Wow... A Lot Has Happened!

I wont' be able to catch up on all the things that have happened in the last year and a bit. However, here is a synopsis of what I remember to have happened between the last post of June 25, 2011 and now October 13, 2011.

Finished my Masters and Graduated!!
Worked the whole 2011-2012 school year in a Grade 1 class that I totally enjoyed!!!!
Went to the World Juniors in Edmonton.
Celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
Went to Hawaii to celebrate.
Flew to Ontario to visit my family - twice.
First niece to get married - Janine.
First Grand Nephew born - Samuel.
Camped a few times at the Shuswap Provincial Park.
Zach graduated from High School.
Sent two sons to University this year - Trinity Western University.
Booked Christmas vacation at Sun Peaks, Kamloops.
Did not get a job for the 2012-2013 school year - so far, but I am still trying.

There, those are the biggest things. Now I sit here with a Saturday alone and catch up on lots of things that I have neglected.

SUMMER TIME!!!

It is the beginning of summer break and the possibilities are endless. The "to do" list is long but doable. However,  I will be spending 6 of the 10 weeks in school. I will miss a niece's wedding. I will miss celebrating and supporting my brother and sister-in-law as they give their daughter away to her loving husband. I will miss seeing my parents this year. I will miss shopping at my favourite villages and towns in Ontario. I will miss the Shaw Festival. I will miss seeing my sister's new house. I will miss Niagara Falls at night (very entertaining). I will miss the excitement of traveling. Instead I will be spending this summer in books trying my best to stay focused on the contents within. I will be writing essays, preparing presentations, and cramming for exams. Two more classes to complete, but they have to be during the summer break when so much else is happening.

So here I start at the beginning of a project of patience and endurance. I will let you all know how it goes.

Before and After Project Zachery

 My middlest baby boy has turned 17! Happy birthday Kiddo! I love everything about you. I love your smile, your personality, your creativeness and your attention to detail. My life would not be complete without you. I wish you all the best, the joy, and the dreams you have for the future. 

 

Moments after they got Zachery breathing and I had a chance to look closely at my second son.  



Zach was a perfect little baby. He would sleep any where, any time, any place. Gotta love that.



Always a character.

Zach has grown into a wonderful teenaged man. He looks pretty much like this except he has dyed his hair brown for
Halloween and the orginial colour has never returned. He also has a full beard. His beard is multicoloured.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year everyone! May this be a fantastic year of CREATIVITY for you and your family. Here's to many more Before and After Projects! Watch here for many more projects in the before and after stage!

Love Veronica

Before and After Project #4 - Christmas Mittens

I wanted to make some gifts for my friends this year. I live in a new town since the last time I made these Christmas Mittens...so I thought...why not give it a go. I scrounged into the sewing boxes that have yet to be unpacked from the move (6.5 years ago) and found the long lost pattern. The pattern originates from a 12 or 13 year old Martha Stewart Magazine. Yup, that is before her time in jail. This pattern is old.....but with the adjustments I made....It still creates a perfect cozy warm mitten.  I had to venture to the fabric store in my newish town. Haven't done that in a VERY long time. Found the perfect Christmas colours and voila!

The cutting stage.

Close up of the pattern perfected.

Ready for the sewing assembly line.

Mittens in the various stages of sewing.

Mittens all done and ready to warm the hands of my friends. 

I hope they go over well. They are just so super cozy and comfortable and have a cuff that doesn't allow any air to creep up through your mittens. I will be sporting this new fashion along with 5 of my friends. I hope they like.

PS possibly have some extra pairs for sale.....$8.00 a pair plus the cost of shipping.
If you are interested in more than 1 pair ... leave a message and I will contact you.

Before and After Project #3 - Fall Quilt

On my recent trip to Vancouver I stopped at some scrapbook stores and some quilting stores and stocked up on some great items to be crafty come September. Maybe even earlier. I have also cleaned my scraproom/craftroom to make room for all my ingenious ideas and projects of which there are many. My friend Kelli inspired me to get some fabric and to start making stuff. I wonder who will be the recipient of my craftiness this year? So here is a photo of the beautiful materials purchased!

 I think I my love of quilting has finanlly re-emerged.  I was inspired by a small quilt shop that my oldest son and I found in Fort Langley and also the absolutely gorgeous fall colours found in the materials that I picked up. I am at the point where I have to actually quilt the project. I am trying to make my new sewing machine stipple the quilt. I have not been able to get the tension just right. I am still getting loops on the underside of the quilt. I have changed the tension various ways and still end up with the same result. I supposed I am in need of some  more testing. So here is a picture of the quilt so far. It is absolutely perfect! It looks even richer in real life! I can harldy wait to get the sewing machine working to my liking and finish this project!

Before and After Project #2 - River Valley Trails

We have got to live in the most picturesque area of BC and we are so lucky to have amazing trails and parks. This morning we walked down the River Valley trails park for about 5 km. This is Erik's favourite area because he has been keeping track of the local beaver's activities down there. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning! I know Jeremy doesn't look so thrilled....he gets dragged along to everything....but them's the breaks when you are the only kids at home!

I had a chance to scrap these pages. They look similar, but I like doing that when we are on the same excursion. LOVE THE FALL COLOURS! They are just snuggle up welcoming!