a little retreatin'

I went away for four days this week with no real expectations of getting anything accomplished.  But I did finish two quilt tops.  The one above is a Bonnie Hunter mystery called "Christmas Lights" that was published in Quiltmaker magazine a number of years ago.  I had the blocks done, but needed to assemble the blocks and add the borders.  Can you see where I made the mistake?  Yes - I did get out my stitch ripper the next morning and turned the block.  I couldn't live with THAT!

Next, I added a row of four patches to finish off this top that I created from split nine-patches.  I really like it.

The retreat was at a cottage on the St. Clair River, with a number of "quaint" details - including this rotary phone.  I forgot what it felt like to answer one of these puppies - - just about knocked myself out cold!  It must weigh a ton!

One more day off, and then it's back to the grindstone. I plan to spend tomorrow working on homework - - I have SEVERAL projects coming due for both of the courses I'm enrolled in.  

Took me a minute....but I remembered how to use my sewing machine...

I have bit on a rather extended break from sewing and quilting, but recently my imagination has been sparked again by images on Pinterest and Facebook, so I believe I can confirm I've been reinfected with a thread bug.  I don't know how long I've been working on Jamestown Landing - it's been on my design wall for at least 10 months I reckon.  Time to get this thing done!  Monday I spent making too many blocks.  By last night I just needed to sew three long seams.  

In between, I've added to my 3" (finished) nine patches.  I think there's about 180 in my jar now.

This morning I was awake at 5:30 - - a perfect time to listen to CBC radio, and stitch those last seams.  Next up is string piecing piano key borders.  

Not much excitement planned for the long weekend.  Hubby is working all three days.  I have an online class on Monday evening (class on LABOUR DAY????).

This is what I've been reading:

One down....nine to go

I'm talking about courses to complete my Masters Degree.

I finished course #1 on Saturday - guess what I got?

I haven't done ANYTHING remotely crafty in months - - unless you count sewing a button on Hubby's shorts, and I don't!  To be honest - I just haven't felt like it.  Recently, however, I've been starting to take longer looks at quilty photos in my Facebook newsfeed, and sneaking Pinterest breaks from time to time.  Perhaps the crafty fast is coming to an end?

Guess where I am?

Yep - I'm at school.  Remember all the angst I went through from 2008 - 2011 doing my undergrad degree?  Well....I suspect the brain remembers university sort of the same way it remembers labour & delivery.... it wasn't THAT bad, and it was worth all the pain in the end.  So, I've enrolled in the Master of Social Work program - Leadership in the Human Service specialization - at the University of Calgary. So, while most of the program is online, I do have to actually travel to Calgary (a 4 hour/$500 plane trip across country) for a week twice over the next two years.  

I flew in on Sunday night....well, actually Monday morning - my flight was delayed by four hours due to electrical storms that effectively shut down the airport in Calgary on Sunday morning, and backed up the skies for the rest of the day.  I didn't get to bed until 3:30 in the morning - and had to be in class for 9am. But...if that's the worst thing that happens to me this week....I'm good with that!

I've been in classes all day for two days - with articles to read and assignments to complete each night.  It's been tough - especially having crossed a couple of time zones.  Being a early morning riser, and barely making it to sunset before I'm tucked in at night...it's particularly challenging.  I keep looking at the clock and wishing it was telling me that it was much later than 8:15 mountain time.

....and moving along....

I can make any number of excuses about why I've been such a bad blogger these last few months....but talk about BORING!!!

Let's move on to more exciting topics:

1. I haven't sewn much over the past six months.  I recently have started flogging this old horse - Jamestown Landing from Bonnie Hunter's "String Fling" book.  Let 's do a little math.  The overall quilt centre (minus the borders) are made up of 21 x 18 little 4x4 blocks, each with approximately 8 pieces in them - roughly 3000 pieces.  Wow.

2.  I've applied to two universities to pursue a master's degree in Social Work.  I won't know for awhile yet if I've been selected.  Fingers are crossed.

