CRAZYQSIS

The Big C

2011-09-10T23:14:00.000-06:00

I have not been posting for a while because I have been Walking my Buns off trying to loose weight to have Surgery. I have lost 78 lbs since March 25, when things transpired and I was diagnosed with Cancer. I have surgery on the 22 of September. So it is coming at breakneck speed. I have been able to live the summer without too many worries but now as this date is flying at me I am afraid.

I am glad i waited to have the surgery as I had a great summer with my husband and boys. I've made new friends and connected with people who had drifted away. I am grateful for all my blessings which are too numerous to count. I cant even begin to thank all the friends and people in my life for all they do for me.

42 years ago

To all those Crazy Quilters use the good stuff don't save it cause you cant take it with you. I have made a commitment to get busy doing more with all the stuff I have stocked up once I'm on my feet.

A couple of years ago.
Hope to be back at her soon.
Melisa

Current Work

2010-10-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

Well the photos are washed out however this is what

I have been working on these last few days.

This is my second fan ever I quite like them.

Instead of doing each blade differently I thought Id repeat

the stitch And just change the combination of colours. the over

lapping feather stitch is an Idea I got from on of

Judith Baker Montano's books.

The girl is washed out badly in this photo

I need to add some green ribbon leaves and

I was thinking of adding some embroidery

on the girl's hair and face. (eyes lips and nose)

I am a little concerned that the image will fad over time.

Melisa

more purple orange and watermelon blocks

2010-04-29T10:32:00.004-06:00

I have Some work on 8 of the 25 blocks only 17 more to go.
I am starting to get in the groove of things. I think Ill do some Brazilian Embroidery on the peachy pink in the middle yet.
I think this block could use some BE or silk ribbon embroidery on the mulberry silk and maybe the purple velvet. By the way I have looked for a fabric that would work as a border for this quilt. You would be amazed at the amount of fabric I have purchased that I have decided wont work. How ever last summer at a garage sale I found more of the lovely purple velvet. enough to make a border to set the blocks in. yeah for garage sales....
The puke coloured orange rose buds by the lace, the button and the fabric under the dragonfly are actually apricot like the block bellow. I really need to learn how to take better photos

This block was done on the quick and needs allot yet.The lace in the block above has got to be a favorite of mine. Another garage sale find I painted it though. By the way I have no idea what I am going to do with this quilt when I am done. I love the colour combination but it does not match a thing in my home. Perhaps I will donate it to my local art gallery?

More crazy quilt blocks

2010-04-29T10:12:00.009-06:00

Sorry this didn't show up the way I planned each point is on the photos in order. if you click on the pink it will take you to the corresponding photo. Blogger is a pain sometimes...

1.T his is a spray that I thought it could use some lace flowers.the colour in the photo is a bit off. They are a little pinker.

2.I really enjoyed working on this block It still needs more. I'm just not sure what?

3.I love this fabric it is not a recent print of the fairies it is from the 90's. I wish I had more...

4.I love vines. like I said the colours are off today is a really glum day here. They are more peachy.

5.This is Hunter. Also known as poopy, poop machine, fur man, and snooky. He is 10 and very stubborn. When he is mad at us he craps on the deck then he is known as the damn dog. We love him any way.

Remember

2009-11-11T17:52:00.003-06:00

I am so very grateful for the efforts of the armed forces of Canada in keeping my country free. Remembrance Day ceremonies make me cry. I am always overwhelmed the few days leading up to it too. This year a Soldier that went to school down the street had just passed away in Afganastan at 23. Being a Mom of two young men makes watching the Silver Cross Mother place her wreath very heart wrenching. One of my sons' good friends is in the process of entering the reserves. I wish him well and pray that he along with those who serve with him are kept safe.

Thank you for Standing on Gaurd.

BOO BOO and buttons

2009-11-05T22:21:00.002-06:00

I was hitting Garage Sales with DH two weeks ago and when we got home I could barely lift my rt leg. Some how I strained something. It felt numb and alittle achey. I went to the MD and he told me to ice and put it up and to keep up doing as much as I could.... Friday I felt great.

I noticed an ad on kijiji for buttons. Turned out that an older lady that had worked at the acution Mart was downsizing and I purchased her whole collection of Buttons. Oh my there are some nice military buttons, carved shell and glass ones. There are many vintage plastic and bakelite in all colours and many patterns.

Three days of sorting with bent knees and I am not done yet. However I have to stop sorting for a while as my leg is now killing me. Oh how could I be so stupid... I will post some photos soon.

It is a very large collection.... not sure just yet what I am going to do with it all yet...

My entry for City Park Girl's Quilt festival

2009-10-10T17:41:00.005-06:00

I
This is a Double Irish Chain Quilt I finished last year. It is a Queen sized quilt the largest one that I have made by myself. This is my entry for Park City Girl's Quilt Festival.

