New Day, New Year!

So again, I haven't exactly been keeping up with my goals, but I did manage to make four complete doll bedding sets with pillows, and I am almost finished the girls' quilts. As I mentioned in a previous post, I read The Happiness Project and loved it! I am starting this new year with that project and I am so excited (I have downloaded the tools and started my charts already!) Also this year, I am committed to my health. I don't know why I haven't made this commitment sooner, but after the recent death of my uncle and other medical issues in my family, I am recommitting to my own health. I have signed up for a half marathon - look out, here I come! (This is also an item on bucket list that I can check off 😊). My third goal this year is to become a better family historian. I have signed up for a Photoshop class and I have started a project life album (which I am going to finish this year!) Cheers to a new day and a new year!

A New Perspective

So...I haven't posted in a while- a long while. I went to China to teach for 3 weeks this summer and the experience was AMAZING! Then I spent the rest of the summer visiting family, back to work, and here we are!

I read the Happiness Project over the summer and it was really enlightening. I have made a commitment to myself to live the best life I can. My craft goal is to make one sewing project every month (my wonderful husband made me a spectacular craft table and room that I absolutely love!) Here is the project I made in September:

This is the front of the quilt. It is just a panel that I picked up, but I love the colours.

The back is a green checked flannel. It is very soft and cuddly.

Cheers!

Monkey Business

Well, I am three quarters of the way finished the sock monkey I am making (just for fun). I just need o finish the arms tail and ears. I wanted to finish this before I left for China, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen!








This is the body and muzzle.

Cheers!
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The Small Things

While I was tucking my eldest daughter into bed tonight, I noticed some thoughtful 'coupons' on her door - some for physical activity as a family, some for her to make us dinner, and some for doing extra chores - just ask! How thoughtful! It is times like these that I am so proud of he young lady she is growing up to be, and especially grateful she is in my life!






And finally, I added to my garden this year!





























Cheers!

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Baby Afghan

Well, the other day I finished an afghan for my nephew (he's only three months old!) but it is finally done! Each niece, nephew and my dad's children received one (as well as my own!) My grandma taught me how to crochet these before she passed away (20 years ago). The technique is called hairpin lace, and you need a loom to make it on.



I just love the way it looks.

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Knitting Bag

School is out, summer has started! Life is grand! One of my colleagues retired this year and she is an avid knitter. We decided that a knitting bag full of a few supplies would be a nice gift, so I went to find a pattern and material. I rummaged through my supply of patterns I purchased but had not used and came across one from Whistlepig Creek Productions #1145 Charming Totes.
I used a Moda Charm pack for the squares and handles and some scrap material for the inside pockets, lining and cuff. It turned out fabulously! I made a cute little tag for the inside so she would know where the bag came from following this tutorial.

Valentine's Day

Phew! It has been a busy couple of weeks. I was out of town for a few days, then back home, made a bunch of Valentine's Day treats for the girls to take to school, then off to Fort Frances for a hockey tournament and swim meet!

Hannah's team came in first! Lauren swam personal best times in all of her events! It was a great weekend!

Here are the treats the girls and I made for Valentine's Day for their classes. Hannah's was a stamp that was a picture frame with two little hearts in the inside. I coloured the stamp in using Copic markers. We wrote a little message in the inside and she wrote her name. So cute!

Lauren's Valentines were stamped with a cupcake stamp from our stash. She stamped each one herself! I coloured in the stamp, and she wrote her own messages to each of her friends.

Then we filled the bags (from the dollar store) with cinnamon hearts, heart ju jubes, and heart chocolates. We sealed the bags with Valentine's stickers!

The girls were very excited to hand them out to all of their friends!