Just Wishing and Hoping

I want to sew, but I know I should be working on my thesis. Seriously, this thesis thing sucks. Hard core. To cope, I allow myself to surf a few certain internet sites much too frequently. Sanity is just as important as a degree. Am I right? The last thing I made was a Halloween costume. I learned how to do a bubble hem skirt which was so incredibly easy. Cora loved the overkill of pink. I thought it looked like she threw up peptobismol, but it worked.

So, instead of sewing, I have been daydreaming. I thought it was going to be hard to find fabric I like for a baby boy. Not so! Here are just a few that have caught my eye in the last couple of weeks. This was only the icing on the cake. I guess having a daughter had blinded to me to all the wonderful "boy" fabrics there are. I still have not fallen in love with boy clothing patterns yet. I envision a mini-Lee that looks like me. Hey, he got a mini-Sascha that looks like him. It's the least I could ask for. :) Anyways, I guess I had better try my hand at plaid button-up shirts.

I bought Lee a new tent for Christmas. Our 3-person backpacking tent was getting a little tight with two adults, one kid, and a dog, so we upgraded to a good ol' car camping tent. Yep, we've become that family. Introducing the REI Kingdom 4!

What in the world does this have to do with sewing? Since we'll have a brand spanking new baby this summer, we definitely need a nice big quilt that we can all fit on. A quilt with a laminate back side. Otherwise known as a PICNIC BLANKET!! Woot! :) Check out this laminate. It's much to busy for a front, but perfect for a waterproof backside. Next project, maybe??

The other thing I have been wasting my time with is daydreaming. Daydreaming about silly stuff like what color walls I would paint my bedroom if I could. And, then. It happened. The unexpected of all unexpected. I was nearly moved to tears. Well, that could be this pregnancy hormonal shit, but I digress. Anna Maria Horner has turned my absolute, all-time favorite fabric, into a rug. I shit you not. Begin hyperventilation. I love this fabric so much that I backed a queen size quilt in it. And, put it on the front, in two different colors. And bought it in home-dec weight to make a bag for my mother-in-law. I'm psychotic.

 OMG. Amazing, right? To top it off she threw in another one that I might, dare I say, like more. Hello RUGS! I may have to invest. I wonder how well they are made?

Mmmm, on second thought, I can't cheat on my first true fabric obsession. That is what is on my mind this lovely Friday night. I think I should put the thesis to the side for an afternoon/evening and sew. Yeah, that sounds good.

Over and Out,
Sascha

Reflections of the season

As I sit here with my hands wrapped around a warm mug of spiced orange tea, watching the snow fall gently onto a blanket of white outside with the smell of Christmas cookies wafting through the house and my parents at the table with me laughing about the memories of the past year, I…..

Okay, fine. The above sentiment is stretching it a bit. To be fair I AM drinking tea, but doing so while looking out at a sea of dead brown grass--the first non-white Minnesota Christmas I can remember in a long time. My dad is sitting in the other room reading random news online and my mom is warming up leftovers for lunch. And I’m getting ready to put in a couple hours of work. Cue the Debbie Downer music….wha whaaaa.

But in reality, it’s not so bad. After thinking about where I was last year at this time—sitting at this same table unemployed—I’m grateful to HAVE a job. And it’s lovely to be back at home on vacation, rather than in a state of limbo wondering where I’m going to end up next. I’m happy that my family is lucky enough to have enough food to eat on Christmas day, let alone a surplus of yummy treats to be considered “leftovers.” And as far as my dad sitting on the couch reading about (get ready for this) “ion propulsion” for “satellites and stuff like that,” well, I’m just relived that I’m not the only one in the family who reads weird articles online for kicks. It’s turning out to be a Merry Christmas after all.

But enough reflection for the time-being—let’s get on to some projects! The below little headband I actually started early this year in MN at my favorite little knitting shop. It’s technically an ear-covering, but I wear it more as an accessory. Kim Ong made a beautiful one as well (and totally put me to shame by finishing it in a proper amount of time; read: anything less than 6 months). Hers has buttons but my button holes left a little to be desired, so I decided to close it with a broach—a decision which postponed the finished product another couple of weeks while I embarked on a broach search. In any case, I’m happy with it except for the fact that I put it on upside down for the picture so you can’t see the cabling. I’m too lazy to do a second take, hence the name “lazy winter headband.” Here’s the link for the pattern: http://www.plantsworld.net/maja/D__Lazy_Winter.pdf

Project number two was commissioned by my sister as a present for my niece—an owl winter hat. http://evelynnsmommy.blogspot.com/2009/12/owl-hat-pattern.html I actually completed this in a decent timeline. It has its imperfections, but I think it’s pretty darn cute.

So that’s what I’ve been up to--projects and reading weird articles online. Speaking of which, here’s an good one. Kim O—I was thinking of Aaron when I discovered this little gem: http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/21/9614979-why-does-running-make-my-nose-run

Cheers my loves—may you be in a state of contentment, reflection, and perhaps craft-ment this Christmas Day.

