Comfort Cove Designs

Bloomer Weekend

2011-06-06T00:31:00.002-02:30

I spent most of my sewing time completing baby bloomer orders!!! I am just loving making these bloomers! They are so much fun to embroider! BTW, I am now selling my bloomers here on Etsy!

I am hoping to work on my scrap saturday Yellow theme month project tomorrow night (Monday). Better late than never I say!!! I found a really cute embroidery design I can incorporate into a project I want to try out. Stay tuned!!! I'm involved in a mug rug swap as well as a secret sewing pal exchange and I have ideas pouring out of my head!

Sorry for now photos and the short blurb tonight. It is already 12:30am and I have to get up 6:15am to get myself ready for work!!! I can't believe I have been back to work almost 2 weeks already!!! That is just insane!!!

Well of to la la land for me!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Another Work Week Complete

2011-06-04T00:34:00.004-02:30

Wow!!! Where did this week go at all???? First it was Monday, and I swear I just blinked my eyes and its Friday night!!!!! Crazy!!!

So I am face and eyes into my latest new Business Venture. I have been selling embroidered baby girl bloomers/diaper covers for 2 weeks now and just about every night I 4 and 5 bloomers hooped up and made up for customers!!! I'm sooo stoked!!! I am just loving how these bloomers are turning out and they are sooooooooo adorable!

I am presently selling my work through Kijiji as well as through word of mouth. Here is my little selling blurb! I do ship worldwide!!! Here it goes!

If you are a Mommy, Daddy, Grandmother, Grandfather or friend of a sweet little baby girl then you may know how difficult it is to buy a cute little dress only to find there is no diaper or panty cover. Well, Comfort Cove Designs to the rescue!!! How adorable would these little bloomers look on their little caboose!!!

These diaper covers are double seat panties with a soft elastic waistband and a bias cut seat. The legs are edged win a white eyelet lace. The bloomers are 65% polyester/35% cotton blend and are machine washable. They cost $15.00 per pair and I use Paypal for payment.

They come in the following sizes: 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months.
These bloomers make adorable one of a kind shower gifts or just cause gifts!!! With the summer season coming up they will look so sweet under their little sundresses!

If you would like more information and details, please feel free to drop me an email. Stay tuned as there are more designs coming soon.

I am adding a "like" link to facebook here on my blog if anyone is interested in adding my facebook page to their facebook. I am also working on an Etsy page.

This will be the first Saturday in June and this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge colour is YELLOW. I have a few small projects I want to make up so I will be going through my yellow scraps when William is down for his morning nap. I can't wait to start!

Well for now it is going for 1am and I am zonked!!!! I have 5 pairs of bloomers set and ready to be embroidered tomorrow and send out to the customers. William and I are also meeting up with my girlfriend and her little baby girl for a playdate in the afternoon. It appears my weekend will be a fun filled and busy one!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

New Business Venture!!!

2011-05-29T00:05:00.004-02:30

I have been selling my quilts and quilting related projects for close to 10 years now. I have also been teaching for 13 years. Comfort Cove Designs is also the name of my small business I have here at home. Although I have a full time Monday - Friday job, I love having this little business on the side! Well I have recently started a new venture and extension to my business. I now am into embroidery work. I have been working on Christmas inventory since January, but I wanted to get into something more year round. Well I found what I have been looking for .... BABY BLOOMERS!!!!!!!!!!! I have recently started embroidering ready made lace eyelet bloomers. So far the majority of my clients have wanted the bloomers personalized with the baby's names on the backside. Here are a few examples.

Tonight I made a lady bug bloomer for another customer. I just looooove how the lady bug turned out!!!!

Tonight I am also doing a few other samples of butterflies, and Princess themed designs. I am hoping within a week time to have my Etsy account set up and ready to sell my work there. I am also working on a Facebook Group. Once I have these in place I will post a message here for anyone who may be interested in ordering a cute bloomer for some sweet little girl they know. At the moment the size of the bloomers go from 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18months. If you have any questions or comments about these bloomers, please do not hesitate to drop me an email or a comment and I would gladly get in touch with you!!! I will be shipping worldwide!

And on to other news.... I got back to my scrapbooking last night! My friend Crystal and I have decided to attend a scrapbook crop night once a month at a local scrapbooking store. We had so much fun last night working on our babys' scrapbooks!!!! I managed to get the first two themed pages completed last night. I am currently working on my pregnancy photos.

I also got back to working on my scrapbook recipe binders. I hauled my Fish/Pasta/Rice binder out this morning and while William was napping I managed to get a few pages done. Here are a few examples. Since I didn't have much time to sew this weekend, I did still manage to keep with the Pink Themed Scrap Saturdays through the Rainbow Scrap Challenge only it was with scrapbooking paper instead of fabrics!!! Hey it's still pink and I used pieces of pink scraps!!!!

So that is how I am justifying!!! :) oooh does it also count that I am drinking a pink grapefruit carbonated fruit beverage right now???? :) lol how about that I used a piece of scrap muslin and stitched out a cute butterfly for potential bloomers???

Well its already 12:30am and I am zonked!!!! I am off to bed to get some zzzzzzzz. Tomorrow I hope to stitch out a couple more bloomer design ideas and work on a few more recipe pages. I also have to stitch out a sample bloomer for a gal at work who had an idea for a design. I will get that completed and take it with me to the office on Monday.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

End of Maternity Leave

2011-05-23T07:22:00.003-02:30

Sigh.... its been a little over a year between sick leave and maternity leave. Today is my last full day home before I head back to my full time job. Its been quite an eventful year between being a Mom to an AMAZING and funny little boy and my health up and down like a yo yo!!! How fast did the time go at all!!! I remember when I finished my last day of work on March 26th of last year. I thought to myself, "self... you got yourself a nice long year ahead of you"!!! HA!!! yeah RIGHT!!!! with the blink of an eye it was gone!!! Back to reality tomorrow!!! I will miss being with my little boy terribly, but I must join the ranks with many of the other working Moms out there and get working again. I am looking forward to the adult interaction again!!! Although I forewarned them that I will probably be driving them all nuts with my silly children's songs I have been singing the last year!!! LOL

So I finished the pink project on Saturday night!!! Here it is!!!

Tidy Bags with matching large pin cushions!!

I loved it so much I actually made a second set to keep for myself! I hope to have the little pressie packaged up and ready to send to my friend before the week is out. Apparently I hear Canada Post is in the negotiation process of a possible strike!!! Ugggh!!!! I sure hope not!! I have a few packages that I may be sending out very soon!!! This couldn't come at a worse time!

On my last day off with my boy, he decided this morning to keep me up most of the night with his teething (poor little fella) and then decided he wanted to start his day at 5:30 this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh!!!! He normally would wake up at 7..... I am going to be a victim by days end!!!! Hopefully I can get a little cat nap in at some point today.

Well on that note, it is 7:30am, and Trevor will be home in a half hour from working his overnight shift. Time to make a nice breakfast for us all.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday!!!

2011-05-21T09:49:00.004-02:30

I am FINALLY going to take today as my Scrap Saturday again!!!! I had to take a few of those off the last month or so to play catch up on a few things before heading back to work next week. I am almost caught up!!!!

As part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month, I won't be making a quilt, but will be making some smaller projects. I don't have alot of pink fabrics, but after some searching, here is a little tease of what I will be using to make my little project.

I hope to complete it by this evening. Stay tuned!!! This is a little something special for a very very good friend of mine!!! You will know who you are soon enough missus!!! I know you read my blog regularly!! I hope to make a second one for myself!!! I think I will stitch up the second design right now.

Remember my February Red month Rainbow Scrap Challenge strippy quilt??? Well here it is!!!

It is FINALLY going on the machine to be quilted!!! I am free motion quilting this one too. There are 36 blocks to quilt in total. I can only do 6 at a time before my eyes get strained where it is against a white background and the design is a bit detailed.

I have 12 complete already. I will do another 6 this evening.

I also have the teddy bear quilt quilted and the binding is on by machine on one side.

I will slip stitch the other side down by hand later. Binding is good work to do when there is a little 'ankle biter" running around and you can quickly drop it to run after the little man!!!

Well speaking of the little squirt. He is having lots of fun right now playing in my rubber maid containers of scraps and his toys, so I am going to take this time to do a little work down here in my sewing room!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Last Week of Maternity Leave

2011-05-16T08:35:00.003-02:30

I am on my last week of maternity leave. I head back to my full time job next Tuesday after the Victoria Long Weekend. I can't believe how fast this year went!!! I will miss being away from my boy all day long but I am also looking forward to being around adults again.

Although I'm sure they will have to get use to my singing all the silly songs I have been singing every day to my boy!!! lol I think I now know every theme song from every show on the Treehouse Children's TV channel!!! LOL

Along with spending time with my boy this week, I still have a few more things I really want to finish before work next week. I did finish the two mug rugs I am sending off to my two friends in Turkey.

I finished the binding on them last night. Tonight Trevor and I will get the care package set up and I will mail it off tomorrow.

This morning I will be layering the Teddy Bear quilt. Mum will look after William this morning so I can baste the quilt without worrying about a little boy walking over a pinned down quilt or sitting on pins and needles lol. Tonight I might try to get a start on the quilting. I would love to have this quilt finished by the end of the month and give to my friend and her little boy.

I miss posting regularly to my blog as I have been doing the last few months, but I know I will again very soon! I haven't been able to post messages on my favourite blogs either lately.

Well I'm off to baste a quilt!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Latest Play Things in the Sewing Room

2011-05-12T09:33:00.000-02:30

I am working hard at getting a few things off my list before heading to work in another week's time. The past few days I have been playing with a little baby quilt I am making a good friend of mine for her little 4 month old boy.

I finished the top last night around 11:30. Here is a little sneak peek of the quilt. It is approximately 54" x 54". It will be a nice play quilt or a cute snuggle quilt when he is older when lying on the couch cuddling with Mommy and Daddy. I just loooooooove the colour combination with this quilt and had sooo much fun making the teddy bear faces. I found the quilt kit on the Connecting Threads website. I just loooooooooooooooove that website and have done a bit of damage to my bank account on this site!! lol

Here is another little something I have been working on with my embroidery machine. I am making these little mug rugs to add to a care package that Trevor and I are sending to our friends Sinan and his wife Ulku in Turkey.

Sinan and I were penpals many moons ago. I met him when I was 21 years old when I travelled by myself to Turkey to visit him and another friend of mine Pelin. Sinan lives in Istanbul, and my girlfriend Pelin lives in Ankara. I spent 2 glorious amazing weeks in that country and just fell in love with the whole culture, food, sounds, history and sooooooooooooooooooooo much more!!! I am DETERMINED to go back to that country again. I can't WAIT for the day when I do!!!!!

Tonight I plan to complete the mug rugs and get them layered and quilted. We want to send the care package off in the mail before the end of the weekend.

Speaking of mug rugs... I am involved in another mug rug swap here at Leona's Quilting Adventure!!! I had fun the last time with her first mug rug swap, I just HAD to get involved again!!!! While I make this one, I will make a little one for William. It will be more of a smaller version of a placemat though as he needs his own little mat at the dinner table. I will make it with frog fabrics and embroidered design as he loves frogs!

My next goal is to get the red strippy quilt quilted. This is a quilt I made back in February during the "red"themed month in February with the Rainbow Quilt Challenge.

Well it is almost 10am here and I have to get myself ready to run a few errands this morning and afternoon. My first one being a dental appt. to get a cleaning. Chat again soon!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Wild and Crazy Week!!

2011-05-08T23:44:00.005-02:30

Whew!!!! What a week!!!! I have been insanely busy since before William's birthday party last week that I haven't had much chance to go online let alone blog!!!! The next two weeks will probably be just as busy as I have 2 weeks remaining before I head back to work full time. This was a wild and crazy yet fun year between raising a sweet little boy for his first year and being very very sick myself. Despite being sick most of the past year, I have enjoyed every single precious second with my little boy during my maternity leave. But now it is time to start the next chapter of my life and get back to work.

In the next 2 weeks I have a few more doctor's appts, a dentist appt., an appt. to set up for William for his 1 year old needles and check up. Not to mention a pile of phone calls to make!!!! I also want to finish up a few more things in my sewing room.

This past week, I managed to complete a few more sets of embroidered Christmas bathroom towel sets, bind two more sets of Christmas placemats, make two baby bunting bags for my boy,

cut out two more mug rugs and have them embroidered for my friends in Turkey we are sending a care package to.

I also worked in the kitchen making cakes and cookies and nibblies for William's birthday party we had here at the house last Saturday, April 30th. I made a carrot cake for the gang at work. (I took William into the office on his birthday, Friday the 29th to pass out cake), I made William's birthday cake he would have himself at his party,

(Something tells me he liked his cake)!!

(the birthday loot)!!!

as well as a cake for all his guests. I also made mini eclairs, cheese dips, stuffed brie wrapped in puff pastry, vanilla cupcakes,

a big pot of slow cooker chili, and other nibblies.

I really hope despite all the work and things to get done before going back to work I will work harder at my blog! I hate being away from my blog and reading up on all my friend's blogs too!!! Once I return to work, my time will be limited to evenings after bambino is down for the night and my weekends. I plan to stuff in as much as possible during the times including my blogging!!!!!! I am a queen of multitasking!!!!! lol

And although there is only 5 more minutes to the end of the day, I do want to wish all of you Mom's, new moms and moms to be a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! I had a really nice day myself. I got to have a beautiful sleep in (thank you sweetie)!!! William and Trevor gave me some beautiful clothes, I got to have some play time with my little boy, and then Trevor and William went to Nanny and Poppy Best's house for supper and I got to spend some nice quiet quality time with my Mum and enjoy a nice supper together. It was a very nice and relaxing day. I am soooo lucky and blessed to be the Mommy to one super duper amazing little boy!!!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Crumb Quilt FINISHED!!!

2011-04-26T23:04:00.005-02:30

Yep!!! That's right!!!! It officially went on the bed this afternoon!!!

I started this little darling about 3 years ago. I love when a quilt like this is complete!!!! I am already going through my mind the next big scrappy quilt I want to make. I'm thinking of a chevron quilt next time!! I have alot of 2 1/2 inch strips that I need to use up and this will be a great way to use them.

Although I took this month off from the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I still had the colour purple going through my mind. I mentioned some time ago that I had a purple and green row by row robin I was involved in back in the 90's and thought this would be a great opportunity to brush the dust off it and make it into a lap quilt. Last night I measured out all the rows and now I need to decide how I will put these strips into a quilt. I have an idea, but if anyone out there has some suggestions please share with me!!!!

In the past week of silence from me here in blogland, I have been keeping busy working away on embroidered towels. I now have about 6 different Christmas designs stitched out. I want to make up a few more designs both whimsical and traditional so customers have a nice selection to choose from.

While my towels are stitching out, I am working on two bunting bags for my boy.

The bags he has now that he sleeps in during the night are getting too small for him and he is unable to kick out as good as he use to. During the night he moves from one end of the crib to the other, so I like putting him in these bags rather than putting a blanket in with him for safety. The bunting bags still keep him snug as a bug and he just looks so gosh darn cute in them!!! He loves frogs, so of course I HAD to add a frog design to one of the bags. He is also a very active and busy little bee during the day time, so I added a cute little bumble bee to the other bag.

I was recently involved in a mug rug swap. Today I received the CUTEST little mug rug pressie in the mail from my mug rug swap partner. Kristy over at Cotton Addition sent me the cutest rug, mug and some yummy yummy organic green tea with ginger. I actually used one of those teas in my new mug tonight after sewing and it was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kristy thank you sooooooooooooo much!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well can you believe my little boy turns 1 on Friday?????? We are having his birthday party on Saturday. Trevor and I went out this afternoon to pick up the party favours, decorations and loot bag gifts. I am now putting a list together of the food and finger foods I will be making for the big day.

Last week my good Mommy friend from playgroup set up a photo shoot for William in her home for his professional 1 year old photos. Jeannine is an amazing and talented photographer!!! Here is some of her work!!!

Well I think I caught up with as much as I could think of I did in the past week. This is another busy week between prepping for the birthday party and tomorrow I'm off to get my income taxes done... sigh... Wish me luck for a nice big fat REFUND!!!!!!! Momma needs more sewing supplies!!!!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Quiet Yet Busy

2011-04-19T12:20:00.002-02:30

Its been quiet yet busy since my last post. William and I had another birthday party on Saturday for one of the little girls in our playgroup. Only William's birthday left for April month. Although we have two more parties to attend in May. We will be partied out!!!

I figured I would write now as William is heading into hour #2 of his day nap. He will wake up any time now I figure but while making lunch I am also trying to squeeze in this post.

I got a nice start on my crumb quilt. I am now around almost 2 sides!!!!!

I also got back to finishing up the binding work on the Christmas placemat sets I made over a month ago. I really need to complete these sets and put them away for Christmas to sell. I have a few other plans in mind to sell both for Christmas and for year round (mostly baby stuff) but other things too. Stay tuned as I will be posting about it and advertising here on my blog in the coming months.

Tonight I will take some photos of what I am doing and post it. ooh I have a mug rug to send out (ooops I'm a wee bit late sending it... but it is going out tomorrow in the mail.. PROMISE)!!! I will show you what I will be sending to my mug rug partner too.

Well lunch is ready and I'm starved!!! Once kiddo wakes up and has his lunch we are meeting up with a friend and her 3 month old little girl to take a stroll around the neighbourhood. It is a beautiful sunny day here.. In fact the temperature is going up to a balmy 10 degrees celcius!!!wooo hoooo!!! highest it has been in a few months!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Pressies!!!!

2011-04-13T23:37:00.003-02:30

I just looove a good pressie in the mail!!! Especially when you were not really expecting anything. Well yes I was, but didn't know exactly when during the 2011 year. Melissa sent me this beeeeeeeeautiful little handmade notebook and bookmark!!!

It was part of the Pay It Forward Giveaway many of us quilting bloggers are in. The notebook is sooo cute with the pretty flower on the front, and the bookmark has the CUTEST brad that is keeping the tassel to the bookmark. If you look close enough in this photo you will see the brad is a silver camera!!!!

I LOVE IT!!!! Thank you sooooooooooooo much Melissa for the sweet little pressie!!!! I know already what I plan to use my little notebook for!!!!

Tonight I finished the Green Scrappy quilt top!!!!

Wooooooooooo hooooooooooooo!!!!!! All I need to do now is serge around the edges to protect them from ravelling. I don't want to layer or quilt this one yet until I get the Red Scrappy Strippy quilt quilted and binded. I put alot of work into that green quilt. And I just looooooooooove how the interweaving pattern turned out. I decided I will keep this quilt to put on William's Big Boy bed when he eventually graduates to that bed. I have some quilt tops already made up for some time that I will use to donate to my Iris Kirby House charity.

William and I have another birthday party to attend this coming Saturday. I am hoping to get out tomorrow afternoon or Friday afternoon to pick up the gift I want us to give. Hopefully that night, I might get back into the Rainbow Stash Challenge. I had a purple/green row by row UFO that has been sitting in my UFO cabinet for ages. I need to size each row and determine how I am going to put the rows together. I will post a photo of the rows on Saturday when I pull them out.

Tomorrow night I need to put away the machine and ironing board and haul out my scrapbooking supplies. I will be working on making William's birthday invitations. His party is at the end of the month and since we have a birthday party to attend this weekend (a little girl from his playgroup) it would be a great time to pass out some of his invitations. It still blows my mind that he will be 1 at the end of the month!!!! I hope every year of his life doesn't go by as fast as this one. He is growing up so fast on me. It makes me sad. SLOW DOWN SWEETIE!!! What's the rush????

(A little stroll down by the ocean close to where our friend and new (almost) 3month old new playdate friend live!!

