Match Game Monday - Wimbledon Winners

Two weeks of tennis is almost over.  So far three of my favorites are still in (Novak, Rafa and Roger).  As for the women section, I only have one left and that is Simona Halep.  Of course you know that there's still one that I am not a fan of and she is still in it.  Sometimes I think that if she does retire, she might get a job being a sports commentator.  Now what do I do, watch all the games with the sound off???  It is bad enough now that her coach is already doing some of the coverage.  Anyway, I don't have any control or say on that issue but I know how to resolve it.  Just watch the match I love and delete all the games I am not fond of watching.  After this weekend, I will have a break before the US Open which begins on August 26.  Of course I am already looking forward to it but there's one more before that which is the Rogers Open in Toronto.  Not as big as the four majors but still tennis and I still record most of the matches.  I wish all my favorites the best of luck for the semi finals and finals.  Whoever wins on the men's side will be of course the best.  As for the women, as long as it's any of the other player wins, I am happy.  I have enjoyed watching most of the match but I wish some of the commentators stop predicting and stop comparing themselves to the now players.  They have had their claim to fame in the past and they should just stick to the players performance and not bring up some of their experience.  Now do you wonder why I sometimes watch the tennis matches without the sound??  

Sporty Saturday - NHL collections

When Jeff's cousin was visiting about a month ago, she had asked me to sew some collection for her favorite NFL team, The Denver Broncos.  If you recall, I featured some of those items on one of my post.  A few months ago when my BFF was visiting he had requested something similar for his favorite NHL team, the Montreal Canadiens aka the Habs.  Last week one of our neighbor ordered also some items for his favorite NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks.  Last Thursday, I surprised my friend from Malaysia who was visiting the Okanagan with his own collection for his team.  When my CIL got home and shared all the Denver Broncos collection with her fiancee,  he said that I should send a photo of the items to the Broncos team and maybe I can work for them, making these collections.  It would be a great idea but that means, I would have to work.  I think he just forgot that I am retired.  I love sewing these items and using them as gifts for friends or for friends who order them and pay for them.  Sort of making a little cash without leaving home.  So if you are reading this and you are a true and loyal fan of an NHL or NFL or maybe even CFL, then you can send me a quick message and we can work something out.  

A pouch for your electronics (cords, charger, battery, etc)

A manly apron for a true Sharks fan.

For the couple that lives and breath Broncos.

For a loyal fan since he was a little boy.

For the wife who still cheers for the Sharks even when they can't get to the Stanley Cup.

For my long time friend who took time from his very busy vacation to stop by and visit us.

Top Stitch Thursday - Easy placemats

Almost forgot, Happy July 4th to all my american readers.  Today is just another blah day where we live only because it was raining and I could not go out to golf.  This is the second day of the week and there might be a third tomorrow as they are calling for thunderstorms.  So what is the best way to spend the day aside from two loads of laundry.  As you can guess, from the title of this post, I am back in my sewing room.  Some of the items I did a few days ago and some are today.  The first one was a left over fabric from when Dan (Jeff's son) reupholstered his dining room chairs. He gave me the fabric the last time I saw him and promised him that I will make something of it.  The second set is a fabric I bought from Hobby Lobby when I was there in April.  It was a great deal so I bought it not really sure what to make of it. I am guessing you know what happened with the third placemat.  I seem to get on a zone of an item until I get bored.  At least it was a very productive day.

This placemat is a set of four and is for Jeff's son.

This set is very patriotic and will be for my MIL (when she moves to a new home)

This one will eventually a gift for someone whose dining room has these colors.

Maple Monday - Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day to all, whether you are residing in Canada or a Canadian residing anywhere in the world, today is a day to celebrate being a true Canadian.  What do I love about this great country.  In no particular order: Poutine, Beaver tails, Tim Horton's, Maple Syrup, Bannock, Butter tarts, Sleeman's Honey Brown, Hockey, very friendly and polite people, Charter of Rights, Swiss Chalet, and last but not least, our Inukshuk.  Of course there are many more things to like about Canada but for now that's what I can list.  How about you, what are your favorites?  Everyone is looking forward to this day because it's a long weekend and for some it's a very long weekend if you took a Friday as your day off.  There are so many celebrations all across the country.  Since I have been retired, everyday is a long weekend.  I have been busy sewing again and I hope to do a different post just for that. Have a Happy Canada Day, be safe if you are travelling and think of one special thing about being a Canadian.

Sadness Saturday - Eleven years ago

Foodie Friday - My new favorite cake

While my MIL and CIL were visiting, I was in the zone for trying out different cake recipe.  Then I finally found it and started tweaking it.  I had so much fun combining different ingredients for this recipe.  So far I have tried four different variety.  It all began when I found a new bundt cake pan at the thrift store.  It was only $2 and I have always wanted to try making some type of cake using the bundt pan.  The first one I tried is a Lemon Raspberry cake with a lemon drizzle.  The second one is a double chocolate bundt cake with chocolate drizzle.  The third one is a Crack Cake recipe with a white wine/icing sugar drizzle and finally the one I just did yesterday is the Blueberry Crack cake with lime drizzle.  Now that I am doing this post I am not sure if I took pictures of all of the above.  Anyway, if I didn't you can just imagine it because they kinda look alike except for the chocolate one.

Raspberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Blueberry Crack Cake

Double Chocolate Bundt Cake

Have you tried any of these new flavors of M&M's?

I made this olive bread specially for Little Gracy.

Stitching Sunday - A true Broncos Fan

For those who are my loyal followers and readers, my apologies for not keeping up with my posts. I know you will understand when I tell you my reason behind the delay of my posts.  If you read the last post, my MIL and CIL were visiting and therefore I was busy trying to make breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I also have been sewing a few items for Jeff's cousin who is a truly Denver Broncos Fan.  When she planned the trip to visit us, she told me that she would be bringing a fabric that she would like make her something exciting with it.  Well, she did not forget the fabric and almost at the end of their visit, I started sewing all the items for her as well as for my MIL.  Now let me show you what I completed.  In addition, I thought of sharing a few items that I just completed for one of our previous neighbor.  And for those of you who lives in British Columbia, I know you will love the items I've done.  Unfortunately, it is only available at my Cranberry Portage Handicrafts.

Ipad case, cosmetic bag, coin purse, cellphone charger holder, key chains.

Travel undies pouch for her daughter

My MIL loved this pattern so I made her a couple of items.

One of our previous neighbor ordered this who is a loyal Canuck's fan.