Some of my more recent work

2009-09-21T10:46:00.006-06:00

I want to add more to this Iam thinking some beads or something to the rick rac and some BE in the centre.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

2009-09-21T09:15:00.005-06:00

Look what I found at a garage sale. A lovely thread cabinet. Seven drawers 2 1/2 inches deep. If I had planed it I would have put in 9 one for each colour and black and white but for $15.00 who can b*+(h.
Unfortunately the inside of the drawers were really rough and damaged so I had to line them so as not to snag my beautiful threads. Now to wind all my thread. I am trying to use Sharon Boggon's idea for storage of my threads as I just cant imagine a better one that doesn't take up tonnes of space.

I plan on keeping my BE threads separate though as they are steamed to straighten them and I think winding them on skeins defeats the purpose of steaming them. Plus I cut them into ~ 1 m. speaking of which I have so much BE thread now I simply must get to work on it.

Boy am I glad blogspot has a spell checker as I can't spell or type.

Birthday Give Away for Crazy Quilter Winner

2009-08-31T14:55:00.006-06:00

Congratulations Diane Baby Cake!
Dianne from http://dianesdecoratingdiary.blogspot.com/ wrote :

Happy birthday! And many more! My favourite cake was a lemon cake I made for my daughter's baby shower. She wanted a baby so much and waited so long. When the time finally came for a shower I put my heart and soul into that cake! http://tinyurl.com/o4zy3h

Your name was chosen from a hat. So you need to contact me with the link on my profile with your snail mail address so I can deliver the goodies. By the way I love the baby cake you made. My sister is having a baby in January so I have some ideas for her shower.
I will post a photo of the stash tomorrow Sorry not sooner Dh took the camera fishing and Ididn't get to it.
Melisa

places to find Books for BE

2009-08-20T21:06:00.002-06:00

JDR has some books and they describe them a little for U.S. people they also have Brandie's Video.DVD
I have this book JDR Brazilian Embroidery Book 1 by Ria Ferrell.
The video has much of the same things. what is not in the video By Brandie is explained in the pdf files on the DVD. The only flower Iam not sure of being in there is the carnation.
I have North American Flowers in three dimentional embroidery also and I think you want to try some simpler things first at least that is how I feel.

Satin Blanky

2009-08-20T18:25:00.005-06:00

When I was a little girl I had a pale blue grey satin blanket. One side was satin and the other was flannel and it was bound with white satin blanket ribbon binding. I just loved it. If it was hot when I lay down for a nap Id lay under the satiny side and the slipperiness was cool against my skin and if I was cold I used the flannel side. Who ever made it embroidered some flowers in two opposite corners simple lazy daisies and some french knot centers I think.

I was talking with Mom about baby/ small child blankets the other day and asked her about it. She told me she washed and washed it and it held up pretty good. So I thought Id make one or two some day. Well the most beautiful yellow satin came into my posession today from a garage sale so It looks like Ill be making two. Im making them bigger than the typical crib blanket cause I want them to be more of a nap blanket for an older child.

Today's Mail

2009-08-20T13:46:00.006-06:00

More mail today the skeins have 50m on them. Soo there is lots of stitching in them.

Where to go for resourses for BE. Search your local library. If you find a book on the internet try to get it through inter library loans. They really help the pocket book.

what came on Monday

2009-08-19T19:08:00.005-06:00

Here is some more threads that I ordered. There are some Brazilian discontinued threads that are similar to edmar. I want to do a fair bit of BE this winter.

Blog giveaway update the squishy has a fair bit of moire samples several in blues and a couple of other colours too. There are some braids and fancy damask ribbons and there will be more too. Remember to enter on my Birthday post.

Brandie's Brazilian Embroidery Video

2009-08-18T11:36:00.006-06:00

Here is a run down on what is on the video:
Hoop and thread tips; Basic stitches; Leaves; Bullions/pistils/Lazy Daisies Cast on Stitch/double cast on stitch/double caston stitch 2 needles/detatched buttonholes/chainstich/ padded saver stitch/satin stitch blanked /satin stitch;

Geron Daisy and Bud/ Calyx/Cast on flower and bud/Maria's Rose and bud/Rolled Rose and Bud/Peach blossom and bud/ Lazy Daisy and Bud/ Calyx on flowers/ Fushasia and Bud/Japanese Violet and bud/Boucle Rose and bud. There is also some pdf files that describe other flowers and diagrams 80 pages worth.

It is really clear and has tips that really help.
Other places carry it But dont beat her price especially if you live in the great white north.

You can order it from Brandie here: oberon1@telus.net

Birthday Give Away for Crazy Quilter

2009-08-14T22:08:00.008-06:00

Today is my Birthday and I would like to have a Give away so here goes. Post a coment on this post telling me about your favourite cake. The give away will be crazy quilt related. Comments sent in before the 28th of August will be placed in the draw which I will draw on the 31st of August. Good luck. more about what is being given away later.

