Blessings at Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends. May you have a warm, loving and

very happy time with your family...your friends. We have so much to be thankful for.

This holiday is a special time to remember that.

Marc and I will share this Thanksgiving in Canada with friends at their place.

They always make it a lovely dinner and visit with little flags set about their home.

Last year they had set their new door chime to ring "Starbangled Banner" to welcome us.

As you know we have had our Canadian Thanksgiving in October. We can feel doubly blessed and thankful. Stay safe if you are travelling.

Will you host a Thanksgiving dinner at your home or will you travel to family and friends?

Blessings..... *hugs*... Judi xoxo

Christms Window Decoration - tutorial

Isn't this a darling Christmas decoration to make? I came across this project looking to

complete some things I have ALREADY on the go but I want to share what I found.

I think it is something I am definately going to have to make once I find a window AND have some time.... The instructions are HERE The site also has some other great craft ideas.

Should you make something like this please let me know so I can see your version.

Have a happy, crafty day....thats the kind of day I'd love to be having... Judi xoxo

Handmade Christmas Bear Cushions

In between making products for Christmas sales....like these soy tealights for example,

I've found a little time to make Christmas Bear cushions. They come 4 different bears in a panel.

I just loved the vibrant happy Christmas colours.

I sewed them into cushions and tied up little bows and sewed them on the ribbon pictures on the pattern...... This one is a Christmas plaid ribbon ...


that is the same fabric as the back of the pillows....


This one has a wired ribbon that I already had that goes perfectly...

I added on a red button and a fancy gold button...

I think they would look cute if I used some of that sparkly fabric paint that comes in a tube and wrote Merry Christmas on the bear's bib.

These are going to be little Christmas warming gifts for our children for their homes. The little ones will like them I'm sure.

I'll bring one to my girlfriend next weekend when we visit for the American Thanksgiving...

Geez its hard to concentrate on the work part of my creations with projects like this...Judi xoxo

Of This and That...

Its a busy time of year isn't it?

I have been very busy making products for Christmas sales in fact I was at home on my own all weekend doing just that. I couldn't even be "distracted" by blogging because from Friday evening until Monday morning I had no internet!! How's that? Not nice but it helped. :o)

I'll share some of my pictures of things I've been up when I can.

In the meantime some pics from our fall trip to Utah and Vegas. In front of a shop along the way.. metal bird houses for sale...and flowers...

At the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas at the Chocolate Store...novel cakes...

a Birthday Cake for sure made of wonderful cake gifts...too pretty for eating... I'd love to try to make just one gift.


a fairy...any little girl would love one of these I'm sure...

This is an interesting take on a wedding cake...cupcakes..


Glass flowers on the roof of the Bellagio hotel... I am always amazed by these...they are huge flowers and so colourful and handmade. They cover a large ceiling area.

close up of those glass flowers...

I hope you all have a special day today... Judi xoxo

Sausage Pillow Cases - My First

Finally I made my first one....

a pillowcase!

I've seen Libby and others online making wonderful pillowcases. Some with sweet fabrics and others with embroidery.

At the quilting store I go there were young girls taking a class to learn to make these sausage pillowcases. It took me a while to figure out the instructions and I thought maybe I should have been in on those classes but once I GOT it I realized how simple it is. These are the instructions I used in the end and pictures aren't necessary.

Tomorrow I'll make the 2nd one. I have a pair of white sheets and I'm going to add a topper to the top sheet using these 2 pillow fabrics to make it a set. I can tell I have a new addiction...but I also have new idea for Christmas gifts.

Have you made YOUR first pillowcase yet? If you did...bet it won't be your last! Judi xoxo

Sad News About Roanin, Sweet Granddoggy

Today we're sad about puppy Roanin...and I feel badly for Geoff and his little family too.

My sweet little Roanin granddoggy went to heaven on Friday. He was sick. I'm feeling too badly to post with his sweet picture today. But if you look a few posts back you can see a happier day and pictures about him.

At that time we knew he wasn't feeling so good. He was only 4 months old. Roanin was not eating well and seemed not to be feeling good. Visits to 2 vets revealed he had a degenerative bone disease in his jaw which caused swelling and soreness. He didn't want to eat....or run around happy as puppies do.

Geoff was trying antibiotics which were giving him bouts of relief and making him happy. There was a chance that after this regime he might outgrow it at a year old...or then he would have to be put down. A horrible diagnosis. But there was a chance and they were willing to give it a try. They loved the little one already. He was so good.

Last week there were further complications and they had to make a very difficult decision. On Friday he went to puppy heaven. It was a very very difficult time.

It makes me very saddened to think this little puppy didn't have a chance...and this lovely little one was taken away from Geoff and Kiley. They wanted him so badly. It was only a month to the exact day....

Hopefully in the spring when there will be a new litter they will be ready to choose another puppy from that breeder. That goes along with the purchase guarantee. Hopefully he will be a happy AND healthy puppy. It will seem an extra long wait until then...as we remember Roanin.

Give your fur babies extra loves today... Judi xoxo

Update: I wanted to add an update to this post further to Claudie's comment and concern. Roanin's breeder is supposed to be reputable and his mom and dad are champion Dobermans. Geoff and Kiley visited the place before the pups were born and at that time had put their name in for a male. They chose Roanin when he was bigger and could decide on his apparent temperament and disposition. Their website gives lots of pictures and information as well. Because he was a Purebred they had a guarantee such as in Roanin's case. I haven't discussed it with Geoff now but I think he doesn't feel its to do with the breeder. Its always difficult.

Grandchildren - Out of the Mouths of Babes

Grandchildren add such wonderful moments to our lives don't they? Especially those wee little grandchildren with their innocence. Well it appears we add some wonder to their lives too and hence I wanted to share the follow tidbits that were in something forwarded to me. I've added some pictures of my own.

Madeline's 6th birthday

1. She was in the bathroom putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After applying her lipstick and starting to leave the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!". I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good bye.

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. he asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

Austin getting ready to blow out candles with Geoff.

3. A grandmother was telliing her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pod. I had a swing made from a tire, it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods". The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!".

4. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!".

Jack is loving his new baby brother Reed.

I hope this post has put a smile on your face as it did to mine... Judi xoxo

Growler Lake - Fall's Beauty

My SIL Carol built a beautiful cottage this summer on Growler Lake in Ontario. I have not seen it in person but will share some pictures of it when I get some! Its lovely.

Lovely too are the last pictures of this Fall. We've had some rain and lots of wind off and on the past week. Most of the leaves are standing bare trying to cling to their clothes of colour. Now thats poetic I think. Anyway...enjoy.....


Their property is graded as you can tell as it overlooks the water below. They have 2 docks and acres and acres of wooded property behind them.


It is on a private gated lake and all the cottages and people owning them have an amazing Cottage Association.

Wouldn't this be a lovely spot to spend some quiet time even in the fall away from all the hustle and bustle of a busy week?

I hope you have some special time for yourself this weekend....or if thats not what you want in a weekend hope its wild and exciting....BOOOOO....Happy Hallowe'en Judi xoxo