It's All in the Bag....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Many people start the new year with a goal of some kind that they want to accomplish in the their life.  I am the type of person that if I believe something should be changed I will do it.  In Health Care and especially Chronic Disease Management the "Buzz" word is about Motivational Interviewing and the Readiness Ruler.  In my world if I acknowledge that something should change I just do it, if I have to think about it then that the task is low on my priority and not likely to happen therefore I don't even try to do it ☺

Now, what does that have to do with my crafting???  Easy, there is about 1500 cubic feet of space (LxWxH) of space in the basement occupied by the most fabulous crafting projects.  I have come to the realization that I have a STABLE (Stash Amassed Beyond Life Expectancy - not sure where I saw this- but thought it was awesome and appropriate) down there and there are some AWESOME finds there.  

"Sew" this year I am working on cleaning up the STABLE.  Will I get it all caught up (roll curly haired head back and laugh now)?  Not even close, but, at least I can enjoy some of these treasures.

Took me most of the day today while my son was having naps (he has not been feeling well for the past couple of days) as the pattern was somehow not that easy for me to follow, but I present you:

This is the Friendly Tote that I purchased as a kit from Connecting Threads some time ago.

It turned out pretty good in the end.....not as perfect as I would have wanted, but it will work to tote library books and groceries etc. just fine! ☺

Now it's time to find my knitting and think about getting some sleep.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Making a Mountain....

Good Evening Internet Friends.

Yes, I do like to make mountains, sometimes in the traditional sense of the phrase - I tend to think of it as being extremely detail oriented which comes in handy in my profession....but today, I literally made a mountain:

This is the first part of my Row by Row block from Bearly Square Quilting in Havre, Montana.  There are some trees to be appliqued on yet, and two more sections to the row ☺

Now, it's time to think about getting some sleep.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Another Finish!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was actually a day of rest around my house!  I did NO house work, or baking or anything like that.

I did finish the Scandi 3 quilt finally:

TAH DAH!!!  

This afternoon I took a walk with the dog and kiddo but somehow managed to hurt my foot so now am sitting with my foot elevated hoping the swelling goes down for tomorrow!!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I'm Done....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was a whole lot of nothing exciting but at least I can say I'm Done!

Two of my bazillion knitting projects that is!

First off I finished my Cool Whip Cowl:

This yarn and pattern were in my November 2016 Yarn Crush shipment.  At first I was not a fan of this project, but the yarn is something that on first look I would have never purchased, but now I actually kind of like how it turned out! ☺

The other finish for me today was sock one of the Hat Trick Yarn sock in colour way Team Canada:

As soon as the other one is finished these will be off with hubby to work in camp.  

For dinner I decided to make lasagna so that we have some left overs for at least a couple of days.  Since it was kind of a cold and dreary day I made bison lasagna:

Delicious!  

Now off to see what other "stuff" I can get into this evening.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Scandi.......

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was the start of my three day weekend ☺

After getting my son to school I even took a nap.  Knitted a bit this afternoon and did a few chores and the day was over.

Finished the last of my Scandi 3 blocks: 

"Sew" now I can begin the assembly process:

First Row done!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Block 19 ☺

Good Evening Internet Friends!

In between all my responsibilities this evening I found a wee bit of time to spend in my craft room ☺

I made Block 19 of my Star Block Challenge:

TAH DAH!

Now I need to go get everything organized for the hustle out the door tomorrow morning...

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Oh S"crap"...It's Monday!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Back to work and school today....what a bummer....I know, First World Problems.

While my son was at Boy Scouts this evening I took a walk through the neighborhood.  The trees and path looked so pretty covered in hoar frost:

It was a wonderful evening for a walk. ☺

Arriving home it was time for my son to get ready for bed (as should I) but I decided to make my Flock of Geese Block for this week so that I do not get too far behind this year:

TAH DAH!!!!

I love this block.  Mostly because yet again I am opting to make these blocks from my scrap pile. I am hoping that I can make yet another quilt from just my scraps. ☺

Now I think I shall retire for the evening with my knitting and maybe get to sleep before midnight ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's Over......

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Well, the weekend is over and it's time to go back to work and school.

Today was mishmosh of all sorts of nothingness.

