Important Letters


This is a fun little project I've got going on these days. I took some scraps and made letters. Put those letters on white et voila! I can't wait to share this one, but I need to wait as the recipient may be reading...

I'd volunteered to make the quilt for her after a tragic event. Another friend gave me some fabric and it languished. Lack of a clear vision kept me from moving forward. Then, one night, I had a dream. Pregnancy dreams are always quite vivid. And for once it wasn't a nightmare or something completely messed up. I dreamt this quilt. Hormones for good!

While I didn't follow it directly when it came to constructing mine, Elizabeth Hartman has a great tutorial here for making the letters.

Handwork Update January


In my defence, this isn't pressed. That's why the seams don't match. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

This is where I'm at in my handwork project. After mentioning it when discussing my 2012 goals I thought you deserved an update.

I have a pile of these diamonds floating around. When I have a moment, usually when the girls are in a class or we're in the car and I'm not driving, I sew diamonds together. I only finger press before I put the rows together. I'm sure if I could properly press they would match up a bit better. You know what? I don't care. This is a process project, not an end results project.

(If Hubby had his way I would be done with the process too. He thinks this is both silly and ugly.)

There is one strip done. Five diamonds in a row, all sewn together. I haven't a clue where I'll take this. It is only this size because this is what is manageable and portable for me. Maybe I'll join strips together and make it all scrappy? Maybe I'll make it striped, adding in a solid strip? Maybe I'll do something else? We'll see. For now I just enjoy the process. And I've got dance, ski, and swim lessons starting up for the girls in the coming weeks.

(Gratuitous Evil Genius shot. Also, for scale. Ignore the door handle that looks like it is trying to shoot her in the head.)

2012


A new year. Blah, blah, blah about resolutions, reflections, and new beginnings. For me, the new year simply means a new calendar. One for the wall from Michelle Engel Bencsko and my favourite Moleskine. A good black pen and a sacred spot on the sideboard and I'm off the races. Well, in actuality I'm just closer to hopefully not forgetting something.

The last 10 days have been good for me. Both Hubby and I actually took a break. I was on the computer and sewing machine very little.We had loads of time to chat after we collapsed every night from the exhaustion of three little kids and Christmas (we had my nephew with us this year). We spent a lot of time talking about what we wanted to do with the time we will have in the coming months. So, yes, there was some reflection and resolutions.

I prefer to think of them as goals. Or maybe stretch targets. Or optimism slightly more realistic than fitting into my regular jeans by May.

...Balance promoting Sunday Morning Quilts with the pregnancy and birth of our third baby. All while staying sane.
...Find the sweet spot between motherhood and work on another major project.
...Finish a handwork project.
...At least two baby quilts, one for the dragon in my belly and one for my sister's peanut.
...Make bacon at home in order to keep up to the consumption of bacon and maple syrup of the girls.
...Survive our basement reno, hopefully without the ridiculously giant TV my husband wants.

And do it all with a smile, a laugh, a hug, and hopefully a little bit of style.

Happy Holidays 2011



Christmas at Heritage Park. My husband telling the girls that reindeer fly by eating the kids on the naughty list. Our first, and probably last, trip to the ballet. Making Pyrohy with Baba. More and more baking. Tree chopping in the mountains, complete with trees way too tall for the house and the indulgence of a tree in the girls' room. Santa and other pretty things.

Bringing the holidays to our home and family little bits at a time.

Happy Holidays everyone! We'll see you in the New Year.