Sunday, June 06, 2010

52 Fridays Week 23/52

Had to fend off the paparazzi for this one. They were trying to get a photo of my sewing room in it's disorganized state!

52 Fridays Week 23/52

Nothing to see here!

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Quilt!!!

I've been noticing that my flickr and blog visitors have dwindled a bit. Then I started to think about what I've been doing differently. or not doing as the case may be.

That would be quilting! Since I got bit by the knitting bug this past September, I've been hibernating and not working on any of my quilt projects.

I've just started listening to a quilting podcast that my lovely friend upstatelisa recommended to me. It's called Quilting Stash. It's getting me thinking quilting again! I feel so bad that I've been neglecting my quilting, and have found that when you stop doing something, your skills don't exactly improve.

I want to quilt more!

These are some of my favorite projects.
Inspiration (My own work)

Just a reminder to myself, that I'm good at this, it's fun, creative, exciting!

Get back to it already!!

My new mission is to find some fun, exciting like minded quilters in my area to sew with! Anyone in Ottawa, Ontario? I want to start a Modern Quilt Guild in Ottawa.

This is my 100th post.

Monday, May 31, 2010

52 Fridays Week 22/52

Back to reality. I miss the Island already. So much traffic and noise in the city.

52 Fridays Week 22/52

How I spent my May Vacation (52 Fridays Week 21)

I'm a tad behind on my 52 Fridays. I did take photos though, just haven't had the time to post them. I went to Prince Edward Island Canada with a knitting friend last week for the Canadian long weekend. We went to visit my Mom at their new Bed & Breakfast in Tignish, PE.
Shameless plug: Go visit them too! Murphy's Tourist Home and Cottages

My Dad was in the process of finalizing the sale of their house here in Ontario, and on his way to PEI. We did manage to catch him enroute the last day.

Here's my summary of the trip. Based on what I can remember and in no particular order of significance. More so based on the few photos I remembered to take. WARNING: LOTS OF PHOTOS.

I traveled from Ottawa to Halifax-Halifax to Charlottetown
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I arrived.
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My luggage didn't.
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Do you like my outfit? I thought I may have had to wear it forever.
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Poor Mr. Cow. He has no luggage either!
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But my suitcase's trip to Calgary was short lived and it arrived the next morning.

I learned an interesting bit of info that may be useful at dinner parties. Charlottetown is YYG, Calgary is YYC. So if you get someone with bad eyesight, your luggage is taking it's own trip.

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A random old house for upstatelisa. She loves photos of old houses.
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We went to MacAusland's Woolen Mill and I bought a small piece of woolen blanket that they sell as a shawl. Super warm! and some Wool to make some of type of East coast mittens. To be determined. Christine also bought a blanket!

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Giant spinning wheel! almost as tall as me!

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Beautiful beach!
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My friend and my Mom.
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Saw Yoda at the Co-op (Grocery Store)
Yoda in Tignish, PE?

We saw some boats.
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We met some nice horses across from the boats.
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Hello there!
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We saw the tip of the island. North Cape. And the super cool wind turbines.
Wind farm

Look how long each propeller (?) is!
Wind turbine piece

I took my 52 Fridays photo. "Hey look there's the tip of the island"
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Watch out for this cliff. Even the sign is falling in!
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This is the lighthouse at the North Cape.
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Here's the other side of the island.
Brae Harbour, PEI

We went to a wonderful quilt shop the Quilt Gallery! (website not so fab. but over 3000 bolts of quilting fabric at the amazing shop!!). Michelle who works there told us about a talk that the Northern Lights Quilt Guild of O'Leary were putting on. The speaker was Sandra Betts. She spoke about her work and actually passed things around so we could all have a closer look. Amazing!!

My friend and I blowing away in the wind.
Christine and I

We went to the Past & Present Rug Shop in North Rustico on our drive back to the Charlottetown Airport. They sell lots of rug hooking supplies and also some wonderful Fleece Artist yarn. It's a teeny place but I managed to spend lots of money there!

The End.

Summary:
Had a wonderful relaxing week.
I wish we could have stayed longer.
The weather was great. Not hot. I loved it.
I love small town living.
Can't wait to go back!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

52 Fridays Week 20/52

I climbed a mountain! We had a staff retreat and a bunch of us went for a walk to explore. There was a trail to the Summit, so off we went.

52 Fridays Week 20/52

I made it.

Talk about a wake-up call though! I thought I was going to run out of oxygen! The other wake-up call is when your co-worker takes a picture of you from behind! No chances for me to pick the angle. Eeeks.

Elliptical and gym here I come!

Friday, May 07, 2010

52 Fridays Week 19/52

If you need me I'll be in the sewing room with my friend Ms. Pfaff. I have lots of Row 10 and other sewing to do!

