Thursday, July 28, 2011

A little scrapbooking and a little shopping . . .


This layout was designed by scrappin' buddy Anne for a swap.
The photos are from Disney Deb's birthday party 2009.
Hal & I went as Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee.


More pages for my Mini Memories project.


The next best thing to scrapbooking is scrapbook shopping
when there is a great sale on.

I always wanted to have a clown at my birthday party . . .

. . . so thanks Serendipity (aka Robin) and all my friends and family for making my 51st birthday so special!!!





Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Hedden Family Heritage Layouts

I would love any information the members of the Hedden family have on any of these photographs.  I need identifications, corrections, stories, locations . . . anything you have to offer.  You will notice I've left lots of space to add in your stories.  If you need to see a closer look at any of the layouts, you should be able to double click on them to get a larger version.






















New Scrapbook layouts & a Mini Memories project


This is a project from Big Picture Scrapbooking Classes.
I will be working on these mini albums for the entire year.
I'm really enjoying the process.


This is my beautiful great-niece Jamiri


and this is my handsome nephew Giordan. 
He is starting university this fall.

I think I am getting old . . . sigh . . .

A couple of knitting finishes


More dishcloths


and more mitts.

I should have quite a pile of both by Christmas.

July Mystery Knit Along - Day 4

Day 4

Row 37: K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 38: K4, P40, K4
Row 39: K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 40: K4, P40, K4
Row 41: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 42: K4, P40, K4
Row 43: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 44: K4, P40, K4
Row 45: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 46: K4, P40, K4
Row 47: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 48: K4, P40, K4


Day 1

1 ball of cotton knitting worsted
4.5 mm knitting needles
Cast on 48 stitches.

Row 1:  Knit
Row 2:  Knit
Row 3:  Knit
Row 4:  Knit
Row 5:  K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 6:  K4, P40, K4
Row 7:  K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 8:  K4, P40, K4
Row 9:  K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 10:  K4, P40, K4
Row 11:  K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 12:  K4, P40, K4
 
Day 2:

Row 13: K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 14: K4, P40, K4
Row 15: K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 16: K4, P40, K4
Row 17: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 18: K4, P40, K4
Row 19: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 20: K4, P40, K4
Row 21: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 22: K4, P40, K4
Row 23: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 24: K4, P40, K4


Day 3

Row 25: K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 26: K4, P40, K4
Row 27: K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 28: K4, P40, K4
Row 29: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 30: K4, P40, K4
Row 31: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 32: K4, P40, K4
Row 33: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 34: K4, P40, K4
Row 35: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 36: K4, P40, K4

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Look how my garden grows . . .


I have a small patio garden and it is doing very well.  This may seem like a rather mundane post . . . until you remember that I kill indoor plants in a matter of days . . . I can't even grow a Chia pet indoors . . . LOL . .  


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Letterboxer paper piecings for sale


How can you recognize a letterboxer in the wild?
He or she will be clutching a sheet of paper and acting like they aren't looking for something . . . LOL!

Mystery Knit-Along - Day 3

July 2011 Mystery Knit-Along

Day 3

Row 25: K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 26: K4, P40, K4
Row 27: K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 28: K4, P40, K4
Row 29: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 30: K4, P40, K4
Row 31: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 32: K4, P40, K4
Row 33: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 34: K4, P40, K4
Row 35: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 36: K4, P40, K4


Day 1

1 ball of cotton knitting worsted
4.5 mm knitting needles

Cast on 48 stitches.

Row 1:  Knit
Row 2:  Knit
Row 3:  Knit
Row 4:  Knit
Row 5:  K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 6:  K4, P40, K4
Row 7:  K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 8:  K4, P40, K4
Row 9:  K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 10:  K4, P40, K4
Row 11:  K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 12:  K4, P40, K4

Day 2:

Row 13: K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 14: K4, P40, K4
Row 15: K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 16: K4, P40, K4
Row 17: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 18: K4, P40, K4
Row 19: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 20: K4, P40, K4
Row 21: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 22: K4, P40, K4
Row 23: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4
Row 24: K4, P40, K4

Monday, July 18, 2011

Geocacher paper piecings for sale

Stir-fried Okra

I picked up some okra at the Horton Market on the weekend.  I've never tried okra before so I was curious.  I found a stir-fried okra recipe on about.com and decided to give it a try.

Here is the original recipe:

2 cups fresh okra, washed, trimmed, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, peeled and sliced into 8 thin wedges
1/4 cup green onions, sliced, white and green
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon leaf thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
Prepare all vegetables as indicated and have ready for cooking. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Heat oil and butter in a wok or large skillet. Add vegetables and seasoning mixture all at once. Toss and cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Serves 4

Now here is what I did:

I prepared the okra as directed.  I didn't peel the tomato.  I used diced red onion.  I have all kinds of herbs and spices but couldn't find thyme anywhere.  I have a funny feeling if I go back and look now it will be in the front row of my spice shelf . . . LOL . . . I added a handful of shitake mushrooms and a sliced red pepper to the pan as well.  The shitake mushrooms were an excellent idea.  The red pepper (which I love) ended up on the side of the plate because they made the dish too sweet.  I served the stir fry with low-sodium soy sauce and rice noodles and really enjoyed it (minus the peppers).

