Feels like a Monday!!!!

I did a LOT of cutting and trimming yesterday - it really felt like  Monday except that I was all by myself.

Do you want to see what I worked on???

A bit of sewing and the lap size of Border Creek Mystery DONE!!!!   (well up to date with Clue Three)

Then moved onto the queen sized Border Creek - quarter square triangles - my favourite!!!   (NOT!!!)   However I have learned a few secrets to making AMAZING quarter square triangles and I LIKE THEM NOW. So the NEW me stuck to this task and got all 52 of them COMPLETE

Then a LOT of sewing and I am now up to date with Clue Three of Border Creek mystery - quaintly queen!!!

Since I was doing so well with those quarter square triangles - I moved onto the scrappy ones that I am making. I started with triangles that are cast off from joining border strips together. Some of these were partially sewn, but I got busy and sewed up what was ready and trimmed them all as well!!!!!

Trimmed to TWO different sizes here - 5 inches and 2 3/4"

A few were too small to get 5 inches and there were a number of them so they got cut to 4 1/2"

These guys will now go in a box for quarter square triangles. I have a purpose for them - just need a LOT more.

MORE triangles to sew together to make Half Square Triangles (these are cut offs from joining border strips)

Now somehow I solved the mystery of the iHome. For some reason now whenever I dock the iPad - it starts charging or is just connected if already charged. How that happened - I have no idea. I knew what the problem was on day one - just not sure how to fix it. Apparently it is magic because it fixed it by itself. See the screen is supposed to stay on - not go blank.

iHome - works like a CHARM!!!

Let's see - I did more yesterday. I got FOUR more blocks traced for the redwork quilt.

Four more blocks traced for red work!  (Only a gazillion to go!!!)

Now you know that I have "struggles" with technology from time to time. Well my light table was the same thing. Someone sold me this home made light box a number of years ago. It is BIG and it is heavy. And it was temperamental. There were times when you would turn it on and it wouldn't light up. You had to lift the glass and jiggle the bulbs. I really didn't have room for it as it is huge and so it literally was at the bottom of the stairs - on its way to a new home.

Light box - it's about 2 feet by 3 feet

While I was happy with the size - it was a pain. Then Marian got hold of the box and was tracing something. I do not know what she did with it, but the darn thing has worked perfectly ever since. I never told her that!!!!  So it resides at the bottom of the stairs beside the long arm and it works for me!!!!  I do have one issue with it - I need to find something to put on the inside of the glass to cut the glare. There is a piece of lightweight paper on the inside of the glass, but the paper is ripping. I was wondering if I used a glass etching product on it or maybe there is something that you use on bathroom windows. I guess I should go to the hardware store to see what they have.

Yes - it is going to be a "SAD" year this year. I am ACTUALLY looking forward to putting the Christmas decorations away and anxious to sort through them all. Clean up - get some shelves up in those storage rooms. I woke up thinking about that this morning. OK - I have a DISEASE. What can I say!!!!

Oh yes - I also got this quilt top ALMOST complete.

Just two border pieces left to sew on. They are cut and pinned - just ran out of time

This is one of our Monday Motivator quilts. I had to rush to get the last one done, so this one will be ready whenever one of our Monday girls gets stricken with prolonged illness. Unfortunately we have given away too many of them to the group, but with the exception of Kathie - all have pulled through with flying colours!!!!   I might even get it quilted before the end of the year. I still have THREE of my own quilts that I want to quilt before the end of the year. None of them are big, but have been hanging around for a while. Time to CLEAN UP!!!!!

So far - I am liking my 2012 shelf idea. OK - so it is NOT 2012 yet, but everything I want is on those shelving units. My problem is thinking about another project and adding to the shelves. NO - I must NOT do that. There is already too much on it right now!!!!!

I also managed to get a major item in the paperwork issue done yesterday. Yeah!!!!!!    There is hope for me!

Sparky enjoying one of her new Christmas toys

I also managed to get more of those black/white half square triangles trimmed and sewn yesterday. There is still a LOT to go and of course  - I am way behind!!!!   But I am working on it. Keeping them on the table and cutting a few when I pass makes it go by quickly. I tried that with the quarter square triangles as well. By the way with the quarter square triangles - I shall reveal all tomorrow. I have TWO major tips that will make those things so easy - you will want to make LOTS of them.

