A Great Weekend

What a great weekend. Friday night we met up with some friends for Thai food. The food wasn't so great, but the company was. Joe and I had a lot of fun. Lots of laughs. Oh, I don't even really like Thai food. I DO like peanut chicken and it wasn't even on the menu at the restaurant we went to. I kind of picked at a few different dishes. I shoudn't complain too much, even though I don't really like it I managed to leave the restaurant full.

On Saturday night we went to see my FAVOURITE singer EVER!!!!!!!! I don't even really like music. I never ever really listen to it but ever since I was in college, I've really liked a local Toronto band called Blue Rodeo. I've been to see them several times and I have a teensy crush on their lead singer. Anyhoo, the lead singer Jim Cuddy, was performing at a small bar about 10 minutes from where we live. It just so happened that the radio station Joe works for was presenting it. Lucky me!

We had such a good time at the show. I was very pleasantly surprised when Jim played a couple of Blue Rodeo songs. He is amazing.

At one point my attention shifted to a purse that girl in front of me was holding. It was very pretty and I really liked the shape of it. I started digging through my purse to find my camera so I could get a picture of her bag. I glanced at Joe who saw me digging through my bag and he said "I know exactly what you are doing!!". I innocently said "what??" and he said "you're taking a picture of her purse". Am I predictable or what??? I got my picture so you may see my "Jim Cuddy concert inspired purse" in the weeks to come.

On Friday on the way to the Thai restuarant we stopped at a VV that I don't normally go to. I bought an awesome granny square afghan. It's cotton and so soft. I also found some great Japanese mugs. I just LOVE the patterns on them.



I spent the better part of Sunday working on some new cards for my Etsy shop. Boy they sure do take forever to make. I'm just about finished them and I'll post pictures when they are done.

I also made some more totes for Etsy.



I have a couple of other WIP's that I'll photograph when they are done (if they end up being blog-worthy).

Who is Tracy??

Tracy is just one of the truly amazing bloggers that I've had the pleasure of getting to know.

I entered a contest on her blog a couple of weeks ago and I was fortunate enough to be the lucky winner.

I won a BEAUTIFUL apron that Tracy made, not one but TWO extremely pretty bracelets, some flower seeds all wrapped up in a beautiful vintage hankie. The photo on the card is going to be framed as well.





I apologize to Tracy, I could NOT get a good picture of the apron. It is the backdrop I used for the photo though so you can kind of see how beautiful it is. Tracy has a MUCH BETTER picture of it on her blog if you care to visit (and you should!).


Again Tracy, thanks so much!!

Buttons Buttons Buttons

I'm always trying to think of ways to use the buttons I've collected. How about button earrings???? After a bit of investigating and a trip to the hardware store to get the proper glue I made these:










They are by no means original but I'm planning to use them as "freebies" when I ship an Etsy order.

Craft Apron Take II

As much as I liked the patchwork in craft apron number 1, I was not at all happy with the stiffness of the apron. Between the stiffness of the canvas and of the quilt batting used for the pockets that apron was stiff as a board!!

So, let me present apron number 2. It's much more comfortable to wear. I used a light interfacing on all the fabric before sewing it together so it keeps it's shape a little bit, but it's not too stiff at all. I also love the button detail!! I was totally "buttoned out" a while back and never ever wanted to sew another button again, but it was fun to do last night while watching TV.



Will there be a craft apron #3???? Oh, probably. I still have a few little things to work out before I get it the way I like it and then I'll move on.

Calling All Quilters

I went to VV again today at lunch. It's my favourite way to spend 45 minutes in the middle of the day. Anyways, I was very distressed to see that the bedding section seems to be shrinking. I walked around the corner to the blankets and I saw this one from a distance. I think my jaw dropped and it felt like I was walking in slow motion. Please please please don't let anyone else grab it!!!

$5.99 bought me this:



It's a twin size quilt (only half is visible in the photo). But it's a bit strange. The top seems older, it's like it's been used but there is no backing or binding on it. There are a couple of damaged areas that I'm sure I could fix.





I want to bring this back to life but I have no idea how. I think it needs a layer of batting, backing and a binding of some sort. I do not want to quilt it, mostly because I have no idea how.

Any ideas??? I could always fold it up and use it as decoration somewhere but I would really love to be able to use it.

A Busy Sunday

Does anyone else HATE thinking of a title for their posts?? It almost makes me not want to post some days.

Anyways, yesterday Joe and our friend went Geocaching. They were going to head out and do some more challenging caches than I would ever do, so I got to stay home and sew.

I've had Creative Little Daisy's Craft Apron Tutorial on my to-do list for the longest time. I decided this weekend to finally try it.

First of all, let me say the tutorial is fantastic. The fact that mine has several oopsies in it is NOT the fault of the tutorial, it's the fault of the seamstress.



The apron took the better part of the day to complete, but guess what else I had time for??? More totes.



I must remember to watch 24 tonight. I've missed two of the past three weeks because I've completely forgot about it. Not good. Tonight I WILL remember.

Geocaching 101

I know I have mentioned geocaching more than once on my blog and I've had people in the past ask me what it is. I've never really explained it in a post and I think it might be time.