Christmas Crafts

I know it’s not even November, but there has been talk swirling in the air regarding another craft swap, this time with a winter theme. Some folks thought it would be fun to leave the craft up to the creator’s imagination, rather than having everyone create a specific “thing.” I thought I’d put the feelers out in the blogosphere, and in my infinite wisdom decided to google image search “winter crafts” to get into the spirit. About 90% of what I saw were kid’s crafts, presumably intended as presents. Some of these “gifts” reminded me why I need to mature a bit more before having children, if only in the hope that with time I’ll be able to better appreciate what little hands make. Because right now, I don’t. For example:

Exhibit A:

What purpose does this serve? Is this supposed to be “cute”? I find it rather morbid and depressing. “Look mom, I made you a dying snowman! Merry Christmas!”

Exhibit B:

I really don’t like popsicle stick crafts. I feel they’re a cop out somehow. To make this little gem you need the following: 3 craft sticks for each snowflake; white glue [racists!]; glitter, buttons, sequins, craft jewels, etc. They forgot to mention talent.

Exhibit C:

WTF? If I were a bird, I would turn up my beak at this monstrosity. At least make it in the shape of a bell or something. This looks disgusting.

Exhibit D:

And finally…this. I think it speaks for itself.

Okay, no it doesn’t—I have to chime in. Here is the caption that accompanied this item:

"Q: (from "Christa) Oh, there are so many questions that I'd like to ask, but I'm going to keep it simple tonight. You are all very creative and craft and I'm wondering if you have any great ideas for some fun winter crafts.

A: Well Christa, I don't know how crafty we are but we sure are required to get crafty in the dead of winter. or maybe we get a little crazy? Here is one simple idea of craft fun with some things you probably already have in your pantry somewhere."

Hey Christa--I also have a bottle of booze in my pantry, which clearly I loaded up on before coming up with this fantastic craft idea!

Anyway, I’m confident we can do better with our Christmas craft swap. And if you draw my name, don’t worry—I promise I’ll love whatever you make. (As long as it’s not constructed out of popsicle sticks.)

Life has a way of working out

(I wrote this while camping near Pincher this past August, and just found it again in my little notebook. :-) Thought I'd share it.)

It is amazing how one's life can change in the course of a year. Twelve months ago today I was preparing to leave the home I had known for the past three years and say goodbye to the amazing friends I had made there. If someone told me that I would be enjoying my 27th birthday with some of those same friends by my side, I wouldn't have believed it. After all, we would soon be living in multiple different places, spread out between two countries. And I was moving back to Minnesota with no clear picture of what I was going to do there--a disconcerting thought to say the least.

I used to be a planner. From my profession (a veterinarian) to the number of horses I would have (4), my life was drawn out like a story book from the age of five. I took solace in knowing the title of the next chapter and exactly how many pages it contained. My goals were more or less written in stone with no foreseeable obstacles keeping me from chiseling in completion checkmarks one by one. Fifteen years of planning were suddenly thrown to the wind as I decided in my 3rd year of college that graduate school in Canada would be a better fit for me than vet school in the midwest USA. My concrete goals weren't as indestructible as I had thought, and to say I was anxious about this decision (i.e. lack of planning) would be an enormous understatement. For one of the first times in my life, I was questioning not only my immediate plans, but the plans I had made for the rest of my life. Was giving up vet school the right choice? I just couldn't shake the feeling that decisions could only be viewed as "right" or "wrong," and there was no way to know what to choose except through experience, by which time it would be too late.

Moving to Canada brought with it so many new and different experiences, and I soon realized that I may never know if I made the "right" choice, but I was confident that it was a good one. My entire outlook--including the way I set my goals--had changed. My time here required flexibility, an open mind, but most importantly an open heart. I still write my goals down, but on a medium more malleable than stone. They became adjustable...amendable. I found myself becoming more adjustable too, and discovered how happy and free I felt by keeping parts of my life as a blank slate--ready and waiting for whatever adventure presented itself. It was difficult to maintain this mantra when I made the decision to move back to Minnesota. As much as I struggled to avoid categorizing this decision as right or wrong, I couldn't help but think it was the latter. Six months of job hunting in my home state proved to be difficult and not without some regrets. But I met wonderful new friends and rekindled old friendships as well. My time at home also showed me just how much I needed to rebuild my own soul. I may not have had a plan for myself, but my life had a plan for me.

And before I knew it, I was on my way back to Alberta to start a new job--this time with some past experiences of an old life, but with a fresh outlook to enjoy a completely different one. It's been unexpected at times and hasn't been without its challenges, but as I sit here now, with my friends from multiple different places by my side and the sun on my shoulders, I'm not worried about whether or not the choice was right or wrong. I'm happier than I've been in a long time and that's all that matters.

life of a commuter part deux

3 reasons why yesterday didn’t suck:

1. As I was lugging my ridiculously heavy suitcase to the train station at 7:30 yesterday morning – a small piece of luggage, with no rollies, but filled with beets and potatoes (UNBC has a farmers’ market every week – I can’t help myself!!), so a bit heavy when added to the computer bag, purse and another food bag - a very nice woman saw me struggling and drove me to the train station. Never met her or seen her before in my life, but I like her!

