Tuesday, August 30, 2011
home with daughter
Well, it's sure been an exciting and emotional few days. I spent the first night alone in the hotel room as my daughter's flight would be arriving the next morning. Although some flights were cancelled due to Irene, hers made it in ahead of the heavier rains and winds. She had left Korea over a day and a half before and was feeling pretty tired and bedraggled. The first thing she wanted to do though was to go to Cora's for brunch. A shower at the hotel came next, then shopping for new underwear (priorities!), and finally dinner with 10 friends.
She fell asleep in the hotel while in the middle of a sentence.
I feared that the drive home would be difficult yesterday, but the rains had stopped and the winds only seemed bad in a few open places. There was one particular bridge that was somewhat harrying to cross.
I did visit a fabric store and purchased a little fabric which I'll show next time. Before I left though I got this baby quilt put together so that I could get the backing and hopefully get it ready to quilt this week.
She fell asleep in the hotel while in the middle of a sentence.
I feared that the drive home would be difficult yesterday, but the rains had stopped and the winds only seemed bad in a few open places. There was one particular bridge that was somewhat harrying to cross.
I did visit a fabric store and purchased a little fabric which I'll show next time. Before I left though I got this baby quilt put together so that I could get the backing and hopefully get it ready to quilt this week.
Friday, August 26, 2011
exciting weekend trip
Tomorrow, I will be making the 3 plus hours drive to Fredericton where I will be picking my daughter up at the airport early Sunday morning. It was 1 year ago that my husband and I stood in the same airport to see her off on her trip to S Korea where she would be teaching. We were all both excited and apprehensive at the same time. This was our slightly nervous daughter (understatement) who had just graduated university and who had at one time shied away from anything new. And now she was heading off around the world by herself.
She made it through the year with some tears and lots of new experiences and adventures. We easily kept in touch thanks to MSN Messenger. I can hardly believe she is coming this weekend. She will be home for exactly 1 month and then she's going back. If anyone is interested in reading about some of her journey, both physical and emotional, her blog where she occasionally posts is located in my sidebar.
Yesterday I went for a bike ride and stopped to pick a few fall flowers. I do not remember names but they are an everlasting flower and will stay as they are if I caught them at the right time. They are sitting a top of the lazy Susan shelf that I painted and added a mirror to. I still plan to add seashells and hang it, but for now I thought it looked good as a tray. I do have one more, so perhaps I will have both.
While watching a TV show last night I giggled to myself as I glanced at the coffee table in front of me. This is sometimes what I'm up to while I'm watching TV. (Could I be ADD?) My knitting is not in the picture.
I wish everyone a good weekend. Caley will be here for the next couple of weeks, so I may be blogging a little less.
She made it through the year with some tears and lots of new experiences and adventures. We easily kept in touch thanks to MSN Messenger. I can hardly believe she is coming this weekend. She will be home for exactly 1 month and then she's going back. If anyone is interested in reading about some of her journey, both physical and emotional, her blog where she occasionally posts is located in my sidebar.
Yesterday I went for a bike ride and stopped to pick a few fall flowers. I do not remember names but they are an everlasting flower and will stay as they are if I caught them at the right time. They are sitting a top of the lazy Susan shelf that I painted and added a mirror to. I still plan to add seashells and hang it, but for now I thought it looked good as a tray. I do have one more, so perhaps I will have both.
While watching a TV show last night I giggled to myself as I glanced at the coffee table in front of me. This is sometimes what I'm up to while I'm watching TV. (Could I be ADD?) My knitting is not in the picture.
I wish everyone a good weekend. Caley will be here for the next couple of weeks, so I may be blogging a little less.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
hot and muggy sunday
We used to spend a leisurely Sunday morning having breakfast, reading the paper and doing the crossword. This is what I'm doing most Sunday mornings now.
There are a couple of large families of ducks that come waddling up looking for their puffed rice.
We teed off early at 9:30 this morning. There was a bit of a breeze but by the time we finished at 11:30, it was a very muggy 29 Celsius. We had a quick lunch and drove out to Gord's parents at the beach hoping for a swim. I spent some time there with his mom yesterday and the water was beautiful. It was not to be though. We got a fantastic thunder storm just after arriving.
I haven't done any sewing this weekend since I've been mostly out, so I will show another gel print. It really doesn't look like much but I find once I start adding more colors and textures it will hopefully come alive.
I did the castle by pressing one of my homemade stamps into the Gelli mold holding the paint before printing onto the fabric.
