A COUPLE UPDATES TO SHOW....

I've been working away on my morning project each day for a few minutes and also working on Still Waters during the evenings....while those trees and that grass are making me a bit buggy......LOL...it is SO worth it! I love the outcome of this project so far!!!

On the homefront....busy as usual. We are all going out to celebrate our Birthdays this weekend, my DH's is Sunday, mine is Monday and my son's is the following Saturday...we chose to go out this weekend though.

Also, my oldest had a fun photo shoot done last weekend. This is one of the photos that were taken....

Have a great day everyone!!

Marion

BLANKET CLUB

I was asked in one of my comments to show some of my Blankets again, so I decided to do another post on what I refer to as "Blanket Club". I also realized that I do not have photos of all of my Blankets, so I'll have to take photos of the ones that I can...none of the ones I did for my kids are on the computer...hmm...

Anyway, Blanket Club was formed about 4 years ago. It all started after my dad passed away (5 years ago this month). At that time I realized what fantastic cousins I had in my life. Being an only child, with ageing parents was very difficult..and when my dad passed away at the age of 89, rather suddenly, I was left with the responsibility of my mom, who was suffering from alzheimers..although was very functionable with my dad in her life. When dad passed away, her life fell apart....anyway, my cousins, whom I had been close to has a child...played very important parts in my life from here on in. It was ironic, and I think in a sense a "gift" from my dad.....you see, for a few years before dad died, he'd always tell me that I should contact a couple of my cousins who lived fairly close to me..it had been ages since I'd seen them, and he wanted me to be in touch with them again.....(as we got older life got in the way and we just lost touch)....well...anyway, I didn't do that...however, it is one of these cousins that re-entered my life when he passed and we have been very close ever since! I like to think that somehow he had something to do with that......as horrible as it was loosing my dad, wonderful people had re-entered my life.

So..here is how Blanket Club started.....my two cousins and I were having lunch one day and decided that we needed a new craft in our life. The particular cousin that dad wanted me to contact told us of a craft that she had learned in Florida...."Swedish Weaving"....it sounded difficult, but her sister and myself decided to meet at her house the following Tuesday to see what this was all about...we did..the rest is history. The three of us meet weekly...usually on a Tuesday...I have made 17 of these so far...my other cousin is ahead of me in numbers!!

so there you have it!!

If you haven't entered my giveaways in the previous post...please do so...and I will add the photos on the weekend...I'm still making decisions as to what goes in each package......

I DO STILL STITCH!!

Good morning everyone!

I do still stitch, have been doing a fair amount lately!

First up, this is a UFO from a few years ago, I dug it out just before Christmas and have it almost finished...just a bit of backstitching on the last little angel, and then I have to put in the "wording"...this will be finished as a bellpull. The skirts on the angels are "Sutherland" tartan...Sutherland being my maiden name. I did the first two as ancient tartan and the last as modern.

Secondly, I finished this little gem that I started a few months ago.....I switched the Sampler Threads to DMC and I do think it turned out okay. When I first started this I wasn't enjoying it, but after picking it up again AFTER Christmas...I finished it in no time! It is "Earth Sampler" by The Primitive Needle. It's stitched on a piece of mystery fabric I had on hand.

Excuse the poor photos and wrinkled fabric! I didn't take the time to take better photos this morning..sorry!

I started this design last night, and it's a fun stitch! I ordered the chart and fabric from Amy at http://www.downsunshinelane.com/

A Bird in Hand by La-D-Da.

As well, I previously ordered this from Amy, and it's next on my list to start.



I'm just going to use fabric I have in my stash for this one....doesn't it look like a fun stitch? It's called "My Pretties" by Plum Street Samplers...and I just love her designs! If you haven't checked out Paulette's Blog, please to do....
Also on my list, this this cutie:

"Just Add Tinsel" by Blue Ribbon Designs...I just heard from Amy last night that my fabric has come in and will be on it's way. Sara (check out her latest nativities) is going to do this as well.

As for the homefront...things are going very well! My daughter is much happier and we are much happier as well! Thank you for any prayers that you have sent...things seem to be working!

