Happy New Year

Christmas was wonderfully fun!  My s-i-l drove 1500 miles with her two teenage children to spend it with us.  DD#2 flew in (well flew to Edmonton and then drove) from Charlottetown at the other end of the country.  And she only had to work five shifts on the ambulance, one of them 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Christmas Eve.  They lost two people to heart attacks that night….  DD # 3 flew in from Victoria and her boyfriend was home as well. 

Many stockings were hung by the chimney with care…

On Christmas day we opened stockings, ate a wonderful breakfast – scrambled eggs, coffee cake, bacon (the best bacon in the world all the way from Victoria), grapefruit, pineapple and homemade Baileys to go in the tea or coffee.

DD # 3 is our professional pineapple cutter.  She learned the technique from her Thai auntie.

Then there was a lot of present opening and a casual afternoon long feed of cold meat, cheese, vegetables and dip, crackers, and two kinds of trifle for dessert .  Lots of games were played; euchre and cribbage seemed to be the most popular and we had a few tournaments.

My big present is my Kobo book reader.  We do name exchanges for stockings, one present in family and one present each for both DH and my extended family.  So you buy and receive three presents and fill a stocking.  Makes life way easier.  This of course doesn’t include the little children.  They got lots of presents. 

I received a few quilty things.  In my stocking were a few items I’ve been hankering for – more straight pins, a long measuring tape – and the green item is a nifty ceramic cutting tool.  It isn’t for fabric but for paper.

A quilting friend gave me this fabulous tote box, which will be wonderful when going to retreats or sewing sessions.

And lovely presents from two non-quilting friends: a wonderful pincushion – the black part is made from a tin can - and a great looking book.

 

On Boxing Day my nephew and two nieces came to visit as well as DD# 3’s boyfriend.  We had our big turkey dinner.  Son-in-law cooked the turkey, which was wonderful!  Mashed potatoes, baked yams, Brussels sprouts, carrots and Baklava created by Sister-in-law.  Then several game marathons: Pit, Euchre, Apples to Apples and the younger folk played Pictionary into the wee hours.

DD # 2 and S-i-I are gone.  DD # 3 is around for a while but is currently hanging out with her boyfriend in Whitehorse.  There were only a couple of BIG EVENTS over the holiday.  We went skating down on the arm.  There was some snow but a nice cleared patch and we were having a lovely skate…

when S-i-l fell and cracked her head open.  She had to get four stitches in the back of her head, but fortunately there was no concussion.  Then when S-i-l left on December 28th she forgot her purse!  She didn’t discover it wasn’t with her until she went to buy gas 500 km down the highway.  Fortunately her daughter has a credit card and they were able to continue on home.  The purse, along with all her necessities of life is on its way home now.  Despite these escapades S-i-l said she and her kids had a wonderful time.  She is trying to convince us all to go to Thailand for Christmas next year….  hmmm….if I’m going that far, I’ll have to continue on to Australia….

My wish for this evening is to stay home and relax but we are invited to a party and DH wants to go so I guess we’ll be out and about for a bit. 

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, love-filled new year!

Janet

But Granma, Where’s the Quad?

I finished the quilt around midnight on Christmas Eve.  Well except for about half an hour’s worth of quilting that got done on the 27th.  But it was bound and ready to use despite the need for a slight bit of finishing.

It measures approximately 49 by 65 inches. 

The panel at top and bottom and the road backing fabric are both from South Sea Imports “Going Places” line. 

The blue sashing is “Puzzle Pieces” by Moda. 

The black “read as solid” in the backing is a “Marbles” by Moda.

Vehicle blocks came from my own stash and from donations from many sources:  Kerry, Melody, Karen, Julie, Linda, Sue (whose blog name I can’t remember – Sue if you read this please tell me your blog name so I can correct this), my friend Jo, my friend Donna’s mother (age 86 or so, she provided the hog on a hog piece) and my sister-in-law Lori.  If I have missed anyone who donated I apologize profusely.  It is not from a lack of appreciation.  I could never have gathered this wonderful variety on my own!  Thank you all.

