Linaloo

Double trouble

What do you do when you're running out of steam on a project despite being keen to finish it? Start another one of course! Why is it that there's so much more pleasure in starting a project then finishing one off? It defies logic really, especially when the end result is so desperately desired. I really really love this quilt, I'm happy with how it's coming together (give or take the odd pucker) and I'm itching to get to the binding but it's slow going. I had no idea how physically demanding it would be to quilt a queen sized cover - I can only manage about an hour at a time before my wrists begin to ache, enough to stop me going any further for another day.

This zig zag quilt is for a baby due to arrive in early May. A perfect, lightweight and pain free antidote to the arduous task of grappling with yards of fabric with my puny wrists.

Which one will be finished first I wonder?

Grateful

A busy weekend lies ahead with lots to look forward to.

Movie night with the neighbours. The fruit salad (in my favourite bowl) is our contribution.

The last ringette game of the season. Oh yep - she loves the ice!

Sugaring off. Our annual pilgrimage to the sugar shack where the maple syrup never fails to disappoint.

And sunshine. The snow has almost gone and spring is defintely here. Time to dust the bikes off and get outside.

Happy weekend all!

H A P P Y

Just as I was sending everyone else to sleep with my insomnia woes and feeling a bit irritable and sorry for myself as a result, something arrived in the post today that elevated my mood to HAPPY. I'd been evidently grumbling a little too loudly on flickr about the lack of Target in Canada and how all this Orla Kierly business was making me green with envy. Crystal to the rescue - she sent these beautiful goodies, plates, placemat and a ridiculously cute apron. Just because.

I'm shellshocked. Thank you. Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart. This kind of generosity blows me away and truly made my day. I defy anyone not to smile at such treasures and the generous spirit in which they were given.

And if you haven't met Crystal before - go check out her blog, she's a great combination of crafty and hilarious. She also started the fabulous flickr group 365 for the domestic types where many of us post daily photos of our lives.

You rock Crystal!

(Um, not sure the Brit in me really allows me to say things like this without sounding hopelessly uncool, but there, I said it anyway!)

Weekend

A shirt for a birthday girl.

Hidden treasures emerging from the thaw.

And delicicous corn muffins courtesy of Amber.

 

Not a whole lot going on here. I'm desperately trying to finish off my red and white quilt but the quilting process is taking longer than I anticipated.  Also a week of persistent insomnia (I seem to suffer more as I get older) is forcing me to take it easy.  Tonight, in an attempt to break the pattern, I'm seriously considering an over the counter remedy.  Wish me luck!

Thrift store score

Spring is on the horizon I feel it yay! I love how a longer day instantly gives me a much needed energy boost.

And how could I feel anything but bright and cheerful looking at such spring-like goodness. I only have one decent thrift store near me, but it's very reliable, I can always find something that lifts my spirits and my visit earlier this week was no exception. The fabric pictured above (mostly pillowcases) will be cut up soon for my next project.

Hidden in a dark musty corner, amidst old curtain rings and odd knitting needles, I found these treasures. Two humongous bags of buttons for $4. I need to buy a glue gun and a copy of this book.

Maple Snickerdoodles 69/365

Baking today with Tommy.

My cookies generally taste fine, but aesthetically they've always looked like little rock cakes rather than flat which irks me somewhat. I've wondered whether its baking powder vs baking soda (no self raising flour here) or not enough fat perhaps? I've never got to the bottom of this yet. Any ideas?

Problem solved with these maple snickerdoodles. Pure sugar and fat. Tasty and beautiful.

 

Fru-cool

I'm still thrifting most of my fabric these days. I could claim that I'm part of the new "frugal is cool" movement but quite frankly I've always been a tightwad. I was the only one of my friends at university who never had an overdraft, I'd walk everywhere to avoid tapping into my beer money and used my student loan to fund a year backpacking in South East Asia once I graduated.

That's not to say I'm cheap, in fact the opposite. I'd rather have fewer, high quality, orginal items than lots of inexpensive and mass produced "stuff". Anyhow, I digress. On our recent trip to Toronto I actually bought some brand new fabric in a fabric store (the expensive variety in a quilt shop). 6 fat quarters to be exact. The first new fabric purchase in almost a year can you believe? I'm not sure if this is genuine self control on my part or the fact that there are no decent fabric shops nearby to tempt me. I have ordered fabric online from the US in the past but quite frankly I don't like being fleeced (pardon the pun) for the shipping charges and taxes.

I put my new purchase to good use straight away, mixing it up with some of my stash (sheets) to make these simple spring placemats for the kitchen table...although I can't decide if I trust my children to use them yet or not. Perhaps I should have made them in ketchup red. Or there's always this alternative...

More fru-cool sewing ideas in the works over the next week.

200

I know this space has been a little quiet around here for a while and I'm not sure that there's any particular reason other than I haven't really felt in the mood lately. And now I feel rather school-girlishly self conscious posting which, in turn, is annoying me immensely, after all, it's my blog and this is my 200th post.

Are you still following?!

In all seriousness, thank you for reading and commenting here, I'm truly touched by your kindness and words of encouragement.

Here's hoping my blogging mojo comes back soon...