Blue is Bleu

Happy Australia Day!!!

2012-01-26T07:16:00.002-05:00

Today is Australia Day! Which means lots of people baking in the sun, getting their drink on and watching some gorgeous fireworks. I'll always call Australia home, so Happy Australia Day everybody!!!

AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!

Picture from here.

Single Girl Quilt Project: Update

2012-01-24T08:25:00.010-05:00

Still happily plugging along with my Single Girl quilt so I thought I'd give you an update!

Oh the cutting. I'm making the queen size, so there seemed to be A LOT of cutting. And as always, I made a chart of what fabric went where because I tend to lose track of what I'm doing halfway through.

The first thing I did was to sew all the arcs together because I hated all the little bits floating around individually. Sewing them together ensures you won't lose them. Because I'm NOT cutting them out again!

I did about 16 of the quarters and then ripped out half of them because I didn't like how they didn't meet at the ends. See how they don't meet? I couldn't stop staring at the ends, so it was just easier to redo them than go completely bananas.

SO much pinning. But worth the effort because you'll have a pretty tough time of it if you don't.

I started this quilt not liking curved piecing at all. It's still not my favourite thing, but I've made my peace with it and we're now friends.

Right now, I have 44 of those quarters done with 20 to go. It really doesn't take long at all... the cutting takes the most time and effort.

And see how all the ends meet now? Ahhhh bliss!

A bit of puckering here and there... I'm so fighting the urge to rip it all out and make it not pucker but that's just psychotic.

I have quite a few more of these background pieces to cut out, and I have to say if you're going to start this quilt (or any quilt with a lot of cutting by hand) to please get yourself a pair of scissors with spring action. Unless you want a claw for a hand, then more power to you.

I'm so glad Shannon and I started this quilt together. I don't know what I was afraid of, to be honest. Sure, it's more tedious and involved than a lot of quilts, but it's worth the work. And if you're afraid of curved piecing, don't be. The beauty of sewing is that you can just rip out your stitches and redo them if you want to.

Oh, and it's Shannon's birthday today, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNON!!! :)

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2012-01-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year! It's the year of the Dragon, so here's a gloriously frightening dragon to scare the pants off of you :)

Chinese New Year is my favouritest holiday in the world. How Christians in America feel about Christmas is how I feel about Chinese New Year. The reunion dinner, munching (continuously!) on my favourite snacks that only appear once a year, catching up with people you never get to see... so wonderful. Plus it's so great to celebrate my heritage and culture... I may have lived away from family and my homeland for half my life but I'll never forget where I came from.

We were hoping to be in NYC to celebrate but our plans unfortunately fell through. But I got to spend last Chinese New Year in Singapore, so that'll have to keep me cosy this year :)

I wish everyone prosperity and good health. The two things any good Chinese person holds dear to their heart :)

Picture courtesy of Hinson Media.

Perfect Day For A Stroll

2012-01-22T08:08:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend it was snowing and bitterly cold, and looked like this...

So of course we thought it was a perfect day to go walking around Northampton so we could freeze our faces off.

It was loads of fun though. Walking around the snow can be a bit mucky and scary but you can basically walk like a demented toddler and no one will think you're being silly. Probably. Well the hubs kept laughing at how slowly and stupidly I walked, so I kindly reminded him that he dragged me here when we could be living in Australia. HAH.

And I think next time we go prancing around in the snow, in 20F weather, I'll need to get myself a balaclava first. Sure people will think I'm going to rob the bank but who cares!

More White Stuff Fell

2012-01-20T16:46:00.002-05:00

Last night while the hubs was in the study and I was in my sewing room, I heard a snow plow go by.

Me: "Honey! Is it snowing again?!?!"
Hubs: "Uhh better not be!!!"
Me: "It looks white outside!"
Hubs: "Dammit!"
Me: "Yeah! Dammit!"

We're just so bloody cheerful around here.

I'm Featured!

2012-01-19T14:02:00.000-05:00

The quilts I made for a friend's twin nieces are featured on The Modern Quilt Guild as part of their 100 Days Week of Blocks! :)

I'm so thrilled they were picked... they're two of my all-time favourite quilts. Click here for the post!

I Don't Get It

2012-01-19T08:32:00.000-05:00

We were at the store, checking out, and the hubs turns to me and starts staring...

Me: "Uhh what?"
Hubs: "In answer to your question from three weeks ago, YES."
Me: "Okaaaay... pray tell, what was the question?"
Hubs: "I don't know. I've always just wanted to say that."
Me: "You're so lucky I can't kill you in public."

I don't know where he comes up with this stuff. Honestly.

First Snowfall

2012-01-18T08:17:00.003-05:00

We had our first proper snowfall (I'm not counting that bitch of a freak storm in October) of the winter. It's mid-January and we've only just gotten snow. Go figure. By this time last year, we were buried under ten thousand feet of it.

I'm not a very big fan of the stuff, but it's kind of pretty. Well, pretty until it melts and gets all mucky and gross and makes you question your faith in all humanity.

Whoops, I kind of went to the dark side there, didn't I? You see, my cheery disposition is courtesy of a cold. I went to the doctor to get my ear flushed and was informed that I also have a cold. Like "Oh hey, while you're here, want a cold too?". Did he not realise I was trying to ignore my scratchy throat and sniffly nose so I could get shit done? Such a rudepants.

Steamed Cheeseburgers

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000-05:00

Steamed cheeseburgers. Are. Delicious. Don't start throwing rocks at me, I'm being serious.

I was very skeptical when I first heard about them because a steamed burger just doesn't sound right. Oh but it is. Ten kinds of right, and then some. I had my first one a few years ago and it's just yummy. Plus you don't get that disgusting, greasy feeling that makes you want to cry in the shower.

Over the weekend the hubs took me to another steamed cheeseburger place called K. LaMay's. Sooooo good. Glad I got the small one (that they cut in half for me like I'm a damn child) because I'd still be there, eating the double. And all that oozing glory? Wisconsin sharp cheddar that they also steam and scoop onto your burger patty. I know, I'm drooling too.

Single Girl Quilt Project

2012-01-16T08:03:00.004-05:00

My friend Shannon and I decided last year that we're going to tackle the Single Girl quilt together. I've had my copy of the pattern even before I started selling them in my Etsy shop, so I thought it was about bloody time I actually make one.

This is Shannon's pile of gorgeousness. I think it's a pile Denyse herself would be proud of. She's selflessly making it as a wedding gift to a friend. I told her she'd better like her friend lots, because giving this up is going to be preeeetty tough!

Me? I'm not that big a person so I'm making one for moi! Err and the hubs gets to share it, I guess. But it'll mostly be on my side of the bed. Heehee.

I was initially going to use the fabric that Denyse gave me from her first line by Fabric Traditions with Kona Snow, but at the very last minute, I changed my mind. Not just because I'm a mega dork, but I realised that Hope Valley would probably work better since it had much smaller prints.

(Apologies for the shoddy pictures of my fabric picks... by the time we confirmed both our fabric placements, the sun had decided to go nighty night. Bleurgh.)

So I'm finally using some of my Hope Valley stash, with Kona Coal as the background. I threw in a few Konas I had in my stash to fill in the blanks, but I have no idea what they are hehe

I spent the better part of today cutting out the template pieces, and half the fabric pieces. My hand is now a claw. I don't know how we'd manage without rotary cutters!

Anyway, I don't know how long this is going to take me, but it's going to be my selfish project for the year. After I toyed with the idea of not doing custom quilts for a while, I was suddenly inundated with many, many requests. But I'm going to go at a slower pace lest I burn out, and having something to work on that's for me is going to be a good thing, I think.

One Year Gone

2012-01-14T07:51:00.002-05:00

One year ago, the world lost a beautiful soul.

I've made peace with the fact that I wasn't with my grandma when she passed. I carried that guilt with me for a long time, and something happened last year that let me know she doesn't hold it against me, and that she's always with me. I can't tell you how comforting that is.

There's still times when I can't stop the tears, but mostly, I remember her with a smile. And she's really not so far away... I see her in my sisters and mother. They're generous and loving, just like she was. Plus my mother bugs me about having babies, just like she did :) They say you can't choose your family... I couldn't have chosen any better if I'd done it myself.

Ma, I love you, I miss you, I wish you could be here but I know you're in a better place now. Thanks for watching over all of us, and I'll see what I can do about the babies... Just be patient, okay?

You too, Mum :)

Patchwork Baby Quilt

2012-01-11T16:21:00.000-05:00

I finished something that I started! I'm just glad I didn't set it aside and add to the pile of ridiculousness I call my WIPs.

No matter how many patchwork quilts I make, I still find them fun to work on. They're beyond simple so they come together quickly, but it's really the fabrics you pull that make it.

This quilt came together because I was staring at a pile of my Konas and it occurred to me that I needed to make something with a few of them. It's what happens when I have time on my hands... I go and stare and pet fabric. It's quite sad, really.

The back is Kona Celery and errr... A Moda Bella solid? I have no idea what its name is because I'm not that organised and also, I suck.

I was going to slap a Kona Chocolate binding on it, then just before I sewed it on, I remembered I had some grey and white dot that would probably look better. Dot anything always looks better, no?

It ended up measuring 41" by 47" and is now available in the shop :)

Happy Birthday Dad

2012-01-10T00:17:00.001-05:00

Once again, the time difference has made me forget to do a birthday post! This time for my daddy-o! Doh!

He'd hurt his back again a few days ago and he's informed me that he's back to normal and playing golf :) So much for Brokeback Mountain: The Sequel. (Umm, click here for an explanation of the stupid title... also just keep in mind that I come from a demented family...)

Dad, I hope you had a great birthday and got to play some golf :) Love and miss you always.

Happy Birthday Mum

2012-01-06T12:32:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was my Mum's birthday... And since she's 13 hours ahead, I wished her a happy birthday the day before that. Living in a different time zone forces you to be good at math. Doesn't help with remembering to write the birthday post on the correct date though. Ah, what ya gonna do?

I Facetime'd with her, and one of the first things she says is "Why's your face like that?"... I felt so special. It's called no make-up, Mother. Not all of us can be as ravishing as you without the warpaint, ya know? Hehehe :)

Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Mum. I love you and miss you, every day. Enjoy your birthday sunset :)

First Of The Year

2012-01-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

I've been taking a break from quilting to gather myself after a busy couple of months. But of course the itch started coming back, and because I'm waiting on fabric for a custom quilt to arrive, I'm kind of in limbo. I was trying to avoid starting something because I don't jump back into a project very easily after setting it aside. I have many WIPs to prove it.

