Kim Hanson

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The Birth Place Forest of Silver Springs

August 30, 2021 | 5 Comments

Good day everyone. I wrote this piece for Woods Reader, a beautiful, inspiring publication based in Spring Lake, Minnesota. It can be found in their Winter 2020/2021 issue.

 

The grassy green field was alive with energy and vitality. School children, in groups of five or so, squealed with delight taking turns kicking the black and white soccer ball. Dogs barked; their owners allowing them freedom to run and play. The rush of four lanes of traffic roared by, leading in and out of the neighbourhood. Yet, the instant I stepped onto the spongy path of the Birth Place Forest, all outside sound was muffled. I was embraced, instead, by the sounds of nature.

 

Two prodigious things happened in the year 2002. First, our tiny, healthy, precious grandson, Jacob was born. Second, spawned from the creative minds of community-conscious individuals at BP Canada Energy Group, Calgary Parks/Regional Health and Golden Acres Garden Centre, the Birth Place Forest of Silver Springs was also born. The urban oasis took root on some land originally set aside as a roadway allowance or potential right-of-way. As each baby was born in Calgary, a tiny, healthy, significant tree was planted. Poplar, pine, ash, aspen, bur oak, spruce and Brandon elm began to stake-out their territory. . . roots traversing deep into the soil, establishing new life. The goals of the Birth Place Forest program were simple. To educate, to establish pride and ownership through connection and to form a deep abiding legacy to the trees planted in the urban forest.

Years passed by. Jacob grew. A visit to his tree became an adventure for us. He rode his bike to the Birth Place Forest while I walked alongside. He always rode ahead – so excited to reach our destination.

“Grandma!” he’d shout. “Hurry. Catch up. We’ve still got a long ways to go.”

We always easily found his green ash tree, right where the map led us. Jacob, upon arriving, would drop his bike on the ground and stand beside his tree or duck under his tree or lay on the ground beside his tree.

“Look how big it’s getting Grandma!” he’d say as I snapped a photo.

“Yes, and look how big you are getting my sweet boy!”

We would sit on the cedar bark cushion beside the ash tree and talk, all the while having a snack of juice and cheese and crackers. The perfect picnic.

The Birth Place Forest in Silver Springs grew in unison. The mass of trees began to stretch high into the sky, offering sanctuary and refuge to all the wildlife in the neighbourhood. On hot summer days, the forest was like slurping a popsicle; cool and delicious. In the chilly winter months, the trees seemed to huddle together, offering shelter from the cold, harsh, north winds. But it’s best foot forward came in the fall, when the leaves changed from sage green to amber and golden and glorious.

Calgary, with extraordinary prescience, created nine Birth Place Forests in different neighbourhoods around the city – the first of its kind in Canada. Planting trees began in 2001 and continued until 2009 when planting ceased due to a dearth of suitable land and a sudden lack of funding.

“We require about five hectares of land to plant the trees and we need a site that can accommodate at least 3,000 families. Those sites can be hard to find,” said the city’s urban forestry coordinator.

But in those nine years, the City of Calgary planted 62,000 life-affirming new trees.

Silver Springs volunteers have taken over maintenance and management of the Birth Place Forest, ensuring care continuity. Botanical gardens were created and abut the forest, together stretching over 20 acres of land. Strolling the paths is a spiritual antidote to the stress and chaos in our lives.

“I grew up in a forest. It’s like a room. It’s protected. Like a cathedral… it is a place between
heaven and earth.”
― Anselm Kiefer

Jacob is turning 19 years of age soon. So is his green ash tree. Both are tall, strong and purposeful. He doesn’t visit the Birth Place Forest often, but I do. I walk the paths, revel in the sounds of nature and sit on the bench to collect my thoughts or write in my journal.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
— John Muir


 

It’s a space and a place of peace. I reminisce about my sweet grandson, the wonder pooling in his eyes and the excitement spilling out of every pore. Here in the Birth Place Forest, my connection to Jacob is palpable. Here in the Birth Place Forest there is a deep, abiding legacy to the trees that surround me. Here is nature at its very best.

Filed Under: Beautiful Calgary urban parks, Gardening, Photography, Press, Stories & Essays, Writing | Tagged With: autumn, BirthPlaceForest, Calgary, SilverSprings, trees

A Quilt for Mike

August 25, 2020 | 7 Comments

Good day everyone. Thanks ever so much for joining us. I appreciate all the new subscribers that have come on board recently.

