January Creations

This year, although not an actual resolution, I want to keep my creativity up and not let excuses get in the way.  We will see how long it lasts, but I am game and willing.

So far, 2013 has been a busy one.  I have completed two cowls.  Tried my hand at a cup cozy (jury's out as to if I like it or not). Designed, made, redesigned several ereader cases (and in the process created a Balckberry Playbook one, too). Oh, and I have begun working on our Disney '12 album.

Here are some of the creations:

 
These are the single cowls I made for my hubby and my daughter.  They were fast and easy to crochet (which I REALLY like!) My son wants a double cowl - so that is next on my list to complete.  Pictures will follow!


This is my second attempt at an e-reader case.  The first one, which was to fit a Sony brand, was even too tight for a Kobo Glo.  So I had to go back to the drawing board.  I like the fact it had pockets, but I dislike the yellow band around the top.  I wasn't thinking and added it on AFTER I had sewn the top together, thus, the yellow band created a bit of a pucker and left the edges raw.  Despite this "failure," I love designing and figuring things like this out.


So...

I remeasured, drew out a few ideas and came up with a simpler, yet more polished look, I believe, to a case.  However, like the other two before it, it was fatally flawed.  This time I had made my seam allowance smaller and thus created the perfect case for a Blackberry Playbook.  I love when mistakes actually look as if one had intended the outcome all along.  My son thought it great that I had made a case just for him!

Okay.  It was once again back to the drawing board (literally) for me.  I  decided then that I would make it even simpler yet again, but this time the case will include a flap to help give it some extra security (prevent the book from slipping out).

The result?  See for yourself.  I think they turned out perfect!  The cases fit like gloves.  I made 2 Kobo Glo cases - one for me (the cats) and one for my hubby's co-worker (red fan).  I also made one a little longer for the Sony e-reader for my sister (blue fan). What do you think?

Note:  I actually have my sister to thank for this grand adventure of case making as she requested one after receiving her reader at Christmas.  Thanks, Bon, for kicking me into high gear and encouraging me to get the creative juices flowing once again.
  

A Year of Dates: Date #2

Last night marked our second date in 2013.  This time, hubby was on deck for carrying it out (according to the envelope contents he picked for this week).  His instructions were on a sole piece of blue paper.  He had to find a creative way to "invite" me out for the date AND he had to include a couple of items from a list.  He chose poker chips and popcorn to weave into the festivities.

My cute invitation included a handmade envelope (by hubby) and two "tickets" to the evenings events at "Chaz Seward." (He meant to say, Chez Seward).  Very cute!

Plio thinking she needed to help
hubby with the instructions

 We began our date by the fire for another classic game, Careers.  This time, we used poker chips instead of paper money and we played to 100 (normally we always play until 60).

Hubby was champion yet again - but it was close.  (Not really.  Just saying that to make me feel better at losing two weeks in a row. I think the multiple rolls to the Hospital early in the game really hurt me).

 When we peeled our stiff bones off the floor (Yes, our youth is slowly leaving us little by little) from in front of the roaring fire, we headed to find seats at the Seward Theatre.  Since he was the game champion, hubby got to pick the genre of the movie.  To my surprise, he went right for the romantic ones.  He shortlisted a few on Netflix, and I made the final call .  My pick? Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler.

While I "saved" his seat, he went and got (made) us popcorn (in our new popcorn maker!) and more of our favourite: chocolate mint Italian Soda. (Soda water and Torani)

We laughed and snuggled.  The movie was entertaining and the second date of the year was a light and relaxing one.  Thanks for a great evening!

A Year of Dates: Date #1

For Christmas, I gave my hubby a big box.  I am not quite sure what he thought he was opening, but I know he was definitely surprised and taken back by what he found inside.  I had planned out a year of weekly dates, and then some.  Each date is secret and cannot be revealed until the envelope is opened.  Each of the dates for a month are in a larger, monthly envelope.  This means, he can't peek and see what's coming up!  I also included a photo album for us to put the pictures from these dates into so that at the end of this Year of Dates, we will have a cool record of our adventure.

Last night was Date #1. It was a Flip and Open date.  (Simply: You flip a coin to see who opens up a smaller envelope, carry out that task.  Then flip to open the next one and so forth).  Hubby seemed to think this was grand!  (Though I was the one who one the flip with "Heads" and got to open up the first envelope).

In it, was a simple scavenger hunt-type activity.  Most of it, we completed while we ate bbq nachos. 

We were required to take a number of pictures to complete the tasks.  Some were very silly, including the one we had to take with the orange (#7).  It was hubby's idea to stage it like we did... LOL!  It looks way too happy!








Mortimer and Bubbles also joined us throughout our pictorial adventure of Envelope 1.



