Quilting!

For those of you with big quilting machines, my tiny sewing machine will seem....well, tiny!  But I actually played with it yesterday.  I vowed not to let it take up space in the downstairs family room collecting dust.  Pinning was tedious but trying to thread the machine and get the tension correct almost caused me to find a hammer!!!!!!  Eventually I got going and I think (hope!) me and this machine will become friends!  The only solid fabric that I had and was willing to use for my practice piece was white......I'm using yellow thread on top and a teal green on the bottom.  I do know I need some better lighting but will put Hubby on that task when he's home next week!!! Here's a peek at some of my playing:

  

It's fun but wonder how fun it will be when I actually have to quilt a real item!  I'm hoping it will keep on being fun!  I have quite a few small projects to start on.  I'll finish working on my practice piece and then move onto the real deal!  At least they are only my projects!!!!!!

The election happened tonight....all I can say is I'm glad it's over and as to the outcome......no comment!

October Means Thanksgiving

Here it is, the middle of October!  A lot of the trees are bare because we had crazy winds Thanksgiving weekend.  I have yard work to do....including raking up leaves!  Speaking of Thanksgiving weekend, we had a house full!  Even my dad came down from up north!  Sunday we had our big meal and I had invited my friend Sue, her husband and her parents.  We had a nice visit.  We also had a TON of leftovers!!!!!!!!  I over ate but enjoyed every bite so it was worth it!

Sunday morning I got the morning off from breakfast making and we went up to Smittys for breakfast.  When leaving, our boys bought a surprise from the machine by the till.....they "won" fake stick on mustaches!!!!!.....goofs!!

Sunday was also the day of the Canadian Pickers Auction at near-by Saskatoon Farm.....Hmmmmm I wonder what Dads real reason for coming down was???  I had asked him to get me a tin toy truck for using when decorating, especially for Christmas and he delivered!

I think it's perfect!!

I haven't been sewing at all lately except for some binding finishes.  Here are three (forgive me if I've already posted the wildlife one!)

I plan on enjoying my weekend.....I have no where to go and Amy doesn't have games in Calgary so she's off with the team.  I'm hoping to play on the 'toy' I bought a couple of weeks ago....but every time I say that, it never happens!!!!!

But I had best get to sleep before I fall asleep sitting up!!!!!

High Maintenance!

I think I start every blog post with a comment about how fast time flies.....where did the month go or wow the week flew by!!  This past week was no exception!  Hubby is only at work for a week stint this time...he worked extra days last time and stayed a bit longer here at home.  He is home tomorrow night already!  That's most definitely NOT a bad thing!!!  I had plans on playing with my new toy (quilting machine), cleaning out the flowerbeds, and none of that got done.  I did get my hair and nails done!  Tee hee!  Important stuff you know!  I went with the one odd colored nail this time:

Wild and crazy for me I tell ya!!!  Hahahaha!

I did a tiny bit of sewing.....got the borders on the first grand-baby quilt.  Not quilted but I did get fabric in for an easy second one.

Yesterday was busy but great!!!!!  I got to visit with this great pal!!!!!!  It was a quick one but I got a hug and we had a laugh (it's a turkey not a goose!!!!  Hahahahaha!).....so it's always great!

Then I drove Daughter2 to her out of town hockey game and she stayed overnight here at home.  She left after supper tonight for her place and the noise!  She said a few of her roommates are noisy and messy and just the whole apartment building is noisy.  I'm sure she relishes the peace and quiet here and the tv channels and cat cuddles!  She did her homework in relative quietness.

Work tomorrow and it's picture day....whoop whoop...NOT!  A short week (we have Friday off and then next Monday for Thanksgiving so next week will be a short one too!) and all our kids should be back home here for the weekend!  Even my Dad mentioned coming down and we've invited my friend Sue, her Hubby and her parents over for supper Sunday!  What's four more people???  I can't wait!

Well, best hit the hay!

Lots to Post!

Well, September is coming to a close and what a month it's been.  The start of school (work for me), the start of hockey, a few birthdays, hot air balloon races, the official start of autumn just to name a few of the activities.

School has been going well, but man oh man, I've been hit hard with a cold/flu bug.  I haven't missed a day but sure wish I could get feeling 100% and get my energy back.  If my sinuses aren't killing me, I'm achy head to toe.  I know it has to pass but sooner rather than later would be very much appreciated!

Daughter2's hockey has started.  We went to a couple of games out of town during a tournament in Brooks last weekend.....her (new) team lost in the gold medal match.  That morning they beat Edmonton who had been stomping every team they had played.  Wish the game wasn't so early...it would have been a good one to watch!  While we were driving there we came upon this truck.......quilt block!!!!

