My Tea Towel

Here is an update of my tea towel (see Tea Towel Tour 3 on Craftster, or previous posts), the pineapples in the bowl were just finished, it will now be mailed on to 2 more people before I finally receive it:

It's looking awesome isn't it?

A stitch here, a stitch there...

Here's the third towel which is part of the swap I'm doing for the "Tea Towel Tour 3" on Craftster. I couldn't find any images suitable so I ended up drawing this scene - Mr. Strawberry is sad because he's been left out again, everyone keeps picking Ms. Cherry for their topping and even Miss Pumpkin Pie invited Mr. Whip to stay with her, who's so comfortable he's already fallen asleep in all his creamy goodness. Miss Pie knows that her best friend is Milk- he's so young and fresh and she must share this moment with him. He seems eager to please, doesn't he?

The mouse? Well, he's aware that patience is important and watches the scene with anticipation as something, even a crumb, always comes his way.

And here is the detail work:
And here is the whole towel so far, with all the other embroideries:

If you go to Craftster and look at the gallery, you will be blown away by the amazing thought and creativity that the other participants are showing, I don't think I should have been in this swap - there is so much incredible work going on in this one swap, it's amazing.

~~~~

I was going to do some more stitching this afternoon while listening to Pure Jazz on Sirius Satellite Radio. Jazz music is relaxing, it just feels right to me. However, I keep losing my signal today and so the music is cutting out. This is causing stress. So first I'm thinking "ah, this is a great song, love it, in the groove" then "dang it, nothing again" and you know what? I just don't feel like going through a roller coaster of emotions on my day off. So I will go walk Jazz -my dog - (betcha can now guess why I named her that? ) as the sun just came out, and when I return, I will listen to my iPod.

I am so grateful for having these choices (and for JP who gave them to me).

Really. If this is my only problem today, then I am a very lucky, thankful and grateful person. Time to go smell the flowers (no roses yet).

Enough Already!

It's another cold day here on the coast, and there are even snow flakes out there- teeny tiny ones, but still - it's a week after spring! We're supposed to have sunshine and rainbows at the end of March!

But did you notice.... with all these 'unusually cold" days and 'extreme weather' we're experiencing, that the words "Global Warming" suddenly doesn't come up?

How come it only seems to talked about in the summer, when it's supposed to be hot? Haven't they been saying it's colder than normal this year? So how does Global Warming fit in now?

Anyone? Anyone?

Snow on the roof?

Wah! It's snowing today! Ok, it's a wet snow and it's 2 degrees so it won't stick around for too long but still - come on spring!

It is staying on the roofs and in the grass for the moment...

Here's what my patch of primulas looks like today (see yesterday's post)- with snow all over them!

Last night we went to Bellingham, Washington. I am still in awe that we can so easily go to another country; there is only a small percent of the population that can go to the US for a couple of hours and I think some of us in the Vancouver area forget how unique that is.

We went to Bellis Fair and found some pants and shirts for JP, and even found a bag and some shoes for me. Well, actually I found lots of shoes for me, I just didn't purchase them. And did you know there is a Daiso there? I was quite surprised. It's smaller than the one we have in Richmond and many items are more than $2, but it's still pretty cool - I could've brought home lots of stuff.

Here are my cute kitten heeled shoes, with a nice low heel which means I'll actually wear them for more than 15 minutes. I can't believe I used to walk to work, wear heels in the office all day and then walk home all in the same pair of shoes.

On our way home, after a very mediocre dinner at Arby's, we stopped in at Safeway and picked up some groceries. My favourite aisle is the one labelled 'hispanic'. To me, some of the very best food comes from that aisle - yum! - including these yummy drinks:

We also picked up French fried onions for casserole tops and the potato sticks because they are so very tasty:

How much snow did you get? or still have?

Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Gee, where to begin? What have I been doing you ask?

Well on Friday, I went to Michael's ("or Mitchell's, or Michelle's..." as my brother likes to say) and picked up multiple skeins of embroidery floss at 3 for $1. Before I left home, I went through my floss box and decided what colours I needed and when I was at the store I picked out my colours, carefully counting in 3's and repeating the total number in my head over and over, so I could tell the cashier. I was so proud of myself for remembering all the way from one end of the store to the other (literally). When I reached the till I cheerfully announced my number of total skeins thinking I was helpful but the sweet girl doing cash said " that's nice but they all have separate bar codes so I have to ring them in individually". Dang, so much for that.

When I got home, I realized that the cute little metal lunch box that my supplies were currently residing in would no long hold my new bounty. JP offered up a wonderful antique metal fishing box. It was wonderful and I set about organizing my colours and winding some onto bobbins. I even added felt feet to the bottom so the old metal wouldn't leave marks on our furniture. I finished my arrangement and carried it to his desk to show him my handiwork. He pretended to care and I closed up the lid to carry it away, when the latch let go and everything spilled on the floor - there I was like a servant girl, scooping up all my threads from the floor. It's happened to me twice since, so I will have to be extra careful when carting it around.

