I'm Here!

Hello Dear Friends!
No, I haven't forgotten about blogging...I have just been under the weather and am finally coming out of it. It seems I had a virus of sorts that attacked my bronchials...so I have been laying low and healing.
Thank you to those that sent me messages in concern...it was very sweet and helped my body heal so much faster I'm sure!

THAT means I have SO much to do!! Thankfully I had all my Christmas shopping done early with the exception of a few small items. But my holiday sewing is nowhere to be seen, so it's crunch time!!

A good friend of mine Kym who has a blog you can find here do an occasional crafty exchange, last time we did a Halloween exchange, this is our first Christmas exchange and I hope we make it a yearly tradition now :)
You can find the video she made to thank me for the gifts I sent HERE
I really appreciate Kym taking the time to make that video...it's very special to me. I look forward to receiving Kym's package in the mail...soon!

Meanwhile Kym did this fun blogpost today and I was tagged...so here goes! Enjoy!

1.  FAVORITE WINTER NAIL POLISH: I normally keep my nails very short and like wearing a buff, nude or ballet pink colour...however during the holidays I go for Red to look more festive.

2.  FAVORITE WINTER LIP PRODUCT: I'm a Burt's Bees girl!

3.  MOST WORN WINTER CLOTHING PIECE:  I would have to say moccasins...i wear them all day, every day around the house and have been known to go get the mail or visit a neighbour in them...they are fur lined and very cozy.

4. MOST WORN WINTER ACCESSORY:  I would have to say boots, I have 4 pairs of boots and i love wearing them with everything to keep my feet toasty. I love them! 

5. FAVORITE WINTER CANDLE:  Right now I am burning a Chocolate Mint candle from Bath and Body Works, but it's making me hungry. I prefer soft vanilla candles usually.

6. FAVORITE WINTER BEVERAGE:  My favourite beverage would have to be Red Rose Tea with a lemon wedge.

7. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE:  I have SO many! but I guess if I have to pick just one it would have to be Little House On The Prairie 'Christmas in Plum Creek' I enjoy it every year since I was a child and now I watch it with my children.

8. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG:  I have always liked Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...but truth be told I love them all...Right now I am singing to the new Boney M Christmas CD :) 

9. FAVORITE HOLIDAY FOOD:  Christmas Eve we traditionally eat alot of seafood, and we have a few dishes that are my fav's but my most favourite is Steamed Clams with garlic and butter....Mmmm...

10. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS DECORATION:  Every year I love unpacking all the ornaments I had tucked away so nicely last year....My most favourite are all the ornaments my children have made me over the years...my son is 16 and my daughter 13 1/2....that's alot of ornaments! They all make me smile and make my heart melt.

11. WHAT IS ON TOP OF YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST?  I am looking forward to this Christmas as the whole family will be together, our relatives in California and Pennsylvania will all be here with us to spend Christmas together...but on the top of my Santa list is a new purse to go with my newest boots...I have been eyeing one...."are you watching Santa?" :)

12. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE HOLIDAY THIS YEAR?  Oh, it'll be crazy! It always is....There will be visiting friends and family in their homes, and then in ours, there will be plenty of playing between cousins, and aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, grandparents and grandchildren....It's awesome crazy fun!
And then, when it's all over...I hope to spend time with my hubby and kids...and just enjoy each other.

Instead of Tagging 5 friends, I encourage you to assume yourself tagged! It's a great way to get to know one another better....

Hope all is well in your little corners of the world....
Keep Crafty,
Laurie Anne xo

Edible Fossils

Hello Friends! it's been crazy busy this last week, I feel like I have hardly set foot in my craft room, although I have popped in just to stare longingly at my stacks of books, fabrics and notions.

Years ago, I made these cookies for my nephew and it was a big hit, so recently I made another batch for another sweet boy in our lives.

 I used a sugar cookie recipe, any recipe you have will do, I  have even used a peanut butter cookie recipe and it worked perfectly! Just use smooth peanut butter for a better stamp effect.

For the stamp, I dipped into my kids old toys and pulled out any creepy crawly critters. If you don't have any appropriate toys to use, head to your local dollar store and pick up some creepy crawly buggy toys and get creative! DO NOT FORGET TO WASH YOUR TOYS BEFORE USING THEM! :)

Enjoy!

Have a lovely day,
Keep Crafty!

Laurie Anne xx

What I'm up to...

 Hello and Happy Monday!
I trust you all had a wonderful weekend, filled with family, friends, good food, alot of laughter and of course some crafting!

This weekend I picked up a copy of 'Stitch' gifts...to enjoy on the car ride to the cottage. We went up to drain the well and re-bait the mouse traps and visit with friends.

