Life is a Stitch

Sunday Sewing

2012-01-29T18:06:00.001-05:00

I've gotten the first of six strips for Shirt Stripe Boxes!

It's been a quiet weekend around here. The snow has been almost constantly falling for two days, though nothing is sticking (thankfully!) But the roads are slippery, and the blowing snow is annoying, so we've pretty much been shut-ins all weekend.

Guild Night!

2012-01-10T22:16:00.000-05:00

I nearly forgot it was Guild Night!

Virginia Ingleby was our guest speaker at tonight's meeting. Virginia opened her own quilting store "Undercover Quilts and More” five years ago. The store is located in a historic building in downtown Fergus. I made sure to check with Virgnina directly about where in Fergus she was located, because I have tried looking for it before. Should be pretty easy to find -- when there is a Tim Horton's reference in any directions, I'm there.

I took a few minutes at break time to check out the library -- LO AND BEHOLD!!! I found the two books I've been desperate to find.

First up:

There is a quilt in this book that I have been admiring for months. I turn green with envy every time I open JulieKQuilts blog, and see this quilt in her header.

And next:

FINALLY! The directions to finish the Shirt Stripes Boxes quilt.

My version will be twice as wide as the one in the book, and will be perfectly sized for our queen-sized bed (I hope)!

Quilting with my buddy

2012-01-08T14:36:00.001-05:00

Something about a sewing machine that has Gibson right up and in the thick of things. I like to pretend he believes he's being helpful, but I know darn well he does it to be a pain in the ass --- much the same reasons as he does everything else,e.g. meow in my face at 4 a.m., leap at my legs as I walk by any piece of furniture he's hiding behind, stick his paw in my glass of milk, stand on the edge of the tub and watch me bathe, sit on the newspaper when I'm trying to read it, lick the antiperspirant off my armpit when I'm having a nap, etc. But look at that face! Awwwwwwwww

So I still haven't been able to get the Kaffe Fassett book from the library so I can finish my Shirt Stripes Boxes quilt. No matter -- not like I don't have anything else to work on.

A UFO came out of the cupboard

2012-01-02T21:06:00.001-05:00

Hubby went back to work today, and Itty Bitty went back to University. I had the whole day, and the whole place to myself (unless you count Gibby, and we probably should!). I puttered around, ran the dust cloth around, and did some tidying. And just as I planned...I finished the last 24 blocks for Shirt Stripe Boxes. Now I have to borrow the book from the library again so I can figure out how to put it together!

I had barely put a dent in the day, so I decided to pull out an old project to work away on. I found a kit for a table runner that I bought a couple of years ago at a quilt show. I had barely started it, because I had made a cutting mistake, and had to replace one of the fabrics. Well, I found the fabric I needed, and got to work on the table runner pictured on the back cover of "Cottage Charms" Art To Heart - Nancy Halvorsen.

It's been awhile since I've done much appliqué, and I love all of the Art To Heart designs.

Thrifting in Guelph

2011-12-31T15:56:00.000-05:00

I thought I was finally finished all of the blocks for my Shirt Stripe Boxes. I pressed and squared up the last of my blocks last night and discovered that I'm 24 3.5" blocks short. Just one more shirt!

So Hubby and I headed out bright and early this morning and hit a couple of thrift stores. There's five thrift stores that I enjoy visiting when I'm in the neighbourhood.

Bibles for Missions is almosty hyper-compulsively organized - big, bright, and spacious. They price their items intelligently. However, I haven't found anything really spectacular there myself. Hubby on the other hand, bought a beautiful London Fog leather coat for $18 there a few weeks back. Nothing today -- it was closed!

St. Vincent de Paul's is also well organized, although space becomes a little crowded in the back room. Prices are good too. I have been able to find a couple of things -- a gorgeous pair of grey and black plaid slacks (name brand) perfect for the office, and today I found a pair of jeans, and a couple of vintage aprons that I am going to cut up for quilts. No shirts, so off to our next stop.

Goodwill is a big store out near the junction of 6 and 7. Aisles are nice and wide, but the racks are too crowded to have a good look. My arms are aching after a few minutes of pushing hangers apart. The prices are very high (in my humble opinion). I did find two really good quality cutter shirts, and a couple of books. Hubby found a shirt for himself.

Value Village - I could spend hours here. A little pricey, but the variety of items is very good, and the stock always seems fresh. I didn't see anything I couldn't live without today, but then I didn't really spend enough time to have a good look -- and I wasn't looking for anything either, so there was no challenge of a hunt.

We didn't make it to Salvation Army this morning. It's a very well stocked store compared to other Sally Ann's I've shopped. I've had good experiences with the staff. Once, I was buying a piece of glass, which was marked $2.99, which I thought was fair, but when the clerk saw the price, she wondered aloud what the person was thinking when he/she priced it, and only charged me $.99. Another time I was buying some cutter shirts, and the clerk gave me a sale price -- even though I didn't see any signage about sales anywhere.

No big plans for New Year's Eve for me and Hubby. Itty Bitty is playing a gig in Brantford tonight - so we're on our own. The neighbours have invited us down for a party, to which we should make a brief appearance. Maybe I'll ring in the New Year by finishing those last 24 blocks!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-30T07:26:00.000-05:00

I have been wishing away this holiday season - anxious to get back to work. In fact, although the office has been closed this week, I actually went in for a couple of hours on Wednesday, and another few hours yesterday. I took Itty Bitty with me, and put him to work doing some clerical jobs for me, and grunt work in general. I can hardly wait to get back to work on Tuesday!

January will mean more time out of the office, and more time in the community. I'm very excited about this opportunity! I'll be spending Tuesday mornings at a local community centre which provides services and meals for people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and other inter-related issues. People will be able to see me on a "drop-in" basis, and I will be able to connect them with the appropriate services, particularly legal services.

Christmas Eve ... and we're getting ready for our New Year's resolution a la Gail Vaz-Oxlade

2011-12-24T17:12:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday, the three of us took root on the couch, and just lazed all day long, watching a marathon of the TV show "Til Debt Do Us Part" hosted by Gail Vaz-Oxlade.

We wondered how she figured out all the numbers, and how to divide up the variable expenses into the five "Magic Jars". By afternoon, I was surfing the 'net and discovered all of the helpful resources, and interactive worksheets on Gail's website. By mid week, I had a 'hold' placed on her books at the local library, and last night, Hubby and I went to bed, each with a book. Today we came up with a budget, and a plan. It will likely take the rest of the week to get completely organized, but we're so excited!

Turns out, we're not in bad shape at all -- I thought maybe we were paying way too much for housing, because rent it so high here. But Gail says we can spend up to 35% of our net income on housing ( and utilities, insurance, etc.) and we're actually under that figure. Transportation costs should be up to 15%. Since I don't have to pay for parking, and my car only gets taken out of the parkade once or twice a week, we are well under that as well.

Starting January 1st, we start our "cash only" lifestyle.

Saturday Adventures in Wellington County

2011-12-11T11:42:00.001-05:00

Hubby and I went on an adventure yesterday to explore Wellington County before the snow gets deep.

Our first stop was the Wellington County Archives and Museum. It was once the House of Industry and Refuge (The Poor House), and later a Home for the Aged. I was here recently for a meeting, and the building is on a beautiful piece of land, on a beautiful track of road, and guess what?

That's right...an exhibition of quilts! And all of them Log Cabins.

There's Hubby -- intently examining the antique needlework.

This sampler was stitched by the grandmother of John McCrae, the author of "In Flanders Fields", who was a native of Guelph, ON. It dates to 1820.

And speaking of "In Flanders Fields" there was another very impressive exhibition at the museum: "Far from Home: A Soldier's Life at the Front 1914-1918". This major gallery installation features a life-size trench and takes an in-depth look at the young soldiers who served in World War I. A unique feature of this exhibit: descendants of Wellington County soldiers were used as models for the mannequins and painting in the gallery.

You walk into the trench, and see the scraps of wood and tin holding up the walls, and rats crawling around. There's barbed wire over your head, and flashes as bombs explode overhead. The sounds of battle are all around you. You can climb up for a peek through the periscope and see the German front.

It was incredible to me to see the photos of the descendents of the soldiers, and how much they looked like their great-grandfathers, and great-granduncles. It's hard to tell in this photo, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Another poignant and interesting exhibit that we spent at least an hour examining was "If These Walls Could Speak: The House of Industry and Refuge, 1877-1947. I didn't take any photos of that.

Here's a scene from a 1920's kitchen. My mom has told me dozens of times about her grandmother's "Hoosier cupboard" - that was always just a little bit different from every one we saw in museums and antique shops. I wonder if this "Eatonia" Kitchen Cabinet is like Gramma Sassie's.

Next we were off to Elora where we had a delicious lunch at The Cork.

Pretty fancy Cheese Burger, huh?
As we were leaving, we were given coupons for $10 for the Grand River Racetrack slots. Why not? We came out ahead $2.50! :)

Heard of Pook Dukes?

2011-12-05T17:43:00.000-05:00

I saw these mittens in the window of a shop while I was out this afternoon, and made a sharp 90 degree turn right in - I HAD to have them!!! I got a pair for me and Itty Bitty - his face lit right up when he saw them!

They are called Pook Dukes, and they are Canadian made (eh) - and don't they just scream out "I AM CANADIAN!!!" They are wool socks, but the lining is fleece.

Yes, Itty Bitty is here for a day or two, studying for exams, getting some home cooking. We hadn't realized how much we missed him!

City sidewalks...busy sidewalks...

2011-12-02T20:09:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I went for a walk after dinner last night, with the sole intention of capturing a photo of this store window display. I was so impressed by the creativity of this "tree" in the window of a consignment shop!

And didn't we laugh when we saw this special lamp in another window!

It brought to mind my favourite holiday movie: A Christmas Story

Here's one of my favourite scenes:

Weekend Warrior!

2011-11-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

Fourth Fridays in Guelph means celebrating the creative, neighbourly, interesting, cool, welcoming vibe of Downtown Guelph on the Fourth Friday of each month, to join in a culture crawl taking in a variety of interesting artistic happenings -- art galleries, musical performances, etc. Hubby refused to partake of any spoken word events (what? come on! you can brag to your friends that you went to a poetry reading!) but we did catch some ice sculpture taking place out in our front yard - stopping to watch a man carve a lifesize reindeer with power tools.

Then we headed just around the corner for a wine tasting event at the Red Brick Cafe, with our neighbour Mike. We spent a couple of hours there, trying four different wines from Italy, Spain, and California - 1 white and 3 reds. I'm not much a wine drinker - but we were provided with tasting notes for each wine -- I didn't think the white tasted like grass at all, but I did notice the lemon-lime finish.

Hubby has gone 'home' to St. Thomas today, so I spent the afternoon at the office putting in some "lieu time" (I want to take Tues. afternoon off) tidying up some files, clearing off my desk, finishing up some documentation.

Tonight I'm cutting up fabric for Shirt Stripe Boxes and listening to CBC radio. I love CBC radio - especially Saturday nights - first Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap and then Saturday Night Blues. Take a listen to the podcasts available on the websites and see if you don't become a fan!

Hubby is a Funny Guy

2011-11-23T15:27:00.000-05:00

That Hubby of mine is a really funny guy. I have to share some Hubby-isms. (I bet you have one just like him at home!)

This morning I woke up with a bizarre thought in my head. I was remembering a TV commercial from my childhood for a toy called "Digger the Dog". Still lying in bed, I asked Hubby: "Do you remember a commercial from a long long long time ago for a toy called Digger the Dog?"

He immediately starts singing: "Digger the Dog -- he likes to go with you -- when you explore..."

I couldn't believe my ears! I laughed myself silly, and jumped out of bed to check youtube and see if he had it right!

A couple of weeks ago, I guess Hubby had had quite enough of my bad attitude. He looked at my left wrist tattoo, which says "Strength & Purpose", and suggested: "Why don't you get "Patience & Understanding" on the other wrist?"

Last night, I was merrily sewing away on crumb blocks from all the scraps from the Shirt Stripe Boxes blocks that I've been working on.

HE: Are you still working on that same quilt?
ME: Yep (...well, technically not -- but it was too complicated to explain that I was merely using up the scraps that "that same quilt" had given birth to)
HE: You've been working on that for awhile.
ME: Yep
HE: It's taking a long time. I would have thought you were done by now!

(sigh) That Hubby....he's always cracking me up!

Sunday morning

2011-11-20T09:54:00.000-05:00

I did a block count this morning, and I'm nearly at the halfway point - 198 blocks towards a total of 406. And I have used 9 shirts so far. I've also been peicing some crumb blocks from the left overs.

Out of the blue, I baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies last night, and fed warm, chewy cookies to Hubby right off the baking sheet.

Gibson is sitting on top of the dining room table, about 15 feet away from me, looking at me as if I'm nuts. That's fair, because I spend most of the day doing the exact same thing -- looking at him and wondering if he is nuts. He does the weirdest stuff. This morning he has played hockey with a bottle cap, writhed in unadulterated pleasure on a towel on the bathroom floor, chewed happily away on a tiny strip of fabric, and pawed everything he can off the coffee table.

Actually, now that I think about it....probably what he is thinking is...."Get off your ass and clean this dump up!"

'cuz Itty Bitty said so

2011-11-19T18:42:00.000-05:00

I've run out of shirts again! Good thing Monday is 50% off day at Value Village. It even opens early at 7am - which means I can run in for a quick shop before heading off to a morning of hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job? I've been completely SWAMPED this past week with new intakes, and this coming week I've already got myself booked much more OUT of the office than IN the office. Sound stressful? Well...yes...but it's incredible to be so busy, and get so much work done. I feel like a professional star hockey player -- everything is happening so fast, whipping back and forth, but when that puck goes in the net? SCO-O-O-ORE!!!!!!!!

And I don't think I've mentioned how much I love my new city. Hubby and I went out this morning to a Christmas bazaar at a chuch just a block up the street across from our apartment, then strolled down another block to have a lovely breakfast. On the way home, we stopped at the market to pick up a few ingredients for tonight's dinner, and ogled the beautiful holiday decorations in the shop windows. Grabbed the Saturday morning paper, and came back home to just relax and nap and putter around. Doesn't that sound amazing? I love my life!

Blog I've discovered

2011-11-10T19:34:00.000-05:00

JulieKQuilts - I love the quilt in the photo header of her blog. And just looking at her post for today is ample proof that we share a great deal in quilty common.

I definitely have to look for the book that has that header photo quilt in it!

a perfect dismount!

2011-11-10T19:20:00.000-05:00

I gave a presentation today to some mental health support workers all about the Residential Tenancy Act. My boss was coming along to handle the tough questions, and to make sure I knew what the heck I was doing, I reckon!

I was laying in bed this morning, wondering what I was going to do to "wow" the crowd, and decided I would add my own personal flourish to the regular power point, and include some slides on Human Rights Code.

I think I scared the bejeeezuz out of my employer - ACK! UNVETTED CONTENT! UNVETTED CONTENT!

But I landed a perfect dismount. The crowd went wild.

Bus Drivers are big jerks...just sayin'. Conversations that will make my weird family laugh.

2011-11-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

I've been worried about my favourite street person. I hadn't seen him around the neighbourhood for about a week. Finally on Friday, I went up to the central bus stop, where several city buses all gather every so often to transfer passengers. This just happens to be in my 'front yard'. Anyway -- a couple of drivers were standing on the sidewalk, having a chin wag. I interrupted:

ME: Excuse me. Have you seen Carlo around lately? I haven't seen him for awhile, and I'm starting to worry about him.
HE: Oh yeah, he's around. I saw him last night.
ME: Oh that's good. I work down at the legal clinic, and he's usually in front of my office window everyday.
HE: Well, it's getting colder.
ME: Oh. Does that keep him indoors?
HE: No. But when it gets colder, we let him drive the bus.

