Fred&Toots

True Loves Wednesday on Thursday: Hand-Made Quilts

Here are some more details from the quilt my Grandma made for me:

I love how in every quilt she made, every piece of fabric has a story.  Most of the fabric in her quilts were from dresses and other things that she made.  My Grandma belonged to a quilting group.  A couple of the members owned large quilting frames.  They would rotate whose house the frame would be set up at and would rotate whose quilt they would work on.  I think they would meet once a week when there was a quilt on the go.  Their stitching was impeccable.

More quilt details over at flickr!

True Loves Wednesday: Tropical Sun!

I'm a wimp when it comes to weather. I'm so done with this snow and ice stuff. I can handle it for awhile but enough is enough. Give me some tropical heat! I do enjoy that first snowfall and skiing is fine but I'd take a walk on the beach and a soak in the ocean anyday! Just as I was signing on to typepad I saw something fall out of the corner of my eye. My bird bath basin just cracked in half and looks like it's in at least 3 pieces on the ground! Blame it on the weather. Well, there was another snowfall warning the other day so I went out and bought a snow shovel, an extra sled, some salt and scrapers for the car. Things I should've owned years ago but better late than never. Now that I am the proud owner of such things looks like the weather is warming up. Bring on the heat 'cause baby, it's cold outside! There was a fake palm tree on sale last year at the local supermarket. 80$. J.T. said 'no' so I held back, it wasn't like I could hide it. I thought it might help me get through the winter months. Get one of those special lights for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (me) and pair it with the palm tree and voila! Then again, no. There's nothing like the real thing.

The above picture is from a trip to the Dominican Replublic. It was before my daughter was born. My son was almost 2 (he's 5 now). We found a lovely secluded beach away from our resort. It had wonderful snorkeling. The water was crystal clear! Heaven!

True Loves Wednesday: making stuff

Ever since I can remember I've always loved making stuff. Everything I look at I'm thinking, 'what can I make with that?'. When I'm making something I don't get that twitch in my eye I normally seem to have and my head feels clear. One day I'll have that dream studio, for now, clear off the kitchen counter, here I come.

On the go:

This guy is just about ready for his new home, arms needed.

Thinking about making some egg cozies. A hard boiled egg is one of Miss Z's favourite meals so how cute would one of these be to keep it warm for her?

These ones are very vintage, from J.T.'s Gramma:

and then these ones found via Stylehive.

And more on the speedball rubber stamps:
The Small Object for mucho inspiration & things to buy.
and a how-to here.

Off to ski on this snowy day (pulling the kids out of school!). The wind has died down and things are feeling pretty peaceful at the moment. Feels like a nice night to get cozy and make something.

True Loves: Sisters!

I'm the eldest of three girls. Growing up I always told my parents that they should of stopped at one. Now in my mid-thirties I'm so glad my parents didn't stop with me. I don't know what I'd do without my sisters! I thoroughly enjoy their company and find them both truly inspirational. Definitely true love!

This picture was taken when I was 24 (11 years ago). That's me on the left. Annie, on the right, would of been 22 and Emma would have been 17! We had this photo taken for a present for our parent's 25th wedding anniversary. We each put on a floral dress and headed down to Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth park with our photographer friend. I remember the tourists taking pictures of us as we dangled barefoot from the trees. We had a lot of fun posing but the above picture was definitely my favourite of the bunch.

True Loves Wednesday: Sweaters

I love sweaters - especially ones that are handmade.  Both my Grandmothers were amazing sweater knitters.  Growing up my Gramma Olof knit Icelandic sweaters for the whole family!  How cute is that?  (This was before my baby sister was born though I believe there is a photo of all 5 of us including her with matching sweaters).  We were just coming from a Christmas party...

My Grannie Jean knit beautiful Cowichan sweaters for everyone, family, friends & neighbours!  I think she could do them in her sleep!  There is a family picture of us in our matching Grannie Jean sweaters somewhere...where did I put it?

True Loves Wednesday: Sewing

Writing this on Tuesday because I know I won't have a chance to post tomorrow.  Hmmm, maybe I'll have a computer free day if I can resist the temptation to make my daily blog visits and check my email.  Yes...must...laundry starting to take over...

True Loves!  (Thanks Gwen for giving me something to write about)  I love sewing.  I enjoy knitting, crocheting, painting, drawing etc. but nothing relaxes me more than sewing by hand or machine it's like meditation for me.  The pressing of seams, the cutting of fabric, the stitching - I start humming, almost like a chant and there is no room for any negative thought or worry.  Sometimes it's a little too much like meditation and just when I think my project is near completion I'll discover that I sewed a sleeve to the neck but then out comes the seam ripper and relaxation sets in once again. 

I've been around sewing machines for as long as I can remember.  My mom had a beautiful green husqvarna which sat in a custom table of matching avocado green.  That baby could sew. 

Here's a little project I made for my sister a couple of years ago for her birthday, an embroidery kit:

I got the idea for the flowers from Martha (can't find a link right now...I think it may be from one of her Baby magazines - I'll get back to you).  I love her yarn flowers as well. 

A great link my sister sent me the other day for sewing inspiration, ottobre design. 
...and before I forget, kind of to do with sewing inspiration, these children's clothes (link via den gode feen's hobbyside)

True Loves Wednesday: Book Illustrations

How does it feel
to wear leaves?
Like sleeves?

I love children's book illustrations.  The simpler the better.  The above one is another from: How Does It Feel To Be A Tree? by Flo Morse, Illustrated by Clyde Watson, 1976.  Parent's Magazine Press, New York.  When I look through this book I'm reminded a bit of Shel Silverstein's, The Giving Tree.  Gulp! That book gets me every time.  I adore his illustrations. 

True Loves Wednesday: Thread

I'm sneaking it in here just under the wire (still a good 50min. away from midnight here).

Vintage thread is one of my true loves!  The colours seem different, softer yet richer at the same time.  Probably a totally different dye process.  I think it has a lot to do with the wooden spool and those labels!