Have you been? Any tips?? We have no idea what we are in for...... :)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Disney advice?
We are heading to Disney World in Florida in February! Our first time, and we are so excited.
Have you been? Any tips?? We have no idea what we are in for...... :)
Have you been? Any tips?? We have no idea what we are in for...... :)
Friday, January 13, 2012
eight.
Eight years ago today I became a mother for the first time, to the most wonderful little boy. That time seems to have taken forever and passed in a flash simultaneously. I can still remember this guy as a newborn...now he is getting so tall and lean and gorgeous and smart and cheeky and talented and sentimental and so many things wrapped in one complex, wonderful package. Happy birthday, Big G! I love you with all my heart and wish you the best of everything.
Some things to remember about your 8th birthday:
-Sunny and cold, woke up to -30 C temperatures with the wind chill!
-House decorated with birthday signs and balloons for you to wake up to (our family tradition).
-Breakfast request: mom's homemade banana chocolate chip muffins and blackberries
-Lunch request: rice crackers and hockey cheese!
-Dinner request: Kraft mac and cheese with chicken noodle soup
-Mom volunteered in your classroom this morning and got to hear your class sing to you and your teacher gave you a "happy birthday" sticker to wear. We also brought along your favorite M&M cookies to enjoy with your classmates.
-You were so excited about your gifts- you loved your iTunes gift cards, your camera (which was immediately used to make fart-style videos), and you HUGGED the dodge balls we gave you. You were in the basement in a flash hurling them at your sisters :) And patiently teaching LBNL to catch and throw. You even awarded her the ultimate compliment: "She's good! She may even be able to GET someone, Mom!"
-Time tonight planned with your aunt and uncle, then a friend party next weekend.
Eight is great!
Some things to remember about your 8th birthday:
-Sunny and cold, woke up to -30 C temperatures with the wind chill!
-House decorated with birthday signs and balloons for you to wake up to (our family tradition).
-Breakfast request: mom's homemade banana chocolate chip muffins and blackberries
-Lunch request: rice crackers and hockey cheese!
-Dinner request: Kraft mac and cheese with chicken noodle soup
-Mom volunteered in your classroom this morning and got to hear your class sing to you and your teacher gave you a "happy birthday" sticker to wear. We also brought along your favorite M&M cookies to enjoy with your classmates.
-You were so excited about your gifts- you loved your iTunes gift cards, your camera (which was immediately used to make fart-style videos), and you HUGGED the dodge balls we gave you. You were in the basement in a flash hurling them at your sisters :) And patiently teaching LBNL to catch and throw. You even awarded her the ultimate compliment: "She's good! She may even be able to GET someone, Mom!"
-Time tonight planned with your aunt and uncle, then a friend party next weekend.
Eight is great!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
It's Humpday. Need a laugh?
Well, I had to drag my bones to work this week after a couple weeks of staying home with the kids and slacking off. Full steam ahead with the normal crazy routine! So, in addition to my morning caffeine fix, I thought I could use a chuckle. How about you?
Take a minute to read this blog post. If you like my wonky sense of humor you will love this. I made the hubs read it, while I was laughing hysterically and gulping for oxygen, and he said (with the eye roll) that this is just the kind of stunt I would pull. Twisted minds think alike. Now I just need me a 5 foot chicken....
Need one of these for your next boo boo?
Can't get enough of Ryan Gosling lately. He always knows just what to say.
If you live in the Winnipeg area, are a Jets fan, or are just into NHL hockey, this will make you smile. It seems Hitler is a Jets fan, but is unhappy about the shortage of men's washrooms in the MTS Center.....
Have a good Monday!
Take a minute to read this blog post. If you like my wonky sense of humor you will love this. I made the hubs read it, while I was laughing hysterically and gulping for oxygen, and he said (with the eye roll) that this is just the kind of stunt I would pull. Twisted minds think alike. Now I just need me a 5 foot chicken....
Need one of these for your next boo boo?
Can't get enough of Ryan Gosling lately. He always knows just what to say.
If you live in the Winnipeg area, are a Jets fan, or are just into NHL hockey, this will make you smile. It seems Hitler is a Jets fan, but is unhappy about the shortage of men's washrooms in the MTS Center.....
Have a good Monday!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Not just any old iPad sleeve....
Sorry guys! Had a blip with this post earlier today, but it is all here now!
I started by going to my nicely organized fabric that I have been neglecting for far too long (oh how I have missed you!) and selected a few of my favorites. Some Denyse Schmidt (including some ribbon flowers from Kaelin and seeds from Riel- thanks, ladies!), some Farmdale that will remind me of my shopping (frenzy) at Sewing Summit, some Echo. I made a block....it reminds me of sunbeams, in rainbow colors like after a rain- so cheery! I framed it I denim, which I opted to use as my base to add body to the sleeve. I added a bunch of hand quilted accents for some more fun!
On the back, I included a pocket large enough to put some earbuds or to slip in a credit card or money if I (ever have the life where I can) head to the coffee shop for a little quiet moment. And, yes, the Canadian $5 bill really does has hockey on it :) I used the Farmdale apple fabric there as a nod to Apple!
I added a flap closure, with a long tie that loops across the front and is fastened with a button- nice and secure in there!
The button on the front is from a surprise package I recently received in the mail from the ever so sweet Amy, along with these adorable ribbons and trim! 
Can you see a theme here? This sleeve is made up with bits of love from all over blog land! So you see, this is not just any old iPad sleeve.....it is a little bit of sunshine sure to make me smile and think of all my blog family whenever I see it. I love it! And I am going to share the joy by making up a tutorial for it to share with all of you. Coming soon! :)
I'll be linking up to some of my friends I haven't visited in awhile, like Sew Modern Monday and Fabric Tuesday!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
mad hatter
I mostly stuck to my guns about having a relaxing, stress free, store bought Christmas, and my sewing machine had quite honestly not seen the light of day since November. But I did get the itch to stitch a few times, so I made some hand knit hats for some of my friends and family.
Okay- it was kind of like a factory around here... :) I think I made 7 in total, didn't take photos of them all!
I learned to cable! Now I really feel fancy-schmancy. Shhhh...don't spill the beans, but it was really quite simple. Also, Michael's had a sale on my favorite bulky yarn, so I bought a bunch and churned out these puppies. I made this pattern 3 times for friends. How cute is that button detail?
Another one from the same pattern, but modified with no button band. I love the pumpkin orange, yo!
And one more slightly different cable pattern for my wonderful and very crafty MIL:
Okay- it was kind of like a factory around here... :) I think I made 7 in total, didn't take photos of them all!
I learned to cable! Now I really feel fancy-schmancy. Shhhh...don't spill the beans, but it was really quite simple. Also, Michael's had a sale on my favorite bulky yarn, so I bought a bunch and churned out these puppies. I made this pattern 3 times for friends. How cute is that button detail?
Another one from the same pattern, but modified with no button band. I love the pumpkin orange, yo!
And one more slightly different cable pattern for my wonderful and very crafty MIL:
Here's the pile of them including the purple one which was blogged here.
My favorite part? These awesome labels, bought here (found via Katie on Pinterest). Me loves to be cheeky ;) I think they will go on everything I make from now on!
Yup, I am officially a Mad Hatter!
My favorite part? These awesome labels, bought here (found via Katie on Pinterest). Me loves to be cheeky ;) I think they will go on everything I make from now on!
Yup, I am officially a Mad Hatter!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, January 4, 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!
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!
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