Hobbies with a Little Bite of Life

Quilt Ladder

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:37:00 +0000

With busy working on my kitchen I took a few days off (which I am now kicking myself). One day was just a me day and the other was doing a quilt Ladder that I have been wanting for ever.

I took a class at Rustic Ranch which is located just outside if Airdrie AB Canada. So I got my ladder - they were pre-made for us (thank you). I picked my colours which was Cannon Ball (black) & Purple Mountain, I want something different and not the norm that most people do.

So the first step is to clean, wipe down and make sure there are no nicks as this is being used to hold beautiful quilts.

Then you take your paint that you want as a base. Mine is Cannon Ball. Now go and paint away. Make sure you get everything covered.

Once dry do the other colour, mine is purple. Now the trick on this is how much work do you want to do to distress the piece. The more (heavier) you put on the more work you will have to do to bring the base colour through.

Once that is dry then you start the distressing process - have fun. By the time I was done I totally thought that my arm was going to fall off & I did not cover it that much.

Then you must pick a wax... you can go dark or clear. We had a sample piece that we tried the two different wax too. I eventually chose the clear. Well you wax the piece then wait for it to dry and buff it.

You can't put anything on it till the axis cured which by label is 30 days... I might wait a week or 2.

Have a great day

Kitchen DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 14:14:00 +0000

Well it has been a very long process and I am just about at the finish line.

I have gotten all the top cupboards done and re-installed. The nottom ones are mostly done with 4 still being painted.

I started thinking this will only be a week... I did read other people's story about it being 2 weeks & I thought no way. Today marks it at a week and 1/2 since starting the painting so 2 weeks pretty much sums it up. I will only be getting my kitchen done as my work place will no longer be available as my in laws will be home.

1. Thing I have learnt, if you are doing 2 different colours you will only need a quart (small guys) of each colour. Don't buy the gallon as you will waste 90% of it.

Thanks for staying tuned. Will show when everything is done. Can't wait.

Then on to the China Cabinet

Shauna

Kitchen DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 00:15:00 +0000

While since my pantry door was such a great turn out. I decided that why not paint the kitchen cupboards. Well I am only doing a little at a time as I don't want to have that big of a mess. They are coming along great I think, just hope that no master handyman comes and investigates the doors up close & personal....

Kitchen DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 22:29:00 +0000

Well, spring sure has sprung here. I have a lot of projects that I want to get going on and others a little afraid to do.

So today, I decided to start in the kitchen. Well the white pantry door to be specific. I was really sick of looking at it, and really white is not that great for a farm house.

This is the door with 1st coat on. This paint takes 16 hrs to dry so I can't do another coat till tomorrow.

I am really hoping that it will look great and won't have to redo. If it does then on to the cupboards.

Hope everyone is doing great & enjoying the great weather

3 years

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 16:17:00 +0000

It has been over 3 years since I have posted. What had changed in that time? A lot. My son just celebrated his 9th birthday & is growing into such a young man. I have been doing a lot quilt tops and getting some old projects quilted by the local quilter. My hubby is still doing the same thing nothing much changes there. I am no longer working in the city, now just a stay at home mom and farm/ranch wife.

Saturday Sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 02:20:00 +0000

This weekend I went to a sew day hosted by http://quiltingclasses.blogspot.ca/ they are friends of mine and Karen does all of my quilting for the last year or so.

My goal that day was to get a baby quilt top done for a girlfriend that just had a baby girl Kira Jade. To my surprise and amazement I got it all finished and handed it off to my quilter ;)

Yellow Brick Road

The fabric the I picked for this quilt was Minitures by Julie Henricks. This is one of my fabric lines and I have awhole stash with a pattern to make. When my girlfriend had told me it was a girl this was the line that I went to. My stash is still fully intake (better get the quilt finished).

Today, I started cutting my fabric for the Mystery Quilt day on November 3 that they are hosting. I am really excited about this to see what my quilt will turn out to be.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

Hello

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Hi all well it has been a very long time since I have blogged. I am back and hopefully I will be able to at least do a blog a week...

In August I found a new job after being with my old one for 9 years. It was scary but you know sometimes change is a good thing. I am working for a Canadian pet company, in the finance department.