Well, you guessed it. I started something. A teeny, tiny, little something :) I have no self-control whatsoever.

Randomness

2012-01-02T14:28:00.001-05:00

A few random pictures that I took around the house...

Notes to each other on the fridge. Can you feel the love? (And just in case you're wondering, I'm the one doing the nagging.)

Kind of sad that Christmas is over only because I've grown used to having this little guy on our mantel. And I know I've said it before, but isn't my Mum so cute? :)

My MIL gave me these slippers last Christmas. They're super comfy, and I love them muchly despite their kind of marshmallow pink colour. I don't hate pink... I'm just more fond of black or navy. Because I'm hardcore like that.

Through The Fog

2012-01-01T08:30:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! Did everyone party like it was 1999? We went to a party and left early so we could come home, get in our jammies and lay on the couch. I had to wake the hubs up at midnight to demand my New Year's kiss... and then he promptly went right back to sleep. Fun times.

Yesterday was super foggy and grey (driving home in the dark and fog was sooooo much fun...ahem) but I found lovely pops of colour in the yard. One day I'm going to make myself a little terrarium with some of that moss. Maybe. Meh, probably not.

One More For The Road

2011-12-31T16:22:00.000-05:00

Remember the tangerine and pink quilt I made for baby Olivia? Well, she now has a bumper to match!

Her momma gave me a huge pile of fabric and asked me to make a sleeve for an existing green bumper that was used in her big sister Ava's crib.

I saw that minky and cringed. I don't know about you, but I loathe minky. Now more than ever. It's soft and cuddly and all that wonderful crap, but working with it sends me into a rage. Set things on fire kind of rage. Halfway through, I flirted with the idea of taking up drinking. True story.

But it turned out pretty well. I put ribbon ties on it, and the spool I'd gotten indicated I'd have enough for the top and bottom ties. Lies, all lies. So the bottom has a skinnier ribbon that I thankfully had on my shelf. Yup, this is a classy operation I run here. Let's hope Olivia and her momma don't mind!

On To The Next One

2011-12-31T08:57:00.004-05:00

2011 has been quite a year for me. Lots of ups and downs... And I'm quite ready for the year to be over. On to the next one!

Anyway, here's a few quilts I made over the last year. Many of the ones I made this year were for babies born to family and friends, and of course a quilt each for my two sisters... Like a big hug from afar :)

1. Little Apples quilt , 2. Twin baby quilts, 3. Twin baby quilts, 4. Quilts for Charley & Owen, 5. Custom Patchwork Quilt Redux, 6. Wedding quilt, 7. Wonky Zoo Pool , 8. Sophie's quilt - front, 9. Max & Whiskers baby quilt, 10. Baby boy quilt, 11. Custom patchwork quilt, 12. Quilt along quilt: Front, 13. Tangerine & Pink quilt, 14. Sparkling Cider quilt, 15. Colour strip quilt #2, 16. Kaleidoscope quilt for Modern Relief Japan, 17. Duckie quilt, 18. Quilt for baby Dylan, 19. 1000 Pyramids, 20. Patchwork quilt

So what's everyone doing to ring in the new year? We're going to a friend's place where they have a NYE party every year. I met my good friend Shauna there a year ago, so we're both going again this year. Hopefully the hub's cousin won't attempt to get him drunk again... Although the hubs kept tipping his liquor into the sink every time his glass was topped off lol

Happy new year everyone :) I wish you a healthy and happy year again filled with laughter and love.

Cross-stitchin'

2011-12-30T16:11:00.001-05:00

Before I did any quilting or knitting, I was cross-stitching. My Mum got me started when I was a kid, and I remember she did these fairly large cross-stitch pieces to frame and hang around the house. Now that I think about it, where'd they all go, Mum?!

I've done countless pieces, most of them quite large and intricate, and my favourite ones to do are the fairies by Mirabilia. And all through the years, I've only kept two. They both hang in my living room... one's a replica of American Gothic, and the other's a replica of The Starry Night.

Over the last few weeks, I decided that after I was done with my Christmas orders, I was going to take a couple of weeks off from quilting, and do a few small cross-stitch pieces to unwind. I've made these two little ones many times over, but they all live with friends.

Aren't they just the cutest???

I did also made a gnome cross-stitch for my sister but I'll wait for her to receive it to post pictures :)

I leave you with pictures from my front yard :)

I Heart Ikea

2011-12-27T18:26:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, the hubs and I took a little trip down to Ikea since I got an Ikea gift card from my MIL for Christmas. How awesome is that! I needed a desk for my computer and I have the patience of a gnat (are gnats impatient?), so I was willing to subject us to possible post-Christmas crowds.

I can just feel my mother cringing at the thought of this.

Meatbaaaaaaalls :) A trip to Ikea is never quite right without a plate of meatballs.

The hubs has decided he loves this new-ish overpass because it's all clean and painted red. He's an odd duckie.

There weren't too many people at Ikea so it was fairly painless. Driving home was a bit of a bitch though. Well, at least there's the pretty sky to look at instead of the bumper of the car in front of you.

Tada! My new desk :) There'll be pictures going on the wall above so it won't be a snoozefest for long. I say this because I know my sister Averil will ask why it's so blah. Because Averil recently took it upon herself to become Martha Stewart 2.0. True story.

I love putting Ikea things together. The hubs insists I'm crazy because he gets so irritated with all the little bits, but to me it's totally fun.

And of course, the cats love the box. They've been diving into it, and laying on it, beside it, under it. Right now they're kind of stalking each other around it. The stupid thing's going in the recycle bin shortly... there's only so much hissing I can handle.

On The First Day Of Christmas...

2011-12-26T08:51:00.005-05:00

How was everyone's holiday? We had a very lovely Christmas at my in-law's, and of course we're still stuffed to the gills. Happily so though :) My family hosted a big Christmas dinner in Singapore, and I wish I could've been there too!

We had a beautiful roast beef for dinner and I was asked to make a red velvet cake for dessert. I always make it with extra icing whenever I make this for my MIL. The love she has for the cream cheese icing is bordering on scary. I mean, she asked for my plate so she could eat the icing I'd scraped off from my slice. Although I'm sure many of you think I'm the odd duck for scraping icing off my cake...

Then we popped in a DVD and snuggled on the couch. May I just suggest you not watch Friends with Benefits with your in-laws? The sex scenes are tres awkward and you sort of don't know where to put your hands.

Seriously, trust me.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely time with family and friends. And happy Boxing Day where applicable! The hubs has today off, so I'm pretending it's because of Boxing Day lol

Merry Happy Everything

2011-12-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

It's almost Christmas! Can you stand it? Is everyone all shopped out and completely sick of crowds? I sure am. Made the mistake of running errands late yesterday afternoon and had to stop myself from stabbing idiots. I'm so cheery, aren't I?

When I was a kid, my Mum would hang Christmas cards like this, so I did the same and I think of her every time I look at the mantel now. (Also, her picture's on there so it's kind of difficult not to think of her...) I love all the cards we get from new parents especially because there's pictures of the cute babies! My cousin's son Dylan takes centrestage on the string of cards... isn't he so damn cute???

And on the mantel there's another cousin's baby named Sophie. Her cheeks are absolutely ridiculous. There's Jacob to her left, son of our friends here in CT, and he's one of the happiest babies I've ever met.

Our teeny tiny tree and the cute little snowman my sister Averil sent us. Adorable!

These pizzelles from a customer at the shop are SO GOOD. I'm ashamed to say that half are now gone. I know. I suck. But I don't really care. I got pizzelles in mah tummy!!!

And just because it's a religious time for a lot of folks, the church near our house and the pretty, pretty sky yesterday.

I wish everyone a merry, happy *insert holiday of choice*. Spend the day with your family, eat lots of good things, and have fun! :)

True Love

2011-12-23T16:16:00.002-05:00

This morning...

Me: "Honey, do you know what today is?"
Hubs: "Yup, I proposed to you on this date."
Me: "Sucker."
Hubs: "I know."
Me: " WHAT!?!"
Hubs: "Yes."
Me: "Ass."

December = Stressfest

2011-12-20T23:32:00.000-05:00

I can finally relax. The Christmas orders, pressies etc are all done. (Well I still might make something for my MIL... We shall see!)

I've taken on a little less this Christmas season than I have in years past, but it still feels like all November and December it's just stress, stress, stress. I'm debating not taking Christmas orders at all next year... why make things more hectic for myself, right? The bottom line is that I don't want to wake up one day and not enjoy quilting anymore.

I'm wondering if I should stop taking orders for a while and go back to just making quilts for my Etsy store. That poor little store's been so ignored this year. This is probably as close to a resolution as it'll get for me hehe

Anyway I'm just going to relax and enjoy Christmas. I attempted Christmas shopping with the hubs for the in-laws. We ended up buying crap for ourselves. We're terrible people.

Is everyone all done with holiday shopping? And Christmas baking? Because I'm not. And if you are, then thpppppppt!

(The picture has nothing to do with this post. This was taken down the street from my house and I just love how the sky looks.)

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Sandwiches

2011-12-18T16:07:00.000-05:00

How good do these look? Even though I'm not a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter combined, I can admire a good-looking cookie. They look super simple to make, plus there's only four ingredients so I'm definitely making some for the hubs and friends.

You can find the recipe at Spoon Fork Bacon.

Life According To Instagram

2011-12-14T15:29:00.000-05:00

Some pictures I took with Instagram...

My sister Aurelia decided that each sister needed a Domo dressed as a dino. Looks like an army of Domos...

A quilt label we sell at the shop that I think I need to sew onto myself.

Sunsets... because I love them so.

I take really terrible daily outfit pictures that aren't even daily. Also, I dress super boring.

I got back into cross-stitching... A gnome for my sister Aurelia, and a ladybug bear for me!

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas :)

Clockwise: The care package from my family in Singapore, a holly bush I saw, sending out Christmas cards; and a poinsettia a customer brought into the shop.

And as always, snuggling with the kitties. There's actually many, MANY more kitty pictures. I'll spare you. You're welcome.

Unctuous

2011-12-13T18:25:00.000-05:00

The hubs and I were talking about turnips (don't ask), and I'd said I love how butter makes mashed turnips all yummy and unctuous.

Hubs: "Uhh are you using that word correctly?"
Me: "YES."
Hubs: "Yeaaaah we're going to have to look that up..."
Me: "Excuse me?!?!"

