes - I have managed to download music, pictures and podcasts to my iPod, managed to download an audio book from the library onto my computer and Berke helped me get the audio book to my iPod. That damn Apple and their proprietary systems - they do NOT make it easy UNLESS you happen to buy the book from iTunes - then it is easy as pie. However, people in the know (Berke) managed to get past them and now the book is on the iPod waiting for me to listen to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Poor Sammy does NOT like the fluffy snow - it gets in her paws and causes her pain when she walks. So we finally bought her boots. Well that isn't going to work either.

We tried putting two of them on her last night and then she tried to walk (without using her two front feet). It was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!     The darn things just don't stay on - but we will keep trying. 

I have to say that the forest looks better this morning. Many trees that were bent over are slowing going back up, including my Japanese Maple in the back. It doesn't look too bad this morning. The temperature is up and the ice is dropping like crazy in the forest. I would almost recommend a hard hat to walk there. And I think almost everyone has power back or will soon. It has been crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On that note - I am off to sew.   Oh yes - I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new phone.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where are my CRAYONS??????????????

We had Christmas Club in the morning and I as I was driving to Linda's, I was going down the Don Valley Parkway. The trees were GORGEOUS.  I would have loved to stop and taken a couple of  pictures, BUT I didn't think that was such a good idea on the highway. So I will just have to lock that memory in the brain. The colours were just brilliant even though it was raining out.


A small show n tell, but that is because the rest of them are busy working on it at home??????

Have a  look - the projects are  looking awesome.

Marlene - it looks fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!   And remember Marlene - JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Beth - there is a good reason this is all she got done. I won't go into details, but let's think young school aged children and even smaller creepy crawlers.   Good luck Beth - I hope they are gone for good. 

Helen Anne

A couple more are in the works - at home pinned on the wall or still in the individual pieces - not fused to the background.


And then EVERYONE was anxiously wanting to get the update on the 1740 Love Entwined quilt that Helen Anne and Marlene are working on. Only Helen Anne has made progress since last month - it is a beauty!!!!

Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After doing a couple of errands (and yes Helen Anne - I found the watercolour crayons at Currys), I was home and time to get some work done.

Another quilt - DONE!!!

Detail of quilting

Then I decided that I would work on the winter samplers. Why not - they are next in line.

Went to press that seam on the right and ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????   Oh yeah - deja vu!!!!!!    You see the little red point on the far right of the right snowman????   Yes - I sewed one of the pieces UPSIDE DOWN!!!!!!   BUT not on the outside most piece - OH NO - the mistake was on the next piece inside!!!!!!!!

YEP - I ripped it out and put it back together again. 

The good news is that the snowman is a fairly big block!!!!!

The bad news is that I did NOT get any stitching done yesterday. DH wanted to watch a movie and I thought the least I could do was sit with him. I hate movies!!!!!!!!!!! I needed something to do - so I prepared the stitching, but I do find it very hard to focus on stitching when I get all comfy on the couch.


In the meantime, I was searching for a box of crayons. For two reasons - I have to get something coloured for the Creative Festive which opens to the public on FRIDAY. AND I am working on my next adventure in the art quilt assignment. Do you think I can find the stupid crayons?????   I must have TWO boxes of 96 and another box of 64 of the Prang crayons and they are just gone - poof!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Now don't get me wrong - I found the box marked CRAYONING and there is a LOT of sets of crayons in it for experimenting, but for this project for CreativFestival - I need a big box of crayons. I may just end up buying a new box - hmmmm - what time does Wal-Mart open on a weekend - or Loblaw's may have the crayons. I have to go there to get lunch for the Sit n Sew girls today.

But a bad thing happened while I was searching - I came across so many UFOs and things that I want to finish. Just need to find the time to do them!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I did dig out a couple and put them in the room so they are more visible. I'm going to have to move to the country - take my sewing machine and hibernate for the winter. I could get a lot done if I didn't have other stuff to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I ended up doing NO stitching while I watched the movie, but I did find a box of paper that I went through while the movie was on (OK - so I didn't really watch it!!!)  Sorted out some paper and now a lot of it (that is left) needs to be filed in the right spot. I MUST do that, but not this week.

On that note - I have a crazy day and an even crazier week. Best get started. Crazy BUT FUN!!!!!


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Entwined - are you kidding???

I had a class yesterday - now unfortunately Cockadoodle Quilts closed over the summer, and our Christmas Club quilt isn't complete!  Linda VL offered her house as a place to meet until we finish. Now Linda lives on the OTHER side of the city from me. I plugged in her address and TRUSTED my GPS, but for some crazy reason I got the SCENIC tour of the city.

It was pouring rain yesterday and it pretty much rained the entire day. Not only was it raining, but one of the major highways was closed so that added to the congestion and well - let's just say that it took a LONG time to get there. On the way as I drove beside the subway and I saw this sign which I thought was pretty explicit.

Perhaps more signs like would prevent people from trespassing????   If you can't read it - it says - DANGER. High voltage - Trespassers may be electrocuted!!!

Anyway - finally made it to Linda's and what a show n tell awaited me.

We started with Helen Anne

This is a Bunny Hill design - All Things Christmas. Helen Anne's mom (Beryl who is no longer with us - but we are still thinking about her!!!!!!!!!!!    She was also in my $10 classes!!). Anyway, Beryl bought this kit and started it - I think she made one block. Helen Anne and her sister, Karen have chosen some UFOs from Beryl's stash and are slowly getting them completed.   I love this quilt and I think it is so special that the daughters are finishing those quilts. 

However, Helen Anne has a piece of advice for us!!!!!!!!!!!!    If you make the top - you should keep the pattern attached or write the name of the pattern, designer and whatever other pertinent information is necessary for the label. Because there are many tops that they have no idea who designed them. AHA - that is a good lesson for me - I have loads of tops and NONE of that information is with them. Next time I go through my patterns - I will pull that information and put with the appropriate top.

