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farmer’s wife – new squares!

April 9th, 2013

I've made a bit more progress on the farmer's wife quilt after another hiatus. Four more done - and four more on the way! I've been working on getting them more squared - a few of my earlier blocks were a bit wonky and might have to be redone. Even though my more recent efforts aren't all perfect, they're much improved and I don't think should give me too many problems. #30 End of Day IMG_6662 #31 Evening Star IMG_6664 #34 Flock IMG_6659 #39 Friendship IMG_6666

a new kind of project

March 26th, 2013

Long time readers of this little blog may have noticed that things have been very quiet around here lately. I've been working on a different kind of project the past 8.5 months that has left me with little energy and time for crafting, let alone blogging about crafting. IMG_6614 The pregnancy has gone really well actually, and we're in the home stretch now, but it left me a lot more exhausted than I expected. I thought you weren't exhausted and overtired until after the baby arrives, but chalk that up as one in what I'm sure is a long list of misconceptions about parenthood that we're about to discover. IMG_6617 In addition to being worn out from just getting myself to and from work and fed every evening, there's also been a lot of work to get ourselves "ready" for a baby. I'm not convinced I'll ever really feel "ready," but that nesting instinct is definitely not a myth. We've been kept busy stockpiling tiny adorable clothes, sorting through all kinds of baby gear passed along by generous friends and family, getting a baby room set up, and making all kinds of lists for things yet to do. IMG_6619 But things are feeling pretty well sorted out. I'm hoping the little guy doesn't make an early appearance so I'll have a bit of time once I've finished work to finish up some projects and just, well, rest. And maybe even have a bit of time to stop in here are say hello again. IMG_6620

binding

March 8th, 2013

Working on the binding for a long overdue quilt. Nearly done! Untitled

March soundtrack

March 4th, 2013

Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Let's review February. It was cold. And slushy. And I'm glad it's over. Thankfully it's March now and the promise of spring is at least a hint in the air - even if that air is still decidedly frosty. Here's a new soundtrack for March, all free, legal mp3 downloads in the right hand column. Enjoy! DO MAKE SAY THINK – greed waltz LAETITIA SADIER – resistance dans l’ombre CHROMATICS – cherry OWEN – no place like home RICHARD SWIFT – mg 333 COCOROSIE - gravediggress ADVANCE BASE – david allen SISKIYOU – El Condor Pasa HAYDEN – old dreams PAPERCUTS – poor and free CHILDRENS HOUR – kindness of stranger LOW – so blue

chocolate adventures

February 27th, 2013

Untitled I picked up these chuao chocolate bars in New York. They may have been the best flavours of chocolate I have ever had. The firecracker (which has sea salt, smoked chipotle and popping candies) was surprisingly amazing. Now I am on the hunt to locate a source for this brand in Toronto.....

new york

February 23rd, 2013

We were in New York a few weekends ago, during a big blizzard. It made getting around a bit harder, but we used the situation to our advantage to get into restaurants that otherwise would have had line ups around the block. A pay-off for hearty Canadians willing to brave a bit of snow for a good meal. Then the next day everything was very pretty and white (and also a lot slushy). A fun trip. P1060089 P1060121 P1060124 P1060148 P1060135 P1060139

wood grain

February 19th, 2013

I got Angela Walters' Free Motion Quilting as a Christmas gift, and it has been well received. Basically, I know how to do about three quilting patterns and I was getting a little tired of all of them. I really like the structure of this book, it is really clear and straightforward and has a great tone - like a friend is coaching you how to try out these new techniques. And then there are just a lot of ideas and things to try out and pictures for inspiration. IMG_6545 I was really drawn to the woodgrain pattern, so that's the first one I've tried out. It looks a little tricky, but after practicing on paper for awhile I felt pretty good about jumping right in. The good thing about it is, if you want it to look like real tree knots they don't have to be too perfect or uniform. IMG_6546 I think it would look even better on solid colours, but it goes so well with the woodland theme of these fabrics that I just couldn't resist. The going is slow, but I'm about a third done and should have something to show you soon! IMG_6550

February Soundtrack

February 3rd, 2013

A look back at January - delicious roasted marshmallows and korean tacos, lots of snow, and a few walks when the sun made an appearance - and a new soundtrack for February. Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled As always, all legal, free mp3 downloads in the right hand column. Some good tunes to get us through the February blahs! Check out the Little Wings, they're one of my favorites. VERONICA FALLS – teenage JENNY O – automechanic LITTLE WINGS – sandy babe THE CHILDRENS HOUR – special king THE GARBAGE & THE FLOWERS – love comes slowly now YOUTH LAGOON – dropla GLISS – blur EARLIMART – 97 heart-attack HOT PANDA – future markets MAJIKAL CLOUDZ & GRIMES – dream world BLUE HAWAII – in two SIMON JOYNER – if i left tomorrow BLACKOUT BEACH – claxxon’s lament

farmer’s wife update

January 27th, 2013

Six more squares done. This brings me to 30 completed - which I guess means I got about half of what I had planned when I started last January. Not too bad really and I'm still working on it so there's hope yet. #13 Buckwheat IMG_6535 #14 Butterfly at the Crossroads IMG_6534 #18 Century of Progress IMG_6539 #17 Cats and Mice IMG_6541 #21 Contrary Wife IMG_6543 #29 Economy IMG_6538

new bundle

January 16th, 2013

IMG_6520 I was happy to get one of these super scrap bundles from the workroom at City of Craft in December. I got a nice bundle of greens to use in my farmer's wife quilt. I'm hoping that a new injection of pretty fabrics will help me kick start that project again..... IMG_6524