Can a girl ever have too many Aprons???

I love Aprons!!! In case you didn't know. Most people who know me, know this fact...that is why my sister made a FABULOUS 'tomato apron' for me for my birthday last year...check it out!

And why she gave me another AWESOME apron for Christmas, which she bought at the Grande Prairie Farmers Market from "Shawls by Li":

The straps are really neat! They actually criss cross over the shoulders and then feed through the waist tie... so that you can adjust them to fit your body!

My Mother-in-law also likes aprons, so guess what I decided to make her for Christmas?

That's right...an apron!

I REALLY loved this apron, and wanted to keep it. It fits really well, is comfy to wear and is beautiful to boot! Guess I'll just have to make another one... I found the pattern and the fabric

at a local quilting shop, 'Piece by Peace Quilts' here in Fort St John.

The pattern is called "The All Day Apron"...because you can wear it comfortably all day!

Isn't this fabric gorgeous?!?

I absolutely LOVE the colours... it is so sunny and cheerful and just makes me happy to look at! This Apron would brighten up even the most drab kitchen!

Again, I had great intentions of taking pictures throughout the sewing process and posting a fabulous tutorial... but you will just have to visit Hawadaere for an apron tutorial, because I got too caught up in the joy of sewing and forgot to snap pictures. So... here is the finished product!
I had some trouble with the neckline, and think when I make it again I will just buy bias tape.

I adapted the pattern a bit... adding an angled double pocket to the right side instead of a single pocket. I really like how it turned out...

Have you made any fun projects lately? I'd love to hear about or see them! Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Scrappin'!

Norwegian Crafts (a little late!)

Wow! I cannot believe that it is February already! The winter months have been flying by and leaving my in the...snow. Since Christmas it seems like we just haven't been able to slow down. I had some big changes to my job, whihc have left me busier than ever, and Kurtis has been working out...basically all of January and February! I have been lucky to have a precious few days with him since Christmas! And, besides all that boring-busy stuff, I have found a new passion! Yoga.

I have taken up yoga with a vengeance. I have gone to a Yoga every day except Monday (because I curl that evening during Yoga!) for the last two weeks. I bought a membership and I am hooked! Obsessed might be a better way of putting it. I crave Yoga. But, better than that, I feel great! I am even craving healthy foods and lots of water! What a wonderful activity, that ANYONE can do! I would encourage everyone to try it, who knows, you may be like me and not know what you are missing out on!

Anyway... it is good to be back in the blogging world. I have a couple of crafts I need to show you (from months ago now!).

Back in November, my Husbands family has an annual get together called "Norwegian Weekend" in which we all get together, cook Norwegian food all day, and have a gift exchange of Norwegian-esk goodies. This year I decided to make our gifts... so... I made a pillow. My favourite kind of sewing is 'paper piecing' because you can make really neat/intricate designs fairly simply. I started bymapping out the letters "NORWAY": (*NOTE: if you are paper piecing letters, be sure to write them backwards!!)

 I meant to take pictures during the sewing process, but I got caught up in the moment... so here is the finished product. Back view with a large slit to insert the pillow and then a really fun large button to close the opening.

 Front view:

 I then had to make a late night trip to WalMart to find a pillow that would fit inside...and here you have it! A bright and fluffy NORWAY pillow! (PS: It was a hit!)

 I had to make a second gift...so with the scraps left from the pillow I made some crazy quilted pot holders! For a great tutorial on how to make pot holders, visit Hawadeare!... this is where I got hte idea, and man, is it easy and fast to do!

Uncle Chester, at 92 years young, he was the oldest Viking at our get together!

And here is Mia, our three year old baker... great Lefsa rolling skills start young!

The Viking men...

Me and my very own Viking...

Jody and her kids made an awesome Viking birthday cake for Elroy's 60th... you should have seen it all lit up!

Well, that's it for now. Welcome back to ScrapArt by Pris... I look forward to sharing the scraps of my life with you again!

