Merry Christmas to one and all............

Life has been busy these past couple of weeks, and will be until after Christmas.  So I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas; if you celebrate Christmas, and hope you all enjoy the holidays.

For some this is a very hard time of year, especially is you have lost someone or find it hard mentally.  The expectations to have that "perfect" Christmas is overwhelming for many people.  If this applies to you, hang in there it will all be over with soon.  For those people January can't come soon enough.  

I hope to be back blogging regularly after Boxing Day when things have slowed down a bit.  

Meanwhile here are some lovely Christmas Song's:

Knitted presents finished:

Made a couple of hats as part of Christmas gifts.

This one is "Christian's Hat" by Agnes Kutas, I got the pattern off Raverly, but you can get it here as well. I loved the pattern and it was super easy to follow.  I am now going to make the matching scarf for dh.  The hat is for someone else.  The good news both these patterns are free!!

  

 This hat pattern is called "Kool Hat," by Mei Lynne Travis from Yarngear.  I got the pattern from Raverly and Mei Lynne does have a blog, but I got an "unsafe," warning from my virus protection software when I tried to go into it.   I have sent her a message.  Regardless this is a great easy pattern and a fast knit and it too was free on Raverly, not sure if she has the same pattern on her blog though?

As I have said before, I will never be a champion knitter.  I know my limitations and when searching for patterns on Raverly I tend to tick off EASY as one option.  Saying that I will say I found these challenging enough not to make me sick of knitting them.  I like to have an interesting pattern, which is quick and easy as well.  I find Raverly as a great source for knitting and crochet patterns.

Today's Christmas song the latest from Pentatonix:

A new "toy" for us......

As the weather is getting cooler and probably more inclement we decided to buy ourselves a treadmill.  We picked it up at Canadian Tire in the Black Friday sales and have to say we are very pleased with it.  It is nothing fancy but it does the job.  We picked up this model, but only paid $500 for it, not the $1,999 it says online.

However, I will not be using it for a couple of days as I went and twisted my ankle yesterday while walking. I moved to one side to get out of the way of a large pick up truck and stood on a stone and slipped.  The guy in the pick up truck stopped and made sure I was okay, luckily he just rolled down his window and didn't get out of the truck,  I felt a right fool.

Anyway, I only suffered minor gravel rash on my knee, but I twisted my ankle, and as the day progressed it got worse.  So no walking for me for a couple of days to let my foot rest up.


This is an old song:

Cut it all out on Friday.......

Planned on spending Sunday sewing, which I did, then took another couple of days to finish it all off and here is what I made with that stash of material:

A Christmas gift of two hot pads for soup bowls, a key fob and a tissue holder.

 It's pretty neutral fabric, though the material with the writing on is in silver and gold.

 Another key fob and tissue holder for a gift.  The back of the tissue holder is the same as the key fob.

 The last two of the dolly blanket's.  Such bright fun material and perfect for little girls.

 This shows the inside with the pockets.  I posted a link to the tutorial on this blog post.

I can now return to my knitting.  I have a hat to finish knitting for a Christmas gift.  I will show you a photo when it's done.  Will say I am loving the pattern.

Have you finished all you Christmas shopping and gift making?

Another Christmas Song:

New Fitbit Friend...........

I have a new Fitbit friend.  She is actually one of dd's ex-bosses.  They are still very good friends, and I knew she did a lot of walking; and as she is on a years sabbatical from work she is doing even more walking. 

The rest of my Fitbit friends all work so don't do as much walking as I.  So dd hooked us both up and now we are Fitbit friends and have started a Workweek Hustle challenge.

You have to see how many steps you can do from 12:01 am Monday to 11:59 pm Friday.  This will motivate me to up my game I am sure.

I did have a good week this past week.  I walked 41.5 miles, and had over 97,000 steps.  It did help that the weather was pretty good all week as well.  I managed to so nearly 22,000 steps yesterday and earned another badge, my High Top one for walking 20,000 steps in one day.  So I was happy about that.