He goes and cracks open the dictionary...

Hubs: "Yeah okay, you were right."
Me: "Duh, of course I was."
Hubs: "Had you worried for a second there, huh?"
Me: "Hell no! I wasn't scared! You can check my liver temperature!"
Hubs: ".........."
Me: "I don't know what that means..."

We have the stupidest conversations of anyone living or dead. I promise.

A Time To Remember

2011-12-13T07:13:00.021-05:00

While I was writing Christmas cards, I had a realisation.

I won't be writing one to my grandmother this year.

I miss her so much. I cried when it hit me, not just because she's no longer with us. She was in a great deal of pain on Christmas Day last year but didn't say a word because she didn't want to ruin everyone's Christmas celebrations. That's the kind of amazing person she was.

(Sorry to be a Debbie Downer.)

At least there's this goofball to cheer me up... Here she is destroying a card box while pretending she's not misbehaving :)

Anyway, of course I'll miss my grandma but I take comfort in knowing she'll be with us while we celebrate Christmas. I've stopped asking myself what if she'd said something... what if she'd been taken to the hospital sooner... what if, what if, what if. It'll only drive us all crazy, wondering about things you can't change. And she definitely wouldn't want us to ruin what should be a joyous time with what ifs.

Goodbye Fall... Hello Bitter Cold

2011-12-12T08:03:00.001-05:00

I came home from work on Saturday to find the hubs raking the leaves in the yard. Awww bye bye leaves :(

He was wearing hideous pants given to him by his cousin so I won't hurt your eyes with them.

I shall miss you, crunchy fallen leaves. Hope you enjoyed the ride the hubs gave you down into the ravine.

Also, I need to stop talking to inanimate objects.

And after he was done with yard work, he went back to doing what he likes best :)

From Singapore, With Love... And Preservatives

2011-12-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

My sister and parents sent us a care package from Singapore and it's full of awesome! Thanks you guys!!!

Best dried mangoes EVER. On the right is dried cuttlefish that'll have you gargling mouthwash for the rest of the evening, but the durian cake (the tube thing in the second picture) will have you eating toothpaste by the tube. Indefinitely.

Seriously, why do my people enjoy stinky food so much? So good though :)

Yummo! The hubs can have the pink Hello Kitty ones...

Uhh unfortunate name much?

I just KNOW this is my sister Averil's doing. Dude. THREE things of toilet deodoriser?! Seriously?!?!

Hateful. Just hateful.

Still love you though :)

Country Living

2011-12-06T08:42:00.029-05:00

No matter how long I live here, I still pee my pants when I see turkeys in the backyard. I was actually photographing the ones way in the back of the picture, at the end of the neighbour's lawn. Then these other turkeys came from around the corner and scared the shit out of me.

It's a terrible picture but I think I deserve kudos for even opening the damn door. Even if the door's open only wide enough to stick my arm out. The entire time I was shooting them, I kept thinking the second I look down, there'll be a turkey at my feet that'll try to eat my face.

Seriously, if you ever want a laugh, just put me in nature. Hilarity will surely ensue.

P/S: My husband wants everyone to know that he's fully aware that the fallen leaves in our yard makes him look like an asshole. I, on the other hand, really don't care :)

Pretty Good Day

2011-12-05T07:09:00.000-05:00

The hubs and I hadn't been able to spend a whole lot of time together lately so yesterday we took a drive up to Northampton to walk around and have a little lunch.

*Snigger* Because I'm a child.

That's my kind of Christmas tree! Except the Gremlins... They will forever scare the shit out of me. Them and Chucky. Blech.

It's Fozzie Bear! Love!

$3 for a book. Not too shabby. Plus I think that book's about me...

Uber cuteness.

That red 'tin' cup in the middle is actually made of ceramic. What the what!?! I want it! So cute.

We were exiting the parking garage and the hubs spotted this sign... hehehehe!

Drove home as the sun was starting to set, and the sky was so pretty so I snapped a few shots. And then I fell asleep. I'm terrible company on car rides.

We had dinner with his parents, watched Crazy, Stupid, Love (highly recommended, and also I desperately want to do very naughty things to Ryan Gosling), then came home and sewed. A pretty damn good Sunday if I do say so myself :)

Make Life... Quickly!

2011-12-02T08:25:00.010-05:00

I made this quilt in super record time. I've been swamped with gift-making, custom orders etc, so when this order was finalised, I only had a few days to get it done. And I did it! Phew! Trying not to pull a muscle patting myself on the back... Huh? What? Who said that?

I used a layer cake of Make Life, and the client liked the first one I'd made, but wanted this one with only alternate blocks square in square. Works for me! :)

I did the same loopy quilting, just a little larger than the other quilt. Love loopy quilting... it goes so quickly and it's super fun to do.

The back is a green background with cute little daisies, and include a block with a message for little baby Kayla who this quilt is for.

And in one of the blocks, I quilted Kayla's name into it :) Cuteness.

I think it turned out pretty cute, and I'm excited that it's on its way to baby Kayla :)

Tongue Tied

2011-12-01T09:07:00.002-05:00

A song by Grouplove that's currently making me happy :)

[If it sounds familiar, it's because it's in the iTouch commercial.]

Other Uses For FQ Bundles

2011-11-30T18:59:00.001-05:00

Fat quarter bundles aren't just for quilting anymore...

In a pinch, they make great weights for your tripod too.

Just sayin'.

Yesterday I...

2011-11-29T08:14:00.019-05:00

Received a bunch of fabric in the mail :)

Snuggled with Isobel.

Did some sewing.

Took another little walk in the backyard because I love the crunch of the fallen leaves under my feet.

Watched the sun set.

Cooked a yummy anniversary dinner for two :)

Little Apples Quilt

2011-11-28T14:27:00.001-05:00

I'm completely in love with Aneela Hoey's fabric designs. I've been hoarding Sherbet Pips, Little Apples, and I'm counting the days till I can get my grubby hands on A Walk in the Woods! Because foxes AND Little Red Riding Hood?! Come on! LOVE! :)

Anyway, I've managed to finally make a quilt out of Little Apples (Don't worry, there's plenty more in my stash! Or maybe I'm the only one who's worried...) and I think it's so adorable!

The fabric itself has a beautiful feel to it, so it was a pleasure to work with.

I quilted it very simply... just straight lines a quarter inch away from the seams. So glad I did that because it stayed so nice and soft after a wash.

The back of the quilt is just solids so it doesn't take away from the adorable front :) I think they're Moda Bella... I can't remember. I should write these things down, I know...

I do know the binding is Kona Coal though! Hah! Redeemed self.

Love. In utter and complete love.

It's currently available in the shop :)

Four

2011-11-28T01:34:00.010-05:00

These two dorks have now been married four years. Whodathunk? The surprise isn't that I'm still married to the hubs -- it's probably the best decision I've ever made -- but I'm surprised I found someone I wanted to spend my life with at all. More importantly, found someone who willingly puts up with me. Sucker :)

Getting married for us was the only way we'd be able to stay together... And there was no way we could continue to be apart. It was unexpected and unlikely that we found each other, but when we did, neither was letting go. My moving here was a lengthy and tedious process, and quite costly. But if I had to go through it all again, I would in a heartbeat. He's worth it.

When I think back, I often wonder what our parents must've thought. The hubs proposed to me six months into our relationship, five of which we'd spent apart. We married 11 months later, having only spent three of those months physically together. Props to them for trusting us with our decision. I'm guessing it took a lot of tongue-holding and praying for faith.

Happy anniversary babe. It's fruits or flowers for our fourth anniversary gift, apparently. Please don't get me fruit. Just a nice, quiet dinner, you and me... okay?

Knitta Please

2011-11-26T20:43:00.000-05:00

I'm highly amused by yarn bombing... I still look for more knitted things whenever we're in Northampton. I'd yarn bomb my own home but I know the cats would just think it's a scratch toy for them. Bah.

There's a chick named Magda Sayeg who runs Knitta Please, and she does some amazing stuff. The following is just a very teeny weeny sampling...

Love it! Who'd imagine a little bit of yarn could add so much? Doesn't it make your eyes all kinds of happy? Go check out Magda's work, and she even has a blog if you're so inclined :)

Pictures courtesy of Knitta Please.

Sunset Love

2011-11-25T20:44:00.000-05:00

The sun sets way too early now that we've turned back the clocks. But at least Mother Nature apologises with spectacular sunsets.

Thanksgiving: The Aftermath

2011-11-25T08:51:00.001-05:00

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Still in a turkey coma? Still have pie seeping out your pores?

My MIL's turkey turned out beautifully! We almost dropped the bloody thing when we were transferring it from the roasting pan, and we aged several years.

We quickly recovered, and then there was a massacre.

Set the table... And yelled for the boys to please join us. Loudly and repeatedly.

They finally graced us with their presence, and it was suddenly turkey o'clock!

I do love me some turkey, but I must admit that it's more about the sides for me. This year we had mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, mashed butternut squash, corn and stuffing, of course. SO GOOD.

This year my MIL decided to give me Thanksgiving off and baked the pies... I still have Christmas duty though! :) She made a blueberry, the hub's fave, and a couple of apple pies. Mind you, there were only five of us...

And of course there was vanilla ice-cream. Because pie without ice-cream is just W-R-O-N-G. Just sayin'.

And after all the eating was done, we put up the Christmas tree! It's good to be short and little sometimes because everyone else went out to the shed to drag in all the Christmas decorations while I stayed in the warm house and umm... did nothing.

Ta da! All done! I've come to love this little tradition that the MIL and I have of decorating the tree after Thanksgiving dinner every year. Although this year I got chided for putting two red balls near each other. Hmph.

The hubs broke the tree topper last year so in its place, we hung a snowman face that's supposed to go on a doorknob. I offered to make a tree topper... Now I realise I don't know how.

She loooooooves snowmen so the tree and house are completely drenched in cute little snowmen.

And I don't help by adding snowmen to the collection. I made her this cross-stitch a few years ago and she hasn't taken it down since :)

Hope everyone had a lovely time with family and good friends!

Thankful

2011-11-24T08:25:00.001-05:00

Thankgiving still doesn't mean as much to me as those born and raised in the States, but I love that we all say what we're thankful for at the dinner table. So here's a few things I'm thankful for this year...

Family - I've always held my family close to my heart, but their love and support has meant more to me than ever this year since my grandma's passing. I miss her every day, and having my family to lean on is the biggest blessing anyone could ask for.

