Online class....

I am thinking about taking this online class..check it out at
http://creativelab.crescendoh.com/
I think it will be a fabulous 6 weeks of creativity.






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My Reading List...

Just finished reading "Water for Elephants" and passed it on to Christa.

Caroline lent me the book and it was so good that I could not put it down. I get alot of my books from the library here in West Kelowna or buy them at the second hand used book store.

What ever you are reading, I hope you find a few quiet hours, a good hot cup of tea or glass of wine and indulge in some time for yourself.

My reading List this month..

All Things Shiny and Bright..

I am so drawn to soft muted colors as well as all things shiny and bright.

It surely brings out the magpie in me.

New sewing machine

Janome 419S. My new sewing machine..it will do all I need and more, plus I get a lifetime of free lessons...I was practicing last night and made Jim this quilted cover for his new net book computer.










The 419S gives you 18 stitches, including a one-step buttonhole. With a sturdy, all-aluminum body, and legendary Janome stitch quality, the 419S is perfect for quilting, home dec, or garment construction.
It comes with a hard cover, a built-in needle threader, a vertical oscillating hook, and auto declutch bobbin winder.

The 419S will perform consistently on a wide range of fabrics. The optional accessory feet snap on. And the bobbin winder stops automatically when done.







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Ideas...

Where do you get your ideas from? A book, a magazine, a blog, a podcast, a TV show, the great outdoors, your garden, an inspired friend or perhaps something you found in a thrift shop? Here are a few of the things that have inspired me lately.




A gift to inspire flower arranging all beautifully packaged up in a vase.





A bouquet of flowers using buttons to keep the stems in place...
No surprise here, they all come from Martha Stewart's website...www.marthastewart.com

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Nelson 20

The long awaited new Nelson 20 beer will be available in the BC liquor stores by September 1. It tastes really great and by you supporting our local organic Nelson Brewery Company, I can continue to have crafting money... Ha ha!! Seriously!








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A little more sewing..

I have felt crafty this past week, sewing and making jewelry. I felt inspired when Shauna was here by teaching her. I will post some of the things we worked on later in the week.
This a re-purposed Martha Stewart shopping bag with a new fabric band around the middle and a little zipper pouch for "whatever". It was a learning curve helped by Alanna to help me install a zipper without a lot of fuss.



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The Walk..

As usual, with my short legs and having my camera, I am always behind...but here are a few of the photos I took on our walk.




New pine cones...




Black eyed Susan







Grass.






Hazel nuts.







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Then and Now

Here we are in 2010 and there we were in 1974. The love will always shine through.











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Jeremy and Julie....

It is always so good to have Jeremy and Julie here for a visit. Jeremy and Jim went of to the driving range and hit some golf balls while Julie had a rest. Dinner on the deck in the evening light, a walk or a "stroll" as Jeremy called it and finishing the off with a visit to the Dairy Queen.
Julie is feeling really well and they both are enjoying these last few weeks of summer before heading back to teaching school after Labour Day. I will be going down to see them in September before we head out to AZ.
























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Cindy's Perfect Peach Pie

Look at this lovely peach pie that Cindy made..baked to perfection. You can almost smell the heavenly fragrance thru then page. The only sad thing is that she lives 4 hours away...it is a hardship I have to bear.












Happy Birthday to one of my 4 favorite brothers, Werner in Cabo...hope you are coming up this way again soon. Oxo

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Happy Anniversary

Happy 12th Anniversary Julie and Jeremy...what a happy day that was....
Now you are going to be parents in December and make me a grandmother...does it get any better than this..oh yes, wait, it does...you are coming up for a visit and I get to see you tomorrow!!!!





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My sewing day.

First of all, Happy birthday Larry, hope you and Caroline and the gang have a great day quadding.

Theses are the little items that I sewed yesterday after my lessons with Alanna.




This is a case for all of my cords and connectors. I quilted this piece of Alanna's fabric but I don't have the right foot on my old machine...a work in progress.





My luggage tag...with pink fringe...don't think I will put this on my overseas suitcase, maybe a carry on.






This is fabric I quilted with Alanna's Bernina sewing machine which I made into a smaller version of the case that we made at her home..
As you can see I had a great day sewing.

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Fabric Luggage Tags

Alanna made these luggage tags after I left yesterday. I think they are so cute and make a great way to identify your luggage. I will work on mine today after re-arranging all the fabric in my craft room. I have many new projects floating around in my head...I have asked Jim to please build me a cutting table...I will report on the progress..





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Quilted Cosmetic Bag....

I drove up to Predator Ridge to help my friend Alanna unpack her fabric stash that she brought over from Kuwait. In return she gave me some amazing quilting lessons and together we crafted this cosmetic bag. I also finished making a new case for my Ipod.. Tomorrow I am going to learn to make luggage tags as well as quilt another cosmetic bag on my own. Look for it on tomorrow's blog.....





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Picnics at Peachland

Jim and I head down to Peachland which is about 15 minutes from our place about 3 or 4 times a week, I pack up a picnic and we head to our favorite spot on the lake. Peachland has done a wonderful job saving most of the waterfront for locals and tourists. Picnic tables, benches, large shade trees and even some grass makes this a favorite place to relax. For Jim, "Bliss Bakery" is a big draw.These are some of the photos taken this weekend.








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Water for Elephants...

Thanks to my sister Caroline for giving me this really good book to read.


