EMBELLISHED POSTCARDS

I have had a wonderful time to-day working on more embellished postcards. The Birch trees were a first for me and I like the results very much.The beading and embroidery by hand and machine addsuch dimension. Can you tell I LOVE doing french knots!!;-}

If you are interested, these are for sale in my Etsy Shop

PLAYTIME!!!!

I have been working on an embellished piece for a gallery presentation.
The title is "Under The Sea" There will be fish added along with beading, and I have spent 3 hours making these wee felted balls,, which will be beaded and used as bobbles hanging along the lower edge.
The piece will be square up and put on a background.. Haven't figured that out yet...
My arms will be sore to-morrow hand felting the balls. The main piece was done on my Babylock Embellisher machine.

"Learn your ABC's "

This baby quilt will be for Alice a neighbour expecting their first baby next month. Alice is a kindergarten teacher so what better than an alphabet quilt!

I just finished the top to-day. Now I have to layer it and quilt it. I will show it finished when I get done. I had quite a time finding fabric to match the letters . Some of the impossible ones to find, I went online and found the pictures I needed and printed off my own fabric sheets..LOL

ANOTHER POSTCARD

This was my latest completed project...
another postcard for a trade.. Theme was
"Blue"and the title for this one is "Feeling Blue"
A collage of lace, metallic net, sequin fabric, and sequin stars, all under a layer of blue tulle. I used a rubber stamp for the face and the butterfly is a motif I did on my embroidery machine. It was fun to do and a nice change as I have been doing most of my cards on the Embellisher with the wool rovings..

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!




Seems the winter will never end....The snow is up to my knees on the deck!!!
Guess we won't enjoy a BBQ'd steak to-night!!!

One World-One Heart 2009

Today begins the One World One Heart event.
Hi everyone, here we are again for the third year in a row with a wonderful opportunity to meet new blogging friends. A big Thank you to Lisa Swifka for creating the One World One Heart Caravan .
The drawing will close on Feb.11th, midnight,EST,and the winner will be announced on Feb.12th.
Please be sure you have a working blog, or at least leave your email address when you enter. This way I will be able to reach you if you are the winner.
This is my offering.... a spiral beaded bracelet with fish closure. It is one of my favorite patterns.. yours to enjoy..

Thanks for participating.... I hope you have a good time... I know I will.

I WILL BE USING

THE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR

TO SELECT THE WINNER
I might add that if you follow my blog you will be part of a different giveaway in the future..It will be from these names that I will draw. You won't be disappointed ;-}

From Canada With Love

I belong to a group of women(4 of us..Carol,Heather,Karen and Maggie) called the Mellow Yellows.

We get to-gether and sew quilts for charity. We have been donating quilts for"The Quilt" for more than 10 years bringing in hundreds of dollars for the cause.We are proud of our achievements which leaves us with a warm fuzzy feeling.

This year we decided to make comfort quilts for wounded soldiers.These are some pictures of our latest sewing day and the finished lap quilt we made. We used fabric with the maple leaf on it since it is on our flag

It is on it's way to a wounded soldier with love and hope it gives some comfort with our appreciation for the job they do.

BTW ...the room we use belongs to the Oxford Quilters Guild of which we all are members (Be sure and take a peek). It is a wonderful facility . We hold our guild meetings here and it can be used any time unless it is already in use.

The Magic Bonnet

Aren't these sweet... It is a lovely hanky made into a bonnet for a new baby. I was at a baby shower to-day and this was my gift.I always enjoy giving something I have made.

I will have some in my Etsy shop soon.

A lovely Giveaway

This Contest can be found here "The Lunch Date Blouse Giveaway" .
It is certainly worth a try ;-}

Maggie's In the Kitchen!

It has been so cold here I thought I would make something comforting....

What's in the pot??????

Here it is... The most delicious soup ever!! (well that's my opinion ;-}) Full of so many nourishing yummy things like chickpeas, kale, vegies and spices. I thought you might like the recipe so here goes...

North African Chickpea & Kale Soup

1 large onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced or chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/8th to 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder or cayenne

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

generous pinch saffron, lightly crushed

2 bay leaves

1 three inch cinnamon stick

3 cups cooked chickpeas(or 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed)

8 cups vegetable broth(or water plus bouillon)

1 large bunch of kale, thick centre ribs removed and chopped(at least 8 cups)

About 2 cups of water

salt to taste.

Method........

Spray a large saucepan with olive oil spray and heat it, Add onion and carrot and cook over medium -high heat until onion begins to brown(about 5 minutes) Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the spices, including the bay leaves and cinnamon stick, and cook, stirring for another minute. Add the chickpeas and stir to coat them with the spices.Pour in the 8 cups of vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add chopped kale and stir. If necessary add water to cover the kale and cook until tender, about 10-25 minutes,depending on how cooked you like your kale .