I saw him today - singing his lungs out next to my office window. So, I went out to talk to him

ME: Where have you been? I've missed you!
HE: I be right here! You dinna bringa me coffee for long time!
ME: I'll bring you a coffee when I come back from lunch.
HE: How long you gonna be?
ME: About an hour.
HE: About an hour. Okay! I wait. RIGHT HERE!

Got a work story. I work in an office with ALL women. We can be silent all day long, nose to the keyboards, working straight through until close. Occassionally, a strange conversation will erupt.
So, it was a lovely, fair day. Sunshine and mild temperatures. Not typical November weather, that's for sure. But I slipped out this afternoon to move my car, and the skies had clouded over.

ME: Looks like it could rain.

A little while later, a volunteer comes in.

SHE: Looks like it could rain.

A few more minutes later, and a colleague comes in.

SHE: It's not gonna rain. It's clearing up.
ME: (I start singing)

ANOTHER SHE: What's that? Fiddler on the Roof?
ME: Alice Cooper. 1971
ANOTHER SHE: I was never a big Alice Cooper fan.
ME: I was a big Cooper fan.
ANOTHER SHE: I can't see it.
ANOTHER SHE: Me neither

ANOTHER SHE: I could totally see Nancy---outside an Alice Cooper concert... handing out clean needles, or something...

ANOTHER SHE: Yeah, doing some community outreach maybe.
ANOTHER SHE: That sounds about right.
ME: Shut up! I used to be cool!

Backwards Blogging

2011-11-07T18:43:00.000-05:00

All my photos loaded last to first, so I'm going with it. I'm just gonna blog backwards. Hubby and I picked up a beautiful pair of lamps for $5 each at Goodwill. All they needed was shades. Today I slipped over to St. Vinny's and picked up some shades at 2 for $5. I'm really happy how they look on my bedside tables!

Occupy Guelph has moved from my front yard. The tent city came down sometime last week, and at least part of it is now moved to Royal City Park.

Hubby and I happened to be down visiting the park to feed the ducks yesterday. And what a gorgeous day it was -- and today was a replay! Sunshine and mild temperatures.

Here's a Mr. and Mrs Mallard in the centre of the photo.

The gulls are im-'bird'-inating ducks. It worked, 'cuz we fed them too.

I also did a little sewing - racked up a few more blocks for Shirt Stripes Boxes - The Sequel. I am now out of blue striped shirts - which explains my sneaky trip to St. Vinny's on my lunch hour! I guess this isn't a backwards blog post at all -- more of a full circle!

Early morning sewing

2011-11-03T17:16:00.000-04:00

I was up before the crack of dawn this morning, and sewed some more blocks for Shirt Stripe Boxes - The Sequel! I did some calculations the other day, and it looks like I'll have to make this version 50% bigger than the first version I made, which was 33% bigger than the book instructions. Go big or go home!

I can't express how much fun it is to put these blocks together. I don't always get the stripes perfectly matched up, and in fact, the instructions give permission to let the stripes wave a little -- but it's so exciting when they come out perfect!

Rough day at work...whew! Glad to have my bra off, and my slippers on. I've made myself a cup of tea, and I'm going to catch up with this week's episode of "House".

I've got a confession...

2011-10-31T20:32:00.000-04:00

I've been reading trash again. I've already confessed to my guiltiest pleasure - an unwholesome attraction to trashy historical romance novels.

I've now sunk to even lower depths. I've stumbled upon a series by Lauren Willig, which mashes a good old bodice ripper with (gulp...dare I say it?) chick lit!

I can't 'do' chick lit - post-feminist fluff, with too many pages devoted to lighthearted chit-chat of lip gloss, fashion, shopping, cocktails and the self-depricating inner voice. But I'm hooked.

The hook here is that a contemporary romance story is laid over the historical story, as grad student Eloise Kelly researches the League of the Pink Carnation among the private papers of the devastatingly handsome and rich Colin Selwick. That love affair is yet to be requited, but each book has ended in the happily-ever-after marriage of another historical couple.

I've already read the first five in the series:

      The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (spring 1803)

      The Masque of the Black Tulip (spring/summer 1803)
      The Deception of the Emerald Ring (summer 1803)
      The Seduction of the Crimson Rose (autumn 1803)
      The Mischief of the Mistletoe (winter 1803)

...and after work tonight, Hubby and I walked over to the library and I picked up the next two books in the series.

What another nice weekend!

2011-10-30T21:39:00.000-04:00

I spent today sewing more blocks for Shirt Stripe Boxes. I even pieced together a few "odd" blocks with left over triangles. Looks like Sundays are turning into my favourite day to sew!

See...I still don't have a design wall, or a sewing room for that matter, so I have to drag my gear out to the dining room table, so any day but Sunday is out of the question. It's just not worth the effort to bring set everything up, just to have to turn around and put it away again!

I even tried my hand a making some "crumb blocks" but nothing ready for the camera!

Friday night, Hubby and I joined the neighbours for a couple of glasses of wine...which spiralled into a couple of bottles of wine...and when the Tequila shots started, it was darn near time for me to go home to bed! The neighbours are really nice kids, and they think we are "the best neighbours we ever had!" Wonder who our competetion was - LOL!!!

Saturday night (the adult Hallowe'en) we went to Brantford to see Itty Bitty play a gig at a little bar there. He hooked up with the other three members through an add on kijiji, and it has worked out to be a really good part time job for him while he's at university. We only stayed for one set - but they sounded pretty good! Itty Bitty is definitely the baby among the group -- the drummer is old enough to be his grandfather (and I asked him to look after the wee laddie for us).

nananananananananana...BASS-MAN!!!!

We came home to a ...uh... bustling downtown about 11:30 last night. The sidewalks were filled with university students, under-dressed, and over-drunk. The costumes were bizarre. Why is it that young women chose to dress up for Hallowe'en as prostitutes? The most outlandish costume I saw was the Sexy Holsteins. Imagine, cow ears and horns, a tiny mini skirt -- thank goodness their udders were covered!

It seems the city buses were rerouted to accomodate the huge influx of party goers that filled the streets downtown. We were stopped by police on our way into the downtown core in a "Ride Program".We had to walk from our parking garage around the block because the interior doors and elevators that we usually use were locked, so we got to enjoy the sights and sounds. There was even a 3 piece band performing right on the sidewalk in front of my office! I'm sure the sidewalks were awash in vomit this morning.

Hot Flashes and Heart Burn

2011-10-26T11:43:00.000-04:00

Rough night -- hot flashes AND heart burn. How is this fair? Finally around 3 am I had enough, got up and opened a window in the living room, took some heart burn medication, and laid on the couch with a chilly 6 degree breeze blowing on my feet. I did manage to get a few hours of sleep before that damn alarm clock (Gibson) starting going off (meowing, because he knows when its time for him to get a dish of cream). Spoiled brat.

So, I'm out in the country today, doing some community outreach. Glad I brought some work from the office, because I haven't seen a single client all morning!

On the Floor

2011-10-24T17:16:00.000-04:00

What a fantastic weekend I had!

This might sound strange -- but I didn't feel like I HAD to try to relax really hard to get it all in. I actually got to just relax. Weird, eh?

I puttered around, stayed in my jammies most of Sunday - - my housework is all caught up - - and I got some reading in - - On Saturday, Hubby and I went to a rummage sale at a nearby church, and picked up a pair of great lamps for our living room, and grabbed a coffee on the walk back to the apartment.

Plus! Yesterday, I took my sewing machine apart, gave it a throrough cleaning, changed the needle, gave it a drop or two of oil, and did some SEWING!! I've gotten some more blocks done for Shirt Stripe Boxes. Three shirts in so far, and I've got a fourth cut up, and ready to go!

It's been a busy week...

2011-10-21T20:47:00.000-04:00

Don't let the photos fool you, I haven't stitched a darn thing since Sunday. But I remembered to upload the pics!

Ya, bad pic. But I have six more hexi flowers to add to the pile.

And I did give into the urge to start another Kaffe Fasset Shirt Stripe Boxes. I've got another shirt all cut up into triangles, and all ready for sewing this weekend.

But in all other areas -- it's been busy. Every day at work have been swamped. Can it be just a few weeks ago that I was begging for referrals from my colleagues, and gratefully taking any grunt work off their hands? Plus, I've been working on an essay that had to be sent in to my prof by midnight tonight - - every night this week typing, reading, researching, editing, rewriting.

I was out of town at a meeting all day -- in the same town as Itty Bitty. So after the meeting, I picked him up and we went out to do a little shopping and dinner -- it was good to see him. And even better to see that his residence room wasn't as outrageously appalling as I remember his big brother's being in his college days.

(Still No) Design Wall Monday

2011-10-17T18:10:00.000-04:00

I appreciate all the design wall suggestions - had Hubby take a look at them, and hopefully I'll have something fixed up soon.

Surprise! I got my sewing machine out! And Gibby remembers what his job is....bite at pieces as they come through the feed dogs.

It's been a freaky weekend in Guelph. Saturday was the 1st Annual Guelph Zombie Walk. My mother-in-law was visiting this past weekend, and we were having coffee in the mall, when a blood covered man went lurching past. What?!?! Pretty soon a whole parade of raggedy, maimed, blood splattered, undead dragging past us. NEXT! Yesterday protesters took over the Square in front of our apartment to Occupy Guelph. There's still folks out there in their tents in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Great Guild Night!

2011-10-12T19:10:00.000-04:00

I had a good time at the Royal City Quilters' Guild last night! Dwayne Wanner gave a fantastic talk on inspiration and challenges of quilting. Take a look at his gallery; the quilts were beautiful. He was a riveting speaker as well! Any quilt guild should see if they can schedule Dwayne to come for a visit.

Dwayne will be teaching at the Greenwood Quiltery here in Guelph. I see the fall sessions are full, but a late winter session has been added. Fifteen of his quilts are hanging in the gallery at Greenwood. I told Hubby we would need to go--he loves art, and these quilts are definitely art!

I officially "joined" the guild last night, and to make my introduction, I decided to Show&Share some quilts that best reflect ME and my 'style'. Of course I took three quilts that I made of recycled shirts: Postcards from Canada, Seven Shirts, and Shirt-Stripe Boxes. I met Kathy (THE Kathy of Kathy's Quilts!!!) hehe..sorry Kathy....had to do it! who has used my design for Seven Shirts to teach a workshop. I was thrilled to finally meet her -- such a small world!

As a new member, I received the cutest little pin cushion! I'll have to post a photo later.

The biggest surprise last night was HUBBY! He had just left Monday, and here he was BACK! He plans to spend the WHOLE WEEK with me. He can stay forever -- he's been taking good care of me. He had my lunch nearly ready when I got home at noon, and tonight for supper he made a lovely Italian meal.

Our beautiful weather seems to be gone now -- cool temperatures and drippy skies. Ah, well. It was nice while it lasted.

I don't have a design wall anymore (sigh)

2011-10-10T20:05:00.001-04:00

I guess I'll have to make do with a "design couch". What do other quilters in rental accomodations do for their design walls? I was thinking that a temporary idea would be to double-sided tape an old flannelette sheet up on on of the closet doors. I know there are colapsible design walls that you can purchase, but....uh...I don't know if you know this about me? I'm cheap!

I guess I'll have to make do with a "design couch". What do other quilters in rental accomodations do for their design walls? I was thinking that a temporary idea would be to double-sided tape an old flannelette sheet up on on of the closet doors. I know there are colapsible design walls that you can purchase, but....uh...I don't know if you know this about me? I'm cheap!

While I was surfing around some of my old online haunts, I came upon Judy Laquidara's blog post: Design Wall Monday. And I wanted to get in on it, but alas...no design wall. However, Design Couch is Gibby certified as an acceptible short-term solution. Thank you Gibby.

I have no idea how I'm going to put these babies together, now that I'm up to 78! I'll have to look around the 'net and see if I can find some inspiration.

Just Hangin' Out

2011-10-10T09:22:00.000-04:00

Thankfully, Gibby has his naughty bits covered. The dear old thing has been spending a great deal of time, these past few weeks, working on his predatory skills. He's been doing quite a lot of skulking, creeping, leaping, blitzing, and this morning, launched a full frontal attack, vaulting out from behind the bedroom door, attempting to sink his non-existant talons into my left thigh, and smacking his head off my crotch. Operation aborted. He's now on the dining room table, laying on my computer mousing trying to hatch it, I reckon.

Thankful

2011-10-09T21:35:00.001-04:00

It's been a beautiful weekend. Itty Bitty decided university residence long weekends were pretty lonely, so he came and spent the night in Guelph with us last night, and then we headed "home" today to have breakfast with my family, and turkey dinner with Hubby's this afternoon.

It was nice to see everyone, and of course the drive was lovely -- all the autumn colours are blazing! This is my favourite season.

I had a chance to talk quilts with my S-I-L this afternoon, and that really got me itching to do some sewing. So when I got back home I started pulling out some old projects. I spent a bit of time working on a new block for Baltimore Folk Fusion. Cut some pieces out, and pressed the background fabric. Starting to lose the light, I switched to Grandmother's Flower Garden. I've run out of ugly vintage fabrics, so I'm having to mix two prints in each blossom. I'm up to 76 now!

Autumn Splendour

2011-10-06T21:15:00.000-04:00

Ah - another gorgeous day in Guelph - and a forecast of at least another four days just like it!

I had a really good social work-y day. All my clients had great outcomes, or are moving forward with whatever particular issue we are working on. But I had kind of a crappy, rest-of-my-life day. My landlord called me at work -- and he is LIVID that I have a cat. I'm not sure how he found out. As much as I know it's really not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things (it's not like he can DO anything about it) I'm still upset about the confrontation. It was very uncomfortable. UGH!

I did something very unusual tonight - I BAKED! I don't bake. I really rarely cook. I prefer the "eat" part of the whole food thing. But, since this turned out SO GOOD, even for someone with such limited skills I had to share.

I picked up some magazines at the library book sale the other day for a dime a piece. One of them was a Oct 2010 issue of Create & Decorate.

Every issue includes a feature called "For Your Country Kitchen", and this time they included a recipe from Charlotte's House B&B in Bolton, MA. for "Apple Crisp Bars". This recipe takes the flavours and sweetness of apple crisp and turns it into a very portable bar. And there are no weird ingredients or scary techniques. I gotta admit - I wasn't sure how this was all going to stick together. But they do - and they are YUMMY!

Apple Crisp Bars

Preheat oven to 350, and grease a 9x13 pan

Crust
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (I used margarine)

Mix the flour, sugar, and butter together -- you can use a pastry blender, but I just used my hands. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan

Filling
4 tart apples (I used Spartans)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup white sugar

Mix the dry ingredients together. Peel, core, and chop apples into 1/4" - 1/2" pieces. Blend with dry ingredients, coating apples completely and pour into crust evenly.

Topping
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
12 (twelve) Tbsp melted butter (I used marg.)
Mix together until everything is moist. Sprinkle over apples, and press topping down with the palm of your hand.

Bake 45 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

A Terrific Tuesday! Ending on a bit of a frown.