My Rant about Moms at pools

2009-08-10T16:39:00.003-06:00

My husband and I go to our local pool quite often and the Pool provides Mats for Children to float on. Lovely it is fun to float great... what I hate is when the shoot the mat off and hit people in the back of the neck right at C4.
A mom was with three children in the deep end and she had no consideration for any one not even an older gentleman that had a physical disability. She and her heard floated down to where we were and before I knew it Her son jumped off his mat and it hit me in the back of the neck. I said that hurt and my husband looked at the kid and said don't let that happen again.
The Mom said freaked out and said he is only a child and told him to tell the lifeguard if any one talks to you like that.

My husband tried to tell her that you can really hurt someone like that and he works with spinal victims. She said you shouldn't come to public swimming then.

I cant believe that she didn't then take her children away from my husband if she felt offended and I and that she didn't even think to teach her child that when you hurt someone you need to try to make it right like say sorry .

To make matters worse her other lovey little angel hit me a couple of minutes later.

I wish people in this world would realize the world doesn't revolve around you and your little brats. Public swimming Means Public and you look out for others as you share the pool. Not Kid you can go wild cause I cant and wont control your behavior swim.

Okay I had my rant...

Lazy Daisy Flower

2009-08-06T18:47:00.003-06:00

Lazy Daisy Brazillian Flowers are my favourite so far. I just love the tips on the bullians. Tonight Im working on the Rolled Rose maybe Ill have a new favorite tomorrow.

Brazilian Embroidery supplies

2009-08-05T19:38:00.003-06:00

Look what came today. This Video is most excellent. Brandie Milka is the instructor on the dvd and she sells it herself for 24.50 cnd which is cheeper than I have seen. She also sells Edmar Threads and supplies. she doesnt have a web page yet but her email is oberon1@telus.net for those of you who are from Canada she is in Edmonton. It is nice to order and not have to worry about duty. Now to get at that pillow.

New Beginnings RR Block Home

2009-07-19T13:53:00.007-06:00

Here is One of my blocks from the slide show on the right back from a cqi novice Round Robin
I think the ladies who worked on it did a great job. I am so in love with how it is going I just have to add a bit to fillin the blank spots and Ill be cooking with heat. I hope you all like it too.

I feel blessed

2009-02-18T13:09:00.003-06:00

Last night in the fog my DS totaled his car and walked away. here is the photos Thank God and all things blessed he is stiff but otherwise is okay. the other driver walked away also...

6 Picture Meme

2009-01-29T04:54:00.003-06:00

This is my Grandmother. I have great memories of going to Grandma's farm. Christmas eve suppers and taking the bus all by myself to stay with her and Grandpa. Sleeping ever so soundly in the fluffy bed that once slept my Dad when he was young. and waking up early and crawling in with Grandma and Grandpa. I remember feeling safe and warm there. Oh Im not saying things were perfect but These are the things I choose to remember.

Here is the challenge I did I went to the 6th folder and posted the 6th photo and wrote about it. So if you have a moment today go to your 6th folder and check out your 6th photo. maybe post a story about it on your blog. If not just check it out all to often photos on our computers are just stuck in files and not enjoyed so take a moment rediscover something you thought was worth saving to see again.

I should have done this long ago

2008-12-15T08:07:00.004-06:00

I should have Blogged about the prize I won a while back from needle and thread a blog by Mary Corbet. The August Stash Give Away arrived when I was really ill and it gave me some reading material. It is very nice stuff. The A-Z Embroidery book is really detailed and easy to follow. Good health was returned to me and The parcel was miss placed in the shuffling of my home.

I moved my sewing room into my sons room. Trading for the 2nd best room in the house really was a big job. The light and size makes the room. The master broom is the only one that is better and now that I have had my sewing room in every other room in the house my kids tease me that dad feels threatened from the potential lose of his/our room.

Any how I went on a hunt and tracked down the book once again and found it in a drawer in my bedroom. I want you to see the wonderful threads they are so soft and nice. I think I may start a project in thos colors soon.
This ribbon is sooo special. When my sister was small my mother used some ribbon similar to this to trim her dress at the neck line. Mary has her own story to tell about it here. I feel really blessed to have recieved some and am dreaming up how I will use it.

Thank you to Mary I really do apreiciate the stash booster and the ribbon is sublime.

Hussif

2008-12-13T16:03:00.006-06:00

Here is the hussif I made my ss for xmas. I enjoyed embelishing this English cottage scene using beads french knots and other stitches.

Believe it or not I bought this rose applique in a bag of scrap lace as a grab bag at a garage sale. beauty....
I modified the thimble sack from http://cqmagonline.com/ . That site is great it is worth rooting around in check it out.