I then decided to do some needle felting. Here is a little chicky - I like how the wings are made- using your scissors to cut a triangular piece (it's hard to see in this photo isn't it?) The eyes are beads and the beak and feet are felt that is sewn on.

I attempted to make a strawberry (from Craft: issue # 2) and an Easter egg, but both are poorly shaped. I think I am too impatient to keep working the roving. Either that, or I need different felting needles however, I am reluctant to blame the equipment.

I think this should be called an Easter Rock because it's certainly not egg shaped: Here is an example of some of my Easter table decorations, several amigurmi chicks are included, along with a chicken kitchen timer, a wind-up chick, some sequined decorations and an Easter tree that I did not make and a basket full of Clementine oranges:

In the collection, you will see an orange coloured stuffed rabbit - her name is Lucky:
Here's Lucky's story: years ago I worked at an importing company and the factories would often send us samples. In one of the boxes of sample stuffed animals was this orange lumpy bunny with pink satin feet, hands and ears. The designer/buyer and the office staff was horrified - they thought she was hideous. I thought (and still do) that she is not. And so I saved her from being thrown in the garbage can and called her Lucky - because no one else wanted her except me.

On Saturday, I gardened and then cooked our Easter dinner, we had: turkey breasts with cranberries, ham with pineapple, twice baked potatoes and Brussels sprouts. For dessert there was a pumpkin pie which we didn't get to, as they boys were most interested in the homemade rice pudding with dried cherries. Yum.

Sunday, was book day at Oscars Art Books on Broadway and lunch at the crepe restaurant up the street - have you ever had a Nutella milkshake? Wow. that's yummy. I'll have to tell you more about that in my next post.

And now, here's a look at some of the sweet flowers already in bloom in my garden:

Miniature daffodils

A flower bed of purple primulas

Hyacinths

Miniature Tulips

Grape Hyacinths

First Day of Spring!

Oh yes! It's all coming together now. It's spring today -the first day of it - and it's actually sunny and it's Easter weekend, and it's time to get outside and enjoy the garden soon, and start wearing short sleeved shirts so I can feel the warm sun on my skin (while protecting my face because I have to fight the signs of aging!)

And in case I don't get back to this blog in the next day or so, here's a copy of an Easter card I sent this year, it's my favourite:

Cats. They're just so crafty aren't they?

New 'puter is working - almost

Phew! I'm still working on transferring all my files and loading programs to the new computer . I still have several programs to go, including iTunes - and on Sunday, I just updated my podcasts which totalled about 400 of them. I know, I know, I 'm a bit of a collector - even electronically. I'm working at clearing out the podcasts, and unsubscribing to several as I just can't possibly can't listen or watch them all anyway. I usually listen to them more in the summer as they are a great way to block out the annoying neighbour's noises in favour of something I like while I'm gardening.

So if I haven't returned your phone call or I am slow in returning your emails, that's probably a good reason why. I'm sorry, I'm trying, really I am.

I had hired Nerds on Site to help me, but they could only stay for 2 1/2 hours. I just don't understand people these days. And it's not like I said I was in a hurry, I even let them pick the day. I had expected them to spend more time than that, I wanted them to transfer files and set up programs and make email work, etc. I was clear on what I needed, but nope, she had to run to her next appointment.... but I could "call her again to set up another appointment". Gee thanks. Bah....

No crafting for me for the next little bit. My work room was turned upside down with all of this and along with setting up the computer, I also have some serious spring cleaning to do (because I turned my work room upside down in the process of removing one computer and adding another. But, I am liking this computer more and more, and perhaps in another few days (as some have predicted) I will say 'gosh, I wish I had done this months ago'. This just how I run, I guess.

So I hope all is well for you. Did you know the first day of spring is approaching? It doesn't feel like it here - today we had sun, rain, hail, sun, rain.... and it's only mid-afternoon! But it's better than the freezing rain and snow they have in Toronto and other parts of the country don't look too springy either - do they? How can kids do an Easter egg hunt in the snow? I guess they have to do it inside.

What do you have planned for this long weekend?

St. Patrick's Day to you

"Here's wishing you the top o' life without a single tumble.
Here's wishing you the smiles o' life and not a single grumble.
Here's wishing you the best o' life and not a claw about it.
Here's wishing you the joy in life and not a day without it."

- Irish Blessing

And a happy St. Patrick's Day to you too!

I was watching the news on the weekend and they showed coverage of the Vancouver St. Patrick's Day parade and they also showed many other groups who weren't Irish but were participating; when asked why some of these groups mentioned multiculturalism. We don't all have to be Irish, to be happy today and wish our mates a good day, do we?

And this year, I didn't make or display any ornaments, perhaps because last year it was on the weekend. Did you put out any decorations, or drink green beer?