3.  I bought a new memory foam bath mat - - the cat will not step on it.  It freaks him out.  I can now confirm--without any reservations--that THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG with my cat.

4.  Itty Bitty has just completed the first semester of his fourth year of undergrad.  Thirteen more weeks until he completes his degree.  This has been the shortest four years of my entire life.  He is also applying to grad school to complete a Master's degree in social work - different universities though.

This past semester he spent Fridays with me at my office doing an elective practicum.  It's been so much fun. Okay, not fun exactly. He has heard some truly horrific stories, and seen some hair-curling, run-screaming-into-the-street sorts of sights - - but certainly has the professional, non-judgmental, this-is-so-completely-normal, social-worky approach down SOLID. Besides, he's also really good at lifting heavy objects, mind-numbing clerical/administrative tasks, and run-down-to-the-courthouse-to-get-me-documents-and-while-you're-out-bring-back-coffee sorts of jobs.

5.  I've been reading quite a lot.  I also went to my first ever book club meeting to discuss "The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion.  I want to recommend this book to everyone I meet.  I understand it is going to be a movie - - and the movie just will NOT be as good.

In the past 24 hours, I completely consumed "This Won't Hurt a Bit" by Michelle Au - very readable.

Lastly, I've been working through the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon again.  I started to read them when they were initially published back in the 90's - but since watching the TV series in the summ...wait...WHAT?!?!? You haven't watched the TV SERIES?!?!?!?  Wow.  Go do that.
Anyway - the books have been re-released to coincide with the  television series premier in August and I have been yummying them up:

  

I'm ready for book #4 - and my sister-in-law has given me #5 & 6.  Why is the bookstore so far away????

Has it really been four months????

Let's see.....what's changed in four months.....

GOT MY DEGREE ON TUESDAY!!!!  Yes, convocation was held this past week.  I have to be honest...it was sort of a let down.  I really expected to 'feel something' but no...it was really more like going to the doctor's office:  Sitting foreeeeeeeeeeeeever....then someone calls your name, and you're in and out before you know what happened. I feel sort of foolish spending too much money on a new dress and shoes (which gave me a blister!).  No one got to see it.

I'm actively looking for paid employment -- my strategy is to seek out "the hidden job market" by becoming the Queen of Networking!  I've been to so many meetings, seminars, conferences, committees, you name it.  I have a collection of business cards that rivals my scraps.  I had to buy a CrackBerry to keep up with my email.

I have some very exciting work projects underway -- all unpaid of course, but tremendously challenging, and great padding for my portfolio.  I feel like I'm just weeks away from a good position.  The pieces are all moving in the right direction.  Prayers and positive thoughts please!


ITTY BITTY - has accepted an offer of admission to his 1st choice university, AND gotten a $1500 scholarship. It's only slightly more than an hour away, so he's still close.  He only has two more days of high school, then exams, and hopefully he'll find some summer work to prepare for his first year.  Prom was two weeks ago, and then music awards banquet.  Next Wednesday is Commencement.  Busy, busy, busy!

Oh, and two weeks ago -- he cut off his hair!  I mean CUT! RIGHT DOWN TO THE WOOD!  I'm still having traumatic flashbacks from the harrowing experience.  It had been four years since the last hair cut, and was so thick! and curly! and lovely! half way down his back! When the hair piled up on the floor of the barbershop, it looked like a small dog was napping under the chair. (pardon me while I weep!)  Now he looks so much more like his brother.  And speaking of his brother...

SAILOR BOY - Itty Bitty and I flew out to Halifax for a 4-day weekend over Easter to visit Sailor Boy.  The weather was lovely, and Halifax is gorgeous.  We had a tour of his ship, and did lots of site seeing and shopping.  It was our first time flying, and we did marvelous.  He'll be home for a summer holiday in about a month.  We are beginning to hear from him more regularly -- he must be growing up!

HUBBY - has been working straight nights for the last few months.  It's not easy -- he's probably the worst day-time sleeper EVER - and if he doesn't soon get into some sort of a routine, I'm despairing of him surviving this in any long term sense. 

