Blogroll, Family, Life, Quilting, Uncategorized

MyPersonality and Emily’s too

Click to view my Personality Profile page

Funny how you can do a short little quiz and it can tell you what your personality is. I’ve done this one several times over the years. The first time in college and it always comes out the same.

INFP – The “Dreamer”
Jungian Personality Types (Free Test)

INFPs are introspective, private, creative and highly idealistic individuals that have a constant desire to be on a meaningful path. They are driven by their values and seek peace. Empathetic and compassionate, they want to help others and humanity as a whole. INFPs are imaginitive, artistic and often have a talent for language and writing. They can also be described as easygoing, selfless, guarded, adaptable, patient and loyal.
I like how this site has a list of fictional characters that have your personality type. like Anne of Green Gables and real people like Audrey Hepburn, not too sure about Fred Rogers though. But then there’s Mary Mother of Jesus and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Professionally my day job is not on my list, which I already knew of course. But you do what you have to do to support your family right.
Tonight my Emily took the test and she’s like the opposite of me, her real life people she’s like are mostly presidents, Billy Graham, Sam Walton and John D. Rockefeller. A fictional person on her list was Rachel Linde which didn’t thrill her at all.
Emily is studying to be a teacher which of course was on her list of professions. Emily has always been organized and diligent. She’d got upset with me when she was in Grade 6 when I asked if she’d done her homework, she said that was insulting because of course she’d done it and did I have any idea how embarrassing it would be to go to school and not have it done.
Well as opposite as my Emily in personality we are also very alike in values. I really admire her so much and I’m also so thrilled to pieces that she wants me to send some things to her this weekend. (She is attending University in Edmonton)
She’s decided she needs a hobby 🙂

em1

so I had to go and pick up a few things she’ll need for her new hobby and my Mom is sending her

em2

its a sweet little machine, though testing it tonight made me realize how spoiled I’ve become with my newer machines.

We spent some time tonight looking for quilt shops in Edmonton that are close by her place and hopefully we can find one that’s offering a beginner class over the summer. I did find one and I wish I knew more about the shop. For now I’ll send some fabrics and magazines that will get her started. Of course she’s been watching me quilt for years so she has some ideas.

Quilting

Honey Bun

I’ve been wanting to dig into my jelly rolls but thought I’d start with a honey bun. This one is Deb Strains Fresh collection. While its not really my colours, I enjoyed working with these very bright sunny colours. My oldest daughter’s response was “well I don’t hate it” my youngest really likes it. I’m thinking it might make a fun baby or child’s quilt. It could be a fun little picnic blanket or something. What do you think?

This is where I found the idea, I really like it in those soft colours:
Moda Bakeshop

IMG_1531

IMG_1528

birthday, Blogroll, hiking, Life, Quilting

TGIF

Wouldn’t you think that since I only worked 3 days this week I wouldn’t have been so tired by Friday? It really felt like a full work week, anyways it it Friday!

So continuing on from my last post, this next shop has been my favorite ever since I discovered it about 5 or so years ago. She always carries many of my favorite fabrics and colours. Every time I’ve walked into this shop I truly feel like a kid in a candy shop. Erik new I’d be a while at this shop so he went for a walk and had a little rest in the van.

IMG_1395

IMG_1397

IMG_1400

It’s located in a little town called Castle Danger. I don’t know how many times we’ve driven by the State Park in Castle Danger, if you ever get the chance to drive the North Shore make sure you stop in to both the shop and the park.

IMG_1405

IMG_1438

IMG_1463

IMG_1468

The cedar trees were amazing, the gnarled roots and twisted trunks fascinated me

IMG_1417

IMG_1418

Moving along down the road we stopped in Grand Marais for some of Sven and Ollies Pizza
this is another little town that is well worth stopping by and visiting so many interesting little places to check out along with the beautiful scenery that surrounds Lake Superior
IMG_1480

IMG_1481

We took our pizza and stopped on at a rest stop further down the road for a little picnic and stone skipping.

IMG_1483

Blogroll, Family, Life, Quilting

Congratulations to my Graduate!!

IMG_1251

IMG_1249 (Medium)

My eldest daughter Sarah graduated with first class standing in Social Work today. She’s worked so hard these last 4 years and done so well. I know that she will be making a very positive impact on our world! She truly is an adult now and a pretty amazing one at that if I do say so myself.

