Tag Archive | Tux

OMG The Stocking Is Done!!!

So the biggest news of the weekend pretty much is definite STITCHING news…. after a little over 3 months I have COMPLETED the stocking! Blending filament, outlining, insane amounts of colours in specific areas… all done! Feast your eyes!!

LOOK LOOK LOOK! YAY

LOOK LOOK LOOK! YAY

Ok for the savy and eagle eyed stitchers you WILL notice that there is one unfinished detail – the hanging red and white Christmas ball still faintly says “1991” which has been a thorn in my side the entire time since the recipient was most decidedly born in 2006!!! But I do have a plan to correct that – my very own mom is an AMAZING stitcher (if you look back a while there are pictures up here of examples of her finished and framed work on linen) both on her sewing machine and a cross stitch pattern and has agreed to help me stitch that out. She is also the individual who is going to help me do the final finished on the stocking and get a lovely quilted style material backing on it to finish it off! I cannot wait, but with our current financial situation may have to do so until Halloween (our plan is to spend AT LEAST Halloween at her house).

Blast that 1991!!!

Blast that 1991!!!

For all the frustrations with large amount of colours in a given area… the eyes on the cat turned out superb. There are 4 or 5 colours in the green areas on the eyes but the effect is terrific! Don’t get me wrong, I doubt I will be doing this pattern again, if ever, but I certainly am glad I did it once. The two stockings I have promised for 2010 will NOT be as complex hopefully and will also NOT be started until the new year.

Loving the Green!

Loving the Green!

So otherwise Saturday was rather tame. We spent our morning lazily heading out to get things done towards the end of it. Nathan and Ada dropped by on their way out to his birthday lunch so we were able to give him his birthday present – a couple dozen mint icing sugar cookies!

We did a little bit of shopping… H&W of course, Dollarama (I got pom poms and a bath toy to go in Trinity’s stocking) and then the grocery store. I am definitely planning on heading back to the Dollarama we stopped at to do some shopping this week… set limit plus 3.00 so the boys can each have a treat and then see if we can fill the kids’ stockings. I figure if I can spare 20.00 we can do the whole lot. There was baby toys and flash cards and socks and just about every little kid fun thing you could think of… granted they won’t last forever but do the kids really care about that??? Not so much! Budget Christmas for the win!!

Last night’s supper was our family favourite – homemade pita pizzas! This time with extra toppings! Black forest ham was on sale at Superstore and Ken splurged and got some cooked chicken. Talk about MMM.

Pizza Nom Nom Nom

Pizza Nom Nom Nom

We finally are getting back into the swing of our weekly game evening (this one I am actually involved in – not Ken’s guy’s night on Thursdays) so Chris and Chris came over game and slurpee cups in tow. We started a little late last night but we also managed to slow Talisman down to a crawl! Interesting game I STILL don’t have the hang of! I am hoping that once I can sell a couple more Kijiji items or receive a donation or a Tux request or two I can get a new card game I have been drooling over. Chris and Chris brought over Chez Geek last  time and when I looked it up online I found Chez GOTH… it looks like great fun! Just need to come up with the 20.00.  I think I will add it to my wishlist.

Gaming it Up!

Gaming it Up!

For a snack during our gaming I made an apple crumble. Since the recipe called for 2 1/2 lbs of apples I brought out the baby scale and used that. Trinity, for the first time in ages, actually WANTED to sit on the scale as long as she could push the buttons… I managed to keep her OFF the power button and finally got a current weight on her: 23.06lbs!!! Our little girl is doing quite nicely! She is still petite but not nearly as thin as she was.

We also measured her waist and waist to ankle for her Halloween tutu. Now I have the elastic stitched together and ready to go. Sadly I could not find more sparkly pom poms so I am going to have to make do with little black ones for the strawberry seeds. Either way it is going to be adorable! I have the yellow and green one I made for her 1yr photos that she didn’t really wear up on Kijiji for 15.00 that will probably cover my costs of material and a tiny bit more but tulle is expensive around here so unless I can find a cheap distributor I doubt I could make it a worthwhile venture to sell them! I checked and on Kijiji they were being sold for around 20.00 and up depending on size and so many colour combinations!

Yellow Tulip with Crystal Accents (15.00... waist is 19 inches with stretch to add girth if anyone is interested drop me an email or a comment!)

Yellow Tulip with Crystal Accents (15.00... waist is 19 inches with stretch to add girth if anyone is interested drop me an email or a comment!)

