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31.5.09

Today....

One of the poppies that Cindy gave me when we were still in Nelson and I brought it with me to be planted in my garden here in West Kelowna.

On my reading list today...what a wonderful way to spend part of the day. Going for a drive, working in the garden, walking with Jim and Cookie and having the time to look through my new magazines.


30.5.09

Garden in Arizona

Our next door neighbours, Jeff and Kathy in Az. sent us this photo of our garden. The poor tree is broken, but I was planning to replace it anyways this fall..I guess it will be gone sooner than later...

Things are really coming along on the east wall, wonder what it will look like in 5 months when we go back. I has been over 100 degrees for the past few days down there, the plants will be growing at a fast pace with that kind of heat and being watered.


29.5.09

Jane Market Bag #3

I can't stop sewing these bags...so much fun to make and now that I know how to make them, they turn out quite quickly!!
This one is a April Cornell table cloth with the border of the table cloth used for the pockets and handles..Inside was lined with a pillow case.
I have so much fabric. These small projects are easy to make & can use up a fair bit of my stash. I know they will be enjoyed when I give them away.
Off to do some wine touring this morning.
Beautiful day in the OK

27.5.09

My handsome son...

My favourite and only child...Jeremy at his school's graduation ceremony.
What a busy week they had, 10 days of science in Orlando enjoying all the kids being excited about seeing how science really works...Back to BC at 1:00 am then off to teach class the next morning. Graduation duties all weekend.
He and Julie both love to teach and it shows.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
Carl Jung

26.5.09

Lilacs....

Cindy (thank you darlin') sent me those photo of her lilacs in bloom.
Many years ago we went to my small home town of Bull River and dug up some of my Mom's lilacs. Every year around their wedding anniversary (May 24th) they bloom at Cindy's house...how sweet is that? I also have some of those same lilacs but they aren't that mature to bloom at this time.

Raining here today, doing some work from home and then planning on sewing something new...stay tuned!!

25.5.09

almost finished

The newest sampler with just a few more finishing touches needed.
I love doing this kind of hand work.

Where ever you are reading this from, I hope you are having a great day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it.
~Author Unknown

24.5.09

Hand Stitched...

This hand stitched sampler will become part of the cover for a new journal.
I am calling this one "A Key to your Dreams."
Thanks to my Cindy for gifting me all these wonderful old keys.
Yesterday I worked in the garden, took Cookie for a walk and worked on a new sampler piece...almost finished. It was lovely sitting outside on the deck in the sunshine, listening to music and stitching away to my hearts content.
Jim was in and out working most of the morning and afternoon. We went of a drive in the evening to check out some of the new homes being built on a mountain to the north of us.
This wonderful weather is why we moved here in the first place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We remember our Mom & Dad today as it was their anniversary.
You are both missed every day.

23.5.09

Cookie and a DQ moment...

"This is heaven" says Cookie as she is enjoying her DQ ice cream.

It was a beautiful evening yesterday. We took Cookie on the golf cart and drove around our neighbourhood and after that headed to the Dairy Queen for the first ice cream of the season.
When we still had Pebbles, it was one of the most fun things we did. We would take the "Girls" out for ice cream. We would take them in the convertible and all the little kids would come over and want to pet them. If they had any ice cream left on their faces, the dogs took that as an indication to give them a big kiss.

22.5.09

Nest....

Macropetala BlueBird clematis that is winding it's way over the retaining wall.
IA few days ago I found this little nest with 5 eggs in it.
Nestled up against our wall it provided warmth and security to the little house sparrow whose home it is.
Isn't is sweet?
Evergreen Geranium whose leaves are very fragrant.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?
Rose F. Kennedy






21.5.09

Another Market Bag!!!

Newest bag..

Thrift shop pillow cases brought home, washed and put to good use as the lining of the bag and the handles!!!
The "Pebbles & Stones" label came for a dress that I plan to use for anothet project!!
A beautiful day here in West Kelowna and no wind...smiles all around!!

20.5.09

Sheeting rain in Orlando


News from Jeremy in Orlando:

"Rain Rain Go Away ...but we are still here to learn and play!!!
Well, it rained but we never let it get us down. We had an excellent Ed. program that taught about waves and energy. The kids really liked it and learned a lot. Unfortunatley, the fireworks were a no go, so we went to the outlet mall instead. It was a huge hit with the crew. Tomorrow we are off to Hollywood studios then home. Expect a phone call after 12:00am for a pick up time :)

19.5.09

The Jane Market Bag finished....

Yesterday was all about sewing and being creative.
I finished the Market Bag and love how it looks. The front print pocket panel was the only new material used. The rest of the material including the label was a thrift store find.
You never know when you might need a label to add a little
"stylin" to your bag.
I plan to make several more now that I know how to put the bag all together.

18.5.09

Sampler finished...

It's all in the details. Handcrafted and sewn.



If you want to get a closer look, just click on the photo and it will become enlarged.
Now off to start making the Market Bag...
Jimmy off to Calgary for the next couple of days visiting his Mom. He will be staying with Brad & Carmen in their new home.




17.5.09

What I am working on today....


I have wanted to do a "sampler" for quite some time. Yesterday while I was thinking about my making my "Market Bag," this sort of came together. I will hand and machine stitch it to the background piece and then hang it in my craft room as inspiration.
Definately a bird theme.

Details of the unfinished piece.
My lucky #13 at bottom.
This is from an old English estate ledger book that I found in AZ.
When I took this photo, the while glue was still wet where I glued the pearls onto the flowers. It dries clear and they add just a bit of bling.
I ripped some of the fabric that I have for my Market bag, full overblown English roses on heavier upholstery fabric, I may start on that today.