You will also be happy to note that not only did I make the turkey and the gravy for Christmas dinner, but I made turkey STOCK with the carcass. Oh yes - can't let anything go to waste. But I don't know how many times I told DH that I was making STOCK and when I went to clean out the pan - he wanted to know where the SOUP was. Maybe it is a hearing thing?????    So I hope to make SOUP today because despite the fact that this stuff simmered all afternoon - there is a ton - none of the water evaporated!!!!

HOMEMADE turkey stock

The snow FINALLY hit yesterday. While it was pretty - the temperature has turned it into an icy wonderland which is a pain.

Winter wonderland

I did NOT change the colour on that picture - just the lighting outside - predawn!!!   Note that ball is still in place. So far - Elaine 1 - Squirrels 1. They have NOT attempted to jump on the feeders. I know - be careful what I say!!!!!

Speaking of the squirrels - have a look at THE SENTINEL in our yard.

This is where the squirrels like to enter the yard - there is a BIG tree just outside the fence and one on the inside. Sparky is guarding the ENTRANCE - pretty funny.

Or she GUARDS the squirrel feeder if I have just put fresh peanuts in it!

Sammy just likes to investigate. She is not PATIENT

Well - I have one more file of paperwork that I MUST get through today and thankfully it won't take long.


Then - well the day beckons and I KNOW I will find something to fill the time.


Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!



PS - Barbara - thanks for your comments on LifeTime Fitness. I am very afraid that what you mentioned is exactly what will happen. I will just wait and see. Thanks for the warning!!!!!!

iFriends

What does one do with oneself when all the quilts are picked up and none are due until 2012, the presents are all opened, the dinner is done?

I feel lost - I have NO DEADLINES for a couple of days.

Hmmmm - I just have to look around and I see that paperwork that has to be dealt with, the sewing projects, the books to read.

Well I am just enjoying NOT DOING A THING!!!!!

I did get a complaint that I DID NOT post enough pictures from Christmas so here are a few more..............

M opening presents - Sparky is wondering if it is for her

M and her sock monkey!!!!   So cute!!! - the sock monkey that is!!!

Sammy was distraught Christmas morning. She was shaking and panting. Poor thing - too much excitement!

M with her loot

Opening the stocking

Can you tell who complained??????

Later in the day - M surrounded by her iFriends!!!!!!!

Speaking of iFriends - M and I ventured out yesterday as we wanted to take advantage of some sales. And we ended up at FutureShop (to get her a case for the iPad). I bought this toy for my iPad.

Docking station for iPad

With the new apps I can listen to the radio over the iPad. The radio I had would get bad reception from time to time and it was horrible. This is great - it comes over the internet and is perfect. The speakers are great. It is supposed to be charging while in the dock, but I can't seem to get it stay charging - it makes the connection and then stops charging. Go figure - another technology stupid thing to deal with!!!!   But I like it!!!!   Now instead of finding that iPod for the playlists - I just need to put the playlists on the iPad. Although you could put an iPhone or iPod on the iHome. God - all these names!!!!


Now here is the update on my current red work project.....................

EIGHT blocks done!!!!

Four more blocks ready to be traced

Ninth block on the go

There is supposed to be some parts that get filled in with french knots. Hmmmmm - would be way faster to do punch needle. I think I will try it later - the punch needle that is - french knots take way too long.

I have really got a lot done in the last couple of days while listening to the audio tapes. I see that the one I just started last night has to be returned to the library - DRAT - so I must find another one. Perhaps I will try to download one from the library onto the iPad.

And here are my books I have read this year.......................

Books I have read - seeing the covers on the computer screen is much nicer than just reading through a list. I LOVE this software. Thanks to one of my readers for pushing me to use this software. I wonder if she ever got her movies on her version????