I quilted the names of the different vehicles in the crosswise sashing, but not in the same order as the pictures.  It can be a game for DGS to match them up once he starts to read.  The vertical sashing has three big Xs in each piece.  I also quilted around each of the vehicle fabrics.  The panels are freehand quilted following the lines in the pictures.  They didn’t end up exactly the same.  On the two big blue side panels I wrote the name of the quilt and label info – for DGS from me, date and place.  The outside of those two panels has simple stipple quilting.

The binding is a “Marble Dot” by Moda in green.  I used this same fabric for the binding on DGD’s I Spy quilt that she got for Christmas last year.  I like that there is that connection between the two quilts.

DGS really loves his quilt.  He was known to say on several occasions when others picked it up “Hey, that’s MY blanket.”  He had it laid out on the living room floor running his cars up and down the roads as soon as all the scraps of wrapping paper were cleaned up. 

I found the quilting on this quilt went quite quickly.  I’m getting better at it all the time!

And yes, I called it, “But Granma, Where’s the Quad?”!

Janet

Merry Christmas!

The DDs from afar are home.  My s-i-l and her two children have arrived after their long (two day) drive.  The tree is up.

S-i-l is in the kitchen baking bread….and look how happy she is to be cooking….

DH has finished his sewing….

DGS’s quilt is almost done – I just have the binding left do.  The grandkids are here so I have to wait until they go home this evening to get it finished.

I hope everyone has a very happy Christmas!

Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska

Janet

Giveaway Winner

I have been totally overwhelmed by the number of people who responded to my giveaway and became new followers of my blog!  I have 100 more followers than I did when this crazy started.  Thank-you and welcome to all my new followers.  You’ll find that I am a sporadic poster.  I won’t plaster you with many messages a day and sometimes it will be a couple of weeks until you hear from me.

I am going to pick a winner today, by hook or by crook, if I can get Random Number Generator to appear here….  But I can’t make it work… please someone who knows how to copy and paste it let me know. 

However I do have a winner.  Random Number Generator did choose and you’ll have to take me on good faith.  The winner is Lynne, commenter # 5 who said on 12/9/11:

“I am a follower. I live in Sydney in Australia. I like living here because the climate is temperate and democracy is alive and well!”

Lynne please contact me with your postal information so I can send you your prize. 

Since I was going to do a 100 follower giveaway and I now have 200 followers, you can be sure there will be an even bigger giveaway coming up.  It will have to wait for after Christmas because I am too busy doing things like this…

And this…

And sewing like mad to get all the gifts made!

Is everyone else ready for Christmas?

Janet

Friday Night Sew In Report

Last night I put together the back for my grandson’s quilt and started quilting.  Just straight line quilting so far.  I want to get a good stint in on it today and have to cook a turkey, make salad and make cranberry sauce for the community Christmas dinner that my craft club is cooking and serving for this evening. 
The completed front….

And the back…..

What are you doing with your Saturday, or Sunday, as may be?
Janet

Friday Night Sew In Report

I got a good start on the vehicle quilt for my grandson last night.  Figured out the layout and sewed the block strips together.

Can you spot my mistake?  Probably not because the picture is too small.  I sewed this block in upside down.

But I caught it before I sewed on the long sashing so I fixed it….

Right side up now.  I finished sewing the long sashing strips this morning.  I was going to put the panel on the top and bottom, but now I’m second guessing myself, due to DH’s comment that “there is a lot going on” when he looked at the blocks. 
Does anyone have any thoughts?  Here’s another pic.  I would put a strip of 5 to 6 inches of blue on the sides of the vehicle blocks, then a panel strip at the top and bottom of the quilt.  It makes it a good size for a twin bed quilt and I like it, but I’d love your opinion.

Janet

Quilter’s Bog Hop Party Giveaway

The giveaway is closed.

