tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18325489765947204092024-03-05T19:34:19.869-08:00pieced by...Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-45381500723412269432011-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:002011-04-13T10:49:56.394-07:00Zigzag, baby<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px" align="left"></div>Finally, another quilt to show you! I must say this has got to be one of my favorites. I made two zigzag quilts - a baby boy and a baby girl quilt. Today I am showing you the girl one.... <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/9bfca477cfd03a03.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/9bfca477cfd03a03.jpg?size=400" /></a> </div><br /><p>So sweet, if I do say so myself! I use <em>crazy mom quilts'</em> <a href="http://beesquarefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-zig-zag-quilt-without.html">zigzag tutorial </a>- it is such an easy and fast way to piece these zigzags.</p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/d513a75a6183e237.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/d513a75a6183e237.jpg?size=400" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div>Once again, I used tons of my favorite color - white! Does that count as a color? When my kids ask me what my favorite color is and I reply "white", they always seem a little frustrated. The binding is a large print that doesn't do itself justice as a binding, but the colors were too perfect to use anything else. <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div><a href="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/67e677382ce956e2.jpg"></a><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/dd8ab0e62e023be3.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/dd8ab0e62e023be3.jpg?size=400" /></a></p><br /><p align="left">I threw the scraps from the front into a spare piece of fabric I had for the backing. I'm finding more and more that I don't feel like putting a whole lot of work into the backing after the front.... Simple is my mantra.</p><br /><p align="left">This quilt went to one of my friends who just had a baby girl. It was pure selfish motive that made me give this quilt to her - I want to see this quilt occasionally so I didn't want to sell it and not have that opportunity :)</p><br /><p align="left">I have a few more quilts to show you in the coming days. I've been doing some work for my husband's business lately and that has eaten into my blogging and quilting time... but there is still more to see... so stay posted!</p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://localhost:64877/a0c3fae730724ed66bb2547b70c0c6f0/image/dd8ab0e62e023be3.jpg"></a></p>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-12011654251947941852011-03-13T14:12:00.000-07:002011-03-13T14:13:44.667-07:00Learn as you goI am still trying to figure out how to make a proper set of coasters. They should be a quick project for me, but I keep stumbling on the finished edge. Binding such a small object has proven to be much more frustrating than it is worth, with the binding taking me longer then all the rest of the project. On my last set that I made, I attemped something a little different. Let me show you from the beginning:<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZrgOL43zG8MCmJGLaMw1Ks35R9wmSAZNa9DoxotUWwLuZcNl0_xp1PTbqIDAP32lPjpBWn-0-3bikqq7vAUQyULjXOus0Rks1TNVVERdcu6ZJOkkG9TJjlPKozw63RTfl2L_GoeJJCU/s1600/035.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZrgOL43zG8MCmJGLaMw1Ks35R9wmSAZNa9DoxotUWwLuZcNl0_xp1PTbqIDAP32lPjpBWn-0-3bikqq7vAUQyULjXOus0Rks1TNVVERdcu6ZJOkkG9TJjlPKozw63RTfl2L_GoeJJCU/s400/035.JPG" /></a> </div>I reached deep into my scrap bin and pulled out some coordinating scraps. I put them together with as little rhyme or reason as possible. I was trying my hand at improv piecing.....<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcM276LszGUW48a5k772Y1omXctbb02JuHd3LJrlpMantZiydtOlp0Diq4_HzGVdfBssnqaEKSuX-6YHGd_mbZiHGMxOV-IDjBIm1LXDzjMbMvk-QsEjEauS5hKkE1lPXHFIxjTu1Cac/s1600/038.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcM276LszGUW48a5k772Y1omXctbb02JuHd3LJrlpMantZiydtOlp0Diq4_HzGVdfBssnqaEKSuX-6YHGd_mbZiHGMxOV-IDjBIm1LXDzjMbMvk-QsEjEauS5hKkE1lPXHFIxjTu1Cac/s400/038.JPG" /></a> </div>After the scraps were together, I made the quilt sandwich and traced some appropriate sized circles for the finished size of the coasters.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE1EwyuLJRmFvjIAwCQ3Rb3C92C88MSXs9U3On1NKTQo_vt05CCC88iJbGpppQuXpcfHnQdB8UlZUriELYtueDquwMfP_OyUjwRJOloTIfQ5ylyAI-swBQmtzvW8pVZE1Z4uCux_u2vA/s1600/039.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE1EwyuLJRmFvjIAwCQ3Rb3C92C88MSXs9U3On1NKTQo_vt05CCC88iJbGpppQuXpcfHnQdB8UlZUriELYtueDquwMfP_OyUjwRJOloTIfQ5ylyAI-swBQmtzvW8pVZE1Z4uCux_u2vA/s400/039.JPG" /></a> </div>I quilted in those circles, then cut them out. See? Almost done.....<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ80sp_iwsnh7VXQovJcobDBbdhCOx03XIX4vYm5xyQOvgw036zwv-bAypqX4dOfyxMGbKGXhLjzjcyUcwmcpn9y2Y66iVBjR7_dkH8yqueEWlUzfkjPZBVBVvHtC0eqfWoFAEuQHiNc/s1600/043.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ80sp_iwsnh7VXQovJcobDBbdhCOx03XIX4vYm5xyQOvgw036zwv-bAypqX4dOfyxMGbKGXhLjzjcyUcwmcpn9y2Y66iVBjR7_dkH8yqueEWlUzfkjPZBVBVvHtC0eqfWoFAEuQHiNc/s400/043.JPG" /></a> </div>Then a tightly zigzagged the edges to finish them. I could have done it even tighter. If you have a serger and know how to use it, it would be very handy in this last step (I have a serger, but the tension never seems to be right; it intimidates me). Et voila, a set of mug rugs.<br /><br />I would love to have a beautifully binded edge... but am thinking that may be beyond my realm, and I hope this could be good enough. Thoughts? <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-70916377184295110752011-02-14T18:29:00.000-08:002011-02-14T18:29:00.193-08:00Valentine's Day 2011I always plan to put so much effort into this day... decorating for the kids, baking sugar cookies with them, making beautiful handmade valentines... picking out just the perfect gift for the love of my life... and somehow, the day sneaks up on me and I am left scrambling. Well, this year is like every other. But I am trying to embrace it - for this is who I am! We did manage to make our valentines this year, but I wouldn't call them beautiful... hence, no picture for you!<br /><br />The three oldest were to wear red, pink, and white for school today. The youngest felt the need to participate as well. Fabric polka-dots were added to supplement a basic wardrobe:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYaLUBUDOZhvVnRVStdbKGn9KsqHd0epQFk0_JJc1wv4RdATfqRTcRXp0j9QiiEYAbLDXpDnxKgoWx8ADeeyUIvtu47gs3dQF97NfTbJj8fMXS7NOXjIAaxESewxUn5kKFgCuiqsXNWo/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573645387658701826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYaLUBUDOZhvVnRVStdbKGn9KsqHd0epQFk0_JJc1wv4RdATfqRTcRXp0j9QiiEYAbLDXpDnxKgoWx8ADeeyUIvtu47gs3dQF97NfTbJj8fMXS7NOXjIAaxESewxUn5kKFgCuiqsXNWo/s400/010.JPG" /></a>Such well behaved children.... sigh..... :)<br /><br />Somebody is going to be excited about their Valentine's gift this year:<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe4reI2rlbDP8ScTp32fqCYs_NYpESmZFD_2RfMPM8fgxgszK2jCF2DUN4VOrSVFbsEJ8HCZbN9O4CIZzrmn9ed0zqI6a-B_jxjFQXJpzQAA6IcF4Ss_MmkU6O21vtsGhlwa037U3EgY/s1600/008.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe4reI2rlbDP8ScTp32fqCYs_NYpESmZFD_2RfMPM8fgxgszK2jCF2DUN4VOrSVFbsEJ8HCZbN9O4CIZzrmn9ed0zqI6a-B_jxjFQXJpzQAA6IcF4Ss_MmkU6O21vtsGhlwa037U3EgY/s400/008.JPG" /></a> </div>A custom set of pillowcases for a special lady - ordered by her wise husband (good job, Jeff!!)<br /><br />Remember those half-square triangles I showed you last week? Here they are in the quilt top (loose strings and all).<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJQRGVUTcdHhwbiwTIfFy3E7P-NZjCYDAPna6lql2cRkoFLRbEPYpQ5QAQV2Vays4rxLp9bU3vslVXaCbyD9QnReIV24ixibqP7KiFfQ7r4ycUEXAliBf4HY0IgRZJDBFemay4ejrqqs/s1600/011.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJQRGVUTcdHhwbiwTIfFy3E7P-NZjCYDAPna6lql2cRkoFLRbEPYpQ5QAQV2Vays4rxLp9bU3vslVXaCbyD9QnReIV24ixibqP7KiFfQ7r4ycUEXAliBf4HY0IgRZJDBFemay4ejrqqs/s400/011.JPG" /></a> </div>The colors are quite a bit darker than they looked in the sneak peek last week, and I think it's gonna be gorgeous when done!<br /><br />Instead of going out for Valentine's Day this year, we are having a feast at home with the kids (and then putting them to bed for some time by ourselves). I had to plan out a vegetarian feast to accomodate my husband's diet. How's this:<br /><br />Appetizer: Bruschetta, Roasted Garlic on crackers<br /><br />Salad: Avocado Caesar Salad<br /><br />Main Course: Stuffed Manicotti, Homemade Foccacia, and some random vegetable.....<br /><br />Dessert: White Chocolate Creme Brulee and.....<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-cI_1XdXOSUFGulGJkodkhPoPSlpmx1Jt5sSxTYfolaCpvN7F5GWjWvrVdTltimhgNiP7mD-kxnSrXoyiF7IBelGujBpsqIrScaTv7qh-cz2K5_eu8NsXcMmb2Qe65EPFQ1hM3EtskQ/s1600/014.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-cI_1XdXOSUFGulGJkodkhPoPSlpmx1Jt5sSxTYfolaCpvN7F5GWjWvrVdTltimhgNiP7mD-kxnSrXoyiF7IBelGujBpsqIrScaTv7qh-cz2K5_eu8NsXcMmb2Qe65EPFQ1hM3EtskQ/s400/014.JPG" /></a> </div>Yummy, right? I don't think that we are suffering too much by cutting out the meat.<br /><br />How are you celebrating Love Day?<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-52642615664568525192011-02-08T15:20:00.000-08:002011-02-08T15:47:48.735-08:00Grade school math...Usually quilting doesn't hurt my head. The measurements are super easy for me to figure out - since I piece everything with a 1/4" seam, I have to add 1/2" length and width to each piece's finished size. Easy peasey. That is, until I decided to try out half square triangles. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyxGsJNmNlMF03JxldiwzG6f7CUa1AMRSqrRJkOr5m_sOj55LFSYywjPZkfsVGAJTxl5EA2hLF6ZgnaIyPKObZRlciUOGuS4FmHij83ybddghhp85_iek68Is08ybSDkqn_bh6XW4C2k/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571463497548753554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyxGsJNmNlMF03JxldiwzG6f7CUa1AMRSqrRJkOr5m_sOj55LFSYywjPZkfsVGAJTxl5EA2hLF6ZgnaIyPKObZRlciUOGuS4FmHij83ybddghhp85_iek68Is08ybSDkqn_bh6XW4C2k/s400/005.JPG" /></a><br />I know I learned how do do this all in grade something or other - sine, cosine, and hypotenuse (I had to look up that last one to remember it.... sad, I know). Can I recall any of it now? Nooooo. I was also too lazy to look up the directions for these quilting blocks..... :-)<br /><br />But this quilt is only planned to be a baby quilt, so I started with 5" squares, and I figure I'll end up with somewhere in the vicinity of 4" squares after I've made them into the half square triangles. Good enough for me.