~~~~~~~

This weekend, I finished the second 'entry' that is part of the Tea Towel Tour 3 on Craftster. This is not actually a tea towel, but will become an apron. Here is the close up:






and the whole piece.


Yes, I know my work isn't centred, I am leaving room for the next two people still to come.

~~~~~

Just before Christmas my employer sent me a new computer as my old one is 6 years old and becoming a bit unreliable. At that time I plugged it in, made sure everything worked and then returned it to it's boxes. Now, I'm worrying too much about my old computer's abilities and so I have a technician coming by this afternoon to help me with some of the file transfers so I can start working on the new computer.

I'm very nervous about this and it's been on my mind all weekend. I know my current computer is old, but I know it really well, and I am in the habit of frequent back ups. This new one feels like it's going to be a problem and I haven't even worked with it yet. I didn't pick the computer or it's components - first mistake I think. I know I will enjoy that it is smaller, and the flat screen monitor is certainly much smaller than my 80 pound (yes really! 80 pounds) 19 inch monitor, but I'm apprehensive.

I do like change, really I do, and perhaps in a few days when I realize how fast the new machine is, or how I enjoy all the space on my desk, and I will announce how much I love the machine, but right now, I'm still a bit worried.

So I'll let you know how things are going, and if I switched back to my big old friend..... would I do that?

rrrrrrolled up the rrrrrrrim and won!

Can you believe it? JP and the kid were sitting in Tim Hortons on Friday after school - dad with his coffee, the kid with a decaf (special treat) when the kid starts say out loud "win $50".

JP thought the kid was pulling his leg until the kid continued with "carte Tim card" then he was sure the kid was telling the truth and had actually won a prize.

I can't believe it. Both of us have been "rolling up the rim to win" at Tim Hortons since they started these contests. The most we've won is a muffin, a couple of donuts and a coffee. And a nine year old kid wins $50!

At least the kid will get to keep the prize.

When my brother was about 5 years old, my aunt used his name to enter a contest for a bicycle at a store she worked at. She couldn't use her kids names because she was an employee of the store and that was against the rules of the contest. Well wouldn't you know it, but my brother - who was a pretty lucky kid- won that bicycle. It was a small town and in the 60s and this was a big deal and so there was a big ceremony to award the bike to my brother. They handed it over to him and then he posed for pictures with the store manager for the local newspaper. This cute little kid with a big smile on his face with a brand new bicycle - not a hand-me-down from his older brother. It was all his. All his friends and kids in the neighbourhood and the kids at school knew he won the bike.

Except, then my aunt took the bike because she had entered the contest for her kid! My brother was crushed. I think my mom was too much in shock to say any thing to her sister. My brother is older than me so I don't know more details of the story, but I am sure my parents had to make it right for the little guy. Needless to say - we never liked that aunt or her kids much after that.

What's your favourite story about winning?

Tea Towel Tour

We had a bit of a hiccup with the Tea Towel Tour, the swap I am participating on Craftster. The first tea towel from California was missing in action and just when we were about to replace it, it arrived. Phew! There were some pretty tense moments in the stitching world!