Five years ago, my thirty-something son asked me to make him a quilt. I was a little taken aback. . . he had never seemed very interested in my quilting. I put Mike off for awhile; but he asked me again.

So I began to go through my fabric stash in an attempt to figure out what fabrics I could use for his project. Mainly, kid-themed fabrics dominate my stash, along with florals and bright feminine-styled fabrics. Finding something that I thought Mike would like was a bit challenging.

I came up with some brown and cream fabrics I had ordered awhile back – they were vintage type fabrics, American civil-war inspired. Here are some fabric examples on my Pinterest page.

Civil War Reproduction Fabrics.

Beginning to pull fabrics together,  I really wanted to finish it before he asked me again. Unfortunately, I really rushed it; I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired or creative at the time…I just wanted to “get ‘er done!” So, I did. Including some machine embroidery here is Mike’s finished quilt.

I was not at all happy with the finished product. Not really liking the salmon-y coloured fabrics, I was disappointed I had used them. But, Mike seemed to like his quilt and he appreciated it.

Maybe a month later, our son’s best buddy who was also named Mike, asked me to make him a quilt. I was so shocked! Do guys in their 30’s really want a quilt? He, of course, offered to pay me for it, but I declined, knowing full well he couldn’t afford it.

Pulling more fabrics from my over-subscribed stash, I made Mike #2 his quilt. He smiled a lot when I gave it to him, so I think he liked it.

As many of you already know, our Mike passed away in March of 2018. One of the things I kept from his apartment was his quilt. He always had it laying very neatly across the back of his sofa. Mercifully, it still smells like him. 

As hindsight set in, I regret not taking more time to design Mike a really special quilt – something just for him. I regret not sitting down with my pencil and paper and drawing a quilt pattern that would have suited just him.  I regret not knowing that I would never have the opportunity to make him another quilt.

Recently, I discovered a hidden gem in Calgary – a section of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway. It’s a pathway located in Royal Oak, adjacent to the car dealership where my vehicle is serviced. There are ponds and huge trees and beautiful City views along the way. 

Beautiful Bullrushes

Bike Rider on the Path

Not really sure why, I wanted to get a few photos of Mike’s quilt in these exquisite, natural surroundings. Somehow, the backdrop makes the quilt look better.

My heart still aches at the loss of our son. It’s strangely comforting having his quilt here at my house. In the end, I’m glad I made it.

Thanks everyone.

Kim

P.S. One of the most outstanding birthday gifts I ever received was from Mike. He went to the local quilt shop and bought me this book called Color Magic for Quilters. He was a very thoughtful person.

r. It’s an amazing resource. Thank you son.

 

Filed Under: Beautiful Calgary urban parks, Personal, Photography, Quilt Photography, Quilt Stories and Essays, Quilted and Embroidered originalYoga mat bags, Quilters, Quilts, Quilts and Machine Embroidery |

Bryn’s “Don’t Bug Me” Garden Apron

August 10, 2018 | Leave a Comment

 

Welcome everyone. I’m pleased as punch to be back here again with all of you! This time, we are making a summery, sweet and super-easy child’s gardening apron, embroidered with Designs by JuJu’s Bugalicious design set. They are just perfect for this project! This apron is made using laminate for a clean and easy “wipe down” after use, and can be made over the weekend. Why not get started? Your five-year old will love it!

In case you and your child are finished gardening for the season, you can always use this sweet little apron for your child’s crafting endeavours. It would also make a great painting apron.

Please be sure and read through all the instructions prior to commencing. (If you have never worked with laminate before, please note the special instructions at the end of the pattern).

Shopping List:

 Designs by JuJu DBJJ531 – Bugalicious Applique

White for embroidery and pocket pouch – 1/2 yard – Cut into one piece 10″x44″ for pocket pouch and two pieces 8″x10″ for upper design

Lining for pocket/pouch – teal –  8″x18½”

Laminate for apron front (18″x22″) – Fat Quarter

Lining for apron back – purple – Fat Quarter

Scraps for embroidered appliques

Strapping for waist and neck ties – 66″ – Cut 48″ for waist and 18″ for neck

Small Pink rickrack – 41″

Velcro or D-ring

Embroidery thread, embroidery bobbin thread, embroidery needles, embroidery scissors

Pencil, omnigrid ruler, rotary cutter

Spray starch and Temporary Spray Fabric Adhesive

Permanent fabric marker

*I use Brother Embroidery thread for all my projects

MACHINE EMBROIDERY

  • Download three Bugalicious designs (as per the photo of the apron front, or choose your own) all in the small, 4″x 4″ size. Beginning with the word/saying embroidery design, load it into the machine.
  • Fold 10″x44″ piece of white fabric in half to measure 10″x22″and press to mark the middle. Mark center with a pencil. Medium hoop white fabric and place the hoop onto the machine.