Sigh..... til next time.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Bits and Bods

2011-04-11T23:32:00.005-02:30

For the past 24 hours I have been nursing a migraine. I am on the other side of it now... otherwise I would NOT be looking at this bright computer screen!!! I spent much of last night and this morning lying in my bed in my dark tomb bedroom. Very rarely do I get physically sick with migraines. I might have done that twice in my life. Usually I get the flashing light on the side of my eye and the intense throbbing head pain, one of side of my face goes numb and I can actually say even my teeth hurt!!! I usually get 2-3 of these migraines a year. They don't come on by food or wine (although I have learned to stay away from Merlot wine for this reason). I can eat all the chocolate and cheese and coffee I want and not get a migraine. They just happen. I thank my Mum for inheriting her migraines. Mum and Trevor looked after Sweet William today while I nursed this migraine. It was such a nice and sunny day outside, and when I was up I had to wear sunglasses in the house as the light was waaaay too bright for my eyes. When I did get up to try a bit of lunch, I took my bagel and tea down to my sewing room where I kept all the lights off and closed the blind. It was just light enough down there for me to see what I was eating.

I am still a bit wonky and it usually takes me a couple days to get back to myself again, but I did feel I wanted to spend an hour or so in my sewing room tonight and feel a little bit productive. So, I managed to keep myself occupied and mind off the head by making all the rows for my green scrappy quilt. My goal is to at least finish the quilt top by month's end.

I also worked on this little embroidery darling that will be going into a little mug rug swap I am involved in. I did the embroidery work tonight while working on the green scrappy quilt rows. Tomorrow I will sew it into a mug rug.

Before the migraine started yesterday I was in the mood to try out a new cheesecake... So while Bambino was down for his morning nap I made this OMG yummy yummy Caramel Apple Cheesecake!!!!!!!!!!!

I loooooooove making cheesecakes!!!

Ohhh one more thing before before I head off to bed. Last week Mum shared with me this really funny news article she cut out of the newspaper for me. There is a small column in our local newspaper called "News of the Weird". Okay so before I get started and type it out, I just want to say I am glad to know there are others out there that are more crazy than I when it comes to making insane projects. Don't get me wrong there are many of us quilters out there that love to come up with crazy and insane quilting projects that require a TON of pieces of various sizes, shapes and colours. But I have to now say I don't feel so bad any more!!!

Okay, so here it goes.
"Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum is already home to an artist's rendition of da Vinci's "The Last Supper" made from burned toast, and now comes a version by Laura Bell of Roscommon, Mich.: da Vinci's masterpiece made with clothes-dryer lint. Bell said she did about 800 hours of laundry of various-coloured towels to obtain lint of the proper hues, and then worked 200 more hours to construct the 14-foot long, four-foot-high mural."

My question is this..... did she hand stitch all this lint down????? I also would hate to see her power bill for all that electricity she used up washing all those towels!!! LOL Something to ponder!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Crumb Quilt Update and Other Stories

2011-04-08T23:59:00.003-02:30

The Crumb quilt is now machine binded!!! woooo hoooooooooooo!!! All the left over threads on the back of the quilt are also now trimmed off and tucked away within the layers of the quilt. All that is left is to hand stitch down the other side of the binding and remove all the basting threads. I'm already coming up with ideas on the next big scrappy quilt I want to make!!!! I have a number of designs I want to do, I just need to narrow it down to the one I want to do first.

Tonight I did a bit of clean up and tidying up of my sewing room and work space. I need to make it look a bit more sane before picking up the next project I want to complete. I set about making a short list of projects I want to complete or get started on before the month is out. I also have 2 more birthday parties to attend from William's playgroup, plus organize his own for the end of the month. I can't believe my little boy will be 1 year old April 29th!!!!! It is amazing just how fast this past year went!!!

We took him to get his first hair cut at the barber shop on Thursday afternoon. Because he is so active and wiggly, I had to sit in the chair with him to get his hair done. God love the fella who did his hair. What patience!!!!

(Before shot. I miss those cute little wispy hairs... unfortunately they were getting down into his eyes.)

My little boy has lost that little baby hair look and looks like a real little boy now. The baby is starting to go... sigh.... sooo sad. Afterward, we went up to the shopping mall food court and celebrated his big haircut day with Tim Horton Timbit donuts!!!! Needless to say he enjoyed his first chocolate Timbit!!!

Tonight I got a little head start on Scrap Saturday. I managed to get the first two rows of blocks sewn together.

I will work on that quilt top again Saturday evening after William is gone to bed. My goal for this weekend is to get as much of that quilt top completed as I can.

While I worked away in my sewing room, I also warmed up my ole Embroidery machine and stitched out this little darling.

It has given me an idea of what I want to do for a mug rug swap I'm involved in this month. I need to have that little project completed and mailed out before the middle of the month. My days are getting numbered, so I better get my mojo going.

Well it is just after midnight, my tea is almost gone and I need to get some shut eye. William and I have a birthday party to go to in the afternoon. Before we go there, I need to run to a card shop to pick up a birthday card and then off to Fabricville as I want to get some more polar fleece to make a couple bunting bags for William. The two I have now are starting to get too small for him. I still don't want him to sleep with a blanket overnight as he moves so much from one end of his crib to the other. At least with these bunting bags, he is still keep cozy and warm and he doesn't get caught up in a blanket.

Good Night. I hope to post again Saturday evening to show you the results of my Scrap Saturday evening.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Crumb Quilt Update

2011-04-05T08:34:00.003-02:30

I am on a roll now with this quilt and I just want to get it completed!!! Last night I dug down into my scrap rubber maid container and found a bunch of fabrics I want to put into my binding. Since this is such a scrappy coloured quilt I want to make my binding multicoloured.

Here is the pile of fabrics I picked out.

The night was still young, so I got them pressed and cut out.

And not to end there, I decided to sew the pieces together. Tonight I will press the binding down properly and start sewing the binding onto the quilt.

ohh, btw, the other night (Sunday night) Mum and her good friend Theresa (who is also part of our Wednesday night sewing group) between the three of us we got all the remaining paper off the quilt!!!! Yippeeeee!!! That job would have taken me a few days of Baby nap times to get that paper off. We finished the paper removal in just under an hour!

Today, with the help of Mum who will be spending some Baby/Nana time with her little boy, I will play a bit of catch up on my housework including cleaning out my deep freeze. I need to take a little inventory of what I have and what I need to get. I want to start getting some casseroles made up and get my freezer set up for the Spring/Summer season. There are days during the summer when you just don't feel like cooking much and it is much easier to just take something out of the freezer and reheat something up. I'm also hoping to make a Taffy Apple Cheesecake at some point before the week end.!!!

So on that note, with breakfast finished and my tea almost gone, I am off to start some laundry. Fun day!!!! Sigh.. I would rather be sewing!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Crumb Quilt QUILTED!!!

2011-04-02T22:53:00.003-02:30

Wooooo hooooooooooo!!! The Quilting is FINALLY done!!! Now the fun job of removing lots and lots of paper!!!!

I decided since this is going to be a very dull and boring job, I will need to do it in short stages. So, saying that, I will work on it while William takes his morning/afternoon nap. These days he sleeps from 1-2 hours during this nap and then he is good til bedtime. That way, I can do it in stages and I won't feel like all I'm ever doing is removing paper!! LOL

I also decided since April is Purple for the Rainbow Stash Challenge, I will be taking this month as a semi month off. I have a few things I need to play some serious catch up on with some of my sewing projects. Not to mention William and I have at least 4 more birthday parties from our playgroup to attend this month as well as plan his own 1st birthday at the end of the month!!! I want to scrapbook his invitations. I also want to try and finish up another recipe binder. I started my pasta/rice/fish binder but didn't complete it.

But if time does permit, I did pull out a little Purple UFO I had stashed away for several years in my UFO cabinet. It was a Row by Row Robin I did back in the late 90s when I was living in Nova Scotia. I'm not a big fan of purples, so I will make this quilt up and donate it to the Iris Kirby House along with the other quilts I am making for this organization this year. By doing this I am making the effort to tackle a UFO as well as donating it to my charity organization. I will post a photo of these rows at another date. Right now they are still sitting all folded up nicely in a clear bag.

I will still be watching and participating a little on the sidelines this month. I will still be watching and getting inspired by all the rest of my Rainbow Stash Challenge blogging friends. I also still have to get quilting on the red month quilt, as well as, get the green quilt top together. So I definetely need to take this month to play a little catch up before starting up another Rainbow Stash quilt for next month.

Well I'm off to bed. William and I have a birthday party to attend tomorrow afternoon, and I also am seriously thinking of trying out a new cheesecake. Every now and then I get the craving to make a new cheesecake. I LOOOOVE making cheesecakes. I think the one I have my eye on this time is a Taffy Apple Cheesecake!!! mmmmmmmm

William has decided to claim poor Alexi's bed. I suppose if Alexi is not using it, its fair game!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Just A Short Note

2011-04-02T17:35:00.001-02:30

I will try and post more again tonight. I had a few more tests done (medically) this week so have been off my groove. When I'm not tired I am back in my sewing room working away on my Crumb Quilt. I am hoping by the end of the night to have the last two sides of the final border quilted!!! I will only have to remove the rest of the paper, take out the basting threads, then start the binding process. I'm sooooo excited!!!! This was a project I started a few years ago. I was never in any big hurry to finish it as I was still not living in the house I am in now but sharing a small condo with Trevor. Now that we have a much bigger house and I have more room to leave my projects out and about I am working more at getting this project from a UFO, to a WIP to a COMPLETE!!!! My goal for April is to have this quilt finished!

Anyway, again I just wanted to drop a little note here. I will post more again tonight along with some recent photos.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Bit of Sewing.. Bit of Food

2011-03-30T10:37:00.004-02:30

I promised a few days ago that I would post some recipes, but a few things came up and I just never got the chance to get back to my computer. In fact I haven't touched my computer in a few days... OMG!!!!!! no Internet in DAYS!!!!!!!! No blogging in DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! Not reading up on my peeps BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh....................... I've missed you all!!!!!

So here are the recipes and a little photo of the Salmon and the Orzo I made.

Salmon Fillets with Creamy Dill (Serving of 4)... (I downsized the recipe for only two fillets)

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chopped fresh basil leaves
1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
2 tsp dried dill, or to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

In a bowl, stir together mayonnaise and mustard. Stir in the thyme, oregano, and basil. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet, and spread with the mayonnaise mixture. Sprinkle with dill weed.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the salmon is easily flaked with a fork.

Orzo with Parmesan and Basil

2 Tbsp butter
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
pepper to taste

Melt butter in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in orzo and saute until lightly browned.

Stir in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.

Mix in parmesan cheese and basil. Season with pepper to taste. Serve.

ENJOY!!!

One of my favourite online recipe websites is www.allrecipes.com. I found both of these recipes at this site.

During the last few days and weekend, I did get to do a bit of sewing. I think I mentioned that I have all my green blocks made. I put them into rows to make up the quilt top the other night, but it wasn't until after I had them set up into rows and then off the floor did I remember I should have taken a photo!!!!! I'm not sure how much sewing I will get to do on this quilt this weekend as William and I have TWO birthday parties to go to. Most of our playgroup friends have birthdays in April. It is going to be a busy month!!!! Hopefully in the evenings when William is put to bed for the night, I will try to sew the rows to the green quilt together.

I did finish the two bunting bags I mentioned the other I made for my friend's baby shower. Now that she has been given the gift, I can now post them here for you to see what I did.

(I now need to make a couple bigger sized ones for William. I will embroider frogs on his as he loves frogs)!

I also decided to take out my crumb quilt to get a start on the first border. I have one side of the first border completed. I will probably work on this quilt for the next few evenings as I really want to see this quilt quilted.

OOOH and one more thing!!!! I treated myself to a brand new cell phone! I got the HTC Android Desire and oooooooooooooooooooooh its pretty!!!!!!!!!

I haven't had the phone 24 hours yet, so I am still learning to use all its features. However, the guy at the cell phone kiosk who sold me the phone did a very very bad thing. He told me about this application called "Angry Birds"... He NEVER EVER should have told me that!!! I'm now addicted to slingshotting birds across the sky to knock now glass and wood and bricks to knock out ugly green snorting pig faces..... sigh............... I was playing it from 11pm - 12:30am last night!!!!! Oohhhh dear what have I got myself into.. well on a positive note, it will make the wait times at doctor's offices or other places easier to pass the time!!!! LOL

If the Angry Birds don't keep me awake at night too long, or take over my sewing I'll be okay. And hopefully those Angry Birds won't keep me too long from posting again lol

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Little bit of Show and Tell

2011-03-27T00:02:00.003-02:30

In between sick moments and mourning a sweet uncle, I have been keeping myself occupied with some stitching.

Here is a photo shot of the progress I did make on my green scrappy blocks this week. Earlier this week I took my blocks up to the kitchen counter and pressed and pinned

while William kept himself busy going through my plastics.

I managed to finish making my blocks and William was satisfied with making sure every plastic container was out of the cupboard and onto the floor. Later that afternoon he found the drawer I keep all my placemats, hot pads and oven mitts!!!! Sigh..... ooh well he was happy.

I never took a photo of it yet, but I did complete the hand binding on my second coffee themed mug mat I made myself. It was part of the pile of hand binding that I have lined up to do!

Tonight, I finished making a baby shower gift for a friend of mine who is expecting twin boys in May. I want to wait until she is given the gift before I post the photo just in case she peeks on my blog (which she says she does from time to time). I loved how it turned out so much that I will be making a couple for William too. I did some really cute embroidery work on them too. Funny whimsical dragons!!!!

I also made an old classic dish for supper tonight. I made creamy herbed dill salmon with a Basil/Parmesan cheese orzo. I haven't made orzo in ages and just felt in the mood for it. I will post those recipes in the morning while William is playing. Once again I am sitting up in bed typing out this blog. And well it will be hard to balance a recipe binder on the bed while there is a sleeping dog by my side lol!!!!

Well its off to bed for me as it is heading towards the 1am mark.. Yawwwwwwwnnnnn I'm tired too. Both William and I had a rough night last night, so hoping we both have better zzzzzzzzzz tonight.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Here... but not...

2011-03-26T00:19:00.002-02:30

Its been a few days since I posted and I just haven't been able to take a few moments to post and I am sorry. But I have very good legitimate reasons for not being here in blogland...

First of all, I had a very close uncle of mine pass away suddenly Monday night. He was recently diagnosed with leukemia. It progressed very very quickly. He was in and out of hospital for the last month or more. Sunday night he was rushed to the ICU and passed away Monday evening from complications. He was only 71. Due to yet another snow storm today that dumped on us 30 cm more of snow, we couldn't get out to the funeral.

Secondly, I haven't been feeling very well the last week and a half. This week has been insane. I actually had to go to emergency myself I was so sick. This all relates back to when I was in hospital back in October. I am still having complications and now my doctor has me set up for more tests. I am still losing weight despite how much I eat and I am just starting to get worried more and more. Since having William back a year ago in April, I have lost 30 pounds pre-pregnancy weight. Before being pregnant on William I was 138 pounds. When I was weighed at the doctor's office yesterday, I am now a whopping 108 pounds!!!!!!!!!!! I am wasting away it seems. I hope things get figured out soon, cause I can't keep this going much longer. Otherwise if I turn sideways I will disappear!!!!

When I am having a few good spurts, I am managing a little bit of time in my sewing room. It is good therapy there and is keeping my mind occupied or worrying. I'm sorry I have no photos to post, but my camera is out in the other room right now and at the moment I have my little notebook computer here on my lap while I am curled up under my quilts in bed at 12:25am on Saturday. I have a nice warm dog lying here at my side and I just don't have the energy nor the interest to get up and get that camera!!! lol!!! just trust me when I say, I have my green blocks made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wooo hooo!! They are now already to lay out on the floor to make the puzzle design.

I also started making a couple of baby bunting bags for a friend's baby shower this Sunday afternoon (weather and health provided). Not to mention the place it is being held is outside the city and I have nooooooooooooo idea where to find it!!! I will post a photo of the bags when they are completed and given to the recipient.

I also finished the hand binding of my second coffee themed mug mat.

Tomorrow, with the help of Trevor and Mum to watch William, I will get those bunting bags finished so I can get back to my green scrap quilt!!!

Tonight, I also got to call my good friend Noriko in Japan. My cell phone provider has a promotion on right now where all calls to Japan are free until the end of this month. Although she is nowhere near the earthquake site, she said her family are still very worried and concerned about the radiation levels coming their way. At the moment they are unable to drink the water and have to buy bottle water. She said that is also quite hard to do since most of the time it is sold out. They are keeping as positive as much as they can. How frightening it must be.

Well it is late and I need some sleep. It was another busy day and a day of ups and downs health wise for me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I also hope to post some photos tomorow evening too.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Sunday Scrappin'

2011-03-21T09:45:00.002-02:30

I was too tired to post last night, so I figured I would wait til I was a little more alert this morning to blog. Although I have to say I could EASILY go back to sleep again right now.

Last night I was able to sew the first two rows together of the scrappy green blocks. I figured this morning while William was playing around here in the living/dining room, I would take my time and start pinning the remaining two rows of the blocks together.

Then the next time I can get to my sewing machine I will have all the pieces ready to sew together. I can't wait to get these blocks together. The quilt is going to be a real puzzle to put together to make the interlocking design.

So while William munches on his "scooby snacks" I will get to pinning these blocks.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday Results

2011-03-19T22:20:00.003-02:30

I now have all the green scraps sewn into rows for the blocks. I have 48 blocks altogether to sew up for this quilt.

I will start that job tomorrow evening. I am pleased with what I did accomplish tonight.

While I was sewing away tonight, Trevor brought me a nice little girlie drink to sip on while I worked away.

I had myself confined to my little sewing space by putting the ironing board up next to my sewing table. I had alot of sewing and then pressing to do. It certainly cut down on the getting up and down each time!!!

This afternoon while spending a little time in my sewing room, I managed to get the last set of Christmas placemats machine binded.

William kept himself busy exploring one of the fabric cabinets while I did some machine embroidery samples.

All the placemats are now ready for the hand stitching while I can do while watching a movie or working on some machine embroidery work.

After 10pm, I decided to take a little break from the sewing room and come upstairs to hang out with Trevor and to enjoy some yummy baked apples. They are baking in the oven now and the smell of the apples throughout the house is just divine!!!!

And on that note, I think I will get going and dig into one of the yummy baked apples. I think I will also see if there are any good movies on tv tonight. Perhaps I'll do a bit of knitting on my sweater too.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

All Binded Out!!!

2011-03-17T23:29:00.004-02:30

I have all but one set of 6 placemats left to machine bind!!!!! I had a good night of binding this evening and was on quite the roll.

By the time 10:30 came along, I just didn't want to start another set of bindings!!! I will make sure to finish the last set before the end of the weekend.

Tomorrow is March month's Friday Night Sew In!!!! My goal is to get a good start on free motion quilting the two borders that are left to quilt on my crumb quilt. I am so close to finishing this quilt!!! I am anxious now to see it on my bed!

This afternoon I had a mini kitchen day. I haven't had a kitchen day or even a half kitchen day in a very long time. In fact I might safely say the last time I had one of these days was before William was born!!!!! Now that he is older and able to entertain himself with the plastics and bowls and such, I am able to start making up some casseroles and other foodie stuff to stock up my deep freeze again. This afternoon I made a homemade macaroni and cheese (I have been CRAVING mac and cheese for AGES it seems.. and it was sooooooooooo yummy)!!!! I also put on a loaf of cranberry/almond bread in my bread machine. While waiting for the mac and cheese to bake, I decided to make up some delicious banana/pineapple fruit smoothies for the three of us. We love fruit smoothies in our home. I thought I would share the recipe for you!!