I was getting a bit anxious because some of the participants were on their second or third towel, and I had yet to receive anything. At least my towel had arrived in Edmonton and it's first embroidery is gorgeous!

So finally, no more suspense.... here is the first towel I've completed for the tour; the whole towel so far (the owner's work is on the top left, mine is on the bottom right):

And the detail of what I've added:

Perhaps her theme will be "things with wings"? I am curious to see what will be added. I wondering if adding later in the circle/group is going to be harder or easier; easier because more of a theme will be established, or harder because all the good patterns are gone. What do you think?

This one was a bit hard to do because her towel was more like Aida cloth (not a smooth weave) and the pattern I found was not an iron on, but I had to trace it with a pencil onto the cloth. I fell back to my childhood ways, a trick my father taught me - to turn the light on in the oven and hold the pieces on the glass door as a makeshift light box. However, this is when I realized that the oven I grew up with had a much bigger window than the one I have now. And the fabric wasn't smooth making my lines uneven and faint. But it's done, and I'm happy with the results.

One thing I've learned over the years with embroidery and many other craft projects, is to withold judgement until the project is complete, or nearer completion at least. I find with embroidery it looks so much better once the last stitches are done and it's been ironed. Then you step back and look at the image as a whole, instead of as each individual stitch which you pay so much attention to during the sewing.

The day after the first towel arrived (one week late) the second towel arrived. Actually, the second one will be an apron. I will post photos of it tomorrow.

Another Felted Project

I had so much fun with the felted chickadee kit, I was looking for other things to make. While at the show on the weekend, I picked up a bag of multi-coloured roving and so I decided to try my hand at flat felting.

Do you remember this purse? I knit it January 10, 2008 using one skein of Cascade 220 and then washed it in my machine to felt it - it's just little, only 10 inches across the top and 7 inches deep. I posted it here.

I used that purse to embellish it with flowers and a butterfly using the wool roving and the felting needle:

Pretty springy isn't it?

Hmm, now I'm looking around to see what else I can do.

chickadee-dee-dee

Well I finished my needled felted Chickadee kit last night. I think the head is too big, but I think if I keep punching it with the felting needle, I can compact it.I was pretty happy with the kit, but I would have liked to have a photo for reference. Or, if I was smart I would have taken a photo of the one she was selling in her booth (at this weekend's Fibrefest - see yesterday's post). I searched the Internet but couldn't find comparable chickadees. Perhaps, it's good that I didn't have a photo as now it's more personalized and not just a copy - right?

I will be keeping my eyes open now for other needle felting projects, so stay "tuned".

~~~~~

Just when I was back in the groove of walking Jazz in the morning before work, that dang Daylight Savings Time this weekend made it dark in the morning again. Now the sun isn't coming up until 7:20 but I start work at 7:00, so I have to go back to walking her after work. I found that we had a better walk in the morning because the streets are quieter, and I was more energetic during the day because of that morning excercise.

No wonder I'm tired and lethargic today: it's Monday, it's raining, I didn't get my early morning walk, and my sleep pattern was interrupted because of the time change. blahh.