2. When I got to the train station, the woman behind the desk remembered me from previous trips and erased the $22 service fee VIA was going to charge me for changing my ticket. She has chickens too. They’re not laying very many eggs.

3. The service manager gave me free coffee and tea all day. That’s the clincher for me folks. Give me a warm beverage and we’re friends for life!

Summary: Prince George is a city with the heart of a small town, VIA rail continues to rock, and a hot cup of caffeine would go a long way to making world peace a reality.

Happy Friday.
a.

sewing by hand...

My life has turned up the hectic of late. I'm into the first of 2 semesters of classes where I have to actually be on campus to participate. A brief description of the geography of northern BC: Prince George, home of UNBC is a 4 hour drive, or 6 hour train ride or 5 hour bus ride from Smithers, home of casa Clong. So, in a nutshell, I'm living in both PG and Smithers, which means I'm putting in some frequent rail miles on good 'ol VIA.

I could write an entire post about my love of trains. Traveling across Canada, was amazing. China's trains rocked my world. Literally - 330km/hr on the fast train. wicked. Our next big adventure trip will definitely involve the choo choo. I love the train.

On a train, you can walk around, lie down, stretch out. In China, there's unlimited hot water so you can drink tea all day and all night long. You can see some amazing scenery not possible from the road (in places along the Canadian railroad - you're not beside the highway at all, so the scenes seem so much more intimate...just a few rail tracks and the wilderness).
And of course, you meet some interesting people.
When we took the train across Canada we met another couple traveling for Christmas and shared in the fun of going to the dining car to buy pop for mixing with our illegal alcohol. In China we met a few young people who gave us insight into modern China. And along the Skeena route, there's plenty of loud tourists to laugh at, or with depending on your mood of the day.
There's always a few characters - the drunken man who wanted a cuddle with me while i was asleep and Mark was in the viewing car (I was saved by our friends in the next seat), or the man in China who couldn't hold it in any more and emptied his bladder on the train floor at the back....sigh...those were the days!

All this to say I met a lovely retired couple from Edinburgh yesterday on the train. We chatted about the trees we saw whizzing by the central interior of BC. We chatted about places to see in Scotland. And then my new Scottish friend pulled out some hand sewing.
I of course was so happy to see this, and struck up a conversation about what she was doing. Turns out she's a passionate hand sewer. She believes in the tradition of quilting, using used materials, and incorporating story and meaning into every element of the quilt. This is not something I thought I was into - a lot of traditional quilts give me nausea due to country-bumpkiness. but then I thought about how, when I first got interested in sewing, it was to re-use/recycle fabrics from home or the salvation army. I wanted to make things new from old. And then I fell in love with designer fabrics. This was no ones fault but my own. They are so fun, modern, and un-country-bumpkin. I love getting a package in the mail full of beautiful. But I have to say that I'm re-inspired by my train companion. What better way to learn about traditional patchwork then go through my scraps and other used fabrics and start making something from other things. It was also happy timing, this meeting, because I recently may have flown to Ottawa for a weekend wedding without asking Mr. (yup...dog-house ladies. Dog house). My pledge to make back the money was to give up specialty coffee (who are we kidding!?!), forgo buying my new grinder (i can do that), and giving up new fabric for one year. This is now my goal. I will use only what's in the house or that can be bought used for the rest of the year for all my sewing needs.
Any hexagon help/good reading material would be much appreciated!
Don't you love this stage of making a resolution - when you're full of hope and optimism that you'll actually do it. You know, before the reality of yet another failed project looming on the horizon becomes obvious...

trains and sewing. love.

a.

Tasty Trail Treats!

John and I planned our first backpacking excursion for the summer this past week, an easy 7 km hike into a lakeside campsite on day 1, a fun mountain scramble for day 2, and an easy return trip from the camp site on the final day. Unfortunately, the summer cold I'd just recovered from hit John the day before the trip and we cancelled in favor of lemon honey ginger tea and less energetic pursuits. Lucky for us the trail snacks were already prepared before we cancelled!

John has been off oatmeal since last summers over indulgence, so I decided to try some Banana Oat Energy Bars to mix it up. I LOVE these! Naturally, I thought it best to share the tasty treat.



The recipe for these came from a homemade binder of back country nutrition information I received on an intro to back country skiing two winters ago. I tried another recipe out of the book as well but it was a major bust. I guess you win some and you lose some.

Here it is:
Cream 3/4 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 egg. Add the following:
1.5 cups mashed bananas (I used 4)
1 cup raisins or chocolate chips (I used 1/2 cup of each)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups oats (rolled or quick)
1 Tbsp vanilla (I omitted this as we were all out)

Spread it all into a greased pan and bake at 350 F for about an hour. Enjoy!!

PS. Check out the lovely trivet under the cookies. Its the one I received from Linnea on the trivet exchange.