That same weekend was my birthday and this weekend all my kids came down!  Daughter2 stayed overnight (and slept on a big bed as opposed to her tiny dorm room bed!), Son1 and his girlfriend and Son2 came from St Albert.  Daughter1 came on Sunday for the day.  It was wonderful having everyone together!!!!!!!!  Daughter2 brought me this yummy fruit bouquet for my birthday...of course everyone helped me eat it!

The weekend was busy as there were the hot air balloon races and the car show.  They said there were 1090 registered cars and more unregistered cars there!  I believe it!  It spread out all through the downtown as well as all through George Lane Park which is a large area itself.  My hips are still killing me from all the walking we did!!!!  I didn't take pictures at the car show but here are two of my favorite balloons......they were so cute!

Hope you can see them....the picture quality is not the greatest.

There was a sale at an antique/giftware place in Okotoks that Jenna and I went to on Saturday.  Picked up a few small things.  I didn't spend much because my big purchase last week was my new toy.  It's an older Juki sewing machine and a HQ frame.....not sure what to call it as it sure isn't a 

long-arm machine!  A short arm?  LOL. I've set it up but haven't used it yet.....I spent the day cleaning and washing bedding after work.  I'll use it for smaller projects (I have a pile!) after I get the hang of it!!!

Last week was our stitching get together at Sues and her cutie dog Daisy loved the quilt I was stitching the binding onto......she made herself very comfortable!

Yesterday while we were all relaxing I was mentioning to Jenna about how dirty my windows were and I was going to get Hubby to help as I don't like walking along the roof to clean the outsides and my arms are too short to clean them all from inside.  Next thing I know she is wanting to wash my windows!  How could I say no??????  I've been admiring them ever since!!!!! 

They are coming down again for Thanksgiving and I can't wait!!!  Loved playing cards and having some laughs with my kiddos!!!!!!

Here We Go!!

Getting ready to start the first full week of work.  Last week was short because of Labor Day Monday.  The rest of the week went well and I caught a cold...of course!  The children I work with are great.  Seems like my job will be relatively easy this year...fingers crossed!!! (I sure hope I didn't just jinx myself!!!!)

I did a very small bit of sewing last week.  A teeny 4.5" block...one of many.  My friend Kim bought me this kit and I LOVE the fabrics!!  I have everything cut out...now to stitch more!

Fall is coming fast and furious!  The leaves are changing, the nights are cooler and we have geese!  

Lots and lots of geese on the lake behind the house!!!  They are here honking usually late afternoon then are gone in the evening........likely filling up their bellys in a field somewhere!

I had plans of sewing again today but then Daughter2 showed up.  I did manage to whip together this little pillow for Halloween....I bought the stenciled burlap off of eBay in 2010!!!!  This literally took me 15 minutes to make!

Why do I procrastinate???????

Daughter1 sent a picture of her and her belly at 22 weeks!  Both little girls are growing!

I'm hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight!  Our little Pixie has had diarrhea the last two nights.....she sleeps with us and needs help getting on and off the bed!  (too much information???) So I didn't sleep well!  (Neither did she!!). Fingers crossed she's better...she seems better but did yesterday too.

Early to bed tonight!!!! 

Soggy Saturday

Well, it rained All-Day!  I had a leisurely morning and then headed up to the quilt shop to have coffee with Mavis.  Of course I can never leave empty handed.....came home with some flannel for burp cloths.  Thought I may as well get started!!  With what I bought, I made seven....I could have made more if I used the white I bought for the back but this way they are double sided.

I think they will be handy little things!

Coming to bed tonight I flicked the light switch on at the end of the garage and saw this:

See the white stuff on the windshield????  Argh!!!!!!!!  Not yet..please!!!!!!!  I'll be scared to look out in the morning.  I am hoping it will be gone by then!!!!!  I think it will be another good sewing day!!!!!

It's Chilly and Wet...Must Be a Long Weekend!

Well here it is September already!  I've been to work a few days this week but the kids start next Tuesday.  I think I'm ready!!!!  I can't wait really!

I haven't been doing much for sewing but am working on binding the three quilts I got back from Kim.  Here's one done:

The house is quiet right now.  Hubby is up north working and before he left we moved Daughter2 last weekend.  She is in a week early as she is taking an accelerated course this week....she has so much stuff but her place in residence is much nicer than last year:

I took this little one for a walk the other day and she did really well!  When I heard her huffing and puffing too much I would carry her for a bit.  It's raining and COLD here now...and is to last most of the weekend....so we likely won't get out much.

And this one hasn't left me alone!!!!  He's a pain in the butt especially when I'm sleeping!  Lol!  

No plans for the long weekend but it's most definitely sewing weather....I hope I can accomplish something!!!!!!!