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrx7iIdRHS_BHZVSTilbUim8eM4MOik6JcBhRB1j5XQ3XFPZwyS0PrHG1e6NqFi4QSbMWMMSwfA3EZOYpEuQk87mCYopNXWFotkCIx9kNm1kkJQmejQiOpguyUP3_49IQX3BCbBn4lQM/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571463492456937458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrx7iIdRHS_BHZVSTilbUim8eM4MOik6JcBhRB1j5XQ3XFPZwyS0PrHG1e6NqFi4QSbMWMMSwfA3EZOYpEuQk87mCYopNXWFotkCIx9kNm1kkJQmejQiOpguyUP3_49IQX3BCbBn4lQM/s400/008.JPG" /></a><br />There they are. I supposed I could go measure them right now, before even posting this. But I'm not going to. Isn't the suspense just killing you? What size are they actually? Oooooooo.....</div><div> </div><div>In other news - my little girl had to go to a double birthday party and I whipped up these - aprons for both little girls. Pretty cute and speedy!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfR074ISJj7zUaJYREWN19Fmv_LrG0gBfyglLc9mhd8hv_TXm7h5jVxlRfGDZnuObiMusQoLuiS3WFVD-pi84Sc81Ql9wrqf-0WL0B3ExtJ4mY5Yrs1SjFgr3oZifxqlQGJ5ipHLRL2s/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571463484428244274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfR074ISJj7zUaJYREWN19Fmv_LrG0gBfyglLc9mhd8hv_TXm7h5jVxlRfGDZnuObiMusQoLuiS3WFVD-pi84Sc81Ql9wrqf-0WL0B3ExtJ4mY5Yrs1SjFgr3oZifxqlQGJ5ipHLRL2s/s400/059.JPG" /></a> I'm not going to make aprons for you, though - nope. If you want cute aprons for your kid (or yourself!), you must go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=lemonade&init=quick&tas=0.47660396648395953#!/pages/Lemonade-Handmade/118060104884470">here</a>. Check out Lemonade Handmade - best.... aprons..... ever. (That's right Christine, I heard you referred someone to me... you rock!!)</div><div> </div><div>That's all for now! More soon.....</div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-18724717212250989792011-02-03T12:23:00.000-08:002011-02-03T19:51:39.708-08:00The story, as promised...I promised a story about this quilt for my sweet niece.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGirbZC4yzWZFrDjs8MslMk-A7gtWYry4REr1MAIJNebnUu9Xhahkpqvqygd3exz6n0SRwRcxcwWPRH9wcX_ixZgtZwcrRlCDWfHe93J7i7q2846MSEGW7xzTB7yPhGjQ9QRVhKYjnwnM/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569562284545190178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGirbZC4yzWZFrDjs8MslMk-A7gtWYry4REr1MAIJNebnUu9Xhahkpqvqygd3exz6n0SRwRcxcwWPRH9wcX_ixZgtZwcrRlCDWfHe93J7i7q2846MSEGW7xzTB7yPhGjQ9QRVhKYjnwnM/s400/053.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It was just over a year ago, January 12, 2010, that an earthquake rocked Haiti. It took an agonizing two weeks for two little sisters to finally be allowed to leave Haiti and join my sister (in-law) and brother (i-l)'s family that were anxiously waiting for them here in Canada. I have marvelled many times at how such beauty can come out of such desperate pain.<br /><br /><br /><br />As a person looking in, the family has adjusted so well, and I am so proud and happy to have these girls, and their brothers and sister, as my nieces and nephews. Adyne, my sister-in-law, has exemplified unconditional love and has shown an extreme amount of patience (Chris, my brother-in-law, has as well, but as a mother I notice it in Adyne sooner :) ).<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLY3Yh-z8OrHmiZVD8GQvBjDsa9_r9bJUQl7FmwTOtS8mhEi7AtczTH6TZOB8_6QIeF4eS90h2bmNpMLvC1-CpLyhVPh-cjbC-BXxn_rdpFQAyOStf-sw1tE37lMU8d6KRpd-EI4uikg/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569562280583367586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLY3Yh-z8OrHmiZVD8GQvBjDsa9_r9bJUQl7FmwTOtS8mhEi7AtczTH6TZOB8_6QIeF4eS90h2bmNpMLvC1-CpLyhVPh-cjbC-BXxn_rdpFQAyOStf-sw1tE37lMU8d6KRpd-EI4uikg/s400/055.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Adyne requested a quilt for the baby's new "big girl" bed, and here is what resulted. I love the texture on the white that has been added by row after row of straight line quilting - a feature which you cannot see in these pictures. Poor you. It's beautiful :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The colors are so perfect for a little girl's room - so bright and hopeful, just like these sweet princess' futures. Love you, Bell family....</div><br /><div></div><em>Chris and Adyne did a few interviews, but the only video I can find of them is <a href="http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20100130/haiti_orphans_100130/">here</a>, from a year ago.</em> <br /><div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-41509297125885192182011-02-01T13:53:00.000-08:002011-02-01T14:01:14.634-08:00Rugs for mugs...I didn't want to post this picture earlier... and it still may even be too soon.... but this is the "little something" that Lindsay won in the recent giveaway (along with all my reject fabric). I had been wanting to make some mug rugs, and this was the perfect excuse to whip some up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYyXa-4msjMKgE4UAUKdon5IXkCO889RFxzKdpW715U65lxsLP2tWQgXs28mFrltEGketS5S4fd9dURc-cqSyZmT0uVP0N4HoV8pnlSNPPMXoAHsN1vA4jh372eWPjHbZPYCNatpgPHY/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568842777196394930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYyXa-4msjMKgE4UAUKdon5IXkCO889RFxzKdpW715U65lxsLP2tWQgXs28mFrltEGketS5S4fd9dURc-cqSyZmT0uVP0N4HoV8pnlSNPPMXoAHsN1vA4jh372eWPjHbZPYCNatpgPHY/s400/012.JPG" /></a> Truthfully.... I don't know if they were worth it. If Lindsay hadn't already been a real life friend, I might not have sent them to her. Granted I was trying to hurry while making them, but I don't feel like they are a true representation of my sewing/quilting abilities. Obviously, I put one of the nicer looking ones on top of the pile, but take my word for it - some of them are a little wonky. Perhaps it's because I'm not used to working in a smaller scale. <br /><br />Isn't that a cute box behind them? We recently turned our playroom/sewing room into an office/sewing room (not sure whether I should be happy or sad that my kids are of the age that we don't need a room dedicated to toys anymore) and I made a few purchases to beautify my sewing area. It still could use a lot more, but I first need to sell more quilts... hint, hint.... ;)Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-27744294922346862352011-01-26T11:44:00.001-08:002011-01-26T11:51:44.812-08:00The Winner....Wasn't that just awful of me, making you wait in the dark for a full day before I posted the winner. I know, I'm an awful person. <br /><br />The winner is (by completely random choice of my son)..... Lindsay! She said:<br /><br /><em>I love your blog kendra....I can hear you talking while you type. LOL! I'd love your throw away fabric! I've recently started sewing a whole lot of doll clothes and little pieces are perfect because I HATE cutting anything longer than a m. (bad I know). As a side note. For my scraps I use a see through shoe organizer on the back of my door. It works great. I can organize straps by colour just by shoving them in. Best of both worlds. ~Lindsay </em><br /><em></em><br />Congratulations, Lindsay! You didn't tell me what colors you like, but I think I might know.... or you can drop me a quick note. I will have these scraps off to you very soon! (I need your address - can you fb me?) And thank you for the scraps tip. I love that idea!<br /><br />Nothing much has been happening on my sewing machine lately - I've started doing some random jobs for my husband's business which has taken up some sewing time. But, I did order another 40 yd bolt of batting, which means I'm committed to do something.... soon.... or risk the wrath of a certain wonderful man (the wrath part was a joke). Maybe one of you could send me threatening messages dealing with the lack of quilting and then I would start again....Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-31762910930545056722011-01-20T13:33:00.000-08:002011-01-20T13:55:39.196-08:00My stash... and a giveaway!!!I am a snoop. When we are driving home from somewhere and it is dark out (it's dark a lot at this time of year), I ask my husband to slow down so I can look into people's houses. Yep, I'm that person. The person that you close your drapes for just in case they drive by. "Oh look," I say to myself, "They hung their art way to high." "Ooooo, I like that paint color." "Time to rip out those 1970's room-divider shelves...."<br /><br />I am pretty sure that there are more of me out there - or more like me - who like to see how everyone else lives. So, I'm gonna show you my stash today. I don't know if you frequent other quilting blogs, but oh my goodness!! the stashes that some of them have! Mine is shamefully tiny compared to theirs.<br /><br />Here's my quilting fabric. Usually I have a huge roll of white too, but I happen to be out of it right now. It's loosely arranged by color, or theme, or by how I happen to be feeling.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrydUmQxuMweBFiru3BmlRl1rhMLl-czSHWaW0Zt7mqeNRgZwjqSnJ2LRoktYyFBT3OJs-8lo2o75OVYWOr8cAZHnLezgLXNFsOnXAUQitHAZ3BLFywxULjeTsu0wbSogRjCqlQ7GU_80/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385487114522610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrydUmQxuMweBFiru3BmlRl1rhMLl-czSHWaW0Zt7mqeNRgZwjqSnJ2LRoktYyFBT3OJs-8lo2o75OVYWOr8cAZHnLezgLXNFsOnXAUQitHAZ3BLFywxULjeTsu0wbSogRjCqlQ7GU_80/s400/001.JPG" /></a>I also have another cupboard of non-quilting fabric, but I'm not showing that today. You'll have to come peak in my window to see that.<br /><br />The white box on the shelf contains my fat quarters or similiar sized pieces. See?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ytvxan_q_Ikg8wd6vSz5StIEAfQTjzGEHqtdTgWrrkbaSDuJ3lmH_JwdHHGyKNu2LIuneOGM9HSO7CKgElm5tglVfhcZ8k6mN43I6OdMRNBeaJxbxK6emG3E8160JYUfdOQgdCsgOU0/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385483701084402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ytvxan_q_Ikg8wd6vSz5StIEAfQTjzGEHqtdTgWrrkbaSDuJ3lmH_JwdHHGyKNu2LIuneOGM9HSO7CKgElm5tglVfhcZ8k6mN43I6OdMRNBeaJxbxK6emG3E8160JYUfdOQgdCsgOU0/s400/007.JPG" /></a> Then I have a big cardboard box that I throw my scraps into. Some people have their scraps arranged by color and size. Not me. I have a box. It's better than the floor.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0hDzQIQjU04oexeTzui9nNvgTqoSFZRs50fpPkTolXI7iP20AMglunhlnUxLHxcBWbWlEblQOeswxRWAV6JgZhjFLm1Su6w1y-Ljyx-ZZv5rlWZx4wFqonO4Xsa7AKqC5ct-864A0Nw/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385273340003890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0hDzQIQjU04oexeTzui9nNvgTqoSFZRs50fpPkTolXI7iP20AMglunhlnUxLHxcBWbWlEblQOeswxRWAV6JgZhjFLm1Su6w1y-Ljyx-ZZv5rlWZx4wFqonO4Xsa7AKqC5ct-864A0Nw/s400/008.JPG" /></a><br />Also, I have these fabrics pulled out for the current project.