Last night I accompanied my son to the Oil King's Boy Scout Camp Out.  My son decided that he did not really want to sleep over this weekend and so I accompanied him to the game.  It was a great gave because the Prince Albert Raiders were playing.  This is the team that was only 90 miles away from me growing up so it was nice to be present to see them play and of course win last night!!!!

Today as therefore a sleep in, eat late, do laundry, finish putting the Christmas decorations away (although this year I sorted through the decorations and got rid of some), and some general tidying.  

I spent a wee bit of time in my craft room and made Block 22 of my Scandi 3 Quilt:

Only three more to go and I can start assembling the quilt top!!!!

I also made Block 18 of my Star Block Challenge Quilt hosted by A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop last year:

And yes.....once again this is another block built completely out of scraps ☺  I love these quilts.

Now it's off to get lunch stuff organized for tomorrow.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Temperature Afghan Blanket

Good Evening Internet Friends!

As you are likely aware I always have more projects - physically, mentally and creative on the go at once than I can ever hope to accomplish!  Well, since that has never stopped me in the past,  I have no intention of reigning in my creative attempts ☺

That includes my decision to participate in making a Temperature Afghan Blanket for the year 2017.  The concept is to knit colors/rows according to the current temperature.

I am so fortunate to live in Western Canada where I will experience temperatures from - 40 Celsius (so cold that it equals - 40 Fahrenheit) in winter all the way up to about 38 Celcius (100 Fahrenheit) and sometimes warmer in the summer months.

I have chosen a 12 colour scale to do my blanket in.

Here is what I have accomplished so far:

  

Since the start of January the evening temperatures have ranged from -26 C (-14 Fahrenheit) before the wind chill measurement is added on, all the way up to a balmy - 2 C (28 Fahrenheit).   

I know that I will need to get more of the grey colour as I know I will be using a lot of it for the next few months (its my - 18 C {less than 0 Fahrenheit}) colour and I am pretty certain I will be finishing the afghan in this color as well ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Made It!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I made it!  To the weekend and also to my crafting accomplishment of the evening (fell asleep watching the news while the chicken and potatoes were baking for dinner this evening ☺

More fabric dropped off for me to sew a sample in a hurry:

TAH DAH!!!

Feeling somewhat accomplished that I made all three pillow case kits I think I shall retire for the night with my knitting ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

"Sew" Close....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

"Sew" close to the weekend!  Only one more day of work and I will have made it through what for most people is a normal work week.  It has been a month since I last agreed to work a full week!

After dinner, homework, piano practice, laundry (and other such boring things) and getting my son off to bed....I decided to spend some time in my craft room.

First thing I did was make another Flock of Geese Block.  Week 3 of this and I am still on track.....fingers crossed:

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

CRAYONS!!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!!!

I have been "sew" busy these past days that I have forgot to blog.  Actually, it was just too late even for me to blog.

This evening though I took the time not only to play in my craft room but also to show you what I did.  Partly that is because this project was "sew" fun.

I LOVE school supplies and my very favourite school supply was always my box of crayons!  ☺  I, yes I, love the smell of a fresh box of crayons.

This week I found this flannel:

I made a pillowcase out of it just so that I could say I accomplished something quick!  She also brought in Fat Quarter bundles that are all package up in crayon like boxes......(I think they are also calling my name).

Now it's off to bed as there are still two more days in this work week ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Dog Days of Sunday....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I am sure that I read or heard somewhere that today is supposed to be a day of rest.!!!  Okay, I have finished laughing now!  That hardly ever happens to me.

After breakfast this morning I decided to bake dog biscuits.  My son and I were in the pet store yesterday and as usual I am appalled at the price of bakery style dog biscuits. So.......I make my own:

The dogs seemed to like them ☺

After putting a chicken in the slow cooker, my son and I along with the dog went for a walk in the River Valley:

After 9.8 miles we were ready to come home ☺

Now I still have a few chores to do before heading off to bed as I work tomorrow and actually all of this week....what was I thinking????

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

"Sew" Busy...

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I understand in theory that weekends are supposed to be about re-generating oneself from the work week and in preparation of the impending work week.  Somehow, my life does not acknowledge this concept.