Roses

2008-11-23T10:25:00.006-06:00

My DH and I celebrated our anniversary last week . I received these beautiful flowers:

This flower

turned into this flower:

Which looks like this flower from my Grandmother who passed before I was born:

I was surprised when my mother gave this to me as have never seen it before I wonder what else my mother has hidden in her home? Oh I suppose somethings are best kept secret and if I knew everything about my dear Mom I'd go batty...

Homemade Deodorant

2008-11-06T10:26:00.004-06:00

A blog I found had a recipe for your own homemade deodorant. I wasn't sure where to get the shea butter or cocoa butter as I checked out the local Micheals and they only had an unscented lotion that had shea butter as an ingredient. So when my dear cousin when to the States I asked her to scope me out some at their craft stores or at the craft fair in Minot SD. She brought me some and I adapted the blog recipe as follows
1/4 C shea butter
1/4 C coco buter
1/4 C corn starch
1 Tbsp Baking soda
6 drops of essential oil I used essence of cucumber
I melted the butters and then stirred in the powders and oil
Then poured it into a round plastic container and placed in the fridge to cool.
once it was cooled it popped out of the container and I rubbed it under my arm from the edge. I think I will keep mine in the fridge as I like being able to just pop it out and use it like a deodorant from the store.
I am going to wait until I can find some one who uses the store bought variety and pour the recipe into it.
I am not to sure how solid the mixture is at room temp yet keeping it in the fridge here is not a problem so I don't think I am going to even try. don't want to have to pinch some out and get all grease on my fingers every morning but maybe that is your thing. Sorry no photo can't find where DH put it this am. The other recipe has vitamin E oil in it I just didn't have any on hand. There is a photo on the original blog. It is called angry chicken.
Try it out...

Breast Cancer Block

2008-10-11T20:29:00.010-06:00

This is a Block I made to help a group member of Crazy Quilting international Yahoo Group for a Breast Cancer Fund raiser. It was a challenge to stay in the colour range of shades of white and cream. I found that I needed to add a little pink or green to most of the seams or embelishments so they would show up. I hope that it will arrive in time to be included in the quilt she is preparing.

My Mom had a brush with breast cancer and her Mother passed away after a nasty battle with it. So This time I made a Block in Mom's honour. If I should ever do another I will do it for my Grandma who passed away 2 years before I was born.

These are Wyld Roses and it is the first time I was abe to do them successfully. Yay!!!!
These are my second attempt to do the Melanie Rose The buds are the Grifin Rose Bud. My first atempt at the Melanie Rose can be found here. I just love how they turn out.

South Dakota in July

2008-10-05T14:20:00.001-06:00

DH feeding a hungry T-Rex
Reptile Garden was a great high light of the trip this little guy is the thing we all agreed was the best.
I even pet his little back. Oh he was so very neet.
t
Mount Rushmore was amazing.
DH and the boyz took the treck to get up close. Later they told me it was all stairs so deciding to sit this one out was probably a good idea.
Crazy Horse 2008
From a photo bought in 1975So they have done quite a bit. I dont Know why I am typing in blue or underlining it Sorry. Great Fun was had by all. I must Say We had the best service we have had ever on this trip. Americans are very polite and friendly.... I think taking the Boyz out of Canada influenced them in a very positive way.

Crappy Cold/ Allergies

2008-10-05T10:04:00.003-06:00

Fall again and a beautiful one at that. The weather has just been wonderful. Today it is raining but yesterday I was wearing shorts and a tank top. The Weather Man says that its the end of summer now though... I have been really quite ill the month of September (and still am a little). There was a time when I could barely move I was not sleeping more than an hour at a time and then I needed to be propt up so I didnt drowned in the crap that drips down the back of your throat.. okay I am getting gross here. I am hoping that the rain knocks what ever I am reacting to out of the air and then I can actually feel up to snuff again. I am going to try to post a few entries today and this week I know how can you trust me cause I post so spiratically for this I am truely sorry.. I know sour grapes oh well if you come back I do appreiciate you and your coments.

Help getting the Red out!

2008-08-11T12:25:00.003-06:00

I need help. How does one get the pink/red iron on embroidery dye out of their work. I have soaked it 24 hours used the tide pen on it and even tried some soap that releases dye from silk when you paint on it. I just dont know what to do my white work looks pink...

This last one is of the other pillow case there is still some pink but it isn't that bad.

Elle Purse

2008-06-11T19:12:00.006-06:00

I have had the last three days to putter around and I decided to finish up this block into a purse. I received the Block for my Birthday from Kerry a while back and always just loved it. I decided to make a purse after I found some silk to match. While garage saling I found a couple of old clutch purses in the free box and I salvaged the d rings and the chains. The button, I found when my friend interupted my sewing with a well timed phone call. I needed to take a break and as I was surveying my studio I chanced on a lovely gold and pearl botton that did wonders. So that's what I have been up to lately.