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjjGV9xAlWKqNbpUrXikqv90J3PY2x4VkxmnjL9kRSxrq3AbAmn-3DlGLoTspxUK94oV46n_fYOlFMuIMSeqGVti84IbOzoDDu_OWLAWzgGegVBzRttukdpwvWkfQ4CqtwXqIJL8CKlQ/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385203410568434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjjGV9xAlWKqNbpUrXikqv90J3PY2x4VkxmnjL9kRSxrq3AbAmn-3DlGLoTspxUK94oV46n_fYOlFMuIMSeqGVti84IbOzoDDu_OWLAWzgGegVBzRttukdpwvWkfQ4CqtwXqIJL8CKlQ/s400/010.JPG" /></a><br />Now, I organized my cupboard slightly for these pictures, and while I did that I pulled out the fabrics that I don't want anymore. Either I was given them and I hate them, I've over-used them and I'm sick of them, or I'm just not inspired by them (and I'm not gonna tell you which is which).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzKjUTRGMIFFLXU2VKQ5MjHrap4AYAUKSIl2n-nOEyK4cETVXys6N-PLN3wZskW0sKbhivrpRJnEbSAlMzOfCyyH5fBo57s8IAuiBx6DMBmdSCea_wpLMB4UAgEcrPgQPTgTuk7iwo2o/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385199634557042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzKjUTRGMIFFLXU2VKQ5MjHrap4AYAUKSIl2n-nOEyK4cETVXys6N-PLN3wZskW0sKbhivrpRJnEbSAlMzOfCyyH5fBo57s8IAuiBx6DMBmdSCea_wpLMB4UAgEcrPgQPTgTuk7iwo2o/s400/012.JPG" /></a><br />Does anybody want them? If you think you might use them (I'm not looking for a promise here, just a hope that you might find them useful), leave a comment on this post. I'm gonna send something little along with it, just as a thank you for taking these fabrics off of my hand, so I want you to put in your comment what you might sew with these scraps, and what your favorite color is (although I'm not making any promises that it will be included in your surprise). You have until Monday, January 24 at midnight to comment, then I'll randomly select the winner. The pieces are all around fat quarter size - some a little bigger, some a little smaller. I will ship this anywhere. Anywhere. Or I'll bring it to your door with my 4x4 if you live close enough.</div><div></div><div>And why would I need to use my 4x4? Well......<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfHxn3_2HCsBDUQc7Iz8it57iHQ5h3p5orvRCCkGcFOQf6tHm7fDJMo8uue5D2PH8sLnt5cVxXwhpiWBfmgHAO5f4UQ3B8-KnWmMlVfe3RgL-ET3nXgSiYQwqrohStaVJn3_Bg1FlV10/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385192246276978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfHxn3_2HCsBDUQc7Iz8it57iHQ5h3p5orvRCCkGcFOQf6tHm7fDJMo8uue5D2PH8sLnt5cVxXwhpiWBfmgHAO5f4UQ3B8-KnWmMlVfe3RgL-ET3nXgSiYQwqrohStaVJn3_Bg1FlV10/s400/029.JPG" /></a>We've gotten some snow lately. I don't know what measurement it's at for snowfall, but I do know that the piles I've made by shovelling my driveway are over my head. The above picture was taken before we got the last 10" or so, too. I like this picture 'cause there is a cornice on top of the gate. This is our deck, and there is 12" or so of snow on top of the railing, and about 2' on the deck itself. I love it. </div><div></div><div>I love it because it makes me feel all warm and cozy and like I should be sewing. So I did.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUrgwIi8PPln2ip-naLJ7ebK2pnqjrtTsit6SahPn1OuXLg8QE_v5sBgvDdsJ0cu44yQi3lOdAvLy1h-UVmLX1PgvQWhStzUTvkrsKWXyvRa8lFcWp9HaYoMZKQ1qkgljzdz5RLvYWZQ/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564385187267626194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUrgwIi8PPln2ip-naLJ7ebK2pnqjrtTsit6SahPn1OuXLg8QE_v5sBgvDdsJ0cu44yQi3lOdAvLy1h-UVmLX1PgvQWhStzUTvkrsKWXyvRa8lFcWp9HaYoMZKQ1qkgljzdz5RLvYWZQ/s400/037.JPG" /></a> This is a quilt top for my darling niece... more story coming later.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-57645784989171158912011-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:23:40.263-08:00My other skills...I have 2.5 kids in school (kindergarten counts as half), and all my kids are so blessed to have completely wonderful teachers. There have been some issues lately that have affected them, causing extra work for these wonderful teachers. So, I decided to bake them all something.<br /><br />I'm a half decent baker. Give me a recipe, and I will modify it to taste good almost every time. Usually my modifications are born out of necessity, not any stroke of baker's genius. Case in point: This morning I decided to skip the grocery store and deal with it tomorrow. I got home from the morning school run and wanted to quickly bake some treats for the kids to have as school treats and after school snacks. Half the ingredients were in the mixer for a poppyseed loaf when I realized I was out of milk (it had been on my list that I decided could wait for tomorrow). Not a problem. One and a half cups milk became half a cup of sour cream and one cup of water. I moved on. The last ingredients in the recipe were almond extract and butter flavoring. I always have almond extract in the house and never have butter flavoring in the house (I'm not so good at pre-reading the recipe). A quick check of the pantry revealed mere drops left in the almond extract. So, I used the remainder of that, and threw in some maple flavoring. The poppyseed loaf turned out so delish that I made a mental note to not follow the recipe next time (writing down the changes would be too easy - I like to challenge myself with the mental notes). My husband complains that the exact same recipe will turn out to be a completely different dish each time I make it. I don't see the problem - they are all delicious, right? Variety is the spice of life....etc, etc, yada, yada....<br /><br />I digress. I baked for the teachers. French bread. 50% whole wheat, 50% white. I followed the recipe ( I think I have this recipe memorized already, I've made it so often). It turned out beautifully, like always. It was still warm when the teachers got it. 5 points for me!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cEJ4rTqHxwuacuWhQNxkN8HWurOM5Cp4BtSEVl3cbWRMM4MNq89_a6TrP35yLbqy47mJDyGr5v5DK_tatXI710gnc1WDMCCwBQhU0ipDOJNHEYdWZk7sF5mP53CHN9OWp0UzaRQP11E/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561762246095465106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cEJ4rTqHxwuacuWhQNxkN8HWurOM5Cp4BtSEVl3cbWRMM4MNq89_a6TrP35yLbqy47mJDyGr5v5DK_tatXI710gnc1WDMCCwBQhU0ipDOJNHEYdWZk7sF5mP53CHN9OWp0UzaRQP11E/s400/005.JPG" /></a><br />However, there was one small problem. One of the teachers is a celiac. I'm always up for the challenge. Recently my husband was diagnosed with something that makes us have to cut almost all meat out of his diet. So, for the most part, we eat as vegetarians (except at Christmas, we cheat then). I know that it gets frustrating when there aren't options for him, so I wanted to do something nice for this particular teacher. Chocolate mousse, anyone??<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDucawyBqoFI7r4llE__lnz70dPVw6a42AIta8vFtEKA3wfT_e5-sMCLgIXQjS1srCyP7H-pO0oBwr_L1GO0MYcziuYamuoJK2S95luqjylqmY4ASyIuBwul5N66rNtHFS_Mtv2asOoqY/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561762238057474818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDucawyBqoFI7r4llE__lnz70dPVw6a42AIta8vFtEKA3wfT_e5-sMCLgIXQjS1srCyP7H-pO0oBwr_L1GO0MYcziuYamuoJK2S95luqjylqmY4ASyIuBwul5N66rNtHFS_Mtv2asOoqY/s400/004.JPG" /></a> I'm not gonna lie to you, I scraped out the bowl and licked up every remaining morsel. It was goooooood. And yes, I know that chocolate mousse isn't a baked item. I'm a half decent cook, too. Just saying. Also, those are scraps from quilting tied around the lids. It probably didn't really help with the appearance of the jars, but I wanted something pretty-ish wrapped around the top and was running out of time.<br /><br /><div>Now, if there are any other vegetarians out there, or anyone who wants to get a few more veggies in their diet, here are my favorites so far: Lettuce wraps (the lettuce used as the wrap with a bunch of stirfried veggies and noodles as a filling, use hoisin sauce to season), African Peanut Soup (look it up on allrecipes.com), and Potato Curry (I actually just throw whatever vegetables I have on hand into a pan and add one can of mushroom soup, almost 1/4 c curry powder, small splash of mustard, maybe some ginger and garlic.... and serve over rice). </div><div> </div><div>Do you have any good recipes for me? </div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-12075409487380814732011-01-08T09:35:00.000-08:002011-01-08T11:28:18.807-08:00The long return...<em>Forewarning: This post is loaded with images. If you come here to read primarily about quilts, feel free to scroll all.....the....way....down.... Otherwise, be prepared to read all about my family.</em><br /><br />I inadvertently took a long Christmas break. It's been two weeks (!!) since my last post. I don't blame you for being annoyed - I am slightly annoyed too (only at myself). But I'm back now, and one of my New Year's resolutions is to be more constant with my social media opportunities.... so here's to that!<br /><br />We have only had one ornament calamity this Christmas. Sadly, it was a dear one....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOjtsjRfy-jqyINtHCtBfPKpmMV5VCAiK1z4madJw3FkP_CxnMnhF6bNEOZEeO_OtxCTCHCIzvL3XnGCN_eEccgHPXc93Lp3FfjTlFzX9K077cLqZ2_Q0HzkkD2ykcyTNsmUu-aFpAOA/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559879485687482578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOjtsjRfy-jqyINtHCtBfPKpmMV5VCAiK1z4madJw3FkP_CxnMnhF6bNEOZEeO_OtxCTCHCIzvL3XnGCN_eEccgHPXc93Lp3FfjTlFzX9K077cLqZ2_Q0HzkkD2ykcyTNsmUu-aFpAOA/s400/002.JPG" /></a> I should be knocking on wood right now, since the decorations have yet to come down and be put away (hopefully later today). This is my youngest's Christmas ornament from two years ago, and she was overly eager to help decorate the tree. Glass ornament and hard floor met, and tears resulted from mommy and daughter. I really need to grow up when dealing with these kind of things. <br /><br />Remember the quilt that I finished in the last post? Had I mentioned that it was a gift for my Dad? He had asked for one, but had been told that it wasn't going to happen for Christmas.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtclge0BKlcllJaMmdCwc0y0_XPvUTwlGCkg4teHVUTPIKD3hhqvYa1lscxmPGBmjyjqeVCsF-_ubizOtoVCuPP0Hgx5uX8ZpdDm9bJ65P1IbTBxCc0MWKjcGNub_hbFhX7O8liIDTmIU/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559879480659277906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtclge0BKlcllJaMmdCwc0y0_XPvUTwlGCkg4teHVUTPIKD3hhqvYa1lscxmPGBmjyjqeVCsF-_ubizOtoVCuPP0Hgx5uX8ZpdDm9bJ65P1IbTBxCc0MWKjcGNub_hbFhX7O8liIDTmIU/s400/007.JPG" /></a> This look makes the extra work to surprise him totally worth it.</div><div> </div><div>I don't know how it is with the men in your life, but I find it difficult to elicit a large level of excitement from them over gifts they have received. So, with the photographic evidence from the picture above, and the picture below, I will chalk this Christmas up as a success in the "eliciting excitement over gifts" category.