Sarah has really come along way:
2009-05-23-0843-52_edited (Medium)

IMG_1256 (Medium)

Last night I had a little friend of mine over, she really wanted to play with my girls but these days, more often than not the girls are out. She is so cute and asked me if she could come in even though no one was home (I thought to myself what am I??? chopped liver?) I had a quilt job that I really needed to get done last night but decided to take some time for her and show her how to use my sewing machine. It was so fun and she is so smart too, I told her how to program the machine for embroidery and she set it up to put her name on the little quilt. We used some little leftover blocks I had, so it really didn’t take very long. One thing that I really appreciated was the speed setting on my machine for teaching a little one. I have a feeling we might just have another little quilter in our midst.

IMG_1208 (Medium)

I was able to finish up and deliver the quilt on my machine last night.

IMG_1226 (Medium)

IMG_1214 (Medium)

IMG_1213 (Medium)

Blogroll, Family, Life, Quilting, Spring

Busy Week

Time seems to have a way of getting away on me, some days just pass in a blurr between my day job my girls and the house and quilt jobs and trying to fit in a little exercise and of course a little life for myself etc. I’m always striving for balance.
At work I see the young moms juggling the needs of their little ones and having to work with very little sleep and I’m thankful that I get to sleep at night and that the girls are for the most part self sufficient.

2009-05-23-0823-30_edited
There are days when I look at my daughters and can see that a large part of my goals as a mom have been reached and while that makes me feel so proud it also makes me a little sad too. I’m not sure at what point in my mothering career it was but I decided that it was a job I needed to work my way out of. I’ve tried really hard to never micro manage my children, instead I’ve encouraged them to become who they are meant to become. Instead of making their decisions I’ve tried to teach them how to make their own decisions. That wasn’t always easy because there were times when I felt they were making the wrong ones, sometimes I was right but sometimes I was wrong. Of course I never allowed them to make decisions that would endanger themselves or others not that they ever really wanted to anyways.
Last weekend my youngest told me that she thinks I’m a good mom actually she used the word “chill” (high praise from a 14yr old). She said alot of her friends are very frustrated by their parents. I told her that she really owes a lot of thanks to her older sisters who paved the way for her. A mom learns so much along the journey of raising 4 girls.
Life as a mom has taught me so much, definitely that the phrase this shall soon pass is very true, that just when I figured out how to deal with a stage in my girls life’s that the stage would pass, that worrying is really a waste of energy, Praying is a much more efficient use of time.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the above, life has changed so much in the last few years and there are so much more to come.
These little birds of mine are spreading their wings and leaving my nest, and my heart aches abit. Its so bittersweet, I’m so thankful that I’ve been blessed with 4 girls to raise and call my daughters. When I allow myself to think back in time there are so many memories that flood me with joy and yes some that make me thankful that we’ve survived it. I’ve known these young woman since before they were born, when all they really wanted in life involved me. Now I have to move to the sidelines of their lives and continue to cheer them on. Well I still do have my baby at home with me and she’ll be with me for at least a few more years. Isn’t it amazing though how fast those years fly by…..

Here’s this weeks picture of Mary’s Kittie, I’m sure glad my babies didn’t grow as fast as this little one. He sure is cute, and I’m so proud of how well his mama is caring for him.

IMG_1178 (Large)

Last weekend was our Long weekend and Saturday morning we were greeted by this in the morning (this is the little patch of rhubarb beside my deck, the previous rhubarb pics were taken at Eriks)

IMG_1174 (Large)

I finished up a cute little custom quilt and only took a few pictures of it before it left, thankfully I’ll be able to get more pictures soon as it belongs to a friend of mine. It was fun to quilt and I think its one of my favorites that I’ve done for others.

IMG_1170 (Large)

IMG_1171 (Large)

IMG_1173 (Large)

and what caused all my pondering above about being a mom?

IMG_1201 (Large)

Congratulations to Sarah and Jeremy on their engagement

IMG_2564 (Large)

Blogroll, Family, Life, Quilting, Spring

A Little of This and a Little of That

Mothers day was great here with only one not so great part and that was it was my first Mothers day without all of my girls with me. Emily did call 🙂 and she’ll be home at the end of the month for a quick visit.

We have a new family member, he belongs to my 3rd daughter Mary. This picture is of Katie with him, Mary was told this little guy is 6 weeks but he sure is tiny. So far his name is Cornelius I asked her if we’ll call him Corny for short.

