The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood.

Monday 20 May 2013

Hawaii - reflections


Definitely one of the best vacations I've ever been on. I found the beauty of Hawaii to be exquisite. Certainly one of God's better projects in creation. The lush greenery and sandy beaches were perhaps not the original intent, but after the volcano came amazing beauty and landscape.
The sun - not too hot, the wind - not too cold, the rain - not too uncomfortable, the snow - no snow!
I would consider visiting Hawaii a "must do" on everyone's bucket list...

Highlights:
  • Visiting the North Shore. Simply beautiful.
  •  Hunanama Bay - the discovery I had a phobia, but more importanly, the discovery that I could actually overcome it. I am not a swimer, and I knew I did not enjoy putting my face in the water, but I did not realize how intense this fear actually was. The moment my face goes in the most intense feeling of pressure from the entire ocean decended upon me. My heat rate would increase and I would be at near panic. By working on it, physically and mentally, I managed to get myself to relax enough to wear the mask and open my eyes... the beauty of the underwater world is amazing!  Certainly a stretch for me.
  • Relaxing on the beach - who doesn't like that. Knowing you can lay in the sun, cool off if you want and not have to worry about housework or cooking is the most amazing thing. Watching your family enjoy themselves... priceless. We kept it simple at the condo, eating many prepared meals which only required heating, doing a few dishes and sweeping up sand. That was about it.
Lowlights:
  • I would love to explore more of the North Shore. Simply beautiful.
  • I would like to visit the outdoor market near Waikiki Beach and the Aloha market.
  • I would like to explore a few more beaches down the West coast.
I guess we will have to plan for trip #2. Perhaps a good 25th wedding anniversary trip!
Linda

Amy says... Great trip! Highlights include swimming, the weather, swimming in the ocean, getting to miss out on school, visiting the cave. The snowcones were tasty. Snorkling is such great fun. You can never have too much swimming.
Lowlights - the flight delay and the flight, would like to try surfing.

Kari says... The trip was awesome. Relaxing. Highlights include seeing the cave, the whales and the blowhole. Getting to miss school, the pasta (chichen alfredo) and the snow cones were so delish.
Lowlights - would like to go on a boat and see dolphins.

Rob says... Relaxing for mom. The pineapple maze was interesting and fun to walk through. Body surfing the waves and watching the whales. Snorkling.
Lowlights - traffic, the flight delay and the long flights.

Sam says... Highlights - visiting Pearl Harbour, getting a first look at a lot of the WW history. Snorkling! Most definitely one of the best times to be had. Visiting the North Shore and plantation. Enjoying snowcones and watching the whales.
Lowlights - the plane delay, the flight itself and waiting for the car rental are all things we could have done without. Would have liked to go on a boat tour and would have enjoyed the chance to have an underwater shark experiences. A visit to other Islands to see active volcanoes would have been great.




Friday 17 May 2013

Onesie Dress

Ok - I love babies! My kids say I collect random baby items. They don't know why, just know its something I do. And then I give them away.

One day while browsing for projects I came across this Onesie dress pattern. Of course, I had to try it.


I think its so cute! I think I will make a matching headband out of the pink. Now if only someone would have a baby girl instead of all these boys...

Love these so much that yesterday I bought three more onesies. Stay tuned to see how they turn out.

Sand and Sea Glass

This is the finished product. The 2012 BOM was called Sand and Sea Glass. I put it together, one block per month. Then added in the borders. I took it to my mom and dad's over spring break so we could place it on the big quilt frame. My mom and I decided to simply tie through the quilt rather than stitch through it.

I think it adds a certain charm and carries through with a move vintage look - just what I love!


The women at the Traditional Pastimes Quilt Shop Friday morning demos have been most encouraging. I love being able to glean from their experiences. Another community of women.

Sunday 12 May 2013

Heart Smart

A while ago I came across a panel of heart designs. I was able to salvage nine complete heart blocks in total, in three different sizes. I re-worked the math several times and sketched design layouts. Eventually I chose to build up each block into the same size. I also decided to add a couple of extra blocks, in order to end up with twelve in total. This is my progress so far...


Notice my design wall? So excited when I put that up - now I can...

                                                       Quilty Quotes

Its great. I can place my blocks on the wall and change them around until I like the design - all the quilters are doing it :) Plus I can take photos, post them and everyone can comment with their opinions about the layout.

The Heart Smart quilt is slow work in progress. Its challenging, designing the block and doing the math is not my strength. Plus I get distracted by all the good ideas in my head and sometimes I feel the need to start an extra project or two, just to keep it interesting. What is my secondary project? You'll have to check back - I'll post it when I complete it. Your hint - check my post om Ujamma Gramma's... I'm using pieces from my stash.

Craftsy Block of the Month

At the same time, I am once again working on the Craftsy Block of the Month program. This is a free on-line program where Laura Nownes introduces and teaches a new block design at the beginnning of each month.


These are the January, February, March and April patterns. I'm doing this one entirely in blacks and white with just a pop of golden sunshine. Really enjoying the look of it so far.

Vintage Plates #6


Block #6 in the Vintage Plates Freebie 15 block of the month program

Vintage Plates #5


Block #5 in the Vintage Plates freebie 15 block of the month program.

Friday 3 May 2013

Ujamma Grammas...

At long last, after patiently waiting for a full year the annual fabric sale date had finally arrived!

Saturday, April 20 dawned with blue skies and spring like temperatures. A far cry from a year previous, grey skies, rain and cold... But just like last year, Leanne and I loaded down with more than enough "shopping bags" and headed to the United Church where the annual sale was held.

We arrived with just under an hour to spare. We took our place in line, and with great anticipation began to discuss the endless possibilities with fellow line holders.

Finally the doors opened and we slowly pushed our way through the crowds searching out treasurers.
After a couple hours of "shopping", our bags heavy we headed to the checkouts.

This is what $100 bought me...

Loads of flannel pieces - all at least 1m in length

Yardage pieces

Fat Quarters

More fat quarters

A large bundle of plaids (brushed cottons)

A quilt package 

Two pannels

An assortment of magazines, thread, magnetic pin holder and a couple of hoops (not pictured)

A successful shopping trip.

All proceeds of this sale go to the Stephen Lewis Society, Grandmothers to Grandmothers. Canadian Grandmothers helping African Granmothers who are raising their orphaned grandchildren. Many of them orphaned because of aids.