The Hunt For Christmas Spirit...

For years now,

 

 Maryann and I have gone to Williston,ND in November in search of Christmas Spirit.

 

 

We are usually at the border waiting for it to open and get a jump on the day.

 

This year, we were `randomly` selected to come into the US Port to fill out a survey.

 

 

This was a first for us!!

 

Their little building would make the CUTEST quiltstore!!

 

It has such character!!

 

We had a good laugh when they asked if we had 10,000 cash on us....

 

 

They offered Tim Horton`s Coffee but I said it was a trick...

 

like the Pepsi Challenge!

 

They asked to go through our purses....

 

ohhhh.... I soooo would have cleaned my purse had I anticipated this!

 

But sure - they looked scared and I didn`t blame them!!

 

Before you know it, we were on our way.

 

 

Our newest place to check out is antique stores and Sally Ann...

 

I thought the tag was hilarious on this little toboggan...

 

 

It was a 'Canadian' Sled...

 

Did we invent sledding or just the sled?

 

I guess if you have as many months of winter as we do....

 

We just don`t make things like we used to...

 

Can you imagine 50 years from now that today`s stroller will be prized as this pram?

 

After my three kids, there was nothing left of the stroller but selvage!!

 

Maryann asked what my 'sweet' was as she is a pastry chick...

 

 

anyone of these candidates would fit the bill for me!!!

 

It is incredible how EVERY year, there are new Christmas decorations....

 

I think I have a window that I could transform into this little number...

 

 

My tree looks upside down by the end of the season.....

 

This would make more room under the tree for those BIG gifts my family wants to get me.

 

I am not referring to a vacuum or tool chest either!!

 

All was going well until we went to the quilt store....

 

The Bent Pin.....locked and dark....What??!!

 

GONE...NO LONGER...EMPTY!!!

 

Don't get me wrong...

 

I didn't NEED anything but it was always a huge drawing card for us!!

 

That took us some time to get over that shock.

 

Still haven't heard what or where they went.

 

They will be missed....

 

 

My lights are now strung and the poinsettia bought...

 

Come on, Santa!!

 

Christa

 

 

 

 

 



Christmas Spirit in the Air...

The nutcrackers are lined up in the stores....

 

 

And I have started stitching on Snow Flurries by Crabapple Hills

 

 

I am using Valdani Thread #12 weight in shades of dark blues....

 

 with a little Silver thrown into the mix!!

 

I had been looking for Valdani for some time at local shops to no avail

 

 but

 

finally found it in Vegas at Christmas Goose Quilt Store.

 

I wanted to buy the entire display...yarn and all!!!

 

 

 

I used a Fabric Fusion pen to trace my designs on to snowflake print white on white...

 

It disappears when ironed!!

 

I love the words.....

 

And NO... I am not following that pattern!!

(no shock to most of you I am sure)

 

 

I am stitching all the words and snowflakes and will make blocks to go with them

 

I need to find a better way to take pictures because these don't do it justice..

 

 

 

Maybe I'll try taking some pictures outside....

 

 Valdani is beautiful to work with and was worth the wait!!

 

The stitching continues.....

 

 

Christa

 

ps. On a side note....

 

T'is the Hunting Season too- even though I like my critters on their feet

 

These hunters were at the Border coming into Canada to do a show up north...

 

I hope they dressed warm... they aren't in Kansas anymore!!

 

A driving billboard for their show!!

 

Pretty cool!!!

Blogathon Canada

 

 

 

Sew Sisters Quilt Shop

 

 is hosting

a week long Blog hop of Canadian Sewing Blogs

 

 

Today is Saskatchewan Day being hosted by Butterfly Quilting

 

If this is your first time stopping by, come on in and have a look around!

 

 

 

I have finished Scrap Squad #6....the final quilt for Quiltmaker Scrap Squad!

 

Where has the year gone??

 

This time I decided to use batiks I had on hand..

 



I loved the star blocks...

 

 

This quilt was fast and easy to put together....

 

 

So it's off to the longarmer today!!

 

If you have time, hop over to The Block Party Guild to see what we have been up to over there!

 

Enjoy the Blogathon and see some amazing quilting in Canada

 

Enter for chances to win some great prizes from these great sponsors!!

 

 

 

 

 Off to quilt with the girls...

or should I say...off to therapy!!

Christa

 



Quilter's Haven Christmas Challenge

Quilter's Haven in Moose Jaw, SK

 is

 having a Christmas Challenge this month

 

This is the fabric that was in the bag...now what to make??

 

It had to incorporate a 9 patch, 2 flying geese and 3 HST's

 

I had tried the Itsy Bitsy Twister Ruler at Retreat

 

 

 

I wondered what a Christmas tree might look like....

 



 

I did a ROUGH sketch hoping it might work....

Started sewing and cutting and sewing again....

 

And before you know it.... I was liking the result!!

 

 

 

Here is my finished project which is in the mail as we speak....

 

The presents in the corners are my required components...

 

I made mine before going to Vegas so I was quite suprised to see this one at the shophop!!

 

 

Let's just say that my tree is considerable more PRIMITIVE!!

 

Christa

 

 

 

 

 

Big win

How about those Riders?!?!?

 

Great win!!

 

This is going to make Arnold's Grey Cup Tickets even better!!

 

 

101st Grey Cup...In Regina,Sk....With the Riders in the Final!!

 

Let's hope it's warm!!

 

I think Sunday will be a big sewing day for me!!

 

This is 'one' of my next projects..

 

 

I found some amazing batiks in Vegas...

 

Blues and Browns are my favorite.......

 

I also purchased some more future projects......

(I need to live to be 200)

I love Crabapple Hill Designs and thought this sewing wallet was adorable...

 

 

The Apple Patch Designs is a pattern from Terry Morberg  of ApplePatch Designs from Calgary,Alberta

 

She visited Fiddlesticks with some of her patterns and the store fell in love with them and now have all of her patterns!!

 

I also stocked up on some trim....

 

These little tags are for sewing into the binding.....

 

 

How cute!!

 

Better get to some work around here

 

Christmas is COMING way too fast!!

 

Christa