..... QUILTING FOREVER, HOUSEWORK WHENEVER .....

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Christmas in July...

Got home about an hour ago from our Crescentwood Christmas in July Pot-Luck. Good time, good food, and good turn out of ladies. I think there was 16 of us! About 4-6 missing...
Our dear Vf always has a couple of games and prizes prepared for our parties. She's a peach! These are my winnings! A 2002 Peacemakers calendar with pretty trees and little animals... some hidden in the trees....Thanks Vf! And a Christmas Bells and Bows fat quarter....Thanks Cd! 8-)

No Show & Tell.... 8-(

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Word from DD#2....

Heard from DD#2 last night. She is having a blast in Australia still. Yesterday they were to try out surfing... I hope there are no sharks! Yikes! Is Mamma nervous? YES!

Here is, in her words, how the day went, "
I went swimming in the ocean today, we had some good 6 and 7 foot waves that Shawn and I swam. Then in the afternoon we went surfing, it is tough, we went on small 3 and 4 foot waves though. I couldn't really get the hang of it, it is hard to get to your feet, but riding on your knees is pretty cool too."

They had climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge as planned. She said it didn't seem as high as she had thought. I don't know all the details of names and such of some places, but they went to a zoo, the Crocodile Hunter's nature place, she has petted and fed kangaroos, held a 6 year old koala bear, etc, etc. Sounds like they have plans and things lined up everyday. She also mentioned that they have been staying in some very nice hostels....

Next, they travel back to New Zealand for an overnight before heading to Fiji for the rest of their experience down there. What a wonderful trip...I should have done more traveling when I was that age.

Monday, July 28, 2008

What a disappointing weekend!

I started posting this on Friday night...

First, I forgot to mention what I did yesterday (Thusday) at Wonky Bits! I tucked in threads from my free motion quilting on the anniversary quilt. The gals also gave me some advice on how to do the rest of the quilting (that I was having trouble with). Thanks ladies! 8-)
I also worked on the applique on my UFO "paper pieced log cabin" project.

Today (Friday) I had a lovely day! I went to a new friend's home to do some stitching. There were 5 of us, nibble foods (yum), and A/C!!! 8-) I did more applique, same project. I have the 4th corner (bottom right) pieces all glued down and ready for stitching...I have to cut out more leaves for that corner too.... Bit by bit things are getting done. I still refuse to start anything new until I am caught up on my UFOs.

If you recall, we were shown by Pg a while back, how to put together the "hotdog" pillow-case method with hidden seams. Well, Cd tried that out today. She was so happy with how it worked out! I think there will be many pillow-cases made by her hands in the next while!

My poor fur girls are not impressed with their Mummy today! Gone 2 days in a row!!! Not good! I can't bare to tell them that "Mummy" will be gone all day tomorrow...even longer, as we have a 50th wedding anniversary to attend starting at 3pm. I hope DS will be around a bit to entertain them... 8-)

Today's actual post:
Well, my weekend didn't go at all as planned. Went to bed on Friday night feeling fine, woke often through the night with a sore stomach. In the morning I got up and out with the fur girls for their walk. I made it a very short walk as I was feeling chilled and loosing energy very fast. Feeling very weak. No wonder! I had the stomach flu. My hubby had it on Wednesday/Thursday, but normally I don't get things like this. Anyway, I missed my Aunt and Uncle's 50th Anniversary. I was so looking forward to seeing all my cousin's that I haven't seen for years... I ended up spending all day Saturday and Sunday on the couch watching TV or sleeping. Today I finally feel up to sitting at the comp.

In seeing an add for Folklorama on the TV this weekend, I thought I would share something with you. A lot of my friends don't know about this little part of my past. First though, for those of you that are not familiar with Folklorama, it is a 2 week festival in Winnipeg, celebrating all cultures and ethnic backgrounds in pavilions throughout Winnipeg. See here for info.

Today's Pavilions are represented by an adult set and a teenage set of ambassadors, but back in 1978 the pavilions were still represented by a young gal of that culture, chosen through talent pageants, and dubed as Miss ________.

So, here is what
many don't know about me. I was crowned as Miss Holland 1078, by Sylvia Kuzyk weather lady of CTV News.
It was a wonder
ful experience of a summer full of fun with about 30 of us young women from all kinds of backgrounds...
One photo is of myself in the Folklorama parade, the other is of me in my Dutch costume from the town of Walcheren, in the province of Zeeland. I bet you didn't know there were more than most commonly known costume hey?! There are actually a lot more!!! 8-)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Wonky Bits Day!