MAN! was it cold up north! But once we got the wood stove going and snuggled on the couch under a quilt it was all good :)

 This issue of Stitch is packed with great ideas! Quick last minute Christmas gifts or any time of year gifts really. It's a whopping $14.99 but it's worth it!

And here is a sneak peak at the current embroidery project I am working on....
It's a little Holiday Steampunk Bird...I love how it's turning out.

Are any of you involved in any "stitch and bitch" type groups? If so, how do they start? I have been interested in either joining one already in progress but I can't seem to find one.  I may have to start my own in my area. Do you have any tips? pointers?


Off to stitch!
Keep Crafty,
Laurie Anne xx

Marking the Male Brain

Good Friday Morning! I am sitting here in the spare room, sipping my homemade pumpkin chai coconut latte, and enjoying the teeny tiny peek of sun battling it's way through the clouds...we are expecting a flutter of flurries today here in my corner of Ontario...it'll be pretty if it does.

So...how has your week been? Any exciting plans for the weekend? or will you be just nesting like me?

This week I have been reading...

 The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine, MD
Who knew they could write an entire book about the mind of a man....sometimes I feel like I can sum them up in one sentance or less...and yet this book proved me wrong. So... in hopes of better understanding my husband I began to read this intelligent book.
And MAN!! Men are just as complicated as we are....!!
I highly recommend this book, if you are a wife or partner, or a mom to a boy, or even a sister...it's a great read. It is quite technical and delves into the mind of a man and how it works...or in our opinion 'doesn't work' :) There is also a womans version I may get for my husband to read...but he already knows how complicated we are so there is NO surprise :)

Is it just me? I have a nasty habit of returning library books with my bookmarks still in them. Which is great surprise for the new borrower but not for me who is always looking for a bookmark. I am ashamed to say but I have even used the adhesive cover strip from a panty liner in a pinch!! Am I the only one??

What is the strangest item you have used as a bookmark in a pinch?

 So...from time to time I make some quick fabric bookmarks out of scraps of fabric I like. They are never the same shape and size, they are not measured and never straight...unless I am making them to give.
These two are for my daughter and I but there is a bit of an assembly line of bookmarks on my sewing table right now. They multiply quite quickly!
I use two pieces of fabric of my choice and a layer of iron on stiff interfacing sandwiched inbetween however you may use just one layer of fabric and a lovely cardstock. Stitch and use! You can even punch a hole in the top end if you like and tie on a pretty ribbon or tassle or a string of beads...get creative!

Here is my finished piece for my sister in law, it's in the mail along with some other goodies for her late november birthday...

Our pup Moose always finds the craziest places to fall asleep...here he is sleeping on my daughter who is reading on her tummy on the living room floor. So cute!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Keep Crafty!

Laurie Anne xx

November first

Happy First day of November...

For me November brings some family birthday celebrations. the start of Christmas shopping and holiday get-togethers as well as coming up with some new and crafty little gift ideas...
What does November bring you?

Currently, I am working on some fabric bookmarks to send off with any book recipients on my list...
Also about to start a Steampunk inspired embroidery project...really excited about this one! I hope it turns out as cool as I envision it.
Photos coming soon!

What are you working on for your Christmas festivities?

Enjoy your day!
Keep Crafty...
Laurie Anne xx

Happy Halloween! Blessed Samhain!

                      A little pumpkin pincushion I whipped up....

Along with Trick-Or-Treating...Remember to honour any lost loved ones on this day...

Be safe during all your Hallow'een celebrations.

Stay Crafty!
Laurie Anne xx

Rainy day nesting

Hello Friends! Thanks for visiting...well, it's been raining here and pretty dreary to look at and this usually makes me feel like nesting.  The ONLY things I enjoy about the impending winter season is Christmas (of course!) and nesting...

I love baking, cooking stews, roasts and chili's... I love warm sweaters, jeans and boots...I love just watching the wood burn in the fireplace...I love countless hours of stitching, sewing and reading...I love cuddling on the couch with the hubby, and the kids, reading or watching a movie.

Soon it'll be time to say goodbye to these lovely crimson leaves outside our house...aren't they lovely...I am enjoying the view outside the windows.

This is my current embroidery project...still not finished...but almost! :) It's for one of my sister-in-laws as part of her christmas gift.

And this ball of fur is our  Moose ( Yup! all 8 lbs of him ) the kids named him, but he actually has SO many names! They call him Fanged Emperor, Hairy, Moosie, Mosquito, Moostafa, Muskrat, Moosealini....the list is endless...Poor little guy! The good news is he comes when called "Moose"

He is my sweet companion...he follows me everywhere I go, and prefers to sit in my lap while I stitch...Isn't he a cutie pie....
Here he is last week enjoying a pop of sunshine before the rains came.