Yesterday we went to an open house. The host is a BIG kid and is big time into gadgets and new toys. Unfortunately I left my camera at home (I wasn't feeling well) so no pictures. You missed the helicopter that he operates from his iPhone. And did you know that if you are having a baby - there is a CONTRACTION app??????    Oh yes - there was a young couple who had a three month old and they used it during the birth!!!!    Then one of the other guys said - how many apps does the average person use - THREE????   WHAT??????   I exclaimed???   Well - I use way more than THREE apps on my phone or iPad and I am NOT a heavy user.  It was an interesting conversation.

And as I walk past the cutting table - I have these to trim.................

From Bonnie Hunter mystery - so many more to sew!!!!!

Well that is it for today. My sewing machine is beckoning me and I have the ENTIRE day with NOTHING planned. I can do whatever I want!!!!!

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



Ciao!!!!!!!!

Christmas Day 2011

Wow - Christmas is over. Well Christmas Day that is!!!   There is still the Christmas aftermath to deal with. And the new me is going to tackle it with a vengeance.

At our house - we toss the wrapping paper, but recycle gift bags and tags. And if you are wondering what goes in the green bin, the blue box, the garbage or wherever - don't forget this site -

Where does it go???

For the Region of Peel, it is an EXCELLENT site - if you want to know whether something is garbage or recycleable - check out the site - search for your item and then you will be SMART about your garbage.

Anyway - back to the Christmas wrappings.................

I went to put the Christmas bags back - yikes - stuff is all mixed up. So I emptied the container with the Christmas wrapping (OK - so we will NEVER have to buy a gift bag for Christmas again!!!). I clean it up - oh there is stuff that should go in the ALL OCCASION container. OK - so I got that out as well and cleaned it up. Now I need one more container and then all will be ship shape!!!!  And in future it will be a breeze to find what we want. All I can say - is that WE NEED TO GIVE MORE GIFTS to get rid of the bags!!!!

The organized gift wrap containers. Christmas on the bottom (notice the two containers with tags)

And next will be to find a convenient spot for them. There were NOT in a convenient spot so that is why they got messy and aren't used much. In the new year, I MUST find a spot for them. I think the purchase of more shelves in in order to keep track of some of this stuff. I have a great little storage closet that is HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW. Unfortuately when measuring yesterday - the darn thing is 46 inches wide. FORTY SIX - that is a stupid size when most shelving units are 48". We were NOT thinking when we planned that because we BUILT that wall. So now I just get some shelving and put up my own shelves and get the shelves pre-cut - yes that would be best. OK - off to the hardware store cause there is a LOT of wasted space in that little closet. There are THREE storage areas in this spot and I MUST make better use of all three.

Which door would you choose - Door Number ONE, Door Number TWO or Door Number THREE

Well hopefully - we will get a peek behind all those doors as they get cleaned up this holiday. And in looking at the pictures - there is a LONG container on the floor at the right which would be perfect for the rest of the gift wrap. It is those stupid rolls that are the issue. I could just take the quilts out of that container and then my wrap problem is solved. OK - good thing I took that picture!!!!!

Well after exciting start to the day have a look at these cool presents.

Dish clothes (I LOVE THESE THINGS - you can NEVER have too many) and look at the colour!!!!!    Thanks Margo - you are a sweetie!!!!!   These are BETTER than placemats!!!!

Something to help with my Scrabble game - thanks Santa!!!

Something for "The girls" - now to find a good picture.  Marian already has one in mind - I must dig it out. Thanks BFF!!!

PARIS storage containers!!!!!!!   Do you not LOVE LOVE LOVE that big trunk on the bottom. I'm so excited - thanks to my family. 

AND poles for HIKING!!!!    YEAH!!!!!    Now I have no reason to fall down when I am out with the others. I am going to fit right in. Again thanks to my family for that (OK and Jeffrey for helping to pick them out - I KNOW they will be the best there is)

Now you are all wondering how the dinner turned out - right?????   Well it was a rousing success INCLUDING the gravy.

I took the advice of Ruth and my Mom and STIRRING is the key to good gravy. Oh yes and the MAGIC APRON. See this gravy was made from scratch!!!!   Eat your heart out folks - well those that think I can't cook!!!!

Stirring the gravy

I strained it only because there was LOTS of turkey bits left in the pan

And the LOVELY tasting gravy - NO lumps.