Banana and Pineapple Fruit Smoothies

1 half can of crushed pineapple (the small size DOLE can)
1 medium size ripe banana
2 cups vanilla flavoured yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
a pinch of nutmeg
1 cup of ice cubes

Place all ingredients in the blender and mix til well blended. Pour into chilled glasses and enjoy!!!

William certainly enjoyed sharing a smoothie with his Mommy!!!

Apparently Trevor decided to send Alexi the dog to the crib jail with William the other day!!! William thought it was hilarious... meanwhile Alexi seems to tolerate it. William just LOVES his dog!!!! He jumps out of his skin with excitement whenever he sees her!!! I think they will become great pals when he gets older!

oh, I just remembered that today is St. Patrick's Day!!! So happy Paddy's Day to you all on the day when everyone is Irish!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Binding and Some Food for Thought

2011-03-16T23:32:00.002-02:30

I managed to finally finish all the bindings I needed to make for the placemats this evening.

I also have two sets of four placemats now machine binded.

Once all the binding is done by machine, I will take my time and start the hand slip stitching. I figure this will be good stuff to work on when I start stitching my Christmas towel sets on my embroidery machine. I can sit to the machine and change the colour threads when needed and hand stitch at the same time. I have a nice pile of plain towels purchased and ready to be stitched out. I am waiting for an order of threads to arrive. Once they arrive I'll be stitchin' like a mad woman on the machine! I still have alot of towels to purchase. I'm hoping to pick up a few more sets later this week when I am out running some errands.

The last few days, my new blogging friend Anita over at Life Via Serendipity and I have been talking about our little portable outdoor greenhouses we love to use in the summer. We both love to grow our herbs and flowers in them and I have had alot of success with ours the last two summers.

One of the things I mentioned to her this morning in an email is my new Aero Garden Trevor gave me for Christmas this past year. It is a dandy little hydroponics growing center I have in the corner of my kitchen counter where I grow dill, basil, oregano, thyme and mint.

I just love it!!!! If anyone is interested in them (well at least here in Canada) I know you can get them at Canadian Tire. For those living elsewhere I'm sure if you google "Aero Garden" you might be able to find where you can purchase one. My Aero Garden is so compact and takes up very little space on my counter.

Today I cut down some of my mint and made this FABULOUS grilled chicken recipe! Its one of our favourites. I normally grill it on the outdoor bbq, but during the winter months I like to use my indoor Cuisinart Grill. I forgot to take a photo of it, but trust me, its soooooooooooooo yummy!!! I promised Anita I would share the recipe here on my blog tonight. So this is for Anita as well as anyone else out there in blogland who would like to give it a try!

Honey Mustard Chicken Breasts

For the Marinade
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 Tbsp coarsely chopped garlic
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (although I just use two for myself and Trevor)

For the Sauce
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 tsp red bell peppers (I like to use the Epicure dried bell peppers)
1/4 cup dijon mustard
2 Tbsp honey

To make the marinade:
In a medium bowl whisk together all the ingredients.

Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the breasts in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade. Place in a bowl, and refrigerate for about an hour (I like to marinade my chicken for several hours for more flavour).

To make the sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil and melt the butter. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook until the onion is translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in the mustard and the honey. Set aside.

Remove the chicken breasts from teh bag and discard the marinade. Grill over direct medium heat until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 8 to 12 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Baste with the sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling time. Serve warm. (I also like to keep any extra sauce for dipping at the table).

I will try and post another recipe soon. I haven't posted recipes in ages, and I love to share my recipes with you!

As for tomorrow night in the sewing room, my plan is to possibly get back to binding at least another set of placemats and perhaps prep my crumb quilt for the first free motion border. I will keep you posted.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Gone Binding!!!

2011-03-15T22:58:00.002-02:30

Tonight I started prepping for all the binding I have to do for the Christmas placemats. I managed to get all the fabrics cut and slowly sewing the strips together.

Tomorrow night during our Wednesday night sewing group I plan to machine bind some of the placemats. Although I do still have a bit of prep work to do.

I had hoped to get a little further along with my prep work tonight, but poor little sweet William had a bit of trouble getting to sleep tonight. It looks as though two more bottom teeth are getting very close to breaking through. He just couldn't get himself comfortable and did a bit of crying. He just needed some Mommy's cuddles and rocking in our rocking chair to drift him under enough to keep the gum pain at bay. Poor little thing. I just keeping putting myself in his little shoes and what pain he must be going through. I am so glad he will never remember this discomfort.

We are very lucky though. I hear of some parents up at all hours of the night with wailing and screaming babies while they are teething. William is just a strong little trooper.

It is already after 11pm here and I didn't have much of a productive night. But that's okay. It will still be here tomorrow night! lol My main priority was to get my little boy comfortable and to sleep.

Til the next post.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

End of Another Scrappy Weekend

2011-03-13T23:14:00.003-02:30

I felt I made alot of progress on my green scrappy quilt this weekend. After sewing all the units together this morning during William's morning nap, I was ready to start sewing them into rows tonight.

Of the 48 blocks I have to make (err make that 47 as I made a full one as my sample block) I managed to get approximately 15 blocks sewn into rows. I still have a ways to go, but I am pleased with how it is coming along.

I now have the pieces organized in the storage box again and put aside for another evening later this week or until next weekend. My goals for this week are to get back to my crumb quilt. I have two borders left to free motion quilt and the quilting is done. I also want to get a good start on making the binding for all those Christmas placemats I finished quilting last week. If I set weekly goals for myself, I find I am able to accomplish my projects better.

This afternoon I spent about an hour looking and admiring other quilter's blogs who are also involved in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I am so inspired by everyone! So many talented people out there working away on all their scraps! Its amazing what we can accomplish when we are "slightly" pushed by our wonderful hostess to dig through our piles and mountains of scraps! A huge thank you to you!!!! I have procrastinated for YEARS to get to my scraps and they just keep piling up around me. Eventually I figured I would one day just disappear never to be found again!!!

Til Next Tme!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday Post

2011-03-12T23:32:00.008-03:30

I got a great start sewing all the hsts together tonight. Because this block is a real puzzle, I have to break it down into units. There is no way I plan to sew one block at a time with this one otherwise I will be tearing hair out of my head!!!!

Here is the first block completed.

The rest of these piles are just laid out and ready to be sewn together. I figured if I got as far as this tonight, tomorrow when William goes down for his morning/afternoon nap, I can get to the sewing machine and just start chain sewing my heart out on all these pieces!!!

I have the first two units of the first line sewn and ready to be both sewn together.

By tomorrow evening, I hope to be able to finish sewing all the units together and get making some more blocks.

While William had his nap this morning, I did get to finish free motion quilting the last side of the crumb quilt triangles. All that is left are the two borders. I can't WAIT to see this quilt finished!!! I'm just loving every minute of this quilt!!!

Well tonight, I am actually sitting up in bed with my little Notebook computer on my lap, and a dog at my feet. I am turning in early since the clocks spring ahead an hour overnight. I want to get that little bit of extra sleep tonight. I am also hoping little bambino sleeps a little longer in the morning too!!!! Speaking of the little fella, I can hear him move about in his crib. He might be getting ready to wake up for a little midnight bottle snack! I better get a bottle out to warm just in case.

Until next time!

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Crumb Quilt and other updates

2011-03-11T22:51:00.003-03:30

I took out the good ole Crumb Quilt again tonight to do some more free motion quilting. I was amazed how quick I got around the triangles tonight. I managed to get 3 sides quilted.

Tomorrow before I start my green scrappy quilt blocks for Scrap Saturday, I will finish the final side of triangles. All that is left to do is two large borders and bind it. Yipppeee!!! I can't wait to finish this quilt and put it on my bed!!! I have been working on this quilt on and off for the last 2 1/2 years now. The end is getting close!

Last night I finished quilting up the remaining Christmas place mats. The excess batting and backing are cut off and they are now ready for binding. I think I will work on that little project during our Wednesday night sewing group.

After taking a few days break on my green scraps, I will get started sewing the pieces to make the blocks. From what I am reading from the pattern, I have to make 48 blocks!!! Let the fun times begin!!!! Actually I'm looking forward to getting back to my green scraps again.

I have been quiet here in blogland the last few days, but I have been keeping myself busy with my sewing!!!! I plan to post again tomorrow evening to give you the updates of my Scrap Saturday.

Oooh BTW, for those of you who are involved in the Friday Night Sew In, or those of you interested in getting involved, the sign up is now available here.

I thought I would show you how William spends his time while Mommy is working in the kitchen.

He can turn my kitchen upside down in 2 seconds!!! Ahhh but that's okay. If it keeps him happy then that's the best thing of all!!! I've also realized we could save a heck of alot of money! So we won't be buying any more toys for Will!!! He prefers plastic containers and bowls and wire cooling racks instead!!! LOL

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Title Name - Can't Think of One :)

2011-03-08T22:51:00.003-03:30

I can't think of what to title this post tonight. Guess I'm not in much of a think mode the last few days. I have been soooo tired and with next to no energy. Apart from running after a 10 month old who has found walking to be his next favourite thing, I still get very tired and low energy after the health issues I had last Fall. Having lost over 27 pounds, I feel I am skin and bone and have no muscle or fat. I was never a big girl. The most weight I have ever had (and not counting pregnancy) was 135pounds. All I want to do is sleep.

Since energy hasn't been my strongest point the last few days, I have kept to very light and non thinking jobs in my sewing room. I FINALLY got all 480 half square triangles pressed!

I did that job tonight. I decided to time myself to see how long it would take. Including a 10 minute sit down break from the ironing board, I was pressing those little darlings for 1 1/2 hours!! WHEW!!! I am now going to take a wee little break from those scraps until this coming Scrap Saturday when I will start assembling the blocks.

For the next few evenings, I plan to get back to quilting the remaining Christmas placemats and do a little more quilting on my crumb quilt. I want to get more quilting done so I can get binding them. Binding is great hand work and non thinking work. Every now and then I just need to give the old brain cells a rest! lol

I received a beautiful little gift from a very special and dear friend of mine from New Zealand today. Here is what Julie sent me for my birthday!!!! She is so talented with her card making as well as her quilts.

Back in the Fall of 2000, she came to visit me while I was living in Halifax. She brought along in her big suitcase a couple packages of these AMAZING Tim Tams wafer cookies!! I haven't tasted them since that time, and she added them to my gift! THANK YOU JULIE!!!!!!! Kiwi hugs!!!

The quilt pattern in the photo was a quilt project we both were working on individually a few years ago. She would send me the patterns when she was finished with them. Due to a few things that came up in her life, some of her quilting was put on hold and the patterns stopped coming. Well part of the gift was a full copy of all the patterns!!! I can now get back to making this great scrap quilt again!!! yipppeeeeee!!!!! Its a fabulous pattern for using up very small pieces. And I have a ton of those!!!! Especially after making my crumb quilt! I think I have enough tiny scraps to make another couple crumb quilts!!! But that won't be any time soon! This crumb quilt took me a couple years to make!

I'm going to try and get to bed a bit earlier tonight. For the last month or so William has been sleeping through the night. But the last few nights he has been waking up around midnight for a bottle. I think he is going through a growth spurt. He is also back to teething mode again. His little cheeks are so red!!

Nite nite!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Green Scrap Quilt Update

2011-03-06T22:27:00.005-03:30

Between Friday night and this evening I managed to get all 240 green/cream rectangles sewn into half square triangles.

Yippeeeee!!!! Tomorrow while watching bambino here in the upstairs compound I will set up the rectangles on the dining room table and start cutting them into 480 half square triangles. Fun times ahead!!! That should keep my morning busy while William explores and plays with the pooch. Perhaps tomorrow evening I will start pressing the squares and have them ready to make into blocks. There are 48 blocks in total to make this quilt.

This evening while making supper, he spent his time taking out every cooling rack, bowl, and plastic container out of my cupboards. It was an obstacle course on my floor trying to walk from the counters to the stove. Not to mention avoiding walking on one dog and one baby!!!! Ahh the joys!

Tomorrow afternoon William and I will be meeting up with a friend of mine who had her little baby girl back in January. I haven't seen Leslie and baby Lauren since they were in the hospital. She is now over 1 1/2 months!! Time does fly. I can't believe William turns 1 next month!! Holy CRAP!!! My little boy is growing up too fast!!! I'll soon have to return back to work... sigh........

I had hoped to post a recipe I made tonight but I have to search through a few files to find the photo of the recipe I want to post. It is made with salmon fillets, feta cheese, spinach, rice and phyllo pastry. It is one of our favourite supper meals and it is very filling. William even had a bit for his supper tonight and he loved it!!! I will try to post it for tomorrow evening.

Ohhh, as for other quilting related stuff, I did manage to machine quilt 2 sets of Christmas placemats for my inventory. I have 5 more sets (I think) to quilt. That will be a job I plan to finish by the end of the week.

Well I'm off to relax a little by the tv. I rarely watch tv, so I might as well look for a half decent movie to watch. I think I will take out my knitting. I finally started the left side of the cardigan I am making myself. Its coming along nicely. Once I have that sweater done, I want to try a nice hat/scarf set. I have two sets I want to make for Christmas gifts. yep.. you read it right. I make most of my gifts, so I need to start early.

Til next time.

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

5:30am Wake Up HURTS!

2011-03-04T07:33:00.003-03:30

William decided to wake up at 5:30 this morning.... ughhhhhhhhh I'm a zombie right now. He woke up with a bit of gum pain. Poor little fella. I'm figuring the next two bottom teeth will be making their appearance within the month. I'm just counting down the minutes for when Trevor comes home from his work shift. Hoping I'll get to crawl back in bed for another couple hours. Normally William would stay asleep until 7ish... sigh... not today.

Now that he is happy and content again, he is out in the living room in his exersaucer watching his morning "stories" on the tele. I don't give him much tv time, but the shows are rather cute at this time of morning. I had planned to post to my blog last night, but I was feeling sooo tired after leaving my sewing room last night I decided to crash in bed for the night. Wishing I went to bed earlier had I known I would be up early this morning.. sigh... ahh the joys of motherhood LOL

Anyway, on to something sewing/quilting related. I finished doing all the cutting for the Green scrap quilt.

I also got a start on drawing the lines on all the light 3" x 4" rectangles.

Hopefully sometime tomorrow I'll get to do some piecing of these blocks during Scrap Saturday.

I also just recently (as in the last 24 hours) joined The Charming Girls Quilt Club!!

I've been reading about them for some time and they do quite a bit during the year. I can't wait to dive in and get involved!

Right now The Charming Girls are asking us to post some of our goals for March and April. Well here it goes

* Finish quilting and binding my Crumb Quilt
* Quilt and bind the red strippy quilt
* Make the green scrappy quilt
* Quilt and bind the 6 sets of Christmas placemats
* Start at least one Christmas gift
* Embroider at least a 6-8 sets of Christmas hand towel sets

hmmmm yeah, that should keep me busy and out of trouble for a bit!!! I'm sure in that time I'll be adding to that list! LOL that is list is never ending!

Well I best get the kettle on and make some coffee. Trevor will be home in the next 15 minutes. I need some more shut eye or I'm gonna be a zombie all day!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Prepping for Scrap Saturday

2011-03-02T23:32:00.005-03:30

Tonight during our Wednesday Night Sewing Group, I got started cutting out all the fabrics I need to make the quilt I mentioned in my last post. I managed to get all my light fabrics cut. I got a start on the green fabrics, but still need quite a few more to cut. Hopefully by tomorrow evening I will have the rest of the fabrics cut and ready to start.

Earlier today, The baby play group met at Cora's Restaurant. Its a great restaurant that caters only to breakfast and lunch. They close 3pm. Since most of the Mommies are going to be heading back to work in the next month or two, we decided instead of meeting at one of our homes, we would go out for breakfast. Well, of the 9 mommies and babies, 5 of us got together with our children and had a wonderful time!!! The babies got to munch on our breakfast right along side of us and they were all so well behaved!!!

I am going to miss our weekly playgroup get togethers when all our maternity leaves are over and we all head back to work.

This afternoon, Mum and I and William went to one of the local shopping centres to just look around. We had nothing in mind to buy, but if something caught our eye we would get it. I bought a couple new CDs, and some new "bowl food" bowls (which I have to return as I later noticed when I got home there were a couple cracks in them). Anyway, part way through the afternoon, we decided to go to one of the restaurants in the mall for a bit of dessert. We both bought crepes. I bought this delicious Chocolate Eruption Crepe!

It was soooooooooooo yummy!!! Apparently, William thought so too!!!!

I bought another baby gate to put up in one of the two doorways of my kitchen. I will take his playpen to close up the other doorway. That way I can also seal up my recipe bookcase, as he loves to check out all my recipe books!!! LOL Now I will be able to compound the child in the kitchen with me while I get to have an afternoon or morning to play in the kitchen and do some baking or other experimental cooking! He has figured out where the stainless steel bowls are as well as my plastic cabinet. So by him hauling out all those things and keeping himself occupied, I won't need to worry about him getting bored!

What a silly little boy I have!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Productive 1 1/2 Hour

2011-03-01T13:40:00.007-03:30

While William slept for a nice 1 1/2 hours today, I got busy taking out all the green scrap fabrics I could find for March month "green" theme with The Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I found a great quilt in the new scrap quilting book I got this past Christmas.

This scrap quilt will also be donated to the Iris Kirby House. I have alot of rectangles and squares to cut out for this little darling quilt!! This is also a bit bigger than my last two lap quilts.

Here are the fabrics and pattern I will be using for this quilt.

Last night I managed to get the red strippy quilt layered and ready for quilting.

I got alot accomplished during William's nap. I also manage to tidy up and reorganize some of my sewing room as well as put away all the remaining red scraps I had out from last month.

He is now up again. He had a nice lunch of scrambled egg yolks, peeled and sliced green grapes and one of his mini pumpkin muffins. I am soooo happy he has such a great appetite!!!!

This afternoon when Trevor comes home from having lunch with a buddy of his, he will watch over bambino while I get to play in my sewing room again! I plan to press out all the green fabrics and have them ready for cutting. I want it all ready for Saturday Scrap Day!!!

I noticed I also haven't shared a new recipe here in a while. I will have to post one very soon!!!

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Weekend Overview

2011-02-27T22:27:00.004-03:30

I had a nice relaxing birthday yesterday. I didn't get to do much sewing/quilting in, but I did spend some nice time with my two best fellas!!! Trevor gave me this cute little Notebook computer.

It is smaller than what I am use to. The keyboard is much smaller and some of the keys I'm use to using and expect to be in one place are now somewhere else. I have made many typos and errors in my typing using the keypad, but I will master it!!!! My old laptop still has some good life left in it, but for some reason it just will not recognize my external/portable harddrive and camera memory card. It is still good for typing up my recipe collection and it does still recognize my printer. This little Notebook is great and small and portable. It is also very lightweight.

After William was put to bed, Mum took over the video monitor so Trevor and I could enjoy a nice relaxing dinner at The Keg restaurant. We shared a yummy yummy Mushroom Neptune appetizer. I ordered the New York Peppercorn sirloin steak with a twice baked potato. It was soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!! I was sooo stuffed after we ate. I kindly asked Trevor to carry me out of the restaurant to the car, but he didn't seem to enthused about doing that!!! LOL

Saying that, I did get down in my sewing room for about an hour and played around with some free motion quilting design samples. One of my favourite places to get ideas for free motion is here at Free Motion Quilting. I am trying to get some ideas how to quilt the red strippy lap quilt. After trying a few, I ended up going with one of the designs I found in my own design books.

So tonight I cut out all 36 paper squares and got them ready to be placed on the white squares. I also cleaned up some of the red threads on the back of the quilt.

Tomorrow evening I will try and layer the quilt together.