My little guy is in Kindergarten this year, he is growing up so fast. I am the president of our school, just the preschool and kindergarten. So that is keeping me pretty busy as well.

Well I am off to get to work and my son to his day home.

Til next time,

Shauna

Growing up so fast

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:16:00 +0000

Little roper

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Grandparents 65th Wedding Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Well Well

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000

Hi all,It has been a long time since I blogged or even looked at blogs so I am sorry for not view yours.

Since January, we have had a few more new calves and now we are just starting to calf, which I am excited about as that means spring is here.

It has been very busy around here that is for sure, not sure what we have been busy doing but the time sure is flying by.

February we celebrated my son's 5th birthday where we celebrated it at the local bowling alley with a few of his friends. My son has been very busy around here wanting to help with everything which nice to have - which I need to take that time and appreciate this as I know that it will not last long once he is able to be outside helping his dad and papa. I have been busy quilting trying clean up some odds and ends and starting some new projects which I am very excited about and hope to post soon.

At the end of February beginning of March we were at the Calgary Bulls Sale with two pens of Heifers for thier first every heifer sale. We did not do to bad and will be back next year. We just go home for a quick visit to Medicine Hat Bull Sale where we purchased another bull, I think that we still 1 or 2 more. While there I went and visited my Grandparents whom will be celebrating their 65th Wedding anniversay on the 7th of April. Can you belive that 65 years.

This week, I have come to realize that life is too short and people are not going to around forever, so I decided to try my hand at making my grandma's homemade buns. This were the best ever, every weekend when i would go to the Hat, upon arrival I would have a bun and pickle sandwich (all homemade by grandma). I have already mastered my grandma's pickle recipe, so natural the buns had to come next. They turned out but not all the same size. I guess with time I will get it down right, right?

Well have to run and get supper going so that I can go curling.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:10:00 +0000

Wow what a year 2012 has been for me... This year I keep saying that things are going to be different, I hope and pray for this.

New Year's came and went with great friends and all that good stuff.

What are your resolutions for 2012?

I really want to find a pattern and finish my Red & White Quilt
Learn to hand quilt
Go to school and get a Bookkeeper/Payroll Certificate
De-clutter my office/scrapbook/sewing room
Live Laugh Love with Friends and Family

So Now on to 2012 - wow that even fills weird typing. With ringing in the new year we also started Calving 4 months early!!! My hubby bought some cows at a sale at the beginning of this month. They were in calf, not sure when they would be calving. So Yesterday I was out doing the grain chores and long and behold we were having our first calf of the new year. 8 more to calve and the rest in April...Might have to have a mini branding in April for these big ones.

Our first Calf with her mom

My chore partner - sometimes he thinks that he can drive

Well that is all that there is to say today, or life is getting some normality back into it and School will be starting here shortly. My son I think is looking forward to school and seeing his little friends again.

Cheers!

Shauna

What Next

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:56:00 +0000

I am not sure what is going to happen around here anymore. It started on Boxing Day... I went to do a load of laundry and long and behold my dryer stopped working. So in the below 0 temperatures I hung the blanket over the deck railing in the sun in hopes that it would dry-nope not all the way. So later that day I took it up to my mother-in-laws and used her dryer & washer I spun it twice and she did it once too, then I stuck it into the dryer. By the time that we left the blanket was dry- YES I had something for my bed that night. Last year my Hubby wanted to get a new washer as he was determined that either I did not know how to wash clothes or there was something wrong with the washer machine. I talked him out of it, in my stubbornness.

On December 27, I called a fix-it man thanks to a friend that suggested it - I was totally thinking new dryer and washer and my hubby was right that the washer was not working right. Mr. Appliance came and looked at the dryer - $15 for the piece and what ever for the call. While here I asked him to look at the washer - ok hubby was right last year - washer broken - transmission and some parts the run the agitator - Mr.Appliance said it is worth the fix as these are top of the line appliances and seeing how they are still in this condition. So we decided that we would fix it $350 later I have my washer actually cleaning the clothes and the dryer actually drying my clothes.