I think these little houses could be quite quirky. I must add some paint first and then perhaps they need hand stitching. Mmm...
Even though it's been very warm here, we are seeing some signs of fall. On my way downtown on Friday, I took this picture. I love the combination of textures and colors.
There are a couple of large families of ducks that come waddling up looking for their puffed rice.
We teed off early at 9:30 this morning. There was a bit of a breeze but by the time we finished at 11:30, it was a very muggy 29 Celsius. We had a quick lunch and drove out to Gord's parents at the beach hoping for a swim. I spent some time there with his mom yesterday and the water was beautiful. It was not to be though. We got a fantastic thunder storm just after arriving.
I haven't done any sewing this weekend since I've been mostly out, so I will show another gel print. It really doesn't look like much but I find once I start adding more colors and textures it will hopefully come alive.
I did the castle by pressing one of my homemade stamps into the Gelli mold holding the paint before printing onto the fabric.
Even though it's been very warm here, we are seeing some signs of fall. On my way downtown on Friday, I took this picture. I love the combination of textures and colors.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Gelli printing
I awakened this morning feeling pretty chipper. Since I had a muscle cramp in my groin, probably from my swimming yesterday, I decided it would be a good morning to do some mono printing on fabric instead going out for a walk.
Earlier this summer I saw the Gelli printing plate advertised and I ordered it. I wouldn't have to make my own gelatin plate and wait for it to set.
After rooting out my white cotton, tearing it up and ironing it, I went downstairs to my drawing table. It was turning out to be a beautiful but very warm day. The basement was a good place to be.
I searched through my old phone books for some pressed flowers and sea weed.
Using a brayer to apply 2 or 3 paint colors (I use mostly Setacolor opaque fabric paints), I then pressed my bits onto the plate. In some I left the paper or plant on the plate before laying my fabric which creates a resist leaving the fabric white. I will go back in later with Neocolor II crayons to add some color. These will be a great background for further painting and stitching.
In others I pressed the items into the paint, removed them and then laid the fabric onto the plate. I will also be overprinting onto these and stitching.
I had to force myself to go upstairs for my mid morning snack and again for lunch. I was having so much fun! These are all of the prints I did today. I think the color could be better in the photos so I may try to take pictures of some again but upstairs in a better light.
Earlier this summer I saw the Gelli printing plate advertised and I ordered it. I wouldn't have to make my own gelatin plate and wait for it to set.
After rooting out my white cotton, tearing it up and ironing it, I went downstairs to my drawing table. It was turning out to be a beautiful but very warm day. The basement was a good place to be.
I searched through my old phone books for some pressed flowers and sea weed.
Using a brayer to apply 2 or 3 paint colors (I use mostly Setacolor opaque fabric paints), I then pressed my bits onto the plate. In some I left the paper or plant on the plate before laying my fabric which creates a resist leaving the fabric white. I will go back in later with Neocolor II crayons to add some color. These will be a great background for further painting and stitching.
In others I pressed the items into the paint, removed them and then laid the fabric onto the plate. I will also be overprinting onto these and stitching.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
we're back
It was a perfect weekend! For a number of years every time we visited my mother's cottage, we had cold rainy weather, but this year was perfect. We spent 3 days at the beach for a good part of each day. Today was the hottest and the sunniest, and since there was no hurry to get home (the trip takes about 5 hours including stops), we went to the beach until about 1 o'clock and then left by 2pm.
It was so great to see some of my brothers and my nieces and nephews at a barbecue on Saturday night. We've been making a tradition of it for the last few years. It's such a relaxed way to get together. We all sit around laughing, joking and reminiscing as families do while the young ones run around and play. It's such a happy time.
We even made it out to a small country golf course on a cloudy morning before the sun came out. The views were spectacular.
Aah, golf in the morning, beach in the afternoon. I love the little pipers!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
quilted basket
On a whim I made this little quilted basket from this tutorial yesterday. It's a little smaller than I imagined. I'd like to try it using larger squares and maybe some brighter colors next time. Also, the colors are not showing true as I took it last night near dusk and had to put a light on it.
Today I'm off to physiotherapy and then after lunch we head out for PEI. On our way, we are going to stop in Moncton to do a couple of shopping errands, most importantly for me, the fabric shop.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week.
Today I'm off to physiotherapy and then after lunch we head out for PEI. On our way, we are going to stop in Moncton to do a couple of shopping errands, most importantly for me, the fabric shop.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
back to the rain
This has been the wettest summer with record amounts of rainfall. As I sit here I'm listening to the waterfall flowing through the downspout to my rain barrel and out my overflow. We've had no shortage of water this year.
