I highly recommend

Ahh...if you have $41.00 in your pocket, go over to Nice One Nails in Brooklin and get yourself a manicure and pedicure. I went there today with Stephanie from Eat, Run, Quilt! Fabulous!!

Not much going on, just the usual January blahs. We've been lucky that there has been very little snow this year but some very cold days. If you remember I had said earlier that I was working on a boy and girl quilt for a set of twins born to my Big Man's co-worker. The girls is done except for the hand stitching of the binding to the back. Below is the startings of the boys quilt. I really like this pattern so far, incredibly easy.

Now I FOREWARN YOU.....the next picture is pretty gruesome.....the Big Man had to get a mole cut out of his back for precautionary measures. The cut is about the length of a thumb but has been healing beautifully. It's only been two days and it looks great....if that's actually possible.

I hope everyone is keeping well....SUPERBOWL is next weekend, must jog extra hard and long this week cause I see a feast in my future next Sunday!

And it's not even my Birthday!

I'm sure I've mentioned it before but I have the best Big Man in the world!! Look what was waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday...a 16GB I-Pod-Touch!!

I'm not quite sure exactly what I did to deserve such an unexpected and amazing gift! (I wonder what I have to do to get a new Bernina 440 QE with BSR?)--just joking Big Man.

Look, he even got it engraved with my name, cell number and 32.5!

Now I have to learn how to use the freaking thing, technology is not my strong suit. One guess on what my first movie download will be........"Twilight" you say.....that's right, just think Edward at my fingertips wherever and whenever!

This is just the GIANT spider that has made a huge web across my backyard sun tent. I feel so bad that I'm going to destroy all his web crafting, but I almost walked into it a few times already....the scream would/is going to be insane when I actually forget and plow straight into it.

Bye Bye Water Bell

One of my favourite things about our town was the Water Bell. I work so far away, it was always a welcome sight in the horizon knowing that I was almost home.

Sadly she is now gone. There is an article about it here from our local paper. You can't really make it out on the lower left hand side; but during the night some kids went up a spray painted "Brooklin Boys-Boo Ya!" Yowza, we really have some toughies in our town -- watch out!

It's so funny, any type of vandalism you might see is quickly cleaned up within a few days. That's what I like about our neighbourhood, everyone knows that shit-heads and messy houses are not allowed. Brooklin membership has it's privileges!

In other news, my Poppy gave me five magnificent blooms this week, with no rain to really damage them.

My husband even took the picture below for me today so I wouldn't miss out on it.

I'm working on another baby quilt this weekend. Saturday is busy, playing tennis in the morning with my husband, a walk to the farmers market in the afternoon with a girlfriend and going to a sneak peek of The Proposal with another girlfriend in the evening.

I plan to spend the evenings with Edward. Enjoy your weekend!

Is this wrong?

It's possible that I might have cheated on my husband with the Edward in my head.

Image borrowed from here

I'm not much of a book reader but the girls at work have been really raving about "The Twilight Saga" written by Stephenie Meyer. I picked up the first book to read in Mexico. I finished it on the weekend and have already started the second and succumbed to buying the DVD to watch the next weekend my husband's at work...in the dark...with a glass of wine...is it wrong to be so obsessed this fast?

Other than that it's just been the same old every other day, hence the lack of blogging.

32point5 plan is going great, my bone spur issue has gotten better with the running and we have taken up tennis as another exercise alternative. Eye-hand co-ordination, umm, I need some practice but super fun! Back soon......

Adios Mexico!

Well, our SECOND vacation in two weeks has been cancelled.

picture borrowed from here

I was so looking forward to our trip to Mexico this coming week but things seem to have gotten a lot worse; not only in Mexico but even in our own countries. Freakishly, both ourselves and our friends that we're supposed to be going away with both have the same week off in October. Fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong and by then we will finally be able to go away together.

Any good at home vacation suggestions? Any nice Ontario resorts?

As I stated in my previous post, Quilting Newbie and I went to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival this past weekend. I found that there was not as many fabric booths as there normally is and some of our favourites were missing. I CAME HOME with money left over?? What's up with that?

I just bought some random fat quarters that caught my eye and my usual purchase of quilt basting spray that I just can't live without. Oh, that fat roll, contains 10 fat quarters of this Japanese fabric that I fell in love with at one of my favourite stores "Quilters Cupboard" in Uxbridge.