GIBBY - this cat is going to be the death of me.  He loves to be outside, which means he is always lurking near a doorway, waiting for it to crack open the merest fraction of an inch so he can make his escape.  I try to let him out on his leash whenever I'm home, but that doesn't satisfy him.  Today I videotaped him trying to eat a bumblebee - it was hysterical.


That's pretty much the news.  I hope to be able to settle down a bit before too much longer.  I certainly don't get to quilt anymore, but maybe later this summer I can begin to fit a few minutes in from time to time.

I've been reading a lot though. We seemed to wait so long for some true, honest-to-goodness spring weather this year, and now that it's here - I'm outside anytime from the crack of dawn to sundown.  I love my front porch, and my backyard deck so much.  (sigh) So, I always have a book ready to keep me company.

Right now I'm reading "Casting Off" by Libby Purves. It's a good story so far, but I'm skipping some pages that drone on and on about the weather, sailing -- stuff I don't know anything about and can't relate to!

Friday night I stayed up until the very wee hours of the night reading "After Rain" by Donna Milner.  It's Canadian fiction -- oh how I loathe Canadian fiction!  But this was certainly an exception to my rule.  I had to get to the end to find out what happened between Boyer and Natalie, and if Nettie and Rain were.....noooooooooo.... impossible!  I liked this story a lot.

Recently I read "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.  WOW!  I loved this book!  I gobbled it up in a couple of sessions, and immediately went out and rented the movie starring Julia Roberts.  THAT, my friends, was a waste of two hours of my life I'll never get back.  Yes, it was lovely to look at -- but it was a mistake to ever think that the depth of emotion and spirituality that the book holds between its covers could ever be captured on the screen.  Skip the movie.  Read the book.


Right now, I'm surrounded by three blood-thirsty squirrels, inching towards me on the back deck.  They are all wondering:  uh...Where the hell is the peanut butter!?!?!?!

It's Reading Week

Where has the time gone?  Seems like just yesterday I was entering my first university class (Psych 100)...and now, I find myself one presentation and two essays away from my BSW degree!  I can't believe it.  In six weeks...it will all be a memory.

Sooooo...being this close to graduation means I'm also looking for a JOB!  They would be happy to keep me at the law clinic, and in fact have ponied up to send me off to a grant-writing workshop in order to secure funding for a full-time social work position.  However, I'm being realistic -- funding applications are a huge project, and being brand new at it, I'm not holding out a lot of hope that I'll have immediate success -- and starting to put out my C.V. 

Anybody got a job for me???

Oh, and I also intend to register for another class or two next year at UWO.  The plan is just to stay connected to the university community, take advantage of the opportunities to see guest lecturers, be involved in social action events, be able to access the university libraries, etc....but I'm telling everybody that I'm working on a 2nd undergrad degree.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Speaking of university, Itty Bitty got his first offer of admission -- to University of Windsor.  This is not his first choice, but a decent fall back position to say the least.  We're very proud!  (still have fingers and toes crossed for Laurier or my alma mater)

Sailor Boy has been out on his first 'cruise' -- 3 years in the navy...never been on the ocean!  He spent the first three days violently sea sick, then gave in and got an injection of Gravol, and quickly gained his sea legs.  He has vowed to never try to "tough it out" again. 

Miss me???

It's been a crazy month!  Where to begin?

Let's see....

1) University - - I have one more major paper to write, and this semester will be over in less than two weeks.  I can't believe how much LESS stressful fourth year is compared to this time LAST year!  I think I'm doing well - I had to give two seminars this week (ACK!) - - talk about anxiety!!! 

2) Practicum - - I love, love, love the work I'm doing at the law clinic.  I'm starting to handle a couple of cases on my own - cases that really aren't "law" cases, and would generally not be handled by our clinic, but because I'm focusing on "social work" - I am enjoying learning, and trying out things, testing my skills, and having some successes.  It's such a neat experience when my day is going along, and all of a sudden, I realize "Hey! All that boring dry theory we learned IS relevant!" 