I do love making them though so I figure for the odd person or as gifts I will keep doing it. I do have a few colours I picked up in the states on the cheap. I have the right colours to make a witch’s tutu and the ability to get the pastels that Michaels carries so I think I can manage to keep a bit busy.

Anyway I am sure there is someone out there interested in that above mentioned crumble so I will include the recipe:

Apple Crumble

Preheat the oven  to 374 F have ready an unbuttered 2 inch deep 2 quart baking dish

Peel, core and cut in to 1 inch chunks (I made boat slices) 8 medium apples (about 2 1/2 lbs) or use the same amount of peaches, slightly sugared rhubarb or pitted cherries.

Spread evening in the baking dish

Combine in a bowl:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup white or packed brown sugar (I used brown)

1/2 tsp salt

1 – 11/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground or grated nutmeg

add: 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Using a pastry blender or 2 knives cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Scatter the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake until top is golden brown, the juices are bubbling and the apples are tender. About 50-55 min. Serve hot or cold with ice cream or whipped cream or as is.

Soooo Good!

Soooo Good!

Ken took the twins to Sunday School today so that the little ones could stay home out of the cold. Trinity went right to nap soon after they left and slept around 4 hours! After nap/quiet time Ken took the boys out and they had a treasure hunt with maps to go along with learning about the letter X! Each of them had their own map and at the end of the hunt – a new car! We have not bought them cars in months so it was a super treat for them! Rather proud of Ken to think of it actually. It is so nice to have a partner in homeschooling and not just someone you dictate a lesson plan to.

Treasure Found!

Treasure Found!

Gavin Had the Hardest to Find!

Gavin Had the Hardest to Find!

Proud Hunters With Their Treasure and Maps! (Zander middle)

Proud Hunters With Their Treasure and Maps! (Zander middle)

I tried out making puzzle pieces candycanes but was less  than impressed by the result, I have to admit my favourite is the wreaths, but the putting together of the wreath shape is a little beyond the boys since I do it without a template. I think tomorrow we will glitter some more pinecones (a favourite ornament craft of Gavin’s) and maybe try making something new with pipe-cleaners and beads – I found a cute craft online to make a tree that way.

Still Need to Glitter the Canes

Still Need to Glitter the Canes

So the weather is a little crummy, but we have an anniversary party for the meet up local homeschool group at an indoor playground tomorrow and on Friday another rather informal gathering at a local nature centre. A bit of a spend happy week with both events having a fee to get in but the Friday one will be 15.00 for a YEARLY pass so that is good. I don’t foresee us doing much more activities that call for fees for the rest of the month though. After all I want to have a pumpkin carving party and am debating inviting another homeschooling family to join in with our adult friends (the kids’ aunts and uncles).

I am also finally working on adding pictures to our family gallery. I am up to mid August and trying to add only the best of the best but the link is there on the right side of my blog so feel free to take a peek! We are going to make some minor alterations to the Tux pattern to make it easier to stitch. I am also hoping to have at least two more patterns posted on the site – one a Dr. Who piece I mentioned in a past entry. I think tomorrow I will start my first batch of baked beans – now that it has cooled down I can turn down the heat and run the oven that long and not overheat the place! So keep an eye out for that recipe as well!

Missing You Aunty Esther!!!

Missing You Aunty Esther!!!


Leaves, Libraries and a Full Day

The lure of the nap got me again today – but this time I fought back! Sugar cookie dough was made, stitching done and once the kids and Ken returned from their leaf hunt (a second one this week) some crafting fun was had! I was actually pleasantly surprised – all 4 kids had a nap this afternoon! Which makes sense since the boys have been getting up early every day this week and whining and bad behaviour has been at an all time high!

I think that I need a more craft friendly glue for the red and white puzzle pieces but am keeping up hope that a little judiciously placed glitter glue will glam it up enough to look suitably cute. We are rather stuck making due with what we have and I have water soluble school glue in abundance (gotta love Michaels coupons!). I did manage to finish off the first of the Christmas tree puzzle ornaments with felt on the back. You can see white paper peeping through the front on the boys’ but I am trying really hard NOT to “fix” their pieces. I want them to feel that they really DID make these ornaments. They have put in so much work! I am so proud! Tomorrow I think Gavin wants to glue glitter on more pinecones (fun but messy to be sure!).

Completed Trees

Completed Trees

We threw our loose lesson plan out the window this morning and headed out to the library for a nice chunk of the morning. I do really like our local branch. Smaller than we are used to back in the city my mom lives in, the children’s portion is still great fun! In fact, I am hoping to sign Trinity up for a special story time for 12-24 month olds starting in November – Ken is determined to keep enough flexibility in his schedule that we CAN do this – something I more than appreciate.