I took advantage of the sun yesterday--had tea at a friend's cottage, picked vegetables from the garden, went hitting balls and walking at the waterfront last night with Gord. I mixed up this quick dish for dinner:
Simmer string beans and corn on the cob until just tender. Drain and cut the corn kernels from the cob. Add chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and feta cheese. We ate a bowl of it with a slice of an artisan bread.
I finished the binding and the label on this quilt which is going to my brother who lives on PEI.
I also finished the binding and label on my wall hanging and I will get a good picture of it soon. Here are 2 more sections of it.
Today, I am trying to overcome a lethargy made worse by the grey sogginess outside. I'm going for my Wednesday swim and hope to do a little sewing this afternoon. After that I'll be packing for our weekend trip to PEI starting tomorrow.
I took advantage of the sun yesterday--had tea at a friend's cottage, picked vegetables from the garden, went hitting balls and walking at the waterfront last night with Gord. I mixed up this quick dish for dinner:
Simmer string beans and corn on the cob until just tender. Drain and cut the corn kernels from the cob. Add chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and feta cheese. We ate a bowl of it with a slice of an artisan bread.
I finished the binding and the label on this quilt which is going to my brother who lives on PEI.
I also finished the binding and label on my wall hanging and I will get a good picture of it soon. Here are 2 more sections of it.
Today, I am trying to overcome a lethargy made worse by the grey sogginess outside. I'm going for my Wednesday swim and hope to do a little sewing this afternoon. After that I'll be packing for our weekend trip to PEI starting tomorrow.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
1 sunny + 1 rainy day = 1 weekend
I guess I can't complain because we did have a lovely warm sunny day yesterday. Gord went golfing and I went to visit the craft show downtown. It was quite small but had some interesting things. I purchased a woven rug for my front door and a small bracelet in support of a fund raiser.
My friend Nicole's booth is always colorful! I love her monsters.
We spent the afternoon walking in the water at the beach and swimming, and since we were tired out, we picked up fresh crab for supper. I had already made a salad before we left, so we simply had to cut them open and eat. I climbed into my bed last night with that exhausted but wholly satisfied feeling.
Today was promising rain and thunder showers by noon. We got up and ventured out optimistically for our 9:20 tee off time, hoping we'd get our 9 holes in. It started raining on the 3rd hole which quickly turned to pouring by the 7th hole where we finally gave up. We came home for dry clothes and went out for brunch. I figure I can call myself a golfer now that I've gotten soaked in the rain.
I've spent this afternoon doing little odd bits at my sewing machine to finish up my various projects. I made a couple of labels for the backs of quilts. Then I did a bit of free motion stitching on the seahorse and the flowers I started a couple of weeks ago. I can't decide if I should do a little more stitching on the seahorse before I quilt it or not. No wonder I'm so slow! It's only 4 by 5 inches. I do a little bit, stop to think and do a little more. I always do some had embroidery so it may be enough.
I added a small detail to the moth and pinned it to my wall hanging for hand sewing.
Finally, while my machine was set for free motion, I tried adding a little sparkle to the flowers. It doesn't show up very well.
I caught this bee while I was photographing the purple cone flowers yesterday.
My next few days are busy, appointment filled, and then we leave for PEI on Thursday.
Today was promising rain and thunder showers by noon. We got up and ventured out optimistically for our 9:20 tee off time, hoping we'd get our 9 holes in. It started raining on the 3rd hole which quickly turned to pouring by the 7th hole where we finally gave up. We came home for dry clothes and went out for brunch. I figure I can call myself a golfer now that I've gotten soaked in the rain.I've spent this afternoon doing little odd bits at my sewing machine to finish up my various projects. I made a couple of labels for the backs of quilts. Then I did a bit of free motion stitching on the seahorse and the flowers I started a couple of weeks ago. I can't decide if I should do a little more stitching on the seahorse before I quilt it or not. No wonder I'm so slow! It's only 4 by 5 inches. I do a little bit, stop to think and do a little more. I always do some had embroidery so it may be enough.
Finally, while my machine was set for free motion, I tried adding a little sparkle to the flowers. It doesn't show up very well.
I caught this bee while I was photographing the purple cone flowers yesterday.
My next few days are busy, appointment filled, and then we leave for PEI on Thursday.
Friday, August 5, 2011
no sewing
Do you get those times when you feel the need to make some changes in your home's decor? Well, I've had it lately, but since I'm not working, I'm on a limited budget with limited energy to go with it. I had this hanging lamp in one corner of my living room, which although very pretty, does not suit my changing aesthetic.