Simple Sane Quilts and Goslings

2008-06-10T12:05:00.006-06:00

It is funny how if you collect things that you like eventually you have enough to do a project out of them. I made two small quilts lap or baby recently. One has a girly theme and the other a tom boy theme. I received this fairy 6" charm in a swap and went searching for things to go with it. This is what I came up with. I really like the simplicity of a 4x5 -6" block quilt so I made two.
I bought some bug fabric at a garage sale and went in search:

And this is what I came up with.

This fabric was a piece left over from my oldest son's crib sheets. (ds is 16 now boy I keep stuff a long time. But I think this proves that it is a good strategy as it suits the quilt.)
The face square was also from a swap. I found the pig rushing home and remembered the three little pigs and thought it would fit in a fairy quilt
I don't Know how these guys got in here but their too cute to cut out. DH took this photo I was to chicken to be chased by their parents to get this close.
I had a scrap of this left over from another project and thought what kid wouldn't like a kitty or two on their bed.
I also thought the butterflies were nice but not too girly in these colours
There was also a pair of owls on the tomboy quilt. I love these quilts so much I think I want to make a wall hanging from the owl one as I have yet to quilt it. The Fairy one, I use to cuddle under at the TV. I think one day I just may have a little gd or some special little one or two that I could let them go to. But after all DS1 is only 16, I Shouldn't get ahead of myself. However like the little bunny fabric things do eventually find a nice place if I keep them until they are useful.

This is for the birds

2008-05-20T11:02:00.004-06:00

The Pelicans Came back just before our last late snow in April. These photos were taken after the snow melted. I just love pelicans. They hang out at the weir on our river. The fish that go over the weir get stunned and are easy pickens.

This next photo is of a Red Winged Black Bird. I remember the first time I noticed one when I was a child. Grandpa Muller and I had a wonderful drive in the feild to see the cows and there was one of these pretty little birds. Because of the late snow many robins hung out in the city on sort of a lay over so there were tonnes of them every where. There wasn't much for them to eat though.
This is a recent photo of two Mallards one lovely eveining this past weekend.

Back at Her

2008-04-12T18:49:00.005-06:00

Here is some ribbon and buttonhole twist that I dyed. I am really happy with the results. I winged it with steam setting in the microwave and most of it set easily. I really had a ball. I variegated and striped the ribbon so it will make nice flowers. Now I have to iron it.

Flowers from the Mendel

2008-04-06T12:29:00.002-06:00

This beautiful orchid is from the conservatory conected to our Art Gallery in town. They always have a variety of orchids as well as other flowers that acompany the season. WE are fortunate even in the cold winters in Saskatchewan we can see lovely flowers in bloom. It was snowing here this morning but soon we will have spring showers and May Flowers... VBG

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T17:00:00.005-06:00

HAPPY EASTER! He has risen he has risen indeed! If you go to the local conservatory you will be overcome with the smell of hyacinth, hydrangas, lillies and evening scented stocks. Oh it is a delight. We went there after a cool walk and my lense on the camera fogged up. I caught this photo just as it started and just love the effect.
Here are some orchids that are just lovely. I never liked orange but I have to admit it has grown on me in the last few years... God Bless

Spring Walking

2008-03-21T16:12:00.002-06:00

I I went for a walk one Saturday in February with my youngest son down on the river bank. I was nearly dead and had just walked from the parking lot down a hill and to the side of the revine. Huffing and puffing I turned and went back. I asked my son if he would walk with me and help me get into better shape. He agreed and I started walking a couple of times with both my kids and when my Dear Husband could we all walked together.
My Goal was to get to the bridge and back in 20 minutes by summer. I set that goal on March 11, 2008. yesterday I walked with DH for 29-30 minutes I was very pleased with myself.
This is how close I got yesterday! Yeheh I am Strong!!!!! Iam invincable!!
I am Woman!!!!!

I made it there today. My DH and I forgot the cell phone and his watch so I don't know how long it took to get there but I was in the car in 47 minutes. Time included a sit down on one of the benches so I know there is room for improvement yet. If I can do this in 10 days I know that there is hope for me yet...

My Brother

2008-02-20T14:38:00.004-06:00

Quincy on a cold Day... I get cold just looking at him. This was taken during or shortly after a bizzard. Here is their Dog Africa and their tent. Winter camping is invigorating. My Brother and his wife are very experienced and take good care of their animals and guests. Quincy was acknowledged as the musher who took the best care of his dogs by the Vet in charge of monitoring the Canadian Challenge.
This the Paws and Paddles Teams on a training run.