New friends - It gets more difficult to make good friends as you get older. And I'm really picky about people I choose to spend my time with, so the fact that I made not one, but two good friends this year is quite extraordinary. Shannon and Shauna, I'm forever grateful.

This blog - When I started this blog, I had no idea that it'd mean as much to me as it does now. I've made so many friends (bloggy friends are friends, in my opinion) and met so many great people. And whenever someone pops by the LQS I work at and tells me they read my blog, it thrills me. I never know what to do with my hands and I get somewhat embarrassed, but I'm always thrilled.

WhatsApp - I love WhatsApp. I get to text my sisters in Singapore and Australia constantly, and I don't have to pay a cent! Well, aside from the 99 cents I paid for it, that is! And ever since I downloaded it, we've chatted more than we ever have. I love those girls, and chats with them never fail to put a huge smile on my face.

What are you thankful for this year?

Backyard Stroll

2011-11-23T14:31:00.000-05:00

I took a stroll in the backyard today because I love this time of year. The leaves have all turned and are almost done falling, and there's a chill in the air but it's not too cold yet. Well, depends on who you ask :) I love the colder weather... till it gets to winter and then I toy with the idea of sitting in an oven.

I love this stack of firewood the hubs cut up from all the fallen tree limbs from the October Nor'easter. Prettiest thing to come out of that stupid frickin' storm. Don't mind me... I'm still bitter.

Those benches and chairs sit at the very back of our yard but we've never sat in them. See, I'm OCD about dirt... touching it, being near it, knowing it's there... *shudder* Yes, I'm neurotic but it's part of my charm :)

Right???

Poor tree :( That one just snapped right in half and just looks so sad without its top half. I'm hoping there'll be buds on it next spring...can that happen? Fingers crossed!

I hope those travelling on the roads to get home for Thanksgiving stay safe, especially with this wet weather. And make sure you packed your stretchy pants :)

M83

2011-11-23T07:53:00.000-05:00

Kind of annoyed that we can't make the M83 gig in Brooklyn tonight. I will just have to listen to their music at home and hope they come round this way again soon.

A la prochaine, M83. (That's 'see you next time' in French. Because they're all French and stuff.)

Dotty Oven Mitts & Potholders

2011-11-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

My sister's friend asked if I'd make her friend some black and white oven mitts and potholders for a Christmas gift. And after a lot of ripping of stitches and swearing (sorry, Mum) they're done! I'm not fond of working with Insul-Bright because it's just so crunchy, but it works so well that it's sort of worth the tediousness.

The oven mitts have the large dot and striped cuffs, and a sort of retro print for the lining.

(Uhh please ignore all the cat hair... I've since taken a lint roller to them hehe)

I only used the large dot for the potholders because I couldn't figure how to incorporate the stripes in there without them looking hideous. I did use the lining again though.

They'll be off to Singapore soon, and then to London where they'll live :)

Instagram

2011-11-21T15:35:00.001-05:00

My love affair with Instagram continues :)

(Seriously, if you're not on there, you really should join... It's so much fun!)

Food!

Clockwise: Salmon and corn; escargot (because we were feeling fancy); homemade chicken nuggets and mashed sweet potatoes; and duck noodle soup at our favourite Vietnamese restaurant.

Things that make me go heehee...

Clockwise: Half the lint from drying the Strings Attached quilt... HALF; looking at my coffee flask, water bottle and make-up case, I had the realisation that I really like red; my sneakers in card form!; and a knight in shining armour checking out a fur coat!

Quilty business :)

Clockwise: Giving the rotary cutter a workout with trimming blocks; more cutting... blech; my co-worker gave me two gorgeous Kaffe Fassett fabrics in thanks for taking her shift at short notice; and quilt designing is messy business!!!

Kitties!!!! 'Nuff said :)

The piece de resistance... This made me laugh out loud in the shop and scare everyone within a 50 ft radius of me.

King's Speech

2011-11-21T00:05:00.000-05:00

Watch The King's Speech. Please. It's so very, very brilliant.

I'm usually late to the party when it comes to films because I tend to wait for them to come out on DVD. Kind of upset that I didn't catch The King's Speech in the cinema because it is such a brilliant film. I completely understand why it has won as many awards as it has. So if you haven't already, do yourself a favour and rent the DVD.

Do it. DO IT NOW.

Also, I have a great love for Colin Firth. Or Mr Darcy, as I affectionately call him. Ahem.

Pictures courtesy of The King's Speech.

Quilts For Twinsies

2011-11-18T12:37:00.000-05:00

A friend of ours asked if I'd make her twin nieces (who'll be born next month) quilts, and of course I said YES! By the way, she's a twin, and it's her twin who's having the twin girls! What the who?! Madness, I say.

She gave me the colours of the nursery, and asked that the two quilts be different. Having grown up with twin sisters, I know the importance of twins having their own identities. I try very hard not to refer to my sisters 'the twins' but it inadvertently slips out once in a while.

So I ended up with one with stars...

And the other is a churn dash.

I wanted them to be different, yet kind of similar. My friend liked the idea of the solids, which I was very gleeful about because I thought it'd make the quilts rather timeless and not too cutesy. The quilting is a very simple crosshatch to keep the quilt super soft and cuddly.

The backing and binding are the same dark brown dot, which I just love love love! So cute! :)

I delivered the quilts yesterday and my friend absolutely loved them. PHEW! The baby shower's on Saturday so I'm looking forward to finding out if her twin sister loved them too :)

DS Quilts On The Bed!

2011-11-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

I put the two quilts I got from Denyse's sample sale to use the very same day because I was just so excited to see them on our bed. The hubs loves them but I suspect it's more because he's glad to see the hot pink quilt go byebye hehe

I washed the pre-loved Strings Attached quilt and was quite frightened by the amount of lint that was in the dryer. I'm not kidding, the lint ball was the size of my head! I was worried something had ripped and it was batting that had escaped, but thankfully it was just good ol' lint. Phew.

(I don't really like taking pictures on our bed because I'm very aware that we need a headboard but we just never ever get round to it. And every time I think I find one I like, I change my mind. Bah.)

I loooooove the Spool quilt. I'd gotten the pattern for it a while ago but never got round to making one. I'm still planning on making a queen or king sized one in the future, but this one is just so gorgeous that I had to get it.

A while ago I started putting one queen and one smaller quilt on the bed. I don't know why, but I like the look of it. And I think these two look so pretty together. Blue + orange is one of my favourite combos. And since winter's on its way, I think a cheery, colourful bed is definitely in order.

Here's the Strings Attached quilt all by itself. Love the crosshatch hand quilting on it. I still can't believe I got this for $50.

That little misfit bit is my favourite part :)

In keeping with the blue and orange theme of this post, here's a runner I made with a long, quilted strip I got at the sale. I trimmed and slapped some binding on to make a very simple table runner. Definitely does a good job of brightening the room!

The binding is from Denyse's new line, Daisy Mae, and I think it goes perfectly :)

DS Sample Sale: Fun Was Most Definitely Had!

2011-11-14T08:01:00.064-05:00

Shannon and I went to Denyse Schmidt's sample sale over the weekend, and oh boy did we have fun. We couldn't help ourselves, and bought sooooo many things. But they were difficult to pass up, especially at such great prices. Well that's our story, and we're sticking to it! :)

It was great to see all the quilts from the new book once again. Denyse's version of the Mariner's Compass (hanging on the wall) is one of my faves.

The red and white courthouse steps quilt hanging on the frame is my favourite from the new book, but I think my all time favourite of Denyse's quilt is One Big Square hanging on the wall. LOVE.

Lots of rummaging through scrap bins... soooo many goodies!

A little photo shoot going on outside the studio. I cropped the lady's plumber's crack out of the picture. I'm sure she appreciates it.

We put all our purchases in the car and returned for the quilting demo by Peace by Piece.

(We were carrying so many bags on our way down that we caught the eye of a journalist who wanted to interview us about the art scene being revived in the Bridgeport area. I don't know if we made it into the article but if / when I find it, I'll share it here.)

They had a frame set up to teach whomever was interested in learning hand quilting. Definitely makes you wish you had enough time to hand quilt, doesn't it?!

A beautiful quilt that one of the Peace by Piece quilters was showing off.

While we were in Bridgeport, we popped into Toppings Cupcakes to grab some yummy cupcakes. They have their cupcakes naked, and you choose whatever frosting you'd like. A couple of my cupcakes had two different frostings because I couldn't decide hehe The chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting was SO GOOD. Which is saying a lot because I don't typically like anything caramel, but this was just done so very right. Yum.

My haul...
- One queen Strings Attached quilt (it was pre-loved and only $50!!! What?!);
- One twin Spool quilt;
- Two small scrap bags;
- Four large solid scrap bags (they were only $5!);
- Seven plus yards of Kona Mustard on the bolt ($12!);
- Seven plus yards of a pink floral print on the bolt ($10!);
- A quilted bit that I've slapped some binding on and turn into a simple table runner (I'll show you soon, promise).

I'd be embarrassed by just how much I bought but I'm way too thrilled with what I got :) I'm demented enough to kind of wish I'd gotten more lol! Like I told Shannon's husband, don't judge! I'm so delighted that I went with Shannon (not that the hubs isn't great company) because it was definitely more fun to share this experience with a quilty friend :)

Brooklyn, Part Four aka The End

2011-11-11T08:07:00.005-05:00

We spent our last day in the city in Manhattan. It was strange to be in the craze after being in a less hectic Brooklyn for a few days. I like to think of Manhattan as Brooklyn's older sister. On crack.

The Union Square Greenmarket was going on, and there was just so much to see. Pity we still had lots of walking around to do, so we didn't buy anything.

Lunch was sandwiches at Num Pang. I still have dreams about these sandwiches. The hubs had the skirt steak and I had the pulled pork. They were messy and you look like an utter slob when you eat these, but there's you can't really care because THEYARESOGOOD. Best sandwiches EVER.

Shakespeare & Co. Booksellers.

Other Music.

We popped in to The Bean for a coffee and to rest our feet, and the owner decided to present us with a free chocolate treat. It was a chocolate explosion and utterly yummy.

I wonder if it's because he saw my giant camera and thought perhaps I was a blogger. If so, then I have fallen into his dastardly trap. Drats.

The Strand! Our mecca! The poor hubs had a list of five books and struck out with each one. The upside? He didn't have to carry the books all over Manhattan and back to Brooklyn. See... silver lining :)

Denyse invited me to the opening of her latest exhibition and since I was going to be in the city, of course I accepted.

