Church bells! The bells rang out tonight at 7:00 pm. Tuesday is practice night for the bell ringers and I always love to hear them chiming in the evening on my way home from work. Also, the moon made a lovely appearance tonight. I guess it’s getting ready for the SUPER moon show on June 23rd. I believe we’ll be taking photos of that moon on Sunday.

I do realize it’s only Tuesday, but I’ve got PLANS for this weekend. On Saturday, we were invited to a certain 5 turning 6 year old‘s birthday. Since I’m going on a MEGA thrifting shop across the border with some quilting pals the same day (just before) before the party, I should probably come up with something for the birthday girl besides a box of Macaroni & Cheese with a bow on top. Apparently that’s her favourite meal. That and Smartfood. I’d better find something pretty terrific in the US and Aaaaaaaay for her. There must be something. I feel like I’m going to be lucky and will find just the perfect gift. And it will be savory.

Between the SUPER moon and the thrifting trip, my weekend’s dance card is full already.

Let the countdown begin!

You know how I always leave the Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild meeting with more than I came with? Last week was no different. I won this handmade vinyl pouch made by Amy and this flexion pen. Flexion pen? It’s pretty cool. It’s an erasable pen – that grey piece at the end is the eraser. You can even use it on fabric and then to get rid of the markings you iron the fabric. Voila! Gone. However, I heard that if you take the fabric out in the cold, the marks will come back. Heh.

Amy gave us a demonstration about sewing with vinyl at the meeting. When she showed this little vinyl card, I knew I had to make some.

I’m participating in another postcard swap again. This time, my partner is from Prince Edward Island. I would love to make some vinyl postcards for her. I can sew those up and then stamp them up pretty quickly. I’ll hit up the Dressew tomorrow and try my luck – see what kind of vinyl I can chase up and see if they have a teflon foot for my sewing machine.

Thanks Amy! You have inspired me to work with vinyl!

Today Mike and I took a quick road trip up to Squamish to see some good pals and to nail down some details for a wedding we’re shooting in 2 weeks. Exciting! Our friends Bruce and Kathy are getting married outside (yay!) in Squamish (yay!) in 2 Sundays from now. I’m looking forward to this event. It will be lovely. A great backyard wedding! And they have a dreamy backyard with a stream running through it and a beautiful garden.

On the drive home, I’m pretty sure we spotted Sasquatch by the side of the highway.

I think he just shaved and put on a speedo.

You’d think after capturing this historic moment I would have put away my camera. But I didn’t. I also took photos of the scenery.

The glorious Chief

and the Howe Sound Inlet. It really is a nice drive – especially on a sunny day like it was today (as proven by the speedo.)

Meanwhile, back on the Chief…

Can you see them? Tiny people climbing the mountain…or maybe they are repelling down. I’m not sure which.

Here’s a zoomy shot so you can see them.

I’m pretty sure they also spotted the shaven Sasquatch. From way up there.

1) Went to see Man of Steel – The new Superman movie in 3D. It could also be called, how to be depressed in 3D – that story is pretty heavy. I’m hoping the next movie will be more of the fun stuff – like when he’s in disguise and he’s got to change into his cape and tights in phone booths. WAIT! If he’s in 2013 (or later), there aren’t/won’t be any phone booths. He’ll have to change between dumpsters in the alley. SEE! Much less depressing! I must give a huge thumbs up to the casting people – the person they chose for Superman, Henry Cavill, has the perfect Superman profile. And a chin with a dimple. I found him to be an excellent choice for this part. Especially toward the end of the movie. He got a little confidence and he spoke exactly how I would like to hear him speak. Good annunciation and a little bit of bass in his voice.

2) Sewed a little cat pillow out of an old wool sweater and some turquoise felt on a sewing machine from the 50′s.

I went to Denise’s upcycling workshop and found I really liked sewing the felt to the old sweater pieces. I pretty much hogged the sewing machine for the whole workshop to make this little kitty pillow for the boys to play with. Donner has already attacked it, grabbed it and stabbed it with both back feet while biting it and then laid down on it, so he’s given his seal of approval. And that’s before I put a little catnip on it.

