Hello...
February is upon us already! The weather is mild and tempting spring into coming early...maybe a little wishful thinking. We will enjoy while we can!
I have embarked on a quilting project that I am anxious to share in stages. I was in a quilting store a couple of weeks ago and picked up a lovely book called "Confetti Naturescapes" by Noriko Endo. Her quilts are so pretty. I was curious...and so decided to try the technique. She bases her quilts on photographs and if I make another one after this...I might too. My quilt is going to based on a drawing I did a while back. My grandson was drawing dinosaurs and Nana was drawing trees!
And so I will show you in phases how this quilt is coming along. I want to finish this fairly quickly...
The quilts in the book use leftover fabrics from sewing projects and include a variety of fabrics. My quilt will be based on pieces of fabric in my stash...and I am going for a fall-like look. I love fall and water...and am going to incorporate both. Here is where I am at in pics...

The Backing and Batting

Lots of Fabrics For This Quilt

Cut Into Little Pieces And Even Smaller In Various Places

 

 

 

The Rough Drawing

The Beginning of the Quilt

I will update in a few days with my progress. I love the technique!
Have a happy day!

Hello...
It is cold here...we have been in a deep freeze for almost a week now, and honestly, if it weren't for the sun, it would be depressing. But there is moderation coming. Over the weekend it is supposed to climb to a "balmy" +1C! I'll take it!!
I have decided I am in love with milk glass. I have had vases over the years...but have never kept them. So, over the past few weeks, I have noticed several pieces on Etsy. And so I am going to collect a few...only about 6...but I want a compote style and each one a little different. I have acquired my first piece from "Sweet Magnolias Farm"
I just love it! I also purchased a most unique piece of jewelry from Sara. They have a wonderful Etsy shop full of treasures.

Do you collect milk glass?
Enjoy your day!

Hello...
A new year, new goals and plans. As we begin 2012, I have decided to change a few things in my life...
My mother's death a year ago has reminded me that our time here on earth is short...and that living each day in a positive, meaningful way is so important. And so, I am going forward with several projects that will keep me busy throughout the coming year.
The first project that I am in the process of tackling is my website...I have made several changes. It will be more user friendly, and I have decided to join an ever-growing group of us who just LOVE Pinterest!
I have just started my journey there...you can find the link on the right sidebar. I can't wait to get into it in a much bigger way. I could spend many hours drooling over the gorgeous pictures!

You will also notice the "Pages" button and the "Culinary Canvas" button on the left sidebar. The Culinary Canvas button goes to the previously named...Foodie-Nature Place. I have changed the look a bit..and will be starting in on a series of new recipes for 2012 soon.
The "Pages" button leads to the newest way of having less on my main website! The button will take you to an index page. Each button there leads to another page...I love the simplicity. I hope you will visit and enjoy.
The second project I am sharing today is a quilt I want to finish this week. It was supposed to be completed before Christmas, but it got a little busy around here and so I had to delay putting the binding on until now. This was the first quilt I made using my new sewing machine.

My new Bernina 830LE

Creating a sample to see how the machine embroiders

Christmas Quilt 2011

Sewing away to finish the embroidery

Just need to add the binding!

It isn't perfect...this is the first time I have machine embroidered, although the machine did all the work! And it is the first time I have machine quilted...don't judge me! I have always hand-quilted and love doing it...but when you can get a quilt done in half the time...who knew?! I am still a traditional quilter, but I do enjoy the quicker method...a definite learning curve for me. There is a bit of a crease in the center because I have had the quilt folded for a few weeks...but over the next couple of days, I hope I can get the binding completed and move on to another quilt!

Have a happy weekend!
Nancy

Hello...
I can't stay long...just long enough to say that I have missed posting, but hope to be back at it in a few days! Hope you are all enjoying your week...

I created this little assemblage of china...My favorite mug, the blue Victorian on the bottom, got a chip in it and I couldn't use it and so I re-purposed it along with a few other little finds. I added a very old button and ribbon and voila!

