Kim Hanson

Writing & Quilting

SNOW, SNOW and MORE SNOW!

| 2 Comments

Quilted and Embroidered Yoga Accessories are being created.

Late on Friday evening, my husband and I decided to head to the condo in B.C. Snow was falling and there was a heavy snowfall warning – but that didn’t stop us from venturing out! Driving away, I texted our daughter and, not surprisingly, she responded “you guys are crazy!” My plan had been to work on my quilting all weekend – but I figured I could have my “cake and eat it too” if I just brought my work with me.

The highway west was busy until we passed through Banff. Turning onto highway 93, there were several vehicles huddled together idling near the open gate close to the huge, electronic “Moose on Road” sign. Really, a moose was on the highway? When and where exactly? Kinda made me wonder how long that sign had been posted. (BTW, same sign still there on our return trip home!).

We breezed on past the idling vehicles into the darkness of highway 93. The snow was blowing into our headlights and into the windshield, making it almost impossible to see anything at all. This section of the roadway we call “the dead zone” aptly named as there is no cell service, no radio reception, no nothing. So, I plugged in my ipod, and we both listened to Brad Paisley and drove along in the complete darkness, lost in our own thoughts.

Approaching Radium, the highways became more treacherous – black ice and more fierce blowing snow. My husband sped up to pass a slow moving vehicle on the left and I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight. White knuckling the dashboard; thank the good Lord we made it!

It was chilly and cold when we arrived at our place; time to pull out the quilts and snuggle in front of the TV for what was left of the evening.

Saturday morning was a snowy, winter wonderland. Walking on the frozen Lake was like being all alone in the middle of a gigantic whiteout. My husband grabbed a snow shovel that was propped up against the old picnic table and began to clear the snow off the Lake. The ice beneath was incredible – so smooth and glassy. Too bad there weren’t any shinny stars waiting in the wings – it was just too cold for a pick-up game of hockey.

Back inside, work was calling me so I booted up my computer and began some quilting/blogging/research work. I’m extremely excited to be working on my new project – quilted and embroidered yoga accessories for a fabulous U.S. magazine.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read my weblog.

Kim

“It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart”.

| Leave a Comment

Brrrr….and brrr again. It is so cold here in Calgary these days. Canadian winters are usually cold – what would one expect, living smack dab in the middle of the Canadian Rockies! Every corner of my backyard is covered in deep snow. Most years, when January hits us, we’ve had several “chinooks” to clear the snow and bring a lovely warming reprieve. But not so much this year. Snow has come and snow has remained – just a little unusual and just a wee bit chilly.

Calgarians are hearty folk; we dress warmly and still venture outside in the cold winter months to skate, ski, snowboard or just walk. Pushing a baby in a stroller is a bit of a stretch – given that the sidewalks are rarely clear of snow. Beautiful baby Harlow recently asked me (just with her eyes that is!) to take a walk outside in the exhilarating, freezing cold. So, we bundled up – her more than me – put on her cockeyed hat and nestled her in her stroller with her very warm and snuggly, cozy flannel quilt. We walked for awhile in silence, both loving every minute of it.

Harlow made me wonder, what do you see in the eyes of a baby? I believe it is sweet simplicity – innocence, purity and unwavering clarity. A baby’s gaze can go straight to your soul – it’s like that song, it’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart”. Hot chocolate (with marshmallows) for the soul.

Support for the alex

|

My goal at Charm & Whimsy is to donate a portion of our sale proceeds to the alex.  I believe strongly in the alex’s mission of helping support the most vulnerable in our community of Calgary.

I came to know of the alex’s work years ago, while visiting their offices on Centre Street North in Calgary.  I saw a young family come into the facility – mom, dad and their three children.  They sat at a lone table outside in the hallway and the staff at the alex brought them food to eat.  I was astonished!  In the middle of our big, affluent city, it hit me very hard that some people did not have enough food to feed their children.   I will never forget that act of kindness by the staff at the alex and have now had the pleasure of learning so much more about the amazing affect small acts of charity can have on a human being.  They turn lives around at the alex and have my full support.

Please join me in supporting the alex, and its mission to give to those in need.

the alex

The alex plays a unique role in making health care accessible to all vulnerable Calgarians and plays a key role in solving the issue of homelessness.  The alex assists its clients with their immediate needs and, in turn, enacts broad social change by addressing the root causes of the barriers faced by many Calgarians.  In an ever-expanding city, we remain an accessible, critical resource for people in need.

Find out how you can give at the alex web site!

All Colors go Together

| Leave a Comment

I believe in one premise – that all colors go together, without question or hesitation. Red and purple together in one project? Absolutely! It’s more about blending and contrast than it is about the color choice. Color can illicit feelings – red can make you feel strong and secure. Surrounding yourself with orange can stimulate creativity and joy. The color yellow empowers, while shades of blue inspires feelings of peace. Green can promote feelings of abundance, while purple can bring healing, freedom and enlightenment. Mixing and churning colors is one of life’s little pleasures.

With all that being said, barge ahead – choose colors that make you feel good! Select a quilted and embroidered yoga mat bag in fabrics that you want to see after you’ve finished your yoga class. Take your beautiful baby for a walk on a crisp Fall day beneath a warm and snuggly, jewel-toned flannel embroidered quilt – it will make you smile each time you look at it. Your baby will love your color choices! Although research differs on what colors a baby can see at what age, babies will focus on shapes and on color contrast from a very early age. Embroidered designs on your baby’s quilt will stimulate and captivate their attention.

My idea of a great product is one that is handcrafted, extremely durable and individualized to suit your personal needs. High quality, high touch products which stand the test of time are rare in this highly mechanized world. Joy for me comes in the creation of a one-of-a-kind quilted product – a cherished item that will stand the test of time. Quilting and embroidery are a symbiotic 1-2 punch, with color being the natural link between the two art forms.

A quilted and embroidered product ordered from Kim Hanson Quilts will be a sweet and special way to remember those life changing moments of joy and bliss.