Denise got this sewing machine for $10 and I love how it feels when you sew with it. It is solid. And cute.

3) Got my toenails did.

As you can see, I went with the quiet, subdued colour of sparkly red. This was a great pedicure – I went to Viet Nails for old times sake and they scrubbed and rubbed and put all kinds of concoctions and lotions on my feet. For the Pièce de résistance? They put hot towels on my feet and just let me relax in the massage chair. This is the first time I’ve had that done and it won’t be the last. That was heavenly.

Oh, and we had Jelly Donut pancakes for breakfast.

I have to say, it’s been a pretty terrific 24 hours.

Today was Hawaiian luau day at the school and Mimi’s hair was PERFECT for this event! She wore a flower in her hair and she looked like a true Hawaiian citizen from the side.

Oh my gosh! Is that a real Hawaiian sitting next to me at work? Incredible.

In addition to Hawaiian day, it was also Quilting Bee night. I got a ride with the famous Amy Dame and we had an extra long meeting tonight. Amy taught us how to sew with vinyl. It definitely sounds doable, and I’d like to make some lunch bags or something easy – no zippers, no buttons. I also need to pick up a Teflon sewing machine foot for this venture. Exciting! ALSO, I entered another postcard swap, and Amy made a very cute Valentine out of vinyl, so I hope to copy this technique and send out 3 lovely vinyl ones to my swap partner.

Also, Modern Quilter, Vera, was the winner, winner, chicken dinner tonight. She won a draw – $60 to spend at Mad About Patchwork. LUCKY! Actually, that website looks LOVELY.

Plenty more quilt photos to follow. I’m up way too late on a school night. Oof. Plus tomorrow night I’ve got a big event to attend. Mike & I are going with some of his coworkers to see Superman in 3D.

YES! It will be super! I’m sure of that.

An aerial view of just SOME of my gardening treasures I snagged from the silent auction. My basket was picked up by Johanna at the elementary school and I ripped it open before I even took a photo. Actually, I ripped it open before I even got it out of the He-Man-Way’s house. Not only were there watermelon seeds in this huge basket, there were portulaca seeds in the basket. Portulaca! That plant goes way back for me! Not only does this plant thrive on neglect, it was also a plant that somehow survived in people’s yards in Saudi Arabia…also called, “ice plant”. FANCY. I will plant these bad boys and see what happens. Lord knows I can neglect plants like nobody’s business.  Speaking of the Lord…

Woohoo! Blessings for the garden!

Besides a BUNCH of tools, many sets of gloves, several plant pots and the aforementioned (I hope I used that correctly) garden stone, I scored the holy grail of gardening supplies. The Topsy Turvy! Did you know it can hold up to 30 pounds of tomatoes?

You know when you see the, “As seen on TV!” logo on the item, it’s guaranteed quality. Cannot wait to hang this up outside! Out front or out back? I haven’t decided yet. I’ll see how the other tomato plant does out front before I decide. I saw some yellow flowers on the plant out in the back already!

When Mike saw this collection of supplies,

he asked: What’s with all this stuff? Did you go shopping?

Me: I paid $25 for it at the silent auction at the elementary school.

Mike: All that for $25?

Me: You should try some silent auctions.

Ahhh…It feels good to win.

One of my most favourite-est memories ever takes (or is it “took”? The events happened in the past, but I am thinking about the memory now. I seem to be having grammar problems in this moment. Hopefully you understand what I’m trying to say here.) place in Disneyland – the REAL Disneyland, in California – in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. My favourite part is right at the beginning. It’s the part where you step in the boat, in the darkness. And when you sit down, you can feel tiny sprays of water and humidity all around you. The boat slowly bobs up and down while floating forward. All around you are tiny fire flies, and when you get close you can see the wires holding up the tiny lights. The boat continues to slowly bob forward, and you can hear crickets, and it’s beautiful. Relaxing…dreamy…and then, SPLOOSH! You’re dropping down a huge slope going 10o miles an hour!

This memory [I've been to Disneyland a few times, but I distinctly remember this part of the ride when I was about 10 or so and then again when Mike & I went in 2004 (or so)] immediately came to mind after seeing these gifts my mom sent me for the garden.