From Booklist
Life is good for Jacob Jankowski. He's about to graduate from veterinary school and about to bed the girl of his dreams. Then his parents are killed in a car crash, leaving him in the middle of the Great Depression with no home, no family, and no career. Almost by accident, Jacob joins the circus. There he falls in love with the beautiful performer Marlena, who is married to the circus' psychotic animal trainer. He also meets the other love of his life, Rosie the elephant. This lushly romantic novel travels back in forth in time between Jacob's present day in a nursing home and his adventures in the surprisingly harsh world of 1930s circuses. The ending of both stories is a little too cheerful to be believed, but just like a circus, the magic of the story and the writing convince you to suspend your disbelief. The book is partially based on real circus stories and illustrated with historical circus photographs. Marta Segal
Copyright © American Library Association.


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Sunset in Africa

My brother Steven, his wife Stefanie and their 2 kids, Tyler and Cassidy along with some friends are in Africa for 3 weeks. They are flying to Cape Town today. Elephants are everywhere....these photos were sent by Stefanie from Victoria Falls where they went on a sunset cruise.This is a wonderful adventure that they as a family will never forget.

Fishtails...

These are some of the Kokanee Salmon that Christa and Mike caught several weeks ago.

They headed out this morning to Vancouver Island to do some ocean fishing...

I am excited to see the photos of what they caught.

Good luck. Christa, catch one for me!
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A very special Happy 1st Anniversary for Carmen and Brad! I know you will have many blessings coming your way for your next year together. Oxo
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New Truck...

A new truck for Jim...all decked out with all the things a guy needs for his truck. It has the important features that I wanted as well...On Star, auxiliary plug for music from my Ipod, comfortable seats and room to put a baby seat in the back. Getting it all prepped for our trip to AZ. around the first of October this year.





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Threads and Things...

The new collection from Tim Holtz....
see it at www.timholtz.com























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Flowers on the Dock

This beautiful and artful flower arrangement sits on Shannon's dock. She has 3 of these stunnning barrels filled with colorful blooms that are able to survive and thrive in the constant sun and wind.

As you sit with Shannon on her dock enjoying a glass of fine wine you know you are surrounded with all the beauty that the lake and her home has to offers.

How fortunate I am to have her as a very special friend.

********

Ratings for the Private B&B's on my trip to Bull River...

These are the ratings for the wonderful establishments on my visit to Nelson, Bull River and Mayook.

Since my visit to see the 3 "C's".." Cindy, Caroline and Christa,"

much has been written between the

" Sisterhood of the Chambermaids"

about my requests.

We have had so much fun bantering back and forth.

The rating are as follows (0ut of a possible 5 Stars) Michelin status

As is my custom when I drive to back to Bull River where I grew up, I enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful, private B&B's.
Reservations are made well in advance to give the hostess's time to shine and see to my every comfort.

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****

Cindy's bunkie in Nelson:

My late arrival posed no problem with my dear friend Cindy.

"The Queen of Everything."

In her recently built and exquisitely furnished "Copa Bunkie"' she provided for all my creature comforts. Pleasing me to no end, my Cindy had landjager sausages in the fridge,cold beer, wine,humus,crackers,fruit and everything ready for my breakfast in the morning. She came for a welcome visit at 7:00 bringing a freshly brewed pot of coffee, a hug and plenty of news. Our only problem was my short stay. Normally we would of taken off for the day to go thrift shopping, lunch and generally having fun! Alas, not enough time was planned for.

The view over looking the lake, the sailboats gently bobbing in the water and the lovely friendship we have shared for so many years,Cindy has earned and is awarded the coveted

4 1/2 star rating.

***

Caroline's Log Cabin Studio in Bull River....

The drive from Nelson to "The Countess Caroline's" was warm and filled with wonderful scenery. I was able to have the top down in the convertible the entire way. With tunes blaring and my hair safely under a hat, the 4 hour trip sped by.

 As I drove into the yard, 2 SPCA rescued dogs (Panda and Hope) and one gifted dog, Cody, announced my arrival in a very excited fashion, as if to say

" your favorite sister from Westbank has arrived."

Hugs and kisses all around were given and into the beautiful Log Cabin Studio I was welcomed. Equipped with excellent indoor facilities as well as a fridge stocked for my pleasure, I unpacked and headed back outside to the big house.

Knowing that she needed to share me with the rest of my family, she let Evelyne invite the others for dinner so I could visit with them all.

Such a sweet deal!

Caroline cooked up great meals for the 3 nights that I stayed with her and Larry.

In the early morning light she give me some photography lessons in her garden.

It was filled with a blaze of colors, set out just like her painting, stylish and very artistic.

 For outstanding friendship and love for one of her favorite sisters, Caroline has earned and is awarded the coveted 4 1/2 star rating.

*********
Heading off to Christa's place where she resides as the "Marquisa of Mayook",

I travelled at slower sped, mostly on a gravel road, winding thru the valley, past several small lakes, old farms and farmhouses.

Heading up the mountain, I came to her beautiful log home surrounded by 50 acres. The swimming pool was warmed to the perfect temperature for my swimming pleasure.

The house is situated on the property giving you a full view of the field slightly below and the mountains directly in front. A breathtaking panoramic view.

There were lots of hugs and a lot of joy and happiness to be able to see each other again.

Off to Kimberley we travelled in the mustang and had a true Bavarian lunch.

The highlight of the day ended by swimming in the pool after such a very hot day.
Dinner that night at my request was Grilled Kokanee Trout, veges, salad and fresh fruit for dessert. It  was delicous!

Sitting outside in the warm evening twilight was the perfect end to a wonderful day.

The next day we fly fished the Bull River. This had been on our bucket list for many years and as you know, no fish were captured that day, only a lasting memory.

For the love of a long lasting friendship, the wonderful times shared, and new memories made, my friend Christa has earned and is awarded the coveted 4 1/2 star rating.

********

Finishing off the trip was a fantastic overnight with my friend Shannon.

More on her lovely place tomorrow.

Finishing