3) Sailor Boy - I watched a TV show on the Equator Channel tonight called "Warships" that featured the ship that he's posted to -- it was really interesting to see the inside of the ship, and the living quarters, etc.  I called him tonight to let him know I saw this program, and he told me that he has some leave at Christmas time, so he's probably going to be able to come home for a bit.  I'll know more next week I guess.

4) Itty Bitty -- needs to pull up his socks in ENGLISH!  I'm getting very worried that he's not going to have the grades to get into university if he doesn't take some emergency action.  The semester is almost over for him as well, and it's not good.  I have a sneaking suspicion he's going to be doing English AGAIN next semester, since this is a mandatory course.  I'm also worried that I'm going to have to lay down the law and cut out some of his extra-curricular stuff.  I'm dreading that - - I hoped once Football Season was over, he'd turn it around....but...  (ugh, being a mom sucks sometimes!)

We have recently been on a tour of the his first choice university - - Hubby and I really liked it as well, and it's not too far away - - an hour an a half maybe.

5) Hubby -- what can I say about Hubby?  Not much really - - but no news is good news, right?

6) Quilting - what's that?!?!  I haven't sewn in at least two months.  I haven't been doing much of anything except school - long days at the law clinic, staying late for board meetings, etc., working on assignments.  I have gotten slightly addicted to Soduko puzzles recently though - weird, eh?

I haven't gone anywhere!

SWAMPED!!!

I've been so busy with practicum and school....NOTHING has been going on except work, work, work!

Midterms have arrived, so after I get a much needed colour on my hair this morning (why did I make a 9 am appointment???) it's time to hit the books and craft some fabulous essays. 

I'm still wildly in love with my placement at the Law Clinic.  Yesterday was such an awesome day!!! 

mom's complaining...

Once again, Mom is complaining that I haven't posted a blog update.  YIKES!

I don't know where this week has gone.  It's been a blur!  Between my placement at the Law Clinic (which I am in serious love with) and classes, I've also had a couple of late nights at uni doing some extra stuff.

Tuesday night was SUPER interesting.  I had volunteered to help out at at program here at King's called "Liberal Arts 101" - - I had no idea what to expect of the experience, but I certainly wasn't expecting how much I'd personally get out of it.

The program, the way I understand it, is low-income people are invited from the community to attend a series of lectures from various faculties of study (this week was history, next week is modern languages).  They are provided with dinner--which was completely yummy!!! two thumbs up--and can receive child care and bus tickets so there is no cost to them involved.  Then after dinner we went to a lecture room in another building on campus and heard a lecture about propoganda in popular culture during WW2.  It was really interesting!  And I was a little embarrassed when I noticed the invited guests around me writing reems and reems of notes during the lecture while I just sat like a Sunday driver.  Afterwards, we were broken up into groups and had a discussion about the lecture.  My role was to support the discussion - - and it was fascinating!  I had a VERY multi-cultural group - - four different continents and many, many languages were represented.  Some of the folks in my discussion group had emmigrated from places in the world that have been impacted by war, and had lots to share about how they received messagages of propaganda through popular culture (music, children's events).  I'm looking forward to future Tuesday evenings.

Tonight I'm at uni for a social action committee event.  We are screening a documentary called Poor No More which starts in about half an hour.

Happy New Year!

I always feel that the "real" New Year begins not in the cold, dark depths of winter, but right around now, as we prepare to go back to school.  Now seems the right time to start fresh routines, and make resolutions towards achievement and success. 

Itty Bitty begins his final year of high school on Tuesday.  Whoa!  How did this happen?  My last baby...his last year of school...   I don't return to school until next Monday; my last year of undergrad.  Not exactly true...I'm thinking of going to school this afternoon to get some reserve readings at the library, and actually, next Monday, I'll be at the law office where I'll be doing my 4th year Practicum!!! 