IMG_1169 (Medium)

This is Mary doing her Princess pose, we girls really are all princesses after all aren’t we?

IMG_1115 (Medium)

and Mary and I

IMG_1119 (Medium)

This quilt belongs to a friend of mine. I quilted it last week. Life really got in the way of the quilting last week. I did finish piecing some blocks this weekend and worked on a mini quilt.

IMG_1129 (Medium)
IMG_1127 (Medium)

Yesterday morning there were some visitors in Erik’s yard. They are kinda pretty and I really enjoyed watching them run away with their white tails flying behind them. Its too bad that they do so much damage.

IMG_1150 (Medium)
IMG_1151 (Medium)
Spring really is coming and soon we’ll have rhubarb.
IMG_1160 (Medium)

I’m wondering who thinks it can make a new home beside my front door…sure hope its not a skunk. The hole was filled in today and I’m hoping it will relocate.

IMG_1133 (Medium)

My Quilt Guilds Quilt show was this weekend as well as a banquet with great friends and a wonderful trunk show by our very talented Joyce McKinnon.
Joyce and one of her beautiful works of Art
IMG_1143 (Medium)

and some of my very favorite friends
IMG_1137 (Medium)
IMG_1136 (Medium)

Family, Life, Quilting, Spring

Change

Change, seems to be the theme to life these days. On the quilt front I’ve noticed that my fabric choices have changed, almost everything I’ve done this year has had red in it and I love everything I’ve made this year. Maybe I needed that extra punch that red adds to a quilt.
The pattern I’m using is Gypsy Rose from the book Fat Quarter Five by Heather Mulder Peterson, the Fabric is Picket Fence by Cloe’s Closet that I’ve had for a few years, it was a Moda University Kit that I really didn’t love the pattern so its been patiently waiting. I’m almost finished the 31 blocks, I’m not sure where this quilt will live but so far I really like it.
img_1097-medium

I’ve already shown my Hello Betty top, which screams red to me, it makes me think of picnics and fun times with little ones

img_1044

And I’ve finished my first Schnibble from Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co Hot Cross Buns in the Patisserie collection by Fig Tree Quilts

img_1088-medium
img_1090
img_1091-medium

and the mail came today, I’m planning a couple of quilts for my older girls with this fabric, 2 of whom have their own places and the other will soon have her own home, The pattern I’m using is in Heather Mulder Peterson’s book Livin’ Large, her website shows the quilt in 2 versions one says Faith Hope Love that was the quilt Emily would like and separately Sarah saw Live Laugh Love and that’s the one she loves. Marys will be a surprise. The girls already have quilts but thankfully they love them and are always more than happy to receive more.
Seeing the girls become young women is very exciting but challenging as well. I guess this is the stage of parenting that I have to trust that I’ve done my job well and let them spread their wings to become who they are meant to be. Katie will still be home for a while and it will be a big change for both of us when Sarah really does fly, the house is already quieter and for Katie she’s always had big sisters around, she won’t really be the baby when its just the two of us.

img_1093-medium

Another change was announced last week that one of our Local Quilt Shops Patchworks is closing, the owner wants to retire. I attended the last Thimbleberry club meeting Monday which was sad, alot of those ladies really enjoy the smaller group and sharing. Our local guild has a membership of 200 or so. That shop opened when my girls were little and I have so many memories. Patchworks really helped to bring Quilting to Thunder Bay.

One more change, its a big and exciting Happy change too
Spring is coming and with any luck the deer will not help themselves before I see the blooms this year. (the little white curls are shavings of Irish Spring soap which is supposed to help deter the deer as well as the cat if anyone has any more ideas to naturally keep them out I’d love to hear about it)
img_1082-medium

Blogroll, Life, Quilting

Hot Cross Buns

Although Easter is over, I’m finally getting my Hot Cross Buns made. Well my wall hanging that is. This is a Schnibble Pattern from Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. Carrie Nelson has designed so many patterns that I love and these little Schnibbles of hers are irresistible, they use a couple of charm packs and abit of yardage and not as much time a a bed quilt. I can’t wait to have this one finished and hanging up.

img_1072-medium

I’ve also discovered another designer that I’ve fallen in love with her designs, both her fabric lines and patterns. Heather Mulder Peterson of Ankas Treasures I have a couple of her books and if I work didn’t’ take up so much of my time I’d have a few of those quilts made up.

