Crafty Cottage Week & new support for the gals!

I just had a lovely crafty retreat week at a cottage in Minden. The bugs were hell, but it didn't matter since my friend and I went there to craft our hearts out.

Here are a few shots of what I accomplished:


Me starting on curtains for the nursery.



The finished product! I took ready-made panels on 50% sale at Fabricland, shortened them and jazzed them up with ribbon and cool tie-backs.



Shot of baby cardigan almost finished. I struggled to darn in the ends and sew it up enough to finish the edging. I've developed pregnancy related tingly/numb hands, so holding the darning needle was torture!



Encouraged by my quilting friend T I helped stitch and design the beginning stages of this quilt. It may take us another year to get together for some dedicate quilting time, but at least we've started it!

I also made progress on my top secret knit project and I was able to start the summer shrug. I think I will get the sleeves and edging done this weekend. I'll have to pass it off to someone to darn and sew for me. My numb little fingers just can't take it.


Hubby stayed with us for the first two days. At week's end we missed him so much we resurrected this sad baking potato in his image. It was T's inspired idea. I loved it!



25 week self portrait! Baby likes to hang out on the left side, down low. The midwife says her head is low right and her back, bum, and legs are low left. Otherwise known as oblique position.

I found out the hard way that I can no longer wear underwire bras. My belly has grown so much it reaches my boobs. The underwire rubs the skin on top of my belly raw. Ouch! I've since been fitted with a very comfortable bra at Secret's From Your Sister. Thank you Sista!

long awaited vacation report

View my SF vacation report here. Sorry for the delay!

Vacation report

We arrived home yesterday from our 6 day adventure in San Fran. SF rocks! We both loved it!

Here are a few highlights...

A peaceful walk in Muir Woods



A shared lunch at Moishe Pippic's on Hayes. Holy cow, was it amazing! We earned it, having walked 4 miles from our hotel exploring the city.




The historic streetcars are actually quite charming, although noisy. We took this streetcar from the Castro back to our hotel near 3rd and Market(same day as the 4 mile walk).




High-end Mexican dinner at Maya on 2nd Street




Alcatraz! I know, I know, I'm surprised that I liked it as much as I did. The audio tour that leads you through the Cell House is really, really good! The Eucalyptus tree was in bloom on the island and it smelled wonderful!





We also were completely spoiled by Marvin's cousin and aunt. We enjoyed a few meals with them in San Bruno and SF. Here we are at Hunan Home's on Jackson in SF.




After dinner Cousin J took us on a two hour car tour around some SF neighbourhoods we hadn't reached yet, including the Coit Tower. Wonderful views of the city!





On our last day, we were lucky to share time with our lovely friend from Toronto! It was her birthday the next day and she was in SF coincidentally overlapping our trip.




I don't have a photo of our hotel, but I can't say enough good things about the Galleria Park Hotel (a Joie de Vivre hotel). The room was cozy, but comfortable with lovely linens, a wonderful deep tub and shower, and modern EQ 3 type furniture. Within 5 minutes of settling into our room the Guest Services staff called to inquire if the room was satisfactory. An hour later a small bottle of wine, four chocolate mints, and a handwritten note welcoming us to the hotel arrived at our door. Lovely!

Vacation... aaaaaahhhh!

As usual, the week leading up to my vacation was a bit stressful. I usually wait too long to take my next vacation and this time was no different. I try to jam too many client appointments in before I leave and this time I've done the same thing for the week I get back. Now that my vacation is here, I've had a little sigh of relief.

This early Spring vacation is starting with a nice weekend with Hubby and a mix of friend and family visits, as well as prep for our six day trip to San Francisco. San Francisco! I can't wait! We are planning on taking some City Guided tours and a trip to Muir Woods. I'm also looking forward to doing as the locals do at a cafe or park.

Lots o' stuff

As promised, here is a mish-mash of updates and interesting tidbits.

Here's me cutting a delicious carrot cake I made for a Girls' Night at S's home in November.



Here are some of the carrot cake fans:



And another big fan:



She also likes Scooby-Do books and Spider Man! She's so cool! I dig her!

On a trip to Montreal earlier this year, I started working on creating a baby blanket pattern. I found the Catherine Wheel design in a book of trims and patterns. Here is a shot of the gauge swatch for the blanket.



Here's a picture of Hubby and our friends waiting for our Porter Air flight to Montreal.


I feel like I'm putting my neck out a bit admitting that we took Porter Air. I am only slightly ashamed to admit that it was pure luxury and I would do it again in a second. In the picture above we are sitting in the self-serve kitchenette in the Porter Air lounge with its unlimited and complimentary snacks and bevies. These are no cheapie snacks either - espresso, cappuccino, juices, trail mix, and quite yummy cookies.

They even served lunch on the plane with your choice of wine or beer! I was so excited that I took a couple of pictures! Here is lunch container:



Here is what was inside!



Hubby and I shared our sandwiches for a little variety. It was all delicious!

So, the Catherine Wheel baby blanket was born on our little adventure to Montreal. Here is the finished product and a detail shot:





This lovely green blanket has a happy home in Winnipeg with the scrumptious little daughter of my childhood friend.

Special thanks to my Knitomatic SnB gals for good feedback on this blanket. After searching and thinking and searching and thinking about the border, I took Haley's advice and went with a simple single and double crochets. Leona also gave me good advice about the tension and hook size. The second attempt at this pattern has been crocheted with Hook size I rather than H. (I haven't yet photographed the second blanket).

You may recall the beginnings of my turtle baby project. Here he is!



This critter was just sent to a sweet little Ladybug in Calgary whom I hope to meet someday.

There is more to tell, but my bed beckons. Plumbing stories can wait.