Welcoming 2009!

Wishing everyone the best that the new year has to bring!

Happy Holidays!!

We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season with friends and family close at hand, or close in heart!

Quick Photo Update

The Table Runner

I was recently inspired by a Christmas table runner that first appeared on Kathy Mack's fabulous blog, Pink Chalk Studio, in this post. As you can read for yourself if you visit her, the runner appeared on the cover of the Christmas/Holiday edition of Quilting Arts magazine.

I knew as soon as I saw the runner that I would have to make it. So, I rummaged through my fabric stash for Christmas material. Not quite enough. Shopping trip in order. Eventually, I made it to one of our local fabric stores and was completely wooed by fat quarters in autumn hues of gold, burgandy, orange, and green!! OK, so there's lots of time before Christmas, right? I bought the autumn fabric instead and made this:

The binding strip is the first one I've done that's cut on the bias. That was fun- and not half as much trouble as I imagined. Although I must have calculated incorrectly, since I should have had enough material for a 2.5 inch wide strip, but ended up cutting it an inch narrower to ensure I had enough! Sewing the binding strip by hand on the back always takes me ages, and it took a couple of free hours last night to finish it off.

I experimented with "stippling" while I quilted, using a varigated thread. I also did a little of free-motion quilting with my darning foot, and it turned out OK, I think. My quilting skill is still a work in progress!

The autumn version of this runner must have been meant to be, as Kathy has teased her blog readers with a new Christmas table runner that I think I'll do instead. Or maybe I'll make both of them. But, first, I need to finish my sweater. I've started the second sleeve.... projecting to have it done by the end of the long weekend (hey, I can always dream!!).

Changing Seasons

September has always been my favorite month. The excitement of starting a new school year, the changing fall colours, sparkling stars in the crisp evening air that come out earlier than you expect... things have always seemed to come together for me in September. Except for this year. This year, I'm struggling to cope with it all:

-three kids who go to three different schools each morning,

-three courses to teach, in addition to my research and committee work (OK- one grad course I'm only "helping" with)

-a new schedule for the kids "extra" activities (swimming, basketball, gymnastics, piano/music)

-and, most dreaded of all, an impending KITCHEN RENOVATION (gulp!)

I just can't seem to get into the swing of it all yet, and we're already near the end of the month. I'm sure things will smooth out eventually, and life won't feel so hectic. I might even have time for this blog again someday!

I realize that I'm so very lucky to have these kinds of complaints, and that there are probably many people who'd trade their problems for mine in an instant. So, I'll stop complaining now, and try to enjoy what promises to be a beautiful September weekend in this part of the world.

Hope your weekend is wonderful.

TA DA!! The Quilt is DONE!

I have *finally* finished DX's One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt!! The last few inches of blind stitching the binding strip was the hardest. But *it* *is* *done*- just about one year after we got back home with him (hey, I never claimed to work quickly).

So... what do you think?

I'm so happy with it- the top is made from 103 different "patches" of material, all that came with a good wish, with another piece of material given to us used for the cream-coloured inside border. On the back, we have "Hairy Potter" (upside down in the photo below) from a t-shirt donated for the quilt by a good friend, Vi.

Thomas the Tank material makes up the rest of the backing, as well as the binding strip.

Phew!

I have another quilt top ready to go for one of my girls. So, maybe by Christmas... or Valentine's Day... or Easter... lol! First, I have to finish the sweater that I hemmed and hawwed about back in June (I decided on the funky, swingy pattern, and I now have a back and half a front!).

I'll keep you posted.

Beijing 2008

Are you enjoying the Games? We are! I have always been a fan of the Olympics. The whole ideal of athletes competing in a spirit of fair play, respect and unity has always got to me. Some of the stories of the hardships overcome are so inspiring. I'm not particularly athletic, but I can appreciate the level of committment and dedication that these individuals have. And that shared look of absolute focus and determination that you see on their faces during competition- just incredible!

And how about our Canadian gymnast Kyle Shewfelt? Read CBC's story and backgrounder on him here, and the London Free Press's article here.

What a role model Kyle is. Our daughters were watching his interview with CBC's Ron MacLean last night- and I was so profoundly grateful that they could listen to a true Canadian hero who really gets what its all about. His attitude towards life is something we all could benefit from. Thanks, Kyle.