Graffiti Thursday part 12

Isn't this guy funny. He is poking his head up from behind someone elses tag. I really like how this artist added to the wall, rather then covering someone else's work. Considerate - and fun.
Cheers,
Carolyn

PS, Did you enter my give away? If you want to, please check out my Monday post to enter.

Unique mug rug for a unique friend

This Friday past was the last day for one of my friends at work whom was on contract. She scored herself a sweet job to further advance in her career so although it is sad to see her go, it is pretty exciting to.
Here is what I made for her:

Cheers,
Carolyn

PS, Did you enter my give away? If you want to, please check out my Monday post to enter.

Cool Knitting store

I almost to post these great pics of this knitting store on Hastings Street in Vancouver, BC.

Here you go my knitting friends! 

These yarn projects made hugging a tree quite comfortable!

Cheers,
Carolyn

PS, Did you enter my give away? If you want to, please check out yesterday's post to enter.

Button Button whose got the button... .. .Give Away!!

First, let me tell you about the awesome button store I found in Victoria, BC. This place totally put the cherry on top for the Victoria leg of our trip.
Its a little place called Button & Needlework Boutique.

Yup, this is me - 9am, coffee in hand and being the first customer of the day. I am such a keener!

The store has two doors - one from the street and one from the walking only alley area. The alley part was a road that the owner of the shops way back when, closed off. Now it is a lovely way to enter the stores without the noise of traffic. It also is the doorway that is shown above with the giant button.

And these lovelies are what I came home with.

Button & Needlework has an online catalog!! There were so many more buttons I wanted to buy, but Mr Hunter was with me so once I heard they were online, I felt safe to pace myself, and to continue my shopping from the couch at home. OH, my friends! - Let me briefly tell you how awesome the owners are, Mr Hunter was in the store sitting on a conveniently placed chair in the knitting section, and when the total was tallied, the owner tilted his head at the total, I nodded and passed my credit card, and he just put it through. Mr Hunter still does not know what the bill amount was. Hee hee. Smart and friendly owners.

So I promised a Give Away, and here it is. I meant to get this give away posted a month ago! Here is what is up for grabs:

Sorry these prize packs are not from the Button Boutique, but they are pretty sweet no?

I will pick two winners and here is what you have to do to get your entries:

1. Be a follower or tell me that you are already.

2. Please pass the word about this giveaway on your own blogs, Facebook or Twitter and tell me that you did.

3. Please check out the Button & Needlework site, browse the catalog and tell me what your fave thing is. It does not have to be buttons - they have a lot of knitting and needlework items too. (Please note, I am doing this because I love the store, they did not ask me nor do they know I am asking all my friends to check them out - but I hope you will).

That is it. So three chances to enter - the give away will close Sunday, Oct 2nd at 4pm MST. I will draw the name as soon as I get back from my quilting retreat on that day - should be around 6pm.

Cheers,
Carolyn

Paper piecing photo how to

Last weekend I learned how to paper piece at the Seba Beach quilting retreat.
Here is my photo how to guide.

 So when i do another paper piece project, I will take pictures from the beginning so it makes more sense - this post is more so for my own reference. So first you take a piece of fabric and make sure it covers all of your #1 spot. Then you take a straight edge like I show above and use it to fold the paper back on the line.

 Here is the paper folded back.

 Use your ruler and line it up to give yourself a 1/4 inch.

 Cut away the extra.

 Here is my cut piece, I just flipped it over. Remember to always add your fabric on the back, and only sew on the paper.

 Okay, so I have added my next piece of fabric here, lining it up with my edge of the previous piece.

 Here I have finger pressed the fabric, folding it over and holding it to the light to make sure it is covering the entire next spot with enough to have the 1/4 overhang. Once you are sure, fold it back over like it was in the picture just above this one.

 Flip over to the paper side, and pin the fabric in place.

 Stitch on the line. Then finger press the newly added piece over and use your straight edge to fold the next line.

Here is my finished arch. I have a pattern for a hummingbird - hopefully I will get to it soon to show you better.
Cheers,
Carolyn

The rest of the highlights

I could drag these holiday photos out longer - but I want to get back to the sewing stuff!
So, here are the last of the holiday pictures for you to check out. Hopefully if I am on the ball, I will show you pictures on how to paper piece tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy these.

Quick stop for Lucky

On the ferry

Mr. Hunter's Mom and Lucky

Mr. Hunter's Nan, Lucy the dog and Mr. Hunter

On the wharf in Victoria

Hee hee, this was some chalk art on the sidewalk in Victoria

Parliament building in Victoria

Some graffiti in Victoria

Coffee break

Mr Hunter with his daughter, his sister and her husband at a BC Lions football game.

Here is Mr Hunter's sister and her hubby again. We went to this night market in Richmond - in Vancouver. It was awesome!

This is us at the Vancouver Aquarium.

These were these silly octopus hats we found in the store. We all had a really great time.

Cheers,
Carolyn

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC

We managed to get to Vancouver Island which is where Victoria is and the Butchart Gardens. The gardens were developed by Mrs. Butchart and her husband on what was an old limestone quarry. This was around 1910 I think - I cannot remember now, but it was a very long time ago. When we got there, we had just beat the tour buses in, we walked peacefully for about 20 minutes - then we looked back and there were bus loads full of Japanese tourists. They were so cute, all the ladies wore hats and gloves, some had carousels to shade themselves. They took a picture of Mr. Hunter and I! It was the funniest thing. We took a picture of a group of them at their request and then later down the path I thought the one gal was asking if I wanted a picture of us together, so I started to hand her my camera and then she lightly pushed me together with Mr. Hunter and took out picture with their camera! It was so funny. When we were leaving, Mr Hunter asked to have my picture taken with them and they were really excited to let me stand with them - although I have to crouch down to not be taller then all of them. They made the gardens super fun, just watching them gave me joy. I love people watching and I loved their beautiful outfits.
Here are some pics for your enjoyment:

Cheers,
Carolyn

Graffiti Thursday part 11

This is done with a stencil, but I really like it, simple but full of life.
Cheers,
Carolyn

Horseshoe Bay - Vancouver with a little trunk buffet

This is the area that hosts not only the ferries to the Sunshine Coast, but it has several coffee shops, restaurants and retail stores. I've never gone into any of the shops there, but I have had some pretty great fish and chips. It is nice to walk the path and watch the ferries come in.
Here are a couple of pics for you:

Oh yes - and we had a trunk buffet. We stopped at our favorite restaurant in Vancouver to get some take out. Mr. Hunter's daughter, his sister, her husband and I enjoyed some delicious plate fulls of food before boarding the ferry.
Not bad for only our second day into the holiday!
Cheers,
Carolyn

Tunnel to no - where

I cannot recall what town this was in, but we came across an old railway tunnel that was no longer connected to anything. It was covered in graffiti and all these flags. Well, look for yourself, here are the pictures:




Cheers,
Carolyn