In August 2002 Joe and I found our first geocache. Joe and I had both heard of geocaching but we didn't really know much about it. After a lengthy conversation with someone during a dinner boat cruise we finally decided to try it. That was 5 years ago, we have since found almost 1500 caches and hidden 33 of our own.

What is geocaching??? The best way to describe it is high tech treasure hunting. Using coordinates you find at the official Geocaching website you use your GPS receiver to then locate the "cache". A "cache" is usually a Rubbermaid type container filled with dollar store trinkets for trading and a log book. When you locate the cache, you sign and date the log book, trade trinkets if you like and then when you get home you record your find on the Geocaching website.

Geocaches vary greatly in difficulty. They can be as simple as finding a magnetic container attached to a lamp post in a Walmart parking lot, or they can require a 3 day canoe trip.

One of my favourite things about geocaching is the people. We have met so many awesome people through geocaching. I think my favourite type of cache is event caches. Event caches take place on a certain day at a certain time at a certain place, typically a restaurant, where geocachers gather and share stories.

I took some pictures today while we were out. The first two are of the geocache as we found it and a peek inside of it.







I took a few pictures of the trails while we were out. The first picture is a bird feeder, one of many scattered in the forest. I loved how this one had windows and a door!

This bench was located about half-way along the trail.

I don't even know where we were when I took this picture, I just like it.

And for no reason, a picture of Joe and I.



If you want to know more about geocaching, send me an e-mail, I'll happily answer any questions about it.

TGIF

I am so glad it's Friday. Not that I have big plans for the weekend or anything. I just don't have to be at work and that's good.

Today was the first day it actually felt like Spring. It was actually warm enough to be outside without a coat on. I saw the sunshine this morning and decided it was time for cropped pants and flip-flops.



Those are my new Croc flip-flops. I have 4 pairs of Crocs and I love them. When I went to the pottery/Croc store (strange combination, I know) I got talked into the flip-flops by the saleswoman. Mom, if you're reading this skip immediately to the next paragraph. In fact, I got talked into TWO pairs of flip-flops. I hate having anything in between my toes, but I was assured by the "very nice saleswoman" that I would get used to it. I wore them all day and I'm not even close to being used to it. (My Mom will yell at me for buying TWO pairs, especially since we don't have the same shoe size).

I ran into VV today and bought these.



I couldn't help myself, there were some nice buttons in the bag. I'm pretty proud of myself, I actually left another bag in the store. It was mostly little white shirt buttons, nothing special.

For no reason whatsover, here's one of my dogs, Dolby. He's dumb as a post but the sweetest dog ever. Oh, as scary as he looks, he hides under the bed most of the time.



And lastly, what would a post be without a new tote bag. Here it is.

Dinner with Mom

Last night Joe and I had the pleasure of going out for dinner with my Mother and her life-long friend Carol. They had spent the day shopping in the States and stopped to meet us for dinner on their way home.

My Mother ALWAYS had goodies for me when I see her and this visit was no different.



The basket is full of quilting scraps from my Mother's neighbour, Dianne. The big bag of buttons are from my father's cousin Mildred and the awesome bright buttons and fat quarters are from Carol. Thanks everyone!!!

I knew that my Mother was going to the "good" Joann's on her shopping trip so I e-mailed her a picture of the Alexander Henry Apple & Pears fabric and gave her strict instructions to buy me at least 3 yards of it if she saw it. She found it and proceded to buy me all the fabric left on the bolt, which was approximately 3 yards.

On the drive down Carol and my Mother poured through the Joann's flyer and picked out a sewing machine that was on sale that my Mother wanted to buy. She has taken up sewing again and wants to get a portable machine that she can take to classes and quilting retreats (yet she doesn't quilt *ahem*). So, after finding the fabric for me she met up with Carol who asked if she found the sewing machine. My Mother had completely forgotten that she was supposed to buy one. They had a good laugh, and as it turned out the machine my mother had chosen was not in stock so she left without a machine.

Here is a picture of my Mom's latest sewing project. It's a card clutch. She made it with fabric that I thrifted and I love it, although I don't love the pictures, they don't do it justice (sorry Mom).




After closely examining it (it's sewn PERFECTLY) I mentioned the word "Etsy" to my Mother who immediately said "NO WAY". I asked her what she would charge for it and she said $150.00....LOL!!!!!!! Ok, I guess she won't be selling many card clutches on Etsy.

And what would a post lately be without more tote bags.



I've temporarily run out of pillowcases so I've dug into my stash. The two totes that are the same and the fish tote are Alexander Henry prints. Love them.

And the winnerS are...

Winners???

That's right, winnerS! I was so overwhelmed by the response to my little contest that I went out at lunch today to buy some more Popping Mini Eggs. I was able to buy the VERY VERY LAST bag that they had!!! So I am giving away TWO bags.

I got back to work, wrote everyone's names on little slips of paper and had one of my students pull two names for me (for doing that they got a Cadbury's cream egg that was on sale at the drug store for 25 cents).