2011-10-04T18:46:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this sunshine and warm weather, especially after the icky weekend we had. You just never know what you're gonna get in October! Hubby and I will be celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend - I think it's the 8th, but I'm never quite sure. Anyway...the year before our wedding, while we were making arrangements, the weather was like this - bright skies and mild temperatures. The next year, on the day of our wedding, there was actual SNOW falling! UGH! But this week looks like a beauty.

I even had to turn on a little A/C tonight when I got home from work, in order to simmer up a pot of homemade Cauliflower Cheddar soup! It's still bubbling on the stove, and smells terrific.

I stopped at the library today to get a week's worth of DVDs, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a quilt book I hadn't seen before: Marie Osmond's Heartfelt Giving

It's got some cute stuff in it! Next time you're at your library, see if they have a copy. There is a baby quilt in it that is too adorable, as well as a matching diaper bag. There's a quilt called "Paper Roses" and the rose details are something I've never seen before--something to keep in the old memory bank.

I haven't told you about my favourite street person. Living and working in the downtown core means lots of interaction with some colourful characters. My favourite street person is a senior Italian man, who spends his days camped out in front of my office. Everybody knows who he is, because he's generally shouting at cars, or singing at the top of his lungs.

He hit me up pretty regularly for change "for coffee". So now, every morning when I make my tea to take to work, I fix a travel mug of coffee for my buddy. When he's done with it, he brings it into the office, and leaves it at the reception desk. We've had a couple of chats, when he's most lucid. I mean, he's clearly got some mental health issues, but he's basically harmless, though sometimes a bit of a nuisance when he really gets loud.

The other morning, I went into work early to get some stuff done -- at about 7 am. I didn't make up our mugs because I didn't think he'd be there THAT early. WRONG!

HE: Hey-a guwrl. (I've told him my name a dozen times) You bring-a me coffee?

ME: Oh Carlo! I'm sorry. I haven't even had my coffee yet.

HE: Come he-ya. (reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a handful of change he's panhandled) Come on. I buy-a you a coffee.

No, I didn't let the him buy me a coffee. But he did do me a solid and lend me some street cred. There was an altercation on the corner the other day between my buddy and a woman, who was clearly out of her mind to mess with him! I immediately ran out to put a stop to the fight, and within moments a police officer arrived. I explained that I had witnessed the entire thing, and the woman had gotten him agitated. Carlo was standing right there in the huddle with me and the cop.

HE: (to the cop) She a nice-a guwrl. She buy-a me coffee. She bring-a me McDonald's....(not true, but I appreciate that he had my back -- I bring him cookies,cheese and crackers, and muffins)

A few days later, I was sitting with my buddy on the planter in front of my office, assessing how another street altercation was shaping up (this time, not involving him). The offended party came across the street and says to Carlo, "can you believe that mange-cake accusing me of stealing?" He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a cigarette and gives it to Carlo.

HE: Ah! No! The police-a man, he like-a you. He like-a me. He like-a her.

That seemed to reassure the other fellow, and he went on his way.

Today, I didn't see my friend until closing time, as I was locking up the office. He was sitting on the planter in front of the building. I sat down beside him, and told him I was sorry I didn't see him all day. Then I noticed a big fresh bruise on his jaw.

ME: What happened to your face?

HE: What.

ME: It looks sore.

HE: Oh, I just-a scratch it with my finger.

Clearly, someone didn't like-a my buddy Carlo as much as I do.

The neighbours are VEGANS!! - - no judgement here....

2011-10-03T20:03:00.000-04:00

...because they are totally terrific human beings. They fill my wine glass, and let me steal their internet! Yes, I'm still without phone, cable, and internet. Living a very frugal life here. Paying rent on my apartment, AND a mortgage on the house makes for some pretty tight purse strings. Good thing I'm naturally so CHEAP!

I do have my cell phone - and I only call Hubby and the boys. We're on the same plan, so it's free calling between us. When I do have some spare time to sit in front of the telly, I've been watching DVDs borrowed from the library. I'm making my way through a set of Catherine Cookson movies currently. Love me a period costume drama!!

I've been thinking a lot about making another Kaffe Fasset Shirt Stripe Boxes quilt. The one I made last year is currently on the bed back at the house in St. T. It looks wonderful, but I need a bigger one for the queen sized bed here. Sigh...so many projects...so little time.

The Elora Gorge

2011-10-01T09:52:00.000-04:00

I love how the tree roots look! Hubby and I took a stroll through the Elora Gorge last weekend. It was probably the most relaxed Sunday afternoon we'd enjoyed in three months. There was an art studio tour going on in Elora coincidently--I didn't know anything about it until we got there--and this is just right up Hubby's Alley.

One of the galleries we visited was called Styll and there were having a special exhibition and sale called Styll Squared. Local artisans, working in clay, glass, metal, wood and textile had created diverse wall sculptures, each piece 12 inches square. It reminded me of a quilt!

We had lunch on the deck overlooking the Grand River at a nice little restaurant called Mill Street Bakery &Bistro.

Time flies...

2011-09-19T18:16:00.002-04:00

I HAVE to share this good deal I got yesterday at Zellers. It was Itty Bitty's birthday, and since he was coming for Sunday dinner, I decided to bake him a cake. However, I had tossed out all of my gross, crusty, blackened bakeware, so it was time to replace it. I had enough HBC points for a $10 gift certificate, and all of their Wilton bakeware was BOGO, and all Kitchen Aid skillets were $19.99. The 12" skillet is reg $60, and the 10" is reg. $40. The cookie sheets are reg. $18, and the round cake pan $12. I got $160 worth of new stuff for my kitchen, once I used my SPC card (10% off) and the $10 gift card for $61.14!!!

And the cake I baked was delicious. I sent the leftovers (only two pieces were cut from it) back to university residence with him. I hear he had chocolate cake for breakfast.

This photo didn't turn out as good as I hoped. I was back in Fergus last week, and this is the view of the Grand River from the staff kichen at the agency I was visiting. You can't get a really good idea of how beautiful it is because of the sunny glare through the window panes. Check out the window sill though - - that is how thick the stone walls are.

I popped into the library tonight. I had no idea Jennifer Chiaverini had a new book out. Too bad I have homework tonight -- no reading for fun tonight!

Homework? Yes - I'm taking a distance course. It's called "People and Plagues". It's an anthropology course, and I'm enjoying it so far. I'm kinda freaked out about the amount of reading though - - FIVE TEXTBOOKS!!! ARGH!!!

I went to The Royal City Quilt Guild last week. Sandy Small Proudfoot was the speaker, and showed many of the quilts that are pictured on her website. The ladies at guild were very friendly - I must have had "the look" (I'm new here! Talk to me!) because both ladies on either side of me struck up conversations with me.

Gibby Kitty is now living with me! He loves Guelph too. He's a purring maniac, and a big suck. He doesn't want me to pay attention to anything but him. I was texting Hubby on my BlackBerry this morning, and Gibby came and sat on my head so I couldn't see. When I leave the apartment, he gives me a guilt trip. Poor kitty has been traumatized.

I'm going to Elora tomorrow. I hope the weather is better - - it's chilly and rainy today!

Can't think of a clever title Title

2011-09-10T21:08:00.000-04:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I have last posted - and I should bring everyone (Happy Birthday MOM!) up to date.

The Job

I love it. It's hard, and confusing, and frustrating. I get to use my intellect, and instinct, and creativity. This equals one fantastic career. I'm starting to see some clients now that I've had a few weeks to learn a bit about the community and its resources.

Guelph and Wellington County

I went to Fergus on Thursday. I can't believe I've lived so close, and never visited before! It's lovely! The agency I visited is located in an old stone building, backing right up to the river. The community outreach workers I was meeting with invited me into their staff kitchen, and I stopped short when I saw the view out the window of the river cutting through a stone gorge and surging over rocks. It was breathtaking. I blurted out "You get to see this EVERYDAY!" Stunning. I'm going to be visiting again on this coming Monday - I'll try to take a photo. I can't imagine how beautiful it will be when the autumn leaves are in full colour.

The other day, an email went out to the office staff to find out who was going to attend the next meeting of some community group or other. No one seemed too eager to go, and I replied to the email with something like "I'll go if there is butter tarts". To make a long story short - I was shock and delighted to learn that Wellington County is home to the Butter Tart Trail! Can you imagine combining the Butter Tart Trail with the Wellington County Brewery Tour?

Hubby

Poor Hubby. He's still home in St. T. trying to finish up some things around here. The house is darn near empty. If he wants to sit at a table to eat, it has to be outside. If he wants to eat, he better get it elsewhere, because the BBQ is already in storage, and the only cooking implement he has is a frying pan.

Gibson the Cat

Poor Gibby. He's still home in St. T. trying to help Hubby cope with solitude. Gibby was so happy to see me this weekend. I gave him such a scratching and a petting this morning, he was drooling, and his paws were all wet. Then I put him outside on his leash, and he ate as much grass as a small sheep. He revelled in it.

Itty Bitty

The baby is in residence at university. We delivered him on Labour Day Monday, and he let me stay just long enough to make his bed up, and then said "You may go now". WHAT?!?!?! I wanted to unpack, and organize, and set things up just so for my little man! (sigh)

It's been "O" week for first year students, with a full schedule of events, presentations, and fun activities. I stopped by last night on my way through SW Ontario, to deliver a mattress top from Ikea to improve the quality of rest (it seems rez mattresses have granite like qualities). He reluctantly let me up to his room, which he shares with three other boys. The door was wide open, and there was about ten boys in the room -- I reckon the "party room" of the 4th floor has been determined. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that the room wasn't in too bad a condition (note: I've been permanently scarred by the not only the appearance but the SMELL of Sailor Boy's college residence: L'eau de squalour et beurre d'archides). For starters, garbage was INSIDE appropriate receptacles - huh, who'd a thunk it?

Sailor Boy

Haven't heard much. Last I heard, he sailed into the tail end of Hurricane Irene, and remains at sea until the 23rd, I think. I happen to prefer to imagine him safe and sound in his old college residence, floating on top of squallid and peanut buttery ocean.

Quilting

I'm going to my first meeting of the Royal City Quilt Guild this Tuesday. I've got to put my mind towards what I might take with me for Show & Share as a way to introduce myself. I haven't started doing any sewing yet -- I've got my machines and fabric with me in Guelph, but I can't seem to find thread! Must be in a box somewhere...

What the??? I just GOT here!!

2011-08-22T08:22:00.000-04:00

This is the scene I witnessed outside last night. I only went out to get some milk so I could have breakfast in the morning, I swear!

HA! My entire block was shut down all day yesterday to film "Total Recall" scenes. The remake is set to be released in August 2012. Not my kind of movie, but I will have to see it, just to see if I recognize any of my neighbourhood in "post-apocolyptic England".

I had a great weekend. Hubby came to spend the weekend with me (he brought my sewing machine, and one of my totes of sewing stuff - so I can sew now!) and we were tourists. On the itinerary:

Dinner at Wimpy's Diner -- I've been smelling these ribs all week, and just waiting for the opportunity to try them!

Saturday:

Guelph Farmer's Market
breakfast at the Apollo 11 which is as "greasy spoon" as you can get, but hey - DH was tickled!
yard saling - we found some great art for the bathroom, a brand new cutting board and knife block, a dish rack, a key rack, and a grater. Driving around Guelph helped us get oriented to out new hometown
off to Ikea! I love Ikea, and it's only 25 minutes away now
late lunch/early supper at McCabe's. I had a chicken fajita wrap -- so good! DH had a roasted chicken pizza.

Sunday

back to Ikea - I had gotten the wrong lids for my garbage bins, and hey...can you beat the $1 breakfast at Ikea?
Aberfoyle Antiques Market - we'll be going back again and again - too much to see!
lunch at The Red Papaya Thai & Grill - DH had "drunken noodles" and I had pad thai. This was his first Thai experience, and he liked it a lot! Never too old to broaden one's horizons, eh?

I spent the afternoon doing laundry -- wow! I'm not a fan of apartment building laundry rooms - hot & filthy!

I still don't have phone, internet, or cable - and I'm not hooking any of these things up until hubby is moved here full time. I can use my cell, I can listen to CBC radio instead of listening to TV (there's nothing on anyway), and I can use the internet down here at Coco Latte steps outside of my door, as I enjoy my morning java!

This morning I'm going to be attending Landlord and Tenant hearings. In London, there is a entire floor of an office building dedicated full time to this. But I guess (and I haven't had a chance to figure it all out yet) it's a sort of "circuit court" sort of situation here in Guelph, where the hearings are held at a Best Western hotel! I'm in the wild frontier here maybe? I'm sure I'll know more about it by lunch time today.

Heaven! I'm in heaven!

2011-08-17T17:53:00.001-04:00

Mom - call Nanna and give her a report!

My first night was rough, because I couldn't figure out how to turn on the A/C, and I HAD to open the windows. It was pretty noisy (compared to what I'm used to) but settled down after midnight-ish.

My first day was terrific! The ladies in the office took me out for lunch. I had West African curry -- never had curry before, and it was good (but put me in a sweat, and made my nose run all afternoon). In the afternoon, I attended a community meeting and "worked the room" shaking hands, introducing myself, passing around business cards.

In the evening, I visited the local quilt shop: The Greenwood Quiltery. I didn't buy anything...just shopped with my eyes.

Today, I got a little better oriented to the office, and spent most of the day researching community resources and booking appts. to tour agencies in the county. My schedule is quickly filling up, and it looks like I won't be spending too much time in the office over the next three weeks.

Tonight I stopped by the local Bibles For Missions Thrift Store. It's wonderful! Again, only shopped with my eyes, but I'll go back another time. In the same plaza was Lens Mills, where I looked at the fabric (not as much as in London) and bought a quilting magazine. Oh oh! this means trouble!

Now, I'm sitting in the coffee shop down stairs from my apartment, enjoying a little 'net and a cup of tea. I'm going to try doing laundry tonight.

Know what the best part of today was? Being close enough to "home" to come home for lunch, unpacking four boxes, having a relatively healthy lunch and listening to the CBC radio. Now that's what I call a LUNCH BREAK!

I'd tell you more, but I forgot my laptop power cord in St. T. and my battery is just about dead!

It's gotta be bedtime

2011-08-15T18:31:00.000-04:00

I'm absolutely exhausted! Today was moving day, and by 12 o'clock this afternoon, we had loaded the truck, driven to Guelph, unloaded, and sent Hubby and Itty Bitty back home. I'm going to unpack slowly -- the essentials are out, and I will be bright eyed and busy tailed for my first day of work tomorrow.

I have discovered that I forgot a bunch of stuff at the house, and will need to "rough it" until the weekend. The worst part is the cold shower I'm going to have in the morning, because the gas won't be turned on until tomorrow afternoon. ACK!

I've already been to the public library, got my card, and borrowed a couple of novels, so I have something to keep my company. It's only a block from my apartment!

Tomorrow: MOVING DAY!

2011-08-14T19:32:00.000-04:00

It is pouring rain out there -- but somehow, we managed to get the rented U-haul loaded in between the drops.

I'm just fiddling around, finishing up some laundry, putting together a box of the "essentials" (so if things don't go optimally tomorrow, at least I can still turn up in a presentable state for my first day of work Tuesday morning) and simmering down into a more relaxed mode so I can actually get some sleep tonight!

The Help

2011-08-13T17:43:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. WOW!

Now I can't wait to see the movie.

Just a few more "sleeps"!