Jim helped out by mashing the potatoes with the new masher. I have to say it feels weird because the masher is not solid like a metal one.

The masher in action

Anyways - it was a great dinner (if I say so myself). Actually I don't mind cooking when there are people who will appreciate it - just cooking for everyday - BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we played a game provide by Marian - Would you rather??????    There were lots of interesting questions like Would you rather be deaf or blind? and Would you rather be super fast or super strong?  We took turns reading the questions and then guessing what the reader would choose!!!!!   Pretty interesting some of the responses. The biggest surprise of the night - M. Some of the answers she came up and the RATIONAL for them blew us all away. I guess underneath there is some common sense in that head. Wow -


The only bad part of the day - I had forgotten to buy more dishwashing liquid so we couldn't finish up the dishes. DRAT!!!!!   The dishwasher took care of part of them, so that is on the agenda today.

That meant that I could sit down and actually enjoy the evening. Got one embroidered block done and started on another. Oh shoot - I'll take pictures later. And 1 1 /2 CDs left to finish this book. It is LONG.

And then I got tidying. I was trying to find an iPod that we have. Do you think I can find the darn thing and I remember seeing it not that long ago. Hmmmmmmmmm - well anyway - I did manage to get through some boxes and I see that there is a LOT of paperwork that needs to be dealt with. Patterns that I thought would be a good idea to make, inspirations for quilts and lots more. Some of it is already sorted into boxes - just needs to be dealt with.

Case in point - how MANY Twelve Days of Christmas patterns does one need?????   I know I have a paperpieced one. I found an applique one and then found a picture of another applique one. Hmmmmmmm - I guess I could throw the picture out OR - I could put that in my inspiration book just so I remember it. BUT the trick is PUT it in the book so I can easily find it.

Oh I can see that this next round of clean up is going to be fun!!!!!!!


Well on that note - I see we are off to Michael's Boxing Day sale. Not that we need much, but their storage is 50% off and then another 25% off that. OK - I'm in.


Have a great day!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!!!

SANTA CAME!!!!!!

Wow - Santa came to our house!!!!  And here I was thinking that no one had been good enough to warrant him stopping!

It is a GORGEOUS morning and doesn't feel like Christmas. There is NO SNOW and no forecast of snow. It looks like the sun is going to shine and it is already above ZERO!!!!!!  

I finished the binding on the quilt and delivered it to its new owner. She loved it - let's hope her son does as well. Yeah - I MADE IT!!!!!!   (as if there was ever any doubt!!! - CRAP - I NEVER want that pressure again!!!  So better planning - that is all I have asked Santa for Christmas - better planning skills.

T-shirt quilt DONE!!!!

At our house on Christmas morning - we always wait until everyone (there are only three of us) is up. But usually that means that we wait until 9 AM before we touch the presents. Yeah - I still get a peaceful morning. I know I say this every Christmas, but M was NEVER the wild excited type. Nope - she never touches the presents before Christmas, she knows where I put them (I don't even bother to hide them - but they are out of sight), she will get up PATIENTLY and wait for DH to get up. She won't even touch her stocking until everyone is there. It is so cute to see her sitting there STARING at the tree and the stockings and not wanting to touch anything. So cute and I MUST remember to take a picture of her in front of the tree with the dogs - that is another tradition in our house.

And last night - her and I sat snuggled on the couch and watched the last part of the movie Grease. Yes - I watched TV. But it was only for about 20 minutes. OK - so now I know why I don't watch TV any more. It does nothing for me, but I like the music in that movie. DH was curled up on the other end of the sofa reading his book. It was pretty funny as we kept looking at each other and laughing!!!   Then before she went to bed, I read her "The Night Before Christmas" from the very book that my Mom used to read to us. This book was published in 1960 and is literally falling apart. I will try to find some way to put it back together this year.

After some crazy shopping - I HAD to go to MEC in Burlington after all and then on my way back, I managed to get the last things on my list. The strip malls were not busy at all - it was great. I even managed to get to the Beer Store - imagine that. Everything was moving quick - the stores were well prepared.

