Run for the Cure

Also during my blogging absence this summer I have taken the time to start tracking what i was eating (using My Fitness Pal app) and running.  Happy to say I have lost 5 lbs.  

I can tell you that it took a lot of determination to get me going. I have never been athletic. I hated gym class in elementary. Tried to get out of class in Junior High.  Didn't even take PE class in high school.  In college I took tennis because the coach was easy on me. 

 I started walking again in May/June increasing my distances to 6-7km. 

I then downloaded and used the training program '30min run in 6 weeks' (within the Runtastic app).   I started slowly with 1 min runs and 2 min walks and built up from there.  I even managed to keep up with my training while on vacation too.  The best run was joining my sister for a short trail run. 

Early September I decided to see if I could work myself up to 5km.  I was successful a few times!

From there I decided to sign up for the CIBC Run for the Cure 5km run.

Today was the day!

I joined over 7000 participants in Calgary.

pre run 

warm up

capturing my time

post run photo and nutrients

What an amazing event.  There were bands playing along the route.  People decorated there houses in pink.  'Bra'  flags hanging from trees, fences and telephone poles. I so wanted to stop and take pictures but didn't want to stop running either.  The support was unbelievable.  

I hope that the donations raised by everyone today can help to continue to fight for a cure. 

Lee

P.S. don't forget to check your breasts regularly!

Are you coming?

This Saturday and Sunday is the annual Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park in Calgary, AB.  I have gone for the last 4 years to view the wonderful quilts hanging amongst the vintage homes and businesses.   Sometimes I go alone and sometimes with a friend. This year I will be with a friend who is new to quilting.  

http://www.heritagepark.ca/special-events/festivalOfQuilts.php

For the first time I will have one of my quilts on display.  My '430 Days'  quilt will be laid out on an old bed, or hanging from a fence, or from the balcony of the hotel.  I am excited to see where it will be? (it's #61)

If you are in Calgary you must drop by to see all the quilting goodness.  I will be in Gasoline Alley at the Millrise Quilt Guild table from 9:30-1:00 on Sunday.  Drop by to say hi.  On Saturday you will find me wandering around taking pictures and maybe shopping browsing in the merchant mall. 

Happy Stitching,

Lee

Now let's hope this rain stops in time on Saturday for quilts to be outside!!!

What to do?

This

or

this

We have had a wonderful May with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, at last.  With the wonderful weather comes garden work. I have had resign myself I can't do it all right now so my sewing time is very limited these days. 

It is hard to choose which hobby to do.  

But as the saying goes:

 Make hay (flowers) while the sun shines! 

Happy stitching or digging!

 (we might have a couple of rainy days coming up, so maybe I can get some sewing in.)

MIA

I will be MIA in the coming weeks as I will be attending  a few  dance competitions!

Daughter #2 will be competing in three competitions in 6 different numbers.  It is a busy time in our house. I love watching her on stage.  It will be a little different this year since with daughter #1 is not competing after many years.  She does continue dancing at university 

Not much time for sewing that is for sure. 

Until next time,

Happy Stitching

Lee

p.s. wish her luck!

inspiration

As many of you know I recently traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

I loved the sights of the city. I loved their architecture which had many italian and spanish influences.

 

I found quilting inspiration in many interesting places. 

 Tile floor through out the Recolta Cemetery 

floor inside the Teatro Colon, an amazing Opera house

Again in the Teatro Colon
Can't you see this as an appliqué?

Around the pool deck
Check out the corner stone

tile floor outside a huge cathedral 

rows are so straight

Where have you found quilting inspiration? 

Blog Hop Party with Giveaway

 

Its that time of the year again. Time for some fun hopping all over the world from the comfort of your own chair and computer.

Speaking of around the world. I was recently on a trip far away from home.  

Anyone recognize which city I was in?   

I will have a give away for two of my pouches 

(small and medium size, fabric to be chosen by me)

Leave a comment here telling me where you think I was and tell me how far away from home you have ever travelled. 

 This trip took me over 10,000km (6800mi) away from home!

If you so desire become a follower and you won't miss out on my ramblings

Good luck and have fun hopping! Don't forget to go to the Quilting Gallery late Friday afternoon to see all the other hoppers.

Lee

Thanks for stopping by
Give away now closed. 
off to make some pouches!

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Travel safely. maybe squeeze in some quiet stitching time

too.

happy Canada Day.

Wishing all my fellow Canadians a wonderful Canada. We live in a great country! May your celebrations be wonderful. Travel safely and enjoy the holiday.

Happy Birthday Canada

Still around

Sorry again for my lack of blogging.  Renovations continue at our house, leaving me little time for blogging or quilting.

Since our kitchen is a bit messy with cardboard on counters, no cupboards; most of our meals (if you can call them that) are eaten/prepared on my sewing table with supplies in the plug in cooler in the basement. Note the toaster on the cutting table behind.  Therefore not much sewing is happening these days. 

