Projects and inspiration - quilting

Last year, my New Year's goal was to learn how to crochet.  Check.  This year, I want to learn how to quilt.  Part of my interest in doing so is the legacy left to us by Jeff's grandmother.  We have been very fortunate to have inherited some of Winifred's magical quilts.  The first was this stunner that she made for Jeff in advance of his wedding day.  Sadly, she passed away many years before Jeff and I even met, but somehow, she managed to capture some of me in the quilt too.

Mountains and trees and deer.  Amazing.

 

A little threadbare, but I love the fabric and colours she chose. 

Others are more utilitarian, but my favourite is one that was more or less relegated to a junk pile.  After collecting one of her beautiful old bookshelves from its place of storage, I was delighted to find this beauty being used as a storage cover.  It has been, as they say, well loved.  I desperately want to revitalise it, and I also want to start a legacy of my own.

Gus loves the quilt. 
Gus also loves eating the quilt.

 

I'm less concerned about 'theme' than most.

Knowing this (and because he is wonderful) Jeff bought me a certificate for a quilting class at Patch Halifax.  I had a tremendous amount of creating a quilt as you go pillowcase.  I immediately went out and picked myself up the necessary accessories (I do love accessories) to be able to quilt at home.  The class also inspired me to begin working on the restoration of the quilt.  First, I trimmed the torn, aged and dissolving edges.  I hope to patch the threadbare sections with bits and bobs leftover from other projects, and edge the quilt in bias tape that was in a grab-bag of goodies at Value Village.  I feel like it will be slow going, but that it will be a truly granny-chic masterpiece when all is said and done!

Granny chic to the max.

Here's to inspiration.

xoxo

s.

just biss

Back on December 31, Jeff and I started our gratitude journal.  The initial goal was to capture 5 things we are thankful for, everyday.  So, far, Jeff has a total of 0 entries, but honestly, he doesn't need a constant reminder about positivity.  I am the one that lives with anxiety and depression.  It turns out that 5 can be pretty darn tricky to come up with each day.  Most day look pretty similar:

Stay positive and hug your wieners.

1) cuddle time with the wieners

2) a delicious meal

3) my amazing husband.

Numbers 4&5 can vary or can be absent all together.

Not Pretty

But this week has provided a couple of opportunities for gratitude.

Pretty!

1) I am thankful that we have house insurance.  The snow/ice misery that has been Halifax has created a very pretty effect on the house.  Beautiful ice formations have created a sculpted roof line punctuated with gorgeous icicles and f#@king ice damming.

Pretty!



Not Pretty.

2) I am thankful that we have the means to enjoy a concert from time to time. And, in particular, I am thankful that we decided on Dan Mangan + Blacksmith, who absolutely rocked the Rebbecca Cohen on February 18th.  It was the first night of their tour and they were full of nerves, which translated into manic energy and an edge of your seat performance.  Strobe lights and perfect seats, dead centre and directly in front of the soundboard, holy shit.  Also, this was Dan's second time at the Cohen. The first was as part of Halifax Pop Explosion a couple of years ago, playing with the symphony.  While a great show, I felt that it was a bit tentative. I've seen him use his voice to full effect, and with the symphony, I felt he was holding back.  The Cohen is also a room specifically designed for full sound, and this time he filled it.  The band keeps getting tighter and the addition of a trumpet gave more depth to some already deep sounds. A magnificent show.

Fancy pictures by Jeff...no heads in the way courtesy of someone's friend in the row in front of us not showing up.

Pupternity leave

Well, a leave from my blog, since furbabies are not recognised as a need for actual leave.  Jeff, Fin, Batty and I welcomed a new member to our clan on January 3.  Well, kind of.  Batty isn't the most welcoming of kitties at the best of times, and yet another canine invading her home has left her a little grumpier than usual.  Still...Fin is now a big brother (and no one has ever called him 'big' before!) to a little wiener we call Ferguson, or Gus for short (really short).

So, all this to say , my lack of posting is more about a lack of spare time, not about a lack of things happening.  This is Gus, in all his puppy adorableness. 

It should be noted that both Fin and Gus are very social media savvy pups.  Jeff has them both on

the Twitter @Finn_and_Gus
the Facebook @ Finnegan MacWiener
the Vine @finn_and_Gus

And I post a disproportionate number of wiener pictures on Instagram @finandbatty

so that you can keep up on all the wiener dog antics.

xo
<3 Fin and Gus (and Batty)