Before I show you my latest quilt.....I want you to look at my perfect mitred corners!!
Usually by the time I get to this point, I'm ramming the quilt through just to finish it already?! My corners often looked pretty crappy. This time I decided to put in some effort (ie: Youtube tutorials, patience) and master the corners.
This quilt is for my three year old nephew. Remember when I ordered the fabric way back in October? This seems to be a pattern with me - I cut out the top, then it sits on the table for three months until I finish it off. I'm trying to change this.
The other thing that's new with this one - I used a walker foot for the first time. Unlike Citric's sewing machine - mine didn't come with one of these so I bought one at my local quilt shop. The lady there assured me it would fit any machine, I gave her a bit of a sideways look as I forked over fifty bucks for this contraption.
Do you know hard it was to get this thing on my machine with ZERO instructions?! What a contraption. But so worth it.
I had to infill this one with a solid to get the size right and I really like how it turned out. Also, I usually struggle with the bias tape on the edges because a) I'm not patient enough and b) am afraid to make my own so I'm relying on the stuff available in packages. This time I really like that orange edge.
There is a new little fabric store in Victoria that I wanted to check out for the back. She didn't have any solids but I found a nice pattern fabric that I really like for the back. (Check it out in the first photo) I might continue this trend rather than a solid on the back although it's more expensive.
I took an entire day to put this thing together last weekend - and I already had the top cuto out. I started at 10:30 and didn't finish it until 8:00pm. These things are so much work. But with the right music and the right movies it's so fun.
I also have to deal with the Bad Room Mate who can't get enough of a quilt when there is one around. He lies all over it as I'm trying to sew it. All day.
I'm curled up with this quilt right now and it's so warm and comfy. I have two other quilts to go before I finally make one for myself.
The Debaters was in Victoria the other night and we went! Really good topics, hilarious comedians - I love The Debaters. I also love supporting the CBC.
We had seats in the front row on the balcony. For some reason when they told us they would be doing 'three episodes' with a break after the first two I thought there would be three debates. But each episode has two debates, so it was six debates, with a break after the fourth.
After about 15 minutes I was kinda looking forward to the break because there is ZERO leg space in there! Plus, it was super hot in there! Which also meant that halfway through I was really, really thirsty.
So Brad went to get us some water in the intermission - he's the best. He's also the best for what happened when he got back....
He bought a Kit Kat bar - I know - totally random. I realized quickly that I had to wolf my share of the Kit Kat because it was melting super fast because it was so hot in there! I put the wrapper down on the edge of the balcony to clean off my hands and.....
Sometimes I just don't understand how things happen around him! There are usually at least two emergency trips a week to the washing macine in the middle of a meal or making dinner. During meals I have seen food literally fly through the air horizontally and land on the floor - how?!
Here's another good example.....
I felt so bad - the poor people below us. When we got up to leave we looked down and they had left the Kit Kat wrapper balancing on the edge of their arm rest.
It was my birthday last week! I had an awesome day - even though I had to work.
When my mom was visiting we checked out this great outdoor store downtown and I found a sleeping bag I liked. Remember what happened to mine? (Waving fists in the air and cursing.) I mentioned it to Brad and about two weeks before my birthday he basically told me he was going to buy it for me.
I hate that?! Am I alone in that? I want my birthday presents to be a surprise!
Anyway, on my birthday we went out for dinner to a place I've been wanting to try forever. My cocktail was amazing - I don't remember what it was called but it had bourbon on it - can't go wrong.
We had cheese fondue with bread and apple slices to dip - which is my idea of a perfect appetizer. There was wine and a board with cheese, salami, bread and olives on it. The night was already complete.
Except.
Halfway through dinner Brad starts talking about how he "isn't sure the sleeping bag he bought me is going to be long enough and I'll have to try it when-"
Man! Shut up!!!!!? He hadn't given me the present yet!!
When we got home - it was the cutest thing EVER: he wrapped it. I WISH I had taken a photo - there was a massive box sitting on the sofa for me. I opened it up and the sleeping bag was rolled up in a clear plastic bag inside its box.