2011-08-12T09:57:00.001-04:00

This is the fountain in front of my apartment. It's entitled "The Family". I guess someone thought this family was a little chilly. I'm thinking a loin cloth was more appropriate for daddy, than a t-shirt...I'm just sayin'...

I got an email from the program chair of the Royal City Quilt Guild, outlining the schedule of speakers for this year. I expect I will be able to attend the Sept 13th meeting, where Sandy Proud Smallfoot will be the speaker. I am really looking forward to getting back to some quilty fun.

Packing, packing, packing!

2011-08-09T13:41:00.000-04:00

I've only got a few more days until the big move!

I've been packing everything in the basement this morning - and making good progress, until I took time out to drop some stuff off for my sister and mom...and pick up a few groceries...and stop by the LCBO to get more boxes...

Taking a break was a mistake. I just spent a half hour looking back at Bonnie Hunter's blog Quiltville. I now need an aspirin and a nap, because my head is pounding with ideas to start sewing again!

Trick is going to be, packing carefully to ensure that I have what I NEED in order to get through my first week on my own.

Let's see: bed, linens, coffee mug, sewing machine, fabric, thread, rulers, cutters, pins, scissors, iron, ironing board, radio. Hmmm....maybe I should take some clothes too - - since I WILL have to work during the day!

OH - I better take a table and a chair too!

Gibson the Cat

2011-08-08T19:49:00.000-04:00

Good Ole Gibby!

I'm sad to say that Gibby can't come with us to Guelph. No pets allowed in my apartment. However, my mom has agreed to foster grandmother Gibby for a year. Hubby and I are completely bereft about leaving our kitty behind. I'm so grateful that mom will be taking him -- there's no question of us giving him away. NOT HAPPENING!

Francois the Squirrel

2011-08-08T19:42:00.000-04:00

"Hey lady - bring me a cookie!"

I have a very friendly squirrel, who visits a couple of times a day -- whenever someone is on the deck! -- and has a tremendous sweet tooth. He really likes biscotti, but any cookie will do in a pinch. However, I'm all out of cookies.

Will Cheerios do?

"Yeah, I like Cheeriooooooooooos!!!!"

No kidding...

2011-08-06T07:10:00.000-04:00

So, you thought maybe I'd get back to sewing and quilting and thrifting and ...BLOGGING, now that I was finished my degree, huh?

Now my time is consumed with getting ready to move! I have accepted a position in Guelph, ON which starts next Tuesday, so I'm moving in a week.

My nerves are shot. I'm not sleeping. I scared witless. BUT I'M SO EXCITED!!! I can't wait to move into my lovely new apartment, and begin this new chapter of my life.

Has it really been four months????

2011-06-19T19:53:00.000-04:00

Let's see.....what's changed in four months.....

GOT MY DEGREE ON TUESDAY!!!! Yes, convocation was held this past week. I have to be honest...it was sort of a let down. I really expected to 'feel something' but no...it was really more like going to the doctor's office: Sitting foreeeeeeeeeeeeever....then someone calls your name, and you're in and out before you know what happened. I feel sort of foolish spending too much money on a new dress and shoes (which gave me a blister!). No one got to see it.

I'm actively looking for paid employment -- my strategy is to seek out "the hidden job market" by becoming the Queen of Networking! I've been to so many meetings, seminars, conferences, committees, you name it. I have a collection of business cards that rivals my scraps. I had to buy a CrackBerry to keep up with my email.

I have some very exciting work projects underway -- all unpaid of course, but tremendously challenging, and great padding for my portfolio. I feel like I'm just weeks away from a good position. The pieces are all moving in the right direction. Prayers and positive thoughts please!

ITTY BITTY - has accepted an offer of admission to his 1st choice university, AND gotten a $1500 scholarship. It's only slightly more than an hour away, so he's still close. He only has two more days of high school, then exams, and hopefully he'll find some summer work to prepare for his first year. Prom was two weeks ago, and then music awards banquet. Next Wednesday is Commencement. Busy, busy, busy!

Oh, and two weeks ago -- he cut off his hair! I mean CUT! RIGHT DOWN TO THE WOOD! I'm still having traumatic flashbacks from the harrowing experience. It had been four years since the last hair cut, and was so thick! and curly! and lovely! half way down his back! When the hair piled up on the floor of the barbershop, it looked like a small dog was napping under the chair. (pardon me while I weep!) Now he looks so much more like his brother. And speaking of his brother...

SAILOR BOY - Itty Bitty and I flew out to Halifax for a 4-day weekend over Easter to visit Sailor Boy. The weather was lovely, and Halifax is gorgeous. We had a tour of his ship, and did lots of site seeing and shopping. It was our first time flying, and we did marvelous. He'll be home for a summer holiday in about a month. We are beginning to hear from him more regularly -- he must be growing up!

HUBBY - has been working straight nights for the last few months. It's not easy -- he's probably the worst day-time sleeper EVER - and if he doesn't soon get into some sort of a routine, I'm despairing of him surviving this in any long term sense.

GIBBY - this cat is going to be the death of me. He loves to be outside, which means he is always lurking near a doorway, waiting for it to crack open the merest fraction of an inch so he can make his escape. I try to let him out on his leash whenever I'm home, but that doesn't satisfy him. Today I videotaped him trying to eat a bumblebee - it was hysterical.

That's pretty much the news. I hope to be able to settle down a bit before too much longer. I certainly don't get to quilt anymore, but maybe later this summer I can begin to fit a few minutes in from time to time.

I've been reading a lot though. We seemed to wait so long for some true, honest-to-goodness spring weather this year, and now that it's here - I'm outside anytime from the crack of dawn to sundown. I love my front porch, and my backyard deck so much. (sigh) So, I always have a book ready to keep me company.

Right now I'm reading "Casting Off" by Libby Purves. It's a good story so far, but I'm skipping some pages that drone on and on about the weather, sailing -- stuff I don't know anything about and can't relate to!

Friday night I stayed up until the very wee hours of the night reading "After Rain" by Donna Milner. It's Canadian fiction -- oh how I loathe Canadian fiction! But this was certainly an exception to my rule. I had to get to the end to find out what happened between Boyer and Natalie, and if Nettie and Rain were.....noooooooooo.... impossible! I liked this story a lot.

Recently I read "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. WOW! I loved this book! I gobbled it up in a couple of sessions, and immediately went out and rented the movie starring Julia Roberts. THAT, my friends, was a waste of two hours of my life I'll never get back. Yes, it was lovely to look at -- but it was a mistake to ever think that the depth of emotion and spirituality that the book holds between its covers could ever be captured on the screen. Skip the movie. Read the book.

Right now, I'm surrounded by three blood-thirsty squirrels, inching towards me on the back deck. They are all wondering: uh...Where the hell is the peanut butter!?!?!?!

It's Reading Week

2011-02-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

Where has the time gone? Seems like just yesterday I was entering my first university class (Psych 100)...and now, I find myself one presentation and two essays away from my BSW degree! I can't believe it. In six weeks...it will all be a memory.

Sooooo...being this close to graduation means I'm also looking for a JOB! They would be happy to keep me at the law clinic, and in fact have ponied up to send me off to a grant-writing workshop in order to secure funding for a full-time social work position. However, I'm being realistic -- funding applications are a huge project, and being brand new at it, I'm not holding out a lot of hope that I'll have immediate success -- and starting to put out my C.V.

Anybody got a job for me???

Oh, and I also intend to register for another class or two next year at UWO. The plan is just to stay connected to the university community, take advantage of the opportunities to see guest lecturers, be involved in social action events, be able to access the university libraries, etc....but I'm telling everybody that I'm working on a 2nd undergrad degree. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Speaking of university, Itty Bitty got his first offer of admission -- to University of Windsor. This is not his first choice, but a decent fall back position to say the least. We're very proud! (still have fingers and toes crossed for Laurier or my alma mater)

Sailor Boy has been out on his first 'cruise' -- 3 years in the navy...never been on the ocean! He spent the first three days violently sea sick, then gave in and got an injection of Gravol, and quickly gained his sea legs. He has vowed to never try to "tough it out" again.

Recycle your Tetley canisters

2011-01-16T12:16:00.000-05:00

Do you buy Tetley Tea in the small canisters?

http://tetley.ca/reuse/

There is page full of printable labels that you can cover your empty canister with, and an option to personalize it with a label (in Step 2). Two of the new covers may be just up a quilters alley: one is buttons, and one is spools of thread and other sewing notions.. Take a look.

My Crazy Coupon Lifestyle: the Results

2010-12-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

This week, I've used my final EXP 31/12/2010 coupons, and thrown away the rest. I've sorted through my stockpile, rearranging a few items, gleaning out some that I probably won't use before the early spring best before dates, then bagging those up to go to the food bank. I've looked over my last receipts, tallied my coupon savings totals, and I'm quite satisfied with the results.

In 2010, I have calculated $4200 in savings. My goal for the year was $2000. I've been able to lend my support to 2 shelters for abused women, 2 shelters for homeless people, a food bank, and shared with family and friends. I have enough laundry detergent and bleach to see me through until summer, and enough chicken noodle soup for a flu pandemic. Judging by the contents of my upstairs linen closet, my family should be smelling good, be cleanly shaved, and have sparkling smiles for months to come.

This year, I'm setting my goal at $3000. I have a feeling that time is going to be an issue for me this year. When I graduate from university this spring (can you believe that??? I only have 13 more weeks of university!!!!), so no more spare hours between lectures to sneak off to the shops.

I also am setting a goal to donate 600 items to charitable causes I care about.

I just got an Airmiles card a few weeks ago (I don't know why I never had one before either!) I am setting a goal to accumulate enough AirMiles to redeem for a fancy-schmancy coffee maker. I don't know if that's even possible - but I will definitely be turning my attention towards it!

Went on a date

2010-12-30T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I went to the movies to see "The King's Speech" and then out for dinner together today.

Definitely "two thumbs up" - it was beautifully filmed. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. And the story was incomparable. Here's the official site. I think twice in my entire history of going to the theatre has the audience actually applauded at the end of the film. I was suprised at the number of people in the audience as well. We were somewhat late, arriving just as the previews were ending, and had to take front row seats.

I found myself physically engaged with the movie - nodding encouragement to Colin Firth, clenching my hands together as tightly as Helena Bonham Carter was gripping the arms of her chair. The lady next to me was TALKING to the screen! I thought I was going to have to smack her, but managed to restrain myself

I dunno.....

2010-12-30T19:21:00.000-05:00

....but with all of his limbs tucked under his bulk, Gibby sure does look like a fur hat. I think he's recovering from his splendid mousing of two nights ago.

Gibby - a paradox

2010-12-29T16:42:00.000-05:00

That cat of mine, never ceases to amaze/annoy/amuse me.

Sailor boy followed Gibby into my bedroom at 10pm last night, and upon crashing through my door, announced "GIBBY HAS A MOUSE!"

Sure enough, Gibby sat on is haunches, his back to the wall, with a lifeless mouse body (its head halfway down Gibby's throat) in his mouth, growling and hissing at Sailor Boy. Gibby is not one for sharing!

I woke Itty Bitty up, and as Sailor Boy jumped on the cat, Itty Bitty wrestled the rodent carcass out of Gibby's vise-like jaws.

Never was I sooooo proud, and yet sooooo nauseated at the same time.

Bah Humbug!

2010-12-23T08:37:00.002-05:00

*** Christmas Eve 2011 -- I've noticed a LOT of traffic on this particular posting, with the majority of the hits coming from Britain. If you're visiting this posting, can you leave a comment and let me know where you saw the link? Thank you....okay...now back to Christmas 2010.
Get set for the most politically incorrect posting of the year!

I don't "do" Christmas. Hubby (who channels the Ghost of Christmas Present!) thinks I am a Grinch, and a Scrooge. I haven't "done" Christmas for the last four years, each year getting more and more comfortable with my decision to abandon it.

Now I'm not a Christmas HATER - I have lots of sweet memories from childhood Christmasses, and I'm still charmed by Hubby's childlike eagerness and holiday spirit. What I hate is that Christmas has become a long list of obligations, and many of them are commonly loathesome to lots and lots of people.

No, the list of reasons I've decided to give up celebrating has become longer and longer each year, bolstering my commitment to remain tinsel free in the future. I'm not sharing this list because I think EVERYONE should renounce the festive season, just perhaps to highlight a few areas that could cause you Claus pause, and challenge you to think about some of your traditions.

1 - I hate forced friendliness. Okay - I'm not kidding here. Twice already this year I've had people admit to me that they take medication, or medicate themselves with alcohol in order to deal with complicated family dynamics. I recently had a chat with someone who was outraged that a particular family member was not attending a holiday gathering, even though she ordinarily can't stand this person. What? Really??

Why do people do this to themselves? Are they expecting some kind of Christmas Miracle in their stocking this is going to erase years of horrible communication, painful memories, and hurt feelings? Is grinning and bearing it what Christmas is about?

2 - I hate gifts. Okay, maybe that's exagerating. Gifts make me uncomfortable. I loved the fudge and date squares in the cute cookie jar that my friend Lorraine left for my family (although, really? coulda been more of your famous date squares Lorraine!). It makes me smile when I imagine the fun and laughter my mom and sister shared as they cooked up the jars of home-preserves and creatively packed into beautiful gift baskets covered in colourful cellophane, topped with a pretty handcrafted tag. I can tell these gifts were a pleasure for the givers to give, and so it's a pleasure for me to receive.

Anything else makes me really uncomfortable. "It's the thought that counts" is bull$#*! With plenty of gifts, it's clear that not a lot of thought went into it. It isn't easy for me to pretend that I'm really excited by the packages of crap that are going to the thrift store come Boxing Day. And yes, partly it's because I'm disappointed, but the greater piece is that it embarrasses me that I may be hurting the feelings of the giver, because I can't fake surprise and gratitude. On the other hand, I suspect that the giver is just thinking "well, that's another one off my list" because he or she feels an obligation to give a gift. And that just makes me sad.

3. I hate Christmas plays. No, not the cute little school concerts, but all the draaaaaaaaaama that plays out over the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Now since this is a confessional, I gotta confess a good deal of schadenfreude on my part - this is why we like reality TV so much in our culture. I enjoy a little gossip about who lost their marbles, who ruined dinner, who stormed out, who got drunk.

But upon reflection, I'm ashamed that I listened to the stories, I'm ashamed that I badly want to get the other side of the story, and I'm really sad that bad things happened, and these incidents are going to forever colour what is supposed to be a joyful time of the year, for many years to come.

4. Christmas offends my sensibilities. Gross consumerism and materialism (that's a given). I don't have to expand on this, do I? Okay, I will.

Especially since I've been working so closely with poor people in the last few months, and particularly at the food bank these past two weeks, I've become keenly aware that nothing contributes so much to the loss of dignity for the poor than the awareness that they can't provide the kind of Christmas for their families that our culture expects. Nothing draws a deeper line between the "haves" and "have nots" than the decision to pay the rent or buy the kids a few gifts. At the risk of sounding cliché or trite, it's not fair that Christmas is a time of reckoning for children. It breaks my heart that this is the precise time when children are most likely to recognize that they have less, ARE LESS (when you consider the average outcomes for kids who grow up in poverty).

And while I'm not what you would call a passionate environmentalist, I do think we should try to be as kind to the planet as we can. A lot of resources, energy, and waste tallies up this time of year. Will I ever use any of the calendars that I get this time of year from every bank, politician, pharmacy, and realtor? Nope - into the recycling box.