I'm so excited!  I had my interview on Wednesday, and ROCKED it!  The woman who interviewed me had made up her mind immediately that I was going to be a good fit, so she gave me a tour, introduced me to all the lawyers and support staff, showed me where my office would be, etc.  I got official confirmation in an email this morning.  They had been wanting a social worker here for some time, because the clients of this law clinic (funded by Legal Aid) often have issues much bigger, and more pressing than their legal concerns, and need someone to help identify their areas of need, and connect them to other agencies and social services in order to find supports and resources.  This is PERFECT for me - I like to be busy, and think creatively, and be presented with new challenges. I wish I was already there!  I'll be working here three full days a week, for the next eight months. (Oh, and FYI: any posts I make about my practicum experience, will be labelled Law 'n Order)

Word on the Simple Abundance Project...a tragic thing happened yesterday.  We ran out of toilet paper!  I had stocked up on sale priced TP, applied coupons of course, and filled our linen closet to bursting back when there was still snow on the ground!  Throughout this summer, I've avoided "stocking up" on things in the spirit of living a "less-is-more" lifestyle. Imagine my shock and dismay, when confronted with the empty paper tube, and then finding "my cupboard was bare"! As the kids would say: EPIC FAIL!!!!  Luckily, I found 3-ply Royale double roll 12 packs on sale for $4.99 (reg. $8.99) and had $1 off coupons too.  I even shared my extra coupons with the cashier who was obviously envious of my super savings.

Also in the stream of Simple Abundance news, I weighed in today, and I've lost 25.2 lbs.  Sometimes Simple Abundance works great... and sometimes you're outta toilet paper! 

 Thought I'd better share a picture of just how happy I look:

I'm a bad blogger...

Both Itty Bitty and my mom have scolded me for not updating, so prepare for a big post.

I don't know what it is I've been doing that's made me so busy...I certainly haven't accomplished very much!  I did finish a baby quilt, and presented it at a baby shower I attended on Sunday, but I didn't get a photo.  Can you believe that???

I've been working on quilting the School of Rock quilt:

I'm down 21 pounds. I checked my measurements last week, and the weight seems to be coming off my lower abdomen (my hip measurement was down 5.5") - - couldn't be better!

Yesterday, Value Village had their 50% off everything sale, and I went a little crazy.  I definitely needed some office wear for my practicum placement (which I hope! hope! hope! will be in a law office - I interview tomorrow morning) but I don't want to spend a ton, because I expect to lose more weight.  For around $70, I got two dresses, three skirts, two suits (jacket & skirt) four blouses, slacks, a light sweater, a t-shirt and a nightgown.

The public library has a vendor's booth at the Horton Street Market on Saturday mornings, and I recently picked up 5 magazines for $1. Here's a few things I discovered in those magazines that have been inspiring me:

I have been looking for a watch like one of these for weeks.  I love the idea of a charm bracelet, and I look in every jewellery store I see, but nothing like these.  So far, I've only found silver with STUPID juevenile charms (purses, shoes, etc.).  The websites listed in the magazine included:

https://www.chickspicksbyhillary.com/ which is worth a look, it's very inspiring (however, watch is not available).  I guess I'll keep looking.

A couple of recipes that I'd like to try:

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Tomatoes

Crunchy-Top Blueberry Muffins

The economy being what it is...I noticed lots of money related articles,

Finding Money for School

Since Itty Bitty will be going off to post-secondary school in one short year, the first sentence caught my eye:

"These days there's an element of sticker shock when you add up the costs of higher learning – a four-year degree for a student living away from home currently costs $77,000." 

The tip I liked in this article was about automated savings, whereby money is automatically put into a savings account each time you use your debit card.  I've been a TD Canada Trust customer for my entire adult life, and had no idea they offered this program.  It's called Simply Save. I think I'll sign up!

The important link here is Smart Cookies. There are lots of very interesting, and not the least bit scary tools and downloads for getting a handle on your money.

Frozen lemons instead of ice cubes!  Yum!  I'll just have to add lemons to the grocery list.  I've been drinking TONS of water (at least 2 litres daily!) to help with the weight loss.  Adding frozen lemons will be a special little treat.