I have lost 31 lbs, so I am still slow and steady in that but at least I am not putting it back on.  I will have been walking six months on December 24th.

Oh and if I can do it, anyone can...........remember how I use to say I was allergic to exercise all the time?  Well it still applies, walking is about as much as I am willing to do but I like it so that's all that matters!!

Any other people using a Fitbit out there that would like to join in with future challenges?

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Giggle Girls Jewelry............

At the show on Saturday there was one vendor who was a 4 year old's dream...............Giggle Girls Jewelry.

My photo's don't do these necklaces any justice, they are really, really cute and are well worth the money.  

 They even had Christmas ones.

 Nora finally chose an Elsa necklace after much consideration.  She was busy eating a candy cane when I took this photo.

We headed back to the vendor later on to purchase a necklace for Nitara for her birthday and all the Elsa necklaces had gone.   They were super busy and I am guessing they had a good day with many sales.

This is an oldie from my youth..........

So very, very, very excited......

Got to see Peppa Pig in real life on Saturday!!!  We were at the Holiday Market in Whitby on Saturday.

DD said I was like a whirlwind pushing all the children aside so I could get close to Peppa..........she was exaggerating.......sort of, well a little bit...........

I did let Nora get in on the photo, but I HAD to stand next too Peppa!!

There will be more photos from the show tomorrow.

Today's Christmas Song is one of my all time favourites:

My very own Advent Calendar....

Am I a lucky girl or what?

There are so many advent calendars out there nowadays, ones with tea in them, like this one from David's Tea, which I am sure is already sold out:

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or one with smelly/beauty things in it, like this one from the Body Shop:

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I decided to go with this one:

 Lovely pictures inside of it:

 and this is what is inside door #1, gummy candies.  

I thought it would make a change from chocolate.

Do you have an advent calendar this year?

A Christmas song to start your day:

Bit of a mystery that needs solving?

Why is it when you put up the Christmas tree and decorations, you end up with bits of tree, glitter and Styrofoam from one end of the house to the other?

You then spend the rest of the day looking like this:

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It's as though the glitter takes on a life of its own and multiplies and spreads at a rate of knots?

It's a mystery that needs solving...........

Talking about glitter, you should take a look at this post from back in 2008, still as funny now as it was then!!

Paige's quilt (photo heavy)

Finally got it finished and have to say I am really pleased with it.  It's a good size at around 60 inches wide and over 70 inches in length.

The label I put on the quilt.

 The fabric on the right is from Halloween, November and the green on is from March.

 The bottom right is from February, and the bottom left one is from December.

 The fabric with rabbits on it is from April.

I hope she likes it.  Nora has hers on her bed, so uses it everyday.

Flu Shot

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For the first time ever DH and I got our flu shots.  Last time I was at the doctor's he said that DH really should have a flu shot because as he put it; 

"he is the poster boy of the people who really should have a flu shot."

His chest is so bad when he gets a cold, and unlike normal/regular people it takes him months to get rid of a cold.

As with most things in life it seems, he won't do these sort of things unless I do it.  The only thing I have refused point blank to do before him is get a colonoscopy..........no point in asking me why not!!!

We went to our local Wal-Mart where our pharmacy is and one of the pharmacists did it.  Very painless, quick and easy.  We even got a bandaid/plaster on our "wound," which I proudly showed Nora via Facetime.  She has a bandaid/plaster fetish!!  However she had a nicer bandaid on her knee (AGAIN!) which she had to show me.  No point in competing with a four year old as to who has the most and or better bandaids, it seems.

Do you get a flu shot?

Another Christmas Gift made........

This is a present for Jeina.  This is the outside

 This is the inside.

 Close up of inside, any idea what it is yet?

 It's a Baby Doll Pouch Blanket/Swaddle Wrap.  I found a pattern here, and have altered it to suit me.

 I added a snap so you can fold the bottom up and keep it up.

 I also added Velcro, so when you wrap the front over it will hold in place

 The baby doll and wrap are part of Jeina's Christmas present.

