Santa's Only 2 Days Away

It is so wonderful to have my Mom here for Christmas. I picked her up last week just before a big snow storm, the first of 4 we are to have before Christmas. I have so many UFO's that I thought I would have done for Christmas that are not. Both Mom and my Hubby are going to receive partially finished gifts with Promises for the new year.

Here's Mom and Shadow,  Mom is playing games on the computer. It is so wonderful to have her here.

 

Deck the Halls meme

Seen on Anecdotally Yours.


Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate.

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree? Sets them under the tree

Colored lights on tree or white? White lights look beautiful but I think I prefer coloured.

When do you put your decorations up? Usually December 1st

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Roast Turkey with all the Trimmings

Favorite Holiday memory as a child: One year near Christmas my family and another one went to my Grandads lot and we skated on the pond, Drank hot chocolate from a thermos and then Dad cut down our Christmas tree. It was a lovely Day.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I remember it was the Christmas I was 10, I likely found out from the other kids at school

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? That was a childhood ritual,  They were usually PJ's  but we don't do it now. 

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? First put on the lights, including the angel,  then the garlands, then the ornaments and finally the icicles. 

Snow! Love it or Dread it? As we Live in Snow Country We have no choice but I would be happy if it left any time after New Years.

Can you ice skate? Not any more and I never was very good.

Do you remember your favorite gift? There have been so many nice ones it is hard to choose just one. but I think if I had to it would be a Doll House I got when I was 4 or 5. 

What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and know that we have done what we can to make another Christmas a little better.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  My Mom makes a mean shortbread cookie, followed by her trifle

What is your favorite tradition? Every Christmas morning for the last 30 years  we have had a Ham and Cheese Egg Strata  (known as the Christmas Morning Housewife Saver).  It is made the night before and you put it in the oven as you  begine to open the presents and it is baked and ready about an hour later. That with fresh fruit and lovely coffee has become a tradition.

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving? I love to giving,  I love to see what everone thinks of the gifts I have made and purchased for them.

What is your favorite Christmas Song? The Christmas Song

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I love them.

Ever recycled a Christmas present? I hate to say it but yes.

Thanks So Much and Christmas Past

Thanks so much for all of your best wishes, comments, and internet links.


The Quilt in my header was one that my kindred group "Friends in Stitches" made and donated to "The Quilt". Our group is so proud of it. It was chosen as one of the quilts that they used in there print advertising, (in the Creative Needlework Catelogue) and eventually sold at there auction for $850.oo We adapted a pattern from Quilters Newsletter and actually made it as a Quilt as you Go pattern. We all donated our Batiks and worked together on it.


As for Shadow's Quilts, I made four Crazy Quilt Squares, around photo's of her from my collection of Black and White fabric (many of them Dog themed) I then used my sewing machine to cover all of the seams with fancy stitches; then sashed and bordered it with the black white and red. Sometimes I think it is a little over the top. It is on the top of my list to quilt it for the New Year so that it can hang with the quilt I have of our last furry friend.


I have several small projects in the works. None that I can photograph and post as they are Christmas presents.


Christmas Past

I found this picture the other day on the Internet of a medical trolley and supplies. It is identical to one I received for Christmas when I was about 5yrs. I clearly remember my grandfather allowing me to remove his appendix with my new instruments.


Here is a photo of the trolley and my brother and I Christmas 1960, yes that makes me 53.

Back Again

Hi, I have been away for a very long. I have been ill but feel that now I have turned a corner and would like to use my Blog as a sort of therapy.

Among other things that I won't bore you with, I have both Carpel Tunnel in both hands, (most of the times very difficult to keyboard) and a condition called Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet. It is a nerve damage which causes numbness, pain, pins and needles a feeling of being very cold in my feet. It is a condition which worsens through the night which means that I sleep very little at night and I am a Zombie during the day. I am on some medication to help with the pain, however it does not seem to help allot.

I been working on a new quilt featuring our dog Shadow, I really need to get it completed, here are some pictures of the quilt. I have another couple of small projects on the go for Christmas.

I hope to have them finished in time and maybe photos for you after the new year.

My intention is to Blog once a week, and I sure love feedback to please leave me a comment .

Friends in Stitch

Tonight my kindred group are getting together for a Christmas (a little late) pot luck and social. Our group has 7 members but one of our group moved to England and we try to get together once or twice a year when she comes home.

We call our group, 'friends in stitches" as I think I have mentioned we work on Charity quilts when we get together it is usually an excuse to stitch and bitch and get out of the house. Today I am making a black bean salad as my contribution to the meal.

Happy New Year

Had a great day with friends yesterday. My Kindred Group "friends in stitches". We meed at least once per month and sew or talk and share what we are working on and also usually have a group project on the go that we are working on together.

Yesterday we met for our Christmas pot luck lunch. Everyone brought something and as usual we had way to much food and it was all delicous. WE exchanged Christmas present. I made scissor keepers and fobs for everyone.

I received some lovely gifts from my friends. It such a blessing to had such wonderful friends.

Merry Christmas

Another Great Christmas lots of news things as you can tell by the Chaos. Far more than we really need. Mom loved her Red and White Christmas Twisted Log Cabin and I loved the Double Wedding ring my husband bought me. Merry Christmas to all of you, and your families.

PLEASE NOTE: I finally finished A UFO.See you in the New Year

Gift Given

We gave my coworker Eleanor her retirement party. Lots of food, a guestbook, a beautiful photo album for her to take with her, a great ipod, gift card for music and the quilt. She was thrilled with all of them. Eleanor and I are the two in the office who watch coronation street religiously so I will miss our morning updates but I sure wish it was me who was retiring.