I really wanted to try out the long arm quilting machines that they have on display. So does anybody have a spare $13,000.00 they want to give me? I soooooo wwwannnttt ooonnneee!!!

This is to prove that summer is just around the corner! My Girl is so funny, she will follow a spot of sun as it moves with time.

Mexico here we come!

Well, well, well….where have I been you ask?

First, I spent a maddening two weeks researching every resort in the Dominican Republic and finally settled on Dreams Palm Beach, Punta Cana. I booked the trip late on a Wednesday night and the VERY NEXT DAY the tour provider Conquest Vacations ceases operation. WTF!

So within 12 hours we (my Husband and our friends M+D) decide on a new location and have now booked the Gran Bahia Principe Akumal in Mexico. Now Mexico has some weird Swine/Bird/Human flu killing people off…again I repeat WTF! Somehow I think we're destined not to go away!!

So “lo seinto” for the long absence, I’ve just been totally frustrated with this whole fiasco. In happier 32point5 news the jogging is really paying off, I stepped on the scale the other morning and was utterly shocked to see the number 7 pounds lighter than what I was expecting!! Whoot, Whoot!! Mexico here I come!

I’m off to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival this weekend with Quilting Newbie; nothing like abundant fabric purchases to drown my vacation planning horrors!

March Girls Night Out

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi and give a few updates.

I had super fun on Saturday night with the girls. Much food, beverages, giggling and dance floor stalkers!

The running plan is going along nicely. All this month I only missed yesterday, but did my 5 K run tonight instead. I'm on a training course at work this week which means working 8 to 4 and traffic....grrrr!! I have finished and hung my fly away home quilt, pictures to follow shortly. I've already started working on another quilt.

Not much else is new except for the GREAT possibility of going away in May with some friends. We're contemplating Punta Cana (I love it, Punta Cana sounds like a dirty word for lady parts)! Anyhow, does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere warm you have gone to and enjoyed?

Daylight Savings

Ahhh, Daylight Savings started today; this always cheers me up! It means that spring is just around the corner and for someone like me who permanently works the afternoon shift it's the possibility of a glimmer of light on the usual dark drive home.

I met up with a group of girlfriends the other weekend for some dinner and drinks. I made the burp cloths above for one of them who was due the next week. This is her third child with a total of 5 when you include her step-children AND a full time job. Bless her little soul, she constantly has energy. Man, I have a dog and a husband and I'm pooped most of the time...I need some of her mo-jo!

I have finished quilting and attached the binding to the front of my "Fly Away Home" quilt. All that's left is to hand-sew the binding to the back, wash, add a hanging sleeve and I'll be done. The backing fabric was also used on my Niece's quilt in New Zealand that I sent to her when she was born. Her parents are expecting their second child in just a few months.

As usual my trusty helper was with me all afternoon. Mum and Dad, there's your pile of mail waiting for you when you get back from Florida! Enjoy the extra hour of Sunshine today, I know I will.

Quilt Pox?!

Saturday was my friend Quilting Newbies birthday. To celebrate we went on a Quilt Shop-hop and some lunch in Uxbridge, Ontario.

This sign was on the back of the bathroom door in one of the stores. I found it both comical and true. Just look at the birthday girl below, surrounded by fabric with that crazy look in her eyes!

Our first stop was to Sew Many Fabrics. The store is nice and bright and had a lot of finished samples displayed showing many different techniques. They had a Long Arm machine on display, I so want one of these. Hmm, where could I find about $5,000.00?

Next stop was Quilters Cupboard. I love, love, love this store. It's very easy to miss since the store is out of a converted house and only has a small sign on the front lawn. Thank goodness for Garmin's, without this I would be perpetually lost and never leave the house.

They have a beautiful selection of fabrics, notions, patterns. Again many samples are located throughout the store and all the ladies are so very helpful.

There is a great flow to the the store ranging from children's, flannel, seasonal, and classic to modern fabric choices.

They offer a 20% discount for your birthday; and according to my bill, it looks like this discount also applies to friends shopping with you!

