Seasons of Creativity

Down to the last grandchild's present making date.  Joshua, 11,  works faster so we have been working away and have a bit of time left over to battle the cold that he says he never brought with him! We picked him up between our first holiday party and the weekly luncheon at the Friendship Centre. He had started working on his first project in our Home Ec time as his sisters were catching up with their part of our group projects. I think every time I plug in the lights at the hall their are less and less bulbs springing into life.  It is a fair ways to Ukrainian Christmas!  There was enough players so Josh wasn't actually needed so he  and his grandplayer were a team. That turned out to be a long day so we had an easy night and got well rested for a big marathon day.  But first some breakfast for the Red Baron and all! We started with a mug rug.  But the recipient is a proper tea drinker so a bigger size was needed.  All the...

I/we really do try to contain all the hoopla that the end of the year entails.  We have a ways to go.  We dispensed with the whole tree thing many years ago.  We did end that era with a 'Snoopy tree' .  The sideways glances from the relatives were worth this grand finale!  That said, I readily accepted a second hand tree from my neighbour.  Our new neighbourhood embraces trees and lights.  Hmmmm?   Front entrance street view?  One thing I learnt about landscaping- one landscapes from an inside view.  We luv sitting at the kitchen island looking out.  Hence the trees position.  a little windy so it will be tied and come summer it will find a permanent place in my garden where the after Christmas sales will see it decked with tiny white faerie lights.  Fah lah lah la LAH!   DD#2 asked if I want pink flamingos.  I said yes but I draw the line at palm trees!    And what does all that have to...

Well, if the last post was a somewhat relaxing retreat, then this one is readying for the race. Educational Art 101 we finished up our four seasons of a tree.  Same tree and same owl but different seasons! And we are entering our busy season.  Youngest grandchild, Jolina (7) stayed for a week of seasonal projects. We worked on a project for each one on her list.  Simple mug rugs which I should have cut bigger as they are more like coasters.  We can improve the prototype next year.  My novelty fabric stash gave each recipient a personalized 'rug'! Then we were off to Compassionate Quilters whose project was squares for touch quilts. Next day we were off for lunch at the Friendship Centre where she impressed all the seniors with her finger knitting skills.  This is like spool knitting but makes a flat 4 stitch rather than the 4 stitch rope.  Still makes a hot pad when sewn together!  So we work on regular crochet in our 'spare'...

There is a hope that I can return to my regularly scheduled life after a rather exciting and busy fall. The All Thumbs Quilting Retreat was the responsibility of fellow quilter Carol and myself.  We went for a fun and relaxing program.    Carol did an exceptional job of getting the goody bags filled and making the prize table alluring. I was in charge of decor and  a fun project/game.  And of course food and snacks were plentiful with many contributors! We host up to 24 in a large hall with lots of room and a full kitchen.  The theme was the Fall Harvest and the main goal was to work away on our own projects, enjoy one another's company and have fun.  I had remembered seeing cookies in a jar at one craft fair and thought that could translate into personal fabric challenges.  My least favourite research topic is recipes but I pulled out my chef's cookbooks and found all kinds of ideas for soups.  Before she returned to her...