Twice this year I have already been asked about what I thought was appropriate to tip day care providers, so the giver didn't seem "cheap". To me, this kind of tipping is paradoxical: this gift is so you will hold me in esteem, and guarantee future good service, NOT because I want to demonstrate my gratefulness for your fine work and dedication. Just this morning I received a "tipping etiquette tips" article in my email. Dollar amounts were stated ($15 for the newspaper carrier) with clarity, but at the end of the list a suggestion that one shouldn't break one's budget:

"Although there are a lot of grey areas when it comes to holiday tipping, experts all seem to agree on one thing: It shouldn’t break the bank. If you have to go into debt to tip this year, stop. Pull out a stash of stationary, and get writing instead. You can even allude to the fact that you were, say, out of work most of the year, says Blais Comeau. “Respect your budget. That’s the important thing,” she says."

OHHHHHHH! THAT'S the important thing! Thanks for clearing that up.

But just before you click the comment button to tell me what a Scrooge I am, there are still some things I do like about Christmas.

1. I'm a sucker for Christmas lights. I can't drive down night-time holiday streets without rubber-necking to-and-fro to take in all the sparkling and glittering. I love me a Griswold house!

2. Turkey and cranberry sauce. We just don't get that enough during the year. I'm glad we save up all that specialness for holidays.

3. Christmas carols. Not hokey Christmas songs, but beautiful traditional choral arrangements. Or give me Mahalia Jackson singing "Oh Holy Night" - when she gets to the "fall on your knees" part, I get goosebumps. I like to sing Christmas carols too, but try not to get caught doing it, lest I be accused of having holiday spirit.

4. Snow. Combined with those twinkly coloured lights? Can it get any better?

5. Black & White holiday movie classics. You simply can't see "It's a Wonderful Life" too many times. And I adore any version of "A Christmas Carol". Those happy endings are eternally satisfying.

6. Charity. People come together and do great things at Christmas.

God bless us, every one!

It can snow all it wants - - what do I care???

2010-12-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

Mayor may need to call state of emergency

This semester is officially over for me! My last class was today, but the university has closed due to "snowmagedon". Against my better judgement, I drove in to London yesterday, and handed in my final assignment --it wasn't due until Friday, but since it was done...and I HAD arrived alive despite the horrific road conditions, and nightmarish driving habits of those I shared the road with.

Soo....I'm technically "off" until January. What will I do to fill my hours?

I'm reading:

Canada Reads 2011 Nominees:

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

The Birth House by Ami McKay

The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou

Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Unless by Carol Shields

Yes, I heard the finalists for Canada Reads 2011 on CBC radio, and Lorne Cardinal (the actor who plays the dopey cop on Corner Gas) was waxing poetic about "Unless". A day or two later, I saw it at the used book store, and I had a 50% off coupon in my hot little hands. It was meant to be!

The only other book on the list I have already read is "Birth House" by Ami McKay. It was a great story! (And I generally loathe Canadian fiction, but read it anyway - - sort of like getting vaccinations...'cuz it's probably good for me.)

Renovations/redecoration:

The bedroom that was formerly Sailor Boy's is painted, and the new flooring is all but done. I think we can probably finish it up today, since all three of us are home due to the snow.

Volunteer work:

I'm going to be doing some community outreach work at the food bank in the new year. However, I'm going to be spending some time there this month, getting familiar with the operation, and deciding on how I want that work to look.

Also, I'll be doing some time at the law clinic over the school holidays, just to keep some continuity going for my clients.

Dare I say it? Some crafting?

Miss me???

2010-11-25T20:04:00.000-05:00

It's been a crazy month! Where to begin?

Let's see....

1) University - - I have one more major paper to write, and this semester will be over in less than two weeks. I can't believe how much LESS stressful fourth year is compared to this time LAST year! I think I'm doing well - I had to give two seminars this week (ACK!) - - talk about anxiety!!!

2) Practicum - - I love, love, love the work I'm doing at the law clinic. I'm starting to handle a couple of cases on my own - cases that really aren't "law" cases, and would generally not be handled by our clinic, but because I'm focusing on "social work" - I am enjoying learning, and trying out things, testing my skills, and having some successes. It's such a neat experience when my day is going along, and all of a sudden, I realize "Hey! All that boring dry theory we learned IS relevant!"

3) Sailor Boy - I watched a TV show on the Equator Channel tonight called "Warships" that featured the ship that he's posted to -- it was really interesting to see the inside of the ship, and the living quarters, etc. I called him tonight to let him know I saw this program, and he told me that he has some leave at Christmas time, so he's probably going to be able to come home for a bit. I'll know more next week I guess.

4) Itty Bitty -- needs to pull up his socks in ENGLISH! I'm getting very worried that he's not going to have the grades to get into university if he doesn't take some emergency action. The semester is almost over for him as well, and it's not good. I have a sneaking suspicion he's going to be doing English AGAIN next semester, since this is a mandatory course. I'm also worried that I'm going to have to lay down the law and cut out some of his extra-curricular stuff. I'm dreading that - - I hoped once Football Season was over, he'd turn it around....but... (ugh, being a mom sucks sometimes!)

We have recently been on a tour of the his first choice university - - Hubby and I really liked it as well, and it's not too far away - - an hour an a half maybe.

5) Hubby -- what can I say about Hubby? Not much really - - but no news is good news, right?

6) Quilting - what's that?!?! I haven't sewn in at least two months. I haven't been doing much of anything except school - long days at the law clinic, staying late for board meetings, etc., working on assignments. I have gotten slightly addicted to Soduko puzzles recently though - weird, eh?

I haven't gone anywhere!

2010-10-23T07:58:00.000-04:00

SWAMPED!!!

I've been so busy with practicum and school....NOTHING has been going on except work, work, work!

Midterms have arrived, so after I get a much needed colour on my hair this morning (why did I make a 9 am appointment???) it's time to hit the books and craft some fabulous essays.

I'm still wildly in love with my placement at the Law Clinic. Yesterday was such an awesome day!!!

I'm a bad blogger...

2010-10-02T20:15:00.000-04:00

Life is just HOPPIN!!! My brain is on overdrive - - all my creative energies are being absorbed by thinking and strategizing and researching for my clients at the Law Clinic. I am sooooooo busy -- but in a really great way. The main thing I've learned over the past three weeks? I can be a social work ROCK STAR!!!! It's probably the most rewarding experience of my entire life. The three years of study leading up to this placement...well, to be honest, I really doubted that I was absorbing ANYTHING and doubted that I could actually do this work, or even that I really wanted to DO it (if we are gonna be honest here....)!

But all in all, I find I'm excited! Challenged! Happy!

A Thrifty Find & A Wardrobe Refashion

2010-09-28T08:27:00.000-04:00

Even though the skies are still black, and rain is falling by the bucket-load, and I don't have a class until 12:30 today, I got out of bed, and did my motherly duty: I drove Itty Bitty to school.

Okay...truth is, I told him if he got the trash out, I'd take him to school....aaaaand when I made this bargain my eyes were still closed and my earplugs were still in. jeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz!

He was mortified when I pulled over a two blocks from home and yelled at a couple of kids that I figured went to his school to "Get In!". I must not have looked like a serial killer (in my housecoat and hair all over the place) - - or perhaps they just were very wet, and very cold - - because they didn't hesitate a minute. Itty Bitty never said a word--complete silence the whole way--while the two in the back seat merrily chirped all the way.

I've been working away at knitting a hat for Keeping Kids Warm and I wore out a knitting needle. Ever hear tell of that? Actually, one of the knobby end things fell off, and I can't find it, so I went to two thrift stores on the weekend looking for another pair in the same size. I probably could have gotten a pair at the first one, but they seemed to be all numbered in the old fashioned numbering system, while I needed a 4.5mm. I had no idea what the equivalent would be. At the second one, I got lucky.

But I still scored a good find at the first one! Materials were 1/2 off, and I found this skirt length in orange and black plaid. I doubt I'd ever wear a skirt in this particular stuff, but I thought it might do well for a Hallowe'en table runner, or maybe placemats. It only cost $1.

I also managed to find enough of the same buttons in my stash to replace those on this thrifted blouse. I still haven't shortened the sleeves for my wardrobe refashion because -- can you imagine?!?! -- I don't have the right coloured thread!

mom's complaining...

2010-09-24T18:23:00.000-04:00

Once again, Mom is complaining that I haven't posted a blog update. YIKES!

I don't know where this week has gone. It's been a blur! Between my placement at the Law Clinic (which I am in serious love with) and classes, I've also had a couple of late nights at uni doing some extra stuff.

Tuesday night was SUPER interesting. I had volunteered to help out at at program here at King's called "Liberal Arts 101" - - I had no idea what to expect of the experience, but I certainly wasn't expecting how much I'd personally get out of it.

The program, the way I understand it, is low-income people are invited from the community to attend a series of lectures from various faculties of study (this week was history, next week is modern languages). They are provided with dinner--which was completely yummy!!! two thumbs up--and can receive child care and bus tickets so there is no cost to them involved. Then after dinner we went to a lecture room in another building on campus and heard a lecture about propoganda in popular culture during WW2. It was really interesting! And I was a little embarrassed when I noticed the invited guests around me writing reems and reems of notes during the lecture while I just sat like a Sunday driver. Afterwards, we were broken up into groups and had a discussion about the lecture. My role was to support the discussion - - and it was fascinating! I had a VERY multi-cultural group - - four different continents and many, many languages were represented. Some of the folks in my discussion group had emmigrated from places in the world that have been impacted by war, and had lots to share about how they received messagages of propaganda through popular culture (music, children's events). I'm looking forward to future Tuesday evenings.

Tonight I'm at uni for a social action committee event. We are screening a documentary called Poor No More which starts in about half an hour.

Gearing up for the week ahead

2010-09-19T17:38:00.000-04:00

Are you starting to wonder if I'm ever going to blog about quilting again? Well, maybe. I am still working on machine quilting the School of Rock quilt. It's probably 2/3 done.

Mostly, I've been busy with school/practicum stuff. I really like my placement at the law clinic. It's located very close to Covent Garden Market, and I finally got a chance to stop in there on Friday.

It was a nice and mild day, so I decided to grab some lunch and sit outside. Am I ever glad I discovered The Piping Kettle Soup Company!

Affectionately known by many as the Soup Newfie, the healthy and hip alternative to fast food is the Piping Kettle Soup Co. Owned and operated by Jim Phillips and John Grouchy (he'd be the Newfie). It opened in the market in June 2007 and since then the business has grown in volume and patrons. Both Pillips and Grouchy have roots in the hospitality business with Phillips experience being in the kichen and Grouchy's in the front of house, making him the man with the ladle. Admittedly inspired by the Seinfeld Soup Nazi episode, the gents hummed and hawed about their venture only until they sat potential competition and that was the only motivation they needed. They serve up 16 fresh soups, stews, breads, a variety of sandwiches, salads, and fresh vegetables all of which make the Piping Kettle a lunchtime adventure.

Okay, I don't know why they chose a copy writer who clearly needed a nap, but you get the gist... I enjoyed a medium turkey chili, and it was FANTASTIC! I was tickled to discover they have a 'frequent buyer card', and I have a feeling I'll soon be qualifying for a free 1/2 litre of soup to go!

I'm really excited about my placement. Pressed to find a negative, I'd have to say that one of the lawyers might be under the misapprehension that I don't have ENOUGH to do. She keeps dropping literature and articles and newsletters off on my desk for me to read. I cleaned out my totebag this weekend, and I can't lie....I threw them all in the recycle box. I simply don't have time to read them all.

It's been a fantastic week so far!

2010-09-15T17:53:00.000-04:00

I can't express how pleased I am with my placement at the law clinic! It's a great place - lots and lots of interesting work to do - and they are thrilled to have me. I was immediately won over Monday afternoon when I returned to the office after observing hearings and spending some time with Duty Counsel at the Landlord and Tennant Board: two of the lawyers had packed my desk with new office supplies -- nothin' says lovin' like your very own stapler!

I've met with a couple of clients already, and came into the office this morning to find a couple of files on my chair. I see a very steep learning curve ahead of me, but I expect to really enjoy the challenge and complexity of the work.

So I've been knitting. I mentioned Keeping Kids Warm a couple weeks back, and I decided I'd like to contribute to this cause. I made the yellow mittens last week. Last night I whipped that hat up in an evening. This afternoon I started another pair of mittens.

After an entire summer of construction hell on our street, the paving has begun! Last week the sidewalks were replaced -- it seems the road has been widened, because the sidewalk is now on OUR side of the street light poles, having formerly been on the street side. Oh well, I'll just be so glad when the heavy equipment and the BLOWING DIRT are gone. Everything is filthy - we can scarcely see out the windows at times!

I read a blurb recently in the June issue of Chatelaine, about the "unexpected bonus of blogging":

Trying to quit smoking, lose weight or finish a marathon? Start blogging! The internet is a great place to declare a health goal, says Susan Biali, a Vancouver-based doctor, author and psychologytoday.com blogger. "It creates instant accountability and a personal support group," she says. Alison Dunn, who chronicled her journey from 5K to 42K on howiranamarathon.blogspot.com, concurs..."This trend goes further than just helping individuals reach their goals. It's about collective triumph, too," says Biali.

So...how am I doing with my goals?

Well...I'm getting very, very close to my $2K goal for coupon useage this year.
I have been stuck at 25.2 lb loss for over a week now, and hope to push past this plateau over the next few days by increasing my activity -- I think the fact that I'm back in school (which means just about 2 hours of driving each day, sitting in 3 hour lectures, and trying to get ahead on the required readings) is to blame. I need to challenge myself to get moving at least as much as I was. Frustrating!
And I am no where near completing the 9 UFO's I hoped to finish this summer.

Last night I finished reading "Dark Places" by Gillian Flynn. I had read her first novel "Sharp Objects" a couple of weeks ago. Both are way off my typical type of reading -- I usually go for histories, or relationship-y kinda stuff -- being in the thriller/mystery/dark realm. Too bad she doesn't have anything else published right now, and I don't see anything on the horizon according to her website. Anyway - I can recommend both of these - with a slight warning that the the subject matter is likely going to be offensive to some, and the main characters are understandably psychologically "damaged" after surviving traumas.

...really....not much going on here

2010-09-10T08:35:00.000-04:00

It's been a weird week. Really, nothing too exciting going on, but feeling a little paralyzed by all that is to come in the next week.

Monday is my first day at the law clinic. I'm soooooo excited, and I'm scared silly! Tuesday, I'm back in class. Thursday and Friday are both filled to capacity, with a dinner for the new 3rd year students on Thursday, and on Friday, an event (which I'm going to somehow slam together today! helping with the third year dinner plans had the Social Action Committee slip to the back burner) for Make Poverty History weekend.

Looking like a rainy weekend ahead. Can the Summer of Nancy be over???

Thrift Report!

2010-09-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

I think I did really good! First up: all the clothing I could fit into a bag for $5. (minus one t-shirt that I thought either Hubby or Itty Bitty would like)

Shirts for repurposing - I especially like the purple one!

This cropped jacket is a fantastic colour on me. It's perfect - no re-fashioning required.

This cotton/spandex top is another one of my favourite colours. The outline of the flowers and paisley shapes is chocolate brown. Now, this needs a little refashioning. There's a button missing, so I might just switch out all of the buttons to chocolate brown for some interest. And I'm wondering about making short sleeves, rather than these boring 3/4 sleeves. Sleeveless would be cute too, and I've got a pair of flat front chocolate brown slacks that would go good with this top. We'll see what happens after it comes out of the washing machine...cuz it IS dirty!