One thing I have been meaning to get for a long time is a new potato masher. Now why in the world would you need a new potato masher? Well when you buy pots that you CANNOT use metal in and your potato masher is metal - well it becomes complicated when you want to make mashed potatoes. I have been checking out a couple of places, but never found what I wanted. Everything is METAL. So what does one do in that case?????   Why you call your personal shopper that is what!!!!!   A quick call to Marian and she gave me the name of a store that would have non-metal potato mashers. I checked on-line and yes Golda's Kitchen has EVERYTHING. A quick stop on my way to dropping off the quilt and VOILA - a silicone potato masher.

Silicone potato masher!!!!!

Can you believe it!  And when I asked someone in the store for the mashers - she said they were in the POTATO SECTION!!!!!    I was in a hurry so didn't stop to see what else was in the potato section, but it looks like a great store if you need anything for the kitchen. You can check them out online as well..............

Golda's Kitchen

Thanks to Ruth for sending me instructions on making gravy. While they are simple and similar to how my mom made gravy - it's the making part that throws me. Well - I will just buck up - put on that magic apron of mine and I'll pretend that I am Paula Dean or Martha Stewart and I will make that DARN gravy if it kills me.

We have a house guest. Oh yeah - but a very independent house guest so not really a big deal.

This is LARRY!!!!

Larry is here while his owners (M's boyfriend) are away over the holidays. Apparently birds need interaction with people. So someone has to sing to the bird!!!   Well - it won't be me, but we all talk to Larry as he is currently sitting on the kitchen table and we feed him lettuce!!!!   I think he is still very young and not used to people. Well - birds are just skittish anyway!!!!


Oh yes - while I was out shopping - I found something that many of you may like. Isn't it always the way - everyone asks "what do you want for Christmas?". Well I don't know - how about this - how about that???   And then I go out and I find amazing things - like these gorgeous storage boxes......................

Neat - Paris themed storage boxes

Vintage travel storage box

These were at Michael's. I happened to stop at a different one than I normally go to, but I imagine they all have these boxes. Anyway while I was there getting something I needed for today, I remembered that I DID NOT have a coupon. Everyone knows about the 40% coupon. Well then I remembered that there is an APP for that!  Yep - you can download an APP to your Apple device and instantly get a coupon. So out to the car - download the app to my iPad and back in the store and present my iPad at the cash and I got the discount on one item!!!!!   Isn't technology awesome!!!!!

And these boots are amazing cause let's face it ladies - we all have the same problem with our lovely SHAPELY calves.

Boots with a GUSSET

I found these at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They were $25. I didn't buy a pair, having felt that I had spend more than enough the last couple of days.

And let's not forget the Patagonia Down Sweater that I have wanted forever and completely forgot about. When I was at MEC - they had them, but not in the colour I wanted. Then I saw the colour I wanted in the men's section. The clerk at the store said that Patagonia DOES NOT distribute that colour to MEC in ladies, but they make it. Can you believe that??????????????????


Down Sweater


I guess I will just have to buy my own, but darn that would have made a great present.


I spent a great part of the afternoon sitting in my chair, enjoying the sun, listening to the audio book and getting some embroidery done. Almost got one more block done and only TWO more CDs of 9 to listen to. Maybe this afternoon before our company comes.

On that note - I had better get upstairs and get that oven cranked up because I've got a turkey to cook!!!!!


Have a MERRY MERRY Christmas


Ciao!!!!!!

It's Christmas Eve!!!!!

It's Christmas Eve and I am still reasonably sane (barely).

What can I say - I KNEW it was going to happen.

Yep - I got all snugly in my chair in the living room and after one hour of stitching binding down - BANG - I'm napping. I couldn't help myself - I was so snugly and the sun was out and it was getting warm under that quilt. The worst part - I had another nap later in the afternoon while still working on the quilt. The good news - I listened to three CDs and have about five feet more to go on the binding. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Getting worried cause I haven't heard from the customer despite e-mails and phone calls. Oh well - at least I met the deadline.


I even ventured to the mall yesterday. I know - what was I thinking?  Well - it really wasn't that bad. Yes there were a few line-ups at a couple of places, but I pretty much found what I was looking for and was out of there in a couple of hours. I still have a few more things to pick up today including some groceries and then I am set.

