MOVING DAY & AN AWARD

This weekend was very busy. My step-daughter, Terrilee, moved out of our house and into a new apartment. She's been with us for 3 years now while she finished her University degree.
It was a very sad day for Hubs as Terrilee is moving all the way across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). But Terrilee is very HAPPY! (Okay, wipe that smile off your face, even just for Pop's benefit).

She is setting up residence with her boyfriend, Troy.


And here is where they'll be living.

With this view of the city (6th floor).

So needless to say, our weekend was filled with packing, moving boxes, painting, unpacking and cleaning.

When all the excitement had finally passed on Sunday, Hubs suggested we go out for breakfast. Can you imagine my excitement when we came home, pulled into the driveway, and saw this sticking up in the front garden!

Woohoo, we won an award for our front garden! I was soooooo excited!!!

Because no one was home, the Horticultural Society Judges left this tucked in our front door.

It is so fulfilling when all your hard work and efforts are recognized by someone other than yourself!

Cheers ~ Lisa ~

CUSHION SLIPCOVER

I would like you to meet my other two dogs - Jasmine and Dusky. Strider was previously introduced in an earlier post. Please note where these dogs enjoy spending all their spare time lounging.

Jasmine (isn't she pretty) is a Whippet. Dusky is only 8 pounds. He is a Toy Manchester Terrier. We don't see many of this breed in my area.

Jasmine and Dusky have always been allowed to be up on the furniture. And really, why not ..... they are very important parts of our family. And they have been taking advantage of that luxury for over a decade now.

Unfortunately, as a result of this, my lovely couch cushions are starting to look like this!


This is one of the reasons I have been so motivated to learn to sew. I could make myself slipcovers for the cushions. It would be easier to go out and buy new furniture but why??? We have always loved this furniture and it is oh, so comfy. And how about simply being conservative? Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.

This is the fabric I decided to use. The strip I already had in my fabric collection. Yes, I have a large fabric collection. I adore fabric so I think I was destined to learn to sew.

This is all the fabric together. The original green, which will still be the back and arms of the loveseat and couch plus the 2 new fabrics that will make up the seat cushion slipcovers.

This is where women create (okay, I'm really attempting to create with a lot of assistance from Ms. Brenda).

I have now been to 3 sewing classes and I have learned much. This is my invisible zipper (which I could never duplicate again on my own).

I sewed like a maniac to ensure I would finish my first cushion during my last lesson. I had the foot petal to the metal!

And this is what I accomplished! My very first cushion slipcover. And I am PROUD!!!

I think the colours blend nicely with the rest of the floral cushions.

One down and three more to go!

When you have a moment please go visit my friend Chris at Red Gate Farm (http://redgatefarmcuster.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway-to-celebrate-50.html) to enter a terrific giveaway!

Have a great weekend - Cheers ~ Lisa ~

HUMMINGBIRD

I happen to be quite fond of birds. Now I don't own a bird nor am I one of those bird watchers who is able to identify over 100 different species. However, I like using them in decorating my home and they seem to appear quite frequently.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I came home today and spotted this in my backyard!
Now understand, I live in the middle of a bustling metropolis. Any glimpse of wildlife is a rare occurrence. I could barely keep my composure as I rushed for my camera. I didn't want to get the dogs excited and then scare away my tiny visitor.

Sorry, these are not the greatest pictures - they were the best I could do in the circumstance.

You really have to look for him in this last pic - but he is there - a sweet Hummingbird!

Hope you all enjoy the remainder of the weekend! ~Cheers - Lisa~

STRIP OF TURF

As one who loves to garden, I crave LAND! Unfortunately in my subdivision, there simply isn't enough to go around.

As a result of this dilema, I've had to turn my eye to my neighbour's land!

You know the small strip of grass dividing two neighbouring driveways? That strip of turf doesn't look very pretty; is a pain to maintain; and really doesn't serve any purpose except it acts as a rainwater drainoff, helping the water run from between the two tightly sandwiched houses, out into the road.

I asked Hubs to present a proposal to the neighbour to use his half of the "strip" and turn it into a beautiful garden. "Please convince him" I pleaded. "There will be no cost to him as I will purchase all the plants (thus not to give up creative control) and I will do all the maintenance (easy, because I LOVE gardening)"!

Our neighbour agreed and Hubs removed all the sod and some of the heavy clay, and we ordered 4 yards of soil. This barely filled the hole so another 5 yards of triple mix was trucked in.

I designed a screen, with a pergola top, and Hubs built it. It turned out great!

And then the planting began. Over the course of this summer, the garden has already matured quite a bit. (Strider doesn't usually miss a photo-op)

And there it went, from Blah to Ahhhhhh.

Cheers ~ Lisa ~