Should I do a 2011 review thingy?

What can I say, I have been loving all the mosaics out there, and had to jump in with one of my own.

Quilts of 2011:


1. Hockey quilt 1, 2. me and my designing daughters!, 3. Sherbet Pips quilt 1, 4. Fundraiser tree quilt front, 5. Nicey Jane New Wave 3, 6. Postage stamp quilt front 1, 7. Postage stamp quilt back 1, 8. kids and quilts!, 9. HST quilt 2, 10. Rainy Days front completed!, 11. "Quickie Quilt" full frontal :-), 12. Friendship quilts

Ten full quilts and 2 minis completed in 2011 :) A few yet-unfinished quilt tops too, that I haven't included here. By far I get the most attention and requests about Big G's hockey quilt. It is one of my favorites, too. I have long said I plan to make a pattern, and I hope to actually do that in 2012 (but no promises as to when!).


Sewing of 2011:


1. 276, 2. Grab-n-go wristlet by Kaelin, 3. coin purse for Moda Bakeshop, 4. Framed purse tutorial for Moda Bakeshop, 5. SSSS bee blocks, 6. Roll-up bag tutorial, 7. market bags in their natural habitat, 8. cheater cathedral windows tutorial, 9. pillow tutorial, 10. Union Jack coin purse for Amy, 11. Bloom clutch, 12. linen and lace clutch in hand, 13. ballerina bag, take 2, 14. wallet interior, 15. handbags and coordinating wallets, 16. Japanese handbag, 17. Bobbles!, 18. Japanese coin purses, 19. Denyse Schmidt Clutches , 20. tea cozy, 21. felted wool mittens tutorial, 22. felted wool mittens at work!, 23. cell cover 2, 24. vintage sheet quilt top 1

Definitely been the year of the framed purses! This is a great go-to for a gift. If you want to see how it's done, you can check out my tutorial on Moda Bakeshop.


Knitting of 2011:

1. coordinating baby hats for cousins, 2. hats!, 3. mittens!, 4. another Autumn hat in hummingbird, 5. slouch profile, 6. orange sweater joy 4, 7. slouch hat profile, 8. mittens :), 9. Autumn toque in purple side, 10. Baby cardigan 2, 11. My sweet girl in her cardi, 12. Eddie the Elephant, 13. knit hats for me and my youngest, 14. A stripe-ity knit kitty for my girl, 15. This little pig, 16. me and my girl in our hats

Knitting has become my new obsession. I am pretty pleased with how far I have come in just one year! My favorites? LBNL's sweater and a certain x-rated item I knit for my mother for Mother's Day.....

....if you want to see the "full disclosure," you can click here ;)


On a personal level, 2011 had its ups and downs. I am grateful for another year with my family, all of us healthy and growing (I "grew" a few pounds I could do without!), and enjoyed my kids' constant antics, even though they drive me mental much of the time. Funny how people you love so fiercely can make you so batty, eh? I wouldn't trade them for the world. They are growing into fine young people that I admire and adore, I love how they are so polar opposite and each bring something special to the fabric of our family.

We enjoyed some travel this year- Wisconsin Dells and Minneapolis road trip with the family, and my husband and I got an anniversary weekend away in Toronto. I also was very lucky to get to attend Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City- I can't tell you how wonderful it was to meet some of my blogging friends, and to spend an entire weekend immersed in a hobby we all love! I definitely see some quilting retreats in my future, an hope to return to Sewing Summit one day.

Our day to day life has evolved quite a bit this year- the kids are getting older, so my late night sewing time has been getting less and less. I have loved picking up knitting in its place- I can bring it along with me to dance class or hockey practice, so I can still enjoy some creative time without shooting myself in the foot by giving up all of my sleep. I am hoping to find a way to squeak in a bit more time with my sewing machine, though...will work on strategies in the new year. I also need to get in all the other things that make up life- sleep, exercise, work, cooking, cleaning, kids activities, reading and homework, and just some family time. I am working at adjusting and resetting my balance as my "happy" meter has been a bit low this year and I want to keep that in check. It's no fun feeling overwhelmed and anxious all the time, and I want to be sure my new balance includes some down time.

I am looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store :) And I want to say thanks to all of you for your continued support and friendship....this blog and my blogging friends has been a real source of joy for me. Hugs to all of you and wishing you all the best of everything in 2012!!