Welcome to everyone hopping around in blog land for the Quilting Gallery Quilter's Blog Hop Party and my giveaway. A huge thank you to Michele for organizing this event.  I hear there are more than 250 participating blogs so it is sure to be a barrel of fun – and take lots of time to look at all those blogs.
If you are new to my blog please don’t be afraid of the Dall Sheep on my header.  He is behind a fence at the game farm and I think that his “you look mighty tasty” approach is just his way of saying “hi”.  Please look around and enjoy yourself while you are here.
I’m not going to dally around much as I think I am a bit late getting my blog posted.  It was supposed to be up by noon EST and it is 9:32 where I live in PST.  So doing the math….
Here is what I’m giving away today.  Two half yards of pretty batiks in colours that make you want to eat them – or something. 

You must be a follower of my blog to enter the giveaway and it is open to anyone in the world. Please leave me one comment letting me know you are a follower.  In the same comment please tell me where you live and one reason why you like living there.  The giveaway will close on December 17th at 6 p.m. my time.  More math for you…..
Thank you so much for coming by.  Please check out the Quilting Gallery link to see a list of all the participants in the Blog Hop Party.
Janet

Back home in the snow

I’ve been away.  In Redmond and Seattle…

Victoria….

and Vancouver…..

Visited brother, s-i-l, nephew, DD # 3 and boyfriend and roommate, niece, b-i-l.  Ate American Thanksgiving dinner, but didn’t go to Black Friday sales at midnight.  Visited quaint towns La Conner and Bainbridge, Washington. Flew in two planes and rode the ferry four times.  Attended a Stuart McLean show in Victoria.  Ate tons of good food and shopped at lots of stores.  Bought a little bit of fabric.  Drove a car in Victoria and it wasn’t even too scary.

I didn’t do much sewing.  Just these hexie flowers for my November swap partner.

We got home late Friday night then I was up early on Saturday to go with friends to a quilt show.  Yes a quilt show here in the north.  In Skagway, Alaska.  There were about fifty quilts in the show.  Here are the ladies posing in front of the Christmas tree.

And a few of my favourite quilts…

Skagway is getting ready for Christmas.  Lots of pretty lights.

I see somewhere along the way my followers have crept up to 100.  I guess I’ll have to have a giveaway.  I’m deciding whether to like up with The Quilting Gallery’s Blog Hop Party.  Any opinions?

Are you occupying your sewing room this week?

Are you participating in Friday Night Sew In? 

So many fun things going on in Blogland…..

Janet

Sew Cal Gal's Christmas Quilt Show

Those who follow my blog have seen this recently.  It is a table runner I made for a swap on Flickr for an as yet unnamed partner, because I don't think it has been received yet.  I really like how it turned out and even DH commented on it, saying it had nice Christmasy colours.

It is made with some Figgy Pudding, some Kona Snow and an unnamed red.  I did free motion quilting in white and love how the back turned out.

Please go to this post to see more lovely Christmas quilts in Sew Cal Gal's Christmas Quilt Show.

Janet

Some wonderful things in the mail and late FNSI report

I am participating in scissor keeper swap organized by Cookies and Cream, but I am very delinquent and tardy in getting items made for my swap partner.  I was totally awestruck and humbled when I received a wonderful package from Kerry in the mail. 

A magazine, a lovely card, some embroidery thread, and look at the cutest scissor keep and pincushion…

Plus she sent a large package of vehicle fabric for my grandson’s quilt.  Some I already had, but there are some really fabulous new ones.

He is going to LOVE those cats on motorcycles! 

And then I got a totally unexpected package from Melody with a couple more fabrics, and a darling little scissor fob.

Helicopters and seaplanes!  I don’t have any of those.  With all the fabric goodness I’ve received from so many blog friends I’m going to have to add another row of vehicles to the quilt design! 

Here’s a close-up of the scissor fob.  So cute.

Thank-you both so much Kerry and Melody.

I didn’t get my FNSI post up on Saturday.  Raucous grandkids were visiting and it was just busy all day long.  I did accomplish a bit for the sew-in though.