I left the sewing room early so I could watch the Academy Awards (which I am watching while typing this) Already The King's Speech just one an award. They won best script. I am sooo excited!! I just loooooooooooved that movie!! I also loooove Colin Firth!!!!! Right from the first movie I saw him play in "Pride and Prejudice, I was hooked on his acting.

So while watching the awards, I plan to finish the last bit of binding on the blue lap quilt I made last month.

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Crumb Quilt Update and a Very Nice Giveaway

2011-02-25T23:50:00.004-03:30

All 48 centre blocks are now finished!!! wooo hoooooooooooo!!!!

I finished quilting the last 10 blocks tonight and then started the process of cutting out and prepping the 28 triangle designs!

They are now all set and ready to be quilted! The quilting on this quilt is going alot faster than I anticipated!

Along with tomorrow being "Scrap Saturday" and the last Saturday working with reds, it is also my birthday. I have never really been a big birthday celebrating gal. I don't make a huge deal over my birthday. I don't know why. Trevor is taking tomorrow off work and is taking me to one of my favourite restaurants for supper. I just loooooooooooove a good steak dinner, and I am looking forward to a nice big juicy steak from The Keg!!!!

Hopefully I'll get to spend a few hours in my sewing room tomorrow afternoon to work on my red strippy quilt top. I want to get the batting and backing ready to cut out, and layer. I also have to come up with a free motion quilting design to quilt on it.

I also want to share with you a great giveaway over at Leona's beautiful blog. The giveaway is for some beautiful fabrics and book from Kathy Davies Studios. Go take a peek and best of luck to you should you try your luck at the chance to win!

Well once again it is midnight and I'm ready to head out of cyber space and under the quilts for a nice long sleep! Good night to you all and chat with you soon!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

I am slowly going crazy!!!!

2011-02-24T20:46:00.003-03:30

Yep.. the past two nights I have been free motion quilting my big crazy crumb quilt!!! I now have 36 white blocks quilted and I have 12 more to go.

After that I have 28 triangles to quilt and then two 5 inch wide borders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(hmm weird.. it wasn't sideways when I took the photo... ooh well, these are my border patterns.. hard to see in the packaging, but will show it to you when I start the borders later on)

wooooopieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! And to think I also have to remove all the paper from the designs too!!! yeeee hawwwwwwww!!!!

(removing the paper bits a little at a time so its not so much at once!!!)

I'll be ready for the rubber room!!!! And to think while I was quilting it last night I was coming up with my next INSANE idea for a quilt!!!!!!!! I have ALOT of small scraps! But more on that at another date.

I spent most of today taking Mum around to get some groceries and other errands she needed to get done. We took William along with us to get a change of scenery from the living room play area, get some sun on his face and nice winter air in his lungs. We were gone from 10:30 this morning and got home at 6pm tonight!! Whew!!! Now my boy is all snuggled up in his jammies in la la land and Momma is about to head back to the sewing room for another hour or two of quilting time!

Tomorrow, William and I are going to meet up with some of our playgroup Mommies and their babies for an hour of swimming. After that William and I are heading to another friend's house to see her little 1 month old little girl and have a mini playdate!

Tomorrow night, I will probably get back to my red strippy quilt top and prepare the quilt top for what I will free motion quilt on it. Saturday is the last 'RED' weekend for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I want to get a good handle on it so it will be ready for machine quilting after my crumb quilt is quilted. I wonder what next month's scrap colour will be?????? Can't WAIT to find out and get crackin'!

Peek a boo!!!! Good night everyone!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Monday update

2011-02-22T09:12:00.003-03:30

I believe I mentioned recently that my goal for this week was to get in as much machine quilting and binding as I can. Well last night I decided to haul out my crumb quilt I layered last month and get a start on it.

I am practicing as much as I can with free motion quilting. I just love how it looks and I love to challenge myself whenever possible.

I had to take out an extra table to keep the quilt from dragging too much. It is a queen size quilt and a big one too!

Here is the design I am going to quilt on each of the white squares.

And here is how it looks on the quilt.

Last night I managed to get 12 blocks quilted. I was so pleased! I hope to get at another few blocks this evening. One of my former students started selling fabrics and other quilt notions from her home a few years ago. Last year she started to stock some really nice free motion border designs. I think I will see what ones she has and pick one up to do the borders. But that is a while to go yet.

This is a short posting today as I hear my little boy getting bored in his exersaucer. His best time of the day is the morning. He has so much energy and silliness!!! He loves to watch some of his favourite tv shows in the morning on Treehouse such as "Rolie Polie Olie", "Guess with Jess", and "Bob the Builder." He has his very own "Bob the Builder" in his great uncle Bob! He calls him Bob Bob!!! My uncle is a fabulous carpenter and he has done some great things to the house including a beautiful front patio and a huge back patio!!!!

Well I'm off and running again... Toodles!!!! Hope you all have a great day and a productive quilting day if possible!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Strippy Quilt Top DONE!!!

2011-02-21T08:30:00.003-03:30

Well here it is!!!!!!!!! wooo hoooo!!! the top is finished and ready to layer and quilt!

I had alot of fun playing with the red fabrics for this quilt. To continue with the strippy effect, I also made the second border strippy and I also have the binding made in strippy format too!!!

Several of you asked how the Monopoly game went the other night...

well.. I whipped butt!! Yep!!! I didn't give him a leg to stand on!!! LOL. He took the loss well. I only managed to own one set of streets, but I also added 3 and 4 houses to each street!!!

Poor fella, he had to mortgage some of his properties to pay me and everything. He said Sunday morning "so I suppose you are gonna gloat and brag to everyone on your blog you won right?" I said "but of course!!! how often do I actually win a game?"!!! LOL he rolled his eyes at me and went to play with our son! Luv ya hon!!!

While watching Will yesterday after for an hour before supper, I managed to finish another one of my sewing themed embroidery blocks. I think I have 2 or 3 left to complete!!!!

This week's plan of attack in the sewing room is to do some catch up on machine quilting and binding. I have 6 sets of placemats to quilt and bind, need to complete the hand binding on last month's blue lap quilt, as well as a few other smaller projects.

But for now, its off to the living room to play with my son. We have been up since 7am this morning (his usual time to wake up). We both finished our breakfast, (well I'm still sipping on my coffee). I have the play compound set up for bambino and ready to go. At the moment he loves to play in his exersaucer while watching his favourite shows on TreeHouse. I don't have the tv on all day while he is playing. I'm not a big fan of tv myself, and I find if he looks at it for a while he looks like he is in a trance. So off the boob tube goes and we play with his toys.

BTW, he is soooooooooooooooo close to walking!!!! He is starting to take his first unassisted steps walking toward myself and Trevor. We are figuring by the end of this week he will be a little more steady on his feet. It won't be long now before we will be running after him!!! The baby gate at the top of my main entrance stairs goes up TODAY!!!!!!!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Friday Night Sew In and Scrap Saturday Update

2011-02-19T21:49:00.003-03:30

Between last night and tonight I managed to get the red strippy quilt rows sewn together to make the main part of the quilt as well as get the first narrow white tone on tone border on.

(this is without the first white border)

I am now working on making a 2" strippy red border.

Once that border is on I'll put on a 4" white tone on tone border and the top will be complete.

I left my sewing room early this evening (9:30) to start up a game of Monopoly with Trevor.

I can't remember the last time I played that game!!! Last month we took a Sunday afternoon and spent a little time at Chapters. The three of us go there from time to get to grab a coffee (well William brings his own little milk and snack along) and we like to just relax and meander around the aisles of books and magazines. Normally I come out of it with either a quilt or recipe book/magazine. Trevor decided to pick up this monopoly game. He remembers having it when he was a kid but hasn't played it in ages. I too can't remember the last time I played the game. So tonight, I guess you can say Trevor and I are having a 'mini date' here at home. The wine bottle is opened and I can hear Trevor out in the dining room now taking the plastic wrap off the game box!

So without further ado, its off to kick Trevor's butt in Monopoly!!! LOL (although knowing how my track record is for games, its a very good chance .. make that GREAT chance, he will whip my butt in the game)!!! LOL Of course, you know what game piece I'll be using... yep that's right The Thimble!!!! :)

Tomorrow afternoon I mentioned to Trevor I wanted a few hours baby free to go back to play in my sewing room. I really am determined to complete the red strippy quilt top before the weekend is through!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Playing Catch Up

2011-02-18T00:13:00.003-03:30

Because of one sick little boy I was unable to play with my red scraps during last Saturday's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. So tonight after bambino was put to bed I went down to my sewing room and took out the red strippy blocks and starting making the rows to the lap quilt.

By the time midnight came round I almost had all the rows sewn together. I started getting a bit tired, so decided to stop and will continue to work on it during the Friday Night Sew In. (err I'm into Friday now as it is 12:15am here.. so it will be 'tonight's sewing job lol)

This is all I really worked on today as this little cold I seemed to have been given by my sweet little boy has me with very little energy. I wouldn't call it a full fledge cold as it is just one really nasty sore throat, but it is the fact that I haven't the energy to get out of my own way!!! I spent much of the morning and afternoon in bed while Trevor watched Will. Hopefully I will have a good night sleep, and William will hopefully sleep through the night (knock on wood) and I feel a little better in the morning. I have to take Mum out to do a few errands.

Speaking of, Mum is doing well. She has to wear this big ugly boot for the next 6 weeks. She had the stitches taken out of her toe and foot last week and her surgeon said everything is healing well. She is starting to get a touch of cabin fever right now and just wants to get away from the four walls that are closing in around her. Its not that she is bored here at home. God knows between her sewing, quilting, cross stitching, reading and her love of playing in the kitchen she has PLENTY to do!!! But it is still good to just get out of your regular surroundings to see how the other people out there live!!!

Well its off to la la land for me again!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Winter!!!!!!! GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-16T23:22:00.004-03:30

I'm officially SICK of winter now!!! I'm SICK of shoveling, SICK of snowfalls and SICK of all this incredibly high wind!!!!!!!!! We have winds as high as 125km/hr here tonight!!!!! I have a collection of candles and flashlights and matches all set and ready should we lose our power. The lights flickered a little bit earlier this evening, but stayed on. WHEW!! Glad of that since I had my embroidery machine working away and me working away on the Hot Chocolate Snowman bom block. I finished him tonight. I was determined to finish him this week. I hope to start the next snowman next week.

Here are two of the samples I played with tonight on my embroidery machine. I love coffee theme stuff!!! These are from the same collection of designs that I made my mug mats from last month.

Ohhh, btw, I wanted to share with you some GORGEOUS embroidery threads I won over on Susan's blog!!!! She had a giveway last month and I won!!!!!!! I NEVER win anything so I am soooooo excited about these threads!! I can't WAIT to play with them!

(don't they look delicious!!!!)

Tomorrow night my plan of attack is to work a bit on my red strippy block lap quilt that I am doing as part of the Rainbow Stash Challenge. I didn't get to play with my red fabrics for Scrap Saturday last weekend as William was sick with a cold. Speaking of, William is starting to come round. He still has a few sniffles and a bit of a cough, but he is getting back to his ole self again.

(He survived his first cold!!! My runny nose little boy is a real trooper)!!!

Meanwhile, I , on the otherhand, appear to be coming down with his cold. I have been dealing with a really bad sore throat the last two days. Tonight being a bit worse than last night. The last time I had a cold was 1 1/2 years ago. It was the week before halloween and I was pregnant on Will thinking I couldn't take any cold meds. Tonight I am popping a couple pills and hopefully it might give me a good night sleep. I don't wanna be sick. I have too much to do!!!!!!!!! Sigh.....

Well on that note, I'm off to get on my nice warm polor fleece jammies, throwing a dog on the bed and then burying down under my quilts on this cold and WINDY night. Sweet Dreams out there in blogland!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T21:59:00.002-03:30

Well most of my day was spent running errands and picking up some cold meds for my little boy. Day 4 of his cold and he is still feeling crappy. So far he has been sleeping through the night. I'm amazed since he wakes up coughing and crying but then falls back to sleep again.

I did make and decorate 3 1/2 dozen cupcakes though!!!

(This cupcake is just for you!!!!)

Well I made the cupcakes yesterday afternoon, and made the chocolate buttercream icing. But this morning when bambino woke up at 7am, I gave him his bottle and then got to work on the decorating. I brought in 2 dozen of the cupcakes to my friends at the office. Needless to say the "vultures" made a clean sweep of them!!! LOL!!! I love making up stuff from time to time and bringing it into work. Before I went off on mat leave, I use to put on a bread in the bread machine the night before and then take it into work the next morning. During Christmas I like to make up a little something special and during other times of the year. LOL just gives me an excuse to try out more baking! I don't think they mind or complain!

Trevor and I didn't do much for V Day. With a sick little boy its not easy to do much. However we did pick up some supper from our favourite Indian restaurant here in town. After supper, got little guy bathed and ready for bed. Trevor and I went out to shovel out Mum's driveway AGAIN!! Yep.. snow and blowing snow the other night, plus the snow plow resulted in more shoveling. I'll be happy when winter is over. I am sooooooo ready for summer!!!

Well gang... although its only a little after 10pm, I'm tired tired tired..... back and arm muscles are sore and tired. I think I'm gonna turn into bed early tonight. Trevor is on monitor patrol tonight.... hopefully a half decent sleep in for me in the morning.

I hope to also get back into the swing of sewing by Wednesday night for our sewing group. I'll probably work on my recipe binder again tomorrow night, then put it away for a week. I want to get back to a few outstanding sewing projects.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

This Could Be a Long Night

2011-02-14T00:00:00.003-03:30

My poor little boy is into Day 3 of his cold. He went to bed good tonight, but for the last hour or more he has been waking up coughing and crying, then settling down. A little while later he starts coughing and crying then settling down again... Just waiting for when he wakes up and wants his Mommy to cuddle and rock him in the rocking chair.. Not sure how much sleep I'll get tonight with the monitor picking up his coughs and cries... Ahhh but that is Motherhood right!?!

This is a short note as I am just sooooooooo tired right now to do much more tonight. It is already after midnight. I didn't get to play with my red strippy blocks this weekend as I was hoping to. Between shovelling the driveway almost every night the last few nights (although not tonight as it is FReeeeeeezZZZING out there with the wind and blowing snow.. with the windchill factor it is around -21 degrees celcius!! FORGET THAT!) By the time I finish shoveling for the night it is around 9:30 or 10 and I don't have much energy to get up and down from the sewing machine to the iron to the cutting board. Not to mention, with all my scrap booking stuff out for my recipe binders I can't get near my sewing machine LOL

(The red scrappy block project is in the bottom of those two clear plastic containers left of my knitting basket)!!!!

I still felt I needed to do something for a bit of "me" time after spending most of the day with William, I have been working on my recipe binders. Last night I started my "Fish, Pasta and Rice" binder.

I managed to finish the Fish part of it tonight, and pulled all the pasta and rice/couscous/orzo recipe cutouts I did make over the past little while to get ready to post in the binder. A few of my readers emailed me asking if I would post a couple more photos of my inserts and how I am making my recipe cutouts look. So here are a few of them!

(One of my own photos of this ooooh so yummy salmon recipe, along with the recipe handwritten by a good friend of mine who shared this recipe with me)

(a couple cutouts .. the small one from a book I photocopied, the larger one a recipe from one of my FAVOURITE websites, Allrecipes.com

(got a little crazy with the embellishing and added a pretty flower)!!!

I still need to go back and add some embellishing to some of the pages, as well as some personal notes. I also want to find some really good quotes about food and eating. I see these things in other recipe books I have and find them really cute!!

Anyway, that's it for me tonight.... I am thinking of scrapping a bit more tomorrow with my binder and then by Tuesday I hope to get back to my sewing again.. I have alot to get done for this month!

BTW, since it is now Monday here in my neck of the woods.... HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Not Much Sewing This Week

2011-02-11T23:04:00.005-03:30

I thought I would get a bit more sewing in this week, but other things took priority. One of the biggies being my poor sweet William is experiencing his first cold. But I must say he is a real little trooper and handling it very well! Despite a runny nose and a little chest cough, he is all smiles and laughs and too busy playing. He has a few moments of wanting to be extra cuddled and loved, but he is still taking his naps at his usual times and still has a good appetite and no fever!!!! Hope this keeps up! I gave him some infant Advil before bedtime so I hope this helps him have a good sleep tonight.

The other big thing was a couple of nasty snow storms!!!

This week we had another 40 cm of snow dumped on us!!! With Mum unable to shovel out her own driveway as she usually do, Trevor and I have been taking turns shovelling. He mostly takes care of our driveway and area, while I am shovelling Mum's driveway. Although he did help a few times with Mum's space too. Tonight we are both a bit sore and tired from all the shovelling. The banks of snow are so high now (wayyyyy over our heads) its very hard to throw the snow up over the tops! I hear on the news tonight there is another possible 2 more snow systems coming our way.. one on Sunday and one on Tuesday..... SIGH................ I want SUMMER!!!!!!!!

The other night after shovelling, I did not have the energy to blink let alone play in my sewing room. So I set up the bathroom for a nice "Spa for ME night"! This is how I like to relax in my tub!!!

LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of bubbles!!!! Lots of candles, my nice smelly lotions and body washes, a good book and of course a nice glass of wine!!!!!!!!!

ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Soaking in the tub really relaxes the muscles.

Had Trevor not been working tonight, I would have taken another one of these baths. Unfortunately, that would be the one time I got in the tub, and then the baby cried!!!!! When we are both home, Trevor can take the monitor and take care of Will should he need something while Mommy had her "Tub Time".

When I did have a bit of time to unwind and play, I decided instead of sewing I wanted to get a start on re-organizing my recipes and setting up my food binders. I decided to start with an easy one and got to work on my "Veggie" binder.

(my trusty monkey pen to use on my binders... William loves when I tickle his face with it)!!!

I broke it down into various vegetables; potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, mixed veggie, etc. I took out my scrapbooking papers and embellishments and got to work.

After shovelling for yet another hour tonight, I only got to spend about a half hour on my veggie binder.

I am almost finished this one. Although I still need to go back to do some extra embellishing and making it more cute!!!! For now, its just the organizing. I'm trying to decide what binder to do next. I'm leaving the Chicken and the Dessert binders to last cause they are going to take a long time and they are gonna be HUGE!!!!

Tomorrow is Scrap Saturday. I am hoping to get back to my red strippy quilt and get the quilt top rows made and put together at least. But then that depends, I still have to do a little more shovelling of Mum's driveway. Now that I have the stuff the snow plow put into her area, I need to take her car out of her driveway and into ours so that I can get rid of the snow that drifted in under the car as well as widen out the driveway it self cause right now you need to suck in your breath to get the car in!!! UGH!!! Did I mention I HATE this part of winter????

Well its late again, and I am ZONKED!!! I need to get some sleep badly!!!! I'll try to take some photos of the snow banks around our house and the neighbourhood in the next day or so and post here!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Good Bye Size 10... helloooooooooooo Size 5!!!!

2011-02-08T08:37:00.003-03:30

Yep... that's right!! Size 5!!!!!!!!!!!! woooo hoooooooooo!!!!

I mentioned yesterday I was going out to do a bit of shopping. Well, I decided to start picking up some new dress pants for when I returned to work after my maternity leave come the first week of May.

After my surgeries back in October, to date I have lost 25 pounds!!! That is also pre-pregnancy!!!! The last time I weighed in (which was last month at the family doctor's office), I was 113lbs!!!! I will weigh myself again on Thursday at my next doctor appt. Now, this is NOT the way I would suggest losing weight!!!! It resulted in a HUGE scar across my belly and my digestive system not the way it use to be.. but hey on the up side of things.. I'm into a SIZE 5 pant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(of course what's a new outfit without some bling to pretty it up!!!)

