And I can cook too!

The past 2 weeks at work I've been the Public Employees Charity Fund canvasser and fundraiser coordinator for my office.  Nothing like government service for long-winded titles!

On Wednesday, October 5th we had a "Soup Kitchen" and 3 of us brought in our homemade soups to have with buns at a whopping huge donation of $2.00 a bowl!  I made my "famous" beef barley soup and it was a hit!  One of the other soups was a creamy mushroom that was so rich and made by one of the men in the office - a definite gourmand. The 3rd soup was a traditional Eastonian soup called "frikkadilli" which was also creamy and full of veggies, barley, little pork meatballs and ?  There have been several requests for this event to be a weekly occurrence......

On this past Wednesday it was "Appetizer Party".  8 of us brought in appetizers ranging from Jalapeno Popper Dip (so yummy!) to Malaysia Beef (I've asked for the recipes for both of these), and my entry was Pear, Pecan, Blue Cheese Bruchetta.  Everyone that paid (again $2.00) for a plate of all the choices got a ballot and voted for their favourite.....you guessed it!  I won!  (A Cooking Light magazine recipe comes through again.)

At the start of the charity campaign, which was October 3rd, I sent a quilt "Techniques BOM" (that the little quilting group "Sassies" which I belong to, had made up last year for our local quilt guild) into the silent auction which could be bid on by every provincial government employee in BC!  The auction ends on Monday and I'm wondering what the final bid will be.

Here's Spotty Polka Dotty!!!!  A baby quilt I just finished for little miss Evelyn....now an entire month old and cute as a button!  I bought the 2 polka dot fabrics on a fabric shopping trip a couple of months ago and just couldn't wait to use them.....guess I'm just getting "dotty"!  The pieced block is a traditional block called Aunt Dinah...guess she's dotty too!  Okay, so I'm glad to finally have a finish to show!

Spotty Polka Dotty!!!!

Yes, I'm still around

Hello there my long lost buddies.  I am still around, but between work (which I am still enjoying a lot), doing extra household and yard chores (because of my husband's extended absence due to new jobs up north - he should be home by the time the snow flies.....I hope) and plain out and out laziness?.....maybe it's because there's too much fun to be had while the sun shines, I just haven't gotten around to updating my blog for a while.  This week I will also be finally adding another completion - a very cute baby girl quilt.  Photo coming soon.

Roses and Slugs

Roses and Slugs - they go together like typhoid and Mary, like chicken and pox, like.....you get the idea.  However, in this case I'll make an exception.  The slug is for a crazy quilt, and I couldn't resist a couple of pictures of my roses in the perfect state of open (my opinion) - the sun was just an added bonus.  Not bad for someone that normally takes the really awful, blurry, dark and rather yes, boring photos.

FINALLY a finish!!!!

Here's my first finish in 2 months!!!!  A tea cozy that is crazy quilted and embellished to the nines.

What kind of rainbow are you?

Your Rainbow

Your rainbow is strongly shaded green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are an intelligent person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

I thought this was kind of fun and interesting and of course it is sooooooo accurate about me, no really, it is, really!

Scott and Amber moments after getting engaged!

I've a new full time job working for the provincial government that I started on June 1st.  So far I'm really liking it and the people I work with.  Everyone's been helpful and fun and very encouraging.  So nice to be able to say that.  The office is new (only 2 or 3 years old) so a huge change from the other places I've worked.  Just think air conditioning!!! My commute is about half an hour each way, but the drive is pleasant and the highway is in good shape....and I do get to see some beautiful scenery along the way.  And since I'm working in downtown Nanaimo I get to make some interesting discoveries on my lunch time walks....like a bead and embroidery shop just across the bridge, and the little wool shop around the corner.  Also the ocean is visible from the office windows as we're only about 3 blocks from the water.

I'm using the new job and the gardening work as my excuse for not having any finishes this month.  I am however still working on my crazy quilt tea cozy, and on my crazy quilt block for the round robin I'm in.....here's a hint ladies - my theme is "Sea to Shore".

Also!!!!!!!  My eldest son Scott brought his girlfriend Amber to the Island for a visit and we all went out to Long Beach on the west coast where he asked her to marry her - and she said YES!!!!!  We're so happy that Amber is going to be family.

While Amber and Scott were visiting, my other 2 boys Eric and Glen showed up to go fishing and for the first time in 2 years all of us were together.  I tried getting a picture of them together, and spent about 20 minutes with us all laughing hysterically while Eric, then Glen, then Scott kept cracking us up with their antics.....oh my sides hurt from all that laughter!  Eric's the one in the overalls, cap and "play off beard", Scott's the one in the middle and Glen's on the right.

How does my garden grow? With the few warmer days we've had in the last week or two I have flowers popping open all over - lady's mantle, foxglove, circle flower, roses, daylillies, pansies, peonies, allium, iris, periwinkle and so much more putting on a show.