Quincy Won

2008-02-15T09:11:00.005-06:00

My Brother Quincy from Paws'n Paddles won the Canadian Challenge Dog Sled Race. They came in last night. It is unclear at this point but it seems like many dropped out or have not finished yet. It was -41 degrees Celsius. One of his dogs had an unfortunate peeing incident and froze his dangly bits so Quincy dropped him off at a check point. You would think that a Dog who has a love of running would be hard to keep in the sleigh if injured. Not so according to my brother they are quite content in the sleigh. Well Frank I hope your bits recover poor thing. Quincy Congratulations Rest Well.

Dog Race

2008-02-14T10:13:00.004-06:00

This is my little Brother Quincy. He has entered a dog Race called the Canadian Challenge. Our Mom sent me photos of the start of the race. I am so proud of him. He has acomplished so much. His dogs often run 40- 50 km at a time. His Wife is planning to race in the Quest for the Bay later this season. I hope he does well and arrives safely at all the check points and finalle. here is a link to Quincy and Miriam's business Paws'n Paddles

Clutter and Stuff

2008-02-07T20:40:00.000-06:00

I watched Oprah today and dicovered what was making me fat... It is all the crap I have acumulated over the years. I also thought about my children and felt like I was causing them to gain weight too. You see my oldest son moved into his brother's room several years ago when ds#2 was having some issues. having someone to talk with in the night really helped resolve them. I moved my sewing room into older son's room partially well mostly.

Then my older son hit puberty and I wanted (and he wanted) ds#1 to have his own room. So he moved into my old sewing room. He has been in it 4 years and I have not removed all my stuff from it. Today I emptied his closet of yarn, dresses for salvage, porcelean dolls, his suits from when he was 2, 4, and 6 and bolts of ulpohostry fabric, foam for I don't know what and icecream pails. I also descovered he was opening the closet and throwing stuff in, like almost empty pop bottles, broken bits of old video game controls and a miriaid of other worthless crap.

So I did the hokey pokey and took it all out. Then I helped him take over the closet, Hanging his tops and bunny hugs (as I call hoodies that really puts me in the prairies). It now looks pretty good and I feel better and I believe that he does too. We'll see how he manages. I will see how I manage to get all the stuff I had in there put away. I took a black garbage bag and three grocery bags stuffed full of clothes and a bunch of other stuff to the sally ann bin. I feel 100 lbs lighter already... thank you Oprah.

update on my block from Sharon's Encrusted Class

2008-01-31T06:55:00.000-06:00

All I have really done has been to pin two butterflies on and sewon this pinky coral button I just cant make myself do more on the orange patch in the middle. I think it is a shock of colour and it holds your eye for a moments rest just because of its brightness. What do you think? If you look at my slide show you will see more blocks to match up with this one. I'm on my way to making a quilt wall hanging. I don't yet know where it will be displayed however I really do like the play of this colour combination.

Why I Have Not Posted in a While

2008-01-31T06:30:00.000-06:00

For the last two weeks I have been quite ill. I am trying to tidy my sewing room when I have the stength and feel rested enough. I will post some photos whe I finish the job. I really should have taken before shots. I dont think that I would have posted them though as I couldn't handle the embarasment.

It has been as cold as 54 degrees C with wind chill. I am glad we have a garage for my car. My hubby's has to be out so he needs to plug it in to keep the block warm enough to start. I had a friend who took photos of a Canadian winter scene to some where hot maybe India or Africa(she traveled alot in the 1970-80's) and the photo had cars under a layer of snow and plugged in. The people who saw this asked if we had a sand storm and electric cars in Canada. They were amazed by the idea of snow and cold. Before this cold snap we had a blizzard and recived several inches of snow. I am just glad that my hubby and boys got out and shovelled before it got so cold that you freeze your skin in under a minute. Well that is enough of me complaining for now.. you see now why I haven't been posting......

THE SHACK by William P. Young

2008-01-14T10:45:00.000-06:00

The Shack is incredible. It has actually changed the very fibre of my being. I think every one regardless of faith should read this book.

All my life I have struggled with the big Questions and The Shack has helped me to find peace. This book although fiction is truly inspired by the Creator of all things and wonderfully channeled through to a William P. Young's fictional setting and intriguing conversations. This story will keep you riveted to it until you are done so make sure you have some time to read. It is my strong desire that I inspire at least one person to read The Shack . If you have or plan to please add a comment I would greatly appreciate it. God Bless.