I have a cute and pink sampler on my machine right now and if all goes well I’ll have it finished tomorrow. I believe the pattern is called Elizabeth’s Sampler this is one of 2 that I’ll be quilting.

img_1076-medium

img_1074-medium

The other night, I was upstairs in my room and I had a feeling that someone was looking at me from outside. I was right there was a deer standing just below my window partway on my deck. My camera was nearby, but I wasn’t fast enough. A couple nights later it was back with friends.

img_1071-medium

Blogroll, Family, Life, Moda U, Quilting

April Showers……Snow Showers that is

March went out with a Roar and April began after a 50cm snow storm, heavy wet snow. The driving was treacherous and the kids had yet another snow day. I’m really hoping that’s it for the winter weather. The forecast is for temps above 0 for the rest of the week and even for sunshine!!! Maybe spring is going to show up after all it is April!

I’ve been busy this week with a customer quilt that I’m really enjoying its called Rosebud Lane.

Rosebud Lane
Rosebud Lane

The feathers don’t show up really well but I’m so pleased with how they’ve turned out, they are freehand.

img_1027-medium

Which left very little time for piecing but I did get all of the blocks done for my Hello Betty quilt as well as the sashing ready.

img_1013-medium

There is just something about the depression era fabrics that I’m drawn to, I still have a collection of basket blocks that I made when I really didn’t know what I was doing yet. That is one of my quilting goals this year to finish one of my oldest UFO’s. One thing I’ll have to accept is their imperfection. I have a depression era solid yellow that I’m planning to use as the sashing this quilts been in progress for almost 20 years. Some of the fabrics in these blocks were from the first time I ever ordered quilting fabric…it was a medley from Keepsake Quilting and the beginning of my stash.

And speaking of stash here is another addition to the stash, I have a couple of cakes and jelly rolls but didn’t add them to the picture I’m not sure what I’ll make with it but I’m enjoying the thinking about it stage. I’m at that stage with a few collections right now.

img_1031-medium

I started the Bunny Tales BOM,
little-basket-in-a-frame-side-bar
I know I’m way behind but I’ve also never done hand applique and I’ve chosen this quilt to learn. I did the first block but I’m not happy with it so I’ll start over, I think I know where I went wrong so hopefully I’ll get it right. I’ve watched several youtubes on technique so with any luck.. I’ll have something to show sooner than later.
I’ve also started another embroidery BOM from Willowberry Designs
verandah-views
This one is also a late start and I’m almost finished the first block. I’ve started doing handwork on my lunch breaks at work, I can get a fair amount accomplished if I try.

My oldest is officially finished University all except the ceremony. She starts her first career job on the 14th so she’s taken the opportunity to visit Jeremy in Texas this week. When she finished her job placement on Friday she was given an Easter Lily that was still all buds and asked me to take care of it for her 🙂 It’s blooming Sarah!

img_1041-medium

birthday, Blogroll, Family, hiking, Life, Quilting, Uncategorized, Winter

Sunday

img_0995

I am not very good about labeling quilts but I’m trying to turn over a new leaf so for now on I won’t let a quilt leave me without a label. This one was very simple, I traced the circle portion of on of the BOM’s that I’m working on from Gail Pans site, that I showed in the previous posting to this one. But I really wish I would have had time to embroider it.

I meant to get more quilting done this weekend but between being really tired and having to get my taxes together and plans for today..well I might still get a couple of hours in tonight.

If there are any Canadians reading my blog you will know who Rick Mercier is. He’s a reported for the CBC and travels about and does “reports” pretty funny stuff. Anyways not very long ago he visited Thunder Bay to experience a few “local” things. Thunder Bay has a large Finnish population, so he visited The Hoito which has been one of my favorite places for years. The food is all homemade kinda old style and very yummy in the way only comfort foods can be. So he went there to learn the fine art of making Finnish Pancakes, we make our own here. And then he joined some fellows and went ice climbing which is something that I never ever plan to do myself and then finished that day off with a good old fashioned Sauna. I found the episode on you tube:

The weather was a bit chilly today with the wind but we still made it out for our hike, its a conservation area not far from Eriks and is a 4.5 km loop through the bush, so relaxing and a good workout as its very hilly. I took a few pictures to show that the snow is melting. There is another snow storm in the forcast for up to 10 cm, I ‘m really hoping thats wrong its supposed to be spring!!!

img_0996-medium

img_0997-medium

img_1000-medium