Then it became the MARLENE show.............

A top that Marelene had started a while ago. 

Her quilt from the tinners that we did a couple of years ago

Cat quilt from a Cockadoodle kit

Another top - I think she said this one was a mystery

And so - pretty basic stuff - right????   Well then she threw this into the show n tell and we were STUNNED................    Does anyone recognize this????

Marlene's Love Entwined

The pattern for Love Entwined

 When she brought it out - Helen Anne recognized it immediately because she is also working on this quilt. She sent me a picture of what she has done so far.

Helen Anne's Love Entwined

OK - so if you do NOT know what this is all about (and I did NOT), there is a designer - Esther Aliu from - oh shoot - I want to say Australia, but I may be wrong about that). Anyway - she saw this "Fine Marriage Coverlet" in a book. She fell in love with the quilt and decided to design it. I believe she used EQ7. She is offering the pattern as an 18 month BOM FREE on her blog.

The Original Marriage Coverlet

Now through the magic of the internet, she has managed to find the original quilt!!!!!!   And she is trying to get pictures of it.


She has lots of other neat stuff on her blog - but holy cow - this is a LOT of work.


Homepage of Esther Aliu blog


I know I will NOT be jumping onto this one. And the funny thing is that Esther hasn't even started the quilt yet!!!!!!!!    She bought fabric - didn't like it and so she has THOUSANDS of people working on the quilt, but she has not started!!!!!    My kind of teacher!!!!!!!!!!!


We finally got to show n tell for our project...............

Helen Anne

Marlene

Notice that Marlene has a BARN quilt on her piece

Raili

The others are still works in progress, but hopefully by next month - we will see more of the tops!!!!!!!    Great work everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I got back in the car and got on the highway pretty much right away (no scenic trip on the way home), but it took 1 1/2 hours to drive home. The traffic was like a parking lot for most of the way because of the rain and the closure. It was UGLY.

Made it to the gym in time to grab a salad and then off to yoga. Today's yoga was a bit weird - it was more of an instructional class on posture and the spine than yoga. Which was really good because Adam showed us how to hold our body to take pressure off our back for various yoga moves. OK - so why don't other teachers show us this kind of thing??????   And how to do sit-ups without hurting your back. It was very much worth going to.

But it was 4:30 by the time I arrived home and I had done NO SEWING all day and we were going out for dinner. Yikes - not much time to get anything done, but I did eek out a bit.

I know - I know - I am supposed to be working on the autumn quilt, but I thought I would do both of the spring ones AND the autumn one. I had to make all those fiddly half square triangles at the bottom - but I methodically worked my way through them. Sew a few, cut in half, press and then trim and before I knew it - I was done. 

Then I did get all the flying geese from the Autumn quilt - they are also ready to go and of course  another fiddly thing - sew, cut off the corner, press and then trim. But they are ready to sew!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I was making flying geese - OOOPS - I think I am missing TWO squares, but since these were random - it was easy to locate two 1 1/2" squares in the scrap box. 

And while I worked, I used some of the other pieces as enders and leaders. As I was sewing, I noticed that the fabric I used in the tree trunks is the SAME as that I used for the fences in the quilt top I just completed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same fabric as the tree trunks. Several years apart - four to be exact and I still have this fabric in my scrap boxes!!!!!!!!!!

And a BIG thanks to Helen Anne for getting me the page I need to make the border for that other quilt. I did search my entire book case and NOPE - can't find the booklet. It must be here somewhere, but where?????   No idea. I am sure it will turn up one day. But now that I have this - I can tackle that other $10 quilt. But FIRST - I am really excited about finishing these seasonal ones - let's hope the enthusiasm lasts!!!!!

So as I was driving in the car yesterday, I thought about what I had posted on the blog and my napping situation. You see - we only have one sofa that is long enough for a comfortable nap and DH usually naps on that. Yes - he has no shame!  I could go upstairs to bed, but I don't like napping there - I could stay there all day!!!!!!!!    BUT I have discovered the PERFECT solution. Have a look..............

YES - it is my camping cot!!!!!!!!!!!    Got my bicycle pillow and my plush backed bicycle quilt and I am ALL SET. Perhaps I will have to test it out this afternoon!!!!!   Then I can just throw it in a storage closet when people come over!!!!!!!!!!!

But yikes - that cot, while it is comfortable, it is not easy to assembly. Well it is easy - doesn't take long, but requires some upper body strength as you insert those supports. That is why I did not use it that much this summer. I really like it, but I think it is more appropriate if you are going to stay in one spot for a couple of days.


Sparky is out of sorts this week. Look at her - trying to hide behind a chair.............

Poor Sparky!!!!!!!!!!!!

And why is that????   Well - we have company!!!!!!!!!!!    Pesky company who wants to PLAY!!!!!!!

Yes Kaylee is here!!!!!!!!!    

We went out to dinner last night with one of our neighbours (the husbands play golf together). We had a great buffet at the golf club, but I ate too much and OH - those desserts were too good to pass up!!!!!

And what is with this cruise stuff?????   EVERYONE is taking a cruise - my friend Elaine (and a bunch of her friends) are on a river cruise in Russia, Marian and Flo and various family members and friends are on an Alaskan cruise and Laura (our neighbour) is going on a wine tasting cruise down the US west coast by HERSELF!!!!!    I am not sure I like the idea of a cruise (but I like the BY MYSELF idea!!!!)   Of course - the wine tasting should be fun. We told her to wear a badge on her sweater with the name of her cruise ship in case she got lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Well - as excited as I am about sewing - I am going to check the weather and perhaps get my butt on the bike!!!!


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!