Still working on those slippers...first attempt went rather badly and I spent a day with my trusty seam ripper, and cursing like a sailor ( where did that saying come from I wonder...were sailors notorius cursors??)
Then I threw the whole thing in the 'to-do' pile...I will get back to it this week I promise.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend, doing whatever it is you are doing....
Just remember...KeepCrafty!

Laurie Anne xx

A surprise from hubby

Good morning!  I hope your day is lovely! Outside my window it is a rather dreary day...it is pouring rain and grey, but as always if there's some stitching or crafting of some sort to do...it's all good.

My son is recovering well from his wisdom teeth surgery, in fact he is going to try a half day of school today..he is a real trooper. Thank you for all your well wishes! The rest of us are back to great health, my sore throat came and went, thank goodness!

Truth be told I have NEVER been much of a cross stitcher, I have always gravitated to free hand embroidery, but lately I have been drawn to it.
I have been gabbing on and on to my husband about the wonderful world of blogging (he doesn't get it) and I guess he was listening because yesterday he told me he ordered a book for me that is out of print...it should come any day now.
BOY was I surprised!!

Have you seen this book? Do you have it in your collection? What other cross stitch resources do you use?

And for embroiderers out there...where do you get your inspiration?
As a newish cross stitcher I am really looking forward to my book arriving...hubby gets bonus points for this move! :)

BUT don't you worry I will never give up my first love...I am currently working on an embroidery piece...should be finished in a couple of days and I will photograph it then. It is a small gift for one of my sisters in law.
I am also working on a sewing project...Slippers...I am making myself some cozy slippers and if I get them right, then I will be stuffing a pair in everyones Christmas stocking this year.

What are you working on this week?

Keep Crafty!
Laurie Anne xx

A long week

Good Friday morning my friends! Thank you to all my new readers and followers, it's always so lovely to read your comments and see what you're up to.

A little gift I made for a friend.

The above little applique piece I made one evening this week and then stitched up in the waiting room while my son was getting his wisdom teeth out yesterday. It's going to a dear friend...just because.

It's been a long week, the kids have been fighting off colds, as am I.

Hubby has been working alot of long, hard hours.

Today the kids are off school for a P.A. day, the wisdom-toothless boy is recovering.

My sweet girl is in pj's and relaxing...it's going to be a quiet day.

I am looking forward to making a trip to Fabricland this weekend for some supplies, also Michaels for some more DMC floss.

Wishing you all a great Friday and a fabulous weekend! What exciting plans do you have?

Laurie Anne xx

Pizzazz

Good morning my friends!

This weekend I posted about the tote bag I made my daughter for her babysitting supplies.

 We put on the final touches and added some Pizzaz.

 My label

 Her name embroidered on the handle.
She carries it proudly and that makes me smile.

I had much success making and giving these not-so-spooky felt skulls over the years....this year I have made 6 so far...one has already been claimed.  I have actually started putting snaps on the back of them and have used a peice of wide black strapping to attach them to, creating a garland of sorts...but if they keep disappearing I will have none to hang up for myself :)

What spooky crafts are you working on?

Keep Crafty!

Laurie Anne

Weekend Sewing

Hello My Dear Friends!
     I am so happy you have come back again to see what I am up to. Thank you! It is most wonderful to visit your blogs and I hope I can be of some inspiration as well.

My daughter has been begging me to make her a tote bag so that she can carry her babysitting kit with her and keep organized. I have put it off, frankly as I usually do with what seems to be an easy task which I assume I will "whip up" at a moments notice.
After a gentle <---read, somewhat 'demanding'  reminder from my daughter, I realized I had put if off long enough.

And so armed with a cup of Red Rose Decaffeinated tea, upstairs to the studio I retreated.

 Something easy to "whip up" still took up some considerable time, between loads of laundry, homework help, and assisting my teen with his first resume. It's always nice to spend a grey, rainy day sipping tea, cranking the tunes and being creative...

 She LOVES it !!

Now back to my regularly scheduled crafting....working on some felt Halloween Candy Skulls that I make every year to give to friends.  Also finished another pumpkin pincushion for a craft swap with a new friend! :)
Will post photos soon!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend, and that your creative juices are flowing!

Thank you for your visit, please come again soon!

Laurie Anne

Thanksgiving Weekend

 A little stitch I did last year for a craft exchange...Please let me know if you are ever interested in doing a craft swap...I love them,they are SO much fun!

 Our favourite hike near the cottage ends up at this little Chapel...isn't it sweet?