Easy craft: Make a mini emergency kit

Truth is, I'll probably never make one of these kits - but they are cute!  And you can download the stickers.

Loved this tear out folder from Sico. A very simple to copy idea for collecting and storing ideas, fabric swatches, photos, paint chips, etc.  for decorating.

And lastly, I wanted to share this article from Orderly Lives

Simplify Your Life

A common theme in many books on organization is
the virtue of simplification. “Simplify your life-that's the key to organization”. But what does that mean? We all know that our lives are too hurried, too complex, and too full of clutter-both physical and emotional. But most of us cannot opt out, retreat to a desert isle and leave our cares behind. We want to honor our responsibilities yet feel overwhelmed by the process.


The benefits of simplification can be found by exploring different worlds. In 1995, for example,
North Americans enthusiastically rediscovered the
world of Jane Austen. Why are Austen's characters so
fascinating to us? Globe and Mail columnist Margaret
Wente offers this explanation: “They believe in restraint, decorum, civility, character and large, closeknit families. They marry for the love, but even more for respect. They are cheerful, pragmatic optimists.”


Austen's world portrays life with a sense of order.
We might think it is stifling by our standards but it is
none the less neat, orderly and predictable. Very similar, in fact to the world inhabited by the Amish in Sue Bender's excellent book Plain and Simple.
Bender describes her sojourns with two Amish families and one of the valuable lessons she learns: “To my surprise, keeping my attention steady and confined to a few activities built a whole new discipline. A single-minded focus - repetition, order, an inspired monotony -- wasn't wasteful and didn't limit me: the structure brought a different kind of freedom … I found no shortcuts. Satisfaction came from giving up wishing I was doing something else.”

The notion of simplifying one's life must come from the discipline to do only what really matters and to embrace mindfulness. It is only when we try to live in the moment, as the Amish do, that we may find the inner peace that can transcend itself to all aspects of our lives including our homes and workplaces.
We may never replicate Austen's orderly universe but we can incorporate its virtues into our hurried lives.

just puttering around...

20 Days until the next semester begins.  GACK!!!!

In the meantime, I've just been puttering around.  Reading a little, making some stabs at that bedroom that needs painting (today I washed the walls, with the help of Itty Bitty), had a meeting last night at school to plan the 3rd Year student orientation event, running errands.

In the quilt realm:

1.Pieced together the 36 Candy Kisses blocks.  It's cute.  I'd like to put a creamy shade of Minkee on the back to make a very pretty baby blanket.

2. Put the border on the Jelly Roll 9-patch quilt I whipped up last week.

3. Pin basted the School of Rock quilt, all ready to quilt on my Janome.

Gotta show you this quilt made from repurposed shirts.  I visited Zany Quilter for the first time today - - you might as well just add this link to you favourites: http://zanyquilter.blogspot.com/ 'cuz it's a very cool blog!

Cara of Cara Quilts recently reviewed "Alice's Tulips" by Sandra Dallas; I book I enjoyed too.  So, I took a look at some of this author's other titles when I was at the library on Friday, and am now deeply into:

The Diary of Mattie Spenser

More Kimonos...more Books!

 I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with "Diary of an Ordinary Woman". While I was searching for a link to information about this book, I was devastated to learn that I had somehow overlooked the two tiny words "A novel" on the cover...because I wanted so much to believe Millicent King was a real person (doubly so when I started reading about her entry into social work as her second career!)  I picked this up at the library, so if you're local, you'll have to wait until I'm finished with it! 

Meanwhile, I'm still dabbling with Kimonos. I'm up to 21 now.

I was at school today for an appointment with the Practicum Coordinator... I still don't have a Practicum placement for 4th year.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  Part of me wishes the matter was settled, so I could start gearing myself up for the next eight months--shop for appropriate clothing (important if I'm in a professional office), do some research about the clients and issues I'll be working with, practical considerations like parking, etc.-- but another part of me is afraid to settle, because I might miss some really fantastic experience or opportunity.