On December 28, My truck needed new rear breaks - well another expense - EXPENSIVE expense

Last night I went and turned on the TV and there was nothing just a black screen and sound.....Oh am I in trouble now...So I thought that maybe it was the cable cord from the TV to the satellite dish receiver. Nope that was not the issue after I went into town and got a new cord. Then I was on the phone with the satellite provided trying to trouble shot the problem - they said that it was the received...Now my Hubby is in town so I sent him to the store to pick up a new receiver and hopefully we will have a TV again. He brought it home I went and hooked it all up in hopes that it would magically work... NOPE it did not. I am sick to my stomach as I have just cost us a lot of money in 3 days. Now why was I not thinking... HELLO no picture does that not usually mean - TV has reached its life? So now we are looking for a new TV and the one that quit is only 2 yrs old - I guess that is what you get for buying a special and a brand that I have not hear of, that deal was so good to pass up tho.

Thank goodness for the Internet, because it is boxing week and there are a lot of sales you have to do your research...Sears right now does not have very good deals, Brick none (where we bought the one that is broken), Wal-Mart ok deals welcome to VISIONS what deals to be had. So I have an appointment in town and the family will be coming with me - well to drop me off and then go shopping for a TV. I honestly can live without this TV but for hubby there has to be a TV - what is it with men and TVs or TVs in the bedrooms.

I am starting to not want to touch anything else around here for fear that I might break that too. Well all I can say is least no one is hurt or anything like that, and it is boxing week. Bad thing it is just after Christmas when money is a little tight. Hopefully nothing will break now as that is 3 - and bad things always happen in 3's.

Wishing you all a GREAT New Year's and all the best in 2012

Till Next Time,

Shauna

What Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:47:00 +0000

So I have been asked what I was talking about in my blog SSCS 2011-Finale where I mentioned that I had to run and help Roy set up panels and his loading chute to that liner so I thought that I would share some pictures with you so you understand a little more.

Panel

Loading Chute

John Wayne Liner

So that is what these are. My son is just a little cowboy in the making like his father.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

For a Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:10:00 +0000

This year I made a gift for a dear friend and neighbour down the road. She is always there when you need her with out hesitation or whining. When hubby broke his ankle this fall she was there when needed either to drive Hubby somewhere or to watch Roy while I took Hubby.

So awhile back we were having a visit and she mentioned that she would like a green quilt one day… So I began to work on a quilt, well of course that did not work out in my favour just like the first try of everything…So I went back to the Quilt Shop – Traditional Pastimes. I got some great information on how to cut the material to get the most out of it as it was just and I mean just enough to do the sashing for this quilt. They suggested cutting crosswise – well I have never cut this before – WOW that was so easy to do for the sashing, will be keeping it in mind for next time I have to do sashing. I like the quilt so much I might make myself another one but with other colours.

This quilt is made with Ty Pennington’s fabric http://typenningtonfabrics.com/the-fabric-2010. I am very excited to see if my LQS shop gets in the new fabric. It looks great and can’t wait to make something with it.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

SSCS 2011 - Finale

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:37:00 +0000

As Christmas came and went....I finally got to open my Secret Santa Christmas Present... It was from Susan. I love the gift and I really cant wait to start filling my stuff into it... so a big THANK YOU for your gift.

A bag full of Goodies

The Main Gift - Stitchery bag - I am going to assume that it is from ANNI DOWNS - from Hatched and Patched - love this place for stitchery

Stitchery in a frame

New scissors for me... and a charm so no one can steal them hehehe

Caramilk chocolate bar - can't wait to eat this-we don't have these in Canada

Wrapping Paper - can't wait to create something out of this

Now from me. I was not sure what the rules were - well there were none just the ornament and main gift had to be home made... So I was reading my Secret Santa's blog to see what she was into and such and getting ideas for her gift. She is a Baker so Lise-The Chocolate Cat has a lot of treats (recipes) on her Blog, so I made her a Recipe Book for her, then I was reading what others were doing - quilting, stitching etc. so I thought oh my... I better quilt her something... Being a newbie to this I was not sure what I as suppose to do so I made her this.

Then I made the Ornament - this was 3 times the charm. I really hope that she likes it as Pink is her colour.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, I have to run as my Son is want to set up panels and the loading chute to the cattle liner - all toys of course.

Till Next time,

Shauna

Loosing Teeth

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:49:00 +0000

First off I want to wish all my readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. I hope that you all are ready for Christmas and New Year's and such. I know I am just got to wrap a few last minute gifts when my son leaves to do chores in the morning with hubby.