Her quilts were utterly beautiful, as always. We chatted with her for a tiny while but had to leave to make our way back home.

We went back to collect our suitcases from the hotel but stopped off at little diner across the street from the hotel that we'd passed a million times but never ate at. I had a burger, the hubs had an omelette... members of the Clean Plate Club.

So I've had my city fix for a few good months, I think :) I'm in love with Brooklyn... the people are lovely and super friendly, and it's not as hectic as Manhattan, that's for certain. The next time my sisters visit, a stay in Brooklyn is definitely in order. Especially since every time I watch Unique Eats, I add another NYC joint to the ever-growing list of places to eat!

Brooklyn, Part Three

2011-11-10T08:01:00.005-05:00

Hi! Good morning. Found a wonderful independent bookstore called Book Court. I. Wanted. Everything.

Record store + coffeeshop + antique shop = all kinds of awesome.

I told the owner she had the best smelling record store ever.

Nom nom nom :)

Lunch was at a Canadian Jewish deli called Mile End. The hubs got the smoked meat sandwich and I had the beef on weck.

I can't even begin to explain to you how delicious this was. I have to stop looking at it before I start licking the screen.

We headed to Four & Twenty Blackbirds for pie.

Black bottom oatmeal pie. Possibly the best pie I've ever eaten. The oatmeal was already delicious, but that layer of chocolate ganache just makes it sing.

We had to go check out the Brooklyn Superhero Supply store because how could you not???

They sell seemingly silly things like 'stun guns' and gallon cans of gravity etc, but all proceeds to go fun 826NYC which is a non-profit that teaches kids creative writing skills and teachers to inspire their students. As someone who loved to write as a kid (and still do), I think it's a marvellous idea.

Please note that the hubs is holding a can of 'Intelligence'. I'd rather he get a can of 'Listening When the Wife Speaks'. Just sayin' :)

And since we were in Park Slope, we found ourselves at Bark Hot Dogs again.

And if you've had their hot dogs, you really can't blame us :)

Denyse Schmidt Sample Sale

2011-11-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

Just a little reminder that this weekend is Denyse's Annual Sample Sale. I'll be going with my friend Shannon, and it'll be her first time so that's super exciting :) Anyone else going?

Brooklyn, Part Two

2011-11-09T08:11:00.002-05:00

I have all my photos from Brooklyn to show you still, so here's day two :)

Starting the day with a cup of Stumptown Coffee :) Especially since the hotel only had decaf when we went down for brekkie. Pfffft... decaf...

Earwax Records. We walked up and down looking for the shop, passing it by twice. TWICE. We're relatively intelligent people with eyes. How'd that happen??

I like a shop with a sense of humour :)

We attempted to have lunch at Fette Sau. My heart sank when we were walking toward it and I didn't smell the lovely scent of BBQ... and true enough, they only open for dinner. Sad face. Next time, Fette Sau. Next time.

So we ventured over to Fort Greene to grab a slice at a pizza place we'd been two summers ago. Still delicious!

One of my favourite kinds of pizza... spinach and ricotta. (Taken with iPhone.)

And across the street was Greenlight Bookstore where we'd gone to the David Mitchell book reading. Nice to actually poke around without a million people stuffed in it.

Umm trying to take a picture over here, dude.

We ventured upon a White Castle and the hubs had to get a teeny tiny cheeseburger. (Taken with iPhone.)

Knock knock, mofo! Now thanks to The Bloggess, every time I see a metal chicken, I crack up. I had to explain this to the hubs and now he thinks I'm even crazier now. Ah well, if the shoe fits :)

And to top off a lovely day, we had hot dogs at Bark Hot Dogs. A good hot dog needs to snap. This one? SNAAAAAAAAP! So so so so so good. I was sad when I took my last bite. That's another sign of a good hot dog. Or that I'm a glutton. (Taken with iPhone.)

Back In The Studio

2011-11-08T18:50:00.000-05:00

I got back in the studio yesterday! :) I sewed all day and it was awesome!!! I do love my electricity heehee... Here's some Instagram proof!

I worked on a custom quilt, and these are the first four blocks done. It's unnatural how much I love stars. I think I like these... there's a filter on the picture so the colour's not 100% correct, but they're all green, pink, grey, yellow and brown Kona solids. Keeping track of what I've paired with what to avoid a repeat if possible is a bit of a pain but I have 16 blocks done and am hoping to finish the last four tonight. And then I have to think about how to quilt this... Loopy quilting? Straight line? Suggestions?

These girls spent most of yesterday underfoot, trying to distract me from sewing, begging for cuddles. It's hard to be annoyed when they're this cute. They finally ended up laying on my spot on the couch, waiting for me to join them when I was all done :)

And just because, here's what the sky looked like this evening. With the time change, dusk comes much too early, so at least there's a pretty sky to look at when 5pm rolls around.

Alrighty, I'm going to check on my pork stew and then sew! Wheeeeeeeee! :) Honestly, I'd hug electricity if it didn't zap the crap out of me.

Power (And Sanity) Has Been Restored!!!

2011-11-06T21:15:00.001-05:00

I have never been happier to turn my laptop on and update my blog. Ever. We lost power due to bloody Winter Storm Alfred on Saturday October 29... And finally got it back Saturday November 5. A total of 162 hours. One hundred and sixty-two hours. I had lost all sense of humour by the middle of the week, and by the end I was getting awfully stabby.

Evening of the storm. Cannot. See. The. ROAD.

Way in the back is the top of a tree that had fallen. We had no idea how massive the fallen branches were till the snow melted and wasn't weighing it all down.

Other side of the back deck.

Side of the house where three or four large tree limbs / branches fell. I was so afraid the entire tree would snap and land on the house.

Bushes all weighed down by the stupid snow.

They couldn't plow our street because there were so many fallen tree limbs laying everywhere.

On Tuesday these guys turned up with chainsaws and worked for a little over an hour. Didn't make a damn bit of difference whatsoever.

Came home from work today to find all the mess cleared up by the hubs and his dad, and he'd piled the wood between two trees in case we ever needed firewood hehe I doubt it, but it does look pretty all stacked like that :)

Last night I slept with only one layer of clothing and my toes weren't numb from the cold. This morning I woke up to the lovely scent of freshly brewed coffee. I've cleaned the house, washed the dishes, did the laundry and towels... tomorrow I can sew! :) And best of all, the cats aren't scurrying around, all freaked out.

I hope that everyone who's still waiting for their power to come back will get it very soon. It's a crappy situation especially with this cold weather, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I truly hope this never happens again. There should've been a better contingency plan in place. Yes, this was a storm that came way too early. Yes, no one expected this much devastation. But come on, I'm sure we can do better than this. And definitely without making excuses, making false promises or playing the blame game.

96 Hours And Counting

2011-11-02T22:46:00.001-04:00

The ridiculous snow storm on Saturday is still wreaking havoc. We still have no power, no running water and no heat. I don't see crews working on our street at all and it still looks like a warzone. Thankfully we have a few places we can go to for showers, so that's something to be thankful for. Hopefully the next time I check in will be from my laptop in my warm house :) Hope everyone who's been affected by this storm is doing okay!

What A Difference A Day Makes

2011-10-29T15:37:00.001-04:00

Yesterday...

Today.

Noooooooooooooo! Dammit New England, get your shit straight. It is AUTUMN.

Would you look at this ridiculousness?!?! Driving home was just FUN. My sisters were here exactly one year ago and I'm so glad this didn't happen then because I'm pretty sure there'd be some major flipping out. Mainly over the fact that they'd have nothing to wear outside heehee!

People everywhere are freaking out about the snow but I'm just annoyed because autumn's my favourite season and I just want it back for a little while longer... please? :( They do say it'll return to normal programming by the middle of next week, so here's to hoping.

But seriously... WTF?

Bloggers' Quilt Festival - The Wedding Quilt

2011-10-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

My entry for the Fall 2011 Bloggers' Quilt Festival is the wedding quilt I made for our friends Celeste and Steve.

This quilt was possibly the most traditional quilt I've ever made and one of the rare times I've followed a pattern. But of course I swopped out a few blocks and made it just a little differently.

The centre block is Swoon, by Camille. I think it fit the quilt so perfectly :)

I had no clue how to quilt this, so I put it off for the longest time. But I thought that stippling in the 'negative' spaces might be the best solution. And it didn't even take as long as I thought it would!

We finally gifted the quilt a week ago and they were just thrilled :) They're getting new furniture so they want us to visit when they have everything in place so we can see the quilt in its new home. Can't wait :)

A big thanks to Amy for hosting the festival once again! Go visit Amy and have a peep at all the beautiful quilts on display :)

Brooklyn, Pt. One

2011-10-28T07:43:00.002-04:00

As promised, photographs from our trip to Brooklyn. I miss it already.

This is how we settle into our hotel room. I photograph everything. He ignores me and retreats into iPhone-land. We make it work somehow.

Stinky Brooklyn.

I think Stinky is probably the hub's idea of heaven. It's stuffed to the gills with cheeses, charcuterie and coffee.

Happy Halloween! Bwahahaha!

I found that there's lots of knitting shops in Brooklyn. Quilting shops, not so much.

Had dinner at Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches. Really delicious bahn mi at great prices. (Taken with iPhone.)

Insanely delicious artisan ice cream at Van Leeuwen.

We shared a scoop of the gianduia and it was so good. Not sickly sweet, chock full of hazelnuts and had such a creamy texture. Yum.

And check out the floors at Van Leeuwen :) Love me some hexies.

Happy Birthday Steve!

2011-10-28T02:29:00.000-04:00

My dearest Steve,

Happy birthday! I hope you have the best day and an amazing year ahead. You're the best person ever, and I'm lucky just to know you.

xoxo

Heehee :)

Mother Nature's Welcome

2011-10-27T21:24:00.000-04:00

We're back from Brooklyn! My feet are still sore from all the walking we did while we were there. Seriously, like six miles a day on average. Yikes.

But it seems that we got home right on time because IT IS SNOWING.

I'm on the couch and I hear the hubs shouting something about there being snow on the ground.

It is snowing. IN OCTOBER. Umm. Whaaaaaaaaaat?!?! This is beyond crazy!

In other news, I took a buttload of photos so the next few posts are going to feel like you're visiting a relative after they've been on vacation and you are forced to sit and flick through their photographs.

No Sleep Till Brooklyn!

