Just Sew It

Christmas is so magical. My all time favorite part of Christmas is decorating the tree. I love the glittery decorations and the glowing lights. My daughter is into it this year much more than ever. I’m nursing a cold during this busy time of year. I headed out to crazy West Edmonton Mall at 9:30 a.m. to beat the mad crowds. I DESPISE crowds with a passion. People forget their manners and tend to over step into “my space”. I have now made a pact with myself that I must shop first thing in the morning or close to closing. No mid-day crap. After having a small shopping bag stolen in The Gap, I am even more careful with my bags and my purse. Another good reason to avoid the crowds.

I got lucky this year and I’m invited to a cookie swap this week. I’ve tried two cookie recipes and have another one to try. The third one has good reviews on it so I’m crossing my fingers as I don’t like to bake a lot (hate the mess).

I have made a good dent in my Xmas shopping already. Still more to go. I never stress myself out too much over gift buying. I just have fun with it.

I stopped at my all time favorite scrapbook stores and picked up supplies for some gifts I plan to make for my parents and my in-laws. I’m going to make them a framed layout of our kids for this past year. They’ll like it.. I hope.

I have the following to get down before December 25:

Crocheted baby blanket
Corn bags for warming sore muscles
Framed Layouts

Get busy!!!

around. I’ve been busy like ya’ll. I’m still working on my granny square afghan. I have thirteen finished. I have twelve more to go.

I found out my brother and his wife are expecting so I am going to make a baby afghan and probably a quilt too. I’m going to make the Li’l Monkey afghan and hat from Debbie Stoller’s “The Happy Hooker” crochet book. It is too cute and since I don’t know the sex of the baby until it’s born. This is a good one to make. Click on the book on the left to check out the book.

I’ve been busy trying to think of another home-based business idea to start. I’d like to quit my dayhome in a year or two. I am really tiring of having other people’s kids in my home and most of all, the parents. You would not believe the bull shit child care providers have to put up with. It’s exhausting.

I have thought about creating some type of baby product or a special clothing line for little girls. Not sure. Do I want to sew all the time in my basement? I don’t know. All I know, is that I am a creative person and I would like to spend the rest of my life in the creative world. I don’t want to work in a crappy office job processing paperwork stuck chained to a desk. No thanks. I want flexibility and to enjoy what I do.

Sewing? have I been sewing? Yup! I’m working on two tops from Burda and a skirt. Have to get that done by the end of June. I like to set deadlines. Stay tuned as I will be posting pics of my projects and will be concentrating on making my blog a learning place for beginners.

Oy, April is such a busy month! Every weekend I have something to do for the house. This weekend is painting. I am painting two bathrooms and my bedroom. I am going for a relaxing, spa feel so I chose “Morning Sky Blue” from Benjamin Moore. The only thing I don’t like about painting is the prep work and clean up. Painting is actually relaxing even though it is work. My husband hates painting. He gets to take everything off and put it back. One of my cats is nervous. Whenever things are changing around the house he thinks we are moving and starts to yowl.

I really miss sewing. Last weekend I made my dd a pleated valance for her room. Very simple and she seems to like it. I painted her room “Blue Ice” by Benjamin Moore two weekends ago. Very pretty and soothing colour.

Spring does that to me. I want to freshen up everything. My home is very important to me and every room should feel special.

It’s finally starting to warm up outside. I cannot wait until planting time. But I’ll have to wait just a few more weeks for that. Usually planting occurs on the May long weekend here.

I have been working on my Granny Squares slowly. Very relaxing to do. I love crocheting. I think in the Summer I’ll learn to knit.

All the yarn colours in my Granny squares are also in my duvet cover. A duvet cover I purchased from Ikea.

I love getting things in the mail. On Sunday night I ordered some yarn from Elann and I received it on Wednesday! Now that is fast! Elann is a online company that is located in Delta, B.C. Canada. I am so happy that they are in Canada. That means no duty and no exchange to deal with. I ordered some yarn made in Germany that is 50% acrylic and 50% cotton. The colours are lime, bubblegum and Candyfloss:

I also found a site that has video clips on how to crochet.

One of the reasons I got into crocheting and knitting is so I would have something to do while waiting for my kids during their extracurricular activities. The other reason? It’s so popular how can I resist. Besides, it’s nice to have a crocheted blanket to cuddle up to.

So last night while my dd was in jazz, I worked on a Granny Square. I have been practicing and making samples for all kinds of stitches. For that, I’m just using some old acrylic yarn I’ve had for several years. I found a wonderful site that has great instructions for making a granny square.

There also is a Granny Along that one can join. Check it out.

I just had to share these photos of my kitties. Meek is taking a nap in her bed and she is a big girl. So big that her feet hang out. I love cat feet.

The Roc decided to bask in the sunshine on our deck. He can’t wait until the weather really warms up so he can have his nap in the playhouse.