 A pretty, unexpected beauty...

 Foliage.

Hubby and I in front of the Chapel...to show you how tiny the Chapel is.

Forgot my bag containing my current stitching project at home, so I am waaaay behind. 4 days at the cottage and no stitches to show for it...instead we played alot of board games and enjoyed the autumn beauty.

What did you do this weekend?

Good bye Summer...

When not at the cottage I spent quite a bit of time in this little corner of the backyard, stitching, reading and sipping my cup of tea...

And this weekend, it began to get too cold to sit outside for too long unless the sun was out and still the breeze is cold. And so the bench came inside, relegated to the dark, mostly unused basement.

 And my bicycle got brought in and put on the trainer, so I can ride it until I can take her out again in Spring...

                                                                   *Le Sigh*

I am not a huge fan of cold, or snow or winter in general...but I am sure we can all agree the one thing that everyone including myself loves about wintertime is Christmas! The crafting ideas are endless! And it's wonderful to give handmade gifts!
I am currently working on a Christmas themed swap with an old blogging friend Kym who by the way just had her first grandbaby boy! So I can't show you yet what I have been making but I assure you it's going to be cherished.

Last night I dug up any Christmassy fabric I had and this photo shows just how desperately I need to make a trip to the fabric store! Eeek! I feel naked! I need to stock up :)
This morning I headed to our local library and was thrilled to find four crafty books that I had never seen before, in fact I think that I am the first one to sign them out. Loaded with inspiration! YAY!
NOW I definately need to get my ass  butt to a fabric store!
I also signed out The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain <--LOVE him!

I don't usually do any Halloween crafting unless I am doing a themed swap, what are you working on right now? What kind of Halloween crafty things do you make?
Thank you to all my new readers! I am thoroughly enjoying reading your blogs and hope that we can keep one another smiling and inspired!

Enjoy your day!
Laurie Anne

Bella's new top.

Truth be told I haven't made any clothing in a VERY long time...but this weekend on a trip to Fabricland I couldn't resist the great sale prices and stocked up on what would hopefully become some clothing for myself.

Upon seeing the fabric my daughter gushed "can you make me a top? Pleeeeeassse"
"Of course" was my reply.
and so...less than 24 hours later I had whipped this up, without a pattern, only a couple of my daughters measurements.

Apparently this look is in style now...see through fabric blouses. I had never worked with such finnicky material...I cursed SO much that day! It was slippery, thin, it seemed to unravel every time I touched it.

 But....She loves it!

 She wore it to school today and all her friends were asking her where she bought it because they loved it.

One girl even commented that she had seen the very same top in the exact same fabric at GARAGE and so it was impossible that I had made it....LOL...

I am quite proud of myself...and happy that my daughter is wearing something I made. She hasn't worn a homemade item of clothing since she was about 8 and stopped wearing dresses. And the best part...she wants to come with me to pick some more fabric to make more tops. YAY!

Perhaps I may even make something for myself...one of these days :)

If you could make any item of clothing and have one of each colour/pattern/texture in your closet, what would it be?
Mine would be blazer jackets! short and fitted to wear with everything. Or maybe skirts! YES! lots and lots of skirts in every colour, pattern  and length imaginable *giggle*


Thank you for reading! and I hope to blog again soon about my next project, so stay tuned!

Autumn

Today on the first day of Fall, I would like to share a few photos of  what our eyes have seen so far this weekend...

The pictures do the scenery no justice...but in my minds eye, it is all simply breathtakingly beautiful...

Happy Autumn my friends!

memories...

This is what I am currently working on...Holly Hobbie...I remember what seems like 100 years ago having HH bed sheets, wall decor, and even a jewellery box...This finished piece will become part of a cushion with some sweet calico as a backing...

What are you currently working on?

Putting on a cup of tea and checking out some lovely new blogs I have discovered....Have a wonderful day!

Stuff I've made...

 Today I thought I would share some things I have made....a pair of birds for a pillow...

 Framed and given to my cyclist husband for Valentines day.

 An embroidery exchange...a pair of pillowcases.

 Pillows made from recycled rice bags.

 The other view of the pillow cases...

 My first attempt at a quilt.

 Hanging on my sewing room door.

 A gift for a friend.

 My first purse...I love the fabric and how it turned out.

 A pair of bunnies...for some really sweet little girls.

 Oh, la, la...

 A couch pillow for the cottage.

 A lake sign for the cottage

 The sign.

 Gift pillows for bird and squirrel lovers.

Thank you for looking! That was just a  little sampling of some projects...more to follow!

Hope you are having a wonderful day,
Be Well!