I also picked up a couple new CDs to add to my little collection in my sewing room. I love to play my music while working away. Lately I have been picking up some new CDs here and there. These are my two new purchases... The Mamma Mia one is AWESOME!

Last night after bambino went off to sleep, I went back to my sewing room for a few hours. In the span of 2 1/2 - 3 hours, I managed to get almost all of the placemats I made last week layered and ready for quilting.

I also cut out the 36 white tone on tone squares for the Red Strippy Block quilt.

I cleaned up (as in getting the markings of it) the last sewing motif embroidery block.

And layered the second Coffee mug mat I did on my embroidery machine.

Tonight's goal is to maybe either do a bit of machine quilting on those placemats, or work on the Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM.

We are expecting another nasty snow storm tonight... upwards to 30cm of snow!! blowing winds and just an all out crappy evening. The forecast predicts it won't hit til later this afternoon, so I think I'm going to bundle myself and William up later this morning to run out and finish a few more errands I didn't get to do yesterday, ooh and a trip to Michaels!! I want to make some fancy cupcakes for tomorrow night's Sewing Group!!! I want to pick up some cute embellishing things!! I also want to head to the Bulk Barn to gather some snacks for the impending storm!! need my gummy candy stash built up in my sewing room!! LOL

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Strippy Blocks Made!

2011-02-07T12:22:00.002-03:30

I got all 36 strippy blocks cut out last night!! yipppeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I had hoped to cut out the 36 white tone on tone blocks, but realized the fabric I chose was not pre-washed. So I placed that piece of fabric plus a few pieces of muslin into the wash. While waiting for the fabrics to wash I got started cutting out the battings for the 6 sets of Christmas place mats I made earlier this week.

This week's plan of attack:
Tonight cut out the 36 white blocks, and lay out the quilt top for sewing the top together.
Get the placemats all layered and ready for quilting
Layer the remaining Coffee Mug Mat I made last week
Work on the next Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM

As for this afternoon, I'm GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE!!! I'm getting a slight case of cabin fever!!!! It is a beautiful sunny afternoon, so William and I are going SHOPPING!!!! There is another 20cm snow storm forecasted for tonight, so we will probably be snowbound again tomorrow as the cars will be plowed in once again, so I'm taking advantage of the nice sunny day and GETTIN' OUT!!! Okay.. I'll stop shouting now.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Weekend Strip Club!!!

2011-02-06T16:47:00.005-03:30

And with the swing of her hips... she started to STRIP!!! ... To tremendous applause she took off her drawers... ummmmm okay let's stop there... I don't wish to upset my readers!!! So yes, I spent my weekend evenings stripping... well sewing strips that is.... lots and lots of red strips!

I finally made all 36 sets of strippy blocks.

I plan to cut them all to 6 1/2 inches tonight. Once that is done I will cut out 36 white tone on tone squares to sew between each strippy block. I think the white will really bring the red out! The white TOT blocks will also give me a chance to do some free motion quilting too!!!

I have to say I really made a great cut in all those strips I cut out earlier this week. There are only a small handful left in fact!

I'll hang on to them for a little longer in case another idea comes to me before the end of the month...oooh oooh!!! how about a Valentine's mug mat!!!! I just remembered I was given a piece of Valentine's fabric a few years ago and had no idea what to do with it!

So I tried that new breakfast recipe I spoke about in my last blog. I made French Toast with crispy Prosciutto. The French toast was tasty but I got to say frying up the Proscuitto made it very very VERY salty!!! I love prosciutto especially with smoked salmon and cream cheese, but not fried. I will post the recipe here below should you decide to make it yourself. You can certainly omit the prosciutto and just have the French Toast.

French Toast with Crispy Prosciutto
(From the book "Breakfast" by Jody Vassallo)

3 Tbsp whipping cream
3 eggs
3 Tbsp superfine sugar
pinch cinnamon
8 thick slices of bread, cut in half diagonally
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
12 slices prosciutto (I used 8)
maple syrup, to serve (optional)

Combine the cream, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon in a wide, shallow bowl and mix together. Soak the bread in the egg mixture, one slice at a time, shaking off any excess.

Melt half the butter in a skillet, add 3 or 4 slices of bread in a single layer, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Cook the remaining bread in batches, adding more butter as needed, and keeping the cooked slices warm in the oven.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet, add the prosciutto, and fry until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Place the prosciutto on top of the French toast and serve. Drizzle with maple syrup, if using.

Tonight I am making my homemade bbq burgers

with homemade baked French Fries and yummy seasonings.

mmmmm the fries are smelling good already. Well the indoor bbq grill is warmed up and ready for the patties. I'm off again!! Once supper is over and baby is bathed and settled back to bed I will be back in my sewing room with my music on a stripping away!!! Will post tomorrow with my results!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

After the Snowstorm

2011-02-03T22:10:00.003-03:30

We survived!!! In fact the news tonight reported we only got 17cm of snow. Personally myself, living on one of the higher altitudes of the city we DEFINETLY got more than that!! But not complaining. It was really light fluffy powdery stuff and it fell so pretty!!! Mind you, this morning Trevor called me from the Group Home he worked in on the overnight shift to ask if the snowplow came up our street. "Nope" said I. I was to call him when the plow came up because there was no way his little Hyundai hatchback Accent was going to make it to the top of the hill. About an hour later, still no sign of the Mr. Plow, but noticed Trevor ever so slowly and carefully trying to drive his car up the hill. He was little The Little Engine That Could!!! LOL Alas he made it! He was so proud!!! At least he didn't have to bother shovelling out the driveway as our next door neighbour was kind enough to snow blow both his driveway and ours!

I didn't do much sewing today. I was feeling a bit tired. I did do a little bit of hand embroidery work on my sewing motif blocks while watching Will as he played in the living room.

(the Magic Bullet box is empty and used to keep Will from going over and pulling himself up to standing position with the aide of my curtains)!!

After Trevor woke up from his nap (as mentioned above he worked an overnight shift and had to work another overnight tonight) I gave William his afternoon bottle and then he went down for a nap for 2 hours. I did the same thing.. err minus the bottle of milk!! LOL

When I woke up, I decided to put on a nice pot of comfort food for this wintry day. I made my Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup!!!! YUM!!!! There is a little bit of prep work to putting this soup together, but it is worth the extra bit of time.

(Will likes to help by keeping the dishwasher door open while I load the machine. Mommy's little helper)!!

I posted this message on my Facebook page and some of my friends asked for the recipe.. I've made this recipe several times now and I tweaked it a little bit from the original recipe as I like to add a little more curry paste than what is suggested. The recipe below is straight from the cut out recipe from the Downhome Magazine (a local magazine here in Newfoundland)

Coconut-Curry Butternut Squash Soup

One 3-lb squash, peeled, seeded and diced
2 onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Thai yellow curry paste, or 2 tsp curry powder
1 can coconut milk
1 small ripe banana, mashed
2 Tbsp Lady of the Woods Birch Sap Wine (made here in NL) or White Wine
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
Black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp each oil and butter

Heat oil and butter in deep saucepot; add onions, squash and thyme. Cook, stirring until it all starts to caramelize (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and saute another minute or two. Add curry paste and stir a couple minutes more. Add the wine and let reduce a minute, then add the coconut milk. Add the pepper. Let reduce a few minutes. Add stock and the banana and boil until squash is soft. Puree soup in the pot with a stick blender (or transfer to a regular blender or food processor). For a velvety consistency, strain through a medium sieve. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper (I don't use salt unless I have too.. I like to cut out salt whenever I can. there is enough of other seasonings to give it a great taste). Garnish with a little toasted coconut or a dollop of sour cream. (The toasted coconut gives it a little hint of sweetness)!

Enjoy!

It is only 10:30pm, but I am really dropping I'm so tired this evening. I think I caused myself to be more tired when I decided to go out and try and shovel Mum's car out. I only did the light fluffy stuff tonight. I will attack the stuff the plow put in the driveway tomorrow. With Mum's foot bandaged and she has to rest it for the next few weeks, she isn't going anywhere, but I still want to have her driveway cleared out in case of emergency or something. Also if this stuff freezes, it will take dynamite to blow the stuff out!!!

So on that note, I'm going to get into my nice polar fleece jammies and warm fuzzy socks, get under the covers, read my book for a little bit, throw the dog on the bed to keep me warm and eventually snuggle down under the quilts and get some sleep. Hopefully William will sleep through the night. He woke up around 11:30 last night feeling hungry, but after his midnight bottle snack he slept til 8am!!!

Tomorrow night, I hope to get a head start on the Scrap Saturday and the red strippy lap quilt. I managed to finish the tops of the rest of the Christmas placemats tonight. Next step to those is layer and quilt them. But that is for another day!

Tomorrow morning, I am going to try out a new breakfast recipe!!! I will post it if it turns out alright!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Christmas in February!!!

2011-02-02T23:22:00.004-03:30

Yep... that's right... I have officially got into my Christmas fabrics already!!!! I decided to get a good head start on my inventory for next Christmas. I cut out 6 sets of placemats and managed to sew 3 of the set tops this evening.

In fact, the last 48 hours I have been VERY productive!!!! Last night, I went through my scrap containers to find as many red scraps I could get my hands on.

I pressed them all nice and flat and put them into piles based on size.

I started a list of some of the scrappy red projects I want to make for this month for my Scrap Saturdays.

I had a three hour break this afternoon from baby play with my William to head to the sewing room and play. While Trevor watched William for the afternoon, I put in 3 glorious and productive hours in the sewing room!!

One of the February Scrap projects is another quilt for the Iris Kirby House. I had alot of fabric strips of various sizes. I cut those down into smaller lengths and cut them into different widths.

I am going to make 6 inch strippy blocks. I think I will put 6 inch spacer blocks between the spacer blocks and then I can do some more free motion quilting!!! I have to take William to his cousin's 4th birthday party Saturday afternoon, so I might cheat and start my Scrappy Saturday project Friday night and then have a good head start for when I get back at it Saturday evening after William is put to bed.

The snow storm that has been plundering across much of the US has now reached us here on the eastern side of Newfoundland. In fact it is snowing out right now.

(a favourite view of mine from my kitchen window. This was earlier today. The birds stocking up before the weather hits later this evening)

It is very pretty as it is silently falling and not a breath of wind. It seems the path of the storm is not going to hit us as hard as first predicted, but we could still see anywhere between 10-20cm of snow. Not too shabby. When we here on the island hear how some areas are getting over 30cm of snow, we don't consider it really that much. But then we are an island out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and we are use to those accumulations. To us that is a nice snowfall, not really what we would call a "Snow Storm". But I know for some people who live in areas that are not use to it, then that is another story. I also know some places received alot of freezing rain and therefore lost their power. For that I really do feel for you!!! I remember back in 1994 or 1995 we had freezing rain that took out our power for days. I remember studying for my university exams in the stairwells of the university buildings where they had the emergency lighting or in front of the fire place of my "boyfriend of the time's" family home. For those of you who are affected by the ice and power outages (I know its quite possible you won't even be able to read this til the lights come back on, unless you have battery backup laptops), I hope your power is restored quickly!!!

I think tomorrow as we will all probably be house bound, I might make up some nice comfort food and put on a pot of homemade butternut squash soup. I'm also going to put on some bread as I want to try out a new breakfast recipe Thursday morning and I only have bagels and english muffins in the fridge. I need bread as the recipe is for French Toast! Stay tuned for some new recipes to post! oooh!! speaking of recipes! I came across this FABULOUS blog called "Confessions of a Cookbook Queen"! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! She is amazing!!! I could spend hours reading her blog! She also has some awesome links to other food related sites with tons of yummy recipes! I'm thinking of trying woopie pies soon! I saw a commercial about them yesterday and never heard of them before! Then last night through her blog I found a recipe for woopie pies!!! I think its a sign!!!! Anyway, if you like food and like to cook, check out her blog!

Until Next Time!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

February Already!!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2011-02-01T11:16:00.007-03:30

I usually find the month of January to be a very long and dragged out month. I suppose after the months leading up to Christmas and making gifts and prepping for the holidays, once the season is over, things just seem to come to a halt or standstill......... HA!!!!!!!! not this time! January was a blur!! But for all good reasons!

I also find it takes me a month or so to kick start my butt in gear to get back to sewing after the holidays. Again... not this time! I started as soon as the tree and decorations were down and stored away and I had my sewing room back in order again!

I'm soooooo glad I got involved with the Rainbow Stash Challenge over at So Scrappy's blog! She has really got my gears thinking of using up my scraps and I managed to make something each Scrap Saturday in January! And from what I read this morning, February's colour is RED!! wooo hooo! I will be making another lap quilt for the Iris Kirby House again this month. I think I already got a design in mind I want to do.

BTW, I got the binding on the blue scrap quilt last night.

I will hand bind the other side in the next few days. I also managed to machine bind a few other smaller UFOs I had lying around that only needed to bind.

While binding, I put another coffee design on the embroidery machine. I want to make another coffee mug mat!!

Thanks so much to everyone who sent best wishes to Mum on her surgery. Everything went very well. It only took the doctors about 1 -1 1/2 hours to fix the problem. She has to keep her foot elevated and walk only on her heel for at least the next 4 weeks. She spent most of yesterday home in bed on pain meds. When I checked in on her this morning she said she is doing well and the pain is tolerable. She plans to just rest and relax as much as possible today and possible do a bit of hand sewing or knitting. :)

Since yesterday was a insanely busy and off routine day for everyone, I decided to take out the ole faithful slow cooker and try out a new quick and easy recipe. I made a yummy Chili Pasta Bake!

I made alot so we could freeze a few portions for future meals. I also took some to puree for William's supper. He LOVED it!!!!!!!!!

I love now how I can take what Trevor and I are eating and mash it up for William to have too! I will take a portion of the left over pasta and grind it up and freeze for William's meals too.

In the meantime I would love to share with you the recipe. I found it in one of my Company's Coming Slow Cooker recipe books. Here it is!

Chili Pasta Bake

1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
1 1/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (oops.. thanks Anita for letting me know I forgot to add the pasta to the recipe!! silly me)!!!!
1 cup chopped onion
2 14oz cans of diced tomatoes and their juice
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 cup tomato sauce (I had none in my cupboards, so used chili sauce instead)
pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Scramble-fry ground beef in non-stick frying pan until browned. Drain well. Transfer to 3 1/2 quart slow cooker.

Add next 7 ingredients. Stir. Cover and cook on Low for 5-7 hours or on High for 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours.

Sprinkle cheese over top. Cook on High for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted. Makes 7 cups.

Enjoy!!!

We are expecting a big nasty storm tomorrow and Thursday to hit most of the island. The weather channel says we could get anywhere from 30-40 cm of the white stuff and then lots of freezing rain after that !!!!!!!!!!! YUK!!!!!!!! They are also saying there could be power outages too. Sigh.... well I have lots of hand stitching and binding to keep me entertained and many other things to putter around the house. This afternoon, William and I will head to the grocery store to get a few essentials such as milk, cheese, ooh and cod tongues!!! YEP!!! you read right!! They are a delicacy here in Newfoundland!! I haven't had a good feed of tongues now in ages. So I'll go to Bidgoods Grocery Store over in the Goulds (about a 10 minute drive from where I live) to get those. This store specializes in traditional Newfoundland food. I'll fry them up tonight with some boiled potatoes and mustard pickles. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! I can almost taste them now!

I also thinking of using up a few bananas that are turning brown and make some banana chocolate chip muffins. If the power does go out we still have muffins for breakfast!!! LOL ooh along with some yummy fruit and yogurt!

Well I must be going. William is still in his morning nap and I need to take advantage of this time and clean up his bottles and grab a quick shower. Trevor is out shovelling our driveway and Mum's driveway after the mini blizzard (which we never heard was coming) we had last night! Then we are out to run some errands!!!

Tonight in the sewing room I think I might pull out some red scraps to have ready for the first February RED Scrap Saturday. I have a birthday party to attend on Saturday, but I'll have the night time to play!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Quilt QUILTED!! wooo hoooo!!!

2011-01-31T00:13:00.003-03:30

I would post a photo but I am tooooooooo tired!!! I just wanted to drop a quick line here to say the quilt is now quilted and hope to get it ready for binding tomorrow evening!!!! I would have done it tonight but well Masterpiece Theatre was on and the last part of a 4 part series was on. I'm not a tv person, but I do love the PBS Sunday evening Masterpiece Theatre!!!

Another reason for such a quick note is that it is already 12:15am Monday morning and I need to get a little bit of sleep before my alarm clock wakes me at 4:30am!! UGHHH!! I have to take Mum to the hospital tomorrow morning as she is going in for a day surgery to get work done on her foot. Nothing too serious. She has a really bad bunion and it has been hurting her for a number of years. She is unable to wear some of her nice summer sandels. It took almost 5 years on the wait list to get this surgery done!! I told her she should take in a pair of sandels she hasn't been able to wear yet into the operating room as a little incentive for the post surgery results LOL!!! Her surgery is for 8am, however they want her there for 6:30 for the pre-op stuff. I have to be there as proof that she has someone to drive her home and take care of her for the next 24 hours. If I'm not there they will cancel the surgery.

After I get home from the hospital and I get a little shut eye myself, I will post again. Perhaps I'll wait until the evening to show the final results with the binding on the quilt too!!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments and the cheering me on! As for the free motion design I did, it is a template that I used. I will take a photo of the book, err I mean free motion design template package in my next post. I got them for Christmas!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday Results

2011-01-29T23:13:00.002-03:30

After bambino was put down for the night, I headed down to my sewing room to get a good start on the blue and beige lap quilt. 3 hours later, I managed to get the quilt layered, spray basted in place and I have 3/4 of the quilt quilted!!!!!!!!

Not bad for a night's work! :) Tomorrow night I will aim to complete the quilting and get the binding on by machine at least. During the week I can take my time and slip stitch the other side of the binding in place by hand.

This was the last Saturday playing with my blue scraps. I can't WAIT to find out what colour we will be working on for February with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Prepping for Saturday Stash Challenge

2011-01-29T00:10:00.003-03:30

Tonight I decided to take out the blue lap quilt I made last week and get all the markings on it for machine quilting. I am going to do some free motion quilting on this baby. I didn't get to take a photo of it as the batteries in my camera need to be recharged again. sigh.......

So since this is the last Saturday of January and the last day to work with blues, as per the Rainbow Stash Challenge, I will work away on my quilt. I can't wait to find out what colour will be for February... hmmm could it be red or pink?? It is Valentine's month after all!!!

Last night, I decided to work a bit on organizing my recipe magazine cutouts and internet recipe printouts etc. I managed to get them all categorized and in their rightful envelopes.

I am now FINALLY ready to start the first binder. I'm thinking of starting small and leave the big nasty binders (the chicken and the dessert ones) til last as they have the most recipes. I think I'll do the "Veggies" binder first.

Ohh, I also finished another 5" embroidery square of my sewing motifs! 7 down and 5 more to go!

Well its after midnight here, and so I'm off to la la land to dream of quilts and patterns and fabrics and food!!! LOL

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Quiet Day

2011-01-26T14:51:00.002-03:30

Not much to report today. Its a relatively quiet day.

Trevor took William out to visit his grandparents while I did a few little odd jobs around the house.

As for sewing related, I will be getting together with our sewing group tonight here at the house and I think I will work on the Hot Chocolate Snowman block.

I also wanted to share with you this amazing blog and website! Bee In My Bonnet! She has some fabulous work that she designs and I could drool over her applique patterns! She is hosting a giveaway to celebrate her new look and I thought I would share it with you!