I really like the ruffle detail on the sides.

And the slacks to match, well they need a little tapering.

A vintage linen table cloth. It's in the washing machine right now, and I hope I have time to press it and put it on my table this afternoon. I love the greens. 75¢

In the craft department:

hmmm...bad photo, oh well...the patterns are brand new, and for the five of them, a total of 63¢. I thought having patterns for some simple pieces (like the pencil skirt in the top envelope) would help me in my wardrobe refashioning. Other patterns are for nine different bags, and ten different pillows.

$1.75 for the two books -- the knitting pattern book has several simple looking hats, mitts, and scarves, and who doesn't like Mary Engelbreit? $2 for the miniature sewing machines to join my collection, and 50¢ for the ball of knitting worsted. That will get me started on knitting something for Keeping Kids Warm.

Ready to see what's on the slate for my next round of refashioning? These all came out of my closet yesterday.

The black skirt is too long, and the snaps are icky, but I really like the faux suede fabric. The taupe skirt is again, too long, but I like the bandless waist. It fits really nicely now, just needs to be taken up. The pale blue wrap skirt is a very nice length, but perhaps a little dated. I'm going to see if I can make new skirts out of these.

Well, before I get to work here, let me share a couple of blogs that I've recently discovered and find interesting.

Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss

My Three Sons - take a look at the tutorials in her sidebar.

Leanne's House take a look at the gorgeous embroidered block of the month quilts in her sidebar

Centsational Girl Written by a bargain lover and incurable DIYer. Plenty of eye candy here.

First day of school, but...

2010-09-07T08:53:00.000-04:00

Today is a day for Lasts:

Last cup of coffee, before I head out the door to run some errands
I just put in the Last load of laundry
my Last baby off to school for his First day of the Last year of high school
Last week of my summer holidays

I think the cat needs Prozac. He's been crying all morning, and he's making me nuts. Or else he needs and English/Cat dictionary so he can tell me what his problem is. And it isn't because Itty Bitty's gone - - that kid is NEVER here anyway.

I tried on about 20 pairs of slacks/jeans and another half dozen or skirts yesterday, testing for fit. Some have now gone into the donation bag, and others have come down here for refashioning, because the fabric is just too good to not at least try to resurrect.

Today is the bag sale at the BFM thrift store. I better go get my knickers on and see what I can score! I'll post my finds when I get back.

Skirts are Refashioned

2010-09-06T13:11:00.000-04:00

Sewing went a little better today - maybe my brain was fresher of something. Who knows?

The pink skirt is now 31.5" long now, with a cute flirty ruffle. And, by the way, two sizes smaller than the size I wore at the beginning of summer.

The black skirt is now 34" long, and presented more of a challenge. See, it has a lining, and the gauzy overskirt has a crushed texture to it -- I don't anything about fabric, so here's a close up. (Isn't that weird? Someone who uses a sewing machine every day saying she doesn't know anything about fabric?)

Now, looking at the photo, I have to say that I SWEAR the lace and the fabric are the same colour. I think the flash of the camera reflected off something synthetic in the lace.

Anyway, I discovered the lining (sort of a synthetic knit fabric, about the weight of your grandma's nightgown) was much shorter than the outer layer, so I didn't shorten that at all, but took out the waistband, and chopped off about 4" of the gauze-y stuff. Released from the waistband - the gauze-y stuff SPRANG to double it's width, and I thought....oh no....more gathering! But, I closed one eye, gritted my teeth and just stretched the two fabrics and stomped on the foot pedal, going as fast as I could! I'm not sure how or why, but it seems to have worked. Oh...and just sayin'...the black skirt is THREE sizes smaller than the size I wore at the beginning of summer...TEE HEE!!!

Ah...they say that a woman's hair....

2010-09-05T14:06:00.000-04:00

...is her crowning glory...

But what about when that hair

belongs to her SON!?!?!?!

It's not fair. Itty Bitty has hair so thick, it could cover three heads, and it falls in beautiful waves and ringlets. I combed out all of his curls last night, and applied a leave in conditioner (he refused to let me cut off the dry ends!) and couldn't resist capturing a photo.

The Wardrobe Refashion project:

Gibby? You're a pretty good quilter, but I'm gonna handle this one on my own, thanks!

I cut 10 inches off the bottom of the skirt, and have hemmed the very bottom of the ruffle, but I'm still struggling with the gathering. The skirt is now 31" in length. I'll keep working away at it.

Have you heard of Wardrobe Refashion?

2010-09-04T19:08:00.000-04:00

Gotta admit, I hadn't either, until I listened to episode 4 of

GreenStitch

...and listened to the interview with Wardrobe Refashion founder Nikki Prested

Wardrobe Refashion

The idea is, that you make a pledge to not buy any new clothing, but to remake, renovate, and recycle old clothing. The blog is completely inspiring, and though some of the projects had my eyebrows up in the air a bit, some are really cute and innovative!

Which brings me to my personal challenge. I mentioned in an earlier post that I had loaded up on new-to-me office wear at the thrift store. However, some of the items need an overhaul. Hmmm...I've got a sewing machine, right? And a bit of clothing construction knowledge (although grade 10 Home Ec was a looooooong time ago), true? And a creative spirit - so I'll give it a "go".

First up: two skirts that are reeeeeally long. And I'm tall (like, 5'8")...so I don't know why they were ever made this long.

The pink print is 38" long -- just touching the floor! I'm thinking of cutting off a good 8 or 10", dividing the cut-off in half width-wise, and piecing those two lengths together and adding a gathered ruffle to the hem. I only paid $2.50 for the skirt, so if it eventually finds itself wadded up in the trash can...well, at least I tried. I probably won't get to wear it until spring unless we get yet another heatwave.

The black skirt is 36" long, past my ankle bone, but it already has a pretty, lacey hem. So I think I'll cut the waist band off, turn over the top to make a casing, and run some elastic through it. This skirt was $5.99, so I've got a little more invested in it.

I cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers today to weed out the things that have seen better days, and make room for my "new" pieces.

Later this week I hope to put things together in complete outfits (tops, bottoms, jewelery, shoes), make sure everything is pressed neatly, in good repair, and polished up. My thinking is that this will save me time, and give me some confidence - - after all, "dressing up" is new to me! I only wore scrubs in my former career as a nurse, and life as a university student means as sloppy and comfortable as possible! (I wrote exams in pajama bottoms last year!!!) It will take me awhile to get a feel for what my personal "style" is, and I don't want to be "over-dressed" when I'm going to be working with people who are marginalized and impoverished - - I'm going for neat, modest, and professional.

My new interest in fashion has me looking at people and pictures in magazines with a more critical eye. I never cared about clothes much before - unless it was what Hubby is wearing (OMG - you CAN'T wear THAT!). I was looking at the Oct issue of Canadian Living the other day, and they were showing a certain top, combined with other pieces, three different ways to create a different look for casual, office, and evening. I'm sorry, but the office photo was disgusting! Her skirt came barely past her whoozzit, and no self-respecting stripper would have been caught dead in the stacked heels she was wearing. YIKES! That outfit called for a private chat with the boss about her inappropriate choices...maybe even a stern warning.

Then last night, I was at the drug store and I really had to resist the urge to tell another shopper that all the black eyeliner she was wearing did NOTHING to distract from her crossed eyes. Why would you draw attention to that?

I didn't tell a clerk at a shop that the dress she was wearing was too short for someone so old. And I didn't pull my car over to tell the young mother pushing the baby in a stroller that since she wasn't breast feeding right at that moment she could probably cover her enormous boobs up with a little more than that teeny tiny tank top.

I'm not turning into a bitch, really....I'm turning into the

Wanna Save Some Money?

2010-09-04T14:35:00.000-04:00

After the toilet paper fiasco the other day, I've sorted and organized my coupons, and scanned through the weekly flyers to maximize my savings.

Remember my resolution to use $1000 in coupons this year? I'm over $1900!!! and still have 3 months of the year to go, and pretty much took the summer off of coupon-ing.
Here's a couple of things I want to share with you.

(For Canadians only) you can get a coupon for a free package of Maple Leaf Bacon by logging on to FaceBook, and going to the Official Republic of Bacon fan page.

(For SW Ontarians) Goodwill is having a Back to School sale next week, and you can get a coupon for 50% off your entire purchase by again, logging on to FaceBook, and going to the Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes page to get the printable coupon.

(For Canadians only) you can get a coupon for a free package of STAYFREE ULTRA THIN Regular with Wings (18 count). I can't use this product myself, but redeemed my coupon this morning to donate to the local shelter. I urge you to do the same, and give to your local shelter or food bank. I can well imagine that being without maxipads (they are expensive! $5.99 reg. price) to be a terrible hardship, and I bet there's many young mothers who have to make the choice between their own needs or bread & milk for their kids.

Along the same vein, I saw a poster at the Superstore this morning about a charitable project called "Keeping Kids Warm" -- I was very impressed by the number of agencies they contribute to, and I think I'll look for some yarn at Goodwill when I shop with my 50% off coupon next week, and see if I can't make some hats and mitts to contribute.

Happy New Year!

2010-09-03T12:53:00.000-04:00

I always feel that the "real" New Year begins not in the cold, dark depths of winter, but right around now, as we prepare to go back to school. Now seems the right time to start fresh routines, and make resolutions towards achievement and success.

Itty Bitty begins his final year of high school on Tuesday. Whoa! How did this happen? My last baby...his last year of school... I don't return to school until next Monday; my last year of undergrad. Not exactly true...I'm thinking of going to school this afternoon to get some reserve readings at the library, and actually, next Monday, I'll be at the law office where I'll be doing my 4th year Practicum!!!

I'm so excited! I had my interview on Wednesday, and ROCKED it! The woman who interviewed me had made up her mind immediately that I was going to be a good fit, so she gave me a tour, introduced me to all the lawyers and support staff, showed me where my office would be, etc. I got official confirmation in an email this morning. They had been wanting a social worker here for some time, because the clients of this law clinic (funded by Legal Aid) often have issues much bigger, and more pressing than their legal concerns, and need someone to help identify their areas of need, and connect them to other agencies and social services in order to find supports and resources. This is PERFECT for me - I like to be busy, and think creatively, and be presented with new challenges. I wish I was already there! I'll be working here three full days a week, for the next eight months. (Oh, and FYI: any posts I make about my practicum experience, will be labelled Law 'n Order)

Word on the Simple Abundance Project...a tragic thing happened yesterday. We ran out of toilet paper! I had stocked up on sale priced TP, applied coupons of course, and filled our linen closet to bursting back when there was still snow on the ground! Throughout this summer, I've avoided "stocking up" on things in the spirit of living a "less-is-more" lifestyle. Imagine my shock and dismay, when confronted with the empty paper tube, and then finding "my cupboard was bare"! As the kids would say: EPIC FAIL!!!! Luckily, I found 3-ply Royale double roll 12 packs on sale for $4.99 (reg. $8.99) and had $1 off coupons too. I even shared my extra coupons with the cashier who was obviously envious of my super savings.

Also in the stream of Simple Abundance news, I weighed in today, and I've lost 25.2 lbs. Sometimes Simple Abundance works great... and sometimes you're outta toilet paper!

Thought I'd better share a picture of just how happy I look:

I'm a bad blogger...

2010-08-31T11:11:00.000-04:00

Both Itty Bitty and my mom have scolded me for not updating, so prepare for a big post.

I don't know what it is I've been doing that's made me so busy...I certainly haven't accomplished very much! I did finish a baby quilt, and presented it at a baby shower I attended on Sunday, but I didn't get a photo. Can you believe that???

I've been working on quilting the School of Rock quilt:

I'm down 21 pounds. I checked my measurements last week, and the weight seems to be coming off my lower abdomen (my hip measurement was down 5.5") - - couldn't be better!

Yesterday, Value Village had their 50% off everything sale, and I went a little crazy. I definitely needed some office wear for my practicum placement (which I hope! hope! hope! will be in a law office - I interview tomorrow morning) but I don't want to spend a ton, because I expect to lose more weight. For around $70, I got two dresses, three skirts, two suits (jacket & skirt) four blouses, slacks, a light sweater, a t-shirt and a nightgown.

The public library has a vendor's booth at the Horton Street Market on Saturday mornings, and I recently picked up 5 magazines for $1. Here's a few things I discovered in those magazines that have been inspiring me:

I have been looking for a watch like one of these for weeks. I love the idea of a charm bracelet, and I look in every jewellery store I see, but nothing like these. So far, I've only found silver with STUPID juevenile charms (purses, shoes, etc.). The websites listed in the magazine included:

https://www.chickspicksbyhillary.com/ which is worth a look, it's very inspiring (however, watch is not available). I guess I'll keep looking.

A couple of recipes that I'd like to try:

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes

Crunchy-Top Blueberry Muffins

The economy being what it is...I noticed lots of money related articles,

Finding Money for School

Since Itty Bitty will be going off to post-secondary school in one short year, the first sentence caught my eye:

"These days there's an element of sticker shock when you add up the costs of higher learning – a four-year degree for a student living away from home currently costs $77,000."

The tip I liked in this article was about automated savings, whereby money is automatically put into a savings account each time you use your debit card. I've been a TD Canada Trust customer for my entire adult life, and had no idea they offered this program. It's called Simply Save. I think I'll sign up!

The important link here is Smart Cookies. There are lots of very interesting, and not the least bit scary tools and downloads for getting a handle on your money.

Frozen lemons instead of ice cubes! Yum! I'll just have to add lemons to the grocery list. I've been drinking TONS of water (at least 2 litres daily!) to help with the weight loss. Adding frozen lemons will be a special little treat.

Easy craft: Make a mini emergency kit

Truth is, I'll probably never make one of these kits - but they are cute! And you can download the stickers.

Loved this tear out folder from Sico. A very simple to copy idea for collecting and storing ideas, fabric swatches, photos, paint chips, etc. for decorating.

And lastly, I wanted to share this article from Orderly Lives

Simplify Your Life

A common theme in many books on organization is
the virtue of simplification. “Simplify your life-that's the key to organization”. But what does that mean? We all know that our lives are too hurried, too complex, and too full of clutter-both physical and emotional. But most of us cannot opt out, retreat to a desert isle and leave our cares behind. We want to honor our responsibilities yet feel overwhelmed by the process.

The benefits of simplification can be found by exploring different worlds. In 1995, for example,
North Americans enthusiastically rediscovered the
world of Jane Austen. Why are Austen's characters so
fascinating to us? Globe and Mail columnist Margaret
Wente offers this explanation: “They believe in restraint, decorum, civility, character and large, closeknit families. They marry for the love, but even more for respect. They are cheerful, pragmatic optimists.”

Austen's world portrays life with a sense of order.
We might think it is stifling by our standards but it is
none the less neat, orderly and predictable. Very similar, in fact to the world inhabited by the Amish in Sue Bender's excellent book Plain and Simple.
Bender describes her sojourns with two Amish families and one of the valuable lessons she learns: “To my surprise, keeping my attention steady and confined to a few activities built a whole new discipline. A single-minded focus - repetition, order, an inspired monotony -- wasn't wasteful and didn't limit me: the structure brought a different kind of freedom … I found no shortcuts. Satisfaction came from giving up wishing I was doing something else.”

The notion of simplifying one's life must come from the discipline to do only what really matters and to embrace mindfulness. It is only when we try to live in the moment, as the Amish do, that we may find the inner peace that can transcend itself to all aspects of our lives including our homes and workplaces.
We may never replicate Austen's orderly universe but we can incorporate its virtues into our hurried lives.

just puttering around...