Oh the humidity!!!

At 8:00am I stepped outside for my morning walk with the fur girls, 94% humidity!!! 94% at that time of the morning already, and the afternoon temps weren't even here yet!!! YUCK! And the temperature high today reached 27 degrees, with the humidity on top of that! Talk about ready to wilt!

Thank goodness for air-conditioned homes, cars, and stores! And thank goodness the church that we hold our Wonky Bits gatherings in is also air-conditioned!!! 8-)

We had a small group of 6 today, but fun we did have! Not much for show and tell today...forgot to take a photo of J's little place-mats, sorry J! At last minute I took a photo of what D was machine quilting away at today.
Once home I thought, "what else could I post a photo of?" I just had to look up, and I found it! My finished quilts display wall that is waiting patiently for a fully finished quilt to hang there! My hubby made the shelf for me at the old house, where it was being used for curtains over my garden doors. I wasn't about to leave it behind!!! Good shelf for displays in my dining area.....
I had been storing my sandwiched UFO quilts on the spare bed, but find myself in need of the bed this weekend, so thought to hang them here... at least they are hanging!!! 8-)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

New glasses and more eye candy...

Since I started quilting about 5-6 years ago, I found I had to wear those cheapy reading glasses when doing my applique and such. Many a time I had gotten to a stitch evening/day with all my supplies, only to find I had forgotten my glasses. I learned fast to just leave the project and hope that someone brought books and magazines...

About 2 years ago
I was getting tired of putting them on and off, and looking around the house for them... even though I had about 5 pairs tucked into project bags and such by then.... When driving I was also noticing that my distance vision was changing, so I went to have my eyes checked and I got my first pair of glasses. Progressives too yet! After about 3 days I was finally used to them. I was happy! I could see!

Then about 5 months later I was having trouble seeing my close up work. I ended up putting the cheapy reading glasses on again, but over my progressives. (as in photo) All my friends got used to seeing me like this, but others probably thought I was nuts! Anyway, I wasn't impressed! I got the prescription glasses to avoid the on and off, hide and seek with the cheapies!!! Grrrrrrrr......

Early this month DH and I went to get our eyes checked again, got new prescriptions, and yesterday we went and ordered new glasses. My eyes had changed a lot since last time. Hopefully I will be able to avoid the "double glasses" once I get them in about 10 -14 days... Can't wait now!

In looking through all my photos I came upon a photo I didn't realize I had. And I am so glad I have it! This is my friend D's Challenge Quilt that she made with the paper piecing method, to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to Breast Cancer. I think there were about 40-45 Challenge quilts made in total.
This is friend K's first try at Raw-Edge Applique. I think she did a lovely job! She is a very talented lady with her fingers into many stitch and hooking crafts! This is the first ABC Quilt I made about 2-3 years ago. Adults, Babies, Children Donation quilts. Our Manitoba Prairie Quilter's Guild donates numerous quilts to the hospitals for the sick...

Ruby's belly hair is really taking it's time growing back in from her spay surgery. It has been about a month now!!!And here she is looking at me as if to say, "Who said you could take a photo of my belly!?" If you look close, or click on the photo for a larger image, you can see that she still has her stitches in her nose from her nose job. They supposedly dissolve in 60 days....
That be it for today... 8-)

Monday, July 21, 2008

And it continues....

Pop on over to my friend's blog to see her latest WIP! She has a lovely photo of it so far! I just love the fabrics she is using!

Myself, I am not working on anything....like I have given up! I went into my sewing room twice on Saturday to "Get to it!" on the Anniversary Quilt. I want to get it done!!! And I ended up walking out of there frustrated and ticked off twice also! I am starting to think that this free-motion stuff is not for me! Don't know if it "IS" me or Pfaffy!

My friend K suggested I move on to something else for a while... I suppose I should. Better than doing nothing.... And friend C suggested I go to where I bought Pfaffy and work on it there, that way I can be shown if I am doing something wrong machine-wise.... Another good suggestion... Perhaps I should...

Big sigh....

I received an email with some really cool photos. Here are 2 of them and the write up about it...
Volcanic Eruption Meets Lightning Storm
Two of nature's most spectacular forces produced an incredible brew in the skies of Chile as a volcanic eruption met a lightning storm. Tons of dust and ash from the eruption of the Chaitén volcano poured into the night sky just as an electric storm passed overhead. The resulting collision created a spectacular sight as lightning flickered around the dust cloud amid the orange glow of the volcano. The eruption was all the more spectacular because the Chaitén volcano,800 miles (1,290km)south of Santiago, has been dormant for hundreds - if not thousands - of years. The Patagonian volcano began erupting on Friday and the high plume has left vast tracts of land coated with a layer of ash.