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso7I0yn9HBRJoZw7cb3-1UCTvxwugYTcV8oQkKWCy9H980kjPiWV8ijYbbFkgMEabjxsUukHXQsuCZ32wyYzUCKGQp8bn-16OZ7pevGlL0kImMyNh4lqtOd3cMZuR07nyC_iQIQq0NN0/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559879472025927634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso7I0yn9HBRJoZw7cb3-1UCTvxwugYTcV8oQkKWCy9H980kjPiWV8ijYbbFkgMEabjxsUukHXQsuCZ32wyYzUCKGQp8bn-16OZ7pevGlL0kImMyNh4lqtOd3cMZuR07nyC_iQIQq0NN0/s400/021.JPG" /></a> This is my husband expressing his happiness over the box of cigars that were brought back from Dominican Republic for him by my parents.</div><div> </div><div>While at my parents, my sister took the opportunity to try out the new equipment for her camera that she got as a gift. I happily obliged by allowing my children to be photographed....<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrKcOJ13JqU41BKS9WNUFrvw-de54ZrAgAuuH55Bo9wrtHHFlf96WMm1krRYOLgStrEIhMhpgFETmlgh8j-j5r23LUEcFF7EFtmLdxrxZ3FIad1-zMxeVxGigLB_afAqTPQmp37VqMYY/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559879470300431986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrKcOJ13JqU41BKS9WNUFrvw-de54ZrAgAuuH55Bo9wrtHHFlf96WMm1krRYOLgStrEIhMhpgFETmlgh8j-j5r23LUEcFF7EFtmLdxrxZ3FIad1-zMxeVxGigLB_afAqTPQmp37VqMYY/s400/IMG_0560.jpg" /></a> Khyler</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7gTaFY0nuwRH_frP91kediWL5TWQfEgt_HzJELKl2eFX1oioPwv7PsU0N3bOKVdI8zr8tBLx_cPz8IDG8o6Vw2s8gwHRBnv9bFjUy6XCyUWg7MAfPAZ32K3kkjLt7-IcUqoZR7fYNRQ/s1600/IMG_0592.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559879461708149378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7gTaFY0nuwRH_frP91kediWL5TWQfEgt_HzJELKl2eFX1oioPwv7PsU0N3bOKVdI8zr8tBLx_cPz8IDG8o6Vw2s8gwHRBnv9bFjUy6XCyUWg7MAfPAZ32K3kkjLt7-IcUqoZR7fYNRQ/s400/IMG_0592.jpg" /></a>Campbell<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uR9jkei9vnuOa_NyR5JrofwjNELwo1i54NizwmYQsv4bxISHXZKflCfLKOYQTXLAhF9YYNpgymy8NWpl_Xzh050H1rgOMStQMMkCU8oj67jwMcQ2uuEuV_dZd75UdV2vqsTqCTcYb6U/s1600/IMG_0596.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559878736702555522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uR9jkei9vnuOa_NyR5JrofwjNELwo1i54NizwmYQsv4bxISHXZKflCfLKOYQTXLAhF9YYNpgymy8NWpl_Xzh050H1rgOMStQMMkCU8oj67jwMcQ2uuEuV_dZd75UdV2vqsTqCTcYb6U/s400/IMG_0596.jpg" /></a>Graydon<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT-yi2Az9K9zn19Y7vLxR4hDCi7Re8niEfwDj6eJH7icUTD8yIIAD8yk8F-pKFO2fFKBYcNpoOtQLFKD_RBaPGpuJgotyUJ7jMjxTpOOZqkNrYR8N0WK3YJ8nXP_KzKiWifN1EDU8afg/s1600/IMG_0615.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559878728969443362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT-yi2Az9K9zn19Y7vLxR4hDCi7Re8niEfwDj6eJH7icUTD8yIIAD8yk8F-pKFO2fFKBYcNpoOtQLFKD_RBaPGpuJgotyUJ7jMjxTpOOZqkNrYR8N0WK3YJ8nXP_KzKiWifN1EDU8afg/s400/IMG_0615.jpg" /></a>Scarlett</div><div> </div><div align="left">Our Christmas days (we have three days to celebrate with different families) were spent happily in the most predictable ways. Eating, visiting, playing outside, hunting for a gift in an elaborate scavenger hunt my wonderful in-laws planned, playing games.....<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnVJloKUBsGNvpWn2NAl8COeISF4Te990GoAdeUKllQ1mn0MFNnBJeBWmu8FNsE1AOJs3vGPmBq42nLbPfe6xy7rURcra-6SheeDT6Y8DlEQJ9RlTqB_0HT-n6k5YF4GdIeChNVNRtdg/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559878723303178258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnVJloKUBsGNvpWn2NAl8COeISF4Te990GoAdeUKllQ1mn0MFNnBJeBWmu8FNsE1AOJs3vGPmBq42nLbPfe6xy7rURcra-6SheeDT6Y8DlEQJ9RlTqB_0HT-n6k5YF4GdIeChNVNRtdg/s400/IMG_0658.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIR7H3WuKIoP6Ml1tirMWxESn4_9LLce0-beKnZlYjuSK5oFlHjqDZWLAID9bolQXy9JdQAU7a3s_G2kfOYymyrqEDDqi-hVH7rIE4ulhteoq54kvHYmLOakG4-_yo6lFKXY4gicCuNU/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559878715647768130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIR7H3WuKIoP6Ml1tirMWxESn4_9LLce0-beKnZlYjuSK5oFlHjqDZWLAID9bolQXy9JdQAU7a3s_G2kfOYymyrqEDDqi-hVH7rIE4ulhteoq54kvHYmLOakG4-_yo6lFKXY4gicCuNU/s400/IMG_0637.JPG" /></a><br />And overall relaxing..... (a sleepy boy, what is better??)....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeWjl8ET6HMB6_qww16N77ws_663SF2mpKaiIU1OFq4nyh-EWcclRqL-xoEIBNndfFn9UELJuGrdQdlsBSQgDZaWyDdp3Jb6CFRaMhdJRwAu6XGIg2ffNs2TLo7pdbSoyKdwl8sf-hqU/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559878712327196274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeWjl8ET6HMB6_qww16N77ws_663SF2mpKaiIU1OFq4nyh-EWcclRqL-xoEIBNndfFn9UELJuGrdQdlsBSQgDZaWyDdp3Jb6CFRaMhdJRwAu6XGIg2ffNs2TLo7pdbSoyKdwl8sf-hqU/s400/IMG_0536.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The week between Christmas and New Year's was spent doing as little of the activities that resemble normal life as possible. I treasured the days off with the kids, and made a point to steer clear of the sewing room (as much as I love quilting, I needed the quantity of time with my family). </div><div> </div><div>We spent three nights, including New Year's Eve, out at <a href="http://piecedby.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-did-you-do-this-weekend.html">sled camp</a>. I can't help but relax when I'm there. Last time we hadn't brought the sleds out, but this time we had five. We took the kids on a trail ride to see Kakwa Falls. I didn't bring my camera along for fear that it would get broken (I'm not such a great sledder and didn't trust myself not to crash the sled and in the process wreck my camera... Writing this down makes me feel a little silly...). The falls were frozen, and since I didn't have a camera, go <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19102857">here</a> to see approximately what they looked like. For some reason, I had expected them to look like water falls perfectly frozen straight down, without that huge pile of ice leading up to the top. I guess I hadn't put too much though into it.... You learn something new every day.....</div><div> </div><div>The kids thought it was fun just to sit on the sleds....<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mw_9OCSrqJxVjSChVSlVa24ZASBUJI-6qCYiLFhmhN1aBQaAd0Jj6PQtMX40i5cHUaG7YRTk1lU0RxThnnHG72dO_QOeZWY2fRm9bc_d9bYKs9vNeyD2VbZShiSKvGLfrmLL8CZhDHY/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559877749596235346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mw_9OCSrqJxVjSChVSlVa24ZASBUJI-6qCYiLFhmhN1aBQaAd0Jj6PQtMX40i5cHUaG7YRTk1lU0RxThnnHG72dO_QOeZWY2fRm9bc_d9bYKs9vNeyD2VbZShiSKvGLfrmLL8CZhDHY/s400/041.JPG" /></a><br />And pretend they were racing off into the great unknown on their own.....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVFTiRm0ZoZfk_537dFS7wyFfACkoJ7-cvetqL_tiwHncfg3BU79pbIzHLCXU2ZdAZPbb3aXLb7xP68PbkuFc_vmhBIzCWSWFD16Zt_-LnnspIqrmxCCr_IxNYwbS0d_II6-SnL7I4Ds/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559877742715496162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVFTiRm0ZoZfk_537dFS7wyFfACkoJ7-cvetqL_tiwHncfg3BU79pbIzHLCXU2ZdAZPbb3aXLb7xP68PbkuFc_vmhBIzCWSWFD16Zt_-LnnspIqrmxCCr_IxNYwbS0d_II6-SnL7I4Ds/s400/042.JPG" /></a><br />My parents came out to spend New Year's Eve with us.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnv4rBi6nbnMR6oDATyMl1JXSoNNwp7N-Q17Yve6Qya3GLArhT7gTmVXYYCOs4elvxjK2hPxZA6m7_EbVK0eilMHrVcQifvxOoXZQpSiuRu_UU8Hgz5NpwWJPOSpq20FOmA5eoDO7qjM/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559877736820234546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnv4rBi6nbnMR6oDATyMl1JXSoNNwp7N-Q17Yve6Qya3GLArhT7gTmVXYYCOs4elvxjK2hPxZA6m7_EbVK0eilMHrVcQifvxOoXZQpSiuRu_UU8Hgz5NpwWJPOSpq20FOmA5eoDO7qjM/s400/046.JPG" /></a><br />And we made sure to teach the kids some important fire safety and outdoor skills (aka fireworks at 8:30 pm).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMpZSRrSplWOHa7UaL_jLsqtKmjShMHG_5cEmjxWOdhI_q0jKSwfiVciz7IZl-ATAl7jXUEZg443qplFA1gIkfm8Q6C3gq_YpHGoOCfUuWT3kR41dt0S8_SJ6RBeVaLpU_jtUqoGD6M0/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559877728749787394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMpZSRrSplWOHa7UaL_jLsqtKmjShMHG_5cEmjxWOdhI_q0jKSwfiVciz7IZl-ATAl7jXUEZg443qplFA1gIkfm8Q6C3gq_YpHGoOCfUuWT3kR41dt0S8_SJ6RBeVaLpU_jtUqoGD6M0/s400/057.JPG" /></a><br />Our New Year's Day brunch.... Tower o' Pancakes.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSjl2Qlb5mkxRfuQTQr9KFOpojvvk3UZCeDgDBOOVkAWLXrH6mACrhmrfCOM943scjjk-fWqDpbz0rUjNTD_-Btcf2JQ03VDXfCxKftK_TeeG0BA9q5FqpPbctglgoletEiOsALwa9hk/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559872211447386354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSjl2Qlb5mkxRfuQTQr9KFOpojvvk3UZCeDgDBOOVkAWLXrH6mACrhmrfCOM943scjjk-fWqDpbz0rUjNTD_-Btcf2JQ03VDXfCxKftK_TeeG0BA9q5FqpPbctglgoletEiOsALwa9hk/s400/060.JPG" /></a><br />That's all I have for our Christmas break. Now those of us who live in this area settle in for the long hibernation that lasts until the snow melts in April.... </div><div> </div><div>Now, finally, for those of you who scrolled all the way down for the quilty goodness. This last week has been a stretching one for me on the creative end. I took on a quilt intended as a birthday gift for a friend, ordered by her husband (who felt very proud of himself for knowing she wanted this). I love custom projects, and I love a challenge, but once again I found myself questioning my sanity while attempting to quilt a queen size quilt on a standard machine. I can only handle a queen size about three times a year, because by the end of it I am ready to never see a sewing machine again! Okay, that's exaggeration..... That feeling goes away once it is done and I see the finished product - beautiful as always (sorry if that sounds braggy). I learn something every time that I stretch myself, though... so I think I need to keep on making it difficult for myself. </div><div> </div><div>The finished quilt - picture taken before the sun had come up since it came out of the dryer half an hour before this picture and had to be delivered half an hour after this picture. Talk about cutting it close...<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOGGM1yykXuRWGeRXRyUZggrWnyAOoaj0C29czEXbjz2fY0et1YIblyz8880iNZ6fAI76PO9h0BGx4CWRPEi352yxtWTMsl3oqADOUlQKT3zmbZqIAc2E06oQR4T65PIeqsbnWtp_LNU/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559872200175369458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOGGM1yykXuRWGeRXRyUZggrWnyAOoaj0C29czEXbjz2fY0et1YIblyz8880iNZ6fAI76PO9h0BGx4CWRPEi352yxtWTMsl3oqADOUlQKT3zmbZqIAc2E06oQR4T65PIeqsbnWtp_LNU/s400/063.JPG" /></a><br />Final measurements were approximately 100" x 100". Mammoth. This is why there is no full picture of it. I learned something else too - I don't have a 100" x 100" spot in my house to lay out a quilt. That makes life interesting when one is trying to baste a quilt by stretching it out on the floor. Mental note made....