My son (4) has already lost 2 teeth. The first one he swallowed so I had to text the tooth fairy to let him know that a tooth was in fact lost but it was swallowed. Well the tooth fairy got my text as she showed up leaving my son $5. Roy was very excited. Yesterday we headed over to a friends to have our Christmas party, I was bring the gifts in and all of a sudden my son said - Mommy I lost my tooth and shows it in his hand. We (my girlfriend & I) wrapped the tooth in tissue and the placed in a zip-loc so that it would not be lost. Last night the tooth fairy arrived and leaving him $2 - a little disappointed as he still wanted the $5. Well I had to let him know that the first on is a little more special. So then he asked for a bag for his tooth - well the next one.

I have been looking for a nice/cute little tooth bag, but I just could not find one that I liked. So now my imagination is running wild. So many ideas and such, well I am thinking of doing a little cowboy boot and then a tooth on the front on it. Still trying to figure out the pocket for the tooth.

Now to the drawing board - boot, tooth, pocket. But then I could just do a square with a pocket and do some stitchery to jazz it up a bit. Lordy, I got my hands full just need to figure out a game plan and get it done before the next tooth comes out.

Wishing you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

SSCS 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I have totally forgotten to post my present when I received it... Tis the Season. I did how ever remember to email the giver as well as Chooky to let her know that my package did in fact arrive.

I received this from Susan. 1 more sleep until I get to open the main gift and I really can't wait to open it. This is the ornament that she made for me - it is on the tree and looking GREAT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SSCS 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:54:00 +0000

Well in my crazy little world - I have forgotten to take a picture of my parcel before it got put on the sleigh - SORRY, but I do have a picture of my ornament that I sent but I am new so I am not sure if I am allowed to post or not so I will not.

I will be checking my mailbox in hopes that I have a parcel in there for me, I know that it is a early but just in case they sent it on the 19th it might be here but not sure...

Well Merry Christmas - I will let you know - post - when I receive my present - Next step setting up my tree and getting the house ready for Santa.

What Have I Been Up To

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:35:00 +0000

Oh how my life can get crazy is a hurry.

Halloween has come and gone, with the candy being gone I think in record time. With hubby still in a cast it really lets you know what a relationship is made of that is for sure.

First of, the day of Halloween we weaned our calves and loaded them on the liners to take to the market. The next morning Hubby, Roy and me all got ready and headed to the auction to watch our calves sale, this is a new family tradition since Roy was born. Well this year I was finally not the only lady there with that made it so easy as my friend also brought her son whom is older then Roy but still plays and let's him hang around.

Then we had Roy's school photos which were quite interesting that is for sure. But I can't wait to see his face. As well I am also the school's scrapbooker so I really can't wait as I have started working on it with the Halloween I really can't wait to see what the parents say about it.

Next, I was approached by the preschool teacher to head up the Christmas Concert... Well that is not a little task but I took it on, I just keep saying "not for me but for my child" As I do quilting and curling for me. So I have been working like a little be thinking and the making and figuring. I have called in a few other mom's for assistance, our name - Santa's Little Helpers.

This has all been happening still while my Hubby has been in his cast - still non weight bearing - which means I am still nurse, made, EVERY thing. It is wearing on me to say the least, but good news, we went to the Cast clinic on Friday and the cast is off Whoo Hoo. But he got an air cast for the next month - but he can walk etc on it... But while in the house he does not have to wear it. Hubby is getting EXTREMELY antsy. Today he just said that tomorrow he is going to try and do chores, which will be nice for him to get back into the tractor, not so good for me, this means that I have to swing gates for him, our currently weather is -20 BRrrrrrrrrrrrr. Hubby is still not all that happy as the Doctor won't let him ride for another 6 weeks. Well that is OK as our weather is not nice for riding.

Now for some important blog stuff - SSCS - I have finished mine along time ago and just waiting for the 19 to come around to get it in the post... Well, last minute I decided that I did not like my ornament that I made so I remade it and I actually like it so much better. Now I am on the hunt for a box that will fit all gift to send to my new friend.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:41:00 +0000

Halloween came and went, now we have a lot of CANDY to help Roy eat. This is not a good temptation for a diabetic that is for sure. For my little guy he got 2 huge bags full, and each stop hand a bag of candy for him not just a handful but an actual paper bag full of goodies.