We have progress with the renos.  The girls bathroom is being grouted today.  Paint is going on my bedroom today!! Windows and have been installed and trim and baseboard installed. Bathroom vanities are in place awaiting counters!  I think some Kitchen cupboards might be going up in the kitchen too.  There must be at least 5-6 workers above me (I am held up in the basement with a sick child) clumping around.  I won’t complain, cause I know work is getting done.

We are getting a bit restless with our living arrangements,  but the end is in site, thank goodness. 

What else have we been up too?  Well we had a little break and went to visit friends in Phoenix in March. Of course no trip to the US would be complete without a stop at a few quilting shops. I also visited the Sew n Vac store in Gilbert, but forgot to take a picture.

We have also started the girls dance competition season.  We had one already in Red Deer, Alberta for 4 days.  Our next one is in Banff, AB and then lastly here in Calgary.  #1 son moves home this weekend. Not really sure where he will sleep as hubby is in his bed.   and me on pull out couch. 

So as you can see I am not sitting idle with all this going on.  I just wish I could get back to sewing!!!!!  

How are you all doing?  Getting lots accomplished or is ‘life’ getting in the way too?

Happy stitching

 

Lee

I have been busy….

but not with sewing. And no we are not moving…well not moving houses.  We are starting the process of renovating our 21 year old house.  It is time for a face lift. So I have been busy packing up the main floor, our bedroom and the second floor bathrooms. Packing things into boxes and them hiding them into nooks and crannies in our basement.  I have resolved myself that some things will have to go in the garage and maybe over to my neighbours.

Fortunately my friend just moved and saved most of her boxes and some packing paper too!!!!Bare shelves

Bare walls

Its getting empty and it kind of echoes in the house now!!!

I hope once all the packing up is done I can get back to a little bit of sewing, but who knows.

Any advice on living through these renovations?

Happy Valentine’s Day

I hope everyone’s sweeties spoils them on this Valentine’s Day. 

I made this quilt last year.

I was delighted to show it off this year!!

Happy Stitching and Happy Valentine’s Day

no sew day!

I was a little bit busy defrosting my freezer.

Its all clean now and ready to be filled again

A winner has been choosen!

And the winner is......

SHORTBREAD -16

that is the most popular cookie on my very random Christmas cookie survey.

followed by:

 Peanut Butter cookies - 11 including Buckeyes

Gingerbread/molasses - 8

Chocolate cookies -7

Sugar or cut out cookies - 5

tied with -3

Coconut macaroons

Snowballs

Mexican wedding

tied with - 2

Mint

Oatmeal

Thumbprints

Pecan

Pizzelle

others:

Mince pies

Bourbon balls

haystacks

Brunsli

Springerlie

Kourambiedes

Italian

Cake Batter

They all sound delicous and I loved the stories behind them. Thanks for sharing.

My cookie try last year!

Oh we also have a winner of the give-a-way.

Random number gadget chose #35.

Sheila (Sheila's Quilt World):
"I love shortbread cookies at Christmas, always a treat"

Thanks for becoming a new follower too Sheila. (not sure where you are from but I will be sending you an email.)

Thank you to all of you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment and for becomming new followers. I was thrilled everyday to see you had stopped by.

I will have some finishes to post later this week...but for now back to more baking!!

Until next time,

Happy Stitching, or baking, or shopping, or wrapping, or decorating or whatever you are doing!!

Lee

update

Once again it has been awhile since i posted. I guess I have had some busy weeks.   Since my last posting I have:

• I got my hair cut a lot shorter
• continue with domestic duties (they never end)
• did a bit of purging around the house
• finished my placemats
• finished a wall hanging...only had the sleeve to hand stitch
• started quilting my sister's quilt with a new to me stitch
• went to Vancouver an extended weekend to university shop with #2
• celebrated her 17th birthday this week (that is hard to believe)
• started on a string quilt because I wanted to
• finished up all the after items for the Silent Auction I organized (we raised over $16,000)
• tidied up the yard for winter
• survived my husband gone on a 2 week business trip
• continuing to plan for our upcoming renovations, so meeting with trades etc
• sewed a computer bag and matching pouch for a friend

Now I need to get some photos up of all that I have been doing.   Off to take pictures, so I guess this will be a two part post......stay tuned!  (oh and get some housework done)

In the meantime, answer this: 

Do you ever sew just 'cause? 

What is your 'just 'cause' reason?

Happy Stitching

Lee

Post Halloween

Mom can you please make me a costume!

ok no Ruby slippers, this is before Dorothy gets to the Emerald City!

#2 just has to get in the picture

Goofy Dorothy!

The candy haul after 2.5 hrs of trick or treating!

Need I say anything more!