</div><div> </div><div>Here is a detail of the binding. I tried something new - the zig zag. I'm digging it. You? <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH1IIgNLWt42iMBM-Ukl52PsA8AOIbhA8bSQGInzCP5gdl2iZ5pcZVtXTx8pblIitgKkN65MIYxjVJ8VvuzY50Foq-qNllZJDGaGBG8P6wxPpJATqXpF7wGyF2T5h_qHBozqzFKMh2BY/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559872199373610194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH1IIgNLWt42iMBM-Ukl52PsA8AOIbhA8bSQGInzCP5gdl2iZ5pcZVtXTx8pblIitgKkN65MIYxjVJ8VvuzY50Foq-qNllZJDGaGBG8P6wxPpJATqXpF7wGyF2T5h_qHBozqzFKMh2BY/s400/075.JPG" /></a><br />Close up of the piecing. The quilted lines are purposefully very organic and randomly spaced (I guess I feel like I need to point out the purposefully part so that you don't think I can't sew a straight line for the life of me).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aQlRglETCJAPI_uYha8ZRpjK5KAsgRuJ7nYYCgVBM00EXuCxuLKj-mszFZUWjlvKFrxgsk6kCbkA6zIgikBz0Zmw3zHmN2kWlXJESF1zV7yG6X9qkM5vBRdItEHgWLqNsdCkt4zNaaY/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559872192373404546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aQlRglETCJAPI_uYha8ZRpjK5KAsgRuJ7nYYCgVBM00EXuCxuLKj-mszFZUWjlvKFrxgsk6kCbkA6zIgikBz0Zmw3zHmN2kWlXJESF1zV7yG6X9qkM5vBRdItEHgWLqNsdCkt4zNaaY/s400/077.JPG" /></a> <div> </div><div>I'd like to do a post with a collage of all the quilts that I completed in 2010. My goal (or last year's New Year's resolution) was to finish 20. I know I passed that goal, but I don't know by how many. This year I plan to try new patterns and techniques, as well as expand my online presence. Any requests for things/quilts you'd like to see?</div><div> </div><div>I've learned so much these past three months - that's about when I got quite busy with custom orders. Timing, my likes/dislikes, my kids' ability to put up with my work schedule..... The learning curve has been steep, and there are a few people that I could not have coped without as I added this sometimes full-time job to my already full-time stay-at-home mom position. My sister, Erika, has often insisted (against my protests) that I drop off a kid or two at her house so I can get my work done. My mom has randomly picked up a child or two and dropped off miscellaneous groceries. My dear friend Dara (please check her out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Dara-Enns-Photography/151006824919098">here</a>) has been a faithful ear for venting about home-based business start-ups. And Krista, whom I think of as a sister, has fully acted like family and stayed my friend even when I haven't had the time to act like one. </div><div> </div><div>I'd like to thank you, my readers, for simply reading my ramblings... I like this thing we got going. </div><div> </div><div>More soon....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-35992386436530752992010-12-24T14:05:00.000-08:002010-12-24T14:15:09.026-08:00One.... (and zero....)I hope you're ready!!! Christmas Eve is here! While most of you may be waiting for tomorrow for the celebrations to really begin (or at least this evening), we've already opened our presents! We will be making appearances with extended family over the next few days, so have declared Christmas Eve as our official Christmas "Day". So the gifts are being enjoyed, and we are having a cozy family day together. We are going out for Chinese food in a few hours (something you can't do on Christmas Day in this town), and then to the Christmas Eve service. Splendid!<br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554374814114638818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt9bqfXzxz4PeSKpE4tFpJ5MfqbYnII_bwJZfaPVNK5lo2l0CAuS-b4Yz1GsrSutcLb3fwQ30nYjLnuF_5gpnIFpG0N578LnAiOPxgD0TVWNAa4A9aoRCwSmXjRgE-O5_4xGByjX3Rr8/s400/022.JPG" /></div><br /><p>I finished my dad's quilt this morning - quickly stitching the binding on while Nathan was checking in with work. Phew!! I'm not quite as happy with the quilting as I'd hoped to be - I had a bit of pulling and skewing, but washing and drying it took care of most of the problems. My dad has to love it 'cause it came from me, right? I sure hope so!</p><p>Merry Christmas to you all, and may your days be filled with family, friends, and fun!</p>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-26297830543103730352010-12-24T14:01:00.000-08:002010-12-24T14:05:50.630-08:00Two...(Let's pretend this was posted yesterday, 'kay?)<br /><br />Remember this stack of fabric?<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554372717103564818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlpTBjmGDBz5SRnvGdnqbgRHW6IEDC6IwOj5MR3lRKNJvNkyxu9ouuI6vqerpFlXmNSa-PC0X57lGfLGuK2oNmVtw2K2DLY6f1kaFEIYh5m2ZPnD3k3xzHqPlNno9QxkwY7Zd3YiumyI/s400/025.JPG" /><br /><p>It was supposed to be a Christmas quilt for me. I had promised myself that I would make a quilt to keep... and I broke that promise :( I have come to accept the fact that this quilt will not get made before Christmas - in fact, not until February with the orders that I have booked. Will I make it in February, or wait 'til next November and then try to fit it into my too busy schedule? I have my suspicions, but I guess time will tell.</p><p>I think I'm ready for the big day... you??</p>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-11701555705917730662010-12-22T22:20:00.000-08:002010-12-22T22:24:45.177-08:00Three....Ugh... Even though I pinned that quilt like crazy, it's giving me grief while quilting. Grrrr.... But today is redeemed by having coffee with a friend, a playdate for my kids, and an evening with my husband.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is the playdate in process (they are spys, if that isn't obvious...):</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553759638542597186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeBJ4rhyphenhyphen02qHH-akBFizOuBEt0T78mY42z_2QdwYYY7VXoGttevE5auuysNPFD2JgrKWC4gWJ7T9YLkqg7emCQDKActlFELU2geWrU-42czLJ5Y308RedUFnATgYA99TNu-1O2wrHMFI/s400/004.JPG" /></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-46724663666928713822010-12-21T16:05:00.000-08:002010-12-21T16:18:40.641-08:00Five...and four... oops!So, you may have noticed that I missed a day in my Christmas countdown. Or maybe you didn't. Yesterday was one of those days where the plan you wake up with in the morning is not the plan that your day ends up following. Not that I want you to feel bad for me - not at all! It was a good change of plans. My husband had to make a hotshot pickup and invited the kids and I along for the 10 hour drive (5 there, 5 back). Since our kids are excellent travellers, and my Christmas list is fairly under control (just waiting for a few more packages, all other gifts are wrapped under the tree, Christmas baking is just not really happening this year), I was able to change my plans and take off with the family. We spent the day in the truck listening to hilarious podcasts, singing Christmas songs, and (less this is sounding too perfect and idyllic) letting the kids watch movies. I hope it's one of the things that our kids remember when they are grown - the fun travels we were able to take.<br /><br />Today from sunrise to sunset (that's only 5 1/2 hours on this, the shortest day of the year), was spent at my mom's, just for the fun of it. And, thanks to my mom, I came home with more Christmas baking than I had intended to have in my house this year. Aren't moms the best??<br /><br />I also managed to get this quilt basted.<br /><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553292227805873938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV7sfTxZzjWsKLmWEP78QtVnP4Fr9_-aX_wym30DXDK8_aQbLQ9EaGltGD7dXDTrS0Ee_dY-FJriU2YySCPL81sXrWKJIIN6n1WLgbTli510ir0ZxhmIAS5c_VPPAlqhJTdMRVxn-cTM/s400/003.JPG" /><br /><p>Yay! Only a few more hours 'til this one is DONE!! I basted it while visiting with my mom and sister, and had to put up with a considerable amount of heckling for the amount of pins I use. But I am a heavy pinner convert. There is nothing like the ease of quilting when there are multitudes of pins holding that baby firm. Yup.</p><p>Alright... supper time... I better go figure out what that's gonna entail!</p>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-59619148864075572512010-12-19T16:11:00.000-08:002010-12-19T16:13:43.681-08:00Six...I have nothing to show for today... we went to church and have spent the rest of the day relaxing. Enjoy your Sunday, I know I am!Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-32294211833030181422010-12-18T20:11:00.001-08:002010-12-18T20:32:21.360-08:00Seven...Last night I decided to put a stop to the procrastinating and wrap the presents before reading all my blogs. Don't you hate when doing what you should do is the wrong choice? I finished wrapping all my gifts in my matchy-matchy storebought paper, then saw <a href="http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2010/12/stitched-gift-wrap.html">this</a>. Why couldn't I have seen this first? Imagine the ooo's and aaahh's over my gifts. Drat. Remind me next year...<br /><br />I loaded my pics onto my computer before previewing them on my camera. Apparently one of the little elfs who make my house their habitat was practising their photography skills. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbevcJ_kHB5_vefEclsX3Vq4y4dsK_mD3ZCwWfJLMo1tp6pSUdyNF9sfrELBShZEfbPmUtdn6dBu9nCrASmuEHYR-80o-uYfqTUbx7_1rw8SeUk3hZkZYNeK5z9LNqjdip8O-yJ1QdCA/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552241807446251202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbevcJ_kHB5_vefEclsX3Vq4y4dsK_mD3ZCwWfJLMo1tp6pSUdyNF9sfrELBShZEfbPmUtdn6dBu9nCrASmuEHYR-80o-uYfqTUbx7_1rw8SeUk3hZkZYNeK5z9LNqjdip8O-yJ1QdCA/s400/015.JPG" /></a>It was my son. I remember him sneaking around with the camera. I'm not showing the one where he caught me unaware. Wouldn't want to scare you!!<br /><br />And here is the progress on my dad's checkerboard quilt. All is going well on it, and another 1/2 hour or so and it will be a completed quilt top. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFbpMaf4imgSGU8UahogiOzOeahvKkZfzBUb8pPiKxu8krGeGlnNfB0zgycdib0IPlM6HQxxC1SW1_Kbcs2EPbQSFFDnWxByuy2yx9IFeOwKljaKacJ3IDSGYCJ6VCxfXkHvHDUGjHHI/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 249px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552241803303950546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFbpMaf4imgSGU8UahogiOzOeahvKkZfzBUb8pPiKxu8krGeGlnNfB0zgycdib0IPlM6HQxxC1SW1_Kbcs2EPbQSFFDnWxByuy2yx9IFeOwKljaKacJ3IDSGYCJ6VCxfXkHvHDUGjHHI/s400/062.JPG" /></a><br />Today was the first day of Christmas vacation, and we spent it watching "Miracle on 34th Street", making sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies (thank you Pillsbury), shovelling the driveway twice (who needs expensive gym memberships when the snow just keeps falling?), watching "Fly Away Home" (yes, two movies in one day... I'm that mother... sigh...), playing Uno, and eating Ichiban noodles for supper (oh, you guys wanted to have three meals today? Ooops). Now my three year old is giggling in her room with her almost three year old cousin. They have now figured out which volume is just quiet enough that I won't come in there and tell them to go to sleep. So sweet....