the logical thing to do

Here I am faced with a deadline; several jobs to do, organizing projects for retreat, a meal for 12 to plan and prepare for this weekend and a very large basket of laundry to finish ironing. So the logcal thing to do? Waste my time surfing the net...oh dear! (Don't judge me)

If you need me, I will be in my sewing room. Have a wonderful day.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Keep Calm and Carry on was a motivational poster produced by the British Government in 1939 during the beginning of WWII, but it was never used. It was re-discovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies and used as a decorative theme for a range of other products. ( this must be true, cause I read it in Wikipedia) I would dearly love to own this poster and read it daily to remind myself to do just that. Retreat is coming up fast and I have a number of things to finish up as part of my contribution in the weekend plans. I have a terrible habit of leaving things to the last minute and then stressing myself out trying to get everything done on time. I know there is a word for people like me (PROCRASTINATOR), but I just tell myself that I work better under pressure with a looming deadline; it sounds so much more positive than the "P" word.
So instead of working away at what I need to have done I am looking at quilty things that inspire me. I am sure there are patterns around for these little projects, but all I have are pictures I have saved on disc. Take a look...I have to run...got a million things to do.
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Wouldn't this look wonderful at the back entry?

...and this! Well what a wonderful summery table topper!

this is what I need to do...

Love, love, love the colors in this little number!
I bet if you changed the size a bit it would make a cute little baby quilt.

Wish I knew who the publisher is of these patterns. I would direct you to them, but alas! I do not...hope I haven't stepped on any copyright toes by posting them here.

Oh I did enjoy myself

Well. I'm back from a wonderful little retreat! It was just like a mini vacation. The weather was less than desirable, but it just made it that much easier to stay in and sew instead of going out and enjoying the scenery and wildlife. However I am getting ahead of myself...it occurred to me the other day that in all the pics I posted of my little sewing studio, I neglected to show you where the "business" end of the sewing and quilting gets done. This lovely little number was a birthday gift last year from my wonderful husband; and I am thrilled with it.

Ok, back to retreat fun. We had a wonderful time. The drive was a bit tricky getting there with the freezing rain and sleet, but once I parked my vehicle Monday morning it stayed put until we left on Thursday afternoon. It was just the three of us for the better part of four days. We kept our meals simple, with a quick clean-up and then back to the machines. We stayed up until 3 a.m. each morning, sewing, ripping, talking, watching Walton re-runs, listening to music, being entertained by the local " furry nightlife", and even snacking a bit(healthy snacks of course). Off to bed at 3 and most mornings up and at it by 8. Some mornings my machine was fired up before the coffee pot. This was such a treat and I didn't want to waste a minute of it.

Here is a bit of the view from the windows in front of our machines. Nice huh?

Here we are, hard at it, notice the dark outside the windows. That didn't stop us though,we came armed and ready to quilt...lots of OTT lights and lamps gave us easy viewing even in the wee hours. (This is a funny shot, because in reality , the one ripping did more sewing and the one sewing, did more ripping)

Want to see some of what we worked on?

this is one of the projects that came to the retreat in a tin can and left completed. The blocks are a result of a tin can exchange we (the Tuesday girls) did a while back. Some of us have yet to finish, but Cam was determined to get her blocks together before doing anything else; so We worked away at that. I say we, because I came up with the ideas and Cam had to do the work...lol. She was a trooper tho, and even though it meant ripping back a FEW times to get the math part of things correct, she persevered and finished it. Looks great eh? Way to go Cam!

Sorry the colors are a little washed out, they are really much brighter and vibrant in real life, but you get the idea.

NJ worked away at finishing her queen sized Taffy Treats quilt, and I have to say I heard a very big sigh of relief when she put the last border on it. Looks great though, and then she plugged away at the next project in the line-up. A Kansas troubles table topper...

What did I do? Well I worked for 2 and a half days at a ghost project...I can't show it to you because it is a secret for our upcoming guild retreat in 3 weeks. But I will say it is done, and I am pleased. After getting that monkey off my back I started a baby quilt for a new baby we will be welcoming into our family in March sometime. It is a pattern from Moda Bakeshop http://http//www.modabakeshop.com/2009/03/pinwheel-baby-quilt.html

I added a dark border around the pinwheels though and I think only a few prairie points staggered around the border...I'l l adjust as I go along.

and now; on this the coldest week of winter so far, I have spring like pictures to show you. Becasue I was not going to be home through Christmas I didn't bother with planting an amaryllis this year, but when I arrived back in January I come across a bargain in one of the grocery stores clearing paper whites and amaryllis; I thought oh why not! Well they chose a wonderful week to bloom...pretty eh? My little touch of spring in sub-zero weather.

If you go out in the woods today...

....you just may run into a three delirious quilters on their way to a cozy cottage for a little mini holiday. Three old friends who have been seperated geographically but have been re-united for a short while. Picture it...3 friends, 3 sewing machines, and several quilt projects, lots of prepared meals and a few movies thrown in for when we get all our quilting projects finished

I am preparing to have a good time! Before I leave you though, I will post a few more of the pics I had taken the other day in my sewing room. See you when I get back...

a little redwork project from a previous retreat. In case you are wondering it isn't dirty, but tea stained.

a couple scrapbookprojects with photos of my family. Note to self: I really must get back and spend a little time in my scrapbooking corner, I do miss it dreadfully at times.

a little closer look at a part of my fabric cupboards.