 I have three more to make now!!  I think the girls will love them.

I am finishing another one off, that I made in the 24 inch size as suggested in the original pattern.  Personally it is way too big.  So my material requirements are:

18 inch square of outside fabric.
18 inch square of inside fabric.
18 inch square of batting.
9 inch x 18 inch of fabric for pocket.
75 inches of binding for the edge
Velcro (optional)
Snap (optional)
Label (optional)

I will post a tutorial if requested.

Check List......

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Snow tires installed - check

Insurance company called to get 5% discount for installing snow tires - check

Information input into computer for a rebate on buying snow tires - check

Only going to get around $60 discount on insurance and $60 prepaid Visa card for the rebate.  However it's better that money in our pocket than in the companies pocket, right!!

Made out like a bandit..........

I have discovered a new to me fabric store.  It's called Hummingbird Sewing in Barrie, Ontario.  To save me travelling to drop off my quilt, when I wanted it sewn, Rose uses this store as a drop off and pick up point.  I signed up for their newsletter and emails, and got an email to let me know that on Wednesday they had a couple of special deals.  The zippers were buy one get one free and ten packages of buttons for $10.  There wasn't a great selection of zippers, but did pick up four for the price of two for my stash and get ten packages of buttons, as they are always handy to have on hand.

This is what I go for $10:

I was so pleased with what I chose, as they will be good for both knitting and sewing.  Not sure if you can see the prices, but the package with three buttons on them is normally $7 each package.  They are so pretty.  Not sure what I'll do with the spiders, probably something Halloween themed!

I had to go to Barrie for a couple of other things, so it was worthwhile me stopping by to pick these up.

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends south of the border, hope you have a lovely day!

Look what I saw in Wal-Mart...

Any thoughts!!  I am quite interested in this!!!  We all need help to poop better!!

What to do when it's cold and snowy outside......

Snuggle up under a quilt and sew the binding on it and that will keep you toasty warm.

Rose did a beautiful job again on this quilt; she also quilted Nora's quilt.  I will post a full photo of it when it is completely finished.  I love this material I used for the backing and binding, it's called Architextures for Robert Kaufman,  I have used the tangerine colourway on another quilt and this is the grey colourway.  I would use it again, it's a good neutral to use.

I got a number of pocket tissue covers and matching key fobs finished for the animal shelter also on the weekend.

That will have to do for them for the moment as I have some other sewing I need to get crossed of my list, including making Barbie clothes.  I have four "naked" Barbie dolls sitting on the dining room table, so need to make a wardrobe of clothes for them and the rest of Nitara's Barbies for her birthday in January.  

If anyone has some links for free Barbie clothes patterns please let me know.  I have found a couple but not 100% happy with them.  I also need to run up four Baby Doll Pouch Blanket's for the girls for Christmas, as I think both the big girls and the babies/little girls will enjoy them.

On a night I am tackling a knitting project and will show you that once I get a decent way into it.  I would like to get an adult hat also knit before Christmas as well as a little present for someone.  All in all I have plenty to keep me out of mischief for the forseable!!

Are busy with making things for Christmas?

Walking the Serengeti

I am not walking the actual Serengeti, but I did just get the Fit Bit badge for walking a total of 500 miles since I started walking.  Not bad since the end of June.  

"You may not have seen wildebeasts, giraffes or zebras on this trek, but you have walked 500 miles—the same distance as the Serengeti, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World."

I am still enjoying my walking, especially as it is a lot cooler now, which to my mind is perfect walking weather.  I am not happy walking when it's stinking hot, pouring with rain and I guess I'll not be happy when it's snowing like crazy and is icy.

I am down between 26 to 28lbs, I seem to fluctuate with those two pounds, but I am still holding steady with my weight, which is good.  If I made more of an effort I would lose more, but I am enjoying this slow and steady weight loss as it doesn't feel like hard work.