Fairies dancing in the circle flowers and floxgloves with lavender in bud in front.

My birdbath garden area.  Lots of buds, not many blooms yet.

My stogie old fashioned coumbine (still my favourite).

My new fangled designer columbine with hostas.

Giant alliums in front of the pond garden.

These pea flowers are actually on my green pea vegetable plants.  Pretty enough to be ornamental!

Front garden iris and daylillies

Columbine, lady's mantle, daylily and the dark red thing.  (Hey, I can't remember everything!)

My peonies putting on a show in front of the picket fence with a field full of wild daisies behind.

My little water feature at the front porch

Water lily

Quilt Guild Challenge

My husband and I travelled up to Cumberland a couple of weeks ago to view the Schoolhouse Quilt Guild's quilt show.  Imagine my surprise when I read the blurb on a very pretty little green quilt that had caught my eye and I realized it was a Challenge Quilt I had made up the instructions for last fall for a Challenge in my guild, Parksville Quilthouse Quilters.  Here's a picture of the quilt and the instructions.  Don't you think this lady did an awesome job!  I know that I was very impressed.

One Day Left

I have one day left before starting my new job - hopefully they remember I'm coming and I won't be locked out again, like I was the morning I went for my interview.  I am really looking forward to working again, although I will miss the laziness of not working......I do seem to need structure in my life in order to get things done.

I am about to embark on a Crazy Quilt Round Robin with 5 other wonderful friends and my mind is just churning away with the possibilities and what to design and how to make it work and, and, and.....  And to give me a jump start yesterday my buddy Janet and a made a trip to Victoria for beads, buttons, interesting wools and cottons - all in preparation for the round robin.  A button shop, 2 bead shops, a quilt shop, a kitchen store (we also cook ;>D) and a tasty lunch at the Noodle Box Cafe made for a fantastic day and a lot of fun.  We are still trying to decide if every time we receive a round robin parcel means another trip to those shops or not.....oh twist my rubber arm - OF COURSE IT DOES!!!!

A Faithful Friend free BOM

Link address to use is:
http://www.stitchingcow.com/patterns/173/Free+Block+of+the+Month+Quilt+Pattern

What a journey to get back here!

I have been blocked from getting back on my blog for days now - ever since Google was spammed a couple of weeks ago.  HARRUMPH!!!!!

Meanwhile I have finished my 1930's Dresden Plate Irish Chain Quilt - and I think it looks awesome, cute, fresh and calming (some of the feedback I've received from those that have seen it).

I have also sewn up 4 reversable vest bibs for babies here and upcoming.  They have got to be the swankiest little bibs ever!  If you look close at the first one on the left you'll see it's a herd of little pigs - how appropriate don't you think!

Oh, yes, and another significant event has finally occurred - I now have a good job after months of sending out resumes and applications.  I think job hunting has to be one of the most depressing occupations you can do, especially right now where there are so few jobs and so many applicants.  I start on Wednesday next week and am really looking forward to it.

Toby - handsome as ever ;>D

BOM 2012 - Lynda's Block

My little quilting group "Sassies" are doing another block of the month (Grandma's House in Oceanside) for our guild next year, and it is presently in the planning stage.  Once again it is a conglomeration of various techniques.  My block includes needle turn applique, machine piecing and 3-D kite tails.  Here is a picture of the block that I'm contributing.  It is 16 inches square and depicts our beach during the kite festival that happens every year here (there are more kite tails to be added).  What do you think?

I've finished off my 1930's Dresden Plates and Irish Chain quilt.  I think it turned out quite nicely....a possibility to become a "Grandma Quilt" as there are so many dogs, bunnies, other animals and little people doing activities that it should contain a lot of little stories.

Crazy Quilt in Progress

This is my first true crazy quilting attempt.  So far I have purple asters, pink cherry blossoms, blue dephiniums with a dragonfly and the part I'm so pleased with is the wisteria and birdbath.  Eventually this is supposed to become a tea cozy.

33rd wedding anniversary

Don't you love the bouquet my sweet hubby brought me for our 33rd wedding anniversary?

I'm back

I know I've been away for a while - partly due to being busy, and partly due to being lazy.....what can I say.  I've been working on a new BOM for our local guild with my Sassies quilting group - and we've got the concept figured out, now to actually create the patterns and technique instructions.  Should be fun when we get together tomorrow for another planning session.

Meanwhile I finished another baby quilt for the population explosion we're experiencing right now.  And we have a beautiful little boy to adore thanks to Tara, one of my quilting friends who has done a couple of challenges and round robins with my little international group.  He is the cutest little guy and already growing like a weed.

We've also been off camping at Salmon Point which has a stunning view from the little local pub across the Strait to the snow capped mountains on the mainland.  Wow......picture from hubby's camera to follow (hopefully).