Perhaps I should go do some Jumping Jacks to wake my body up!

Did you have any troubles adjusting this weekend?

Meet you at Fibrefest, Alpaca Lunch

Did you get the joke in the title? JP came up with it - I thought it was pretty good.

Yes, I went to the Fibrefest in Abbotsford yesterday to meet Carol and Mike there - sadly Cynthia couldn't make it. Carol was not there when I arrived, so I decided to go in an browse while I waited for them - read her blog to find out what happened - she's such a good sport. I had never been before and I was blown away by the many amazing products showing the most beautiful colours and the softest wools. As well, there were amazing creations such as the finest woven scarves and shawls, an excellent 3' x 4' woven image of Bono, quilt displays, rag rugs, glass beads and lovely felted items including a peacock hat that I wish I had a picture to show you. There were also a couple of sheep and several llamas which minded their manners and handled all the people quite well. As we were leaving, Mike had a phone call, he explained to the caller that he was at the Fibrefest, and then had to say "no, not like bran, fibre as in wool" Too funny, after being around this stuff for so long the first thing I think of when I hear 'fibre' is not the edible kind!

I bought a needle felting kit to make a little chickadee and some multi-coloured roving for other needlefelted projects (in the photo above).

I found a booth which had wonderful wools - the lady raises the sheep, shears them, dyes, cards and spins the fleece herself and therefore had very reasonable prices. I picked up 3 hanks of dark brown brown wool, from 3 girl sheep called Davina, Fatima (and I forgot the third ones name) which I plan to make a shrug

I also picked up these 3 hanks which are dusty light teal, dark teal and dusty plum. I thought they went together nicely, but JP said all three shouldn't be together. I have no idea what I'll do with them - maybe just hats as there is not much wool in these ones.

And one of the first items I saw was this lovely silver necklace with dark brown stones. I have no idea what type of stones they are but I thought it was a beautiful piece.

Also in this photo, which is difficult to see, is a set of blown glass stitch markers which are in the shape of little white dogs. I had to laugh when the lady in the booth said the man who made them "say goodbye to your dogs" and he started looking around the floor to see where the dogs were.

For the rest of the weekend, craftwise, I worked on a cross stitch and finished these socks which I made for myself. I started them a while ago, but put them on hold for the other things that needed to be done in a hurry - that's what we do, isn't it - put our own projects on hold?

Now I think I'll start my needlefelted birdie. What did you do this weekend?

Last night I dreamt I was a newly hired assistant at a very busy office, and worked for a boss like Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada). As well, the employees loved to fluster us by asking for stuff with as little details as possible. One employee told me to rent him a monitor. I didn't even know his name. I had to find out how we'd pay for it, Mac or PC, where I'd get it, when he needed it for and for how long, etc. As well, I had to run several blocks to the rental place in my skirt and heels. When I succeeded at that task, another employee wanted something from his desk. I didn't know his name either- and didn't know where he sat. Of course I never asked these people questions - that wasn't allowed. So I had to describe him to several people, and each would vaguely point in a directly causing me to keep asking people. It was a flurry of papers and commands and when my alarm went off I was tired! I slept another 20 minutes and only got up because Jazz barked. But even now after walking the dog my head is still reeling as if I actually experienced it! I thought dreams were supposed to work things out for you so you could rest? And the dream isn't even representative of my current job or one I hope I never will have.

By the way, did you see the sunrise this morning (if you live in the Lower Mainland)? I wish I had my camera with me when I was walking Jazz. At the school yard there would have been an amazing shot, across the frosty grass field with the contrasting colours of the sky in the background - however, I realized that part of the drama was the tint in my sunglasses and I thought "if I had my camera I would have shot some pictures through the sunglasses lenses as well".

Yesterday was my brother's birthday (Happy Birthday to him) and one of the presents I sent him as a pair of hand knit socks. That's not so easy when I only see him once maybe twice per year and when I do see him I don't usually look at his feet. I guessed his shoe size. He said they fit so I guess I guessed correctly.