See you all soon!
Nancy

Hello Everyone...
Wow! I think it's about time I posted again!
These last few months have just been a whirlwind of activity...all good and productive.
We took a trip to Chicago in August...and we were in love! Chicago is such an interesting place...full of beautiful architecture, friendly people and of course, my favorite, the water. I like to have vacations that include a vista of water. The day we visited said body of water...Lake Michigan, the weather wasn't so great...but we enjoyed our time on the beach.
Our reason for visiting Chicago was "Bernina". If you sew, you know that "Bernina" makes sewing machines. This year, I replaced my 24 year old Bernina with a new one...the Bernina 830 Limited Edition. When I first got it home, I didn't know what to do! My old machine did not have a computer screen...and I was almost afraid to touch this new one. And so, I was invited to a retreat to learn all about the machine, what it could do and the new embroidery module that came with it. I can't tell you how much fun it was! There were 60+ of us taking the classes. We were up early and sewing for two days. We made 3 different projects...all for my eyes only. Okay, I know you want to see...but really, they aren't too pretty...they were test projects. I'll show you a project I am working on in another post.
In addition to updating the machine, I had to update the furniture in my little studio. And that meant getting rid of MORE stuff. I wasn't sure I would like this new arrangement, but it has grown on me. I like the room now...less stuff everywhere and clean spaces to work. Here are a few pics of our trip and the new machine and desk/craft tables.

I'm off to teach in Toronto...

Enjoy your week!
Nancy

The Garage/Basement Reveal...

Hello Everyone...
I can at long last say that I now have the garage of my dreams. Who dreams about a garage?! It is free of clutter...a definite upgrade. I would highly recommend Ultimate Garage...they are pricey, but efficient...ours came together in two days...and they sell a high quality product that will last a very long time. The result is a workable room, which can be a garage. I haven't pulled my vehicle in yet. I don't want to mess up the floor! I might change my mind in the dead of winter!

The Reveal...

New Doors...

Starting to Install...

Oooo...Look at all that new space!

A New Workspace...

Lots of room for storage...

Tuff Shield Floor...Snaps together like Lego!

Slat Walls and Hooks...so handy!

Great wire baskets (4) on another slat wall

My new Work Station

The Work Station with light!

The Costco cupboard! And extra hooks...

The New Cupboards! And my "Porsche"!

 

The Right Side (The Costco Cupboard)

 And one last picture for today...I started this project because of a light bulb.

The new Light Bulb!

I wish I could show you inside each cupboard...but I think you get the idea that there is lots of space..and we got rid of everything we absolutely would not use. We didn't take the time to go through every little thing before the install...we (I) did it after, which is why I am just posting now! The money and time spent on this was definitely worth it. There will be another picture or two standing at the garage door looking in...but I still have two doors to paint....soon!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Nancy

Summer Renos Are Finally Done!

Hello Everyone...

I didn't expect to be away so long...but it has been a very busy summer. I hope the weather is nice for the fall season. It will allow us to work on the fall renos...yes, I said more renos! New floors and stairs...Before all of that I want to post a few pics of the summer renos. The garage/basement was the first project...and so here are a few pics of the before, during and after. I cannot tell you nice it is to go down there now and not see stuff! There is even space between things in the cupboards! What a concept!!

The dream started with this light bulb...the only light in the garage for 19 years!

 Remember this? We painted the floor, everything was tidy and on shelves. There is shelving on the left side full of tools, paint etc. too! The green unit shown had to be dismantled and tossed. It couldn't really be salvaged. 

Shelves had to emptied. Fortunately, we had friends who wanted them. One of our friends had never had proper shelving and they were on cloud 9 when we delivered them!

After everything was removed, the next step was to paint. The walls were going to be a lighter gray and the ceiling a creamy white. When the garage was finished, baseboards were added all around.

 We are now ready for the during...

The Driveway!

The weather co-operated...

The truck has arrived!

Such a tease! I will show you the reveal tomorrow!
Have a great day!
Nancy