</div><div> </div><div>How are you spending the Christmas holidays? Any tips for me to stay sane, yet not continue the two movies a day trick? Especially since it's could be -30 Celsius this week (-20 Fahrenheit, in case you don't speak Canadian). <br /><div> </div><div>Alright, the volume is inching upwards from the "sleepover" room - off I go to lay down the law (or some sweet aunty/mommy version of that). </div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-54445075855954890292010-12-17T19:07:00.000-08:002010-12-17T19:37:27.506-08:00Eight....Continuing on... Eight days left 'til Christmas. Today was the kid's last day of school. This week was filled with school celebrations and activities. I spent more time at the school than I did in front of my sewing machine! <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 351px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551854130465242242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NSE7-lOqgVkSBooTeXThZwC4eq721XcK5cslj7NiZRKveqtUVEF2HfXnj8PwUmn2Kgzkx0rGzHN16_mIdZjXKQSOsJfFv29lApwXwvenLGDabgyJfnGd3MuUCdKrs2tOygQ28sI_Cb4/s400/006.JPG" /><br />One of the activities was "gingerbread houses" (aka graham crackers smothered with icing and candy). I don't think any of the houses made it home intact.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551854115356226690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DJYYVU-M8eISz8VcAW5sp13FCRZgWNAKPruT1XOINHzDOtJdoeOsKt9a3ZLhsu3403_FdaFrhpeVkD_Ou0XEGXM-uE_18xoXGc6QK7de5P6QTp6M_R8CPRtPBEP0UijmXGd2KxJ_aAc/s400/002.JPG" /><br />Perhaps since more sampling than constructing was done.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551854114042278898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW16Fd2RO15DAb2NCoXUAA-lyLVBZevRe-A_wAU-lZreeITossA84aD7D0Kt-l3nJHCyBF_lkBS1dH7Pz37d_q0ONf7f3-Uc-zP2Z6lP3XTHsniLm6LHC-1Zz_oSohbgsbHqORHjamf0/s400/012.JPG" /><br /><br />The break thus far has already been good - my house is vacuumed (last night, and now it needs it again), and the sewing room is tidied (for at least two more hours). <br /><br />More project stuff to show tomorrow!!Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-78710500610867834192010-12-16T10:51:00.001-08:002010-12-16T11:11:05.156-08:00Nine...The countdown continues.... Here is today's project (and tomorrow's, and the day after tomorrow's...) - my dad's Christmas or birthday quilt, depending on when it gets done! These small stacks of squares are just making me so happy right now, I almost don't want to start sewing them together. I am making a checkerboard quilt for him - each alternating square will be white. So I sewed strips of color to strips of white and have cut them into these squares. Now I'm gonna sew those suckers together into strips again. I think it will work up fairly quickly, so a Christmas finish date is most likely possible. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSNrBmiFM2ZIjRkqy3bltU_LUpuBAYHDlauMgTts3bZB0_rp1UkC4SypNQTDZpPKICDRycEWWW9jI27Ij0USUtXlTtMYFM3WA_oE83ZBvw7cYQXep4dz6TpRhETMsMRQ8CCurw6nyums/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551355294471592946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSNrBmiFM2ZIjRkqy3bltU_LUpuBAYHDlauMgTts3bZB0_rp1UkC4SypNQTDZpPKICDRycEWWW9jI27Ij0USUtXlTtMYFM3WA_oE83ZBvw7cYQXep4dz6TpRhETMsMRQ8CCurw6nyums/s400/011.JPG" /></a>I'm also showing you the tray that I keep on my sewing table. It holds all the odds and ends that would end up on the floor if I didn't have a place to throw them. A spare foot, seam ripper, hand sewing needle, my labels, containers of safety pins.... all get thrown in there if they are in frequent use. It keeps it close without being in my lap.<br /><br />How's your Christmas shopping going? I think I'm done. No, wait... one more gift to buy for my brother. Yep, that's it! I spread out the gifts in my laundry room today to see if the gifts for my kids were "even". You do this too, right? Make sure that you haven't inadvertently over or under bought for one kid? They are all fairly even, but (and I do this every year) I want to buy more! We made a decision to keep things simple this year, and each child is getting something they really wanted... but I love giving (and the shopping, I love the shopping)!! We'll see if I can make it through the next nine days with my determination intact. <br /><br />Here is what came in a package today. It's not the last package I'm expecting, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all the packages will come on time! I ordered this book for my son from one of amazon.com's affiliate sellers. My son has borrowed this book out of our local library so many times - I think every other time we go he chooses it again. Now it can be part of his permanent collection.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nRGRUWKHV0Z995qDIrvoTzcZLYC2bVUlO-C3Ws4jpwJIvvtz_5eSQ0iQ-tKZDlUL8wVXCBz7aKdCxP-cmn8Lxg8SdvZBOW9_3MYCPZl3kBSn7cI_OO3_ub_pehxY_1K0ZVY6U0s8s70/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551355291021244674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nRGRUWKHV0Z995qDIrvoTzcZLYC2bVUlO-C3Ws4jpwJIvvtz_5eSQ0iQ-tKZDlUL8wVXCBz7aKdCxP-cmn8Lxg8SdvZBOW9_3MYCPZl3kBSn7cI_OO3_ub_pehxY_1K0ZVY6U0s8s70/s400/006.JPG" /></a> "Under a Prairie Sky" is beautifully written and illustrated. It thrills me that he loves this book so much (and that it's not some character from tv). The story has a rhythm to it, not rhymed, but lyrical and poetic nonetheless. I'm sure there is a word for that... but I don't know it. I sure hope he is as excited to receive it as I am to give it!! <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1UnSh1lN6jU7u6SUJo2zEbtJ3v6H3FQKmcrkhEyrSgKEZHf1dJ-Qh65gtx5orpj0_CSGmsWrncs144ReArKgYFGmYxjpNUDYGmoZooFORi3y0Ecrlysi_W56h3m8XlCecvKXLiH0kGE/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551355287098348658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1UnSh1lN6jU7u6SUJo2zEbtJ3v6H3FQKmcrkhEyrSgKEZHf1dJ-Qh65gtx5orpj0_CSGmsWrncs144ReArKgYFGmYxjpNUDYGmoZooFORi3y0Ecrlysi_W56h3m8XlCecvKXLiH0kGE/s400/008.JPG" /></a> Oh! Did you see all the snow through the window in the first picture? It's been really coming down here - oh! how I love it! The roads aren't that great, but it is just so Christmas-y! My favorite thing is having the tree boughs weighed down with 6 inches of snow, and seeing it through my front window. </div><div> </div><div>I'm off! Gotta get something done to show you tomorrow!</div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-91839580514794247712010-12-15T08:31:00.000-08:002010-12-15T09:13:51.058-08:00Ten....The final countdown to Christmas has begun. Wow! It always sneaks up on me. I've just sent out the final custom order this morning, and now can work on the projects that I want to give as gifts. I had hoped to finish all my orders on December 1, and each day that it took after that, one of my projects for my own giving pleasure got taken off the list. The things that I am not going to complete before Christmas are: cuddle size quilts for each of my kids, dolls from <a href="http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/">Wee Wonderfuls</a> patterns for my girls, handmade ornaments, throw pillows for gift exchanges, potholders for stocking stuffers... the list goes on... and as I type this I am realizing it was a slightly over zealous list - even if I had gotten a December 1 start. Next year I'll start in June...<br /><br />Since I am determined to enjoy this Christmas season (I'll relax, even if it kills me!!), I am only going to tackle projects from now 'til December 25 that I enjoy. And I'm not going to kill myself to get them done. There is a chance that a quilt top will be given as a gift, with the finishing touches to be put on it in the New Year. So there!!<br /><br />Now for a glimpse at the final aforementioned quilt set, "Flannel Fields". The top is pieced entirely with the customer's sons' receiving blankets. Each quilt is very lightly quilted with straight lines, and then framed with a dark binding. The backing is flannel as well so the whole quilt is entirely cozy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsNQK0ouSBN8BjIQXfWTGy9oXgy7iwycOhumXX2pN19hDaasth7OO43qrUfS6vQL2aL1fXk9RJEywP6vN_Lohvs008ob9yj02B7IijQVdSHoGbAYX2MU79PO5MLPsjjfJUnhcz_zv2I/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550947964515963586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsNQK0ouSBN8BjIQXfWTGy9oXgy7iwycOhumXX2pN19hDaasth7OO43qrUfS6vQL2aL1fXk9RJEywP6vN_Lohvs008ob9yj02B7IijQVdSHoGbAYX2MU79PO5MLPsjjfJUnhcz_zv2I/s400/019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSixW0d23FLhWo-wIN79X2wvpS3dfwaPqlqFaZAQ7r1xSeSQt-EGKA0X98TUKgk1Hck9f4Dqx0vGKR8h8cA9JzKWOyg5hUv6SDdxd3ksb1NQk6GIze57q-UngaPhrj-yoPsFZrnyD0IRQ/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550947961653651058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSixW0d23FLhWo-wIN79X2wvpS3dfwaPqlqFaZAQ7r1xSeSQt-EGKA0X98TUKgk1Hck9f4Dqx0vGKR8h8cA9JzKWOyg5hUv6SDdxd3ksb1NQk6GIze57q-UngaPhrj-yoPsFZrnyD0IRQ/s400/020.JPG" /></a> Now, you know I LOVE custom orders, right? (You DO know that, I hope!) I love making a quilt that I know is going to be loved, so it's nice to make one specifically according to somebody's wishes. But, although these quilts turned out really nice, I did not enjoy quilting with flannel!! It stretches much more than the quilting cotton that I usually work with, and there were times I wanted to throw my scissors at it :) ! So these flannel quilts may be one-hit wonders (well, there are two of them, so two-hit wonders). They did have a lovely drape and feel to them when they were finished, however - so maybe if I wait a couple of months I'll forget the frustration and try flannel again.<br /></div><div>Now, on to the next thing - a quilt for my dad. He asked for a tv watching quilt a few months ago, but has been convinced that he is not actually getting it for Christmas. I'm hoping I can pull it off while keeping the promise to myself to enjoy the next ten days. We shall see.....</div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-52977258806501197822010-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:002010-12-15T09:17:08.652-08:00Still playing dressup...This year, 2010, has been a good year for parties. There has been several that we have been privileged to attend, and we have never had more fun. Two parties in particular were super fun, and they had one thing in common - both required us to dress up as a certain character. This summer, we had a redhead party, where we had to come as our favorite redhead. Nathan came as a friend of ours, whom the party was in honor of. I came as our three year old daughter; she being really, really into the dress up phase. My costume required frequent changes between swimsuits, long dresses, and tons of jewellery (and lopsided ponytails). Oh! And awkward poses. That was my daughter this past summer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpVlHaSLwz6k4RW30DPtigxRvYpt7M1CMG3tK_VqIK1O7KKsyjEYTWkGxtnQgsgRugjMl-vZBkLoTlWDmzN2sCYWuPvKyxuV4Qv7ma78pdFm76boEdPYuStaYq1VXUbI31meLmCc44lA/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549625010709584722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpVlHaSLwz6k4RW30DPtigxRvYpt7M1CMG3tK_VqIK1O7KKsyjEYTWkGxtnQgsgRugjMl-vZBkLoTlWDmzN2sCYWuPvKyxuV4Qv7ma78pdFm76boEdPYuStaYq1VXUbI31meLmCc44lA/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br />Our other costume party was last night - our company Christmas party. Nathan went as Scrooge, and I as the Ghost of Christmas Past. So fun!