Ready and Running to Go!

Ready and Running to Go!

We started off with some wandering around – Emanuel went to check out the ever present fish tank and the twins and Trinity went straight to the books. In fact, a little girl came over specifically to tell Trinity she was VERY pretty and stroke her hair a little! Trinity was… shocked but it was so sweet!

Pigeons Have Feelings Too!

Pigeons Have Feelings Too!

After books became a little boring and a couple of the computers became free the boys gave that a go! Headphones and all. At first they shared one and played in a virtual sandbox.

Virtual Sandbox! (Gavin left)

Virtual Sandbox! (Gavin left)

But as soon as the other kids in the area cleared out I moved them to their own pc with a headphone plugged  in. I think we have a bit of work on the mouse to do but they did have fun.

With Headphones! (Zander)

With Headphones! (Zander)

Emanuel had a go as well with Gavin as his guide. I always feel so proud when the boys help each other. Or their sister. Although everyone wants to help Trinity – even when she doesn’t want or need to be helped!!

Working Together! (Gavin)

Working Together! (Gavin)

After we checked out our books (mainly on insects) and placed a couple holds on DVDs (Magic School House ones on insects of course) we ran out to do a couple errands. I stopped into Toys R Us with my soon to expire coupon and took care of another gift (talk about affordable – 8.50 or so!) and ran into the dollar store to get some more white glue – we are sorely in need. And of course a quick stop at the grocery store for necessities. This meant the moment Ken started driving Trinity passed out!I also took the plunge and applied my survey and donation paypal to a special gift for Trinity off of Etsy! I cannot wait to get it… I love homemade (can you tell???). So just one more boy to go and I am done the individual “big” gifts – a definite load off my shoulders!!!

Sleepy Baby!

Sleepy Baby!

I have passed another milestone that indicates fall/winter is truly here… I switched the purses! I have to admit I have a minor vice – I LOVE purses, in the past this has amounted to a stack of the cheaper and silly things but last Christmas I was the surprised and appreciative recipient of my very first Coach purse and matching small wallet! A dear friend took me out shopping and surprised me with my very own! These are both in black and won me over to the line! Then, when things were “good” financially Ken splurged and purchased the purple and white canvas number I had fallen in love with in their new spring line. HUGE but manageable… though I have been unable to get the matching wallet I have it in my “someday way in the future” list.  Anyway what is a change in seasons if you don’t take advantage and use your other “best purse”? I think Ken is just glad I am relatively content with my two purses and not clamouring for more – at least not at this point…

Guilty Pleasure!

Guilty Pleasure!

To continue on in learning about fall the boys did a maze where you helped a Canada goose go south for winter (I am not sure I impressed on them migration yet but we will talk about it later next week again). Emanuel had daddy help him but the other two managed quite well on their own!

Maze!

Maze!

Proud Boys! (Gavin left)

Proud Boys! (Gavin left)

Finally we completed a lapbook! Numbers 1-10 is officially finished cover and all… although we added an extending flap at the top so we can continue on with 11-20. Tricky huh? My actual goal number wise for the year is to just keep going as far as we can but to DEFINITELY get through the teens up to 20. Emanuel included to some extent. It is a little difficult to remind ourselves that he IS only almost 4… he keeps up so well most of the time at this point, but I want him to not feel like he HAS TO be at the same point as the twins. I figure once we get through this newest mess with life and Ken has a final ok on his meds we will focus on making a couple Emanuel only lapbooks… ones he can sit and look through whenever he wants tailored to HIM and his interests!

So let me walk you through our Number Lapbook –

The Front Cover of Emanuel's (The twins are going to have castles on theirs courtesy of Daddy)

The Front Cover of Emanuel's (The twins are going to have castles on theirs courtesy of Daddy)

The Back Cover (a print out they got to chose a design on)

The Back Cover (a print out they got to chose a design on)

We did have a workbook at home that had the dot to dots but most of the items included were found online:

1-100 number chart

animal cover page

star cover page

memory game instructions

counting matchbook bunnies

Jan Brett number books

The top flap opens up both sides are for 11-20. I will post the links and finished images when we eventually move onto that. But here is our first full out attempt!

The top flap opens up both sides are for 11-20. I will post the links and finished images when we eventually move onto that. But here is our first full out attempt!