Happy Scrappin'!

More Fun with the Cricut!

I couldn't rest with only having shown you ONE layout using my cricut... so here are some more I have been pumping out!!

This first layout is some more pictures from our Saskatchewan trip this summer. I just love the layered effect of the cricut letters...

This next one might be my new favourite layout! I love how 'uderwatery' and blue it is! I had some 'water' paper that worked perfect for this! And the "Life's A Beach" cricut font was obviously perfect! What a fun day! We enjoyed the float so much we did it twice that day!

This last layout is pictures from when Hubby's cousin got engaged. We were comissioned to secretly take picture from afar... very fun!

I used the "Storybook" cartridge to cut out the 'bubble' (what are those things called again??) and then cut out arouns the cut out, to make another 'outline'. I also used the 'Storybook' cartridge to cut out the saying "A Wish Came True". I think this page suits the event quite well! Congrats Jen & Jaime!

What have you scrapped lately using a cricut, or any other cutting machine?? Link your layouts at Lasting Memories... but hurry! You only have until this Saturday to link your "Cricut" layouts!

Happy Scrappin'!

Challenge #5: A Sentimental Journey (using computer generated text)

Challenge #5 already! If you haven't already, head on over to Lasting Memories to see what all my Design Teammates have come up with for this "Sentimental Journey" challenge.

The real challenge with this one was the computer generated text/title. I don't often use the computer to print anything (other than pictures!), why else would I have a cricut?? :)

I found, however, some 'computer generated' things I already had and wanted to use.

This layout is a tribute to my wonderful Grandma...to read about some of my Grammy's wonderful characteristics and adventures, click HERE.

I began by digging through a box of old photos and newspaper cutouts and journal entries from my Grandma. There was so much I wanted to use, but I decided to stick with just pictures and keep it simple- a tribute to her memory. I am planning on adding a few more layouts to follow this one, showcasing memorabilia and family pictures. 

The following painting and picture on a swing are the front and back cover from her funeral program. This was a true celebration of life and love.  

The 'computer gernerated' text that I used is actually the Eulogy/Life story in a nutshell that we all got a copy of after the Memorial. My Grandmother was a truly amazing woman, and I can only hope to one day be as inspirational to my children and grandchildren as she was to all of us.  

To see more inspiration and "sentimental journeys' head on over to Lasting Memories!

Birthday Gifts 2010

I am blessed with a wonderful, fun, creative family. I was also blessed this year with some fantastic presents from them for my birthday... here are a peak at some of the fabulous things I received:

I love Aprons. I have quite a few... and I wear one every day. For my birthday this year, my sister Lydia made me this gorgeous tomatoe print apron! I love the colours and the style is so cute! She is so talented! Check out some of her other FABULOUS DESIGNS at Hawadaere!

 

The sides wrap quite far around...perfect for wiping my hands and not getting food all over my thighs and bum! The V-neckline and fitted bodice adds style and make it fit really well!

My younger sister, Eliza, got me this fantastic paper pack. I can hardly wait to start using these colourful designs! The colours are bold, the patterns fun, and the possibilities endless!

When we were in Saskatchewn, my Hubby bought me this awesome Roughriders bunny-hug (my favourite sports/football team!). It fits perfect (I happened to be there at the time...) and he also bought me two pairs of really nice sunglasses... great pick honey!

This wasn't really a birthday gift, but I got it around the same time... so it counts. My little-sister-in-law went to Switzerland for a month this summer and she brought me back these great re-usable shopping bags! How neat is that?!? What cool designs... I can hardly wait to go shopping, and I hate shopping!!

My Mother also gave me a "sticky-note-coupon" for a piece of original art from her collection... what a deal! I am seriously weighing my options and considering carefully what to choose... I'll let you know when I know! Check out some of her art HERE!

Thanks everyone!

**Don't forget to link your "simple" layouts at the Lasting Memories Layout Challenge!! This challenge ends Friday!!**

Art Around the House...