I will definitely make this recipe again.

Update on some of my WIPs (Works in Progress)

Hot enough for you? LOL. I was enjoying summer until this week. I'm hiding in my apartment huddled up to my air conditioner and making excuses not to go out and do some errands that really should be done.

Being stuck inside is giving me some great time to tackle my Dreaded To Do List. I got really far behind during the spring for several good reasons including lots of letterboxing every chance we got. I love spring and fall. Don't mind winter too much as long as it doesn't get ridiculous. But I really hate the heat and humidity of summer.

What's your favourite season?

I have a ton of projects on the go plus several on standby . . .

I'm continuing to make mystery dishcloths from a Yahoo group I belong to AND I have taken the plunge and started designing my own mystery knit-alongs. Installments are posted to my blog every Wednesday (usually in the evening).

I'm still working on a scrapbooking manuscript but I'm starting to see glimmers at the end of this huge project. I am attempting to keep up the challenge of scrapbooking one layout each day but I'm a little behind. Not for lack of photos though. I'm still scrapbooking a pile of photos Hal's brother gave us of their parents and grandparents. Of my own photos I am still scrapping photos from Spring 2009. I am also building paper piecings . . . lots and lots of paper piecings . . . I think of embellishments I want for my own layouts and then just make 3-4 extras while I'm at it. I just finished a bunch of beach paper piecings (sand castle, sail boat, pail and shovel) and now I'm making geocaching and letterboxing templates I think they would be good for hiking pages too. I have started posting a sketch challenge to my blog every Friday. If anyone with a scrapbooking business would like to sponsor a challenge and offer a prize that would be very cool.

Exciting news about the tablecloth I've been working on since January 2005. I've just started the decorative edging so I'm sure I'll be posting this as a finished project in a week or two.

Did I tell you that I finished another quilt this week? The photo is posted on my blog. Nancy made the top and then I put it together and quilted it. That is my favourite part. Piecing my own quilt is on my stand by list. It may be standing by for a while because Nancy just gave me two more quilt tops. One is made totally from flannel shirts and she left on all the tags and buttons. I love it. Hal has already claimed it for his own when it is finished.

My cousin Kim gave me a pile of yarn last year (?) and there were tons of light brown chunky yarn which I am using to make a basket weave patterned lapghan. There was also a ton of green worsted weight wool and I have been using it to make toques, mitts and socks which, if my kids and grandkids don't want them, I will be donating to a charity at Christmas time. I have a granny square afghan and a Monet afghan and a Spiderman afghan on my standby list. The Spiderman afghan will be a Christmas gift or birthday gift for my youngest grandson. His entire room is decorated in Spiderman. So shhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell him. I won't tell you what I am thinking of for the older two grandsons just in case they read this.

Work is going great on my family tree. So much information to sort through, sort out and get entered in my computer. I hope to have a fairly decent "book" to share at the Hewson family reunion in August.

Have you ever heard of crocheted earrings? I'm making some using sewing thread and a tiny hook. So much fun with a little frustration mixed in. I hope to have a pair finished off soon.

Nine more entries in my blog and I will be caught up to my challenge to blog every day in 2011. It's a good thing I can think of lots of things to talk about and lots of projects to share.

And since I haven't attempted to mooch anything off anyone yet today . . . LOL . . . I collect post cards and stamps so if you have any gathering dust I guarantee I will love them and give them a home . . .

Friday, July 15, 2011

Remembering Real Hot Chocolate

When my kids were little I often made hot chocolate using a homemade mix.  As the kids got older and life got busier it was just one of the lovely things that went by the wayside, replaced by the convenient.

The other day I had a craving for chocolate but it was really humid out and I just didn't crave it bad enough to make me want to walk to the store.  Then I remembered the tin of cocoa in the cupboard.

I had forgotten just how delicious homemade hot chocolate is.  Here's the recipe I used . . .

Serves 2

2 tbsp and 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup and 2 tbsp white sugar
1/2 pinch salt
2 tbsp and 2 tsp boiling water
1-3/4 cups milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup half-and-half cream

Combine the cocoa, sugar and salt in a saucepan.  Blend in the boiling water.  Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir.  Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.  Watch that it doesn't scorch.  Stir in milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Divide between 2 mugs.  Add the cream to the mugs of hot chocolate to cool it to drinking temperature.

Enjoy!

Sketch Challenge - July 15, 2011 ~s

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

July Mystery Knit-Along - Day 2

Row 13:  K4, *K3, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 14:  K4, P40, K4

Row 15:  K4, *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 16:  K4, P40, K4

Row 17: K4, *yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K8*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 18: K4, P40, K4

Row 19: K4, *K1, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog, yo*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 20: K4, P40, K4

Row 21: K4, *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, yo, K1*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 22: K4, P40, K4

Row 23: K4, *K5, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K3*, repeat to last 4 sts., K4

Row 24: K4, P40, K4

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I let my grandchildren play with sharp implements . . . LOL . . .






We are carving two series of stamps . . .  How to Train Your Dragon & Basketball stamps.  I don't know where they will be planted yet, but we sure had fun carving them.