In memory ...

In memory of our little brother
Brian Douglas Friesen - Feb. 25/64 to Dec. 31/98. Toasting you with a diet pepsi, Buzz. Too young, too soon.

A goat and two chickens!

According to my sister, I didn't just get a (symbolic) goat - I got a goat and two chickens, and she expects a chicken dance! Isn't that just like an older sister - being bossy and telling the younger sister what to do :D



I'm very happy with my goat and two chickens!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT A GOAT!!!

Well - "I" didn't get it, but a family in a developing country was gifted in my name, with a goat, perhaps, or something similar that they need. It's a symbolic goat! A goat of many colors, even!!! Here's my symbolic goat - I think it looks just like me, except my hat would be pink, and my tie would have a bit of lace added to it :D



"For example, when you buy a goat, chicken or donkey you are supporting Oxfam's livelihoods programs. You are potentially buying one of those animals and it will be purchased in the region where it is needed. Your donation will also provide vaccinations, health and market awareness training and much more. More importantly, the income your gift generates will create greater self-sufficiency, self-esteem and educational opportunities." (from the Oxfam site).

If you want to learn more, check out the Oxfam site! The goat is here, and the homepage is here :)

Thank you Sherry and Mark (my dear sister and her husband) for such a wonderful gift!

A little more sewing today ...

A bit more sewing done today! I made 3 pillowcases - the bottom one is the "gift wrapping for the frog quilt and stuffy, the other 2 are a gift for our oldest son's girlfriend (we also got a movie gift card and some candy to go along with the pcases) - then I whipped up a couple of gift bags to put her gifts in :)

Frog quilt is finished :)

The frog quilt is finished (42" x 42") and looks pretty good, if I do say so myself! I just finished cutting out a pillowcase to use for "wrapping" - I'll tuck the quilt and the frog stuffy into the pcase, then Matteo can use it next year when he moves into a big boy bed :)

Frog quilt top completed :)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah the quilt top is finished - it measures 42" x 42" :) I pieced the backing using some pretty batik I found in my stash - the piecing is off centre because that's how I prefer it - it's easier to achieve perfect wonkiness than perfect accuracy :D The piece of fabric shown on top of the backing is the binding - it's the same bright limey green that's in the frog fabrics :)

Frog mini quilt :D

I had some bits and pieces left over from the frog quilt I'm doing as a Christmas gift - I'm also making a frog stuffy to go with the quilt, so with the leftover fabric I whipped up a quilt for the stuffy - can't have Mr. Frog getting cold, now, can we? This little guy is 16" square :) The bigger quilt top is almost finished - hopefully I can get it and the stuffy completed by the weekend :)

A new outfit or two :)

I got these mixer covers finished on the weekend - Ruby and her cousin will be glad to have a new outfit :D

I stole the name Ruby from my friend Karen - thanks Bube!!!

Zoomer :)

A friend asked me tonight to see a picture of Zoomer after I commented that this kitty looks a lot like him! As requested, here's my beautiful boy :) The last photo is my laptop desktop photo :D

Frog quilt top almost complete :)

I got the 3rd row sewn together today, and finished the 7th block (of 8). If you look at the bottom of the quilt, you can see that 1/2 of a frog will go on either side, to complete the top :) I'll have to find some nice froggy eyes at the fabric store!

I also got a fairly big project completed today, but can't post a picture in case the recipient sees it. I don't think she reads my blog, but just in case, I don't want to spoil the surprise :) I'm in love with Warm and Natural batting - this is the first time I've used it! Price comparison - Joanns queen sized batt (90x108) = $20US regular price (but they always have 40 or 50% off coupons). My local Fabricland = $70Cdn regular price (but I can always get it for 25% off because I'm a member, or I could wait for a 50% off sale). That's an awfully big price difference! I'll buy several the next time we're in New York. Poly battings bother my (psoriasis) hands, but the w'n'n didn't - and it's easier to work with, too!

3/4 top finish, and come to the cabaret!

Row 2 sewn together, and block 6 added at the botton :)



Cabaret apron modelled by ... someone who required very little persuasion to pose ... LOL!!! Last picture is a close-up of the fabric - cancan ladies by Elizabeth's Studio!

It's raining cats and frogs :D

Block 5 added at the bottom, and row 1 sewn together at the top --- 5/8 done!


Sew Sisters Quilt Shop in Toronto is collecting kitty cat pillows for shelters - Zoomer insists I participate, and I'm happy to do so - here are the first 4 pillows I have made. After making the first two it occurred to me to add an applique - the first one I did was a fish, then Zoomer requested something different ;)

Frog quilt blocks - set 4 :)

The half-way point, YAY!!! I think tomorrow I'll start assembling the rows - thankfully there won't be any paper to remove because the blocks are foundation pieced :D Maybe I'll hop over to the fabric store tomorrow and see if they have anything in the line of froggy fabric for the backing - I have some of the blue background fabric left, but will have to piece it with something else to have enough. I think pieced backings are fun!

I got a few more projects done yesterday and today but can't post pictures yet, as the recipients will recognize the fabrics :D

Frog quilt blocks - set 3 - and a tour :D

With Blogger I'm unable to easily place photos where I want them, and it's damn near impossible to place text WITH the photos. ARGH!
Photo 1 - chain piecing the frog blocks :)
Photo 2 - pressing station (a gift from my friend Patty Pat - aka The Quilt Whisperer :D) I also have a full sized ironing board, of course, but this table is for quick on the fly pressing!
Photo 3 - I have a TV and DVD player in my studio - today I was watching Miss Marple (Murder Ahoy - 1964!) while I pieced :D
Photo 4 - trimming the blocks down to size :)
Photo 5 - the completed third set of blocks :)

Frog quilt blocks - set 2 :)

I got the second set of frog blocks made today -- 2 sets down, 6 to go :D

Frog quilt under construction :D

A Christmas gift I'm working on ... the blocks are 6" unfinished (5" finished) and foundation pieced onto muslin - I have 8 different limey greens for the frogs, and the background is a luscious dark blue. Quite yummy! Fabrics were purchased at Joanns stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina during our trip in October :D Backing hasn't been chosen yet (hopefully I can find some frog fabric to use, or else I'll throw a frog block onto the back for fun!) but I'll likely use the background blue for the binding. Quilt will be about 45" square - perfect for the almost 2 year old intended recipient :)

Edited to add: the original pattern is located here :)