My next badge I am working towards is Italy which is 736 miles walked.  Hoping to get that by the end of January/beginning of February.  I would also like to earn the High Tops badge which is 20,000 steps in one day......but I don't think that will be happening any time soon.  If I get over 10,000 steps per day I am a happy camper.

This Fit Bit is keeping me motivated and I would highly recommend getting one.

Disappointed in myself........

Without going into full details or name names I am disappointed in myself that I have let the actions of a couple of people hurt me and have let them walk over me and make me do things I don't want to do.

I need to stand up for myself more and gain a stronger back bone to deal with these things. Oh and more importantly say NO, instead of yes.

Enough said.............

Paper clips...........

Do you know that the Paper Clip was invented in 1899 or 1901 depending on what you read by a Norwegian called John Vaaler.

There is an article here called 10 facts about Paperclips.

Do you remember back in 2005 when a Canadian traded a red paperclip and ended up with a house?  You can read more about it here.

One of the most expensive paper clips must be this Prada one:

You can read more about it here.  Personally I have better things to do with $185 USD.

Do you know paper clips are popular to use in arts and crafts?  Neither did I, here is a couple of links that you may find interesting.  Here and here.

Finally why did I write a post about paper clips..........no idea😊

4 already............

Can you believe it Nora is 4 today?

This photo was taken earlier in the month.  Both girls are tall for their age, we're expecting a 5' 7" + girl out of Nora, and the same for Paige.

The past four years have flown by.  She started school in September and loves to write her name and everyone else's.  Has a new best friend called Olivia.  Is the only child I know who LOVES going to the doctors.  She is the doctors best child patient and will do anything she asks of Nora.

She is also a hypochondriac as well😏 and her parents should take shares out in the band aid/plaster industry as they go through that many.  At any given time Nora has a band aid on her body somewhere.  She's full of questions and loves her sister, except when Paige pulls off Nora's band aids in the bath tub!!

We love all our grandchildren equally and all of them are a delight, but on this day, it's all about Nora.  On Saturday all the grandchildren are getting together at The Build A Bear for a birthday party and it will be crazy but fun.

Happy Birthday Miss Nora, we love you ever so much!

I need an intervention......or a cleaner!!

This is what our dining room table looks like at the moment:

The sad thing about all this, is I actually know what everything is for.  I just need to spend a day sewing and get the place tidied up!!!

Meanwhile I posted three new book reviews on my Book Review Blog here.

Oh and yes you can blame me for snow, as I did wash my car on Tuesday morning.  It was above freezing, so thought I'd take advantage of it!

Countdown to Christmas is now on.....

Now that Remembrance Day is over I can now fully concentrate on getting things organized for Christmas.  I am probably 80% done with my Christmas shopping.  Do have to start on writing Christmas cards.  The house is to decorate, but that will wait until the end of the month.

Christmas is made a bit easier for me, as I put money away each and every week for it, so there is always money in the pot and no worrying about having to pay for everything.

For Christmas this year dh and I are going to see the musical Bat Out Of Hell and are buying snow tires for the car.

Just in case you are wondering there are 40 days until Christmas and you can always check here to make sure 😊

If you celebrate Christmas, how are you getting on with your preparations?

An Ugly Christmas Sweater? I don't think so.........

I actually don't think this is so bad, do you?

Not bad for a spider and Merry Christmas Olive and Rhubarb.....

That is one cute sounding spider!!

Dd wanted a new cat bed for her two cats, so I made one.  I bought a Giant Whale pillow from Wal-Mart, at $5 + taxes for the middle of the cushion.

 The front/top of the cat bed is made using 100% cotton fabric called Fur Ball (very appropriate I thought!) Tabby Road by Tula Pink.

 The back cover is made using brown minky.  I hate sewing with minky, as bits get everywhere!!

I have a feeling though the cats will have to fight with the girls to claim it as their own.

The colours did not photograph up well at all.  It is a yellow orange on the background with a bright red orange as the fur balls.  Olive and Rhubarb will be getting their Christmas present early; this weekend.