If it is becoming dry add more water as needed( I added more stock since I had lots)

Add salt to taste and serve.

I sprinkled parmesan cheese on top just because I like it like that..

Makes about 6-8 servings

One sixth of the recipe provides 199 calories;3g total fat;(11% calories from fat)11g Protein; 36 g carbohydrates;54 mg sodium;6g Fibre;175mg calcium

Imagine 6g fibre in one serving! sooooooo healthy.

I hope you will try it..

Beaded Art Doll

Here is a project I have been working on for AGES!!!!

I belong to the Yahoo Group "Beaded Art Dolls" and we had a challenge to do a doll using buttons along with the beads.....Great.....I was NOT thinking straight when I chose to work on a 14 inch Bendi Doll(One that has wire inside for posing) I never did get it finished on time so I set it aside. I was having a problem with my eyes and blurry vision so could not bead much..Anyway after having cataract surgery I am now once again enjoying the beading.

I have a ways to go on her but am enjoying the process.

The face I used is one I made with clay, I painted it and then crackled the finish to make it have an aged look.

PS Sorry some pictures are blurry.... I tried a few times to get a clear ones but no luck..

More Fun

Hi everyone. .... Diane at Diane Knott's Musings is having a fabulous give away, Be sure and pop over and see what it is....

wrist warmers

I was so taken with wrist warmers I just HAD to try making them..I came across the idea on Bella McBrides Blog.If you look on her Etsy site there you will find all kinds of patterns for these.

I made this pair in a pale pink wool using the victorian style. I beaded the cuff with seed pearls... aren't they sweet! I think they will look darling poking out of one of my jackets...You would be surprised how cosy and comforting they are to wear.... I'm going to make more in different colors....

I did make some before Christmas for gifts but forgot to take photos...

New Project

I have purchased a supply of moleskines to begin a sketching journal . High Hopes!!!! Why just get ONE?????? VBG

The small one is for watercolors.....

I got the idea from purplepaint's muse blog... she just finished her 1st moleskine hence my inspiration..Go see what she has done.... It's fab!

New Give - Away

Hey HEAR YE....HEAR YE.... Good News.....
Pop over to Lisa Lectura Creations and help her celebrate her 100th post.
Her work is awesome and maybe you can win one of her 3 give aways...

TAG YOU'RE IT!!

Well here it is 2009.. Happy New Year!!!

I have been tagged by Jenna Louise at quilt crazy gal blog

Here are the rules to play the game:

1. When you are tagged you are asked to list eight random facts about yourself and post them on your blog for visitors to enjoy.
This is gonna be fun!
2. Tag eight of your blogging friends and leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to join in the fun if they have the opportunity. (If not, that's okay. They can still enjoy the random facts everyone shares:) Be sure to list a link to your eight friends in your posting.

I guess I need to tell you 8 things about myself you may or may not know...
1. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 54 years.
2.We have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, Our oldest son died at the age of 44 from a heart attack.
3. Watching the grandchildren grow has been a delight...Emilee , the dancer/actress age 20,Rebecca the artist, age 18, and Andrew the doctor, age 21.
4.I am a classical pianist, much out of practice!
5.I Love to drink pickle juice!
6.I love all of the arts.... I studied portrait painting and have sold my work including seascapes and landscapes. I have been a doll maker for many many years, and added quiltmaking to the list. I like to do miniature quilts made to scale..and have received some 1st place ribbons for my work. Recently added beading to my list making art dolls and bracelets. I am interested in Traditional Rug Hooking and am about to begin on that endeavour...NEVER A DULL MOMENT!!
7. My career began with the London Life Insurance Company , then after our children was launched from the nest....I was a consultant for Estee Lauder Cosmetics and taught skin care,and was on TV!! Then I worked for Weight Watchers (after losing 40 pounds) and worked there for 14 years.
8. I have had my own small business since the 80's and supply a couple of shops with my things. I also sell on Etsy. My pledge for the new year is to pay more attention here and list more...

Well there you have it... Interesting or not I have had a charmed life being able to follow my dreams and a dear husband who has always supported my whims and fancies...
I shall now proceed to tag some other bloggers and hope they will play along too......
1.Tammy at Crooked Heart Art
2.Noel at Artful Living
3.Bella at Bella McBride Designs
4.Miri at Milk and Honey Quilts
5.Carla at With Needle and Thread
6.Sharon at Wildflower house
7.Genie at Genies Art World
8.Jan at Jans Musings

Well there you have it,,, These are the blogs I have tagged ... Whether they want to play or not be sure and visit their blogs, Each one has so much to offer, and are a real joy to know...