Live high, live mighty, live righteously, just taking it easy.
--Jason Mraz

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Turning a beautiful scrap into a magnificient masterpiece



Blogger Note: This is a guest blog written by my husband, Ian McMillan. We both were a part of this story but he beat me to the computer to write it.
Heather

A few weeks ago I walked into Value Village with my wife Heather. I know there’s a large segment of men out there who would rather die than follow their wives into a thrift store but I cannot claim to be part of that group. It’s a guilty pleasure we both share.

This is the quilt unfinished.
When we entered the thrift shop Heather went left to the sewing area while I ventured to the right to stake out the book section. Her little world and my little world, close but forever apart. Maybe that’s why we’ve been able to stick it out together for more than 25 years. That or we’re both hooked on uncovering rare treasures. We’ve both walked out of the place with some great deals before.

On this occasion though there weren’t many books I was interested in so I went with Heather as she did her rounds. I wasn’t paying a lot of attention (looking through fabric makes my eyes glaze over) when Heather stopped dead in her tracks and pulled out something that looked like a colourful sheet.  Read about us stumbling upon it in the original post.

“Is this what I think it is?” she said.

“What do you think it is?”I replied.

“The start of a quilt.”

No longer zoned out I took a closer look at the fabric. It was indeed the start of a quilt. Actually it was the start of two quilts as there was another one right beside the first one. But why were these two unfinished quilts sitting in a thrift store? Quilters DO NOT discard these intricate tapestries because it takes an unbelievable amount of time, effort, money and skill to assemble those things. I know this because my mother is a quilter. They’re a dedicated group and they take a lot of pride in their work.

The first thought that came to me was morbid. No quilter would set aside an unfinished quilt as beautiful as these two appeared. They would have to die before they let something like this get carted off to a thrift store. So in my mind that’s what happened. The quilter died before she could finish her project (I say she because I have never met a man who quilts). After the funeral her kids cleaned out her house and upon coming to her sewing room took everything in there and gave it to charity. 

My mother’s reaction upon seeing the two partially completed quilts was much the same as Heather’s but it ramped up a notch when she saw the stitching. The woman who started these two quilts was very good at her craft as the stitching used was very complex requiring a lot of skill and patience. My mother poured over the details of these quilts in much the same manner an army general would pour over his battlefield plans. When she looked up she nodded her head in approval. Heather had stumbled upon a rare find. She had hit the ‘quilting’ jackpot and it only cost her $8.

Heather’s not a quilter though so she was left with only one choice – she asked my mom if she would finish the quilts for her. You could see the excitement in her eyes as my mother happily agreed. Would it be a lot of work? Count on it. But when you’re as passionate about something as my mother is with quilting it’s not looked upon as work. It’s looked upon as fun. That’s why people who discover their passions in life are so happy. They’re having fun and isn’t that a large part about what life is all about? I think so.

Last weekend Heather woke up with this uncanny feeling that she wanted to visit with my mother. She didn’t know why, just said we had to go over for a visit. As we were getting into the car to go over my cellphone rang. It was my mom and she wanted us to come over as soon as we could because she had something to show us.

When we got there my mom happily brought out one of the two quilts we’d left her weeks ago. It was beautiful. She had taken the beginning of something special and completed it in only a way a ‘Quilting Sister’ could (that’s what mom calls her colleagues). Somewhere in heaven an angel was smiling as she gazed down at a project completed. A beautiful scrap was turned into a magnificent masterpiece.

This is the quilt finished.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

McMillan Rib Fest

Fall is really happening.  So not fair!

I wanted to share with you the McMillan Rib Fest.

Every August, Ian gets the family together for a rib fest.  We make a few zillion racks of ribs, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  It is a casual event, we hang out in our back yard until the early evening.  Everyone is stuffed and has a great time.  Here are some photos of the event:
The main event!  Ribs!

Buffet getting ready

Fresh Tomatoes out of my mom's garden

Beets with goat cheese from the farmer's market




 
 
 
Hope you're hungry! 
 