Butterfly garden lights!

She actually sent me 2 butterfly lights and 1 light that looks like a hummingbird. They are solar powered, so they charge up all day, and once it gets dark, they light up and switch colours all evening long. I keep the living room drapes open so I can see them in the while I blog. So. Very. Dreamy!

The boyz watched me while I took photos tonight.

We all love the garden these days.

I took these photos last week at an empty lot across the street from where we live. Good thing I did that because today I stayed home – under the weather. I’m good now, though – I slept it off and I’m ready to get back to it tomorrow. In any event, these abstract-ish photos were nice to edit today. Daisies are delightful.

I did get some good news today. It turned out my bid WAS the winning bid for the silent auction at the George Vanier Elementary fundraising carnival. Huzzah! I should get my basket tomorrow or the next day. That means I’ve won the drip hose, 2 pairs of gardening gloves and the Topsy Turvy – to name a few items I spied in that basket. How many tomatoes are we going to eat this summer? I think I’ve got 4 or 5 tomato plants on the go right now. Guess I’ll have to have a tomato party or can them up. Hmmm…canning. I should get a few more plants if I’m going down that road.

For my final photo in this series, I present, La Tour Eiffel! This is just 1 photo, 1 original + 1 copy (in mirror image), side by side. I like how the Eiffel Tower appeared in the centre.

Lucky accident!

Guess what?

Peeg watering can butt!

Hey, she came with this name. I didn’t name her.

I picked her up on sale (shocking!) at Fred Meyer yesterday – the crazy grocery store across the border the sells 2 for 1 recliners a few feet away from the avocados. I told Mike I’d do my best not to buy a gigantic recliner for $250. I’d have to tie it to the roof of the car. Please note: that was the ONLY thing keeping me from buying one. I couldn’t really tie that to the roof by myself and I don’t like asking for help for stuff like that.

Babs was easy to fit in the car.

Babs has odd, human-ish lips. It’s so weird. And the water comes out of the snout. Good thing that’s not weird at all. Heh.

Looks like I’ve got 2 watering cans now. I think I may thrift the green one, but it’s not a bad idea to have 2 watering cans going to water the lettuce and tomatoes. It’s sunny these days so these plants are thirsty. Thirst no more! They’re getting watered via pig snout. Delicious!

On Friday I got some garden lights that are solar powered (Thanks Mom!). I’ve been charging them up over the weekend and will try taking photos of these lights in the garden. This will require the use of a tripod. Some of the backyard plants are doing better than others. The sweet peas are going gangbusters and so are the sunflowers. The cucumbers don’t look the best, though, and the pumpkin is growing very slowly. I’ll do a little photo series tomorrow for documentation. I love documentation. Thank goodness I’ve documented the presence of Babs. That’s important and blogworthy information right there.

I went to an elementary school fundraiser this afternoon with the crew from #21. It turned out to have real carnival rides and carnival food presented by real carnies!

The event was very well attended, and kids rode on rides while grown ups hung out and watched.

I took a few minutes to head inside and check out the silent auction. I put a bid in for a gardening basket. Fingers crossed I had the highest bid. I saw a Topsy-Turvy in there! WEWT! Upside down strawberries are the best! Also, last I checked, I did have the highest bid. Someone put in a bid for $19.05. Sheesh. Five cents? COME ON.

Back outside, I captured Violett the second she thought that she couldn’t go on the big, bouncy slide.

But it was okay because she WAS big enough to ride down the big, bouncy slide and they let her slide down a few times. I got a few photos of her zooming down the slide, but didn’t post them because her underpants were on full display. DARN! She looked like she was having fun.

Speaking of good times, Bibby and Violett seemed to have a  pretty great time, riding the short, slow moving rides and eating carnival food.

Before I went to the carnival, I headed over to the U, S, and EH for a quick shopping trip for new pants. Great success! I did find a pair and they are pink. FANCY!

Also fancy, my pink pig watering can. Did I need a new watering can? NO. But it’s the shape of a peeg, so suddenly, I figured I needed it .

I’ll show you tomorrow!