Hey! At least I posted something to look at! 8-)
And to all of you...

Friday, July 18, 2008

My boring day....

Nothing to blog about today... walked the dogs, made supper, read the mail, searched for the DS's lost cell phone... bla, bla, bla... The biggest excitement in my day today was doing the laundry... big whoop!My cousin LiaL's photo of a storm we had a week ago. Pretty cool shot hey!? Thunder and lightening has always been a norm for us here in the middle of Canada, but the last few years we have been having a lot more concerns with Tornadoes. The more the global climates change, the more unusual things we all have to deal with, all over the world... I would rather be stuck in the house for 3-4 days with a big snow storm...I know snow storms.

Hopefully I will have something exciting to share with you...

Stay well!
Myra

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Wow! My 100th post....

I realized late last night that my next post would be my 100th!!! Wow!!! And since I don't have anything in the fiber arts to show (because I have been avoiding my sewing room... still), I though to share a couple of photos of my dear darling children....

This first photo is my favorite photo of them from their childhood. There is always one that is not looking in the same direction as the others.... I had a few copies of this print, so cut them out and have the photo on my fridge....still!!! .... I really miss those days when they were 1,2,3 years old....
Here are the same three as young adults. This photo was taken in April at a family function. The baby is 6"6" tall.... and the girls are not short by any means either..... What can I say, the Dutch heritage, tall people.... 8-)Have you ever tried these chocolate covered caramels? They are sinful! A friend brought them to a quilt retreat and I fell in love.... with the chocolates!!!! 8-)That be it for tonight.... I am hoping to get into the sewing room again.... VERY SOON!!! 8-/

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Just thought I'd share this with you....

My dad made this windmill for me about 3 years ago. I stands about 2 feet tall.
He had planned for years to get back into his sketching once he retired, but an accident he had at work affected his whole right side of his body, and his hand would not always cooperate with normal daily tasks, never mind the idea of a steady hand for sketching. So, a few years after he retired he started doing some wood work projects. He started with the Eiffel Tower (sorry no photo) that stood about 3 feet tall, a working drawbridge, complete with a boat, as well as small painted cartoon characters for fridge magnets and wall hangings which he sold at craft sales.
This little tin can is from Dutch Cocoa, from when I was a child. Reminds me of being at Grandma's. 8-)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Wonky Bits Day....

A lovely day out today!

Our Wonky Bits gathering was today. Sometimes I think there is more talking, and oooing and ahhing over all the show and tells, than actual stitching!! 8-) Always great fun!

H brought Strawberry Shortcakes to share...whipping cream and all!!! Yum-yum....to
o bad you missed that C and J!!! I forgot to take a yummy photo!!! Hmmmmm.....

Here is what the gals have been working on, or just brought for show and tell.

I walked in late, as per usual, and the gals had just finished helping Kn pin-baste a lovely quilt...one of her UFOs apparently... I love her use of colors. Just lovely!

And this is Kn's Weddingring Table Topper all done! She did lovely feather quilting on it!Found this photo of Es' Persian Star. She didn't show it today, but I had it hiding in my files, came upon it, and thought that I hadn't shared this on the blog yet. I didn't want her to feel left out. We learned this pattern together.... Es' is a table topper. She did a wonderful job! 8-)This is Lp's Summer Table Topper. Lp just put the finishing stitches on it today. I bet it is on her table already! Isn't it cheery!?Here is Pg doing a quick tutorial on making pillowcases. Guess what we will all be making soon!!! A great gift idea!!! Thanks Pg!!! 8-)Pg's pillowcase samples in various stages of sewing. Doesn't she put the neatest fabrics together!? And that blue with the daisys, I had purchased that fabric with a light green background on it 2 years ago, and guess what I made with it back then? You guessed it! I made a body-pillowcase with it for DD#1... a lovely print!This is Pg's Tea Rose Cottage wall-quilt, from the Collectible Cottage Quilts - Bed and Breakfast series by Newport Quilt Studio. The photo does not do the colors on the quilt justice, but it is very nice! So much so, that I wish to make one at some point in my life....Best live till at least 100 to get all these future projects done!!! 8-)
This is Pd's two table toppers, made out of seminole blocks intended for a quilt, but it ended up she didn't care for the colors for a quilt, so we gave her some suggestions on what to make with them. Totes, jacket, table toppers....Today Pd was just stitching up the binding on them. I think they look great Pd!!! 8-)
This is Pg's "Strips'n Curves" quilt from Louisa L. Smith's book of the same title. She brought it to show me today, as well as the book for me to look at cause I had posted a link to a blog with this pattern. The link also reminded her that she has another one that is a UFO....Grumbling about it being my fault that this project was brought back to mind for her... Its always my fault! 8-) Sorry Pg!!! 8-)Now, have I posted enough eye candy for today? 8-)