 
Live High,
 
Heather 

Monday, September 2, 2013

Ribbon Skirt Reveal!

I had promised a reveal of the ribbon skirt....duh duh daaaaa!!!!
DONE!!  Please ignore the fluffy hair, I could not get out the flat iron

What do you think of the colours?  The photo needs some photo shop, it is not so washed out.
 
 
So are you going to make one for yourself?  Here are the instructions at Goodbye Valentino -
 
 
Send Sarah a note that I sent you and share your completed skirts with her!
 
Live High,
 
Heather


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ribbon Skirt Heaven

Goodbye Valentino is a wonderful blog.  She has recently held her first sew a long.  For those of us sewing addicts out there, we could not help ourselves and had to jump on that bandwagon.

A ribbon skirt sew a long was too tempting to pass up.  I dragged Ian with me to fabric stores and Michaels in search of the perfect colour combination.  Unfortunately, none could be found locally so I had to order them on line here.

I was able to purchase four coordinating colours in the nicest quality of gross-grain ribbon I have ever seen.  I know it will stand up to the likes of me in a skirt!
Pretty Right?!

I purchased some good quality cotton to serve as the base and got started.

Here is the progress so far in my new sewing room!
It takes careful planning and pinning to make sure the skirt ends up straight. 

This phase of the project is the devil in the details part.  I don't like details but I have to make sure I measure and pin just right so that when I sew the two sides together, my skirt matches up perfectly.  Although, if was a bit wonky, it would suit me some would say...
 
 
Keep checking back to see the progress.
 
 
Live High,
 
Heather

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Little Skirt and Dress

A good friend got married recently and I was determined to make a nice dress to wear to the wedding.  I was desperate for some inspiration for fabric, I already had a pattern.

Here was the pattern:


I could not find any sort of inspiration for the fabric.  I zipped into the fabric store one afternoon to have a look when as I was walking up I saw a Judy with an awesome dress.  I thought, geez that looks like my dress pattern.  I quickened my step and found that yes it was my dress!  A quick slip through the door and asked for the fabric.  I got a bit extra for mistakes.  The pattern was so easy that I had enough extra to make a nice skirt.

Here are the finished products!
Do you love it! I found a wicked Kate Spade purse to match.

See how I match the picture?  Didn't plan that!
I have an event in September and I plan on making another dress for the fall.


Live High,

Heather
 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I did NOT make this

Beautiful!


Ian recently informed me that Stephen King has written a sequel to The Shining.  I admit, that book scared the daylights out of me.  We thought that we should probably re-read the book again before getting the sequel.

Well, there was no way I was going to pay full price for a thirty year old book.  So it was off to scour the second hand stores for one and two, to see what else they had in store.

I have a running list of things I am always looking for - wool, embroidery hoops, cashmere sweaters....

But not this.  Never this. 

I love quilts but I have a Mother in law who is an awesome quilter and I happen to have a key to her home;  I could get my hands on some lovely quilts whenever I want!  There are a number of lovely quilts on our beds hand made by Ian's mom.

I was looking through the bed sheets for unique sheets for any number of re-purpose plans I have rambling through my head when I spotted this unfinished quilt top. 

This quilt topper knocked me off my feet.  I love batik.  I scanned it and it was a complete quilt front. 

And it broke my heart. 

There I was in the second hand store, crying in the sheet aisle.  All I could think was this quilt front was lovingly made but not completed.  Why?  What happened to its maker?  I know sewers and we are obsessed.  I fear quilters are worse.  It seemed unlikely that a dedicated quilter would just give up and donate such a beautiful piece of work incomplete.

Like a lost puppy, this quilt cover was immediately mine.  No matter the cost.  What was the cost?  Oh my goodness, they were selling it for $2.99!!  If the obligation to adopt this cover and complete it was there, it was overwhelming now.  The fabric alone was worth more than that.  But I felt obliged to take this top and make it a complete quilt. 