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcdNdo-RC8UogG0wUq_UWkq-t2dQpUg_RipFuZwhjKFnlnAkquU5ez4VCx-60l1iWdFaRVV37auupAyLPCgc67r-7R_X20UHDUtaHc1cbYH4ruLGR4eOI8yYyfTbDYkmfyiJGD8drWYA/s1600/086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549625002840437074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcdNdo-RC8UogG0wUq_UWkq-t2dQpUg_RipFuZwhjKFnlnAkquU5ez4VCx-60l1iWdFaRVV37auupAyLPCgc67r-7R_X20UHDUtaHc1cbYH4ruLGR4eOI8yYyfTbDYkmfyiJGD8drWYA/s400/086.JPG" /></a><br />I'm still quilting too! I'm working on the last order before Christmas - a set of twin size quilts (probably my most common order this year). This pair is being made for two sweet boys, pieced out of their baby receiving blankets. Here's a peek of a pinned "Flannel Fields".<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549624997922892354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4LqIG4Xg-wwJFv2-u-Fy1L04lusdXzLjas4JJ6RTxemmR_lU9Zttb3D4e1d2WNd4OFnmzK1LRAwg6UcKLdKGi8tXPZsrufhY9LIEv6l9qY7UhexA2KSex2vIGUw-rBzNiDKKhfS5hls/s400/007.JPG" /><br />It will be quilted with... wait for it.... straight lines (what else could it be !?). Wanna place bets if I can finish both by next Wednesday (the promised finish date)? It's gonna be a couple of late nights..... yawn.....<br /><br />Okay, I'm gonna quit procrastinating and go to work.... right after I check facebook... and my blogs.... and.... oh bother.Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-44766343103529190662010-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:002010-12-11T18:49:18.137-08:00The Christmas Post....I hope that you were all wondering about Christmas at our house.... if not, you're about to find out anyways!<br /><br />I don't think that I overdo the Christmas decorating - there are very few seasonal knick-knacks spread out around my house, mostly because I can't stand the clutter. However, we do have six trees.... but it's not as bad as it sounds. Each of our kids "need" one in their room, so they each have a small tree. Then, there is one for the family room that holds all of our family decorations - the ones we have collected through the years. Lastly, there is the living room tree (aka my tree) - the nicely decorated one that matches the living room. Not too bad, right?<br /><br />Here's a shot my son took of he living room tree.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHX3bvzu1lLDiUGgwbWYsLJhJbW6D3qNo5tpXhYs_12y8VUYdY2R1bcO-vbbg-x7zFph4fd6hXPsc7yzynGIkeYGDfP4TZqc9AZOrZFa0sWhYkZSFJ6ItC30YMYPYX-JOohY0IcBtthw/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548787311174006562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHX3bvzu1lLDiUGgwbWYsLJhJbW6D3qNo5tpXhYs_12y8VUYdY2R1bcO-vbbg-x7zFph4fd6hXPsc7yzynGIkeYGDfP4TZqc9AZOrZFa0sWhYkZSFJ6ItC30YMYPYX-JOohY0IcBtthw/s400/010.JPG" /></a><br />The kids decided to perform an impromptu Christmas pageant for Nathan and I, complete with intermissions and costume changes (the former was to have time for the latter - there were many, many intermissions). Here is Gabriel speaking to Mary. We must work on presenting properly towards the audience.<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWed2bBzgSXb3uEvyRy0FbDINRo8_QxFcMKz_-hhQCIyexw1luSxN5s46j2NzjvDVKUY_mdJEP4JJuJIt3EHxCuGxnNaj5wrM5jBIdE8yLrIvjUhb0MN_y_FF1a3fjNNT6PzivfipYioo/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548787303159445746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWed2bBzgSXb3uEvyRy0FbDINRo8_QxFcMKz_-hhQCIyexw1luSxN5s46j2NzjvDVKUY_mdJEP4JJuJIt3EHxCuGxnNaj5wrM5jBIdE8yLrIvjUhb0MN_y_FF1a3fjNNT6PzivfipYioo/s400/001.JPG" /></a> </div><div>And one of the wisemen with his "treasure". I'm not sure if that's gold, frankincense, or myrrh.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcftAGHUe3f3QNRfBKenhmq3vXfQ6D4Lo68K8oF6iwzJy_k9LO-IEYbcvACG4gPxzpxVV9bgK_AsCB6_4JCJwgDiGhOUy1Izd45yyILIs6tXmrg7gDmByNkSYD8BDPR-qpS1ic2W00Hk/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548786969746681698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcftAGHUe3f3QNRfBKenhmq3vXfQ6D4Lo68K8oF6iwzJy_k9LO-IEYbcvACG4gPxzpxVV9bgK_AsCB6_4JCJwgDiGhOUy1Izd45yyILIs6tXmrg7gDmByNkSYD8BDPR-qpS1ic2W00Hk/s400/007.JPG" /></a><br />I've been busy, busy, busy with the quilting lately - and I'd like to show you it... but most of it I can't. There were many custom orders that are meant as gifts for Christmas and I don't want to wreck anyone's surprise. I will show you this quick little pillow that I whipped together out of scraps from a basically identical pillow I made back in October.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UJx29w8LfFXcwhYEGxfD-vmphJUs8mS0nPs1OsUH3M47vts1uDjR-RoLbMfW0LSJ9N8KuKOCOoK-Lyj9AH3LmG418RbnAYWDHrkmiMBpcHxEQizn-x8Zq1PRLOHzxFRFTauh5USeDW4/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548786964059735186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UJx29w8LfFXcwhYEGxfD-vmphJUs8mS0nPs1OsUH3M47vts1uDjR-RoLbMfW0LSJ9N8KuKOCOoK-Lyj9AH3LmG418RbnAYWDHrkmiMBpcHxEQizn-x8Zq1PRLOHzxFRFTauh5USeDW4/s400/019.JPG" /></a> It's leaning against the family room tree, and you can see some of the assortment of ornaments we've collected/made over the years.<br /><br />Every year we give the kids a new ornament for their collection. Last year I decided to make their ornaments, and used these cute <a href="http://www.weewonderfuls.com/store/christmas-wishes-stitchettes.html">embroidery patterns </a>from <a href="http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/">Wee Wonderfuls</a>.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-MmA95d00CB3Ctkj6vPxc7JYti3MKGGZC0aUroGqvQwWAGwmKlmq5cw8F9W4yscUTQxHlDx2QwLM8Ef3q1Q1UL47ZCIV1ntzP2ihjTLVYDm5Vr8E6_cT__QQWMZEl2PjR5koZMXXZe8/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548786955465017314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-MmA95d00CB3Ctkj6vPxc7JYti3MKGGZC0aUroGqvQwWAGwmKlmq5cw8F9W4yscUTQxHlDx2QwLM8Ef3q1Q1UL47ZCIV1ntzP2ihjTLVYDm5Vr8E6_cT__QQWMZEl2PjR5koZMXXZe8/s400/021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUsMVzj4Ps7CC-nByQLx-MReL_MBLpFrYzdrHNsXSGorNZvnXLDaMmfO43-WKbjXkPMoiS-0jR1ju6zg9yK-4KAc4xqmRVBbQlgR6uLuNbFivinktV4SH07n7j-ht_sa40JaZPSUMevA/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548786947032309890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUsMVzj4Ps7CC-nByQLx-MReL_MBLpFrYzdrHNsXSGorNZvnXLDaMmfO43-WKbjXkPMoiS-0jR1ju6zg9yK-4KAc4xqmRVBbQlgR6uLuNbFivinktV4SH07n7j-ht_sa40JaZPSUMevA/s400/022.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfYPBtiFFH_8BBGk5gRCrFla2Hm1F54B9QolJqy4-S4nOMNSzu_Yzf6sPKjLAS8Fyxo3KzBGqEVLbTUDxlNd67hmGEI1g1ZgBmAeV0dDk1-OPPmmz3mP8sQOdPrMIbwy_WuQ_TKE22qQ/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548786944096569698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfYPBtiFFH_8BBGk5gRCrFla2Hm1F54B9QolJqy4-S4nOMNSzu_Yzf6sPKjLAS8Fyxo3KzBGqEVLbTUDxlNd67hmGEI1g1ZgBmAeV0dDk1-OPPmmz3mP8sQOdPrMIbwy_WuQ_TKE22qQ/s400/023.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv85uajSbsYWIGMdakjstWGBKYBfLl0whniOq6PKb8Dn_1lv71t4YfdU_iBtthbHzQq74Cz4DcLWJKvhtpAHBbApZ37DEJZpgRmJvWmlzwbcMV-4RNJqaV9IQzVB-dCnB9t0btGzLx5DQ/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548785907385445938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv85uajSbsYWIGMdakjstWGBKYBfLl0whniOq6PKb8Dn_1lv71t4YfdU_iBtthbHzQq74Cz4DcLWJKvhtpAHBbApZ37DEJZpgRmJvWmlzwbcMV-4RNJqaV9IQzVB-dCnB9t0btGzLx5DQ/s400/024.JPG" /></a><br />I color coordinated all the embroidered bedding with the kids' actual bedding, and made each character have the same hair color as the kid it was intended for, so each child new immediately which one was theirs. Then I backed them with a fabric from their quilts that I had made and attached a ribbon. So cute, and a great memory to have.<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoXeBCXWSYdf11kCR_wI2UDbD7gcTemuuFtw_OjD_6kFuhpKzlLVUaH1_fgs4PhNbgicd_uBT7vnilOu2ykZB78b4TnhiL2pMRNGnrEeLjQL8DDGwhA1MMgSGknh4oApP12d-SSEz6dQ/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548785903942724450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoXeBCXWSYdf11kCR_wI2UDbD7gcTemuuFtw_OjD_6kFuhpKzlLVUaH1_fgs4PhNbgicd_uBT7vnilOu2ykZB78b4TnhiL2pMRNGnrEeLjQL8DDGwhA1MMgSGknh4oApP12d-SSEz6dQ/s400/025.JPG" /></a><br />Here is a complete view of the family room tree. It looks so much more magical in real life! My favorite thing is to read in the evening with the glow of the tree's lights on my pages. Sigh.... If only there were more time for that.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2vMKxaW9oSj-QiNmUdmxAreI190fbZJzA6v_01TKy8Y6ewXDn5weYvdHjfL5YwraHv_6Rz-ei-9yutSSTyUMkmpyrciXalwJsVFbFPHN6USUeG6C9MXDMrkQtdK4i6mKMPNSd35KmxI/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548785896001526770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2vMKxaW9oSj-QiNmUdmxAreI190fbZJzA6v_01TKy8Y6ewXDn5weYvdHjfL5YwraHv_6Rz-ei-9yutSSTyUMkmpyrciXalwJsVFbFPHN6USUeG6C9MXDMrkQtdK4i6mKMPNSd35KmxI/s400/026.JPG" /></a><br />We are quickly approaching my children's Christmas program at their school and I found that my two girls were lacking appropriate footwear.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmCYaOJH2JBtqmEGXr9QzAf3azOdVx6TbR9AkP8K5BhXG5zGRWwW-MetCJnf8hU4ZuoCsc_gZfFWyxQFjviyKZS7dEyE3Qqf3SX33UxWhgZXj6P0l5F99pVx-SjUVaulQYl6J76B7fzE/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548785889678844194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmCYaOJH2JBtqmEGXr9QzAf3azOdVx6TbR9AkP8K5BhXG5zGRWwW-MetCJnf8hU4ZuoCsc_gZfFWyxQFjviyKZS7dEyE3Qqf3SX33UxWhgZXj6P0l5F99pVx-SjUVaulQYl6J76B7fzE/s400/031.JPG" /></a>Aren't these ones sweet? These are for the three year old. I love the little rosette on top.</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEi55YMnkomdrS_2erHxIGpbADr7ZfuAAqjBZ7GykcVMfb8T__LccDTPyNnVEJIXY5cLO11UzkGerLSuci5aOyjmxpINK_ZM3JLKr8mPqQJEJxhz2WB9PC_ssaOXRnUy_T0oZnczH3-Q/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548785882839770834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEi55YMnkomdrS_2erHxIGpbADr7ZfuAAqjBZ7GykcVMfb8T__LccDTPyNnVEJIXY5cLO11UzkGerLSuci5aOyjmxpINK_ZM3JLKr8mPqQJEJxhz2WB9PC_ssaOXRnUy_T0oZnczH3-Q/s400/032.JPG" /></a>And heels for the eight year old. Sniff, sniff..... I'm not entirely sure they'll fit, hence the tag still attached. <em>Update: They didn't fit. They were replaced with entirely impractical silver "Hannah Montana" heels with fake diamonds on the top and open toes. </em></div><div></div><div>Well, that's all the Christmas goodness I have to show you for now. I called this "The Christmas Post", as if this would be the only one. That's quite laughable, since I tend to enjoy this season just a <em>tiny</em> bit, and will most likely not be able to keep from sprinkling the season's goodness into everything between now and New Year's. Please don't be mad...