Today my son and I were up bright and early to get to swimming lessons at the brand new Emerald Hills Leisure Centre.  WOW!!!!  It's all nice and clean and sparkly!

Then it was off for a brunch meal at Cora's.  I had previously never been to this place until earlier this week with a friend and I knew my son would LOVE the place.  He did.  The portions are huge and that includes the fresh fruit!  Then it was off to the pet store to get some dog treats and of course my son wanted to see if there were any Tuxedo Cats.  Thankfully there were not! ☺

Arriving home it was time to shovel the walk and clean up the dog run.....💩 😒

Then we took the dog for a 5.5 mi walk.  Hopefully we will all sleep soundly tonight.

After dinner I spent some time in my craft room and finished Block 21 of my Scandi 3 Quilt:

Only 4 more blocks to go and I can get it ready for quilting.

I also used up some more scraps and made Block 17 of my Star Block Challenge:

Making these blocks makes me happy!  I love star blocks, but most of all I love that my scraps are going to good use!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Friday FUN!!!!

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

The first work week after vacation is over!  It's been a long one some how.

This evening after dinner I spent some time in my craft room finishing up a few things.

First off I needed to make a couple of birthday cards:

Both very different styles, but fun to make.

Then I cleaned up some of my scrap fabric on my sewing desk and made Star Block 16 for my Star Block Challenge Quilt from A Needle Pulling Thread:

A few people have already finished their quilts and I have made it to Block 16!  Doh!!!  Maybe I can finish last year and this years quilts at the same time!!!  

Then I assembled the cut pieces for Block 20 of my Scandi 3 Quilt:

One more block in this colour way and then I can start the final 4 blocks of the last colour way of this fabric.  I do love this fabric.  There is something so simply beautiful about it ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Flock of Geese Week 2

Good Evening Internet Friends!

The work week for me is almost done!!!  I know both my son and I are tired after the reality of first week back to school and work ☺

This evening was a quiet evening at home.  No homework, no extra curricular activities and no errands!!!

After dinner I played with a few of my knitting projects and played a board game with my son.  Then it was bed time for him.

I went down to my craft room.  Not wanting to start anything too detailed at this time of night I made my second Flock of Geese block for the A Needle Pulling Thread weekly block project:

If you think that you recognize these fabrics.....you are correct.  Once again I will be making these blocks out of my various scrap fabric collections!!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I'm Getting There.....

Good Evening Internet Friends!!!

I am back from my night shift adventures!!!  Still tired and rather confused as to time, location, date and place....but carrying on anyways.

It was back to work day shift today ☺  After dinner my son and I headed out on the very treacherous road for our weekly Costco grocery trip.  The temperature warmed up today to  - 8 C (17 Fahrenheit)  which felt like a Chinook this morning!  After dinner the temperature started to drop and quickly!  Right now it is -19 C and with the wind chill it feels like -27 C (-17 Fahrenheit)!! There is actually an extreme cold warning out for tonight as temperatures are expected to reach the -40 C (the temperature where it is SO cold that Celsius and Fahrenheit scales actually just decide to equal the same because it is TOOOOOOOOO cold.  

After my son went to bed I spent a wee bit of time in my craft room and finished Block 19 of my Scandi 3 Quilt:

TAH DAH!!!

That's about all of my creative pursuits for the day as time to get ready for bed as I work tomorrow ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I'm Seeing Stars.....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was back to work for me.  It was a shift I had agreed to pick up several months ago and at the time it seemed like a good idea.  Today, getting out of bed, I really wanted to reconsider that "good idea".

I was exhausted by the time I got home so I took a nap while hubby got dinner (by got I mean he went out and got it).

After dinner I spent a bit of time in my craft room trying to keep from going to sleep as I start my night shifts tomorrow.  

In my craft room I dug into my scrap pile and made another 2 of the Star Block Challenge from A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop.  Meet Blocks 13 & 14 tonight:

TAH DAH!!!  

Now only 38 more blocks to go!  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Flock of Geese Week One

Good Evening Internet Friends!

For those of you that have followed my blog for a while you will know that there are certain things that I always do, even if I do not finish them on time.  One of those things is participating in the yearly challenge offered by A Needle Pulling Thread quilt shop.  