Angry lunch

No, I am not still sulking over the Crayon fiasco....this angry is the good kind, Angry Birds!

My kids, like many, are hooked on Angry Birds. So when I saw this post, I knew I had the perfect lunch for a lazy day at home. Angry Bird Sandwiches!

Two in PB&J, and one in salami for my anti-PB Middle Child:


Needless to say, they were devoured in seconds :)



Angry Birds = Happy Kids!

How do you like this f$#*ing tutorial?

Sometimes, only a four letter word will do.

I had planned to come back to blogging with more cheerful sentiments but here is what is on my mind today:

Crayons + snowsuits + drier = no good.

So we rung in new year's day with all the kids snowsuits covered in multicolored Crayon splatters. My hubs said that I should claim this is a new do-it-yourself look and so I thought I would give you all a little "tutorial".


How to make multicolored laundry!

1. Go to Perkins and have kids swipe some crayons and stuff them in coat pockets (tutorial on how to turn your kids into shoplifters at a later date).
2. Go on a gleeful sleigh ride (on a one horse open sleigh) and get your kids thoroughly covered in horse droppings as they run behind said sleigh.


3. Peel snowsuits off children and send through your wash and dry cycle. Go ahead! Put it on high heat for even better results!
4. Experience the multicolored splendor!!! Teach your kids some new profanity!! Amaze your friends with your domestic prowess!!

Here are some photos of one jacket after about 37 rounds of stain remover, WD-40 and washing so this is "clean"....it actually did get out about 80% of it, except that darn blue.....wish I had taken a "before" but I was in a serious rage and cry mode, then hunkered over my drier for about 2 hours scraping out all the melted wax. Grrrrr....



So if you see my kids walking around in dirty jackets looking like they are homeless, think again! It's the latest tutorial on OCD ;)

My new year's gift to you....eye candy!

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you all you could ever ask for :)




Be back soon. I've missed you all!

a blogging break

Life has been more than busy lately. It's been a bit of a crazy year at home and work, and I have been feeling increasingly overwhelmed and drained. The stuff I normally turn to for stress relief, like blogging and crafting, haven't seemed as fun, and sometimes have even felt like another chore to deal with.

Signal received- time for a break.

I made the decision a few weeks ago, during a particularly stressful week at home and work, that I was just going to STOP. Could I really do that? Give STORE BOUGHT Christmas gifts?!? BUY a platter of dainties for Christmas? The concept was so liberating. For the last couple weekends I have spent my energy going out and reconnecting with friends, spending quality time with my kids, enjoying an extra glass of wine, making snowmen instead of making supper, watching some t.v. (while not simultaneously stitching). I have enjoyed some good belly laughs, and it made me realize how long it has been since I have felt REALLY GOOD. I miss that Me, and I am hoping to spend more time with Her in the coming weeks. I am on the right track!


I also want to be sure to really soak in the holidays this year with my kids and husband (aren't they cute? These pictures were taken by the talented May Arason-Li). My kids are at that perfect age, where everything is so magical, and I don't want to miss a second because I was holed away in my craft room sewing.

So, I am shutting things down for a bit! Only craft when the fever strikes, and not because of any feeling of obligation. I plan to limit my computer time as well, but I promise to pop in from time to time to say hello and to check in on all my crafty muses :)

Happy holidays, everyone! Hope you live it up! See you in the New Year!


And if you have a minute, this video by a talented local Winnipeg high school student is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit :) Shot all around my beautiful city!

Drunkard's Path QAL: Winners!

Thanks again to everyone who braved the curves and participated in our quilt along, and to those of you who couldn't participate but who cheered us on! It was my first time piecing curves as well, usually I have done them with applique in the past, and I have to say that this quilt was certainly the cure for curvitis! Despite the learning "curve" (hahaha!), it was a fun block to do and with its versatility I know I will be back for more. If you haven't done so already, you can go peruse the finished quilt tops here.

Now it is time to announce our prize winners! Thanks to our sponsors for their donations :)

The fat quarter bundle of Tula Pink's Prince Charming fabric donated by The Fabric Shoppe goes to:

B. Yazoo!



The $40 gift certificate courtesy of Fresh Squeezed Fabrics goes to:


Beth at Sewing for Sanity!

Congratulations, Ladies! We will be in touch to get you your prizes :)

Hmmmmm.....

I am thinking of using this:



for this:

Eventually.

What do you think? Anything I should remove/add?