I will write more again soon. Again its a bit of a quiet day here today and not much is going on. I'm sure I'll have more to report in another day's time!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Basting Day

2011-01-25T13:04:00.004-03:30

I am soooooooo happy and thankful for my Mum who offered to take care of William all day today so that I could take out my crumb quilt and prep it for machine quilting. I had to reconfigure the living room furniture a bit

so that I can lay this queen size quilt properly on the floor. So the love seat is now in the dining room, the dining room table is as far to the wall as I can push it. I have the wine rack up against one kitchen doorway

and the play pen squeezed between the hallway and the cabinet. Need to keep William inside the quilt area and doggy outside of play area!!

So here is the quilt I'm getting ready to machine quilt.

And of course my trusty little helper who is making sure I have it layered properly!!!

I like to safety pin my quilt layers together first and then I hand baste in place. Then I remove the pins as they will only get in my way.

Well the lunch break is over.. back to the living room for me to finish the basting.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Blue Lap Quilt Top Finished!!!

2011-01-24T12:16:00.007-03:30

I placed the last border on the blue lap quilt last night!!!! Yippppeeeeeeeee!!! Hopefully this week I will get it layered and ready for quilting.

But my first layering job is going to be my crumb quilt that I made last year! It is HUGE!!

Tomorrow Mum will look at William for the day as I need to take all the play stuff out from the living room floor and place the quilt there to layer as it is too big to layer and baste on Mum's living room floor downstairs (which is where I normally layer my quilts). This is probably one of the biggest scrap quilts I have made so far and ALOT of scraps went into it!

I realized I haven't posted any new recipes lately here on my blog. I try to make one or two new recipes a week. My other passion next to quilting is playing in my kitchen.
On Sunday mornings, we like to make a big breakfast. Trevor and I have been doing this for a few years now. Yesterday, along with our eggs and bacon, I made these really yummy Scallion Potato Cakes! They were sooooooo easy to make!

Here is the recipe!

2/3 lb all-purpose potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
fresh ground pepper to taste
1 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Tbsp olive oil

Boil the potatoes in a saucepan of salted water until tender. Drain, then mash the potatoes. Stir in the egg yolk, cheddar, scallions and parsley, and season with pepper. Form into 4 patties. Tip the flour onto a plate and coat the patties with it. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties for 4-5 minutes on both sides, or until golden brown.

I now have them highlighted in my breakfast book.

William and I just had lunch. While I finish writing today's post William is checking his phone messages next to me!!

I think we will head back out to the living room where I have the room set up like a mini compound!

While he plays on the floor with his toys, I might get back to cleaning up and reorganizing the remaining pile of magazine recipe cut outs and filing them away in their proper envelopes. I am also hoping to get started on a new recipe system. I will be using various binders that will be for beef, chicken, veggies, breakfast, desserts (of course), etc. I have soooooooo much to try! I'm hoping to get started on the first binder sometime this week if all goes well. Not sure which one I'll start first.

Chat with you all soon!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap/Stash Saturday Results

2011-01-22T23:36:00.003-03:30

I have only one more border left to sew on to this baby and its done!!! But since it is after 11:30pm I decided to stop now as I am getting a bit tired. I am really pleased how this lap quilt is progressing.

I am hoping by tomorrow to have the final border on and serge the edges. Depending how the week goes, I might even try to get it layered and ready for machine quilting.

I'm still trying to figure out how to quilt it. Any suggestions???

Well good night! I'm pooped and ready for la la land!

Will post again tomorrow with the finished quilt top if all goes well!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Saturday Morning Status

2011-01-22T12:23:00.004-03:30

Okay, so normally I write in the evening when bambino is in bed, but since he is entertaining himself in his high chair next to me, I figured I could write a line or two right now before he gets bored!!

I got involved with the Friday Night Sew In and worked away on my blue stash lap quilt.

As you can see I now have all the blocks made but they just need to be pressed. I also finished stitching all the smaller triangle cut offs and will press them and lay them aside til I get inspired to make something of them.. Right now I'm thinking pin wheel blocks into a lap quilt.

This evening once bambino is off to bed, my goal is to sew all the blocks into rows. I'll post again tonight of my progress. I also think I will use this quilt as my 'blue' themed scrap/stash challenge project for this weekend. I'm really enjoying playing with my scraps!!!

Will chat again this evening!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Calm Blue Ocean... CALM BLUE OCEAN!!!! sigh

2011-01-20T23:13:00.004-03:30

I would have stayed in my sewing room longer tonight but my sewing machine decided she wanted to be a drama queen and take a hissy fit!!! Every now and then my machine likes to throw a tantrum over the combination of thread and fabrics she is sewing. Well tonight, as I was working on the blue square in square blocks she would get sooky at the end of each solid square where two small solid blues overlap. The thread would break and she would try to suck the fabric down into the hole. I changed the needle twice, changed the threads, and finally did a good thorough maintenance cleanup to the machine.

Apparently, tonight she preferred the lighter polyester type of thread instead of the heavier 100% cotton threads I buy from Connecting Threads. By this time I was just getting too tired to continue sewing. Tomorrow I will hopefully be in a better mood (well more like my sewing machine be in the better mood) to get back to the blocks. I really want to get this quilt top made by the end of the weekend.

I am also planning to get involved with the Friday Night Sew In this year. I have already signed up for tomorrow night. I will more than likely be working on my blue lap quilt. I also am still trying to decide whether to use my blue quilt for the Saturday Scrap Challenge or make up something smaller.

On another note, I think I mentioned last week that we were going to get our family portrait done. Last Saturday we did just that. One of the Mommies in the playgroup I am involved with is an amazing and talented photographer!!! We went to her house for a photo shoot. Here are some of the photos she took!

During playgroup yesterday Jeannine mentioned to all of us that she is in the process of building herself a website. Once she has her site available I will share it here so you can see how good she is!!!

Well that's it for now... I'm off to look for some new blogs to read and perhaps follow! I love to do that as it is sooo nice to see what other quilters are working on! It is a great form of inspiration!! There is a huge list of bloggers at the Friday Night Sew In blog I would love to read. So I'm off to see what others are working on!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Happy Hump Day!!

2011-01-19T23:19:00.003-03:30

ahhh mid week!!! Not long now before the weekend. Although these days, each day is the same as the next while on maternity leave. I still have 3 1/2 months of leave left before I head back to work in early May. Sigh....... where is the time going at all???

I haven't been able to get to the computer the last couple days due to various reasons. One of them being my friend Lesley gave birth to a beeeeautiful baby girl Sunday night. I went over to the hospital to see them last night and to see the new addition to their family. The little girl is just adorable! She is soooo tiny and petite. Geez, when I think of my own little boy it is hard now to imagine him that tiny 8 1/2 months ago. They just feel soooo fragile when they are born. We seem to take extra tender care with them. Lesley and Raff let me hold their daughter for the whole visit. The two of us just sat in the rocking chair and rocked for an hour.

Monday night I was able to get back to the 3rd Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM. I now have all the pieces fused in place and ready to be machine appliqued.

I have sooooo much stash and I'm thinking I'm running out of room for new stuff. There are fabrics in my stash that have been there for YEARS!!! In fact, I have some that I loved when I bought them and HAD to make something out of them, but now after all this time has lapsed I'm tired of seeing them in my stash. They are still very nice fabrics, but well as us Quilters know, textile designs change and we want to keep up with the newest and latest designs!

So I came to an executive decision. It is time I give back to my local community and make some quilts. After reading several magazine and internet articles about quilters doing good for others less fortunate, I decided I wanted to do it too. I thought I would make up a bunch of lap quilts to donate to one of our local women's center. The place I'm hoping will accept the quilts is called "The Irish Kirby House" It is "A Shelter for Women and Children fleeing Abusive Relationships" The type of work I do (when I'm not on maternity leave) is helping to provide housing services to low income families. We also see many women and children who have come from the Iris Kirby House. Most times the mothers and their children flee their homes in the middle of the night with just the clothes on their backs. I found out last summer that a good friend of mine stayed at this house when she was small as she came from a hostile home environment.

So since I plan to hit my scrap containers hard and heavy this year, I'm also going to hit some of the older fabric stash to make up some nice comfy lap quilts. As we all know, snuggling under a quilt makes you feel warm and safe. This is what these people need. Here is the beginning of the first lap quilt. This quilt will consist of 72 6" square in a square blocks.

While I'm making it, I have to cut off the excess fabric that I don't need. Instead of throwing them away, I will sew these up too into another future lap quilt. I'm thinking of making pinwheel blocks.

Well it is after 11:30pm here and I am ready for la la land. I hope to post here again tomorrow evening to show you the progress I am making on this quilt.

Til Then...

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday #2 Results and Other Stuff

2011-01-16T22:04:00.004-03:30

Alas! I completed another Scrap Saturday!!! This weekend I decided to make some mug mats. William helped me choose some fabrics!

To keep with the "Blue" Theme for the 2011 Scrap Challenge, here is Mat #1.

I am not a fan of crazy funky prints like this but I have a very good friend who does! She is probably in hospital right now either having her baby if she hasn't already delivered. I decided since she is going to be going through a few crazy months with 2-3 hourly feedings, there are times when she is just going to want a little break and rest between feedings.

I plan to give her this mat along with a funky mug (which I still need to pick up) and some nice teas as a little "Welcome to Mommyhood" gift!

And well, after making that one, I wanted one for myself! LOL I decided to dig down into my scraps again and hauled out some fabrics to make Mat #2!!!

I love this coffee fabric so much!! I only had a fat quarter of it. I am now going to hunt around to find some more of this fabric to make a couple more! I have a few other coffee themed embroidery designs so I can make each mug mat different!

Tonight I also got a start on the 3rd Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM. I got all the pattern pieces traced out on steam a seam and got a little start on fusing them to some of the fabrics. Here is a photo of the yummy fabrics and the snowman I'll be making this week!

(hmmm not sure why this photo is like this as it was shot face on... hope you don't get a crook in your neck looking at this one!!)

I am finishing up early in my sewing room tonight as I want to get into my pjs and settle down to watch Masterpiece Theatre. I will take out my knitting for the next hour or so while watching the show.

Tomorrow I'll put on my thinking cap to come up with an idea for next week's "Scrap Saturday"!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

A little giveaway!

2011-01-16T09:27:00.003-03:30

As I was sneaking around some new blogs, I came across this great blogger who is giving away some DELICIOUS embroidery floss!!! You can enter to win by going here.

She is also starting a new monthly stitchery pattern right here!! If you want a chance to win these flosses then head over by clicking on the her button below!

I will be posting my "Scrap Saturday" results a bit later today. We are invited to my aunt and uncles for turkey dinner around 1pm so I only have a little bit of time to grab a shower, wash out the baby bottles, and grab a quick little breakfast. Trevor gave me a nice chance to have a little Sunday morning sleep in.. ahhhh what a sweetie!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Finish Friday

2011-01-15T00:22:00.003-03:30

The second Hot Chocolate BOM snowman is complete!!!

I just love how he turned out! Trevor looked at them this afternoon and asked "so what are the snowmen holding?"

I said: "mugs of hot chocolate"

He Said: "Isn't that like suicide for snowmen"?

I said: "Good point. They drink hot liquid and melt. Poor buggers!" LOL

Last night I started putting in mind what I wanted to make for my "Scrap Saturday" project. I am thinking of making myself a cute little mug mat. I will pull the fabrics in the morning and probably by the evening I will have it complete. I will show you the status later on.

Right now it is after midnight here on Friday night. Baby woke up about 20 minutes ago for his midnight snack bottle and is off to bed again. That means I too am heading off to la la land. I am very pleased with what I accomplished tonight in my sewing room. All that is left is to make the little spacer hst row and those squares are already cut and ready to sew together. I am hoping to take out the new snowman sometime next week.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Snow Day Means Snow Day!!!

2011-01-13T19:58:00.004-03:30

I noticed our snow storm was already beginning at 6am this morning when William woke up looking for a bottle. The snow was coming down so soft and pretty and sticking to the trees. If it was any lighter outside I would have taken some photos as it was just beautiful. So far we have about 30cm of snow (roughly a foot of snow), but we are expecting another 20cm before tomorrow afternoon. Winter has finally arrived here on the island!

As the day went on the snow got a little bit heavier and the winds picked up a little. But before the winds got too bad (and its still not that windy out right now, just a little blustery) we took William out in the snow to experience his first snowfall. He was bundled up like a snowman and he was speechless at first as he didn't know what to make of all this snow stuff falling from the sky and making his face wet and cold.

(Alexi preferred at this point to be snuggled back on her big pillow in the warm kitchen under the desk than out in the weather)!!

The snow was too heavy to try out his new sled Santa gave him for Christmas. I was hauling with all my might to move him. I finally had to give up!

(I did get to try out my new winter hat I got for Christmas. Nice and warm!)

When we put him down into the snow he just wasn't happy!!!! In fact he was downright UNhappy!!! Can't say I blame him! The snow is VERY heavy.

It is the perfect snow for making snowmen! Perhaps tomorrow Daddy will make him a snowman out on the front lawn.

Since it wasn't the greatest of days to be out and about, it was however the perfect day in my warm and cozy sewing room to play! I set up the playpen for William and his toys and then Mommy and Nana played with their toys!!!

I am making a Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM quilt for William. The finished size is 59" x 59". I bought the blocks almost 2 years ago, but only made one block. This year I will make it and finish it!

This is the second block. Well here are the pieces to make the second block.

And now here is what it will look like once all the pieces are machine appliqued down in place!

I got a good start on the satin stitching before supper and depending on how quick I can replace all the velcro pieces on William's 15 bibs, I might work on it a bit more after that! Yep... the velcro have worn away all its holding ability and now I have to take off all the old stuff and replace it with new stuff. The bibs just don't stay on around his neck anymore. In fact he can haul those things off himself. He is drooling so much now, and with Tooth #3 making its appearance he is a HUGE drooly bag right now!!!!

So on that note, William was just put to bed for the night. Daddy is on monitor duty tonight, which means Momma gets to go back to play in her sewing room without any disruptions... ahhhhhh.. hmmm perhaps later on I'll even pour myself a nice glass of Shiraz wine!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Snowflake Bag FINISHED!!!

2011-01-11T23:25:00.003-03:30

I finally finished the bag last night and I even took it out on its first fabric shopping excursion this afternoon!!! Fabricville had a big sale and well I just HAD to take my little bag along! Not to mention it was a cold cold COLD day here and it was sprinkling snowflakes, so it was only appropriate to use the bag! I love how it turned out!

I didn't buy much at the sale. I did buy some terry cloth fabric and a meter of a really cute pink baby fabric as I want to make a nice hooded bath towel for a friend of mine who recently had a baby girl. Once I see how big this towel is I might make some more for William. I also plan to do some machine embroidery on the hood area. Once I finish it I will post a photo of the result.

I decided to pull out a little UFO this evening to work on for an hour on a little bom I started a couple years ago and then gave up working on it. It is a Calendar BOM with applique and embroidery work. As you can see I have January and February completed.

March month was started but never finished. I picked it up again and got back to appliqueing two of the 3 tulips. I still need to look for a border fabric which I will do in the next day or so.

By 9:30pm it was time to head to Mum's place (she lives in my downstairs apartment. The door that connects her place to mine enters into the main sewing room... convenient hey!!) to watch our new favourite tv series that started last week on CBC. It is called "Pillars of the Earth" For the last couple of years we were caught up every week watching The Tutors But now that that series is completed we are looking forward to this new one. Two shows into it and already I'm looking forward to next Tuesday night!

Tomorrow night we also start up our weekly Wednesday night sewing group here at the house. For the last 6-7 years there have been a group of us that meet for a few hours to sew and quilt. At the moment we have 5 gals that get together. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again tomorrow night to see what projects they will be starting on!

It is a cold night out there tonight. I just took the dog out for her bedtime pee and we got back in the house as fast as possible. She is now curled up on the couch behind me here in Trevor's "Man Cave" and I have my nice warm wooly jammies on. I'm on monitor duty tonight as Trevor is working so I'm heading off to bed. Hopefully William will have another full night of sleep without waking up til the morning. He is cutting tooth #3 right now. When we got him ready for bed tonight after his bath I noticed the top left front tooth just peeking out!!! yipppeeee!!!! another little chomper!!! I'm sure the other top tooth will be along very soon. If not he is going to have a silly little lopsided smile!!! LOL

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Scrap Saturday

2011-01-09T22:52:00.005-03:30

I couldn't wait to get into my scrap stash last night to pull out some blue fabrics for this month's Scrap Challenge! I found some nice blues at the bottom of this container and got to work making a bunch of 2 1/2 inch squares.

I also found a nice white fabric and got to work making some snowflakes on my embroidery machine.

I have decided to make a nice winter theme shopping bag for this month. I managed to get all the blocks made and put together, as well as cut the lining and batting. I now have all the pieces ready to sew the tote bag together!

If time permits tomorrow evening I think I only need another hour and I should have the bag complete!!! woo hooo!!! I'm stoked!!! I am already thinking of what I will make for next Saturday's "Scrap Saturday"!!!

Oh, btw, I still have two more spaces available if anyone is interested in the "Pay It Forward" I am doing this year! I have been putting on my thinking cap the last few days and I have some ideas in mind for some pressies to make and giveaway to some special quilting bloggers out there!

Well its off to bed I go. It's already 11pm and I am starting to fall asleep. I got into bed last night at a good hour and figured I would get in a nice sleep. Unfortunately I spent the night staring at the ceiling! I might have got an hour of sleep in altogether. And William actually slept through the night. What a good sleep I could have had... sigh.... ahhh well Trevor is on monitor duty the next two nights. We take turns with the night watch.

I'm crossing my fingers I get a better sleep tonight!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Get Scrappin'!!

2011-01-08T15:13:00.005-03:30

Today is a very blah day here both outside and in. The weather is crappy here with half rain and half snow combination. It's cold and just plain ole crappy outside.

Inside, the house is dark from such an overcast day and well now that the Christmas tree is down and all the feeling of Christmas is gone the house just seems dull.

(living room back to a playroom)!!! The room is much bigger now with the tree gone!

(Even Alexi is just lazing around and napping all day)

Not to I myself and having an icky day health wise. Mum has taken over watching Will for the day as Trevor is working, so I'm just resting and taking it easy today until this icky sicky feeling of mine passes.

So I thought since I can't really do much, I would do a bit of blog lurking and see what new blogs I can find! One of the blogs I love to follow and read is from Kathy. I was reading her blog from today and she shared with her friends a new challenge from So Scrappy.

Angela is challenging us quilters to use up our scrap fabrics in various ways! I have soooooooooo many scrap fabrics they are starting to take over my room! I have decided to make Saturdays (as many as I can with a baby in the house) my "Scrap Saturday"! This will give me the incentive to dig through my scraps and come up with some projects. At the moment I have a number of full size quilts lined up to make and complete, so for now the scrap fabric challenge will be for smaller projects.

So tonight after bambino has gone to bed, I will haul out my scraps and start in. With this challenge, Angela will be choosing a colour theme for each month. January colour will be blue.

Well I'm off to read a few more blogs and get some inspiration for the January Blues.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Christmas if Over .. sigh

2011-01-07T08:23:00.003-03:30

Christmas is over for yet another year. Sigh.......

Once I get breakfast out of the way, I am going to start tackling putting the gifts away that are under the tree and start taking down the decorations. I always find the first day or so after the tree is down very low as it has been sooo pretty with all the lights and ornaments the last few weeks. But in another way, it is a time to get "life" back to its "normal" routine again. My sewing room is in chaos with all the empty decoration boxes and tree box and gift wrapping and the sort. It is time to get it all put away so I can put my sewing room back in order!! I have LOTS of plans this year!

(I was working on reorganizing some recipes since I couldn't do much sewing.. this too needs to be cleaned up)!!!

The other day I got started on the next panel of a sweater I am making. It is a nice long cardigan with a long tie. It is a pattern my aunt did back in the 70s!!!