2010-08-24T13:24:00.000-04:00

20 Days until the next semester begins. GACK!!!!

In the meantime, I've just been puttering around. Reading a little, making some stabs at that bedroom that needs painting (today I washed the walls, with the help of Itty Bitty), had a meeting last night at school to plan the 3rd Year student orientation event, running errands.

In the quilt realm:

1.Pieced together the 36 Candy Kisses blocks. It's cute. I'd like to put a creamy shade of Minkee on the back to make a very pretty baby blanket.

2. Put the border on the Jelly Roll 9-patch quilt I whipped up last week.

3. Pin basted the School of Rock quilt, all ready to quilt on my Janome.

Gotta show you this quilt made from repurposed shirts. I visited Zany Quilter for the first time today - - you might as well just add this link to you favourites: http://zanyquilter.blogspot.com/ 'cuz it's a very cool blog!

Cara of Cara Quilts recently reviewed "Alice's Tulips" by Sandra Dallas; I book I enjoyed too. So, I took a look at some of this author's other titles when I was at the library on Friday, and am now deeply into:

The Diary of Mattie Spenser

Candy Kisses

2010-08-21T16:48:00.000-04:00

I finished 36 blocks, and have 4 strips left over from the jelly roll (it was a 40 strip jelly roll). I need to square these up (probably about 7.5" unfinished, I believe).

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa????????????

2010-08-21T12:29:00.000-04:00

A Report: Friday Night Sew-In & Saturday Morning Yard Sale Finds

2010-08-21T12:14:00.000-04:00

Well, considering I had the whole evening to me, myself, and I....I didn't get a whole lot accomplished.

For the record, I have THIRTY Kimono blocks done. I've packed them away for the time being until I find something for the sashing.

I went to Cherished Pieces yesterday with my SIL--a new quilter, but definitely bitten by the quilt bug, HARD! -- where owner Cynthia is having a sale (ends today). I couldn't resist a clearance priced jelly roll: Candy Kisses by Sandy Gervais. So that's what I tinkered with last night.

I have an idea of what I'm doing, but just plastered the finished blocks up on my design wall in order to sort them. I'll put them in some semblance of a quilt top as I complete more blocks.

The yard sales were pretty good this morning, though I limited myself to only a few purchases: some school supplies, a shirt to repurpose, and these two tins of sewing treasures.

The seller let me have both tins for $3. The round one seems to be mostly buttons. Okay...so I didn't really NEED any of this stuff, but I was inspired by a podcast I listened to last night: GreenStitch, which Vesuviusmama referred to in her blog (thank you, Erin!). Episode 3 featured an interview with Ginger Hendrix, of Weinerdog Tricks who recommended maintaining a 'stash' in order to promote creativity, but also stressed the necessity of "culling" the stash in order to prevent the stash from taking over!

In the realm of what has been inspiring me laterly, I made a trip to the public library last night, and found this book by Cassie Barden.

Not only did I find inspiration in some of the really sweet projects, including the "Birdwatcher Messenger Bag"...

and the "Novella Composition Book Cover"...

...but I also liked what the author had to say in her introduction, answering the question: what is the "new homemade"?

"...we're experiencing a resurgence of all things handmade. You see it in food, in art, and especially in crafts like sewing, knitting, quilting, and embroidery. As the world gets larger and more complex, more plugged in and surrounded by automation and technology and gadgets, as we become more separated from the processes that create our food, our clothing, and our homes, we're starting to miss the connection to the things around us. We want to feel like we took part in the process, whether it's making a meal from scratch or wearing a piece of clothing we constructed ourselves."

Doesn't that explain it exactly??? I had a conversation with my SIL on the drive to Tilsonburg yesterday, discussing this very idea: the immensely satisfying sense of accomplishment that one feels when able to give form to, and shape a part of her world independantly.

You know it's Friday Night Sew In, right?

2010-08-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Oh! I forgot to show you my 'thing'

2010-08-19T16:16:00.000-04:00

I was at a meeting last night with some fellow classmates to plan an orientation event for the 3rd year BSW students. One of them gave me this cute little bottle carrier.

So now, of course, I need to figure out how to make one. I'll share a tutorial as soon as I get it worked out. It has pockets all around, and has batting withing all the layers as well as the carrying handle. The top is elasticised.

But I thought I would post this photo first, just in case there is already a tutorial out there somewhere, that someone can link me to, in order to spare me the work of trying to create one on my own! tee hee!

However, I would make one change for certain -- the bottle inside the carrier is 710 mL, but I would want it shortened in order to carry a 500 mL bottle.

Oh, Gibson!

2010-08-19T12:10:00.000-04:00

Poor schweepy kitteh! Too tired to quilt!

More Kimonos...more Books!

2010-08-17T22:09:00.000-04:00

I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with "Diary of an Ordinary Woman". While I was searching for a link to information about this book, I was devastated to learn that I had somehow overlooked the two tiny words "A novel" on the cover...because I wanted so much to believe Millicent King was a real person (doubly so when I started reading about her entry into social work as her second career!) I picked this up at the library, so if you're local, you'll have to wait until I'm finished with it!

Meanwhile, I'm still dabbling with Kimonos. I'm up to 21 now.

I was at school today for an appointment with the Practicum Coordinator... I still don't have a Practicum placement for 4th year. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Part of me wishes the matter was settled, so I could start gearing myself up for the next eight months--shop for appropriate clothing (important if I'm in a professional office), do some research about the clients and issues I'll be working with, practical considerations like parking, etc.-- but another part of me is afraid to settle, because I might miss some really fantastic experience or opportunity.

Gotta be honest...

2010-08-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

We crossed the border yesterday to do some back-to-school shopping with Itty-Bitty and his friend-that-is-a-girl. We stopped for a late lunch at one of those all-you-can-eat buffets.

I was standing at the steam table, scooping brussels sprouts onto my plate, when a young man (around nine or ten, I would reckon) spoke up:

"You know something funny? I've never tried them before," he said pointing into the tray of brussels sprouts.

I hesitated for a minute. If this child and I shared genetic material, my knee-jerk response would have been completely different. I would have insisted he put a couple on his plate, and give them a try.

But instead I suggested, "Really? If I were you, I'd skip 'em. Most people hate them. Me? I love brussels sprouts, but then, I'm a little weird."

He solemnly nodded his understanding, and whispered, "thanks".

Shopping is DONE though. It was a simple process. I handed him cash, and let the two of them run wild in the mall while Hubby and I strolled around. I didn't buy anything, because I don't want to spend money on clothes while I'm still in the process of losing weight (down 16.2 lbs). Itty Bitty did pretty good - with the cash I gave him, he managed to buy 4 pairs of jeans, 4 or 5 shirts, binders & supplies, and new strings for his bass guitar.

...a weird week

2010-08-14T20:07:00.001-04:00

While ordinarily I relish and revel in every opportunity to complain-- the longer and louder the better I always say! -- I hate to say this: it's been a weird week.

It has lasted exactly 14 hours. That must be the truth of it, because I can't believe that a week has passed by so quickly. Where are the brakes on this crazy time machine?!?!?!? I'm not ready for another school year yet!!!!

ughhhhhhh...four more weeks until I embark on the final year of my undergrad degree. Can you believe it? Doesn't it seem like just yesterday I was just beginning my FIRST year??

Very unsettling. And plain weird.

Anyhoooooo....Hubby and I went out yard sale-ing bright and early this morning, despite the fact that I was still wide-eyed at 3 in the morning reading a ~~completely engrossing~~ trashy novel.

Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

Born to rough cloth in working-class London in 1748, Mary Saunders hungers for linen and lace. Her lust for a shiny red ribbon leads her to a life of prostitution at a young age, where she encounters a freedom unknown to virtuous young women. But a dangerous misstep sends her fleeing to Monmouth and the refuge of the middle-class household of Mrs. Jones, to become the seamstress her mother always expected her to be and to live the ordinary life of an ordinary girl. Although Mary becomes a close confidante of Mrs. Jones, her desire for a better life leads her back to prostitution. She remains true only to the three rules she learned on the streets of London: Never give up your liberty; Clothes make the woman; Clothes are the greatest lie ever told. In the end, it is clothes, their splendor and their deception, that lead Mary to disaster.

Emma Donoghue's daring, sensually charged prose casts a new sheen on the squalor and glamour of eighteenth-century England. Accurate, masterfully written, and infused with themes that still bedevil us today, Slammerkin is historical fiction for all readers. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/emma-donoghue/slammerkin.htm

We didn't find too many treasures; I picked up four quilting books for 25¢ a piece: A Thimbleberries Housewarming, Santa's Coming by Art to Heart, Fat Quarters are Beautiful, and Finish It with Alex Anderson, plus a shirt that will be repurposed for 50¢.

All the excitement seemed to be at the Horton Street Market this morning! We couldn't walk 10 feet without tripping over someone we knew, if indeed were not related to! -- even both of our mothers! I got some more peaches from the same farmer I bought from last week. They were so deliciously sweet and juicy, Itty Bitty and I had to sit on the porch to eat because of the drippiness of them.

Funny Itty Bitty

2010-08-13T08:58:00.000-04:00

10 am yesterday

ME: Oh! I CANNOT possibly be any lazier. (as I reach for a quilt, so I can lay down for a rest on top of my already made bed.)

ITTY BITTY: (calling from another room) Yes you could. You could go back to bed. Now THAT would be the epitome of lazy!

Not much going on around here, really. Same old construction noise, dust. Same old stifling humidity and heat. Starting to think about "Back to School".

Making more Kimonos!

2010-08-10T13:43:00.000-04:00

Oh - these are fun!

And I think I'm going to make 24 or perhaps 36 all together, rather than stop at 12 (well, I've got 13 done, so I guess I've already passed that) as the pattern calls for, and use a narrow sashing to divide the individual blocks, sort of like traditional Japanese shoji.

shoji [ˈʃəʊʒiː -dʒiː] n pl -ji, -jis 1.a rice-paper screen in a sliding wooden frame, used in Japanese houses as a partition 2. any similar screen [from Japanese, from shō to separate + ji a piece]

What's on the Wall NOW?

2010-08-09T10:39:00.000-04:00

While transferring stuff from hidey holes here and there to my yard sale find tower of drawers, I fell upon a pattern that I had printed off some time ago - - that I was sooooo keen to recreate that I had already printed off the paper foundation piecing patterns and had been collecting fabrics for several years.

So, I thought...what the heck! No time like the present! I'm seeing less and less Asian inspired fabrics in the fabric stores, so I believe I'm jumping on this trend just as it's petering out.

Haru Kaze Kimono Quilt

The patterns was a free download from In The Beginning Fabrics -- and there's lots of designs there, so take a look if you have the time.

Now, the measurements for some of the pieces are incorrect. It would be best to draft it out for yourself . Foundation A & B need to be 5.5" long x 2" wide. Also, I increased the width of the C and F rectangles, just to give a little wiggle room for error, and will square the blocks up to 12.5" later.

I asked Itty Bitty and Hubby, at separate times, to come have a look at the blocks on my design wall, and neither one of them could identify them as kimonos. Am I deluding myself? I think they look a LOT like kimonos! UGH!

Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun making the blocks. It's a lot like making little doll clothes! I'm enjoying choosing the coordinating fabrics for each kimono, and perhaps doing a little fussy cutting to make sure the stripes are perfect, or the crane is centred just so. They go together pretty fast too, because of the big pieces! (The centre rectangle of the kimono is 5.5" x 10").

I must get a move on here...I've got an appointment to get my hair coloured this morning. I've put it off, and put it off, because I wanted to do some research about the safety of hair colour, and effects of the chemicals in the different brands of products. I've been colouring my hair for YEARS - I've been greying since I was 19, and I've got to be a good 70% white now, judging by my scary roots. I've been contemplating going natural -- which idealistically would be better aligned with the new ideas I'm eager to embrace about living an authentic life of simple abundance. But I'm just THAT vain!

Some quilty stuff...plus other junk

2010-08-08T10:35:00.000-04:00

Seems I haven't given a Simple Abundance Project update for awhile. First - I don't think there is much more I can get rid of, for at least a little while. The house has been gone through, and anything that doesn't contribute to my ideal life has been eliminated.

There's still projects underway, and plans for future projects--most importantly--removing all the carpeting in the house and replacing it with bamboo hardwood flooring.

At last reckoning, I've lost 14 lbs. Two people commented this past week that they can see that I've lost weight in my face. Okay...wasn't going for head shrinking, but hey...it's a start!

I went yard sale-ing yesterday morning and picked up this:

I'm pretty pleased with this tower of drawers - - I will tuck it into a corner, and load it up with precut kits and UFO's that are scattered in different places in my sewing studio. That will certainly pare down the cluttered look! I only paid $6 for all 3 three-drawer units, and they do stack one on top of the other.

I picked up the October 2010 issue of "American Patchwork & Quilting" last night, because I am in love with the cover quilt, which mimics the look of an old-time-y crocheted granny square afghan:

Granny Squares by Lissa Alexander

Not one to purchase a whole magazine for just one pattern, I'm itching to begin constructing these two as well:

Apple Crisp by Jan Ragaller

Plaid Tidings by Kathie Holland

The paper foundation piecing PDF for the square-in-a-square sub-blocks are downloadable from

www.AllPeopleQuilt.com/379 - very cool! And this quilt looks soooo repurposed shirt friendly!

"Louisa", "Anne", and TWO "Lucy"s -- all the girls were here!

2010-08-06T20:57:00.001-04:00

I spent a pleasant day with a Moda Jelly Roll in the "Louisa" collection, my Janome "Lucy", listening to "Anne of the Island" by Lucy Maude Montgomery.

So far, I've gotten the centre part done of Roslyn Mirrington's recipe at Moda Bake Shop.

Wendy (you naughty girl you!) got me hooked on LMM last summer, and if I'm not completely senile yet, I think it was she who got me hooked on Librivox.org too, where I downloaded both "Anne of Avonlea" and "Anne of the Island" to listen to while I sewed.

What I like about the LMM books, although initially intended for a much younger reader than I, is the words! Listening to her stories is like listening to music. If you are looking for some "company" while you sew, I strongly recommend you download either of these from Librivox.

And speaking of words, I'd like to mention a new favourite podcast that I recently stumbled upon: A Way With Words. Each program is nearly an hour long, and discusses neologisms, slang, grammar, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects, family expressions, and speaking and writing well.

NEXT!!!

2010-08-05T13:10:00.000-04:00

The "Bathroom Renovation from Hell" is finally complete, so it's time to move on to the next home project.

Now, we are going to remove all the carpet in our house, and replace it with bamboo hardwood flooring. Even though our dear old house is 97 years old now, and one would expect there to be hardwood floors beneath the wall-to-wall, crying out to be restored, not so! Instead, we have old painted pine floors.

This morning, Itty Bitty and I removed the furniture from Sailor Boy's old room, tore out the carpet, pulled up the tack strip, and are now set to commence the painting part of the re-do. It might take me three weeks to pick out a colour...

...and another three weeks just to paint the radiator!

Incidently, Gibby Kitty is completely worn out, and is sleeping on top of my cutting mat. I just 'meowed' at him, and he gave me the most disgusted and condescending glare before slamming his eyes shut again.

I think I threw out my Hot Glue gun

2010-08-05T09:51:00.001-04:00

I believe in my excitement to unburden myself of stuff, I tossed my hot glue gun. And wouldn't you know it? I could use it right now.