Baby Baby

2008-01-10T23:16:00.000-06:00

Last year I wanted to practice machine free motion quilting. So I went out and found this pannel and thought I'd make a baby blanket for an unknown baby gift for down the road. Well I free motioned away and went looking for something to bind it. crazy time. This blue was imposible to find a plain cotton broadcloth to match as it has a touch of green to it. The red and green proved just as hard to find. I was scoping out the local Fabricland's December sale and came across this navy fabric with small hearts. I imiediately thought this will be the ticket for that quilt. Several days after Xmas I learned that one of my son's friend's older sister is going to have a baby in a couple of weeks. Perfect... I now have a baby for the gift. so I whipped up the binding this morning and It is now ready for the giving... I love babies. as you can see the binding does nicely.

Christmas Wishes

2007-12-21T14:02:00.000-06:00

Here are the stockings I posted long ago since I bought a new camera I can post them as they are hung. I really liked doing the snow flakes on them and I also enjoyed the maltese cross By Seth's Name. I think I like the diagonal strips in Zach's stocking best. These were made from scraps of my wedding dress, grade dress, the dress I made for my first date with Brian, and My Christmas maturnity outfits with a few bits of Velvet thown in.

Victorian Boot

2007-11-12T13:06:00.000-06:00

This is the boot I made for a yahoo group swap. I had some really nice fancy scraps in red and ivory and I added some fancy cotton poinsettias and berry theme with which to piece. After piecing it I left it on my ironing board for a while; until I realized that the deadline for having it in was fast approaching. I embellished it with gold trim, silk button hole twist, Brass & vintage plastic buttons and Gold & pearl beads..

So now it is winging it's way to New Orleans. I hope that whom ever recives it has a great time this Christmas and using the squishies inside.

Saskatchewan Sunsets Big Sky Country

2007-09-11T20:07:00.001-06:00

I am learning how to do panaramic photos on my Camera. What a great subject. Today was a beautiful fall day.

This scene is about 5 minutes south of Saskatoon.

I just love the way the light makes the clouds so beautiful. Isn't God amazing. It is said that prairie boys made great sailors. They thought that it was because of the rolling Fields of wheat. I believe that it was the endless spans of sky. I really notice the difference when I visit the mountains or go north to the forest where I grew up.
The sunsets are my trade off for putting up with the wind when there is no forest to block it. Among other things...

Garage Sale finds

2007-09-10T11:28:00.000-06:00

I found this lovely painting after a day of garage saling I only had two dollars so I cautiously offered it to the gentleman. HE took it. It made me so happy. I just love the little cottage in the woods. and when you turn it over you see this lovely mountain scene. I have searched high and low on the internet and cant find any thing about the artist. I am sure it is an oil painting and that it is on some form of cardboard. I believe that the mountain was painted first and then she needed a board so she ripped off the brown paper and used the back. I wish there was some way to seperate the two as I really like both sides.

The artist's Name is Edith W. Slack. It is signed on the cabin side. The other side is not signed that makes me think that it may not have been painted by her???? Then Who? and Who is Edith W Slack?

If anyone reading this has any clue how to find out answers to these questions please do tell. I may have to wait until the antique roadshow come to my area. oh what fun it would be.

something for later

2007-09-01T15:59:00.000-06:00

Here is a cut and pasted quilt that I am making for one of my teen boys wedding present in the future. I hope I have time to finish it... I should they aren't even dating yet.... or so I am led to believe. I have done some embroidery on these blocks but must do more.

Pelicans at the Weir

2007-08-25T11:16:00.000-06:00

This is at the weir in Saskatoon. Aren the Pelicans lovely. there is a contest every year to guess the day and time the pelicans return.

My husband and I love to drive down to the weir and walk around and take photos I have never taken photos that zoomed in so close before.

The pelicans sit on the side of the weir and dive their heads in for fish that spill over. I wish I had got both thier heads going to the right.

I just love my new camera now off to take better photos of my Crazy Quilt Blocks and stuff...

New Digital Camera

2007-08-25T11:03:00.000-06:00

I took this photo at the Mendal Art Gallery's Conservatory with my new Camera. I am so very pleased with it. So you just may see more posts.

This Hibiscus flower is really coloured like this I did not doctor it at all.

block updates

2006-11-20T10:07:00.000-06:00

These are my blocks afterr lessons four and five. To the fairy block I have added buttons and beads that are exploding magically from her out stretched arms. Some beads and sequins scatered through the feather stitching in the corner and a brass button with a cupid on it are the other hard embelishments. To the lace in this block I added chinelle laced heringbone and a few bugle beads.

To the lilac lace in this block I added stamens in apricot and japanese ribon stitch petals in SRE. I had a lovely orange button that I used som beads to anchor it extending the loopy metalic laced running stitch. To the hand dyed lace I tacked it with three sequined flowers and some beads allong the button hole stitch opposite. I use bead soup to feather stitch down the watermellon patch. After all that I realized that the small purple patch in the corner needed to be made grand so I added some ribbon. I have yet top embelish that I know I may have trouble because the floss will catch on the hard embelishments But live and learn...