It is a really nice and easy pattern to get me back into knitting and AWAY from making socks!! After making something like 9 pairs of socks last year, I'm SOCKED out!!! LOL

So I got a good start on the front left panel only to realize about 2 patterns into the side that I did a HUGE boo boo!! I tried my darndest to fix it only to make more problems.. so what did I do??? I unraveled the WHOLE thing!! sigh.......... at least it wasn't tooo far into the side. I lost about 2 nights of knitting!

(since this photo was taken I had knitted a good 5 inches more before noticing the problem)

Well it is now 8:30am.. baby is fed, bottles are washed and refilled for another day. Time to make myself some breakfast and then to start tackling the tree!!! Maybe tonight, I'll see my sewing room start to improve and MAYBE.. just maybe spend an hour or two down there working on something.

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Project Book 2011

2011-01-04T20:15:00.004-03:30

I sat down the other day and got a start on the list of quilting/knitting/scrapping/recipe projects I want to do for 2011 year.

I still have a few things to add to my list but so far here is what I got planned to complete. Some projects are ongoing as they are more larger and handsewn projects. But they are still added to my list!

- Layer and machine quilt crumb quilt
- Hot Chocolate Snowman BOM quilt (two blocks made... it will be for William's big boy bed)
- 2 Baby Quilts
- 12 Sew motif squares (ongoing)
- Hand sewn hexagon quilt (ongoing)
- Make kitchen curtains and re-upholster kitchen comfy chair
- Make Bathroom valance and a new shower curtain
- Learn to knit gloves
- Sewing machine cover
- Embroidery machine cover
- Kitchen aprons (maybe some seasonal ones too)
- Farmer's market tote bag
- Pumpkin table runner
- Make myself a Christmas stocking (still using a very old one... need to refresh it)!
- Scrappy Tote bag
- Tackle a few projects in the UFO cabinet
- Make up some scrappy quilt tops (don't have to be quilted right away)
- Complete Christmas cross stitch (only have backstitching left... only been 5 years making it)!
- Knit myself a cable pattern scarf
- Knit myself a cable pattern hot water bottle cover
- Coffee themed embroidered coasters
- Seasonal placemats
- Re-organize recipe collection into specified binders (scrapbook style)
- Knit myself a sweater (ongoing.. well only started it a couple weeks ago)

The other thing I want to do again this year is start up the Pay It Forward Exchange.

It is based on the movie "Pay It Forward". Basically it is based on doing acts or deeds of kindness without expecting anything in return in the hope that the recipients you send something to will pass it on!

So here is how it will work. The first 3 people who post a comment to this entry stating they wish to join the Pay it Forward exchange, I will make them something handmade and will have it sent to them before the end of 2011. Remember I do have a small baby here now! But I promise it will be done! I email these first 3 people requesting their email addresses so that I can receive their mailing address.

In return, you will post the Pay it Forward Exchange on your blog promising the same thing to 3 people. Remember though, you will need to have a blog in order to do this!

So who wants to join??? Let's start 2011 with some nice random acts of kindness!!!

Quiltingly Yours!
Andrea

Happy New Year!!!!!

2011-01-03T23:53:00.006-03:30

Wow!!! 2011 is here!!! 2010 was a blur it seemed! I swear the years go faster and faster as each year passes! If only things could just slow down a bit. But then I suppose that is life.

When I look back on 2010 and all it brought to me, I have to say it was a very rough and hard year. I think the only one good thing that happened last year was the birth of Sweet William. Since Christmas of 2009 I was sick through the rest of my pregnancy and then very sick after the pregnancy; then two major surgeries in October. Health wise it was not easy. Please God 2011 will be a more healthy year for me.

Being a first time Mom, I have to truthfully say the first year is BRUTAL raising a baby! But saying that I don't complain. When I see that little face smiling at me from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed it is well worth the work. It is a 24-7 job and the most demanding job I have ever experienced but I also have to say it has been the most rewarding too! And I know there are sooooooooooooo many more wonderful years ahead of me with this little boy!!!

So here we are in the first few days of 2011 and I know many people make resolutions for the new year ahead of them. However I never really believed in resolutions but more like goals to obtain. Resolutions always seem to get broken and they only seem to work in that first month! LOL.

Every January 1st I take out my project book and begin to write down the goals I want to complete for the new year. My project book consists mostly of quilting/sewing projects, scrapbooking ideas, and projects I would like to do for the house.

The first list I start is the quilting/sewing projects for the year. I only started the list and I know I have a ton more things I want to add. In the coming week I hope to write out my new list to share with you here on my blog. Stay tuned!

This year I also plan to reorganize my recipe collection and make it a little more manageable and user friendly. I started taking out the big brown envelopes filled with various cut out recipes and sifting through those picking out ones I still want to try and others I know I will never do. Once that is completed I place them in binders under various foods, ie: beef, chicken, vegetables, desserts, etc. I want to make my binders fun and colourful so I plan to break out my scrapbooking papers and have some fun! I also received 7 new recipe books this Christmas and I can't WAIT to dive into those! Mum gave me 6 of those books with each one representing a different place in the world. They consist of: Italian, Indian, Sushi, Greek, Mediterranean and Thai. I already tried out a new pasta dish from the Italian book and it was to DIE for!! I'll post the recipe soon!

(yep already started with the post it notes of things I want to try)

(another recipe book as well as two new novels)

Despite being very sick last year, I did manage to make alot of my Christmas gifts. I also started making my gifts before William was born as I knew when he came along my time would be a little more limited. Now that Christmas is pretty much over and everyone received their gifts, here are some photos of the gifts I made!

(Apron and potholder set I made for Trevor's Mum)

(machine embroidered bath wrap and homemade socks for a friend)

(sewing machine cover for one of our Wednesday night sewing friends)

(Sewing machine cover, pin cushion and tidy bag for my Aunt Elsie who also sews with us on Wednesday nights)

(Puppy Dog neck roll I made for our play group's Secret Santa. I also machine embroidered the little boy's name on the back of the dog)!

(close up of the apron I made for Trevor's Sister)

I have to say it was a wonderful Christmas this year with William as part of our little family. Christmas will be so much more fun when it is seen through the eyes of a child! I can't wait to see what next Christmas will bring with our Sweet William! In the meantime, here are a few photos of William's first Christmas!

(Me and the kids)!!!

I will post more of some gifts I received shortly. It's after midnight here now and I'm ready to head off to bed for a bit.

Until Next Time!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Merry Christmas To You All!!!

2010-12-25T00:27:00.004-03:30

Hard to believe Christmas is here once again. Trevor had to work an overnight shift for Christmas Eve as well as for Christmas Day. After Bambino was finally put to bed and the last few gifts were wrapped and toys assembled, Mum and I sat down with a nice little glass of Christmas Cheer and relaxed for a few hours. No TV, no radio, just complete beautiful silence.

It is a bit odd this year to be home during Christmas Eve. Normally every year we do a little bit of visiting and gift exchanging then head off to Midnight Mass. With an 8 month old who decided to have some hard teething issues the last few nights, we are home relaxing this year. We are figuring we are going to see a couple of those pearly whites making their debut any day now. Poor little fella he is having a bit of a hard time the last few days. I finally had to break down and go to the local pharmacy at midnight last night to pick up some Benadryl and Baby Advil to help with the pain. He put in a very hard and painful night. Tonight I was more prepared... got the stuff on his gums and some pain meds and so far (keeping fingers crossed) he is asleep in bed with sugar plums dancing in his head!

(William at his Great Aunt and Uncle's home this afternoon helping to prepare supper).

It is now 12:30am Christmas Day. I'm off to bed myself as I want to get up a little bit earlier in the morning before Trevor comes home from work. I'm planning to make a nice big Christmas Breakfast!

At this time I just want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe Christmas season. From our home to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Getting Ready for Christmas

2010-12-16T23:54:00.004-03:30

The past two nights after William was put down for the night I have been in my sewing room wrapping gifts. Over the last year or so Mum and I invested in a 3 small banquet size drop down tables that are great for when our sewing group comes to meet us on Wednesday nights. When they are not here we use those tables for many other uses.

So tonight, with Mum in her apartment with the door closed (as her door opens out into the main sewing room) and me in the sewing room, we worked away on wrapping each other's gifts as well as a few other friends and family gifts.

Here is a Christmas table runner I made just before going to hospital in early October. This will be for a friend of the family.

About a month before William was born, I had a major case of insomnia. I would spend many hours into the morning watching really crappy tv shows and knitting socks! It was something that didn't require much getting up and down (which is not easy with a big belly) and I could just sit and knit. Well since that time, I have made 9 pairs of socks!!! Here are 7 of the socks. The 8th pair is still on the needle. Well I only have about a couple inches to go to complete it.

Over the last couple of weeks while on the mend, I have been sitting to my embroidery machine and stitching out some different Christmas designs. It was something that again didn't require much moving and twisting and turning. I decided to make up two sets of Christmas Bathroom Towel Sets for a couple gifts. Here are the results.

I just love playing with my embroidery machine and found (through an online quilting friend) this amazing site to purchase designs. The site is The Embroidery Library. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I could spend alot of money on this site! There are always great deals and when you sign up (free membership) you will get weekly emails informing you of various sales and free designs!

I'm hoping either by tomorrow night or Saturday night to take a few more photos of some other gifts I have made before wrapping them up. When I do, I will post a few more.

Until then, it is after midnight here and I am zonked and can't seem to stop yawning. Baby woke up a moment ago for his overnight feeding. He will be good til he wakes up in the morning now, so I'm off to bed!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Long Hard Haul

2010-12-09T00:03:00.003-03:30

Well I am still here believe it or not, but since my last post back in October it has been a wild wild time!!!!

On October 8th, I was in hospital for a day surgery to get my gall bladder out. All this happened due to being pregnant!! Who knew (til after the birth) that this is a common thing amongst preggy women!! geeez!!!!! A few days later, I got a call from my surgeon saying I had to see him ASAP in his office! We knew for a while there was another issue besides the gall bladder and a few diagnosis possibilities were given to me. When I got that call though I had chills up and down my spine.

The following day I was the first patient in his private clinic. I had a dangerously blocked common bile duct that had to be operated on immediately!!!! The following week, October 19th I underwent a 5 hour Wipple procedure! For those of you who have never heard of this or don't have a medical background, basically I had to get 10% of my stomach removed as well as a part of my pancreas, small intestines, some lymph nodes removed and have the common bile duct cleaned and reconnected to everything again! I was in the ICU for a day or so and then on the Special Care Unit for another couple days before being placed in my own private room. I was in hospital for almost 2 weeks.

This type of procedure is very very rare for someone my age (38 years old). Because of my age and good health practices I had that in my favour in my recovery. This procedure is normally done on people 50-60 years old and more men than women! I am still recovering almost 2 months later and I still am unable to lift my little boy. I am not able to lift anything over 5lbs... (he is now about 21 lbs) although I am slowly working on that and getting my strength back. I am giving myself a couple times each day to lift and play with my sweet William. I am still very tired and find myself in alot of pain and discomfort in the early evenings. But things could be worse... I could be dead....

Thats right, you read that as I said. This issue I had could have become pancreatic cancer if it wasn't detected in time. It is one of the types of cancer that is hard to detect until it is too late. Basically if it wasn't for my little boy being born and giving me gall bladder problems this other issue would never have been detected until one day I went to my doctor complaining of really bad back pain (which I would have thought was pain from a car accident I had back in 2006 and wouldn't have bothered going to the doctor). The doctor would have run a series of tests and scans only to come back to say there was so much cancer on the pancreas there was nothing that could be done and within a year it would be game over!!!!!!!!!!! I went weak in the knees!!!!

THANKFULLY....... I am VERY happy to report I am cancer free. My surgeon called it an "auto immune". Something that (very rarely) just naturally occurs in the body. But if it was undetected there was still the possibility it could have developed into the big "C".

My sweet William has literally saved my life! He is my hero, my world and my universe.

A mother's love is so very strong with their children. The bond is something you can't describe unless you have a child. The bond I have with my boy is just all that much stronger knowing that I will now be in his life for a much longer time than I feared was going to happen. I had to wait over 3 weeks to find out if I had cancer or not! It was the longest and scariest 3 weeks of my life!

Since coming home from the hospital Oct 30th, I have been doing alot of sleeping and resting and getting my strength back. Sewing and quilting has been like a distant memory. I still have many things to complete that I had planned to do for this season. Now that I'm getting a bit more energy, I am also finding I'm having a hard time kicking my butt off the couch and getting downstairs to my sewing room. I have never been one to watch tv or lie around for hours on the couch, and these past couple months thats all I've been doing!!!

(William's first Halloween!! He LOOOOVES frogs! So this just had to be done! I got home in time to see him in his costume and have his first halloween!)

But last night, I finally kicked my butt off the couch and sat to my embroidery machine to stitch out some Christmas towel set samples. I did a bit of binding on a quilt project tonight and finished it!!!! Yippeeee!! I'll post photos later.. shhhh its a Christmas gift!! I'm hoping to try and get to my sewing room each night through to the end of the weekend if I feel up to it and work on some stuff. I have things to get done and time is getting shorter and shorter!!!

I really hope once Christmas is over and we are back to some form of normal, I'll be able to post more frequently to my blog here as I have missed it alot and have missed reading and posting to some of your blogs out there! I'm anxious to get back to posting on projects I'm working on and getting back into swaps and other fun quilting blog stuff I was involved in before William was born and I was so sick. As tradition goes, come the first day of January, I'll take out my project book again and make my list of projects I want to do and complete. AS well as start my Christmas list of the gifts I need to make for next year. With a baby in the house, time is all the more precious and so I'll be starting my gift making by January/February!!! Yep you read right!!! That's how I did it this year, and had it not been for the crazy Fall season I had I would have been all finished AGES ago!!!!

So, before I go, I thought I would also give you a little update on bambino!!! Can you believe he is 7 months already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He started crawling about 2 weeks ago and we can't keep up with him!! And now the new thing is (which he started last Wednesday, Dec.1st), learning how to stand up with the help of his crib railings, chair, or anything else he can figure to use to haul himself up!!!!! I said to him the other night as Mum was giving him his bath and getting him ready for bed (as I still can't do those things myself yet) "William!!!! Slow down!! what is the rush!!! You are growing up wayyyy to fast"!!!! He just looked up at me with that two bottom tooth smile and laughed! Changing him is a REAL challenge!! He is such the wiggle worm and all he wants to do is roll over and start crawling away! Forget putting him on the change table now!!! I'm figuring I might just have to put him on the floor next and sit on him!!! LOL Joking of course!!!!

We took him to meet Santa today and get his photo taken!!! The photographers were amazed how easy it was to take his photo!! He was laughing and smiling the whole time he was in Santa's arms!!!! Poor Santa is probably easing a sore knee right now too as William kept bouncing up and down with excitement! From time to time he would just look up at Santa and take him all in!

He is a very sociable baby! He puts the charm and flirt on everywhere we go! Myself, Trevor and William went out to breakfast the other morning. William had all the dining customers in our seating area in the palm of his hand! He is such a great baby and we are so blessed! The only time he cries is when he is hungry or tired! He LOOOOVES food!!! I make all my own baby food and he sees the spoon coming and he goes APE!!!! We were given a small jar of commercial Squash baby food. He HATED IT! Trevor tried feeding him a couple spoonfuls and William squished up his face and cried! Don't blame him. Trevor and I both tried a taste of it and nearly gagged!!! Guess William prefers Mama's home cookin!!!!!

Well I best be going and get some sleep. I have been suffering from a touch of insomnia the past few weeks. I think my body clock is all fooled up where I was sleeping so much all day and night each day. I hadn't planned to write as much as I did tonight, but I guess I had alot of catching up to do and it just started to flow out of me. hmmm perhaps I should put my insomnia to good work and use it to do some sewing, knitting or blogging!!!!!

Til next time!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Still Here!

2010-10-09T11:30:00.002-02:30

It has been way too long since I posted to my blog but for all good reason. I just recently had surgery to have my gallbladder removed due to the pregnancy. Actually the surgery was yesterday. I am home and now on the mend. Between Mum and Trevor they are taking care of sweet William as I am unable to lift him for the next 2 or so weeks. It has been a rough summer illness wise, but please God all will be well again and I will be back on the mend and blogging again in no time! I have so much to talk about and share!!When I have been feeling good I have been quilting and playing in my kitchen and of course watching William grow into the sweet little boy he is!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Still Alive!!!!

2010-06-18T19:07:00.006-02:30

Wow!!! It's been WEEKS since I have been able to get here and post!! I have missed all my friends in blogland and feel so out of touch in the quilting world!

I figured with Sweet William taking an early evening nap, I thought I would take a few minutes to post a little blurb on how things have been going as a new mommy and how life is with a baby in the house..

Wow.. where to begin... Sweet William turned 7 weeks yesterday!!!!!! Where HAS the time gone at all!!!! He is growing like a weed and his little personality is beginning to show in different ways. He especially loves music and dancing with his Mommy.

We also joined a great play group of 9 Mommies and 9 babies. In the group there are 3 boys and 6 girls. Sweet William is the youngest and the oldest is a little boy named Kyle who is 7 months old. We meet every Wednesday afternoon for a few hours and each week a Mommy hosts in her house.

His baptism is next weekend on the 27th of the month. His Nana is going to make his baptism gown and his Great Aunt Elsie has knit him a bonnet, booties and a cardigan. I can't WAIT to see him in his Baptism attire. We plan to have a little reception back here at the house after the ceremony.

As for sewing... well not a heck of a lot of time for that these days. I have been making a few little things in between sleeps though. I made a nice butcher apron and pot holder set for a Christmas gift. (yep, I actually started making my Christmas gifts as of February past... knowing the little fella would take up alot of time in the beginning I had to start early)..Although I think with him sleeping a bit more and a bit longer I think the time is coming soon for him to give Mommy some more longer "me" time sessions. Now that he is aware of more things around him he is soooo curious about everything.

I also finished making the first set of one of a kind flip flop tote bags I will be selling this year. Here is a small peek at two of them. I'm hoping Trevor will help me tonight with getting better photos of them so I can sell them online.

Since sewing/quilting has come to a slow crawl, I am managing to get some knitting done though. That is easier to take up and put down. So far I have made 4 pairs of socks and have another pair started on the needles.

As for my kitchen days.. LOL well they too have come to a slow crawl pace... I managed to find a great recipe magazine all on slow cooker recipes. Those work GREAT with an infant in the house.. throw everything in one pot and it cooks all day long and viola cooked supper without the hassle! I have been buying a few other recipe books too for when I do get back to playing in my kitchen. I figure once the little guy is a bit older and able to sit up and entertain himself, I'll roll is playpen in the kitchen so I can keep an eye on him and cook at the same time!!!

Here is a small shot of a great salmon recipe I make with phyllo pastry.. it's one of our favourites.. the rice has spinach and feta cheese through it!

I did add a new toy to my sewing room... my brand new Philips CD/Ipod/Radio boom box!!! Now I can dance and sing when I DO get back to playing in my sewing room again LOL

Well I best get going... I have a little video monitor here that allows me to see my little boy while he is sleeping and he is starting to get a littlel restless... it's time for his evening bottle and bath then he is good for the night. I just wanted to post a little something here to say I am still alive and kicking and enjoying mommyhood!

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Sweet William Has Arrived!!!!

2010-05-13T22:05:00.003-02:30

It has been over 2 weeks since I posted here, but for all good reason. Sweet William Todd Best arrived into the world Thursday, April 29th, 2010!!!!!!!!!!! It's hard to believe he is already two weeks old today! The time is going quickly and I can see such amazing changes in him already. Momma and baby and doing alright. Momma had to endure over 23 hours of labour and a very hard delivery but we survived! He weighed in 7 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and as of yesterday during a little weigh in he is now 8 pounds 5 ounces.