...a weird week

While ordinarily I relish and revel in every opportunity to complain-- the longer and louder the better I always say! -- I hate to say this: it's been a weird week.

It has lasted exactly 14 hours.  That must be the truth of it, because I can't believe that a week has passed by so quickly. Where are the brakes on this crazy time machine?!?!?!?  I'm not ready for another school year yet!!!!

ughhhhhhh...four more weeks until I embark on the final year of my undergrad degree. Can you believe it?  Doesn't it seem like just yesterday I was just beginning my FIRST year??

Very unsettling.  And plain weird.

Anyhoooooo....Hubby and I went out yard sale-ing bright and early this morning, despite the fact that I was still wide-eyed at 3 in the morning reading a completely engrossing trashy novel. 

Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue

Born to rough cloth in working-class London in 1748, Mary Saunders hungers for linen and lace. Her lust for a shiny red ribbon leads her to a life of prostitution at a young age, where she encounters a freedom unknown to virtuous young women. But a dangerous misstep sends her fleeing to Monmouth and the refuge of the middle-class household of Mrs. Jones, to become the seamstress her mother always expected her to be and to live the ordinary life of an ordinary girl. Although Mary becomes a close confidante of Mrs. Jones, her desire for a better life leads her back to prostitution. She remains true only to the three rules she learned on the streets of London: Never give up your liberty; Clothes make the woman; Clothes are the greatest lie ever told. In the end, it is clothes, their splendor and their deception, that lead Mary to disaster.

Emma Donoghue's daring, sensually charged prose casts a new sheen on the squalor and glamour of eighteenth-century England. Accurate, masterfully written, and infused with themes that still bedevil us today, Slammerkin is historical fiction for all readers. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/emma-donoghue/slammerkin.htm


We didn't find too many treasures; I picked up four quilting books for 25¢ a piece: A Thimbleberries Housewarming, Santa's Coming by Art to Heart, Fat Quarters are Beautiful, and Finish It with Alex Anderson, plus a shirt that will be repurposed for 50¢.


All the excitement seemed to be at the Horton Street Market this morning!  We couldn't walk 10 feet without tripping over someone we knew, if indeed were not related to!  -- even both of our mothers!  I got some more peaches from the same farmer I bought from last week.  They were so deliciously sweet and juicy, Itty Bitty and I had to sit on the porch to eat because of the drippiness of them.

Itty Bitty Says It's Time to Update My Blog...

...what can I say?  It's been busy around here.

I made this bag tonight.  I need to stitch the top edge down, and maybe add some buttons to it, but it was fast and fun.  I used charm squares from the last package I received from Benartex -- the collection is  Wordplay by Michele D'Amore.

The pattern I based it on is called Scrappy Sack from http://www.thisandthatpatterns.com/ .  I left off the zipper and the applique, but since it only takes 21 charm squares, I can see making this one again.  It's only 8" x 12" -- good size for a lunch bag, or a bag to hold your take along hand sewing projects.

Sailor Boy arrived home on Sunday evening.  After I write my final exams (one on Monday, the second on Tuesday afternoon) our plan is to drive him back out to Halifax.  We'll just sort of take our time, and take in some sights.  I'm looking forward to getting away.

I saw something REALLY neat recently - - you use pieces of a 3/4" metal measuring tape in the folded edge of the top of a bag and this will snap the bag open and closed.  Oh, I know I'm not explaining it right - - but it's on my list to give this a try, and see how it works out!

Can it be the last day of June?

I can't believe half the year is over already! WOW!

Well...I got six more hexi flowers done.  The centres are slightly different, a shade darker, but close enough. Another difference?  I've used a bit of all of the vintage fabrics I have, and these all came from my stash of reproduction fabrics. These six bring the count up to a total of 56.

The rest of the day?  Well, I've procrastinated as long as I can, and I simply MUST catch up on course work for the two classes I'm taking online this summer.  UGH!  Online course are not for me; there are too many distractions. Laundry, dishes, errands...the list is endless!