52 Fridays Week 19/52

Or I might be at the Common Thread Quilt Guild Show at the RA Centre in Ottawa! I have three quilts in the show.

Since most of you are unable to go to it due to geography, I'll give you a preview.

McD's Farm
my McDonald's Quilt

Minny Muu
My Minny Muu - Feb 09

Picnic Fun
Picnic Quilt Finished!

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Shop Update - Project Bags

I've been sewing like a crazy person working on project bags for my byneedleandthread etsy shop.

The shop has now been updated with 16 lovely bags.

Project Bags

These are for toting around your knitting or crochet project or really anything you want to stash in a fun bag. They are approximately 9 by 12 inches and close with a pretty ribbon and button.

Check them out!

If you decide to buy one, let me know you saw them on my blog, and I'll throw in a little something extra.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

52 Fridays Week 18/52

I'm neck deep in fabric!!

52 Fridays Week 18/52

I'm in production mode over here. I have an update planned for my new etsy shop! byneedleandthread.etsy.com

To celebrate this event, I am doing a giveaway with Jackie over at KIPing it Real Podcast. She has planned a Meet n Greet at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival tomorrow outside the front gate, and I have donate some prizes! If you're in the area (I'm not but maybe you are) check out the info here.

I will also be doing a giveaway here once the update is complete and the dust settles. So keep checking back for that.

Weekend plans:
-Shop sewing and update
-Sew sleeves on the back of two quilts for the quilt show. Link!
-Drop off quilts for the show
-Make placemat for PQS3
-Mother's day secret project
-Trying to stay off the computer!!!!!

Yikes! I better get my butt moving!

Friday, April 23, 2010

52 Fridays Week 17/52

Sorry I didn't do anything monumentally stupid or funny this week.

And I've been spending too much time doing this...

52 Fridays Week 17/52

Which means although I've stalked many patterns on Ravelry, I haven't done much of anything this week.

New on the want to knit list (and the reason I'm now obsessed):
-Monkey Socks (Rebecca's cool ones at Knitting Night)
-Central Park Hoodie (this one's Jackie's fault)

Weekend plans:
-seeing my parents
-crafty things (not sure what yet)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Knitting Blunder & 52 Fridays Week 16/52

At lunch yesterday I went out to buy a coffee cake to bring to my Thursday night knitting group.

When I left work I had my usual bag, a bag of knitting and a grocery bag with a cake in it. I decided that this was too many bags to manage on the bus. So, while in the elevator (alone) I decided to empty my knitting bag, and put the cake at the bottom of it. This involved grabbing the small rainbow ball of dishcloth cotton, a large tangly ball of dishcloth cotton and holding that between my knees, the project bag containing my shawl in progress under one arm, and a bag of yarn I bought in Toronto to show the ladies at knitting under my other arm. Then of course the elevator door opens and a man in full biking gear (helmet, spandex, yellow jacket) walks in, and looks at ME funny. (he shoulda seen himself!). So not being one to keep things to myself. (i.e. feeling the need to explain myself to random strangers). I told him I was going to knitting and bringing a cake, and trying to move it to the bottom of my bag before we get to to ground floor. Bell rings. We're there. I shove the knitting stuff all in the bag, say "Perfect!" and proceed to strut out of the elevator all proud of myself amazed at my speed and accomplishment this feat!

Then I hear "Whoa! whoa! whoa!" I'm about 10 feet out of the elevator at this point. I turn around and he's holding the ball of rainbow yarn?? I look at the tail coming outta the ball, which is not only trailing behind me the 10 feet attached to the dishcloth in progress that is all safe in my bag, but it's also wrapped around my leg! I thanked him like this is something normal people do every day, and finished my strut out of the lobby.

Then laughed so hard I cried.

52 Fridays Week 16/52

I love Fridays for many reason, two of which are jeans and sneakers.

52 Fridays Week 16/52

Weekend plans

-shopping in the US with my parents
-knitting in the car
-row 10 catch up
-secret project
-placemat swap daydreaming

Friday, April 09, 2010

52 Fridays Week 15/52

It's Friday again, when did that happen? I've got lots to do today/this weekend, so I decided multi-tasking was in order. I took the photo of myself while on the bus this morning, very covertly of course, don't want anyone to know how weird I really am. :)

52 Fridays Week 15/52

I’m going to Toronto for work meetings on Monday and Tuesday. I planned an early flight Sunday morning so that I could visit with my friend Chantale who lives in Barrie. She is going to drive in for the day. I’ve already lined up a few yarn shops we need to visit. So far my list includes: Purple Purl, Lettuce Knit and Whole Foods. One more stop has to be the most amazing looking store The Paper Place! My coworker was telling me about it. I'm giddy just thinking of all the bright colours and cuteness!I'm not sure what else we’ll do. I can’t wait! Anyone have any other Toronto suggestions? I need to keep in mind that it's just one day of exploring.