The legs seem skinny but they are in a 2x2 rib and are very stretchy, they are knit are 4.00mm dpns. I switched to just black for the stripe and the toe but knit with both yarns on the heels in hopes of reinforcing them.

It's still wintry where he lives so I'm sure he'll get good use out of them for at least another 6 weeks.

I'm still waiting for the first Tea Towel (Tea Towel Tour 3 - Rise of the Tourists) to arrive for the Craftster Swap. It was sent last Tuesday from California so I'm crossing my fingers it arrives today. I would like to have some time to complete an nice embroidery before I have to send it on to the next person. I'll keep you posted on it's progress. The person sending to me just sent the second one yesterday - bah!

Wedding Dates

JP's sister just announced the date of her wedding and she has decided on his birthday. She says it was the only day available at the venue of her choice. For him, his birthday will be consumed by his sister's wedding and not how he normally spends his birthday - which is usually filled with things he would like to do.

Now, strangely enough (or not), his other sister chose his birthday for her wedding about 10 years ago. So now both his sisters will have wedding anniversaries on his birthday.

So my question to you is: Does it matter if a sibling gets married on your birthday? Doesn't it only affect you on the wedding day? For the following years your birthday can continue as you want it (except when they have a 5, 10 or 25 year anniversary party). Is there another reason a bride would choose her brother's birthday as her wedding day?

I've been tossing these ideas around but didn't really come to a conclusion. Perhaps there is no definite answer.

I think I might be a bit perturbed if my sibling chose my birth date for their wedding day, but hey, we're adults right? I can change my plans around, can't I?

My purpose for this post was to pose the question and hear your replies, I am not looking for a right or wrong, because I truly don't think there can be one.

So please, tell me your opinion, I am very interested.

Boys and Milkshakes

My favourite picture of the day:
I found it on this site, and thanks to Carol Browne for sharing another interesting site, Kottke where I first saw the graph.

The above demonstrates the song "Milkshake", and the lyrics can be found here (scroll down a bit). Whew! That's a lot of linking! One must be sure to give everyone credit these days since things can fly around the internet so quickly, hence all the links.

And do you wonder how many other songs can be demonstrated by charts or graphs? Then check out this Flickr pool.

Weekend Update

First I would like to thank everyone for the kind words left on my last post. I so very much appreciate your support. Jazz and I are adjusting to our new lifestyle and we have to learn new habits and routines. I have been teaching Jazz some new tricks, but she still needs to learn that she no longer needs to inhale her food; I wonder if she'll ever be able to break that habit?

During the last couple of days I knitted on some socks, and knitted on my pink mohair scarf. As well, JP and I have been doing some tidying and organizing and purging some items we've stored for too many years.

Yesterday, I enjoyed at day out in Richmond with fellow bloggers, Big Girl Feet and Carol Browne at Daiso and Yaohan. We had and awesome time shopping and looking, and laughing, and finding interesting things. We had a very yummy lunch (thanks Cynthia) and I decided to empty my bank account before the end of the day - which I succeeded in doing (thank goodness for overdraft).

Here's some of my score:

wrapping paper, double pointed bamboo knitting needles,
self inking stamps, a lunch box, a ceramic pig cup,
a bear wall pocket, origami paper, post it notes,
stationery, magazines and candy

I actually bought more candies but some have already been consumed or moved throughout the house. Also, I bought a couple Japanese embroidery books which I am very excited about and can't wait to start stitching.

And, during our clean up, I found my box of beading supplies, and so I intend to work on that again as well - including adding beads to my embroidery.

So I will be a busy girl as I have many projects I'd like to work on. Plus, it's March now - which means GARDEN TIME! It's time to start cleaning up the yard, and getting the flower beds ready for another season, so I will have to split my "spare" time between:

• walking Jazz
• exercising
• the garden chores
• the house chores
• cooking
• spending time with JP and the kid
• and crafting

Oh my! Just typing that makes me realize this might not be so easy to do. Well, once begun, half done.....

What did you do this weekend?