2011-10-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

The hubs and I are off to NYC, but mainly spending our time in Brooklyn. And I'll also get to see the very lovely Ms. Schmidt :) Talk about icing on a perfectly delicious cake!

I'll return in a few days!

Picture courtesy of Lab2112.

Flickr Favourites: The Bicycle Edition

2011-10-22T07:38:00.001-04:00

1. bicycle, bicycle, i want to ride my bicycle...!, 2. bicycle, bicycle, 3. Bicycle | Royal Street, New Orleans, 4. Bicycle mural, 5. Vintage Bicycle Paris Street, 6. Bicycle Spring, 7. IInd glasgow vintage bicycle club ride.....just me and my pal neil, 8. 69 Raleigh Supercourse, 9. Bicycle Shadow

I have a confession to make. I love bicycles or anything with a bicycle print / illustration but I can't ride a bicycle. Yes, I'm Chinese and I cannot ride a damn bicycle. Neither can my sisters or Mum. They might as well just revoke our membership.

I did try when I was a kid. My Dad tried to teach me but I kept falling off, scraping my legs, and screaming bloody murder. In my defense, he used an adult mountain bike to teach me. I couldn't even get up on the thing without him lifting me. I don't even know if I could get up on one now. I'm short now, I was shorter then. True story.

Then when I was 16, I was riding on my then-boyfriend's bicycle handlebars (not the smartest idea, on my part but walking back from the jetty to the picnic spot seemed like too much work), and our friend was on a bicycle in front of us. This was a school trip, and the teacher called to us from the side of the road because it was time to go. Friend stopped, boyfriend did not. I went flying and landed on my face. MY FACE. I broke two teeth, cut up my lips so badly, and scraped most of the skin off the right side of my face. Plus you should've seen the amount of gravel that got stuck in my flesh. Pretty, huh?

Since then, I have not gone near a bicycle and neither have my sisters. The skin healed pretty quickly (ahhh wonderful youth) although for the next year or so, I had a red spot on my cheekbone every time I went for a run. The teeth constantly need to get worked on, which is a pain in the ass but it's so much better than having facial scars.

Living Room Pillows: The Conclusion

2011-10-21T16:28:00.000-04:00

The pillows are done. I really appreciate everyone's input and I agreed with the majority of the votes in favour of charcoal. I was two seconds away from sewing them on and I decided to ask the hubs, just to be sure.

Hubs: "Bone. I like the lighter one."

Me: "WHAT? WHY? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Hubs: "I think it looks better!"

Me: "OMG no! But I like the charcoaaaaaaaaaaal!"

Hubs: "Fine, do whatever you want. I chose the wrong colour because I am the biggest butt in the world.*"

* Okay, that last bit was what I was pretending he was saying...

So I went in to work yesterday and decided to just pull fabrics from the Moda Boutique line that I'd used for the fronts of the pillows.

I. Am. A. Genius.

Problem solved. Peace has been restored. Stains and cat hair can just bite me.

Tada! The hubs loves them, and I do too. I went with two different colours of the same print just cos I'm wacky like that. I didn't put zippers on the backs because I'm tired of being stabbed in the face / leg / arm by the zipper pull.

Nice to have some colour on the sofa :)

Randomness

2011-10-21T07:11:00.002-04:00

Thoughts swirling around my noggin...

- Remember I mentioned Jebediah the Japanese Spitz? I remember now that he hangs out at Parata! I couldn't remember the store name at first but I remembered the street name and that it was a few doors down from Scutti, the amazing Italian food market I used to go to. Anyway there's an article on Parata, and there's a little picture of Jeb!

- We're off to NYC for a few days and I remembered that I hate packing.

- I cleaned my studio a week ago. It already looks like a bomb went off. I give up.

- My allergies are killing me right now. This part of autumn, I definitely do not like.

- I really, really want to make this gooey butter cake. And also this brown butter roasted banana bread.

- I have decided that Ryan Gosling is my boyfriend. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm sure he feels the same way. Clearly this chick is mistaken that Ryan Gosling is her boyfriend. Better step off, biatch.

- Don't worry, the husband has taken Scarlett Johansson as his girlfriend. I'm okay with it. Mostly because they don't have the special bond Ryan and I have, ya know?

- How are feather-down pillow forms cheaper at Crate & Barrel than the poly-fil ones at Jo-Ann? What kind of crap is that?

- Honey, we need to go to Crate & Barrel tomorrow.

Soooo... anyone else have random thoughts?

Boo The Dog

2011-10-20T08:12:00.001-04:00

When I see Pomeranians shorn to look like teddy bears, I squeal. Ask the hubs. I'm incapable of speech for about a minute or so because my whole body is convulsing in sheer joy. And when I find out that there's an entire website dedicated to one such Pomeranian, my head explodes.

This is Boo. The dog that looks like a teddy bear. He's so damn cute I want to bite his face.

Seriously, so damn cute. I can't stop looking at him! Make it stop!

For the second time in my life, I want a dog. The first time was when I fell completely in love with a Japanese Spitz named Jebediah who sat in a store near my old place in Australia. He was the most lovely dog and his fur would stay clean all on its own. Imagine that! The hubs and I started talking to a breeder... then realised we don't want to have to take a dog out for a walk every day or for pees and poos multiple times a day.

I'm going to look at Boo a little bit more then to the sewing room I shall retreat!

Pictures courtesy of Boo the Dog.

Light vs Dark

2011-10-19T15:11:00.002-04:00

I'm trying to figure out backs for my new living room pillows and I am completely stumped. Kona Bone? Or Kona Charcoal?

Charcoal would hide stains (I'm looking at you, honey) but cat hairs would show soooooo easily. Then again I do take a lint roller to the couch constantly, so what difference does a few pillows make, right?

My couch is sage green, but that doesn't really matter because there's just a riot of colour everywhere. I know my Mum is cringing at the thought of not having a colour scheme in the house heehee! I wish I could be like her, where everything in the house matches, but I'm a big ol' mess. I mean just look at the colours on the pillows. Does it look like I have any semblance of a colour scheme? Although as an ex-spin doctor, I prefer to call my mess 'shabby chic'. Ahem.

Anyway, HELP ME PLEASE?! Bone? Charcoal? Check myself into an asylum? What?!?! I will give you a chocolate chip cookie. Which I will eat on your behalf because I know you don't want stale cookies. Which they will be by the time they reach you. You're welcome.

Middle Of The Hill

2011-10-19T13:22:00.000-04:00

I used to listen Middle of the Hill by Josh Pyke on repeat when it was first released because I think it's such a darling song. Last night I decided to put the last bit of the song in cross-stitch.

Always a good message to keep in mind :)

Enjoy :)

Btw when I went to get floss for the little project, I realised I have way too many floss colours (they're in the hundreds!) to not do anything with them. I think I need to return to cross-stitching after the craziness of Christmas is over!

Boozy Bacon Jam

2011-10-18T12:45:00.003-04:00

I need to preface this post by saying that I'm not really a fan of bacon. If it appears in my food, I have to remove it. I know, I know, I'm sick in the head and shouldn't be allowed to take up space on this planet. But I don't like salty things (I suspect I'm a supertaster*), and bacon is just about as salty as food gets. Aside from... err... ya know... salt.

But I came across this recipe for Boozy Bacon Jam, and I know that this would be my family's idea of heaven.

I'm thinking it doesn't even look half bad, especially with the rocket (arugula) and tomato on yummy, crusty bread. But the second I eat that, I'll start gagging. Attractive, no?

I do believe the next time my sisters visit, I'll need to have jars of this at the ready. Or they could just take this as a bribe to come visit me soon :) It's been an entire year since they were here last. To quote Metallica, sad but true.

* I watched a documentary once about Supertasters and I seriously think I am one. It occurs more often in women (check), Asians (check) and they're people who tend to hate green tea (check), alcohol (check), coffee (what? no effing way.), raw veggies (kind of check?), tonic water (check!!! So gross!), carbonation (check!), and salty (check), fried (check) and fatty (check) foods etc. I just don't have the inclination to have a test done on me or put food colouring on my tongue and count my papillae. All I know is anything too salty, sweet or fatty makes my head swirl. But it does mean that anyone who likes chicken skin or cake frosting should keep me close.

Pictures courtesy of Spoon Fork Bacon.

Instagram: The Obsession Continues

2011-10-18T07:58:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend...

Great parcel day on Saturday :) I received my camera strap from Photojojo and it came with a tiny Stow-away-asaurus heehee! He sits atop my sewing machine now because he's a cutie. Ooh and my copy of Sarah Fielke's Quilting: From Little Things came too! And it's amazeballs.

(P/S: Someone needs to fix her name on there. While they're at it, can they fix the hub's name too please? Thanks.)

We went to Northampton on Sunday. Listened to our favourite compilation CD, 20 Years of Rage. I spent every waking hour listening to Triple J when I lived in Australia and looked forward to Rage every Friday night :) I still listen to Triple J on my iPhone every now and again, and it's always awesome. Good grief I miss Oz.

We ate pizza slices that were bigger than our heads combined. The hubs reached for his slice, paused and said, "I don't dare to eat before you take a picture. Are you taking a picture? Hurry up and take a picture. I'm hungry." What a sweetheart.

Every time I see Tin Tin comics, I'm reminded that my mother threw out all of mine. They're probably floating around out there with my Strawberry Shortcake dollies. Yes, I'm 34 and still griping about this crap. Oh the fury. (I'm only kidding, Mum. Well, mostly. Hee.)

And the other randomness... Our cats being silly. Izzy staring Matilda down because she saw fit to snuggle with me... and her draping herself over the back of the couch looking very uncomfortable. And I'm working on new pillows for our living room because the ones we have are shamefully shabby.

Oh, and I witnessed a very unfortunate placement of quilt magazines at the supermarket. Veeeeery unfortunate. I was by myself, laughing in the aisle. I go there all the time so they're used to me by now.

Things That Look Like Cameras = Awesome

2011-10-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

I get a great big kick out of things that look like or are shaped like cameras. Mugs, thumb drives, notebooks etc. My favourite ones are right here...

This insanely cute pencil sharpener from Urban Outfitters has petting it every time I see it in the store. Seriously. I pet it. I probably won't ever get it because I already have a super fantastic pencil sharpener. Plus, I enjoy petting things in stores.

This camera-shaped bag from Le Sportsac! Adorable, yes? I'd totally carry it except that it's about the size of my pinkie and I have this affliction where I need to carry an enormous bag to haul every single thing I own in the world. Every time I have to carry a clutch to a dinner or whatever, I start to panic about all the things I'm not able to take with me. It's beyond ridiculous.