Retirement Gift

One of my co-workers is retiring, her last day is Christmas Eve. One of the gals at work talked me into making a signature quilt for her and I had thought it would be a small wall hanging size. However I failed to calculate the size, thinking I would wing it. Now it is the size of a small lap quilt.

I still have to sandwich and quilt it but believe me it will be very simple (in the ditch). I do not have time for anything else. As you can see it is all blue (my stash) and muslin with the exception of one Maple leaf square. Eleanor is moving to England on Christmas day and I thought the red maple leaves would remind her of Canada.

Snow Storm

We were hit with a huge wtorm yesterday and according to the weather man "it ain't over yet"

New bathroom

Here are pictures of our completed new bathroom. It feels like I am in a hotel not my home. I'm sure I will get used to it.

My sewing room

I thought that I would post a couple of pictures of my sewing room. It is a bit of a misnomer because I have been sewing (lately) in our dining room. Being upstairs I feel like I am away from the action and also in the winter it is cold upstairs so I am alway bringing down sewing suplies and ( always way to much stuff) Anyway I was upstairs yesterday did a little tidying of the sewing room. Thought now would be good time to post. Ah please don't say if this was tidy I hate to see what it look like before.

Below is a photo of my inspiration wall. It is picture of my Mom and Dad when they were first married and then after 50 years. Also a couple of my Mom's baby pictures.

Bathroom Reno

We are having our bathroom renovated I do not like only having one other bathroom, which means I have to get up in the night and come downstairs to use the bathroom Here are a few of the befores.

Yikes what a mess!!

............................and now for the rebuild!

I will post a picture of the completed job next week.

Orangeville Quilt show

Here are a few of the Lovely quilts that I saw at the Orangeville bi-annual quilt show put on by the Dufferin Piecemakers. It was really lovely and they had a great selection of vendors there so much so that I left some of my money as the show.

Busy Painting

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I always think that I have nothing that interesting to talk about. Over thanksgiving My Mom and I painted and fixed up my family room. I have pictures of the before and afters although I forgot to take a picture of the room before I had dismantled it.

The white and plum with floral border has been replaced by a lovely coffee with cream cream colour and the couch and chair slip covered with dark rusty red. I am going to clean up the end table and spray them black, if we have a good weather day when I am off work.

Quilt Show - Bobcaygeon- Harvest of Quilts 2007

Last weekend Mom and I went to the Quilt show in Bobcaygeon, ON. It is held every two years and is called "Harvest of Quilts". It is held in a Settlers Village and features old and new quilts haning in Barns, in the one room school house, the old church etc. you get the idea. It is beautiful. They have a great selection of Vendors, a place for luncheon or picnic tables if you want to bring your own. I particularly like the mix of old and new quilts.

I photograghed so many but two particularly caught my. I am sorry that I did not get a detailed shot big enough to show the name of the

the second maker. (sorry) But I like them so much I wanted to share them with you. I immediately came home and ordered the book to make one. Have a look!

The Name Game-

The Name Game ( stole this from Dorothy)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)Suzie Focus

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)French Vanilla Chocolate Chunk
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
D-Gra

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Ann Peterborough

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Gra-Da

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Black Coffee

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)Cliff Herbert

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Dune Goodie

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )Grace Stewart

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)Astell Allegheny

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Christmas Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + "ie" or "y")Apple Jeansie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)PB Toast Maple

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)The Applique Lighting Tour.

Another Great Day!

My friend Kelly and I spent Friday together. As usual our idea was to sew. However we began by planning our next trip to Quilt Canada 2008 in Newfoundland. This involved reading every class they were offering and narrowing down the list we might be interesting in taking. Then going on- line to look at flights to Newfoundland and there cost. By the time that was complete, it was time for lunch.

I made us a nice lunch of homemade chili, Crusty rolls and for dessert fresh peaches and ice cream.

We did spend some time working on a project. Kelly and I have both been making Baltimore Album quilt blocks. I say that because heaven knows, if they will ever turn into a quilt. We both thought it would be a great idea to make a block holder, so we set out to make a pattern in one of Ellie Sienkiewicz last book, Baltimore Elegance.

Kelly also spent some time showing me how to use EQ to design quilts. Oh great more time on the computer and less on actual sewing. (I just heard Mark Lipinski on a podcast talking about buying fabric as buying the dream of making a quilt, where you do or not) I guess I belong to that camp.

I can only who you a picture of the fabric I selected because frankly we did not get far enough to show you much else. We plan to complete the block holder next time we get together.

Latest Read

I have been off work this last week and I've been reading, sewing and crocheting. My latest read is one of the Shenandoah Album Series of Quilt Fiction by Emilie Richards. I recommend them all. I started with the first one Double Wedding Ring, then The Endless Chain, next is The Lovers Knot and finally Shooting Stars.

I have also become a fan of The no-end-insight Ripple- Along Blog. I have taken out a huge box of yarn that I have had more than 15 years and started crocheting. I have completed one baby blanket and started on a second. I like making baby things because they work up quickly and I can always donate them to church or some other cause for fund raising.

I hope to have some picture of my Quilt progress shortly.

Enjoyable Read

I spend the entire day in my jammies reading Jennifer Chiaverini's newst book, "the Quilters Homecoming". Kelly gave it me for my birthday and I really enjoyed it. I love reading books that have quilting as part of there storey line. I have read all of Chiaverini's and am now working On Emilie Richards Shenandoah Album series.