In the little pocket is numbers with the boys writing one of their own as well… sadly I can’t find the link to the page but I am sure you can find tons of worksheets with the same style.

To further our Fall lapbook more leaves were gathered and then glued onto a paper to go up one the wall!

Zander and Emanuel

Zander and Emanuel

Leafy Bounty!

Leafy Bounty!

Autumn!

Autumn!

I have to admit a heightened degree of excitement in regards to this stocking – it is so close to completion now I can almost see it! Stitches here and there and some more of the dreaded blending filament.. a little more outlining and I am ready to take it to my mom’s where she has in her possession the perfect Christmas quilted material to finish it to perfection. I am so excited to see this piece done and ready to be sent to Minnesota… once it is completed I am determined to make my next big project (don’t worry not as big as this one) the wedding sampler I owe my cousin from the August wedding we were unable to attend! That one is going to be fun! He specifically requested I somehow include a skull! Lets see Ken and myself make THAT tasteful! That would be a real coup!

See Almost Done!!

See Almost Done!!

I am hoping to get started on another Tux stitch – if you have a chance to peek the pattern is up in the pattern section of the site. I can’t wait to see how other people stitch him up! As well I am still offering a stitched version for 20.00 plus shipping just drop me an email or leave a comment at the bottom of the pattern page. I am willing to do some minor personalizing to the piece as well!

Tomorrow the boys are going to work hard on their insect books and start putting together colours and shapes. I think I will have to make up a cover page for that as all the lapbook examples I have found are one or the other… Fall will continue and I am hoping to spend much of my online time tomorrow hunting down some volcano facts and activities… gotta keep busy right? Tonight is Ken’s gaming night so he is preoccupied leaving it up to me to prep for tomorrow… not that there is much to be done.

The site featuring my blog has the blurb up now! It is a great site for stitchers so please be sure to check it out! Threads Through Time

...and All Done With Smiles on our Faces!

...and All Done With Smiles on our Faces!



This entry was posted on 01/10/2009, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Stocking, Shepherd’s Pie and the Beginning of Fall

Autumn is most certainly here! It is official – Ken has turned the heat back on, Trinity is wearing socks and the boys long pants. For around the house I dug out a fleece type long skirt to snuggle down in. (talk about old – I picked it up back in college for a steal!) Along with all this cold came leaves on the ground which excited the boys to no end and sped up our introduction to our fall lapbook with LEAF RUBBINGS!

Rub Those Leaves!

Rub Those Leaves!

All Done! (Gavin left)

All Done! (Gavin left)

The collection of the leaves was combined with a special treat – a nature walk with Daddy! Even Trinity got to go along… though she went for more of a nature carry! We are still getting used to coats and socks and shoes (the twins have LACE UP ones… pain in bum!)… good bye the ease of going out in the summer… hello the long Albertan winter!

Ready for the Walk! (Gavin right)

Ready for the Walk! (Gavin right)

Tree! (Zander blue)

Tree! (Zander blue)

Our morning, of course, started with a letter – V… this was Ken’s first try of what is basically a mini lapbook on his own – I think he took TWICE as long as I do! ACK! So our morning did not exactly go by my plan. They did have fun though and that is what counts!

Letter V (Gavin left)

Letter V (Gavin left)

I spent a portion of my day sorting through Emanuel’s clothes to make a pile of give aways. A homeschooling friend has a little boys who hopefully can use them! It amazes me how Emanuel ends up with SO MANY shirts and yet so few pants. So now his drawers close easily and his closet is much better organized. Double bonus!

Trinity has a new favourite song… seriously our kids are WEIRD! She went from educational to this:

Ok so I like it too and Emanuel is now trying to learn the words! But after a while her continuous wish to hear this tune is a little frustrating, yesterday I caught her attempting to move the mouse around to get it started again!! She dances along and waves her hands in the air which is totally cute so I guess I can live with it.

Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?? (Gavin)

Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?? (Gavin)

Supper was a bit of an experiment today… even without our 50 lbs of free potatoes we ended up with 20 lbs this weekend thanks to my mom and her lovely hubby… so I mashed up a bunch and set to work making a shepherds pie (with beef instead of the traditional lamb)… it was a hit! Though I think I will try it again with thyme instead of the tarragon we had to substitute.

American Shepherd’s Pie

1lb lean ground beef

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 can condensed vegetable soup

1/2 tsp dried thyme (we used tarragon)

3 cups mashed potatoes

1 cup shredded cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and lightly grease 2 quart baking dish.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir and cook ground beef, onion and celery until juices run clear. Drain. Pour mixture into baking dish with vegetable soup and thyme; stir well. Spread mashed potatoes on top.