Tuesday - ugh...I hate titles!

Here's what I'm reading now.  I've read Wally Lamb before - and enjoyed "She's Come Undone", but I'm not getting into this one.  I'll give it one more day, and if I can't settle into it, out it goes.

I've GOT to get a paper written today.  It's due tomorrow.  Ugh... what was I thinking ... summer school? Geezzzzzzzzzzz...

I've decided to call 'my plan' to strip my world of superfluous stuff the "Simple Abundance Project".  Today, I have a bag of books that is going to a friend who enjoys quirky reads.  Last night, I filled two big bags with personal care products and took them over to the local women's shelter.

I spent some time sewing my Log Cabin blocks last night.  I'm on the final round of logs, on 80 blocks.  These could be done soon!

And before I went to sleep last night, I played around with graph paper and pencil crayons, trying to draft out a design to make a quilt out of 15 FQs to donate to Itty Bitty's school as a fundraiser for a band trip to Florida next year. 

My Calender is Opening Up

Today is the final day of my class in Child & Adolescent Therapy. WHEW!!!  Now I just have two night classes for the next two months - Mondays and Wednesdays.  It feels like the doors of the jail are swinging wide open!

Wanna know what's been inspiring me this week?

A Quilting Life is a blog that I regularly look to for quilty inspiration. The particular post I've linked to included a link to printable hex templates to English paper piece Grandmother's Flower Garden, and another link to the EASIEST tutorial to cut, baste, and stitch GFG patches that I've ever seen: Sew Many Ways.  I really enjoy having a bit of handwork to drag around with me, particularly now in the nice weather when I like to be outside as much as possible.  So I've been digging through my stash of vintage scraps (ie: ugly old fabrics) and whipping up GFGs all weekend.

Even the centre limey centre hex of each flower is vintage.  I like the effect of fussy cutting the fabrics with stripes.

I received my regular quarterly shipment of Mr. B's Preview Pack last week, containing about 40 or so charm squares from Michele D'Amore's Word Play collection. I immediately had an idea for these charms! 

In other news:  the bathroom demo/reno is coming along.  We at least have a toilet again.  (Let's just say....things were pretty PRIMITIVE around here for a couple of days) The tub is also in, and the floor tile is down.  Next is walls I suppose.  But at least my IMMEDIATE needs are now being met.

We had an interesting event the other night.

At 3:00 a.m., Itty Bitty gently shook me awake, "Mom, the police are here and they want to talk to you."

My immediate thought was...omg, someone stole my car, went on a joyride and crashed it somewhere. I jumped up, a little woozy from the sleeping pill I had taken before I went to bed, pulled out my ear plugs, and made sure my boobs were tucked in my nightgown (sometimes those things can get away on you, ya know?).

Me: What's going on?

Constable: Just your tax dollars hard at work.

Me: What?!?!?!?

Constable: Someone in this house dialed 9-1-1.

Hubby and Itty Bitty had already been talking to the police for a few minutes before they got me up, and one of the officers checked the phones.

Apparently it was a quiet night in the ol' town Tuesday night, because there every cruiser on my street, and every cop on duty on my porch, I reckon!

One of them asked Hubby, "There's nothing 'domestic' going on here, is there?"  To which Hubby replied, "Well no, not until you wake my wife up!"

After the police left, we wondered aloud how the heck this had all happened.

Me: Maybe Gibby did it.

Hubby: Ya, check and see if his food dish is empty. 

You suppose Gibby narc'ed us?

It CANNOT be Thursday!

This week has just FLOWN by. I'm in three classes right now, and they are each so compacted into such a narrow time frame, that I'll be studying for midterms this weekend! Loving Spring Intersession!!!

To say the least, I haven't had much time for anything but reading, lectures, commuting, and possibly sleeping.  None of these in any particular order, or with particular skill! But it sure will feel good to have these credits DONE before the next semester.

I need to catch up on some missed chapters, and study for the next three days, but maybe I can sneak in a little 'down time'.