Take care everyone...and stay warm! (We are doing quite well as far as our winter so far, but I know a lot of you are getting extreme cold and lots of snow...that seemed to be us last year!)

Hugs,Marion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY!

I want to wish my beautiful daughter Tracy a very happy 19th Birthday today!!

We are having spagetti, garlic bread and DQ ice cream cake!! Yum!! Then Tracy is off to university for the night to go out with her girlfriend...

**Edited to add......cake WAS delicious!!!!

Love you Tracy!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Welcome 2010!! I welcome this new year and new decade with open arms! I hope each of you has a prosperous and wonderful year!!
We survived Christmas in our household...actually it was a wonderful, Blessed Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve together....the 4 of us until almost 9pm, then the 5 of us (oldest visited and then came home to spend the rest of the evening with us). We played board games......we talked, listened to Christmas music, etc...it was great. Christmas morning I was up EARLY!! I always wake up early, but this year I was up at 4:30 am!! Yes, that's right....4:30!! I got the veggies ready, made muffins, coffee, etc....and finally our youngest woke up at 7.......we opened presents, relaxed for a while and then had our family dinner.
My DH's sister and her family went away for Christmas this year...they rented a gorgeous cottage right on the water in a neighbouring province. They had a fantastic time. Their two kids are 21 and 24, both were home for the Holidays and went with their parents....they had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree with all homemade decorations, played games, walked on the beach, etc...a truly wonderful family Holiday.
As most of you know, my family has struggled along with our oldest while she makes some changes in her life, some good, some not so good (to us anyway), but things that have to be her choices....I hope 2010 brings her peace and Happiness and wise choices. It's hard to watch your children grow up!
I will leave you with a few photos of the Holidays...




Take care everyone!!




Hugs




Marion

Thank You Everyone!

I am touched at the kindness of fellow Bloggers! I appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers! Sara, I may just send you an email this weekend...hope you don't mind!

Sandy, you're right! I need to take a deep breath, what doesn't get done...doesn't...it isn't the end of the world! I have the tree up, now decorated....a few other decorations up...that's it. I will do a couple of necessary Christmas cards to people that look forward to them, but I doubt I will get the rest done this year.....that's okay though.

To everyone else...thank you! You are wonderful ladies!

DH is taking today off and he and I are heading out later this morning to finish up a few things....I am looking forward to his company and we will have lunch out.

Take care...hopefully I will get a few photos posted over the weekend.
Marion

I AM STILL HERE.....

Seems like I say that a lot. Our family has been dealing with a lot of issues the past few weeks....and we are muddling through. I won't go into detail on the internet....but our daughter has made some unexpected and family felt decisions. We will survive and come out on top and whatever is meant to be...will be....just know that I am still around, just not much into the Christmas spirit and for the first year ever, I may not get Christmas cards sent out. Everyone will just have to understand I guess.
Anyway, my Blogger friend Katy is keeping us in her thoughts and prayers, and if any of you are able to...I'd accept all good thoughts and prayers.
Thanks!
Will be back to posting as soon as I can.
Marion

BACK TO ROUTINES......and new beginnings..

I'm still here...busy, but still here. I have been busy working on Halloween ornaments, which I hope to hang on my ornament tree at some point (now that I found it) and I have been finishing up a swedish weaving blanket, and getting ready for a new start with a new pattern....pictures will follow at some point on that.

My three children have all gone back to school. Youngest in a new school....Middle School.....my son in grade 10, and my oldest in University! (She's liking it, by the way).

I have been taking the dog for a walk every single morning since school got in two weeks ago! Just a short walk, but still counts, right?

Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that I'm still here.
Take care
Marion

Two Days Until School starts!

Hard to believe that summer is almost over!! On September 2nd, my younger two will begin the school year. My oldest has another week, as she is starting university....

We've been busy...doing little day trips, shopping for back to school, the kids have been having friends over and sleep overs.....it's been nice.


I've been busy stitching and working on my swedish weaving. I did finish up this cross-stitch and framed it. This is a frame I bought new, but I have been on the search for neat second hand frames and do have some on hand for future projects. This now hangs in my dining room. I just loved working on this one! It's "Sheltering Tree" from With Thy Needle and Thread. Wonderful, fun stitch.