I saw some adorable little pin cushions while we were on our vacation, but decided I could probably make one myself.

stupid cat...camera insists on focusing on the cat's fur, and NOT the pin cushion

And I did create a pretty credible imitation, but the stem of the flower is a golf tee, which is meant to be poked into the hole of a spool of thread. I found the golf tees (not to mention $3.14, and one American dime) ~~in Hubby's golf bag~~ in the basement this morning, but not the glue gun to attach them to the flower.

Gibby Kitty has picked up a rather bad habit. He begins meowing Réveille at obscene hours of the morning (today it started at 5) and does not let up for HOURS! I wish he'd get laryngitis.

Well...you have to know I brought home a few quilty treats...

2010-08-01T09:07:00.000-04:00

While we were visiting The People's Quilt Museum, I came around one corner and thought, "Now here is a quilt for me!"

...and another!

Both of these quilts were stitched by quilter Elsie M. Campbell ... and wasn't I excited to see that copies of her book were available for sale that included patterns for both of these?

5 Days, 3000 KMs, a Thousand Memories, and a Million Laughs!

2010-07-31T20:00:00.001-04:00

Plans to go to Halifax were nixed, and the boys voted that Hubby and I should go away on our own for a few days. We left without any distinct idea about where we would end up...I was thinking a romantic (huh?) 2nd honeymoon in the Poconos, since our 10th anniversary is coming up soon.

So here's the trip diary.

Tuesday: Day One

I finished writing my final exam and got home at 5 p.m. It took me longer than I thought to write the exam, because ~~it was easier to come up with some bullshit answers than I expected~~ I actually knew some answers! I figured we'd leave bright and early the next morning, but NO! The car was packed, and we drove until ~~I couldn't take the anxiety of keeping nightblind Hubby between the lines~~ we were too tired to go on. So we spent the first night in Batavia, NY.

Wednesday: Day Two

I'm sure Batavia is a lovely place, though I couldn't tell in the dark, and as soon as we scarfed down our complimentary continental breakfast, we were on the road to Letchworth State Park. We spent about 3 hours or so leisurely driving through; getting out from time to time to take photos, enjoy the scenery, and visit the museum on site. I think I'd like to go back there again, and spend a few days in one of the cabins.

(That's me in the photo)

When we left the state park, we headed for Corning, NY to visit the glass museum. I don't know what I was expecting....displays of Pyrex?? I was certainly surprised by the stunning modern art, and artefacts dating back 3500 years. I was amazed by the breadth of multiculturalism among the visitors as well - I heard Cantonese, German, Italian, and many other languages.

A portrait of me, through glass!

I trod carefully over the glass bridge to see the glass blowing demonstration.

Somehow, the idea of walking on glass freaked me out a little.

Next stop: The Poconos! Okay...so some of us didn't know there was a big race this weekend? In fact, we were treated rather shabbily when we had the nerve to inquire regarding accomodations on Wednesday evening at certain hoteliers (didn't we know they were all full up for the race this weekend???!!!)! By the time we got settled in ~~a dump~~ a fine chain motel, had our supper at 9 p.m., and returned to our room - - romance in the Poconos was out of the question. I can't even remember the name of the town we stayed in.

Thursday: Day Three

~~Burned rubber getting the hell out of wherever we were~~ We were off bright and early to our next destination: Nazareth, PA. Our intention was to make a tour of the C.F.Martin factory to see the guitars made there. Okay...if you are ever in the neighbourhood - - just GO! The town is the prettiest place, everyone we met there was so friendly, breakfast at the Nazareth Diner was soooooo good, Barbara at the Naz. Visitor Centre was a doll, Gail and Liz at the old Martin factory (where they construct kits for hobbyists to build their own guitars from Martin 2nds pieces).

The museum has only been open since 2004, and is incredibly well done.

Funny, we were listening to "Unplugged" in the car at the beginning of our trip Tuesday evening!

Just outside of the museum, there is an area where you can take a Martin off the wall and try it out.

There is a long, long wall of album covers with a Martin in the art/photo.

This is just part of the wall! (Also outside the museum)

Hubby and I agreed that we were running a ragged pace, and that THIS night, we would be stopping early, and treating ourselves to a very nice place to spend the night. So, it was off to Lancaster County, PA!

The visitor centre in Lancaster is incredible, and the staff so helpful. We were assisted in finding a lovely room in Bird-in-Hand, PA at the historic Ressler House, one of four properties that makes up the Bird-in-Hand Village Inn and Suites. The Ressler House was built in 1858, and recently restored and updated. It is drop-dead gorgeous. We had a stunning room, with a King sized bed, a gas fireplace, and a jacuzzi.

After checking in, and taking a wee rest, we went to dinner and then took a drive to nearby Intercourse, PA. The village had practically rolled up the streets (it was nearly 8 o'clock for heaven's sake!) so we had a bit of a walk around, took some photos ~~of horse poop~~ and decided where we would like to visit in the morning.

Back at the inn, we were served a bedtime snack in the main house -- all kinds of baked goodies, plus! -- but we only had room for a decaf coffee, and a chin wag with a couple from Virginia and friendly Lisa who was our hostess for the evening. (I stuck a peanut butter cookie in my pocket, in case I needed a nibble later!)

Friday: Day Four

After a lovely breakfast in the dining room at the inn, we left early to do a little shopping in Intercourse, and to visit the quilt museum there. First stop, was a quilt store of course: The Old Country Store. Upstairs in this 1880s structure is where the The People's Place Quilt Museum is located. Go to the museum website to see photos, ours didn't turn out so great.

Then we were off to historic Gettysburg, PA. First, our bellies had to be taken care of, and a stop at the Farnsworth House Inn (1810) fit the bill nicely.

The house itself played a role in the battle of Gettysburg, as attested by 150 bullet holes in the brick:

We drove around the battlefields, stopped in at the museum, and then a moment of clarity struck us....who's idea was this anyway??? Hubby thought we were in Gettysburg because I wanted to see it, and I just went along for the ride because I thought he was itching to see it.... what the...???

While we respect the historical and social significance of the site, we're not American, so it's not a part of our heritage. But before we made our exit, we did take a walk around cemetary hill, and then to Soldiers National Cemetery, the site of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

It's difficult to name precisely the emotional experience of visiting this cemetery, seeing the rows upon rows of grave markers, some not much bigger than a common brick with just a number etched into it, marking the resting place of a man. It was one of those peak experiences of unspeakable, indescribable, indefineable je ne sais quoi, and I think I can safely say that we are both glad to have not missed it.

We took a long evening drive, following mountain roads back and forth across the Susquehanna River, finally coming to a stop in Clearfield, PA.

Saturday: Day Five

A lovely drive through the Allegheny Mountains, a stop at the Duty Free, and home by mid afternoon!

Friday Night Sew In

2010-07-23T19:20:00.000-04:00

The details are here!

So, I'm spending my evening (at least this early part of it!) doing a little sewing along with some 137 or so other quilter/bloggers.

So far, I've finished sewing the School of Rock rows together, attached the borders, and pieced together a backing. All set to quilt!

(with Gibson CLEARLY being his very helpful self!)

Time to clear off my tables, and see what sort of mess I can make next!

Project Update

2010-07-23T10:22:00.001-04:00

I thought I'd let you know how I'm doing on my Simple Abundance Project.

First: at my last weigh in, I was down 10.8 lb, but I reckon it's closer to 12 now. I've done a few laps 'round Pinafore Park with my SIL this week, as she's joined a "Biggest Looser" competition among her colleagues. I do wish she'd get up earlier though - - it's damn HOT by the time she's ready to go!

Yesterday, Itty Bitty and I cleaned out three kitchen cupboards and took 2 boxes of dishes to the thrift store. Naturally, all the plasticware went out the door, however, it was really difficult choosing which of my glass mixing bowls I would give up! But my cupboards look very nice and tidy now....no more tossing in a dish, and slamming the door hoping it won't fall back out!

I went thrifting yesterday, and couldn't resist a completely unnecessary purchase.

I think these birds are a Canadian thing, so I expect that all my non-Canadian followers just went, "What the...?" and all my Canadian followers just went, "Ohhhhhhh yes!". These tiny little fellows were given away in boxes of Tenderleaf Tea back in the 60's, and there are 30 of them in the series I think. I already owned two -- #12 Cedar Waxwing and #17 Cardinal. Last night I was suprised to see SIX at the local Goodwill store - and purchased four of them (there were three crows, so I picked the best one): #1 Robin, #22 Crow, #23 Yellowbellied Flycatcher, #28 Red Tailed Hawk.

Then I took a look at the books, and picked out three choices that certainly speak to some of the ideas I've been mulling about this summer:

"Yoga for Women" by Shaktua Kaur Khalsa:

(From Publishers Weekly) Khalsa, an accomplished yoga practitioner and teacher, instructs the novice in dozens of basic yoga positions (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas) and meditations from her own "harmonious blend of Hatha and Kundalini Yoga." Although there are over 200 postures in Hatha practice, Khalsa focuses on those benefiting women's concerns, among them menstruation, breast care, pregnancy, birth and menopause. Step-by-step instructions accompanied by color photographs allow even confirmed klutzes to manage sun salutations, Downward Dog, Crow and the Wheel. Readers are also tempted with recipes for drinks such as Golden Milk, made with the Indian spice turmeric, and beauty treatments such as the Papaya Face Mask or a yogurt bath. For those who need more encouragement to stretch their limbs, Khalsa includes testimonials by women who cite the life-changing powers of yoga. After browsing through the pages of Khalsa's accessible book, even the most yoga-phobic may be inspired to take a "position."

"In Praise of Slow" by Carl Honoré:

(From Mark Frutkin ) Honoré points out that the cult of speed has been with us since the Industrial Revolution, and it's getting worse, with businesses routinely expecting 60 to 80 hours a week from workers, young children with the schedules of high-powered executives, rampant road rage, and doctors who don't have time to listen to their patients. "Boredom ... is a modern invention," the author states. "Remove all stimulation, and we fidget, panic and look for something, anything, to do to make use of the time." But Honoré is no true-believer--he questions every aspect of the Slow movement and keeps coming up with the conclusion that it just makes sense: life in the slow lane is more enjoyable, more pleasurable, more humane. This is a remarkable book that should be read by every resident of today's frenzied urban world.

"The High Price of Materialism" by Tim Kasser:

(From Publishers Weekly:) Drawing on an impressive range of statistical studies, including ones that use his own "Aspiration Index," Kasser argues that a materialistic orientation toward the world contributes to low self-esteem, depression, antisocial behavior and even a greater tendency to get "headaches, backaches, sore muscles, and sore throats." While at first the book seems to retrace the steps of Juliet B. Schor's The Overspent American and other recent titles that analyze why many Americans feel driven and unhappy despite success, Kasser goes beyond this, showing how materialistic values shape an individual's orientation toward friends, family, work, death and "internal satisfactions." Of great interest are the studies demonstrating that children of divorce and people with "less nurturing" mothers are more likely to hold strong materialistic values (though some readers may protest that children of divorce simply feel more economically vulnerable than their peers). Drawing on sources as diverse as dream analysis and game theory, Kasser powerfully argues that when we as individuals or as a nation feel more vulnerable, we exhibit more sharply defined materialistic tendencies a theme particularly resonant in this era of terrorist threats, personal debts and corporate scandals.

But this is what I'm reading now:

I bet you're wondering what it was about this book that made me pick it up. I've always been fascinated by history (and British Restoration era in particular, ever since I read "Forever Amber" when I was a (very precocious) girl, and morbidly curious about illness, medicine, and death (the ghoul/nurse part of me).

(From Publishers Weekly): British historian and editor Waller contrasts the 18th century with the 21st in this radiant book. She sketches London at the turn of the 18th century--when the city, poised between two worlds, hosted remnants of the medieval world alongside harbingers of the empire that was to come. London in 1700, she notes, was both growing more modern--industry was thriving, trade was expanding and the country had its first constitutional monarchs--and, simultaneously, suffering from old troubles, including high mortality rates, poor drinking water and rampant, unchecked disease. Similarly, at the beginning of the 21st century, she suggests, we are wandering among the survivals of the age that's just ended and the precursors of a world whose outlines we cannot yet see. The resemblance between the two eras gives a piquancy to the text, but even if there were no such correspondence, there would still be a great deal to praise in this very fine book. Waller has mined the archival record for fascinating details of 18th-century British marriage and childbirth, disease and death, home and fashion, work and play, religion and vice, crime and punishment, and she includes an exhaustive bibliography. Although the book's chapters (grouped into such topics as childbirth, marriage and disease)--despite a plethora of vivid anecdotes--never really cohere into a unified narrative, this rigorous, informative and entertaining text deserves a wide readership.

Snap Pouch -- I made it!

2010-07-21T12:39:00.000-04:00

I used the cut-off triangles from the bag I made last night to make HSTs and then sewed them together to make a little pouch (about 5" by 4.5"). The top of it has pieces cut from a metal carpenter's tape measure in the casing, so that when you open the pouch, it will snap closed again.

Itty Bitty Says It's Time to Update My Blog...

2010-07-20T21:37:00.000-04:00

...what can I say? It's been busy around here.

I made this bag tonight. I need to stitch the top edge down, and maybe add some buttons to it, but it was fast and fun. I used charm squares from the last package I received from Benartex -- the collection is Wordplay by Michele D'Amore.

The pattern I based it on is called Scrappy Sack from http://www.thisandthatpatterns.com/ . I left off the zipper and the applique, but since it only takes 21 charm squares, I can see making this one again. It's only 8" x 12" -- good size for a lunch bag, or a bag to hold your take along hand sewing projects.

Sailor Boy arrived home on Sunday evening. After I write my final exams (one on Monday, the second on Tuesday afternoon) our plan is to drive him back out to Halifax. We'll just sort of take our time, and take in some sights. I'm looking forward to getting away.

I saw something REALLY neat recently - - you use pieces of a 3/4" metal measuring tape in the folded edge of the top of a bag and this will snap the bag open and closed. Oh, I know I'm not explaining it right - - but it's on my list to give this a try, and see how it works out!

It's been three weeks...

2010-07-15T09:50:00.000-04:00

...since I started my weight loss plan, and I'm at a 9.6lb loss today. Having said that...don't you hate weight loss blogs? They start off really good, and then you realize...hmmm...this person hasn't posted for awhile... and then you realize they have fallen off the wagon. I promise not to let this turn into a blog all about weight loss!!! Just a comment on my Simple Abundance Project.

Last night I went to yoga class again - and I think I'm falling in love! We did a lot of hip joint work last night, and I was much less nervous, and got a little thrill when I could sink deeper into each pose with each breath. So cool! Early this morning, before it got very warm, I popped on my iPod, and went for a walk along the old L&PS tracks. It's a very pleasant walk, because it's level ground (to accomodate the trains that used to run along these tracks) it's shady, with lots of wildflowers, birds, and butterflies.

I didn't think I'd get ANY hexagon flowers done this week, because I was working on the binding of Lucky Stars, but I stitched three together yesterday during the drive Hubby and I took to Port Huron.

We went to price out flooring. I want to take all the carpeting out of the house, and slowly replace it, room-by-room with bamboo hardwood. I was surprised to find it was much more expensive in the US, even considering HST.

While we were there, I simply HAD to make use of my 40% off coupon at Mary Maxim's. Hubby helped me pick out fabric for the School of Rock quilt. With any luck, I'll get it sandwiched in the next week, and try my hand at machine quilting it myself.