American Pie

2011-10-15T23:41:00.000-04:00

The hubs and I were on our way home from dinner and American Pie came on the radio. There was no one behind us so we drove suuuuper slowly so we could listen to it in its entirety. Well, he listened... I sang at the top of my lungs :)

Amazing song, and for some odd reason it always makes me think of my Dad when I hear it. Enjoy!

Ring A Ring A Rosie

2011-10-14T19:53:00.000-04:00

I finally got my grandmother Rosie's ring resized :) When my mum handed it to me, she warned me to be careful with it since it was much too big for my fingers. So every time I put the ring on, I'd hear her chiding me. Now it fits me perfectly and when I put it on, I like to imagine my mum's voice going "good girl" hehe :)

I've loved this ring since I was little. I'd play with it on my grandmother's finger, and she'd tell me one time she was on a beach and happened to catch sight of something shiny in the sand. She picked it up and saw that it was a diamond... looked at her own ring and realised it was her own diamond that had fallen out. I always thought this ring was magical. I might be right.

The fact that she wanted me to have it makes me feel so loved, and that maybe she knew me better than I thought. I wear it with pride and I can't help but smile every time I look at it.

Anyone else wear something left to you by a loved one?

Warning: Severe Cuteness Ahead

2011-10-14T08:32:00.004-04:00

How does she expect me to get anything done when she keeps looking at me with those crossed eyes and I have no choice but to snuggle the crap out of her?

Izzy, you don't fight fair.

Tokyo Dreamer Camera Straps

2011-10-13T07:13:00.005-04:00

I've been contemplating buying a camera strap because I'm not really fond of doubling as a walking Canon advertisement. (No offence, Canon. I heart you muchly.) I'd spied the Tokyo Dreamer camera strap on Making It Lovely a while ago and have been pondering ever since. I finally bit the bullet and hit the 'purchase' button.

No prizes for guessing that I bought the blue one :) Plus I like that the words kind of fade into the blue background. And I'm glad that little film case is detachable because otherwise, I know I'll get annoyed by it and be forced to chew it off.

Quilts For Charley & Owen

2011-10-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

The quilts for the twins are finished! It was a little bit of a challenge working with incorporating clothing into the quilt. It was the first time I'd ever done it, and it's definitely not my favourite thing to do, but I like the sentimental value of it.

I chose to use cottons, flannels and ribbons for tabs because the client wanted lots of texture. She showed me her daughter's quilt, which was a very simple patchwork quilt with large squares. So I went with the patchwork design, and made little log cabins with the clothing in the centre.

Here's the front of Charley's quilt...

And here's Owen's :)

I grew up with twin sisters, so I understand that twins need some kind of individualisation. I put their first initial on the bottom right corner of each quilt so they'd know which was theirs.

The back of Charley's quilt...

And the back of Owen's quilt.

I put the initials of both boys with their parents' initials on the back, just to personalise it further. The initials stand for Ashley, Matt, Charley and Owen :)

(The hubs wanted to know what company AmCo was. Dork.)

I tried to integrate the clothing into the quilt as best I could without them sticking out like a sore thumb. But not so similar that they'd just fade into the patchwork blocks.

I'm delivering the quilts today and then they'll go live with the boys in Ohio later this week :) I hope they like them!

Instagram Weekend

2011-10-10T00:28:00.000-04:00

Clockwise: Driving with the hubs; putting a quilt top together; turkeys in the backyard; and my in-law's doggie's cute little bum.

Clockwise: Driving to New London; Matilda refusing to look at the camera / iPhone; at the hub's cousin's wedding; and me getting ready, after hair, before make-up.

Wedding Bells

2011-10-09T08:05:00.002-04:00

We attended the hub's cousin's wedding yesterday. It was my first time at a Catholic ceremony and it was just beautiful.

(And no, Mum, I did not burst into flames when I entered the church.)

The reception was held at a club / bar that was transformed into a beautiful reception hall, full of twinkle lights (I love me some twinkle lights!!!) and candelabras. They had a really amazing cover band play, and they got everyone partying the night away. I had lots of fun, with very hurty feet to prove it!

Best wishes to the newlyweds Mike and Olivia... wishing you guys a lifetime of happiness and love :)

Birthday Celebration

2011-10-07T14:40:00.000-04:00

My father-in-law had a birthday yesterday :) Big Steve (my husband's a Steve Jr so I've always called my FIL Big Steve because it's too confusing otherwise!) wouldn't stop pulling faces, so this is the best picture I could get. You can see where my husband gets his silliness.

He wanted to keep his birthday celebration simple so the hubs picked up delicious grinders (subs) from Franklin Giant Grinders for dinner, and I got a yummy ice cream cake (a smores one!) for dessert. We don't get to sit down for dinner with them too often these days because they're so busy running their creamery from the start of spring to the end of autumn, so it was really nice :)

And then some of my husband's aunts, uncles and cousins filed into the house with birthday wishes, balloons and pressies. This is my mother-in-law attempting to work the camera on her phone. I can't tell you how long everyone had to stay put and smile. Well, I could, but you wouldn't believe me heehee!

Flickr Favourites: Autumn Is Here

2011-10-06T07:13:00.002-04:00

1. Japanese Maple, 2. Orgasmic Orange Overload, 3. Puffball, 4. Autumn Carpet of Maple Leaves - Fall Colours, Germany, 5. meadow view growers--new carlisle,oh sony dsc-hx1, 6. Autumn Vineyard, 7. ***, 8. Oak, 9. Harvest time 2011--Indian corn

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T23:19:00.000-04:00

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." -- Steve Jobs.

Cross-Stitch iPhone Cases

2011-10-05T07:05:00.001-04:00

How pretty is this! An iPhone case you can cross-stitch! It combines my love of sewing / crafting and my unnatural obsession with my iPhone.

Althouuuugh... I just don't know that I can keep it pristine white. Or if I can keep the DMC floss from getting ten shades of dirty. And also, my iPhone is black so it would look kind of odd, no?

People, this is what shopping with me is like most of the time. I can get super excited about something and talk myself out of it in 2.6 seconds flat. I think it's quite impressive, really.

Picture courtesy of Purl Bee.

36 Years On

2011-10-04T21:00:00.003-04:00

Today marks 36 years that my parents have been married. 36. Yikes. I know so many people whose parents are divorced, separated or just don't get along anymore, but these two crazy kids still spend time together because apparently they like still each other. I hope the hubs and I still have that when we get to our 36th anniversary.

Dearest Mum and Dad,
Happy anniversary! Thank you for being the loving parents you are. You've given us all we've ever wanted or needed, and have never asked for anything in return. I know without you, I'd be a lesser person. Without you, I wouldn't be able to have the kind of marriage I have with Steve. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Your loving daughter,
Dawn*

* That's what my family calls me... A Chinese name that is un-Chinese thanks to my dad and his bright ideas.

Here's What's Going On In My Neck Of The Woods

2011-10-04T20:09:00.001-04:00

Just a little bit of what I've been up to lately...

I made this pillow for my friend who had a birthday last month but I haven't been able to meet up with her yet. It started out as 60 degree triangles but it somehow turned into a kaleidoscope heehee!

I stacked the strips so that the dark fabrics would remain the same on the inside of the kaleidoscope while the lighter fabrics alternated. Kind of like this... kind of want to keep it... probably shouldn't. Occupational hazard... what can I say?

Continuing with the kaleidoscopes, I'm working on pillows for another friend whose birthday was last month and I haven't met up with yet. The pillows just need the backs sewn on... damn procrastination.

In other news, I cut up my Kona colour card (picture was taken at night with my iPhone, hence the crappiness). That first snip into the card made me hyperventilate a little. I tried to keep the fabrics stacked according to colours, but that worked for about five minutes and is now a jumbled mess.

I know quite a lot of people have had the idea to do this and haven't had the heart to cut up their cards. I say do it. Do it... and then order a second one. Yes, that's exactly what I did. Did I not mention the hyperventilating?

Cutting up the card has already helped heaps. Picking colours is now so much easier because you can compare them side by side, and showing them to clients is a breeze. Plus I used to have to write down the list of colours I needed... now I can just snap a picture!

Also, I've been fiddling around with the layout of my blog. Let's be honest. I have no idea what I'm doing. So every time you pop by here, there's a good chance you'll be a witness to the ridiculousness. Thank goodness for the preview function, but once in a while I don't catch something and whoopsies.

Oh, and unrelated, I accidentally deleted an entire bookmark file. I'm a technical genius.

Now Blogging At The QBTY Blog!

2011-10-04T13:28:00.001-04:00

As some of you know, I work at my local LQS, Quilting by the Yard. I'll now be blogging on the new shop blog! :)

We'll be sharing what's new at QBTY, events, sales, and lots of non-quilty things... like recipes! Since I took an apple cake to work last Friday, I've posted the recipe for it.

It's the recipe from Deb of Smitten Kitchen. She has a recipe written out at the bottom of the apple cake post, but I've always used the recipe her mother wrote on that old piece of paper. I may like modern when it comes to quilting, but I like traditional when it comes to baking haha :)

So go over to the QBTY blog and check us out... and bake a cake!

Instagram

2011-10-02T20:25:00.001-04:00

Instagram decided to piss off most users and did an update that changed it, and not necessarily for the better. But unlike Facebook, it's not too terrible, and doesn't take much getting used to, so I'm still loving it :)

Here's a few more Instagram snaps I've taken in the last week or two.

Out and about... Clockwise: At Raven Used Bookstore in Northampton; nuts at Trader Joe's; getting coffee at It's A Grind and surrounded by armchairs; and a typewriter at Anthropologie that makes me want to use typewriters again.

Driving.

Eating at home... Clockwise: Chicken, andouille and shrimp stew; apple cake; a handful of pistachios; and chicken meatballs with gravy and pasta.

Autumn's here! Clockwise: Beautiful blooming mums at the Johnny Appleseed farm stand; diseased-looking pumpkins at Trader Joe's; a cute little kitty at the local Agway; and I'm so excited that it's boot weather again :)

Isobel!

Crafty like a fox. Clockwise: A pile of squares I cut out a few days ago; trying to decide if a kaleidoscope pillow would be pretty; a flower a co-worker made; and a large kaleidoscope pillow I've finished.