Yesterday we took a drive to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, and to the Swiss Air Memorial Site....for those of you that aren't familiar with the Swiss Air Memorial Site....a plane crashed off the waters of Peggy's Cove in September 1998, killing all aboard. This site is a dedication to them, and a place for family members to go and pray, or just sit quietly. There was a couple there when we arrived...the man was hugging the woman, and they were reading the dedication. I was wondering if they had lost a family member in the disaster.






Well, much to do today...I think I'll try and squeeze in a trip to the Thrift Store as well...if I have the time!




Have a great day everyone!!

Hugs

Marion

IT WAS MISTY, COLD, A BIT RAINY, FOGGY...

But, the prom still went on.......and they looked beautiful and had a great time. The above are my daughter and her boyfriend of 3 years at her High School graduation prom.

A BUSY MORNING AND A PICTURE!

Whew....it's only 10:30am and it's been a LONG morning. I awoke with a call from my daughter at 7am....she slid her car on black ice and was in the ditch!! She's okay thankfully, car is driveable, but will need work.....she was to open the store she works at this morning and the roads got a bit slippery as she got closer to work, however, the reason we (DH) and I think she slid is that she forgot the keys to open the store and was on her way back here to get them, thus going faster than she should have! We have told her many times before that she has to allow herself extra time in the mornings and also needs to make sure BEFORE she leaves home that she has her keys, etc......she is a wonderful daughter, but has a real problem judging time....so if I seem harsh, sorry, it was just a hectic morning...we are all glad she's okay and she is now at work. I'm in a position right now where I feel very sorry for what happened to her this morning, I know it was a very rough morning for her too, but also I really wish that she would take the time to be responsible enough to make sure she has all keys, uniform, etc....when she leaves the house. Every morning (and I do mean EVERY) I am after her to allow herself the time to get ready for school and BE ready before the bus is pulling up at the driveway!! Boy, I guess I do should harsh....I'm not really, just sometimes it's so hard being a parent when something like this happens and you want to make it all better for your children, yet you know that sometimes, they need to learn from their mistakes. I am 100% sure this would not have happened had she not been in too much of a rush to come back here.


I'd like to show you some photos of a drawing my son did for art class. He had to draw a picture of everything going to one focal point. This is freehand without following a picture!! His teacher asked him to show it to us and I said I wanted a copy!! His teacher now uses the drawing as an example for the grade 10 classes he teaches...and my son is only in grade 9!! Needless to say, he got 100 on this project! LOL....the bad thing, art ends for him this semester, which is in a few days and he won't have it again until next year. I am going to keep trying the TS's to see if I can find a frame for it....it is an unusual size...any other ideas on how to frame it anyone?




What I really like about this....on the sides of the trains me put some "ads"....."Reeses" and "West 49" and "Subway".....some of his favourite things/stores...LOL

I'm not sure what the rest of the day will bring......hopefully no excitment!!!

Take care everyone and have a great weekend!

PONDERING AND BACK IN ACTION...

I'm back...after a few days of Blogger absence......feeling mostly better, and "thinking". First of all, it's 7:55 am, and I'm sitting here at my computer in a house of silence. My son was up almost an hour ago, and I told him to go back to bed, school has been cancelled....I've heard one of my daughters stir around a bit, but still sleeping.....dog was up and out...back to bed....DH was awake, but realized early that his 8:30am appt would be cancelled, so he's still sleeping.....I love this time of day....

Last night my oldest asked me out of the blue what would happen to all the family recipes if something happened to me! I told her I had no plans of going anywhere, etc...LOL, but that got me thinking.....I have my mom's and my grandmother's and my aunts recipes in a recipe holder, but some are really faded...etc....and then I thought....I could work on a family cookbook for her (and my other two when they are older)...and also try and write a memory with each (or most) or the recipes...some would be their memories, some would be mine from my grandmother, etc....I had planned to start that today, but obviously with no school..that will be delayed for another day. I am thinking in June for her graduation.....or for Christmas this year....for my oldest......we'll see.