So you might be thinking that these 'show and tells' are all fine and dandy, but what is that Myra working on? Well, all I have been working on is my applique on a UFO, avoiding THE anniversary guilt at all costs!!! hehehehe...... Actually, been at odds with Pfaffy dearest. It might be just me.... I plan to attempt a go at it again tomorrow.... .. stay tuned! 8-)

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Yup! You guessed it......

This month I have seemed to be in a slump. Not getting a whole lot of sewing done... It happens fairly often for me... I must say though, I did pretty darn good during my first couple of months of blogging...

I had plans on heading into battle in the sewing room today, but it is hard to do anything in there when you have a finger on your right hand, especially if you are right handed, wrapped in an ice-pack. Lucky I can type with my left hand! 8-)..... Stupid me, I burnt my ring finger taking my mug out of the microwave... very painful without the ice-pack and a very BIG blister!!! I guess I won't be using that mug in the microwave again!!!

Well, DD#2 must be in New Zealand by now! Probably catching up on her sleep! I am not even certain what the time difference is, or if they are ahead of us, or behind? Right now it is Wednesday 1:00pm.... Should se
e if I can find one of our Australian bloggers with a clock..... 8-)








There wasn't enough slope from the house in the backyard, so hubby hauled out about 4-5 trailer loads of dirt from the back yard two weekends ago. Then this past weekend he brought in 1 and a half loads of good topsoil and sod. The grass still needs to be nicely shaped around the flowerbeds, but the yard already looks much better... And there is one of the 5 bunnies that frolic around our home.... 8-)


Hopefully I will have something more exciting to post soon.... like color, fabric, creations!!! 8-)

Monday, July 7, 2008

It figures.....

Yup! I should have expected it! Always happens! Why get Mom to sew something 2-3 weeks ago when you first get the stuff, when you can ask her the day before you have to fly out of Winnipeg!?! I just figures! DD#2 "Mom, can you sew these 2 Canadian flags on my back-packs?" So, in my wisdom I tried to hot clue them on. It had worked before.... but not this time. OK, this should take not time at all. Didn't want to change the settings on my Pfaffy, so did it by hand.....2 hours later.... grrrrrr! Those things are darn hard to sew through, but they are on!!!

I forgot to mention a purchase I made on Friday when I went to the mall with Wendy. Found a nice light pant suit for my aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary coming up later this month. It will be nice to see the whole family again....on a happy occasion, rather than a funeral again!

Hopefully I will get into the sewing room again tomorrow to do more battle with my quilting....not going to great!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Again no sewing....

Another boring post, but, it comes along with another wonderful photo courtesy of my cousin L. Isn't this a great photo!? Had to spruce up my post with a photo! 8-)

Been up since 4am. Couldn't sleep.
Helped hubby lay sod in the back yard.... well, I only helped by watering the topsoil, and sod... 8-)
Doing laundry, and soon I shall drag my tired, sorry butt, over to my parent's for a family dinner, in honor of DD#2 that is going
"down under" for a month traveling. She leaves Tuesday...EARLY!

Here is the Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe, mind that it is just something I have been slapping together for years. Just something out of my own head! Goes great with a salad, or cooked veggies on the side.

Myra’s Chicken Noodle Casserole
Read all before preparing...as with all recipes! 8-)

Left over cooked Chicken cubed, or
3-4 chicken breasts, cube cut and cook, cooled, or 2 cans of White Chicken meat

3-4 cups cooked elbow noodles, cooled

2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese, ¾ to mix in, and ¼ to sprinkle on top

1, 1½ , to 2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup, or Cream of Chicken Soup - depending on how creamy you want it.

half can or so of milk, sometimes I use sour cream instead...

4 green onions, chopped

1 cup of frozen peas (optional) - I dump them in with the noodles when the noodles have been cooking for about 5-6 minutes, then continue boiling the lot until the noodles taste ready.

Salt & Pepper to taste

Whisk soup, milk, salt and pepper, in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients, except ¼ of the cheese. Dump into a greased casserole dish, pat down, and top with remaining cheese.
Bake uncovered at 350 for about 30-45 minutes, depending on your oven.