Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Weekend Finishes {06.17.2013}

This weekend, I had some projects I needed to catch up on, one being a birthday gift for a friend. It took me a while to decide what I would make, I had one hundred and one ideas. I finally decided on making my first coin purse. After a false start (which we won’t talk of), I finally finished my little gift mid-day on Sunday and dropped it off an hour later (with instructions it still needed to dry for 8 hours). A little close I know 😉

Details: Coin Purse
Design: Michelle Wilkie (Squeek Crafts – that’s me)
Silver Frame + Glue: While Baby Naps (Etsy Store, glue can only be sent within the US)
Outside Fabric: Carnaby Street  – 60’s Waves Midnight (Purchased from: Moona Fabrics – Etsy)
Inside Lining: Carnaby Street  – Kings Road Lemon (Purchased from: Moona Fabrics – Etsy)

CarnabyPurse3 CarnabyPurse1 CarnabyPurse2 CarnabyPurseSide

I am linking up with two wonderful link-ups today. Firstly Sew Cute Tuesday with Janice@Better off Thread, and secondly Plum and June: Let’s get acquainted Monday Link up,  which is being hosted this week by Lucy at Charm about You.

Better Off Thread     Plum and June

Don’t forget to check out the 2013 Let’s get acquainted New Blogger blog hop that is underway hosted @ Plum and June.

Plum and June

The blog hop schedule is:

Friday, June 7th
Nancy @ Owen’s Olivia
Amy @ 13 Spools
Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt In A Day
Casey @ The Studiolo
Nanette @ Yeah, I Made That
Ange @ Heart Of Charnwood
Kim @ Robot Mom Sews
Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting

Friday, June 14
Julie @ Jolie Maxtin
Melissa @ Melia Mae Quilting
Adrianne @ On The Windy Side
Molli @ Molli Sparkles
Laura @ Little And Lots
Sarah @ Duck Egg Threads
Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Cari @ There’s A Thread
Valerie @ Between Quilts

Friday, June 21
Leigh Anne @ Ella’s Cottage
Stacey @ The Tilted Quilt
Sarah @ Quilt Candy
Jackie @ NW Patchwork
Liz @ Beadqueene’s Bits And Baubles
Erica @ Happy Fabric
Stephanie @ Simple Sewendipity
Lauren @ Seraphym
Amy @ Cloud CouCou Crafts

Friday, June 28
Green @ So Sew Green
Gwendellyn @ The Rainbow Revolts
Jessica @ Stitched In Thyme
Amira @ Little Mushroom Cap
Kathy @ Kayak Quilting
Michelle @ Factotum Of Arts
Paula @ The Sassy Quilter
Kris @ Sew Sunshine
Camilla @ Faffling

Friday, July 5
Christa @ Christa Quilts!
Alyce @ Wonderland By Alyce
Anna @ The Crooked Banana
Rachel @ Sew Happily Ever After
Stephanie @ Quarter Incher
Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs
Caroline @ Carolines Craftiness
Lisa @ Hilltop House Creative Works

Friday, July 12
Leona @ Leona’s Quilting Adventure
Karen @ Karen, {Novice} Quilter
Anne @ PlayCrafts
Rachel @ Let’s Begin Sewing…
Jan @ Sew And Sow Farm
Anna @ Quilting Along The Grain
Cath @ Wombat Quilts
Sarah @ {No} Hats In The House

Friday, July 19
Karen @ Little Birdie Quilting Studio
Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures
Katie @ Snuggle Up With A Dish From Karma
Alison @ Making Happyness
Ella and Nesta @ Ella & Nesta’s Little Room
Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts
Nicole @ Modern Handcraft
Aylin @ AyliN-Nilya
Kelsey and Amanda @ Everyday Fray

Friday, July 26
Vicki @ A Quilter’s Mission
RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts
Elisa Lea @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In The Boon Docks
Jenny @ A Note To Follow Sew
Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Sonia @ Fabric & Flowers
Emily @ Sew E.T.
Em @ Sewing by Moonlight

Fabric Stash Additions {06.16.2013}

Those that don’t know JoAnn’s – this is a large fabric store chain in the US. It stocks everything from home decor fabrics to clothing fabrics and of course has a section for quilting fabrics. The Premium Quilting fabric section includes fabric designers such as Denyse Schmidt, Heidi Grace and Donna Wilder (Stonehill Collection).

To my surprise, when I received the newsletter this week, Cloud 9 Fabrics is now part of the Premium Quilting Fabrics at JoAnn’s. It is not cheap (@$14.99 USD a yard) but since JoAnn had a 40% sale on Premium Quilting Fabric and I had coupons – my new additions were very affordable. Here are my selections, of the new Cloud 9 fabrics. I love the color mix of Citrus, Teal, Grey, Pink/Orange, and the geometric shapes.

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Linking up with Fiona @ Finding Fifth for Sunday Stash.

Menu Plan {06.15.2013} + Wonderful NZ Art piece

When we got back to work on Tuesday, I received a note from shipping that a personal parcel was waiting for me to pick up. Now, my Mum had mentioned she had to courier my birthday present to me, as it was big and flat. It sure was!!! This was what was inside (still not completely unpacked hence the tape on the bottom)….the fan-like art piece is made from New Zealand Flax. Isn’t it beautiful, the perfect composition of weaving at the bottom and then the long criss-crossed fanned strands. What a great gift, now we have to decide where to put it – I am thinking the bedroom in a simple wood frame.

IMG_7693

As we were in New York we did not have a meal plan for the week, but we are ready to plan this week.

DAY BREAKFAST DINNER
Saturday Granola + Fruit Grilled Chicken Breast + Salad
Sunday Strawberry + Banana Crepes Grilled Rissoles + Watermelon, Cucumber, Basil Salad
Monday English Muffin + Banana + Almond Butter Broccoli+ Cherry Tomato Fettuccine
Tuesday Bircher Muesli Chicken “Fried” Rice (Brown Rice)
Wednesday English Muffin + Banana + Almond Butter zPizza
Thursday Bircher Muesli Moroccan Lamb Shanks + Grilled Vegetables + Wheat Berries
Friday Berry + Banana + Spirulina Smoothie Toasted Sandwiches + Homemade Fries

We are usually spending ~$70 a week for our meals. Here is this weeks shopping list:

GROCERY LIST (NEW STOCK) IN THE CUPBOARD/FRIDGE
  • Watermelon (TJ)
  • Bananas (TJ)
  • Zucchini (TJ)
  • Cherry Tomatoes (TJ)
  • Basil (TJ)
  • Soy Milk (TJ)
  • Lamb Shanks (BJ)
  • Chicken (Meat House)
  • Soy Yoghurt (WF)
  • English Muffins (TT)
  • Bread (LaFarm)
  • Gluten Free Pasta (TT)
  • Brown Rice (TJ)
  • Oats (BJ)
  • Sultanas (TT)
  • Wheat Berries (WF)
  • Broccoli (our garden)
  • Carrots (our garden)
  • Bell Pepper (TJ)
  • Asparagus (TJ)
  • Onions (TJ)
  • Eggs (TJ)
  • Lettuce (TJ)
  • Tomatoes (TJ)
  • Granny Smith Apples (LF)
  • Mushrooms (TJ)
  • Frozen Corn (TJ)
  • Ground Beef (TJ)

NOTE: We shop majority at Trader Joe’s (TJ), Target (TT) with an occasional visit to Whole foods (WF), BJ’s , Harris Teeters (HT), Lowes Food (LF) and Fresh Market (FM).
NOTE: We do not typically use coupons mainly due to time.