Anyway, must get my day underway...I'm late!!

Have a great one!
Marion

COUNTDOWN TO SCHEDULES...

Don't get me wrong, I love having the kids around, but face it, we all need schedules and routines of some sort. It's been over two weeks, and I am anxious to get my house in order. Fifteen minutes to countdown for first bus pickup. Twenty five minutes for the high school bus.
Let me tell you, the kids are not excited about going back to school...heehee.

I have Christmas decorations to finish taking down and pack away (usually I have this done on the first!)....I have cleaning and a good general pick up to do. I want to sew curtains for our front hallway, and tomorrow I hope to take down the trim (we are going to replace it) and get it ready for painting. I will be SO glad when all the painting is done, but that will take time..and patience...

I started a new project (cross-stitch) on New Year's eve. I'll show photos on Wednesday. I also managed to do some Christmas shopping since Christmas...for this coming year. Things I know the kids would like...I got housecoats and matching slippers for each of my girls, I got a Disney store mug (older collects them)..for my oldest, I got some makeup kits 1/2 price at Wal-mart for the girls....I got a housecoat and matching slippers for my niece...so I did well!!

Anyway, I have a busy day ahead, so I think I shall end for now and get to work!! Have a wonderful and productive day fellow bloggers...

Marion

NEW YEAR WITH A BLAST!!

That should say Blizzard!!! WE are in the midst of a BLIZZARD at the moment!!! Great way to start a New Year!!!!

Well, it's been over a week since I actually did a decent post...and I have to say, we had one of the best Holidays in years. Christmas Eve we had an open house....drop in, say hello, have a drink, leave...LOL....we had some neighbours drop in, and it was great. Later in the day, the girls and I headed on over to Larry's brother's house for their drop in.....stayed for a bit and came home to play board games around the fire...great way to spend Christmas Eve. Larry and Gregory stayed here, in case we had more drop-ins. Christmas morning I was the first one up, as usual, (I love getting up early!!) I made blueberry muffins for breakfast, and by that time, everyone else was up, so we headed on down to the family room to open presents. I got a cross-stitch from my youngest....and I'm thrilled...she is such a good little shopper! How she gets to do it, is at her school they have a shopping day.....parents donate new things (Dollar Store, or new things that aren't going to be used in that particular household.) They are all organized on tables in the gym....example, for mom, for sister, for brother....and the kids get to buy for their family..safe, cheap, easy way to shop! Each item is $1.00, and if your child takes 5 things in, she gets 5 tickets to shop....(parents have to send the money in as well)...but it's so great for the kids! I have already started the cross-stitch and it will belong to my daughter at some point.

My son gave me a Christmas plate....he wanted me to open it on Christmas Eve, so I did and I have used it almost every day since for various things. My oldest daughter gave me a gift certificate for a manicure! Yippee!!

My husband surprised me with a membership to Costco!! We had talked about it, but I wasn't expecting it for Christmas. He had the card in this really fancy box and put it under the tree. At one point he asked me if I had shaken that box...I said No, why? He said it might break! Crazy hubby!! He also got me a beautiful heart shaped ring, which I tried to take a photo of!!

Christmas Day I was going to cook chicken, potatoes, carrots, etc...and Larry's mom called and invited us over for supper! A first, as in 22 years we have never had Christmas Dinner with his mom....we went, as did all the family and it was wonderful!! I am thankful for a very Blessed Christmas!!

On Sunday, I had all of Larry's family, a couple of extras and ourselves for a buffet style meal...it went over very well.

My colourful girls...before the party..LOL

Last night we stayed home....had chinese food and set off fireworks in the middle of a snow storm at midnight!!! LOL......

Oh and yesterday morning, I had coffee with a childhood friend.....she gave me this folk art photo she drew...and a really nice card...the back of the picture frame says...."There were three cottages by the sea,Where three girls laughed and played carefree."

It will hold a special place in my heart, as does she.

And look at this!!! I won a drawing on http://athomewithbecky.blogspot.com/

this arrived yesterday!!! I am thrilled! And look at this pinkeep!!!!