3. Bake 20 min. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and bake 5 min. more or until cheese has melted.

Cheese Melted Ready to Eat!

Cheese Melted Ready to Eat!

Trinity had a paired down version of just potatoes and beef but decided it was time to strike out on her own and GRAB THE SPOON! Towards the end of the meal she was soloing it… maybe not quite like a pro but with a great success rate!

Epic Spoon Usage!

Epic Spoon Usage!

Actually this week we had another big kid moment – Emanuel had decided to take it to the next level and sit on the toilet little boy seat free! Another high success rate as I have yet to sit down and get a wet surprise on the seat! With all these boys in the house that is a great big bonus – that and the seat being down when I go in at night… I have been VERY pushy about that one since the twins learned how to stand and pee.

Sewing wise I have been less than diligent but my completion of Tux has left me with nothing but the stocking to focus on for the moment… probably a good thing, I am finally seeing the end of  the bulk of it and dealing with the blending filament. I am hoping and praying that my last skein of Kreinik 032 (pearl) holds out… thank goodness for Thread Heaven and its magical thread conditioning properties. The amount of fray and actual broken strands is so low I ALMOST enjoy the stitching I am doing with it… almost. The shiny is terrific and I am loving the almost finished look but I find this the most frustrating part of a stocking – it is soooo close but NOT done!!!

The End is in Sight!

The End is in Sight!

We made a run out to the stores this afternoon… only two and with cash in hand of course. Ken ran into Staples and finally managed to get us some glue sticks – UHU as was suggested by some fellow homeschooling moms… so here’s hoping they stick better than the ross ones did. We actually got them for right around 5.00 for the pack of 3 which was a pretty good price (especially compared to the individual ones we saw at Michaels of the same brand!). So we shall see! Tomorrow we do a letter AND glue on leaves. Which reminds me we DESPERATELY need more white glue as well… but I figure I can dollar store that purchase easily.

UHU

UHU

The second stop off was Michaels, 40% off coupon in hand (if you go to flyerland.ca you can get the Michaels flyer and coupons now). We went into the wood section and got each of the boys a 1.50 craft. This time it was little wooden 4 piece puzzles  that each came with 3 mini markers. Emanuel chose the bee and the twins each a monkey. With 40% off one of the 3 puzzles we saved 60 cents. I wish I  could have gotten more – there were little bead kits for the same price but a budget is a budget… maybe if I sell a few more items on Kijiji or have someone commission me a Tux!

Completed Puzzles

Completed Puzzles

Speaking of which I did sell something today – the 6-12mth snowsuit I bought Trinity at the tail-end of the season last year that she never wore. Another 10.00 towards one of the kids’ large presents! We have a 15.00 limit on those and I already purchased Emanuel’s before life blew up in our face again. I have enough on my paypal to get one too so I may hunt down Trinity’s there and I have a Trios coupon for 5.00 off if you spend at least 10.00 so maybe go that route? Keeping Christmas tight and responsible is HARD!!!

I have some more plans to put in action (I can just feel people – like Ken – shuddering)… first off, tonight I am going to work with Ken to revamp the pattern and commission portion of my blog site – I will make that its own page and move my finished works (the ones done from other patterns) to a new section. I figure I should set them apart a little more and still leave myself the space to add my own works freely. Hopefully I will get some feedback about the new look. I do love to find out what people think.

Hmm what other plans – well Thursday we are tentatively heading out to the Fort… It may be cool but that is what coats and hats are for! I am determined not to let that free pass go to waste! I am also slowly working through my craft stuff to tidy it up and see what supplies I have to add to the pot for making Christmas ornaments. I am also going to focus some energy on getting together kits for the kids on our Christmas list. Tonight I am working on the caterpillar names for each of the kids. Ken has to make up the instructions yet but the boys love theirs on their doors. All in a little ziploc bag!

Finished Kit Just Needs Instructions

Finished Kit Just Needs Instructions

I guess keeping busy is cathartic for me… so tomorrow morning I bet I will end up baking! After all we are almost out of bread (both kinds) and completely out of cookies for Trinity. In making THOSE cookies I will have egg yolks to make another double batch of SUGAR cookies… which means I can make those and then freeze them for our Halloween party! Ohh I also need to make invitations to that… as I make myself MORE work! Wish me luck!

Beauty and the Beast?? Just Kidding :)

Beauty and the Beast?? Just Kidding 🙂