The winners are...(drumroll please)

Katie Jean AND Cici!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies if you could e-mail me your addresses I will get the eggs in the mail ASAP. To make that easier to do I have a nifty new icon on the right side of the page that has my e-mail address on it. Joe found a site that generates these icons. Apparently they are a safe way to display your e-mail address. If you're interested in knowing more about that, feel free to e-mail me as well, I'm sure I can find the link again.




Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

This is getting embarassing

Ok, I think I'm embarassed at the number of tote bags I've made this week. I ran out of pretty pillowcases so I dug deep into my stash and started making more. I am having way too much fun making them and it feels SOOOO good to use up some of my stash (something I rarely do).



It gets even better. There are two more that I finished up this morning. One is already wrapped as a gift and it was raining here all day so I couldn't photograph the other one.

I went to VV on Friday (I think it was Friday) and I got a bag of buttons. It was a very decieving bag. It didn't look like there were very many in it but when I opened it up I was pleasantly surprised.



Oh, that fabric in the background is another pillowcase. Actually it's the fabric that I made one of the totes out of this morning.

I have been so entertained by the comments on the Popping Mini Eggs post. I will draw a name tomorrow evening with Joe's help.

Post Easter Contest

Ok, it's a little late to be reviewing Easter candy, but I didn't discover these little tasty treats until yesterday. I was tipped off by a friend that the Cadbury Popping Mini Eggs were sold at the drug store around the corner. With nothing better to do, I zipped over there at lunch yesterday and bought two bags. I brought them back to school and shared them with my friends. They were a TOTAL hit!!!!

Let me explain. Do you remember Pop Rocks??

Now imagine Pop Rocks embedded inside a chocolate egg. The sizzling, crackling chocolate is SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I've decided to share the wealth. I'm going to give away a precious bag of Popping Mini Eggs (and probably a couple of other goodies too). All you need to do is leave a comment and I'll draw from the names early next week.

More totes and thank you Lera

Two more:




A while back I won a prize from Lera. She was giving away some awesome fabric she had thrifted to one of her commenters. I was lucky enough to have won!! Woo Hoo!

Here's my prize, some great fabric and some Burt's Bees lip balm!



Thanks Lera, you're awesome!!

And some more...

I don't think I'm done with these yet.

Pillowcase Totes

I seem to have collected quite a few pillowcases. I have been thinking about making tote bags out of them for a while now. This morning I finally got around to trying it. I made 4.



The lining is the same as the outer fabric. I did not use any interfacing because I'd like to be able to fold them up and put them in my purse for shopping.

I'm off to try to find more pillowcases!!

A VERY thrifty morning

I snuck out of the house before Joe woke up this morning and went to Goodwill and Value Village.

Here's my haul:



Very unusual divided basket: 30 cents at Goodwill

Below the basket, a bunch of really neat fabric Christmas ornaments. I have yet to dissect one to see how to make them, but they appear to be folded fabric pinned to a styrofoam ball. They look like pinecones. The bag was $1.99 for the lot. Each one had a sticker on it for $1.50. I think someone must have tried to sell them at a craft show.

Below the fabric pinecones is the cutest Christmas tree made out of mini spools. I paid $1.99 for the bag that had it in it. The rest of the bag was pretty much garbage.



The zippers, yet-to-be fabric covered buttons and the cotton knitted dishcloth were all in a bag for $2.99. I got the bag because of the fabric covered buttons, I didn't even notice the dishcloth until I got home. It's brand new. What a bonus! (The rest of the bag was garbaged).

Four funky orange egg cups. $1.99

Two mugs, 50 cents each.

And, my heart be still, TWO bags of buttons, $1.99 each. After a very quick scan, there are some neat buttons in the bags.

Grand total????

Around 15 bucks.

I've already used one of the egg cups. How cute is this????

Pincushion-y Goodness!

It started with a pincushion that I made for the Fat Quarter Challenge.



(My fat quarter fabric is that itsy bitsy little square in the middle and the backing.)

I had so much fun making that one that I had to keep going.





Why can I NEVER just make one of something???????

I only need so many pincushions, so I'm going to see how they do in my Etsy Shop.

Now I have to go and get ready to go find tupperware in the woods, aka geocaching.

Very Good Things

I was the very lucky winner of a contest at See Katie Sew.

I won two absolutely ADORABLE candles a la Martha Stewart and some gorgeous bits of fabric.



Thank you ever so much Katie!!!!!

Fresh Bread

I found this while doing a little blog surfing yesterday in between meetings and decided that it would be a yummy thing to make for dinner. I stopped at the grocery store after work to buy yeast because I had NO idea how old the yeast was that I had at home, came home and made the bread.



Boy was that easy!!!! I didn't have the required sized pan so I made a smaller version (in a pan) and a free-form version on a cookie sheet.

We had a friend stop in while the bread was baking and I know he was hanging around until the bread was out of the oven. I gave him and Joe a hot piece of bread with butter on it when I suddenly remembered....I don't even like home-made bread until it's a day old. It always tastes very "yeasty" to me and I don't like how it is almost sticky. I'll enjoy the bread today though :)