Three years ago I made a churn dash block challenge quilt, although to be honest I do not know where this quilt is right now.....I am certain that I put the borders on it, but now I cannot find it.  Should probably organize my craft room.

Last year was the Star Block Challenge of which you will know I am still building slowly but surely.

In typical Kathy fashion though I have decided to embrace a new project!!!!  This year is the Flock of Geese Challenge.  I am proud of myself that I have as of this evening completed Week One and have two blocks ready for Week Two!!!!

TAH DAH!!!!  What I really love about these blocks is that since the block finished size is 6" I get to use scraps to make these blocks.  This is the third year that I am hoping to make an entire quilt (except for borders) out of scrap fabric!!!!  Plus, I love the look of these quilts as they have a comfortable feel to them.  Like a quilt should.  ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Star Block 12

Good Evening Internet Friends!

"Sew" as many of you know I always have great plans and accomplishment dreams.  Last year I decided again to participate in the Star Block Challenge along with A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop.  One block a week for 52 weeks in 2016 and at the end you have a quilt....

Well as of this evening I introduce you to Block 12!  Yes, do the math.....that is how behind I am.  But...have no fear I am also starting on this year's challenge and am going to make both sets of blocks at the same time!

Here is Block 12:

Now off to make Block 1 for this year ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

To Leave or Not To Leave The House

Good Evening Internet Friends!

That was the very question that I asked myself today when I woke up at the crack of 1100 hours!!!  I have to go back for a shift I agreed to pick up at a specialty clinic on Friday and then have my night shift weekend coming up and I am thinking that this might prove to be a bit on the difficult side......

After a brunchy kind of meal my son and I watched a movie and I finally got around to showering.  By that time the day was almost over so I decided to give up on leaving the house and just enjoy another care free day at home.  Tomorrow I will be responsible and do laundry and get groceries ☺

I don't have a lot to show for my creativity again today as a lot of just piddly things.  I did clean up my stamping desk and decided to get a head start on next year's Christmas cards so I made two cards with scraps on the table:

Now I have two Christmas cards and I did not have to put the scraps away!!!!  BONUS!

I have completed 2 repeats for the last couple of days on my Temperature Blanket and decided to cheat today (I used the daytime high) just so that I could change colors as I have already worked 2 row repeats in the same color....grey.....

The day time high reached a balmy - 16 C (4 Fahrenheit) which meant I got to do a 2 row repeat of the next color!!!!  I will show that tomorrow.

Now, I plan to retire with my knitting as tomorrow I have to start adulting.....ugh.....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Another New Day!!!

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

Our family is really getting into this whole concept of sleeping in, having pajama days, and not going anywhere or doing anything.  I have to return to work for night shifts this weekend.  Seriously!!!  I think this is going to be a shock to my system.

Today was another of these day, and due to the cold temperature outside of -24 C (-11 Fahrenheit) we might not be going anywhere tomorrow either!!!

I spent a good deal of time in my craft room today!  That place is loaded with the COOLEST stuff ever!!!  I still cannot take pictures of it because it is too messy for me, but I found all kinds of half finished or barely started things that I decided I would take the time to get finished.  This will take a few months/year, but that is okay.

One of the projects that I did find and at least accomplish a bit on was my July 2016 Saving Grace Block of the Month from Woodland Quilting.  There are two blocks to make each month.  "Sew" far I have completed both June Blocks and now one of the July 2016 blocks:

I LOVE this block.  It's not often that I like something that has a floral theme to it but for some reason I love this fabric and the blocks that make up this quilt ☺

Now to see what other trouble I can get into...

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's A New Year!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

"Sew" it's the New Year but I'm still working on old year projects ☺

I did start my Temperature Blanket and of course got to start with the first colour because it is freaking cold outside today. -20 C (-4 Fahrenheit)!!! Yesterday it was significantly warmer, should have cast on my stitches then......

I spent most of this afternoon playing in my craft room.  I did not accomplish anything of significance because in typical me fashion I did what I wanted and what ever intrigued me.

I did manage to complete Block 18 of my Scandi 3 quilt:

I am partially hoping to get some of these UFO's (un-finished objects) in my craft room completed this year and maybe even have some of these things ready for Christmas gifting next year ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity..

Kathy