For lunch we went to frankie's ristorante. I'm always nervous to eat out with Quilting Newbie since she has some serious food allergies. I was trying to find a nice place to eat and frankie's is 100% gluten-free & nut free Mediterranean cuisine. Lunch was FANTASTIC!

Mmmm, I had Eggs Benedict while Newbie had a Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread. The bread was made with rice flour; the texture was so light and fluffy, yummy! The restaurant is very pretty with great service and very fair prices. I will definitely go back.

These were my fabric purchases for the day. I'm stocking up on greys, blacks and greens for my next quilt. I also bought this fabric panel that has New York Beauties for "paper piecing". It was a great weekend finished off with this Chicken Orzo for dinner. No pictures but the Big Man described it as "Blog Worthy"!

No Mum, I'm fine.....

I never realized how many people I know actually read my little blog.

I called my Mum last night and her first words were "Are you ok? There's nothing new on your blog". Hmm, yes, I'm fine however just in that February funk of boredom.

Let's see, here's 3 random facts about me:

1. My blood type is RHO negative
2. I'm an only child
3. I dread shopping for clothes. I know how can this be?

However, I do love shopping for fabric which I'll be doing with Quilting Newbie on Saturday, cause you know one of us will be getting the 20% birthday discount. Sadly, it won't be me.

Super Bowl Sunday!

Ah, another favourite day has arrived; Super Bowl XLIII Sunday is here! Particularly exciting this year since it's being held in Tampa, which is so close to where my parents winter in Largo, Florida. Should be a blast for all the oldies in the park down there!!

I've been working on my quilt all weekend. I didn't get as far as I wanted to but I do have half of the strips sewn together and might get a few more done after posting this.

As random as I pulled and pieced these, you would think it would be hard to not have matching patterns and colours beside each other. I spent an hour mixing the rows before I found a pleasing pattern.

I really like seeing "stained glass" patchwork photos where you photograph the quilt top held up against a window.

This part is for Quilting Newbie, as per our discussion on Friday, I did mark a test square with both pencil and a Crayola Washable Marker. Result -- pencil was still visible however the Crayola Marker totally washed out.....YEAH!

On a sad note, my good friend Mark from work lost his Mother on Friday after a battle with cancer. I'm going to the wake this afternoon. Above is a recipe she gave me years ago. It's one of those fantastic Grandma, old-school CWL inspired squares. Remember those squares with the fruity marshmallows embedded in a squishy-cookie crumb; this is that recipe.

Finally I will tempt you with the Super Bowl menu for today, Potato Skins, Panko crusted boneless wings, Nachos with cheese dip, Boy Scout Caramel popcorn from my nephew and Beverages!

Gee, I hope I don't see the 7 pounds I lost last month appear back on the scale tomorrow? Have fun and see you soon! GO (insert team name here)!! Whatever, we all know I only like it for the food and booze!

Someone thinks I'm Fabulous

Yeah, my first bloggy award! My good friend over at Quilting Newbie has awarded me this lovely token of appreciation. Thanks!

With the award, I'm to list my five addictions and let you know of five other blogs that I also think are Fabulous.

ADDICTIONS, hmm kinda a harsh word.....how bout things that make me happy!

1. Magazines, OMGosh I love them! Gossip, crafting, quilting, cooking, anything Martha-ish
2. My Dog, aka my child, I love her smelly popcorn feet and stupidness
3. Fabric, nothing like a good fondle to make a girl happy!
4. Coffee and Wine, mmmhhhuuuummmmm!
5. Blogs, for the entertainment, friends and inspirational ideas

I have some blogs listed on the sidebar that I read everyday, but I would also like to point out the following blogs that I also enjoy reading and I think are all Fabulous!

1. Assorted Notions because I love the clothes she sews and her hair is fantastic
2. Erica B.'s - D.I.Y. Style! because of her amazing garment sewing skills
3. The Pioneer Woman because she cooks like a fiend and shows pictures of cowboys butts!
4. use real butter because Jen is an amazing woman who's winning the battle of breast cancer
5. David Lebovitz because he lives in Paris and is a fantastic cook and photographer

On a frustrating note, I was almost at work today and noticed that my car was smoking/steaming? I pulled in to the parking garage to find out it was leaking fluid all over. After a panic call to the husband on what to do; I went upstairs to get an emergency day off from work (thank goodness were allowed 3 "emergency" days a year).