The drive home, I carried this quilt top in my arms like a precious vase.  I also have no clue about quilting.  I am even allergic to straight lines....

We go grocery shopping every Sunday morning just the two of us.  I am going to ask Ian to take me to his parents so I can show his mom.  (And see if I can sell her on completing this project for me - I feel so strongly it needs to be done)

I will let you know how it turns out.

Live High,

Heather

I'm sharing here:
http://www.flamingotoes.com/
http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/saturday-show-licious-craft-showcase-44/

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Teeny Tiny Sewing Room

Pretty eh?!!
On Thursday Ian casually commented that I needed to move my sewing space.  The sewing space has been in the tiny corner of the basement where we watch tv and basically hang out.  I often hear ''Mom! I can't hear the tv!'or ''Mom! can't you ever put the ironing board away?'  There is always a work in progress. 

Tavish is earning his allowance.
This is what the space looked like on Thursday:
Just a bit of a junk room yeah?
 

It took a few days to finish off the sewing room, it is not all done yet, the room has a fresh coat of paint, the spiders have been banished (for now..) and I have a teeny tiny sewing room all to myself!!!
This is my space all fresh and clean.

Here we have the 'Wall of Fame' the place we put all the kids art.  I could not take it down.

I added a basket for my scissors and a nice bulletin board. (Yes, I made it!) 
 
This is the 'new' space in the family room where I used to sew.

I'm sharing at:http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/




Live High,

Heather

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Pillow Case Dress Bandwagon

Usually on Fridays of long weekends, I try to have some time for myself.  I get work done, print off next week's schedule, tidy my desk.  Then, I meet Ian for lunch as has been our practise for at least ten years and after that, an hour or two all to myself for some thrift shopping or time unsupervised in a fabric shop.

Here is what I found:
Some new, some from the scrape pile, I am partial to the blue pattern one

I am addicted to any sort of pattern.  The louder the better.

I have a friend who needs some easy access dresses for her daughter.  She thought the pillow case dress all over blog land would be perfect.  Have you seen them?
I found two red gingham pillow cases that I had to have, one for Bronwyn and one for my friends daughter.

Here they are cut up and ready to be made into dresses and ruffles.

I could not find other vintage pillow cases, I was lucky to locate two vintage sheets that will make a few dresses.  AND Ruffles.  LOTS of Ruffles.

I went home and washed the dust out the fabric, sifted through my fabric supplies and found coordinating fabrics for ruffles and bias tape for the arm holes.  Mine pillow case dresses were made with out the elastic in the front, that way they will not be tight to the chest.

I hit the fabric store for some ribbon ties.

Here they are done!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Saturdays




This was last weekend.  It was warm enough for a pool afternoon.  Well, if you were six.



Bronwyn in the pool
This weekend the flowers came out.

Icelandic Poppies
 

Rebekah and I found this incredible grey owl candle holder.  THREE BUCKS!
 
I am so in love!

 
Rebekah says that the candle holder is hers, but since I paid, I say it is mine!

What did you do today?

Live High,

Heather



Sunday, April 28, 2013

Grandma's Chair

Many times in our lives, we hear it is the little things that matter.  How true.  I have such wonderful memories of my grandparents.  Growing up, it was the little things they did with their grandchildren that mattered.  My Grandma and Granddad Russell were right there with us, whether it was reading a book, cooking in the kitchen, making something, knitting or sewing.  It was these little things that knit us together as a family and makes me who I am.  I miss them still.

One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting my grandparents and sitting in Grandma's chair.  We fought over the honour, I am not proud.  I remember this chair as her place, where she sat to speak to us, read to us and with the patience of Job, she taught us to knit.  I loved that chair.

As time and space moves us forward through this life, my grandparents have left us with memories and legacies.  Little did I know, that chair was sitting in my father's basement a few kilometers away.  My Dad mentioned it to me and asked if I wanted it. Of course! But I thought it would be one of those some day things if you know what I mean. My Dad came by with the chair and it was mine!  It took all of my effort not to cry as Ian set it in my living room.  I had her chair, a piece of precious family history.  It meant so much to me. 