I took it out and climbed in - and quickly realized there was something in the bottom of it.
I pulled it out - another wrapped present!! There were two more presents in there - one in the bottom and one in the little pocket at the top!
My first question was how the HELL he got that thing back in the plastic bag - because it was in there curled up perfectly - not shoved like you would shove it in a stuff sack. His response:
"Lots of swearing and it almost didn't happen three times."
My other amazing friends and family gave me awesome gifts too. I'm really lucky.
There is a store downtown that I purposely haven't been in yet. The reason is that I knew I would buy a leather bag when I finally did visit and I wasn't in the market.
The bag my Mom bought me is still going strong and it's no where near out of rotation, but it's starting to wear - it makes sense - I use it every single day.
So, today finally I went in - and I found this.
It's kind of a cross between suede and leather - not synthetic - and I love it. I need something that holds my wallet, iPad, book (sometimes) and lunch for work - which kind of throws me into 'tote bag territory' but I don't want a giant tote. I looked at a few, but they're just too massive. Plus, it's just an invitation to carry around more crap.
While we were downtown, we visited my favourite bookstore ever. We also found out the book sale is in May, so we were both really cautious. I only bought two books. Sarah's Key is a book that Kobo has been recommending for me for over a year. The other was one a staff member recommended so I'm flying blind. Have any of you read them?
Obsess much?
I was slightly embarrassed when I walked out this morning and realized I have the book Persuasion marked with an I'd Rather be at Pemberley bookmark, which was inside my 'Mr. Darcy Proposal' tote bag.
For real.
Jane Austen is my second favourite author ever. The problem (well, for my anyway) with having dead authors as favourites is that you tend to put off reading all of their books - because it's not like there's any more of them coming.
I've been thinking about Persuasion for a while and I think the timing is right to read it after all these years of looking at it, sighing and selecting another book from my shelf.
I have a 'thing' with objects that I love more than I can express - I don't partake in them like normal people would. Perfect example: my favourite movie ever - The Lives of Others - yeah, I've only watched it twice. Once in the theatre and once at home - and only because "the time was right". (Brad has given up asking if we can watch it again.)
So I'm on Chapter 2 and it's turning out to be classic Austen. I sigh when I start reading, I read super slowly and fall into a lovely trance full of empire waisted frocks, then I sigh when I have to close the book.
Today was stupid. Every single thing I tried to do backfired. One step forward, three steps back.
It had to do with AutoCAD which I can no longer tolerate. I'm not going to get into it, but it has to do with THIS......click it. Do it. I dare you.
So on to way more interesting topics! I started a new sweater for my nephew and it's going to be off the charts.
People.....it's a baseball jersey. There will be stripes on the other sleeve. Here's the pattern.
Super easy pattern so far. I can't believe the stuff people post online for free.
In other news......Oh. Hell. Yes........!?
I gave Brad tickets to Fleetwood Mac for his birthday. Amazing seats. I literally ran out of a staff meeting to buy the tickets, my workmates assumed I had finally gone over the deep end.
We are super stroked - maybe me more than him? (nervous laughter....)
I've had their songs on repeat for the last couple weeks. I've always loved them, but lately their music is hitting me hard. The song 'As Long as you Follow' almost had me in tears the other day. I guess I've moved on from Human Touch?
As you guys know, I love reading and I'm a big advocate for sites like Good Reads who encourage it in lots of ways - namely the book challenge option they offer. Soooo cool.
But I'm never doing it again! I know.....
For me - it limited my reading! I found myself doing two things:
a) I would set aside longer books and
b) I wasn't reading classical books anymore
This is bad. I'm not afraid of long books and classical books are my favourite! I have two big books that have been on my shelf for a couple years now and it's time I got to them. So no more book challenges for me.
Anyway......I have lots of books this time......
The Outlander - Gil Adamson
I was drawn to this one because of CBC Canada Reads - which I adore. The book was written in lovely prose, the plot was fantastic, interesting characters and holy crap I wasn't expecting what happened in the end! Great read.