Oops! how in the world did that picture sneak in here? This is part of a project for our upcoming quilt retreat in Feb. It's a secret though...shhh

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos; I'm not sure why they are so washed out looking. Digital cameras are wonderful, but there is something about my old 35mm that I miss.

Well the muffins are out of the oven and I am off to pack a few more things. See you in a few days!

It's been awhile...but I've been busy

I have come to the conclusion that I have definitely gotten slower over the years. Not earth shattering news I know, considering I am not 21 anymore. lol that is funny...cause I am so NOT 21 anymore, I can hardly even remember 21! However I have had a pretty decent week. I have gotten to a few jobs around the house that have been dragging for awhile. Nothing very interesting...BUT; one of the jobs I did get to was putting my sewing area back together. Boy does that feel good!

I made a small purchase for myself just before Christmas and it has been sitting in a box just waiting for the right occasion to make it's appearance. Well today is the day. After I got things tidied up I "installed" new lighting in my sewing room. Want to have a peek?

If you click on the picture and enlarge it you may be able to tell that these lights are actually little spools of colored thread. They were just too cute and in the moment I really thought I "needed" them. Of course after I got them home and re-thought things I was not so sure...but I was so happy to be back in my little sewing studio that I figured it called for a celebration so there you have it!

Want to have a look around? There is still more in depth tidying to do, things to sort through, stuff to get rid of, but at least my space is usable again.

This little "gal" sits on my sewing table, and holds some of my tools and pins. She is looking a little "huffy" today for some reason. I am thinking she has still not forgiven me for keeping her down in a messing sewing room alone for so long. She'll get over it though.

This next photo is a shelf on the wall to my right and the baskets on all three shelves hold some of my UFO's. How many you ask? I am not telling, but I will say that I am working away at finishing them.

Part of my "quilty" reading material. Lot's of inspiration and info here.

The quilty letters were a gift from my very talented scrapbooking daughter. Cute eh?

A few quilty gifts from friends and family. The friends pic was taken at our Annual Spring Retreat at Paula's camp...BLISS; pure bliss!

Buttons, buttons and more buttons! so much easier to find when they are color coordinated.

I hope to get this baby off my design wall before long...so much for deadlines.If you enlarge and look real hard to the far left you can see a little peek of some of my fabric stash, but I'll show more tomorrow. Happy stitching my friends!

How do you eat an elephant?

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time!

Being home again after such a long time away it seems like there are so many things to be done. It just seemed a little overwhelming to me and so I was doing nothing basically... However this past week or so, I have started to reclaim my space. I am eating my elephant! One bite at a time.

I have been moving furniture and cleaning and sorting and purging.(where does all this junk come from?)...catalogues, junk mail, out dated coupons, clothes that don't fit or ones you are just tired of; and on and on it goes.

I am far from being finished upstairs, but I took a break from cleaning upstairs to do some tidying in my sewing room (read major overhaul!)

Mr. O was away on business for a few days this week and I decided that Monday was a good day to play hooky from all the jobs that needed doing and go do something fun. I joined the "girls" for a quilting day at Paula's. I almost changed my mind and stayed home, simply because it just seemed like too much work. Most of my quilting supplies were still packed from moving home from the cottage; my sewing machine had not been unpacked in months; I hardly knew where anything was. However I bit the bullet and decided to put a project together and off I went. Well it was just what the doctor ordered! I want to start sewing/quilting again; and the only way I can do that is to set my "studio" back in order. Yesterday I spent a couple hours at it, and today I hope to finish things up.

There are still a lot of other things waiting for me to attend to, like Monday's basket of ironing, painting the guest room, cleaning the linen closet...but I will get to. One bite at a time. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can post some pics of a tidy sewing room and maybe even a project in the works. Ta ta for now.

I am blessed

I have wonderful friends, and that makes me truly blessed. I have so sadly neglected my friends this past 6 months and yet they are there for me. I have gone to them in distress, and needing help with different things, and there has never been any hesitation. There have been messages of encouragement, phone calls, and deeds of kindness through this very emotional trying time. Thank you all. It means so much to know people care.


Wanna hear a snippet of conversation between Christopher Robin and Pooh?



"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart; I'll stay there forever."


My friends have made me feel just that. They have kept me in their hearts, and that is very comforting. Thank you.


Want to see what I mean?...My birthday is coming up..( and NO this is not a hint!!) It falls hot on the heels of Christmas and usually everyone is so busy with all the festivities, it always touches me when I get remembered with gifts and cards and good wishes. Wanna see what I have been given this week?...and it isn't even my birthday yet!




This photo does not even come close to doing these wonderful, crisp, white linen hand towels justice. They are embroidered with a ribbon of holly ( I love holly!) I have them hanging on the bar at the bottom of my medicine chest in the bathroom. Love them!