</div><div></div><div>Merry Christmas!!<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-17518491535517630792010-12-04T15:57:00.000-08:002010-12-15T09:17:54.719-08:00Another set of quilts...I've just finished another set of quilts - two quilts for two little girls. It's a fun challenge - come up with two similiar quilts that look good together, but are different enough to not be confused for each other. In this case, they are both quite different. The same fabrics were used in both, but with completely different results.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K98Ig9jfbpTjJyZBv0UqPzjb5uU-e6i6wQyJisZNhYd2_HS6wSdgUjZVXrDUeH83CyTagI8i8mpIydn_1F5t__HbHlwRZxodIi2Fl6v7OcdBsHlIOIZCPdDqUTbWIo1LjyM56In-59U/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546981702781558818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1K98Ig9jfbpTjJyZBv0UqPzjb5uU-e6i6wQyJisZNhYd2_HS6wSdgUjZVXrDUeH83CyTagI8i8mpIydn_1F5t__HbHlwRZxodIi2Fl6v7OcdBsHlIOIZCPdDqUTbWIo1LjyM56In-59U/s400/020.JPG" /></a> The set also included two coordinating pillows, and a set of curtains (not shown).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8ull4PyV7K5dGgXQnuMGlxkAaL6UlEyTbG6h-wmFcK1aw8Tyk-Bn6tjwymmvpYwRfUz15OOt4ChqKjWNbaMyPC1Bk46u8uo-LdfXgZ1LJaX_Tv5lwP2T7l7_LZpo9C9qVAWpwzvjerU/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546981701641783922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8ull4PyV7K5dGgXQnuMGlxkAaL6UlEyTbG6h-wmFcK1aw8Tyk-Bn6tjwymmvpYwRfUz15OOt4ChqKjWNbaMyPC1Bk46u8uo-LdfXgZ1LJaX_Tv5lwP2T7l7_LZpo9C9qVAWpwzvjerU/s400/024.JPG" /></a> I'm loving the rustic backdrops lately, but perhaps you are getting tired of seeing my trashy fence?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oez9XPIrCuYqBEsBvuD4xc8LFhFTtooiFhn-Da6ny4U4oBe5GpH279ErsmI_48wXudu38SapBKvNKuk6EEC9R9Ba_hab-Vg-WT7g-yrG4_547ASbxzeJvFpV15xplWL5UxwXiwaOyTI/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546981696680802546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oez9XPIrCuYqBEsBvuD4xc8LFhFTtooiFhn-Da6ny4U4oBe5GpH279ErsmI_48wXudu38SapBKvNKuk6EEC9R9Ba_hab-Vg-WT7g-yrG4_547ASbxzeJvFpV15xplWL5UxwXiwaOyTI/s400/028.JPG" /></a>Both quilts were quilted with straight lines, and I love the areas where the lines intersect and make the small crosshatch in the corners.</div><div></div><div>And now, a little Christmas spirit. We have about half of the Christmas decorations up in our house so far. The kids each have a small tree in their room, and a few other things to decorate their spaces with. My son thought he needed a nativity scene, but since there wasn't an extra one, he made one....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDvz4sI7O0ySwkHiEIy_wet7DOu-VfSerfoStQbB1f15qHh-9Udu6Er-eI-qftoSkK4HrZSdp8Amo3eOmksAB9a0fdrjB2D7UipDnImRDDZN-bX_ED5BnzzcI_JYgpi9kiMmtwg1P02Y/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546981688006784034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDvz4sI7O0ySwkHiEIy_wet7DOu-VfSerfoStQbB1f15qHh-9Udu6Er-eI-qftoSkK4HrZSdp8Amo3eOmksAB9a0fdrjB2D7UipDnImRDDZN-bX_ED5BnzzcI_JYgpi9kiMmtwg1P02Y/s400/004.JPG" /></a> Sweet, isn't it? I think the red ornaments are just for decoration. Notice the star on top of the stable? Baby Jesus is in the manger between the two other lego people (aka Mary and Joseph). I love this time of year!! Three weeks to go!</div></div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-92176376158055862662010-11-27T15:25:00.000-08:002010-11-27T15:47:40.597-08:00Still Shopping?It is four weeks until Christmas! Isn't that great? As of yet, my house is not decorated at all, but that is under my husband's orders that Christmas season doesn't start until December 1. He likes to pretend he's a Scrooge, but it's all an act. I am conveniently laying the blame at his feet for the lack of holiday decorations in our house, when in fact I've been too busy to think about it yet. Perhaps this next week.... we shall see....<br /><br />I have been busy like an elf these last few weeks, trying to finish up the Christmas orders that I was inundated with. Things are looking good for an imminent finish. Then, I shall start the Christmas sewing that I need to do for my peeps.<br /><br />Since I know that some of you are just starting to think about your Christmas shopping list, and may have hoped to still order a quilt (please excuse me while I fall off my chair, laughing), I'd like to show you a possible option. I have one quilt for sale right now. One quilt!!! I'd like to have a huge stock of them, but I can't keep them around (I love you, too!!!).<br /><br />Here it is....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544375655397217474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIAz7Cb3o0t0DPmzYmk9t7sHrgfHpB5xk-kPehUVF_GM9RekTf0hq0mhsJDDHX5vAoRhsMV3iSo90PTrVGi0tYDKZfLw3Zt8Y1-x4xS0JAOmRh4IDhliHtdhu5wRtwJwHbr9EJc6Zc6w/s400/007.JPG" />It's a "Fractured" quilt. I originally posted about it <a href="http://piecedby.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-fractured.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544375649210900066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCItHDhW56GZ4arsFe1H8TGpYcPY8M6RvUdJ6L-m1I3rtvWLrNAZjFOhHYyOJcliXJDc-xEvjsjUlYnQFl0ez2NDDjC1LcOyImAbMC5RUUPOV76LlZtFtSLdpTbZmVf6DPeHv-fUIZ6Lg/s400/012.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>It measures 57" x 57" - a generous sized throw quilt. The colors (red, white, and black) are perfect for the season, and would complement your holiday decor. I also think it would make a beautiful picnic quilt in the summer, but you don't need to think about warm weather right now - that might just make you sad. </p><p>If I have piqued your interest, you can check the quilt out on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55828689/white-red-and-black-fractured-quilt">Etsy</a> (where you can purchase it easily and have it shipped to you), or my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=143779065659339&set=a.143778675659378.16791.143776555659590#!/pages/Grande-Prairie-AB/Pieced-By-Kendra/143776555659590">Facebook page </a>(where you could send me a message if you live close to me and want to buy it). </p><p>Happy shopping.... wherever your list ends up taking you...<br /><br /></p>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-9816695562917537492010-11-25T16:15:00.001-08:002010-11-25T16:22:27.916-08:00A perfectly basted quilt...Is almost as wonderful as a quilted quilt. Yep.....<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543646062216441362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisAUQ4s9Vc0gSVKPF2POGb7C392AclJYyKg4BsekFQWYG7WqM6L8b3Crjsh0xy5bAs-RgB-jPGPNCy2DVoTsSrkOxESurg_47xstBeliCfLVqAo6i2GviPT9mssMj66iUJ-00kwIiXOw/s400/010.JPG" /><br />It looks like a magical field of safety pins. I love it. Hopefully, with a little bit of spousal cooperation, I can get a lot of this quilted this evening. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5OkByq5kFurrnqrOmGIADKj8WGM8nPoboNOdElDUHxFrsW_YLGlo2LDid1Kh46k18AJx-Ptl8xLsHhrqUk8SQXoB-vYAFMeN_mCXeBQGHHHttl8NxPBti12q2Aoa3lpTdWtzJq-oVJM/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543646056301485922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5OkByq5kFurrnqrOmGIADKj8WGM8nPoboNOdElDUHxFrsW_YLGlo2LDid1Kh46k18AJx-Ptl8xLsHhrqUk8SQXoB-vYAFMeN_mCXeBQGHHHttl8NxPBti12q2Aoa3lpTdWtzJq-oVJM/s400/008.JPG" /></a> And here are the matching pillows for the aqua and pink quilts. Curtain panels and one more quilt to be quilted will complete this set. Wouldn't it be nice if I could finish it before the weekend??? We shall see....<br /><br /><div></div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832548976594720409.post-48127878810769689442010-11-22T08:29:00.000-08:002010-11-22T08:41:43.704-08:00What did you do this weekend?I went camping! Did I mention that I live in Northern Alberta? <br /><br />Every year, my husband has a camper or shack in the mountains to stay when he goes sledding (or ski-dooing, or whatever you call it). This last weekend, the kids and I went out with him to hang out in it for the weekend. Talk about getting away from regular life! We didn't have running water, so hot water had to be made on the stove. This also made for some interesting bathroom situations, which I will only talk about if we are good friends. <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542412975001613506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KIuaI-eVJu2ONLzwiOSfUt7_UUKk_I8cr6qLbKhPOYF-e9Hl15Je8jQLx4vsWHjh1Ru5NsH_CPNCNMuN1KHdCovmduWq6F7i_zkGNWIQxOPcgFR1EimMFqbxUtGL8k-uojbXzE23ERc/s400/023.JPG" />We found a great hill to go tobogganing on. 9 minutes up, 15 seconds down.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542412971621473698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VM5qEhyqqBBWX4ktFdhUAnGkAn3I4TkhTLWNHIgwY4CgYgkF41eJs8bbQMctmS44zzOb2VtUKNUwVCvyBoOXiMxWDBNVx2Qd3-D3lAiVT5s49Rszb48p0TTPDmQh3l4we-691r3564A/s400/001.JPG" /><br />I printed off a bunch of coloring sheets, sudoku, and word searches to occupy our time. The cupboards behind Nathan had to stay open so the items in them wouldn't freeze. Fun!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8JVHpxWXSdF-XhkBBXlDKEV0kXCCzejGDFnMsofrMKF8ryPqMukUBiFmVfxOkdtpzy1dkk_Vhjk2XJJYm_BUSFdt7_q1K2d0nLjrghBKYbgjCwCEZfzIG8y7mq5iIDzhhoHoioFB_Ww/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542412960602621394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8JVHpxWXSdF-XhkBBXlDKEV0kXCCzejGDFnMsofrMKF8ryPqMukUBiFmVfxOkdtpzy1dkk_Vhjk2XJJYm_BUSFdt7_q1K2d0nLjrghBKYbgjCwCEZfzIG8y7mq5iIDzhhoHoioFB_Ww/s400/032.JPG" /></a> I know. Right now as you look at our shack you are thinking, "Wow, they are so classy! So polished, so refined!" <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqOSYQXZMQMA-ysy0790a4AsyJ5dBPgy3Bx9X4z4X7AFp82wyEYqTjbhejz3ZxzW8qEksNRB3QKZOlomwRCXNclz0mNVsbFuRC9nKfgSNF3TzXWOiMVru5OXZlBmCUq1lfbgpDc_nUBY/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542412955845135970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqOSYQXZMQMA-ysy0790a4AsyJ5dBPgy3Bx9X4z4X7AFp82wyEYqTjbhejz3ZxzW8qEksNRB3QKZOlomwRCXNclz0mNVsbFuRC9nKfgSNF3TzXWOiMVru5OXZlBmCUq1lfbgpDc_nUBY/s400/036.JPG" /></a> Or maybe you're not.....</div><div> </div><div>It was such a beautiful place to spend the weekend. There was a full moon (or almost, I'm not really sure) that lit up the snow so much at night that the kids were waking up at 3 am thinking it was morning. So magical.... What a great family time. </div><div> </div><div>Quilting stuff coming up later....</div></div>Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16104629019739048666noreply@blogger.com1