Well everyone, I am staying inside safe and warm...we are all home except for our oldest...she had to work last night for a while and then was going out with her boyfriend...they were going to go back to his parents house, as it is closer to her work...much closer. She is supposed to work later today, but I sure hope the store doesn't open!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR....HOPE IT IS A BLESSED ONE!!

Marion

OF Christmas' Past....

An email to my Blogger friend Katy prompted me to do this post......

A few years ago, my daughter loved Cabbage Patch dolls (she still has one on her shelf in her room) and now she likes Build-A-Bear......anyway, as I mentioned, a few years ago I knit her a box of cabbage patch clothes for Christmas, to go with the cabbage patch doll my mom was giving her for Christmas and Katy, Sara informed me this morning that this doll is named Madelyn! I had totally forgotten that! This box of clothes was loved very much and still is used all the time with her friends and Build a Bear. I got her to take a few pieces of the clothing out this morning to photograph. Katy, you will absolutely love knitting clothes like this...it is so much fun!

I made alot more, but my all time favourite is the cream coloured cable sweater, brown hat and brown pants.

I will get to the patterns today and hopefully get them in the mail to you in a couple of days.

Have a great day everyone....after the house clears out..I am off to wrap presents!!

Marion

Still here!!

Gee, I haven't updated all week!!!!
First of all, I picked a bad week to have giveaways, but I did draw Sandy's name for the bookmarks!! Sandy, I'll email you in a bit for your address. As for the cross-stitch chart...I'll repost that later next week, and if you want to have it, great....but please remember, it's just the chart, and in your comment, please tell me if you want the chart! :) Thanks...

Well, it was a busy week. And a very nice week weatherwise! That's part of the reason I didn' update the blog...the weather has been spring like!

I've been thinking about the holidays alot....I'll do a post on that probably tomorrow....

I did get productive today and made two window toppers for my back door...Christmas fabric! I'l take a photo of those later and post it. I have one more left to do for the front door. Our tree is in the family room...not decorated yet though, and other than a couple of smaller decorations, I haven't dug out the majority of the Christmas things...it will get done in the next few days though.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another nice day, so I think that DH and I and probably youngest DD are going away for a few hours. I have a couple of Christmas gifts I want to pick up.

I had a really good experience Christmas shopping today. I went to buy a Hoodie that my DS said he had liked...there was a sale going on in the store, plus no tax. I asked what the $1.00 sale was and the manager said it was on certain items in the store...buy one..get another for $1.00. I asked him if the Hoodie was part of that, he said no, sorry, only the sections that had the sign above the racks (made sense)....anyway, I said I wanted the Hoodie anyway, and still wanted to look around...he said he'd put the Hoodie at the counter. It was really busy in there today, and when I went to pay for it, the people had died down somewhat...the manager said for me to pick out another Hoodie of a certain rack he pointed to...and he'd give it to me for a $1.00! I thought that was so nice....because he knew I was going to buy the other one anyway, and he really didn't have to do that!! I now have two Hoodie's for DS for Christmas!! Made me feel really good that there are people like that out there.

Anyway fellow bloggers, I will end for now and be back tomorrow with photos and a new post!!
Have a great evening!
Marion

OH MY GOODNESS!! (edited to add more photos)

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW....NOT!!!!

Snow, snow and more snow, again!! Today is sunny, but the forecast is more snow tonight, and again tomorrow...we could get up to 30 CM!! Wow!! It's only November!!! I've already got a list for DH for today...just incase we don't get out tomorrow. My daughter is supposed to work early tomorrow morning, but she is going to talk to her boss today...she lives the farthest away, and if we get all that snow, there is no way she can get in!! She can probably change her shift for later in the day.

I took a couple of photos of our back deck earlier this morning......and one of youngest DD ready for school....also, my oldest got her grad proofs back....I filled out the order and she'll pass it in today...this is a photo of a proof, so not great, but I think she's beautiful!!

I decided to add some photos of what I saw outside the basement door this morning....very pretty....

Have a nice day everyone!!

Marion