This bag, which I made for DD # 1, whose birthday was last week.  It is the same pattern as a bag I made for the Goodie Swap, but I made a couple of changes: a long over the shoulder strap instead of a short wrist strap, and I put a little pocket inside.  Of course I made mistakes in both my design changes and had to undo my sewing twice to fix things…..

And a little ornament to include in the table runner swap which is going in the mail tomorrow.  I had enough of sewing for the evening so moved on to beads.

The temperature is down below –30.  Brr….. I must be off to bed.

Janet

Nosy Parker in the Neighbourhood

I’m linking up with Kat's Nosy Parker in the Neighbourhood project.  It is so interesting how different we are and yet how much the same….


Question 1) Tell us about your home:
Where do you live; (town, state, country that is - obviously not your street address!!)  & what is it like e.g. do you live by the beach or a lake or in the desert etc..., is it famous for anything in particular (e.g. industry), and maybe what is the climate like etc...

I live in a small town in a very large territory. Once on a BOAC flight from England I had a conversation with the flight attendant and she was amazed when I told her that the Yukon is about the size of the British Isles, and there are approximately 36,000 people in the whole territory. In my town there are around 450 people.


My town is about an hour from Whitehorse, the only city in the territory, where there are approximately 27,000 people. The Yukon’s economy is currently booming with mineral resources being the main interest. My town doesn’t really have an economy, although there is some tourism in the summer. My hubby likes to lament that the whole Yukon economy is built on government dollars. I drive the hour each way to work in the big city and have done so for eighteen years.

It is about a three hour flight to the big southern cities of Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton.  The only other flights we have out of territory are to Frankfurt, Germany in the summer.

Approximately half the people who live in my town are aboriginal and the First Nation has a large presence in the town. 


I live within walking distance of huge lakes, a sandy beach, a desert, immense forests and majestic mountains. I love to walk and I know the area near my home well, having tromped around in the bushes far and wide over the years.


Question 2) What are the houses like in your area. Apartment style, Joined, Semi-detached, Detached etc...

There is a huge variety of houses in my town:

all in a row homes built for First Nation people by the federal government,

off beat dwellings built by those who came to the north because they could be individuals here and build their houses to their liking,

new modern homes,
 
cabins from the gold rush era.

My house is a beautiful four bedroom home, built by my hubby. It is not modern or fancy, but functional and comfortable, with many individual design features that make it a pleasure to live in.  What category do you think it should be in?


That little gable at the top houses my sewing room

Question 3) What are some of your favourite places to visit or favourite things to do in & about your town/city. - Show us plenty of photos here if you can.


I occasionally like to hang out on the beach on a warm summer day.


Or just walk on the beach in the long summer nights.


I like to walk, ski, snowshoe in the bush but always have to think about bears in summer.


And I love to go out on the lakes.


This is what it looks like today at -22C … the front part of the lake is frozen but the back is still open water and there is copious amounts of ice fog in the air. 


That produces sun dogs. You can just barely see it in the picture below.



Question 4) How do most people travel around your town/city? E.g. subway, bus, bike, what are the most popular styles of car.

Almost everyone has a truck or a car.  Big trucks, that can plow through the snow, cars with four wheel drive, or cars that save on gas.  Those who don’t have a vehicle hitchhike. In summer some people ride quads; in winter snow machines. Many walk, a few ride bicycles. We have a train which used to be a functioning passenger and freight train, but is now just a tourist ride and runs only in summer. Kids travel to and from school on the school bus.




Question 5) Is there a type of food that would be quintessential to where you live? E.g. a famous local produce etc...

Moose meat, caribou meat, trout, grayling (a kind of fish), berries (cranberries, raspberries and blueberries), soapberry ice cream (a First Nation “treat”. These somewhat bitter berries are whipped and whipped with sugar until they sort of look like ice cream but taste like sugar with something bitter in it). Years ago I lived with an elderly first nation couple who ate things like stuffed fish guts (quite good), moose guts (not bad), singed porcupine (disgusting).

I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the place I live.  Go check out Kat's blog to see how others live.

Janet