I took my car to Precision Tune Auto Care in Brooklin. These guys are fantastic.....I brought my car over unplanned at 11:30 this morning and it was all fixed by 6:00 that same night. Turns out I needed a new water pump and some belts replaced. Great pricing as well, $200.00 less than what they quoted to me earlier in the afternoon.

Hey There....

Hey, how's things going so far this year? I've been sticking to my New Years resolutions. I only missed washing my face once but I had had my shower late in the day and I didn't have any make-up on so I figured that was ok.

I thought I would follow up on some left over stuff from December. The cookie exchange at work was a great success. Everything turned out yummy and we all had a lot of fun. I ended up making shortbread, some plain and others with Skorr Toffee bits, and Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies from Martha Stewart that are a dream to make and never fail me!

For my birthday, my husband gave me this radio. It is small, but has HUGE sound and a little credit card size remote so I don't have to get up to change the station or volume. I love it!

My "Flying Geese" quilt is moving along. I have all 348 of the blocks sewn. I used about seven charm packs resulting in two blocks of each fabric pattern. I separated them in half and tossed them in the dryer (on the air/fluff setting) to mix them up randomly. I have two full rows sewn; it's taking about 45 minutes to sew and iron each row.

The final photo is for my Dad who enjoys chatting about the weather. My parents spend the winter in Florida so I just wanted them to see the lovely weather their missing out on! I guess it is all a matter of situation....staying at home, I love it. Having to drive 60 KM to work in it, not so much.

Happy New Year!

Well for the first time in a few years I DON'T feel like the person below!

My New Year was spent at home with my dog beside me and my husband sleeping upstairs in order to get up for work at 3 AM.

Resolution wise I have only two and they should be fairly easy to keep.

1) Get back to weighing myself every morning. I got lazy in December and had to cringe at the number I saw on the scale today.....so back to the hard core 32point5 plan.

2) Wash my face every night before bed. I know ewww, but I confess I really don't show my face the luxury it deserves. No more cheap cleansers, moisturizers and make-up.

Happy 2009 and I hope the year is filled with love, happiness and health for all of you.

Who's the Birthday Girl??

1. happy birthday cake, 2. Annoying little things, aren't they?, 3. Make A Wish, 4. I like the way my age looks

Well yes, I really am this old today.

However, my birthday gift from my husband always makes it worth getting older. Each year he gets me a bottle of wine that costs the same as my age. MMM....can't wait till I'm like 80!

Pieces of Whimsy Tree Skirt

Phew, what a busy weekend it's been. I put up our tree and rearranged the living room furniture. Our friends birthday party on Saturday was so much fun and it was great to see many of our friends. This evening I went over to Quilting Newbies house for some yummy snacks and a good giggle.

Not to brag or anything, but my tree is absolutely huge! My husband picked it up for us from White Rose on boxing day before they went out of business. Of course we did not put it up until the following year and were shocked at how big it is. See at the bottom, you can barely see the tree skirt I made for it.

Which brings me to this, I won an E-bay bid a few years ago on a group of quilting magazines. This magazine is from 2002 and I think I made this quilt about 3 summers ago. The pattern was called "Pieces of Whimsy Tree Skirt".

Honestly, this is my most favourite quilting project I have made so far. It challenged my skills with the curved borders; I almost gave up a few times. I'm so glad I held out and completed it.

I love the colours, and as we all know I'm a sucker for any kind of fabric with "sparkles". The back is white damask fabric with a snowflake pattern. I stitched in the ditch for the top section and stippled the bottom rows.

It really is such a shame that the ginormous tree dwarfs my tree skirt!! Sorry for the grainy pictures, my camera does not really like the night, cause I'm sure it's not the photographer!

View from desk #22122C

Hey There! Just wanted to drop by and let you know that I'm still around.

The holiday season is upon us and things are getting so busy. This is the lovely view from my desk at work. We decided to use a silver and blue theme this year, last year it was snowflakes.

I've spent tonight making Chocolate Crunch Cookies (recipe here) as a birthday gift for a friend of ours who's party were going to on Saturday which I know will be lot's of fun.

I let the dog out early the other morning, it had lightly snowed during the night and everything was lightly dusted with fluffy snow. It was so peaceful and quiet; I just had to take a picture.

See you soon...!!!