Before Sunday I need to get all my ducks in a row. I’ve got some last minute sewing to do and some overdue packages to send out.

Weekend Plans
- Sew
- Mail packages
- Shopping for snacks
- Do laundry & pack for my trip
- Visit with Chantale (Yay!)
- A zillion other things

Monday, April 05, 2010

Sew!

I took a little break to dye some yarn this weekend using the tutorial at Kathryn Ivy.

Easter Dyeing Yarn

But mostly I've been doing a lot of sewing.

I finished the last 3 months of Ten Make Two. I'm anxiously awaiting my blocks.

Last 3 months of Ten Make Two

I have also been working on row10. I'm enjoying making my own blocks with no patterns. Here's my hedgehog. It started as a doodle one day at work, then a more structured picture. Before I couloured the picture, it passed the "what do you think this looks like" test with my husband.

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I did a little math, and now a wonderful block. If I do say so myself.

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I hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!

Friday, April 02, 2010

52 Fridays Week 14/52

Theme of the week Green. Had to feature Mr. Froggy.

52 Fridays Week 14/52

Looong Weekend Plans
- Visit my parents today for easter dinner
- Visit S's parents tomorrow
- Going outside! It's going super warm this weekend!
- Sewing
- Bee blocks
- Secret project
- I also have an urge to work on Dear Jane blocks again.
- Knitting
- Dyeing yarn with easter egg dye!

Happy Easter Folks!

Friday, March 26, 2010

52 Fridays Week 13/52

Even though it's -11C (12F) outside today. I am going to embrace spring here at the office. With my daffodils that I bought to support the Canadian Cancer Society.

52 Fridays Week 13/52

Weekend plans
- Cleaning! Because my friend is sleeping over in my craft room! Eeks!
- Potluck with friends
- Sewing for an exciting project (news to come)
- Bee block sewing
- Knitting of course!

Don't forget about Earth Hour tomorrow night!

Friday, March 19, 2010

52 Fridays Week 12/52

I knit these myself!

52 Fridays Week 12/52

Trying out my tripod, and taking pictures of my new socks! My second ever pair. First in sock weight yarn. Yippee! I wish my feet were teeny tiny. Not size 9.5. More photos on my Flickr photostream

I'm still plugging away on my Ravelympics socks. I had to start over. I am now doing them Top-Down. I will not give up.

Have a good weekend all!

Friday, March 12, 2010

52 Fridays Week 11/52

A much better week. And how can you go wrong with a bright pink coat! Yay spring-ish weather! No more black winter coat! (I hope).

52 Fridays Week 11/52

I took this photo outside a magazine shop this morning on my way to work. The lady coming out the door thought I was taking a picture of her. It was pretty funny! I had to explain my self-portrait thing. She probably thinks I’m nuts.

In knitting news, I am almost finished my Garter-Rib socks. The Ravelympics ones were in time-out for not behaving. They will be released tomorrow when the Garter-Ribs are done!

Tomorrow I’m going on an expedition to Janie H Knits with my knitting friends. And then out for lunch. Should be a nice day!

Sunday, March 07, 2010

52 Fridays Week 10/52

My personal unintentional theme of the year. Sleeping at the wheel. Not literally of course (I don't have a driver's license). Just feel like I'm letting myself and others down.

52 Fridays Week 10/52

Good news is things have to get better from here right? They can only go up!

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

52 Fridays Week 9/52

Just a little late posting this one.

52 Fridays Week 9/52

Friday, February 19, 2010

52 Fridays Week 8/52

52 Friday's Week 8/52

Seriously! When did it happen?!

Ravelympic Sock progress

I've been knitting away on my socks for the Ravelympics. Turns out they are a titch too small. hmm.. I've since frogged the one with the yellow toe and started over with orange and size 2.25mm needles instead of 2mm. I shoulda know my guage was off. I actually did, but somehow thought it would work out. Lesson learned. Items will not stretch to guage. I also knew that. I will be frogging the other one soon. I have until the 28th to finish them.

Friday, February 12, 2010

52 Fridays Week 7/52

This whole taking photos of myself thing is getting easier. I do need a tripod though. So much easier than trying to stretch your arm out at long as it will go.

52 Fridays Week 7/52

This weeks photo is in celebration of the Ravelympics beginning tonight. 9pm my time. I'll be watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies and casting on my Toe-Up socks.

I'm also trying to get a lot of sewing done this weekend. I've challenged some folks to try and sew as much as possible and called it Sewing Olympics. Here are my lofty goals.

Sewing Olympics this weekend

Keep in mind I'm a professional list-maker. Not so much a list follower.

Happy Weekend All!