Wilderness Tour Company Paws'nPaddles

2006-11-16T23:56:00.001-06:00

My brother and sister-in-law Live near Lac La Ronge in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. They take people on dog sled tours in the winter and canoe trips in the summer. http://www.pawsandpaddles.com/

They are very experienced in wilderness camping both in the summer and winter. Miriam and Quincy have raced in the artic in the Quest for the Bay Race from Churchill Manitoba to Arviat Nunavut and many other local races. They have many interesting stories and a great deal of knowledge to share.

Having grown up in Saskatchewan's North I have to say that it truely is beautiful. There is nothing like slipping a canoe into the water and paddleing though the rivers and lakes or gliding along through the snow in a boreal forest the way fur traders did in the past. Some of the trips offered are on the very rivers the fur traders traveled.

The wild life and the scenery are a photographer's dream come true as you can see from my unpracticed snap shots of Weyakwin Lake. This is where Quincy my sisters and I grew up. Since then He has moved 100 kms further north to La Ronge.

When the sun sets on clear nights, especially in the winter you will be amazed by the dazzling displays of the nothern lights.

And for those of you who cq you will probably have to pass through my city to get there and I would be happy to meet you and show you my city's attractions and of course hit the quilt shop and Talk Crazy.

Block One Week Three

2006-11-07T17:18:00.000-06:00

This week I decided to use the Melanie Rose to make a spray of flowers and cover up som of the awkwardness of this block's corner. To try the Melanie Rose you can do a search for the instructions on google. (Sorry I haven't figured out how to post a link yet.) I quite like how they turned out.

Week 3 Encrusted Crazy Quilting Class

2006-11-07T17:00:00.000-06:00

This week's assignment was Silk ribbon motifs. I came to learn that if you draw out the motif it looks far more balanced than just sticking flowers willy-nilly. Some winging it still takes place but the arrangement looks better.

In this motif I tried to continue the Chain-Combination Seam treatment into the watermellon corner. It looks a little crowded into the corner or empty on the other side of the patch. I am not sure if I get the softing of the line thing.

Learning curve seam embelishing

2006-10-31T16:26:00.000-06:00

Here is my other block seam embelished mostly anyhow. I really understand how varing things make a difference. I varied thickness, sheene and colour, and I think that does make a nicer seam.

seam treatments and problem corner

2006-10-30T20:43:00.000-06:00

I really like how this seam came out. It is a createn combo.

I am Stumped when it comes to what to do on the apricot seam and the lilac seam. I am concidering continuing the feather stitch across the apricot block and not doing aseam treatment. The watermellon small seam I just continued thelaces straight stitch. Im not sure that was the best idea.

Lesson two whole block

2006-10-30T20:37:00.000-06:00

Here is my whole block. Lesson two is great fun.

I am not sure if I should continue across the apricot in the corner with more rows of feather stitch or do something else? What on the purple apricot seam.

Lesson One

2006-10-25T08:04:00.000-06:00

Here is my second atempt at a block for lesson one. I am a little concerned that the lace is almost parallel to one another.

Lesson One Block

2006-10-25T07:57:00.000-06:00

This is my first block for lesson one of Encrusted CQ. I am a little concerned about the top left corner area. Im sure there will be something. The mulbery colour is quite big compared to the centre too. Actually the centre looks a little small.

Encrusted Crazy Quilt Class

2006-10-24T09:38:00.000-06:00

Here is my colour mock up of a block. Colour combination selectors are great they really help.
Now off to sew the real thing.

Feast or Famine

2006-08-19T00:46:00.000-06:00

Not much for a year and then here I am. Ill try to post freqently.
This is my first attempt at a hand bag or envelope purse. I learned that you really need to plan your laying down of fabric if the flap is tapered. But I am still please with the look of the purse in general I hope to sell it at a craft shop locally.

I just love the star flowers. I found the pattern in an old crochett book and just fell in love.

Denim reloved Round Robin

2006-08-18T23:50:00.000-06:00

My work on Kerry's block proved difficult as the denim was zigzaged on going over the seam with each colour of thread frayed the zigzaging. Other seams were very thick at times but the results were worth the effort.

This was my first rr block. The ladies in the 3quiltketeer group did a fantastic job. My instructions were please use my favorite crayola colours and I just feel happy every time I see it. I don't have a digital camera so I cant get it all in one shot.
I always wanted to try a tree but was a little worried about how it may turn out. Catharine's Tree will be a great reference.
This is some more lovely work from the other rr ladies.

details of box

2005-09-19T19:54:00.000-06:00

Here is some detail photos of seams and the lid.

September in Saskatchewan

2005-09-17T19:09:00.000-06:00

Well the weather here has been really rainy and I find it feels like snow. Here is a photo of a box I made for a secret pal in the States. I plan on making more. The pattern is in cqmagonline.com. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````