Now I did get a request from M to make a stocking for her boyfriend. At first she was going to make it and I just ran out of time to help her. Finally she said "would it be easier if you made it?". Yes - it would so I did.

Started out by embroidering his name on the cuff.............

Embroidering name on the cuff. This was a piece of cake since at this point - the cuff is still just a piece of fabric. But after it had stitched out the "E", I noticed that the lettering hadn't lined up properly (must have got caught on something and pulled it) and so I had to rip the E out and redo it. But I am good at this stuff and it was no problem!!!

Then I cut out the pieces and it was a challenge to figure out how to cut the cuff. What size and what should be the position of the name. I wasn't following a pattern - just making it up as I went along. Then instead of quilting the pieces - I just used fusible fleece, except one piece I grabbed wasn't fusible. I grabbed some spray adhesive instead - DRAT - this is WHY YOU NEVER BUY PRODUCTS and never use them. A FULL can of 606 DEAD!!!!!!    There was some gunk on the spray nozzle when I pulled the top off. Then I thought maybe if I soak the cap in hot water. Then I tried the nozzle thing without the cap on - NOTHING!!!!   Now I haven't thrown the can away yet - I have to wait until Marian gives me the go ahead. Remember the last time I did this - I gave her a can of spray starch to throw away and then we had to recover it from the recycling bin. But I think this one is toast - whatever is inside just won't come out!!!!!

The DEAD can of 606

Hmmm - I still wanted to stick the batting to the fabric somehow. So I rechecked the basket of "canned" products and found this can of adhesive spray. Hmmm - it works on fabrics so I used a bit and stuck the two pieces together. Interesting to note that the "specialty" product - (the 606) died, yet this can of adhesive has been around for 10 years (it is from Sheridan College days) and still works. Didn't have to do anything to the can. Interesting..............................     (I just know that I DO NOT buy any of this stuff any more - no gadgets, no sprays, nothing unless I know I will use it on a regular basis).

This can worked!!!!!

So back to sewing......................  After much thought and fiddling, I finally figured out where the cuff part with the name goes. The stocking is also lined with the seams on the inside.

Hmmmm - this is looking very weird

The finished stocking!!!!    Just as I planned it to be!!!!   Could have centered that name a tad more, but  I am happy happy happy with it. 

It is hanging in M's room from the light so she can see it when she wakes up!!!!   Hopefully I earn brownie points for getting it done on time. Yes - that is my new philosophy - get things done!!!   Get them out of the house, or whatever - but they need to be DONE!!!!!!


Speaking of M - Martha Stewart - EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!!!

Caroline was over yesterday and the two of them were busy in the kitchen making something. They had just exchanged Christmas gifts - clothes - which they immediately stripped off the old and put on the new. And THEN they hit the kitchen. I gave M an apron so she wouldn't get her new clothes dirty. Then I made her empty the dish washer.

M emptying the dish washer. She closes the door and I told her she wasn't done. What????   Yes - what about the THIRD drawer with the cutlery!!!!!   While it is a pain to load and unload that third drawer, I think it will keep everything nice and clean. 

Earlier in the day, M had scrounged through my scrapbooking supplies to get some supplies to make a book for Berke. (Berke being the boyfriend). After they had dinner, M was sitting at the table with Caroline. Note she is still wearing her apron!!!!!!   I love when everyone is happy at our house!!!!!   And having FUN!!!!!!

M scrapbooking while Caroline watches the process

While I wasn't allowed to "READ" what was in the book, I was given a quick tour of the book. Looks really nice and he better like it (and the stocking too!!!!)

Oh - I couldn't help myself - I switched all the sewing tables back to where they were originally. I know - change is hard for me!!!!   No there was a practical perspective to it - all the supplies (bobbins, threads, etc.) for the the machine are against the wall and it wasn't practical to have the machine far away from that cabinet. And this way I can survey my room instead of having my back to it. I am MUCH happier!!!!


On that note - I MUST get the list of things to buy finalized and hope to be at the first store at 9 AM when they open. Shouldn't take long and I might just get that binding on before I leave.


Have a great day!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!