Today and yesterday have been two rough days as our little boy has had some nasty gas pains. His poor little body is just crumpled in pain and discomfort. We have had next to little sleep. I have been doing some research online about infants and gas related issues and hope to try a few things. Up to yesterday evening he has been always able to sleep in his crib, but since last night the only place he seems comfortable and able to sleep is in his car seat. I guess he feels better in a semi sit position sleeping than on his back right now to help ease his pain. The poor little fella. I wish I could take the pain from him. I really hope this passes soon. I have read some nasty incidences where the gas pains could go from 24 hours to 12 months!! Ooohhh Help me!!!!!

As for sewing... well .. umm that has now been put on hold for a while. I did manage to get in about 20 minutes a few nights ago on some hand sewing of my hexagon blocks, but then the little fella woke up for a feeding and that was the end of my needle work!!! Sigh.... will I ever get to sew again???? I'm already suffering withdrawls!!!!!!!

Please tell me it will happen!! I need re assurance!!! Don't get me wrong I love love LOVE being a Mommy, but Mommy just doesn't have her own time anymore. I have been soo use to doing what I wanted when I wanted and that suddenly changed. For the good mind you, but I do miss my sewing time already!!! Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed that his little gas pains end very soon and we have a happy baby and happy Mommy and Daddy again!!!

Quiltingly Yours

Andrea

Momma In Waiting

2010-04-24T18:31:00.004-02:30

Still no baby............ Sigh........... Well the due date was yesterday, but with other friends of ours having their babies earlier than their due dates we just want to have our little bundle to hold. The waiting is driving us NUTS!!!!

This photo was taken last week

Since I last posted I mentioned how my energy level is next to nil and I have also been dealing with a bad case of insomnia. Oohhh and my favourite, MAJOR MAJOR itch/scratch fest all over my body!!!! I had that checked out already as it is a sign in some pregnant women of liver issues that could be both dangerous for momma and baby, but thankfully I don't have that. However, doctors have said some women get a very bad case of the itchies all over their body and the only way to help relieve it is through calomin lotion and oatmeal baths. So each day and night I soak in what I call "a bowl of porridge" for 20 at a time, then lather up my feet especially with calomin lotion to help relieve me for a little bit. My poor ole feet, ankles, legs and now arms and wrists are scratched up and cut up from scratching so much!! If the old saying was true that if you had an itchy hand and you had to scratch it, I would be multi millionaire!!!!! LOL

Back in my last post I mentioned I really didn't have much energy to do much sewing or cooking and spent much of my time lying around on the couch watching movies or sleeping when I was able to drift off. However since then I have been getting little energy spurts (I hear it's a sign of 'nesting') and I have found it really keeps my mind of the insomnia and the long long long time it is taking for this baby to arrive. So during those times, including in the wee hours of morning when everyone, including the dog is asleep, I have been working some some hand projects while watching some really bad bad tv shows. I'm not a tv person, and I have to say there is alot of crap on both day and night. However, saying that I have found a really funky show called "Cake Boss" that comes on Monday nights. This guy, named Buddy makes the most INCREDIBLE cakes! Last week he made a life size Nascar car out of cake and cereal treats!!

Anyway, I am getting side tracked... so yeah, hand sewing projects and other stuff.

I think I mentioned also some time ago that I planned to get a really good head start on making my Christmas gifts early this year. With a little baby soon on the scene, I won't have as much sewing time as I normally do, so I have managed to get a good head start on the gift making.

I showed you some time ago the center of a sewing machine cover I am making. Well it is almost complete. I just have to sew the binding around it and then it is ready for photos and to share here with you.

Next up, is Mum modelling this Butcher Apron with matching pot holders! Butcher aprons are fun and easy to make up. I thought a bit of seminole would do the trick up against the black apron fabric. I love this style apron and I think I might need to make a couple for myself before the year is out!

I have also got into a sock knitting craze!

I have been off work now for 4 weeks, and in that time I have 3 pairs knit and complete with a 4th pair now on the needle!

I am not straying too far from home these days in fear that I will start labour or my water breaking in public, but the other day I had such a bad case of cabin fever I HAD to get out of the house. Mum and I headed to a local wool shop here called "Wool Trends" I ended up picking up enough wool to make another 4-6 pairs of socks!!!!!!!! LOL

Finally I got a good start on the one of a kind summer flip flop bags I have been making for a few years now. I have 7 cut out and embellishments picked

and 2 complete. Here are two of them.

I figured if I keep myself busy, nap when I can the time will go by faster and my little boy will be here!!! Keep your fingers crossed something happens soon, cause I am ready to claim my body back now!!!!!!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Waiting... Waiting

2010-04-14T10:17:00.004-02:30

Sorry for not posting recently, but I'm starting to slow down a bit due to my pregnancy almost to the end. I could pop anytime now and I'm finding I am not doing a heck of a lot both in my sewing room or my kitchen these days. Although saying that I have been doing some small hand sewing projects and knitting. I can work on these things while resting and propped up on pillows on the couch or in bed. My energy level is shot right now LOL.

We are anxiously waiting for William's arrival. Things are starting to progress in that department (so says the doctor), for now it's a waiting game. I so want my body back now!

Lisa had her baby April 9th. She had a little girl. She was a week ahead of me!!!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Odds and Ends

2010-04-06T18:29:00.003-02:30

I did a little more nesting yesterday by taking the vacuum to the house, cleaned the bathroom, and made two new loaves of bread. One is a cornmeal bread with fresh herbs and ooooooooooh it is sooooooo yummy!!! Tonight I'll put on a multigrain bread in the machine. I also made a big pan of chicken enchiladas for supper last night.

They freeze well so I have a few more meals of enchiladas to add to the freezer food!!! I think I'll tackle my chicken and broccoli casserole on Thursday.

I mentioned the other day that I was working on some redwork for the center of a sewing machine cover I am making my aunt for Christmas. Well, here is the finished center. Tonight I will cut out the rest of the fabric pieces to assemble the cover together.

I also started on another pair of knitted socks.

I plan to make up a few different pairs of knitted socks for Christmas gifts this year. I figure they will be easy little projects to work on while taking care of a baby. It is also something I can work on during the summer months while relaxing out on the patio deck.

The Flip Flop Bag fabrics are finally all prewashed and half of them are pressed and cut out. So far I have 6 bags cut and ready to go on the serger. I still need to cut out the the flip flops and liners for each bag. I hope to get back to them tomorrow afternoon.

Well this is a short post tonight as I want to get an early start on cutting out the machine cover. I hope everyone had a nice Easter break this past weekend and you didn't OD too much on chocolate!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Good Friday Tidings

2010-04-02T22:56:00.002-02:30

Not alot went on today. In fact I slept for most of the day!

The weather here was absolutely beautiful! It was sunny and temperatures went to a nice 15 degrees celcius!! That is fabulous temperature for this time of year here in Newfoundland! Trevor and I are just itching to get the patio ready for the summer season! From what the forecast is predicting, we are to have a nice sunny and warm Easter weekend. We might be crazy enough to get some of the patio ready. We have two mini patio size greenhouses this year and we are biting at the bit to get our veggies and herbs started!

I decided to start up another Christmas gift today.. Yep you read right, I am working on this year's Christmas gifts now! Hey, with an infant on the way, my time will not be my own when I want it to be, so I have to start early! I already have one gift completed! This next one I'm doing will be a sewing machine cover for my aunt. The center of the cover has a little bit of redwork embroidery work to it so I have that to stitch first. I will post a photo of the center when that part is completed. I plan to work on it again for a bit after I post this message.

Being today is Good Friday, it is a meatless day for us. Trevor and I opted out for the traditional ordering out of fish and chips and went on a more healthy route. I made up my homemade cod au gratin with a Ceasar salad on the side. I think I posted this recipe before, but I thought I would post it again. It is so easy to make up. I made up extra today so I could freeze it for later meals.

Cod au Gratin

3 lbs fresh cod fillets
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups 1% milk
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
Pepper to taste
3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tsp savoury (dill or tarragon are good to use as a substitute)
1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp olive oil

Scald the milk in the microwave for about 4-5 minutes. In a medium saucepan add the butter and flour and cook together for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the scalded milk whisking constantly. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the lemon zest, Dijon mustard, savoury and pepper. Add the parmesan cheese just before pouring on the fish.

Arrange the fish in the bottom of a greased 9x9 inch baking dish. Pour the sauce over the fish and top with cheddar cheese.

Mix the cracker crumbs with the olive oil and sprinkle over the cheese. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour in a 350 degree F oven until bubbling and the top has evenly browned.

Well nothing more to report since my last post. I'm heading back to the living room for another hour or so to do some more embroidery work.

Happy Easter Weekend Everyone!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Thursday's Musings

2010-04-02T00:47:00.006-02:30

I lost track of the loads of laundry I did today! Along with our regular weekly wash, it took an additional 3 loads to wash all the baby clothes, wash clothes, receiving blankets and everything else! It all got sorted into sizes and are now stored away in the bureaus. I also picked out 3 outfits to take with me to the hospital for the little guy to wear. My knapsack is already to grab and go on the big day!

Hopefully this weekend Trevor will get the base outfitted in the car for the car seat. Hey I could pop at any time now and we need to be ready!

I also managed to clean out all the stuff that was in the crib from the 2 baby showers and other stuff that was accumulating there. There is now room to put the baby in there!!

Here is the whimsy little monkey that sits at the bottom of the crib to keep him company. I just LOVE this little guy! Trevor found him at our last trip to Toys R Us and he couldn't resist!

I can't remember if I mentioned already how I was going to quilt the crumb quilt. Originally I thought in all my insanity I would hand quilt it.... well..... I've changed my mind. I have decided to free motion machine quilt it instead. It is a HUGE quilt and I just want to complete it now! Once the preggy belly is gone and I can get down on my hands and knees on the floor to layer and baste this bad boy, it will be on the machine.

Prepping my pattern designs for free motion quilting later on.

I also worked on tracing 357 hexagon templates for my Grandmother's Garden quilt I'm handsewing. Yep once again another insane production of mine!!! I'll be heading to the mental I'm sure after these two quilts are done! Between last night and this afternoon (hey my laundry room is just off from my sewing room, so while doing wash I can be productive) I traced out more templates. I also spent an hour or so this afternoon on my EQ6 software and quickly drafted how my Grandmother's Garden quilt will look like. I have 913 background/spacer hexagons to cut out and hand sew!! hee heee.. Yep... I have officially lost my marbles!!!!

I spent a little while last night pulling fabrics to get started on making and selling my one of a kind flip flop bags. I sold a pile of them about 1 1/2 years ago. I had someone message me the other day who ordered one from me 2 summers ago that they want to order two more! For the moment I have 8 different bag fabrics figured out and my flip flops traced and ready to go. I just need to wash up the fabrics and have them cut and assembled. I'll show the finished results soon.

Yesterday I also tried out a new breakfast recipe. I made a Mexican Frittata. I have never made one before, but I must say it turned out very yummy! I do think the next time I make it I will add a little more seasoning to it as it still needs a little something extra for kick!

Here is the recipe if you wish to try it!

Mexican Frittata

2 whole medium potatoes, peeled
water
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
5 large eggs
1 Tbsp of chopped fresh chives (or 3/4 tsp dried)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup finely grated medium cheddar cheese

Cook potatoes in water and salt in medium saucepan until tender but firm. Drain. Cool. Cut into thin slices.

Heat olive oil in non-stick medium pan on medium. Add garlic. Heat and stir for 2-3 minutes. Layer potato slices in pan. Reduce heat to low.

Beat next 4 ingredients with whisk in medium bowl until well combined. Pour over potato slices. Cover. Cook for 20-25 minutes until egg is set. Remove from heat.

Spread salsa over the top of the frittata. Sprinkle with cheese. Place frying pan on top rack in oven. (SEE NOTE BELOW) Broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges

NOTE: to avoid damaging frying pan handle in oven, wrap handle with a damp tea towel or foil before placing under the broiler.
Also you can you a cast iron skillet, which is what I used.

I also managed to finish my formal dining room placemats the other day. I meant to post them earlier, but I forgot to take a photo. I finished them 2-3 days ago!

I have been suffering insomnia on and off now for the last month or so. I had a bout of it last night and never got to fall asleep until after 3am. I am finally starting to feel tired now (it's after 1am here), so I think I'll get the photos uploaded, post this puppy and head off to bed. If the sleep gods are in my favour I'll be in la la land very soon! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

Officially On Maternity Leave

2010-03-29T21:43:00.005-02:30

As of Friday, March 26th at 3:30pm I started maternity leave! I am now off work for the next 13 months!! woooooooooooo hoooooooooooo!!!! I'm now in week 37 of my pregnancy and plan to hopefully get in a 2-3 weeks of rest and relaxation before the big day arrives and my sweet little William comes into the world!

As for rest and relaxation, well so far I have been in high gear planning and working away on things at home. Today for instance I took my 3 separate shopping lists I made up for Costco, the grocery store, and Bulk Barn and picked up all the meats, fish, grains, pastas, and groceries I needed and to stock up my pantry. hee hee I guess this is what women call the "nesting" period of the pregnancy.. Some clean house... I buy food LOL

Still in the packaging from Costco .... I looooooooooove that store!

If you have a Costco near you and you like Salmon, I HIGHLY recommend this stuffed salmon!! There is a really yummy filled couscous in the center and it's so tasty with freshly squeezed lemon!

All repackaged and ready to go into my deep freeze!

My well stocked pantry!!! I'm planning to expand my pantry this summer and have another shelf unit built in. I'm already running out of space and I'm only in the house a year LOL

Since I am not able to physically handle my full "kitchen days", I do plan to have "kitchen hours" whether for a few hours in the afternoon or after supper. I want to stock up my deep freeze with ready made casseroles and other meals so meal times will be a bit easier once the baby arrives. If I am busy nursing or attending to the little guy, Trevor can just thaw out supper and stick it in the fridge. The more ready made meals I have prepared, the better it will be.

Yesterday for instance, I made up a big dish of homemade macaroni and cheese. Cut them up into 2 person servings and added them to my freezer. I have another list (have you figured out I'm a list person yet??) of the various meals and casseroles I want to make up. Tomorrow I plan to make up a big crock pot of chili, a couple loaves of bread (in the bread machine) and an apple pie.

So far my list consists of:
Macaroni and Cheese (made, cut up and in the freezer)
Chili
Cod au Gratin
Cod Fish Cakes
Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken/Broccoli casserole
Cheese/herb scones
Quiche
Meatballs
Beef Pot Pie

If it takes me the next couple of weeks to make it all, that's okay. I'll just be content that my freezer is filled and ready!

As for the latest sewing projects, I got back to my crumb quilt and managed to complete the borders.

Here is are two photos of the 3" crumb blocks I made to go around the quilt.

I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the finished quilt top, but I'll do it over the next few days. I've decided on the designs I want to put on it to quilt it. At first I was thinking I would free motion quilt it, but now I'm thinking with so much cream tone on tone areas, I want to hand quilt it. I had on my 2010 sewing list to layer and start hand quilting a quilt. That doesn't mean I plan to finish it this year, but I just miss hand quilting and think this will be a good one to do. I also have a photo here to show you from my EQ6 software of what the quilt looks like.

I completed Trevor's "Man Cave" curtains!!!!!!!!!! They got hung tonight.

They don't look as good as I want them to look right now, as we need more tab rings to make them hang nicer and more even. I will go to Fabricville later this week to buy more. Eventually, out of the extra fabric I have from the curtains I'll make a few throw pillows to add to his nice red couch he has here in the room.

I also want to say a BIG WARM THANK YOU to Vivien for the beautiful winter wallhanging and fat quarter she sent me!

She and I were both involved in the Quilting Gallery Winter Time Mini Quilt Swap. I just love it! Thank you sooo much! I also love the fat quarter she sent me! I'm such a foodie that I plan to make a little shopping bag from this fat quarter to take with me to the farmers market this summer!!!

Well that's all to report for now. I am almost finished a set of formal dining room placemats I was working on yesterday. I just have to hand bind them. So I am off to sit out in the living room to work on those while watching sweetie play his new PS3 video game (he loves his video games). We plan to sit and watch a movie in a little while. hee hee its after 10pm and I don't have to worry about going to bed early due to work the next day, so if I'm up til after midnight WHAT ODDS!!! :)

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea

The Nursery and Shower

2010-03-21T14:36:00.007-02:30

It took longer than I planned to get this posted here, but better late than never. I'm finding the weeks getting a bit tougher physical wise and I tend to crash more when I do get home from work. Its looking like this coming work week will be my last week before I stop for a year! Yep, here in Canada you get a year off of paid maternity leave!! Yippeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I can't wait to stay home now. I'm now into my 36th week! It is getting sooooo close now! The room is done, err well I never did get to make the crib skirt as I just don't seem to have it in me right now. What sewing I am doing is something that requires next to very little brain cells! But I'll get to that project shortly.

Right now I want to share with you some photos from the Baby shower last Sunday and the nursery itself.

We had a wonderful turnout at the shower with 20 guests! And ooh the food!!!! To start with, the night before myself, Mum and Theresa got to work with setting up the living room and dining room for the shower day. Next Theresa and I got to work on decorating the cake! We started getting the buttercream icing made and icing it around 8:30pm. By midnight we finished it! Yep 3 1/2 hours making the cake look pretty!! Ahhhh but it was worth every minute of it! Look how it turned out!!!!

I received some absolutely gorgeous gifts from everyone and for those of you who follow my blog and was at my shower... THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! Little William is going to be the happiest well dressed and cleaned baby in the neighbourhood! He received some gorgeous little outfits, sleepers, onesies, a Winnie the Pooh Bath tub with toys and lots of cleaning stuff to make him smell nice! He got some nice little toys and books to entertain him while he is in his car seat or hangin' out with Mommy and Daddy.

He got this great EliteII diaper disposal unit to cut down on the stinky poopy diapers

and his God Mother gave him a FABULOUS Play Pen!

Here is Trevor, his Mum, myself and Alexi

Myself, Trevor's sister Denise and their Mum

As for the Nursery, well its a bit messy right now as I'm still trying to sort through all the gifts we received last week and decide where to put everything. This week I have to cut out the liners for the bureaus, wash the clothes and put them away in the bureaus the way I want them. By then things will start looking a little bit more organized and less chaotic!! The stroller (which Trevor's parents gave us) will be moved out of the room to put my rocking chair in its place.

The Jungle Boogie wallhanging is finally up and I just LOVE how it looks in the room! I'm so happy how it turned out!

As for this week in the sewing room, I mentioned earlier how I decided to work on something completely and utterly mindless... well here it is! Back last year I mentioned on my blog how I decided to get to my scrap fabrics and make a Crumb Quilt. I got the idea from Bonnie's website and blog Quiltville. She has some FABULOUS ideas on how to use up scraps! Well my crumb quilt top is almost complete. The main part is all sewn together I just need to work on the borders. I decided in all my insanity that I would make a crumb border!!!! Yep I told you I was nuts!!!! I need to come up with a name for this crazy quilt I'm working on as I'm sure I'll be heading to the mental institute and admitted to a rubber room once I'm done!! LOL.. Any ideas on what I could call this crazy venture I'm getting myself into????

Well I think on that note, I'm going to head back to my sewing room for the rest of this relaxing Sunday afternoon to work on my crumbs. The day is just beautiful and sunny here and I would rather be outside for a walk, but these days I find my legs are shot and lots of belly pressure so I'm staying in and resting as much as I can. I decided when it came to supper tonight I would pull out the good ole trusty slow cooker and throw everything into one pot to cook itself. Tonight I am trying out a new oriental roast with potatoes and sweet potatoes! If it turns out good, I'll post the recipe!

Til next time!

Quiltingly Yours
Andrea