Note: I didn’t use stabilizer for this project, but instead used a double fold of fabric to strengthen the front pouch/pocket even more.

  • Stitch out the word/saying – Nothing Bugs Me When I’m in My Garden. Always clip jump threads as you go.

  • Remove hoop from machine and fabric from hoop. Press. Fold in right outer edge to mark center and press. Mark with a pencil. Re-hoop fabric and stitch out first snail applique design.
  • Place the hoop onto the machine and stitch out the embroidery design outline.

  • Remove hoop from machine. Cut a fabric scrap slightly larger than the outline stitch. Spray starch the right side of fabric scrap and press. Spray the wrong side of fabric scrap with temporary spray adhesive. Center and finger press fabric onto the outline stitching.

 

TIPS:  Cover ironing board when using spray starch and fabric adhesive to prevent over spray. Temporary fabric adhesive often leaves behind a residue on the needle. It may be necessary to clean your embroidery machine needle as you go. 

  • Replace the hoop onto the machine and embroider tacking stitches. Remove hoop from the machine and carefully trim around the outline. Place hoop back onto machine and finish embroidering the rest of the design.

 

 

  • Remove hoop from machine and fabric from hoop. Press. Fold in left outer edge and press to mark center. Mark with a pencil. Re-hoop fabric and stitch out the mirror image of the snail applique design, following same steps as outlined above. (See photo of apron for design placement) Trim pocket/pouch to measure 8″x18½”.
  • Hoop both pieces of white fabric measuring 8″x10″. Stitch out butterfly (upper) embroidery design in the same manner as instructions outlined above. Press. Trim butterfly block to measure 5½” (length) x 6″ (wide). Set aside.

CONSTRUCTION

  • Right sides together match pocket/pouch with teal lining. Stitch bottom and top ¼” from edges. Leave sides open. Turn pocket/pouch right side out, and pull out the corners. Press.

  • Stitch pink rickrack along bottom edge of pocket/pouch. Cut 48″ of purple strapping. Trim each end of strapping on the diagonal to prevent fraying. Center and pin purple strap to top of pocket/pouch. Stitch.

  • Stitch rickrack in place around perimeter of butterfly design.

LAMINATE – APRON FRONT

  • Press laminate fat quarter on back of fabric. Do not press on the laminate front! Your iron will stick to the fabric and it will be ruined. Lay out the fat quarter wrong side down on a flat surface.

  • Fold over fat quarter in half lengthwise.

  • Draw armholes on wrong side of laminate with permanent fabric marker. Trace using diagram #1.

 

  • Cut. Open.

  • Cut purple apron lining in same shape as apron front. Set aside.
  • Position butterfly embroidery applique design in place. Stitch.
  • Mark a straight line with a pencil 3½” from bottom edge of apron front. Position pocket/pouch on the straight line and stitch along bottom edge only. Carefully trim pocket/pouch to even on both sides of the apron. Be mindful not to cut through the purple waist strapping.
  • Mark pencil lines on pocket/pouch either side of the embroidered saying. Stitch down both pencil lines to make three pockets.

  • Fold in both ends of purple strapping and temporarily pin to the center of the apron top.
  • Right sides together, match purple apron lining with apron top. Pin to secure. Mark both the top and bottom of purple strapping on both sides of the apron top with pins. Stitch around perimeter of the apron leaving the top seam open and stopping at side pins to leave opening for purple strapping.
  • Turn apron right side out being mindful to carefully pull out bottom apron corners.
  • Remove pins holding purple straps in place.
  • Fold in fabric edges around strapping on both sides of the apron top and stitch to secure.
  • Insert neck strap into upper opening, fold under seams and pin as per photo. Stitch opening closed encasing the neck strap. *Optional – You can snip the neck strap in two and use Velcro to re-fasten or a D-ring as an adjustable option, for a tighter fit.

 

Yippee!  You are all done. Thanks so very much for following along with me on this pattern. Please email me at km.hanson@shaw.ca if you have any questions about the pattern.