After we completed Envelope 1, we flipped to open Envelope 2.  Now hubby won, but I got to chose what to do with our $10 PC card.  My task was to pick up a treat so that we would take it back for a game of Clue (that was in Envelope 3 which was opened by hubby after best  2 of three flips).!  I think that it almost killed hubby that I was biting on his subtle suggestions as we walked the aisles of the store.  We came out with fancy bubbly water from Italy and super decadent chocolate chip cookies.  Perfect for in front of the fire on a cold January night - or at least I think so! 


How we ended the evening...

PS.  I let hubby win both games of Clue! ;)

Lest We Forget

Here I am.  Once again I find myself putting together the November NSHEA newsletter.  I want to include poems and quotes that honour the memories of those who have fought and still fight, for our freedom. But, I don't want to repeat the same ones I placed last year. ( I think it very important to gain different perspectives from people who were/are affected, hence why I would like to use different pieces this yea)r.  So I referred to last year's November issue of the newsletter.  When I did, it reminded me about a post I put on facebook a year ago.  I decided I wanted to share it with you.

November 10, 2010


I was compiling some Remembrance Day poems and quotes for this year's NSHEA November newsletter when I came across a series of poems by my great - grandfather.  He, himself, served in WWI and WWII.  He watched how war affected the town of Springhill, and the sacrifice that was made so that Canada (and other countries) would remain free.  

As November 11 approaches in near minutes, I remember, not only my great grand-father, but my grandfathers, my uncles and great-uncles, and my friends; all who have served this country either in the wars or in the armed forces years later.  I also take a moment to remember those who served along side them and those who were on the homefront, as well as those  who are presently serving.  Without them, we would not know freedom like we do.  

I know peace had its cost.  Lest we forget.

TO MY SON

You saw your duty, and did it well.

You suffered, fought, ‘mid shot and shell.

You gave your life, and where you fell,

A wooden cross doth mark it well.

My heart is full. I’m proud. I’m sad.

I’m proud that you proved your worth, my lad!

I’m sad at the loss of a manly son,

Who gave his life because of the Hun.

You are laid at rest in a foreign grave.

You didn’t shrink, your life to save,

But answered the call your country made.

You couldn’t think of her a slave!

And someday when this war is o’er,

I’ll set my feet on that distant shore,

And then to God, on bended knee,

I’ll give my thanks that we are free.

Yes, at the cross that marks your grave,

I’ll thank my God that I’m not a slave,

Because of my lad, of boys like thee,

Who fought and died to keep us free!

“Dedicated to my son: Sgt. William G. Fletcher, who was killed in action in North Africa on April 2nd, 1943.”

1943-1944

~ Q.M.S. Charles B. Letcher

Patience Always has a Way of Paying Off

As I spent my afternoon and evening waiting for my name to be called one flight after another, I began to take on a more go with it attitude than my regular go get 'em way. I was realizing that all this was out of my hands and that if I waited, good things will come. I would be rewarded.

Well, I arrived at my first destination safe and sound. Overdue from the original plan, but I am here none-the-less. I actually had 2 great flights. The one to YUL was actually in first class! Now THAT is patience rewarded. (The cheese plate and hot towel is nice, too). The second leg was a short jaunt from one gate to another and an even shorter wait for the leg to YYZ. I swear everyone had an entire row to themselves. It was great! Smooth sailing.

Patience. I got to practice and embrace it today. I remembered that patience is key in all situations, especially in ones that are out of my control. I must remember that more often (note to self on that one).

And now for the greatest reward of the whole ordeal is that I am settling in for the night at a dear friend's place who I treasure so much. That makes the wait all worth it right there!

Sent from my iPad

Waiting... A test of patience

I am presently sitting beside the gate at the airport listening and watching as they are frantically trying to figure out how to get people on the flights to their destination.

Me, I am just a "con"- an "employee" on standby, thus, I am the last priority.  I have already sat through three flights; two of which were supposed to have room but because of delays and cancelations, I am "bumped".  Once again, with sweaty palms and heart racing, straining to hear my name called last minute.

Sigh.  It is definitely a reminder to have patience and lots of them.  It's also telling me that I just need to take it all in stride.  After a busy year and summer, this is my calling.  Be patient and take it in stride.  And for me to remember that it's all art of the adventure.  Right?

Catching Up

I just realized, that in the madness of moving, settling in and summer schedule, that I had yet to post.  YIKES!  I am supposed to put one up every week - or at least it was my goal.  Oh Well!  Just like when we take a hiatus from anything, we must return.

We have now been in our house now for 3 glorious months.  I am still in awe of it.  I wake up thinking I am in someone else's home.  Slowly but surely this is becoming our home with each new thing placed on the walls or added to the rooms.  

Presently, we are finishing up the office space in the basement so that we can be ready for fall.  Its down to the finishing touches and putting the stuff into its place.  More pictures are to follow.