I like things a little more modern and it is very traditional. It was a wedding gift, so it's taken me a few years to decide to pack it away. I purchased a paper lantern kit that matches my colors perfectly. If the paper fades or my interest in it fades, I can make something to go on the hanging lamp kit. For now it was a cheap way to make a change.
Next, I painted a wooden tier from a lazy Susan that we took out of a kitchen cabinet and replaced with drawers. I plan to have a mirror cut for it, and then I'm going to hot glue seashells, sea glass and driftwood along the bottom edge. I'm going to drop it off tomorrow but I won't pick it up until I get back from our trip next Thurs to PEI.
I still have one more left if anyone has any other ideas as to how to use it. I really enjoy re-purposing used items.
My 3rd project is the shawl that I started and showed in may last post. That wasn't going so well. It was supposed to an easy pattern and it was I think, it just required too much attention for my wandering mind and I had to rip it out twice. the yarn is a silk cotton blend and not easy to rip out, so I went looking again on Ravelry and found and easier version pictured here. This one I can knit while I'm watching TV.
In the mean time I've almost done the hand stitching on my binding. I haven't been near the machine sincne the sun came back out.
Tomorrow, there is a craft fair at our local waterfront, called Salt of the Earth that I will go to in the morning. It's supposed to get hot, so I expect it to be a beach day after that .
I like things a little more modern and it is very traditional. It was a wedding gift, so it's taken me a few years to decide to pack it away. I purchased a paper lantern kit that matches my colors perfectly. If the paper fades or my interest in it fades, I can make something to go on the hanging lamp kit. For now it was a cheap way to make a change.
Next, I painted a wooden tier from a lazy Susan that we took out of a kitchen cabinet and replaced with drawers. I plan to have a mirror cut for it, and then I'm going to hot glue seashells, sea glass and driftwood along the bottom edge. I'm going to drop it off tomorrow but I won't pick it up until I get back from our trip next Thurs to PEI.
I still have one more left if anyone has any other ideas as to how to use it. I really enjoy re-purposing used items.
My 3rd project is the shawl that I started and showed in may last post. That wasn't going so well. It was supposed to an easy pattern and it was I think, it just required too much attention for my wandering mind and I had to rip it out twice. the yarn is a silk cotton blend and not easy to rip out, so I went looking again on Ravelry and found and easier version pictured here. This one I can knit while I'm watching TV.
Tomorrow, there is a craft fair at our local waterfront, called Salt of the Earth that I will go to in the morning. It's supposed to get hot, so I expect it to be a beach day after that .
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
rainy day
Today is the last day of my husband's vacation. My youngest son and his girlfriend were here for the long weekend and left last night. We've had some good weather and got in some beach time and some golfing. We watched a movie all together on Sunday night--the remake of True Grit with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon which we enjoyed. Despite my mother-in-law's illness we've had some good family times to file away in teh memory bank.
Gord and I did some errands this morning and then went to my favorite cafe for lunch. This afternoon he's puttering in his workshop and I'm doing a bit of sewing. I put the binding on this quilt that will be going to my brother when we go to visit my family PEI in a couple of weeks.
Then I put the binding on my wall hanging which I have been working on for quite sometime. It's on but not hand sewn down yet, so here are a few views of some of the blocks.
When I finally sit to watch TV, knitting keeps me busy. I've just started a shawl called the Calais Shawl. I think I will take it out though and restart with a larger size needles. It should look a little lacier. I'm using a worsted weight silk that I had on hand, not the fingering weight that the pattern calls for. I only have 2 skeins and I hope it will do. I just noticed how it matches my wall hanging blocks. You can tell I like those colors.
Gord and I did some errands this morning and then went to my favorite cafe for lunch. This afternoon he's puttering in his workshop and I'm doing a bit of sewing. I put the binding on this quilt that will be going to my brother when we go to visit my family PEI in a couple of weeks.
Then I put the binding on my wall hanging which I have been working on for quite sometime. It's on but not hand sewn down yet, so here are a few views of some of the blocks.
When I finally sit to watch TV, knitting keeps me busy. I've just started a shawl called the Calais Shawl. I think I will take it out though and restart with a larger size needles. It should look a little lacier. I'm using a worsted weight silk that I had on hand, not the fingering weight that the pattern calls for. I only have 2 skeins and I hope it will do. I just noticed how it matches my wall hanging blocks. You can tell I like those colors.
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