Kim Hanson

CARING FOR LAMINATES:

  • There is no need to prewash laminated fabric. The polymer film does not like either your washer or your dryer.
  • Iron laminates on the back of the fabric or use a pressing cloth when ironing laminates. Be careful not to touch your hot iron to the actual plastic surface of the fabric as it will melt.
  • Stitch slowly and deliberately. If a seam has to be ripped out, the stitching holes themselves will remain in the fabric.
  • Use pins mindfully. Once the pin leaves a hole in the laminate it will remain there.
  • Although laminates are a more rigid and inflexible type of fabric than are regular cottons, it is still advisable to use a stabilizer when embroidering directly on the fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Gardening, Photography, Quilts and Machine Embroidery |

Third Act

March 9, 2018 | 5 Comments

Months ago, I came across an editorial piece in a women’s business magazine. The writer, a middle-aged female, was lamenting her reality; that she had spent so much time on building her business that she had missed out on precious time with family. Her business was very successful and over the years, she had expanded its reach.  She was rightfully proud of what she has created, yet so regretful of the day-to-day family activities she had not witnessed.

As I read her words, I realized it was exactly the opposite for me. I’ve always had such grand business ideas that have not been fulfilled. The lion’s share of my time has been devoted to family. My husband’s job has always taken precedence – I worked a part-time job away from home, took care of our three children and ran our hectic household.

Our three children grew into lovely, caring, responsible adults. When I was 46 years old, and still kinda filled with a youthful exuberance, our lives were blessed with the birth of our first grandchild. I was able to take care of our boy during weekdays for four years, while his parents were at work. I learned very quickly that I didn’t  really have youthful exuberance, he did! Jacob wore me out, but those four years were truly some of the best of my life. We went everywhere together…he has such an adventurous soul. We visited the Y, the library, the zoo – and met some of the best people ever, especially at the local Y. He’s now almost 16 years old and I pray that our time together in his youth established an unbreakable bond for life.

I’m turning 62 pretty soon and now my Dad’s health is in decline. His driver’s license was taken away by his family doctor sometime ago, so I’ve become his eyes and ears on the road. Prostate cancer, alarmingly high blood pressure, kidney issues and deteriorating vision keep us both very busy with countless doctor’s visits and scans, scans and more scans. He needed an emergency CT scan and for expediency, his doctor sent us to High River, a town 45 miles away from home. The appointment was at dawn. Neither of us will ever forget the spectacular sunrise that day, the laughs we had or the great health care professionals at the tiny High River hospital. Sometimes, when we’re at the Mall for his haircuts or having a blood draw at the clinic, we take a few minutes and walk and talk and he grabs a coffee. We sit in the food court and he tells me things I never knew. Stories I’ve never heard.

I’m beyond mid-life and approaching my third Act. In retrospect, I may have regrets in my life, but I will never regret all the time I’ve been able to spend with my family. Thanks to my husband, who has always supported me no matter what, I’ve done what I’ve really wanted to do. I’ve wanted to be there to watch our kids grow. I’ve wanted to be there to spend time with our grandchildren. I’ve wanted to be there when my parents need me in their last days. I’ve been blessed to be able to do all of that. Thank you God.

 

Kim

 

 

 

Filed Under: Personal, Photography, Stories & Essays, Writing |

Where’s Spring?

February 22, 2018 | 5 Comments

Here we are, sitting near the end of February. Cold and snow is all around us. I crave warmth and sunlight and quiet, especially the sunlight. I feel it in my bones, a weariness that just won’t go away, no matter how much sleep I get.

The crystal clear day helps…sun reflecting off the mounds of snow piled everywhere. It helps to see the blue sky and sense the endless possibilities of what Spring may bring.

 

 

 

Balzac Billy, the groundhog Prairie Prognosticator did not see his shadow this past February 2nd. That’s supposed to mean an early Spring, but there are no signs of it so far. I’m not sure Balzac Billy can be trusted.

So…what to do in the meantime, while we wait for warm breezy days and Robins to return and sprouts of crocus in the flower beds?

Definitely getting outside helps; bundle up as much as possible and walk (or run) as far as possible.

Act like a kid again and play in the snow.

Keep doing those things you love to do – go to yoga class, or to the gym. Sit still and embrace the quiet in meditation. But don’t forget to be creative. Don’t forget to quilt! Be creative with fabrics, love the new ones on the scene and make up your own patterns. These things will keep your mind busy, your body active and spirit intact until it’s time for a change…a time to be living more outdoors. After all, mind, body and spirit are all connected in a way that makes three components equal one.

These are some incredible fabrics I received yesterday. The collection is called Summer Garden from Benartex. I can hardly wait to get started working with them.

Be good!

Kim

Filed Under: Beautiful Calgary urban parks, Photography |

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