16.5.09

Jeremy's class in Orlando


Jeremy and his class of kids arrived in Florida for 10 days of fun with science. These are some of the pictures that he posted for the school and parents to be able to follow their progress.
Arrived!!!
"Wow! Is it ever hot & humid! We are off to Typhoon Lagoon this morning.

"Typhoon Lagoon was great!"
"We had an awesome time :) No Sunburns and everyone stayed hydrated! We have been told about 5 times how awesome are kids are. From Flight Attendants to Disney Employees, Riverside's Students continue to impress! And the Rubber Chicken was on the Radio! Tomorrow is Animal Kingdom with our first Ed program on Animal Husbandry. "
This is what Jeremy had to say about his group of kids.
"Animal Kingdom was great as usual. The ed program on careers and animal conservation really made the kids think! Blue Man Group was phenomenal! On of the best shows for teenagers in existence. The whole crowd sang Happy Birthday to Mandana! We have 3 birthdays this week. Jessica got serenaded by a quartet, Mandana an Audience...who knows what will happen next!!!"


The teachers getting a bit of R&R at the Lagoon

The sights

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth."
Dan Rather




15.5.09

Fabric choices for the Market Bag...

This is a new piece of fabric I found yesterday at the "Thrift Store" They had a pile of brand new fabrics @ 50% off...Cindy would be proud. I think this is a winner to make one of the Market Bags...now to find something that will match for the front pockets!!
I found this vintage tea table cloth when Cindy was down last time.
It laundered up well and the stitching and trim are lovely.

Some of the fabric choices from my collection...who knows what I will come up with a color combination as I need 4 different colors to make the bag...stay tuned.
I bought the Hawaiian fabric in Hawaii in 1994 and the one below that is a vintage bark cloth curtain panel.



14.5.09

My Cindy...

Only another gardener would understand the joy in this photo...A load of well rotted manure for the garden...this is true happiness!!!
Emmy Lou thinks so as well.


When Cindy was down here in April, she bought this great fountain and has it on her deck outside her window...Doesn't it look beautiful?
I am sure in the hot summer it will be lovely and give the birds another place to drink
~~~~~~~
Weather means more when you have a garden.
There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.
Marcelene Cox.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time one is eighty, it is said, there is no longer a tug of war in the garden with the May flowers hauling like mad against the claims of the other months. All is at last in balance and all is serene. The gardener is usually dead, of course.

Henry Mitchell, The Essential Earthman, 1981

13.5.09

Paper Flowers..


Sitting pretty on top of my journal, these are the paper flowers that I made. I took some old gardening books and used paper punches to make them. I also added some other small flowers to give it a fuller vintage look. Glittered the edges and added buttons to the centers. It fills this little vase that sits on my desk with these cheery blooms.
No need to water,.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness. Abraham Maslow

12.5.09

Daily News....Shane and Laurie

Shane and Laurie (Jim's daughter and son in law) sent us these photos of their recent trip to see Shane's family who live near the Tweed River on the Queensland and NSW border. They spent Anzac Day together (a really big deal in Australia).
Shane is from Australia and they have been back living and working in Australia for several years now..We just talked to them and they are being transferred to
Sri Lanka where Shane will do his work that he does for the Australian Federal Police.


Other news: Cookie enjoyed her 15th birthday yesterday, Cindy is happy with the new load of cow manure for her garden...photo to follow....Shannon in back in Vancouver for a few weeks, Shirley is enjoying life on her boat, Frosso comes back from Cyprus at the end of May, Layne is in New York, Christa is enjoying her time in Mayook, and Jeremy & Julie leave with their students for a 10 day science field trip to Orlando, Florida tomorrow.
Off to vote and then off to work...have a happy day!!!
~~~~~~~~
It takes a long time to grow an old friend.
John Leonard

11.5.09

Happy 15th Birthday Cookie...

Happy Birthday dear Cookie May...Let's hope you have many more "Mother's Day Picnic's in you...

The picnic basket and the lunch spot on OK Lake at Naramata.

A beautiful sunny day and a wonderful way to spend "Mother's Day."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.
Dave Barry





10.5.09

Happy Mother's Day...


Off for an excellent adventure picnic with Jim and Cookie...Heading out for a walk in Peachland, coffee and treat @ Bliss Bakery. From there we will check out some new wineries and have a picnic lunch.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

9.5.09

Craft Room changes....

Added an Old vintage Chair that I am going to slipcover and moved one of the fabric units around to give my self more space when you enter.

Jim had built me this 2 sided unit on wheels when we were in Nelson and it has been such a good fit for both of my rooms. It holds nearly all of my fabric on both side. The other side is near my sewing machine.

Moved a cupboard out of the guest room and added some of my McCoy Pottery collection.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.
A.A. Milne


8.5.09

Market Bag....

I have ordered the PDF file from Alicia Paulson on how to make this lovely Market Bag. Check out her blog posting of May 01, 2009 and see what others have made. Stay tuned...

This is the bag that my friend the wonderful seamstress, Alanna made and sent this photo to me.. Great colors...

Off to work, finally a bit warmer today and surley for Mother's day on Sunday it should be sunny, don't you think?



7.5.09

Journal process....


I have been following the blog of Pam Garrison
Check out her May 01/06 blog and see her inspiration.

Geninne is an artist living in Mexico
Both are wonderful artists and really inspire others to try their own hand at having fun.
This is the fun I had last night...the joys of having a craft room and all the supplies on hand.



So, take up a journal, a few colored pencils, paints or watercolors and start to play...see what inspires you and make it yours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why not seize the pleasure at once, how often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparations.
Jane Austen