My grandparents were frugal people of simple means and my Dad told me the story of the chair and I had to laugh, because I know that like so many things, frugality must have become part of the family DNA. My Dad said the chair came from the Sears Warehouse in 1967 and had been recovered several times. Upon close examination, I could see stitching along the arms.

Reader's of this blog know that my Grandma's chair is destined for yet another recover.  I don't think I will do it myself, but while I search for the perfect fabric, I have found some printed cotton that will suffice a cover for now.

My Grandmother loved dogs. So do I, and Ian found this photo of my Grandma in her special chair with her dog Laddie. This photo will be printed and placed in a frame near her chair as a reminder to everyone of just how special she was to me.


Live High,

Heather

Monday, January 28, 2013

Snow Paint

MOM!!! I'm bored!  You have heard it haven't you?  I hate hearing that sound. In order to stop them from whining, you simply must have something for them to do. It is even better if you can earn yourself an extra moment of peace if you can give them something to do --outside.

I am sure I have not invented this but if you have not done this yet, be sure to try this out ASAP.  In the winter, when there is fresh snow, a little snow paint can buy you a good hour of fun. 

Here is what you need:
  • various empty bottles, sprayers, squirt whatever
  • food colouring



After you have cleaned out the bottles, add a few drops of food colouring and fill with water.  Send the kids to get there snow gear on and send them outside with the bottles.


Let the kids make Jackson Pollocks in the snow.




Enjoy!

Live High,

Heather

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Snowflakes


Pretty right?!


Currently in southern Ontario, we are having cold weather, but not a lot of snow.  I am not complaining!  Anyone who has to get up at 5:30 a.m. and walk a dog at 6:00 a.m., would agree that the less snow the better. 

Snowflakes are so pretty.  I love them.  Recently, I made a bunch of clothes pin snowflakes for winter decoration on the house.

They are pretty simple to make and look amazing.  All you do is head to your local Walmart for a package of clothes pins and some glue sticks.

You glue the clothes pins back together and they look like snowflakes - see?
 You glue them backs together and they take on a snowflake look, those are mason jars with espsom salts and candles behind.


If you are really missing snow, you can paint the snowflake with glue and sprinkle espsom salts on it for a real snow look.

I think these will work out just nice instead of snow!


Live High,

Heather


























Thursday, January 3, 2013

Hairy Donation

Bronwyn is not much for hair cuts.  It is always a crap shoot when we go to the hair dresser to see if she will actually consent to have it cut.

She had been telling us for a while that she wanted her hair cut short.  Riiiiiggghhhhttt.

So off we went one Saturday morning for. a hair cut.  I honestly expected that if in fact she did get a haircut, it would likely be a quick trim.

Ian sat with her while the hairdresser was wetting down her hair and getting sectioning it out.  The hairdresser asked her how much she wanted off the bottom.

All these locks soon to be gone.


Hair dresser, indicating about an inch, "How about this much?"

Bronwyn shakes her head no.  Uh oh I thought.

The hairdresser, indicating about two inches. "How about this much?"

Bronwyn shakes her head no.  Crap.  It is going to be one of those days.

Ian, sensing there might be a problem, steps in with his best daddy voice and says, ''You want it really short right?"  Bronwyn shakes her head yes.  Okay, I think.  Lets get through this.

In the end, Bronwyn had nine inches cut from her hair.  That much un treated hair is perfect for making wigs for cancer patients.  Now I doubt that Bronwyn understands what that means, but we certainly made a huge deal about how pretty she looks with her short hair, and how proud we are of her that she gave her hair to people who could really use it. 

Bronwyn is so proud of her hair.

A quick trip to the hairdresser made my entire month. Here is the link to where you can donate your hair.  Seek out Pantene Beautiful Lengths.


Live High,

Heather