Outside My Comfort Zone

2011-09-30T07:58:00.002-04:00

I've been posed a challenge by a client. She wants two quilts for a pair of twin boys, and she wants them to have textures and tabs. I said I'd do it, mainly because I knew I'd have to leave my comfort zone because I'd never really mixed fabrics before.

AND...

She handed me a bunch of fabrics that used to be their grandpa's shirt, and grandma's nightgown.

I like being challenged. It's scary but it's doing something you wouldn't normally do otherwise.

I've picked a few fabrics... a mix of cottons, flannels and minky (not pictured). I got some ribbon to make tabs, and so far I've only gotten some squares cut out. I'm hoping next week I'll be able to sit down and put these two quilts together.

Wish me luck! :)

Nevermind's 20th Anniversary

2011-09-28T08:10:00.002-04:00

I was 14 when this album was released and it completely blew my mind. Twenty years on and it continues to blow my mind.

(I'd like to point out that my blog now contains a picture of a weewee. A baby's weewee, yes, but a weewee nonetheless. Also, 'weewee' is really fun to say.)

A deluxe box set of Nevermind will be released in celebration. Now I know what Santa can bring me! :)

Nirvana will forever remain one of my favourite bands of all time. I was distraught when Cobain killed himself in 1994. Now I'm just saddened because I imagine all the amazing music he'd have released into the world. Goodness knows we need that these days. Because have you heard the radio lately? It's beyond depressing.

Custom Patchwork Quilt... Take Two

2011-09-26T15:34:00.001-04:00

After I'd sent off the last patchwork quilt, I got an email from the client saying how much she loved it, and that she'd like one for her mum. She wanted the top to be pretty much the same, but a red for the backing.

I picked this Denyse Schmidt gingham print from the Picnic and Fairgrounds collection because it had that lovely retro feel to match the top. I was so pleased with my choice, till I got home and went to piece it together.

I think I did a fairly good job of it, but I'll have to remind myself not to choose a large gingham for a back I need to piece in the future! Can you see the seam?

There. There's the stupid seam.

It didn't take quite as long to piece as I'd thought, but it did make me want to punch something in the face. Hard.

I quilted it in the same grid pattern, but with a red variegated thread this time, to match the backing. And the binding is a red and white candy cane type of pinstripe. The kind that makes you dizzy when you lay out the yardage.

So worth the dizziness :)

It'll be off to the West Coast in plenty of time for her mum's birthday next month. Hope she likes it!

Northampton In Pictures. Again.

2011-09-26T00:27:00.001-04:00

We went to Northampton. Again. Don't judge.

First stop: BOOKS.

I always thought this cross-stitched portrait of Princess Diana was quite an odd thing to have in a book store. Which is why I like it so much. Especially given my love of cross-stitch versions of pictures. (I cross-stitched American Gothic and Starry Night and they hang in my living room.)

We went to Haymarket Cafe for coffee and actually found an empty table. A super wobbly table (as in if we'd ordered soup, we'd be wearing it), but a table nontheless.

Two coffees and a granola bar. It was SO GOOD. Chockablock with nuts, seeds and chocolate chips, and not too sweet either. Yum.

I love anything with a moustache. Except humans.

Me, in street sign form. Is it not the shortest sign you ever did see? Why? How? And also, why?

We spotted a whole bunch of knitted things on poles.

The last one is my favourite. It says "be you". Good reminder :)

Pressies

2011-09-23T19:09:00.003-04:00

I've had three friends have birthdays this week. I've finished one pressie (it didn't require sewing), I'm working on one right now, and I've got one more to go. I haven't seen them this week so it's given me lots of time to procrastinate in true Audrie fashion. Both friends whose pressies I've yet to make like black and white. One likes a little red thrown in, the other likes skulls. They're getting black and white.

The pressie I'm working on right now is a pillow. I don't make them too often, and I don't really know why. It's like working on just one giant block and tada, you're done.

I started cutting some 60 degree triangles and then decided perhaps I wanted to go a different route. I'll probably use the triangles in a different project, but I think I'm going to use the same fabrics and do something different. Or go back to the triangles.

I procrastinate AND I'm fickle. Jealous?

And some awesomeness arrived in my mailbox today. Well actually it sat atop my mailbox, wrapped in a big plastic bag because it was pouring rain and I didn't see it till about 4pm so thank goodness for the plastic bag. (What... A long sentence.)

Quilts In Sweden by Kaffe Fassett. I've been waiting for this book to be released and it's finally here! :) You know what's funny? And kind of pathetic? I have almost all his books and never have I made one of his quilts. I just like the pretty pictures.

Quilt Upholstery

2011-09-23T01:07:00.001-04:00

How pretty!

I think these look so darling, especially with the 30s fabric and traditional patterns. Of course to do this in my house, I'd need to be the kind of person to have pretty sofas and things, instead of cats that shed and puke on every bloody surface of the house. Not bitter... just saying...

Plus I'd have to buy extra seating because there'd be no way I'd allow any bum, human or feline, to rest on such beauty. See! I can't have pretty things. I should've been a museum curator. I'm really good at not using things that I find beautiful. It's a sickness, really. I can just picture it now... I'm so going to be that old lady who wraps her sofas in plastic. Oy.

Pictures courtesy of sunshinesyrie.

Toilet Humour

2011-09-21T22:43:00.001-04:00

My family likes to talk about poop. About their own poop, about other people's poop... It's really disgusting but we're just so talented when it comes to talking about it like we're discussing the weather. It's quite spectacular, really.

My sister Averil and I were chatting this afternoon and here's an excerpt of her story.

(She's on the left, I'm on the right)

And not to be outdone...

Super high brow, I know.

That last bit makes me think about all the seriously amazing (read: ridiculous) pictures I'd have in my possession if I'd had a camera and / or my iPhone in my teenage years. I hung out with mostly boys. Boys who did a lot of dumb crap. Although, come to think of it, a good portion of them would be pictures of us playing Super Nintendo. Good grief we played that a lot.

* If you're wondering, here's what a fishball is.

Instagram

2011-09-20T18:47:00.001-04:00

The hubs and I have been under the weather the last couple of days, but it seems to be a 24 (or 36?) hour bug. Not complaining! We're feeling much better but still taking it easy. Which translated means he's not allowed to go to the gym and I'm not allowed to run. We're not happy.

Anyway, in lieu of any sewing action happening on my end, here are some Instagram pictures I've taken over the last few days.

Clockwise: Yardage of Little Apples at the LQS I work at!; putting the binding on the second patchwork quilt over the weekend; basting the patchwork quilt and finding 'weeds' (my boss Laura calls them that hehe); and a gorgeous quilt made by a customer of the LQS, quilted by Laura. GORGEOUS.

Clockwise: Buying boxes and boxes of Shout Color Catcher for my sister and the other sister's friend (cashier thought I was nuts); the hubs asked me if I'd just hung that picture in our bedroom... it's been there over two years; the hubs buying a new suit; and I'm currently obsessed with Carby by Discovery.

Clockwise: Bought a 16GB memory disk for $15 with a coupon... score!; unable to get out of bed; my dorky self; and drawing with pencils instead of thread.

Clockwise: Mozzarella, pesto and tomato on ciabatta sandwich I made over the weekend; dinner at Rein's Deli; pickles at Rein's; and Italian sausage stew on brown rice I made yesterday.

Driving Down The Street

2011-09-18T00:01:00.002-04:00

I live in the sticks. And these pictures are proof. Be glad there's no smell function on blogs. Because I smelled skunk today. Again. NOT. COOL. AMERICA.

I joke a lot about living down the street from sheep, cows and cornfields, but I do like seeing the rows and rows of mums appear every autumn. This might be the year I get a pot of mums for my front steps. And perhaps a pumpkin.

Wedding Quilt Finished!

2011-09-16T17:56:00.001-04:00

The wedding quilt for our friends Celeste and Steve is done! And I'm quite pleased with it, if I do say so myself :)

My Steve held the quilt up for me to photograph even though there were a zillion other things he'd rather do when he walks through the door after work heehee!

I fell in love with Moda Wild Rose while I was making this quilt, and I think it's just so pretty. Especially with Kona Ash. HEEHEE. (I'm addicted and not even going to hide it anymore... wasn't doing a very good job of it anyway.)

I can't wait to gift it to them :) They're super busy with preparing for their wedding (in three short weeks!) so I'm not sure when we're able to meet up but hopefully soon because I'm busting over here.

Randomness

2011-09-15T21:24:00.001-04:00

Remember the custom patchwork quilt I just made and sent off? Well the customer received it and loved it so much that she immediately ordered another one for her mum. Aww :)

Earlier today, the skies were grey... and in the evening I actually felt cold. I wasn't sure I remembered how to feel cold. Twas a looooong summer, my friends.

I wish I'd taken pictures of the thunder and lightning show last night. (By the way, every time there's thunder and lightning, I hear Bohemian Rhapsody in my head.)

The hydrangeas in the garden have pretty much come and gone, but these two late bloomers are still here :) I think they're so pretty. (What the hell does Madonna know anyway? I think it's quite hilarious to have such strong disdain for a flower.)

Instagram Love

2011-09-15T07:13:00.001-04:00

I have the dumbs when it comes to techie stuff. I'd downloaded Instagram ages ago but had no idea I had to add / follow people till my sister Averil told me. I'd had mine set to 'private' and was clueless that people had sent me requests to add them. Apparently I download apps and not play with them a whole lot. Oopsie.

Anyway, ever since my enlightenment, I've been happily snapping pictures. I think I'll start sharing the pictures here since I spend so much of my time tinkering with it and ignoring my dear ol' blog. Yes, I said tinkering.

Food, glorious food.

From top left... German pancake; meatloaf and corn from the stand down the street (BEST CORN EVARR); meatball and roast beef grinders from Franklin Grinders; lasagna; cupcakes at Sugarbelle with Shannon; and bubble tea from Pho Boston.

Obviously, I take pictures of my cats a lot. I work from home, and they're ridiculously cute.

From top left... Isobel and her best friend, the remote; Isobel lazing; Matilda and Isobel completely confused by the black cat that visits us once in a while; the hubs wrapped Matilda in a blankie so she looked like a little old lady (good grief); fuzzball Matilda; and Isobel making lovey eyes.

And some random shots.

From top left... Quilting on the wedding quilt all done; autumn's arrived and brought squash and pumpkins; sunsets always make me smile; cutie pie Olivia; working on the wedding quilt; and a gorgeous sky while we were driving home one day.

You can click on the pictures to enlarge them if you want to have a better look. And I'm 'blueisbleu' on Instagram if you're so inclined :)