Crazy quilting on-line classes

I found this crazy quilting link and thought it was quite informative http://www.caron-net.com/classes/classmayfiles/clasmay1.html

Spring is just arriving

Here's a view of my yard from my quilt room and a close up of the daffodils and pansies around the still-dead-looking tree at the end of the yard.  My Christmas Roses (Helebores) are putting on a bit of a show, and I have a lot of sprouts showing their heads, but they'll be a bit longer yet.  The red trilliums will be the next ones to bloom - then the Leopard's Bane (which is still only about 2 inches tall).  I feel happy to see the lawn not under 3 inches of water.  I was starting to wonder if we were all going to float away for a while there.

Here are 2 photos of the baby quilt my friend Tara chose from my stash of baby quilts.  As Tara is a quilter too I'm happy to supply her with a more intricate baby quilt knowing she can appreciate the extra effort that went into this particular quilt.  Now if the baby would only make an appearance, hmmmmm, maybe today.  Tomorrow is Tara's birthday, so maybe tomorrow - now wouldn't that be fun!

Here are photos of my 1930's mini dresden plate quilt that I've been working on for a while - still needs quilting but I'm very happy with the top.

Free Patterns!!!!

While unable to sleep last night I found this awesome blog http://freebiesforcrafters.blogspot.com/ for free patterns of all types.  I scored with an entire year's worth of monthly flower embroidery patterns, then I couldn't sleep because I was so busy designing a quilt around it.  Did you know that the only letterns not in at least one month's name are K, Q, W, X and Z.....I think I got that right.....I'm a bit sleep deprived at the moment.  ;>D

Tara's 2010 Challenge

Here's a picture of Tara's 2010 Challenge quilt.  It's been finished since last July, but I finally got to see it....apparently bribing her with a baby quilt was the way to do it!  The challenge was to use the various purple, green and yellow fabrics, add at least one "critter" (the spider) and incorporate a hexagon somewhere.  I think she did a pretty good job considering those were NOT her colours!  (Nor mine, but sometimes it's good to "stretch".)

Oh Toby!

Here are 2 pictures of Toby....one holding down a pile of baby quilts....and one showing how exhausting it is fighting gravity.  ;>D

My machine there and back and there and back again

I tell you, not having my sewing machine waiting at my beck and call can make me CRANKY!!!!!  I picked it up last week from the "hospital"....worked okay for 2 days, then right back at it looping and barfing thread all over, gggggrrrrrrrr!  So today back we went down to the shop and instead of sending it off to the mechanic I got Carol, a dedicated quilter and fabricholic to have a look, a little adjust here, and change there, an explanation (gasp) and Bob's my uncle (well, actually my husband's uncle) it's back home and working fine again.  Keep your fingers crossed for me that "third time is the charm"!  Toby's happy about it too!!!!

Verdant Worlds

Finally a decent picture of the quilt "Vendant Worlds" that I made my daughter-in-law for Christmas 2010.  Her colours (greens) and my colours (blues) all wrapped up in a rather funky quilt. 

Fun Day Saturday

A spur of the moment trip up Island to check out another Seedy Saturday site turned out fantastic.  The seed site was going to cost us $16 just to enter the doors, so instead we checked out a farmers' market a couple of buildings over and found apricot jam for my husband, home made salsa for my friend, and a brand new winery & meadery for all of us!  After a relaxing lunch at a local pub, up the road we went to the Coastal Black winery & meadery for a tasting of blueberry, blackberry and raspberry wines, and 3 different varieties of mead.  I had never tried mead before and was expecting something syrupy and extremely sweet - it is made from honey after all.  But it was wonderful!!!!!  Very light and slightly sweet with fireweed honey flavour - DELICIOUS!  Here's the site if you would like to check it out.  http://www.coastalblack.ca/  On the way back home we took the "old" highway and stopped for a container of oysters (apparently some people not only eat thost things, they actually enjoy them ....shiver....) and drove by some log booms in one of the bays that were populated with huge sea lions sunning themselves - quite the sight!  And who says you have to plan things? 

Drat - my machine is down

I have been having trouble with my sewing machine for about 4 months now - it's been barfing thread all over the back of my blocks......so just before Christmas I took it in to be serviced, and when I got it back I thought it was better......nope, it's right back to where it was and acting up even more!  BOOOOOOO!!!!!!  So now it's back in the shop again.  I can't figure it out.  It'll sew along quite nicely for a while and then just start misbehaving and from the top it looks fine, but the back is all loose and loopy, then it'll smarten up and behave again.  Doesn't seem to follow any pattern (pun intended ;>P) just comes and goes at will.....Lucky that I have my old machine as a back up while the new one's in hospital - might have gone into withdrawal otherwise!

Crabby and Me under the sea

Another baby quilt.....maybe this one will be the one that stays at Grandma's house?