Big Mans Quilt: Leaf Block

last week I got another block embroidered for bigmans quilt.

now I just have one more to do, that I'll tackle next week - Canadian Dog Tags.

I also took my fabric with me last night and got it all cut up to try and get some more blocks done this weekend. It looks like I might actually get it done by my deadline!

BigMan does not like going to the fabric store with me. I mean does not like it.

And I love moda fabric precuts but FabricVille doesn't seem to carry them, and I'm always iffy about buying them online as most of the stores are in the states and you have to pay all those extra fees that I still don't understand. anywho, in my research I've found some canadian qult stores that offer free shipping in canada! some have $5 flat rate shipping in canada as well.

and they carry moda fabrics! It was like the clouds opened up and the sun shone down!

check em out ;)

*p.s. these quit shops dont know me and Im not being paid to tell you about them.

I just wanted to share my excitment with you!

Garden Plan: Tomatoes

We're back to dreaming about gardening again.

and guess what? it's suppost to go up to *4* degrees tomorrow! (celcius)

I phoned Stokes yeserday and ordered a catalog, and we're waiting

to hear back about a plot of landing we're looking to rent.

Our yard just isn't big enough this year for all the stuff I want to try..

Black Sea Man Tomatoes, Heirloom.

Small plants with medium-sized deep brown fruits, rich flavor. Looks incredibly odd when blanched and peeled, revealing skeleton-like veins under the skin. Potato leaf, but determinate, 75 days from transplant

get some seeds {here}

Mr. Stripey

  ...unusually small leaves and a mix of a yellow and red color that can fool some growers into thinking they are picking an unripe tomato. ...it may be considered a "beefsteak". Like other heirlooms, Mr. Stripey has an appearance that differs considerably from other tomatoes...generally somewhat more yellow near the stem and more red towards its underside, with gentle stripes of red and yellow blending into each other along the sides. This coloration may extend into the interior of the fruit, which tends to be more yellow than red.

...fully ripe the taste will be surprisingly sweet and mild, superior to most store bought varieties...when fully ripe is pleasingly sweet when sliced raw - excellent for hors de ouvres...

Sweet Million

Early maturing hybrid cherry type tomato. Clusters of tiny fruit are well rounded, deep red in colour with a delicious sweet flavour. Tolerance to cracking and good holding qualities. Indeterminate plants grow tall and require support. Maturity is 60 days from transplanting

Early Girl

Bears heavy crops extremely early and continues longer than most varieties. Matures in 59 days. Large clusters of 5 oz. fruits. Globe to slightly flattened shape. Bright red and meaty with a lot of flavor and aroma. Indeterminate. get seeds {here}

 we had really good luck with this type last year!

so far, that's all the types I've chosen for tomatoes! I'll be doing more posts on cucumbers, beans, peas and flowers!

*unless other wise stated/linked, seeds are available for order with Stokes.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

from the Q farm

LittleMan making BigMans valentine

Storm Update

We got hit with snow.

big time.

remember the picture of our ice rink? it's been buried.

which by the way never did work.

hopefully the roads will clear up later...we need a few groceries!

and to think just last night, before the storm I was starting to get excited that it was february and it was nowhere but up from here and we were on our way to spring.

I had said that I should be getting to the library and getting some gardening books to start planning our vegetable garden.

Maybe I should go back to those thoughts in a few weeks...

For now, I'll be thinking about some of these projects that make me think of summer.

Hopefully they'll inspire some of you, and give you hope that the snow will end!

scrappy sherbet quilt by Sentimental Stitches {here}

vintage sheet beach blanket by Nest Full of Eggs {here}

toddler t-shirt to dress idea by Samster Mommy {here}

*she has a TON of examples, check out the rest of her blog

handy dad by todd davis {here}

time to start planning out some great projects to do with your kids now!

I'll be spending most of the day dreaming about summer, and these projects and fresh vegetables with a cup of tea. Today seems like a good day to start asembling my backing and batting and quilt top for my winter themed quilt!

Let me know if you plan on making any of these projects! or if you've already made some of these projects, or if you have some summer projects you'd like to share as well!

Backyard Ice Rinks

recently, over the holidays we got to visit my uncles outdoor ice rink.

here's a peek at it....

(is it obvious we're canadian?)

so last year, BigMan decided he had wanted to try and make one himself.

it didn't really turn out, so we just threw some snow over it and forgot about it.

This year, he's trying again...

this time, he bought a kit at canadian tire and it seems to be working out much better!

here it is after we filled it with water from the hose for a few hours, and then left it to freeze overnight...

Hopefully, LittleMan will be able to get out there soon and practice more skating!

The kit he purchased was called "QuikRink" and can be found at Canadian Tire.

I think he said he got it on sale for $29.99 and it's about 10'X20'

progress and WendyWendy

yes, I did type that right! our cats name is Wendy, but she

often gets called WendyWendy.

She was playing with LittleMan the other day, and gave

him a pretty good scratch across the forehead.

I panicked.

He cried. (and I mean CRIED. and HARD.)

I thought she had gotten his eye! (but she didn't)

that was pretty much the last straw, so we promptly took her

up to the spca and got Soft Paws put on her.

they work wonders! I wish we would've gotten them sooner!

They get glued on, and after about 6 weeks, we take her back

up and they'll put some more on her again.

isn't she puuurty?

she'll be getting pink soft paws next time!

click {here} for more info on soft paws. and check with your local spca!

I've been working on BigMans quilt lately.

 I've decided what my other two embroidery blocks will be,

and I have a general idea of the how the layout is going to go.

Here's how the dissapering 9 patch blocks are turning out so far:

they aren't attached to each other, i just wanted to fit them all in the frame!

I still need to pick up a few more red FQ's, but so far I'm pretty happy with them!

There's nothing better than freshly ironed quilting fabric :)

Oh, and here's the poppy block, all finished!

I haven't been able to any other sewing other than quilting done,

but I'm going to try and get a tutorial up for a project I'm itching to get done!

Photography Ideas

*I've got a sewing tutorial coming up, but I wanted to share this real quick!

 

Here's a few photography links that are some of my favourites.

I'm always looking for inspiration, and there's all kinds of it here.

There's different styles, tips, equipment reviews, etc.

 

I've really been getting my patootie in gear with my photography again,

even if it's just family photos.

I've been editing more, and having fun with it again - mission accomplished :)

 

http://www.rangefindermag.com/

 

http://www.aftercapture.com/

 

http://www.thephoblographer.com/

 

Hopefully, I'll be able to get out and do some more artistic

shots and start a new portfolio sooner rather than later, once it warms up a little bit of course. I'm a bit of wimp when it comes to the cold!

 

Do you have any photo websites that you follow?