Again my photography skills are lacking. I over exposed this photo, but just look at this precious miniature porcelaine tea set and tiny book of friendship quotes.
Is this not just the cutest? My grandaughters will be thrilled with this on their next visit.






Oh dear! Pardon my dust, but just look at this wonderful pottery mug from a precious English friend of mine. It has a little infuser "thingy" dish inside the mug for loose tea. And if I prefer to use a tea bag, well then I have the little dish beside it for the tea bag. Doesn't it just make you want to go put the kettle on and have a cuppa tea? You know I think I just might do that, but before I go I am going to leave you with another photo of a jolly fellow. He is the night light in my bathroom; not sure if you can see it or not but he has springy little bells on his top hat and a wonderful happy smile. Ta ta.
EDIT: I just went to make tea and realized that the little dish is also a lid to keep my tea piping hot while steeping. DUH! Don't mind me I was having a senior moment; I really did know that; honest!

Not a Christmas post, but it will make you smile...

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0 wedding entrance 33 million hits

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs evian commercial 27 million hits

I was reading yesterday about some of the most popular hits on youtube...of course most of you have seen the one of Susan Boyle in Britains Got Talent, but have you seen these. Of the 5 most popular videos,these came in #3 and # 5. Guaranteed to make you smile. Post a comment and let me know what you think.

Stirring Up Memories In The Kitchen

Man! It's cold outside this morning...but warm in my kitchen. I am making meat pies...again. Tourtiere actually. I made a batch for Mom before I left Ontario, and while that is a good thing; there are no meat pies in MY freezer. Now Mr. O really doesn't mind if I have no present for him under the tree, but no meat pies for Christmas, is another thing altogether! I heard so much about his Mom's meat pies , when we were first married that I went on a search for "THE" perfect meat pie recipe. Well Canadian Living, Bless their hearts, published this recipe many years ago and after trying it and getting the Mr. O seal of approval it has been my old stand-by. ( I know it measures up because when I made them and served them to Mr. O's father, he said they were the best! ...just like his Mom made them!) What is it about mom's cooking?

Now just to show you how old this magazine is, you might notice the price up in the right hand corner... .39cents! If you click on the pic and enlarge it you may even be able to make out the date under the letters "V I" in Living. It would seem I am a creature of habit, because even though I have another copy elsewhere, this is what I pull out of my recipe collection each year. The pages are getting quite shabby and un-readable in some places, and I never try to make it from memory, but just having this old magazine on my counter seems to be the "secret ingredient".

It is not very "Christmas-sy" around here, because as some of you may know, Mr. O and I are leaving in just 5 more sleeps to drive back to Ont. to spend Christmas with Mom; so I have not done any decorating or preparing for the festivities. Honestly, what was the point?

That being said, smelling my meat pies cooking and listening to seasonal music has stirred up a few memories of Christmas Past.

After they are finished I will make my "traditional" peanut brittle and that will be the extent of my Christmas baking. ...well maybe just a small batch of scotch cookies; but just a small batch mind you! Do you feel the Merry yet?

Bonne Appetit and Happy Holidays.

Joie de Vivre

I have just recently become aware of a book that I would like to own. It is Joie de Vivre by Robert Arbor and Katherine Whiteside. Let me show you a little of what is written on the inside flap of the book.

"When it comes to making the most out of life, nobody does it better than the French. Now, with Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style For Every Day Living, and inspired fusion of art, style and easy-to-implement ideas, anyone can feel like they spent a weekend in the French countryside, no matter where they live.

Renowned restauranteur Robert Arbor puts a refreshing emphasis on simplicity and accessibility ..."

Now I don't know about you, but any book that can make me feel like I have spent a weekend in the French countryside is a definite candidate for my library.

I looked up the term "joie de vivre" and here is what the dictionary has to say;

joie de vivre (zhwa de vi-vre) n. hearty or carefree enjoyment of life.

[French: joie,joy+de,of+vivre,living.]

Sometimes we get so bogged down with things in life we fail to feel or express that "joie de vivre". I am afraid I have been guilty of that lately. Even though it has been a long hard road this last 5 months there have been many things to be joyful about. I have met so many wonderful and caring people. I have come to appreciate good health. I have been fortunate enough to be able to be in Ont. to help where needed. (If I had a young family at home this would not have been an option for me) My family and friends have been very supportive of and to me. I could go on, but you get the idea. Attitude is so important, and I am really going to work on mine. It seems I have been behind on so many things lately and playing "catch-up" for quite some time, so I am going to get a jumpstart on all you people who make a new resolution each January and beat you to the punch. I am going to make that my "mantra". I may need some help, or reminding from time to time, ...I am counting on you.

I am on the lookout for this book...however a thought just struck me, that this book claims to be able to "make you feel like you have spent a weekend in the French countryside." How do I know what it feels like to have actually spent a weekend in the French countryside? So here's my plan; gonna look for the book, and read it, gonna see how it makes me feel, then I am gonna have to book a trip to France and do a little research. I mean we can't have this guy making claims of his book that are just not true...

Attitudes are contagious; is yours worth catching?

How do you spell relief?

H-O-M-E !!! ...and the stories I could tell you...