Happy Birthday Patience

This past weekend, Aurora and I had something very important to do. We made a birthday cake for her mama big birthday BBQ.   Aurora has made lots of cakes in her day, so she knows exactly what to do. 

First you put eggs water and oil in the cake mix and ask Grampie to help you mix.

While the cake is baking, we lick the bowl.

Then the fun part.  Ice the cake in a pretty color.

Then pipe little flowers all over the top of the cake.

Add a candle, and voila.. A special birthday cake for mom.

Singing Happy Birthday

Aurora helps her mom blow out the candle.

Happy Birthday Patience. 

Home Sweet Home

We arrived home from our awesome China Tour yesterday.  It's all but a memory now.  You wouldn't believe the awesome things we saw.  And there's nothing like being submerged in the culture to understand.  The next few days will be quiet.  Well, except for having a nice family BBQ this Sunday.  We're celebrating Patience's birthday, and young Miss Aurora will help me make and decorate a cake for her mama.

I'll take me some time to sift through all my photos, but for now, I'll leave you with this short adorable panda video.   This panda is named  You You (sounds like YoYo) and was named by the Chinese school children in the City of Chongquing.  We saw at least 7 or 8 pandas all enjoying their morning snack of bamboo.

Beautiful Beijing Weather

Later today, we leave for Toronto to catch our 13 hour flight China tomorrow.   The next two weeks has us touring highlights of China such as the Terracotta Warriers, the Great Wall of China, the Three Gorges Dam,  The Panda Bears, visiting a silk factory and much much more.

We are so excited and nervous, but having the beautiful sunshine predicted over the next couple of weeks, sure has us warming up and relaxing a bit.  

I'll try to post some highlights along the way.

A new bike for Aurora

Because of the snow, Aurora practiced riding her new bike in the basement.  It was fun.

A hates to get her hair done, but it's fun when your cousin is entertaining you.

Emily, "The Entertainer"

Happy Easter Snow

A beautiful white snow blankets  Freddy Beach and most of the Maritimes on this Easter Morning.  

The preparations for Easter started yesterday when Grace and Caitlin were making Easter Banners.   I didn't get a photo of the final finish, but here are two girls hard at work making them.  

Caitlin's big drawing problem is "People".  But I think she did a great job with this little girl.  

Grace was testing out my new deluxe water color set.  Beside brushes, it had a sponge, a palette knife and a beginners instruction book.   It's going to be a great banner.

I had my own preparation to do.  Besides preparing for a big Easter Dinner, we made some treats for the kids that they can have when they go home.

Happy Easter!

It's a Zig Zag Baby Quilt

Today, two of my grand daughters, Grace and Caitlin are coming with me to a family baby shower.  My sister in law's daughter is becoming a grandmother for the second time and everyone is excited about the imminent arrival of this little babe. 

Since we don't know if baby is a boy or a girl, we kept our home made gifts neutral.   Lots of color.  I loved making this zig zag quilt with straight line quilting.   It's sort of modern.   All the fabric came from a 8-pack of fat quarters that I bought while south last month.  It was fun to make all the matching little things.  

The polka dot "Take-Along-Bag" is adorned with  applique "Baby" and will be useful for anything baby.   I made a little wristlet out of left over fabric and it has a little surprise inside.  It could be used to carry soothers, or just a little snack.  All the zigs on the quilt are made with various fabrics from the 8-pack.  The scrappy neutrals were extra. 

Of course I mentioned the other day, that I have a little mystery gift too.   It's all wrapped and  Caitlin and Grace will give it to the new mom.  They will help guide her as to what it's used for.  They'll have fun "being in the know".

My Scoreboard

I bought myself a Martha Stewart Scoreboard.  What a neat thing.  I think it's used mostly by scrapbookers.   I bought one for my sister's birthday last year and I was really fascinated that you could make little gift bags and boxes with standard scrapbook paper. 

Check out the video at the end of this blogpost if you want to make this style of box yourself.  I made these two boxes.  Easy peasy.   After I put the gift in the package, I will close up the tops and put a ribbon on to close.

These little packages are the perfect size to hold a special mystery gift for a double baby shower this weekend.   The new moms will have to guess what this little home made gift is used for. 

I can't show you the mystery gift now, but I will after the baby shower.  



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Welcome Home!

Welcome Home!   With a big inviting smile, that's what the customs guy said to us as we crossed the border.   You know, I thought it was nice and a touching sentiment, just the way he said it.   It was good to be across the border and driving down the river valley.  Yep, we're home.

But to tell you the truth, there was one thing I really wanted to accomplish while away.   I wanted to finish stitching my last, and it happens to be the largest block on my Winter Wonderland project.   I had been putting it off... not sure why... just procrastination I guess.    I stitched like mad the last few hours of the drive.  I didn't want to disappoint myself by not getting my one most important item done on my list.    Ahh....   that feels so good to be done.

The next phase for this project is to finish piecing the blocks that make the border.    That will have to wait until May because we're packing again for another big trip.    

Knit a Sweater for your Teddy Bear

Over a dozen years back, long before I had a blog, and during my bear-making phase,  I designed a simple little knit sweater to fit a Teddy Bear.   I made it in 3 sizes.   I wanted to share it with other knitters, and uploaded it to a free knitting pattern website.  I forgot all about it until a lovely knitter from San Fran contacted me with a question.    I'm glad she contacted me and I remember how much I loved making those Teddy Bears.    I recall telling the story of the Three Bears to all my grandkids at one time or another... We always told the story in bed because I had three home made bears on a shelf in my bedroom and they would ask about them.  Seems so long ago now... 

Anyway, I thought I'd share my Teddy Bear Sweaters with my knitting buddies.
This sweater is short so Teddy's tummy won't be squeezed.   And the sleeves are a generous size for Teddy's pudgy arms.  You can add stripes, or maybe a simple cable like I did. 

• For a sweater to fit a 9 or 10 inch bear, click here.
• For a 12 inch bear sweater pattern , click here.
• For a 15 inch bear sweater pattern, click here.

Stitching in the Sun

The problem with stitching in the sun, is that taking a picture of your work can be difficult.    I know, I know, it's a rough life,

We're in our final week here.  I am putting the push on to get more done of my final block in my Winter Wonderland project.   

So, I've threaded 10 needles.  I'm stitching in the sun until they're done.  Then I'll see where I am.

Our 28th Anniversary

At the Beach. 

A Sweet Wristlet

Some time ago, I came across this sweet little pattern for a wristlet.   It only takes a few scraps of fabric, and it's not hard to sew at all.  Took me an hour.  It features a little back pocket and a roomy main pocket.   I bought it from Keyka Lou Patterns here.  Because I'm signed up to get her newsletter, I received a 20% off any pattern code.    I thought, I had to buy it. 

Now I know you are probably asking, "What will you put in your wristlet?"  I had to think long and hard about that too.   I could take a room key and a few cookies to the beach.  

Then I thought I could put some of my prized sharks teeth in it for safe keeping.    Then I thought, I could put some hand quilting and stitching stuff in it for a cute carryall.  

Then, I realized that my two new Mini Ty Beanie Baby friends need a place to stay.   And they are the perfect color too.  Pink and purple.  Do you think they look happy in their new little wristlet purse.   I think so.    A perfect fit!

Well, almost perfect.