I thought I would share some of the art that we have around our house. We don't have a ton of pictures on our walls (my Hubby is a minimalist!!), but I am slowly working at getting more neat art to feature. Maybe one day my walls will be as full as my Mum's.  Doubtful... but it is something to look forward to!!

Here are a few snippets of things that we have hanging about the house...

This first one is a painting done by my late Grandmother Nagel (Mum's Mum). She was a fantastic artist of all varieties. My Mum wrote a very inspirational piece about her that you can view here. Sorry the pictrues are not very good... it really is a lovely painting though!

This next peice is a little picture that my sister-in-law brought back for me from her recent stint in Kenya, Africa. It has wonderful texture as it is made out of grass (?) of some kind. Love it! I need to find a small frame for it so that I can put it in my African themed bathroom without worrying about it getting ruined by moisture. Thanks Sunny!

Here is a peak at my African bathroom... these are all pieces I have collected over the years wihtout even realizing I had an African theme at all. When we moved into our new home and I was unpacking I noticed that they were all the same colours and decided they made a great display. Who knew! The wooden elephant was a gift from a family friend, George Klein, who went to Africa. He brought an elephant back for each of the four kids... I think I was about six or seven when I got this. The wooden boar/pig was Kurt's gift from his sister's trip to Kenya this past winter. 

I bought this awesome painting a few years ago at a garage sale for .10 cents!!! I have no idea where it is from, but I love it!

This is one of my favourite pictures... I have always loved old trucks and this one reminds me of the old grain truck my Dad used to have in Saskatchewan. He would let us ride around in the back of it... ah the good old days! I don't remember where I aquired this print (probably a garage sale), but I really enjoy looking at it every day as I walk through the hallway.

Here are a couple smaller frames that we have in our bedroom. The one is a frame that I collaged on, and the other is a cross-stitched picture of the Northern Lights. My little sister Eliza made this for me as a birthday gift two years ago. A little reminder of home!

And of course, here is the picture that my sisiter painted this past Christmas. We have not hung it up yet, as we are not sure where to put it. We want it in the main living room, but it is too small to go on a wall by itself. Anyone have any art that would go nicely with this picture??

There you have it... a little peak at my walls...maybe one day I'll show you more!

Last of the 'Alphabet Album.' S-Z of Kurt's Growing-up Years

Here is the final segment in the 'Alphabet Album' I made of Kurtis's growing up years. Click on the "Alphabet Album" category to the right to see more pages ---->

Scroll down to see S-Z of Kurt's growing-up years

S:

This picture doesn't reallydo this page much justice... it is super fun because it is SUPER bright! The lime green worked perfectly with the stickers I had, as well as the pictures of neon snow-gear that was oh-so popular in the early 90's!

T:

I love this (above) layout. My hubby has always loved bikes... always! In fact, his Dad, Mom and Brother all ride motorcycles as well. Kurt recently sold his last motorcycle... wonder when we'll get a new one? :)

This (above) is the 'prettiest' page in this album. As Kurt is a "Man's Man" (ie: extremely redneck), I tried to keep things as far away from frilly and pink as possible.

U:

 
Disclaimer: All of the pictures on this "Underwear?" page featured Kurtis naked as a baby... I figured I would keep it 'G' rated and only show the cute embellishments! (although who could possibly be offended by an adorable baby?!?)

V:

W:

X:

Y:

Z:

Kurtis loved Davey Crocket as a child. When he finally got his own 'coon-skin' hat, he wore it everywhere, even to bed! In honour of Davey...

And there you have it folks, a fully completed, 90 page 'Alphabet Album.' It is simple, lots of fun, and a great way to get through some of those years of piled up pictures without wearing yoruself out. This is a great keepsake and if I never get to the rest of Kurt's pictrues, at least he has some reminders of each year of his life growing up. Good luck with your projects... i'd love to see how they turn out!