Then we had a stray in our yard... Well not so much a stray but my son's pony decided that he did not want to be with the other horses and jumped the cattle guard or we are thinking that he jumped the cattle guard. He then found his way down to our place where he stayed for some time.

Till Next Time,

Shauna

Camping-Never too late to post

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:20:00 +0000

So at the end of August we went up to Rocky Mountain House for a friends Birthday and to help pull the Bulls - well hubby and Roy helped pull the bulls and I was just there for the party hehehe. It has been a long time since I was last up to Rocky - Roy was about 6 months old.

There was a lot of riding -which my hubby did not bring my horse (very well broke) so I did not feel comfortable to ride someone else horse. The boys were fishing and the big boys went for a drive to the other place to check things out, while the girls went for a ride. Which left me, Roy and Uncle and a friend back at camp.

The Girls were great with Roy they would lead him around the campsite on a horse named Peaches. He really enjoyed himself on the horse, at the campfire and just being there.

Girls with Roy on Peaches

The mornings came early at my trailer, with a hubby that could not sleep and a son that woke up at the first light. Thank goodness to Generators - we brought ours just so that I could have Coffee in the morning and just in case our trailer batter went dead. It was just so peaceful in the morning having coffee and stitching away on my Raggedy and Friends (yes, I am still working on that). Uncle was up early too as he had to run his Border Collies and such and make sure the horses were fine and such - as I am not that horses so I just try and stay clear, but will pet and such and occasionally get on one... But not this trip

Uncle Teaching Roy to Golf - Early Morning

Roy & Uncle going for a ride

The Group going for a Ride - minus the Fishers and Travelers

Well this might have been my last trip of the season and it was a good one.

Till next time,

Shauna

Fall Round Up

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:22:00 +0000

It has been a very crazy week around my place. My week started on Thursday, the beginning of bring the cows/claves home for the winter. Saturday was the last day of hauling cattle.

Everything is home and now we just have to wean our calves and get then to the market to sale. We have the cattle liners coming on Halloween and our calves sale on the 1st.

Thanks for stopping by

Post from My Blackberry

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:53:00 +0000

hello all, you might have been wondering where I have been lately. Well I have been here at home...I have been busy with pre-school and then Thanksgiving came, this is earlier then the US Thanksgiving but all the same-we are Thankful.

So this year was my hubby's 40th. We did not have any plans as it is (was) harvest and with everyone in the fields it would not be that fun... Well as it tuned out my hubby rolled his ankle which actually turned into a broken one. So the day before his birthday we spent in Urgent Care and then off to ER for an Ortho consult-no surgery good news. since then I have been tending to him with very little sewing. But I managed to get all my binding done on the quilts that I have finished. And stupid me I put this game on the computer for him so that he has something to do. Since then I have not not been able to use my computer for anything-not even scrapbooking

Today the neighbour came and took hubby out of the house helping with bring cows home. So with him out of my hair I got my Christmas Ornament made for my SSCS and the remainder of the gift just have to finish it.

So that is what I have been doing lately.

Till Next Time,
Shauna

Nothing Much

noreply@blogger.com (Alberta Gal, Shauna) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 02:28:00 +0000

Well it has been crazy around here....
Preschool is going off without a hitch, our preschool is a parent run organization so it is a parent run school where we all pretty much get a vote on how things are run...Well this year our fundraiser was working at a casino... I am not a fan of casino but as a parent I had to do my shift. It was very interesting for never setting foot in a casino other then Las Vegas. Well now that, that is completed it is on to other things in our world.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching well it is here on Monday. It is going to be a busy weekend as my Hubby turns 40 - still no plans for how we are going to celebrate but it will be celebrated that is for sure.

On the Scrapbook side of things-I have gotten all my albums caught yup from 2009 so I feel very proud of that.
On the Quilting side not much of anything, I have got my binding on my Tis the Season so just need to finish that...
On the farm side - we have finished baling the straw and harvest. Next stop getting the cows home and sorted etc. Not sure when that will happen but it will be soon...