A Cry in the Night - Mary Higgins Clark
I needed something kinda mindless and turned to this author - who I had never read. Mindless - she delivered. Writing style - not so much for me. I couldn't handle the way everyone kept calling the main character by her first name. 'Jenny you look lovely.' Two sentences later 'Jenny, I told you not to go in there.' Who talks like this?!
Jewel - Bret Lott
This has been on my shelf since the big book sale of 2010! I fell in love with this book from the beginning - the writing is fantastic. Jewel is an amazing character who I really got into. The storyline was excellent - although my only complaint was that I felt it could have been way shorter. Still, highly recommend.
The Alchemy of Air - Thomas Hager
I needed a break from novels, which happens when I get over emotional. I turn to Brad and his bookcase, he recommended this beauty. It's written like a novel - which is right up my alley - so keeps me interested. Super interesting subject matter, I'm glad I read it.
The Imposter Bride - Nancy Richler
Back to novels, I couldn't believe it when I saw this one go on sale on Kobo for 4.99?! Giller Prize Nomination for sure. Read this, just do it.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
This was NOT what I was expecting! It's written from the perspective of an 8 year old. Which adds an interesting twist to the war and everything that went along with it. You have to take a lot of this book with a grain of salt - which kind of ruins it but overall - worth reading.
The Last Time they Met - Anita Shreve
Shreve is one of my favourite authors. After I finish one of her books I'm off novels for a while. She thinks and experiences emotion exactly the way I do. Her books are so deep, well written and incredibly moving. The end of this one caused a reaction in me similar to what happened when I finished my first Thomas Hardy book* - which means I consider this a successful book.
What are you guys reading? Any recommendations?
*It was Tess and I threw the book across the room.
I haven't left the house since Saturday. Which means I've used up half my sick time for 2013.
I take it back! The flu sucks!! Make it go away!
I'm at home sick today - with the flu! I don't know if I've ever had the flu!?
I get colds sure, but fevers, chills and muscle aches? Not so much. And since it's all over the news these days - I'm not messing around.
Snuggled in with blankets, tea, a cat, pajamas and all the technology you can imagine (laptop, phone, iPad and ereader) I think I'm in a pretty good place.
Which brings me to my next rant: television.
In the last few months I only turn the tv on in the mornings while I'm having breakfast to get the morning news. There is nothing worse than watching crap you normally wouldn't - just because it's the only thing that's on. Seriously?
In my opinion, television has to change or it's going to die. We now live in an on-demand society and tv just doesn't deliver. I can go online and watch pretty much what I want, when I want. Why pay all this money for cable when 90% of it is utter crap? And don't get me started on these 'tiers' the cable company still pushes on us.
I digress.....
In the evenings, we've been watching Cheers and now we have a new thing: Star Trek. I know.....
I've. Never. Watched. It. Before!?!?
I love Shatner. He delivers in his overacting, his shiny-chest-shirtless scenes, the way they light his face when it's a tense moment.....!? I love the paper mache rocks, the sweet 60's starship sets and surprisingly - the plots of the shows are thought provoking - especially for the time!?
So the flu....bah!!! Bring it on. I'm ready.
My parents have been visiting here for the month. It's so great to have them here this long, because we can take time to breathe rather than trying to fit everything into one week.
But the best thing is that we've been able to fit in time for coffees....
...breakfasts, meeting up for drinks after work, baking cookies, walks....
....and shopping.
I never get to shop with my mom. We went a couple times and had a blast. We bought the same jeans, (!!) my Mom found everything she needed, we stopped for a beer and got home and had a fashion show for my dad. So fun.
Last weekend I took Mom for High Tea at The Empress for her birthday. I think this is the perfect thing to do with your mom. I've been three times now and it's such a treat. She had the best time - it was so fun.
They're leaving this weekend and we are all so sad about it. Sigh...well, at least now we have FaceTime with their new laptop!
