Marvelous May, Floral Beauty, Slow Stitching Updates

We don't get to see sunsets here with the way the house is situated but we can occasionally see the effects of sunsets like this one below. The woods in the back yard were glowing with these vibrant colours; it looked surreal. 

I love when I manage a sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker, even better when it stays just long enough for me to grab a photo.  Any of the large birds are thrilling to photograph even when from quite a distance. 

 

My stitching fingers have been busy. For embroidery, I picked up my French Floralies piece to work on this week. Here is the chart posed beside my Madagascar Jasmine which is happily sending out new shoots. I'm always relieved when these older plants survive the winter. The beautiful white flowers are very similar to Magnolias which, btw, is the state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana. 

Here is a photo of enjoyable veranda stitching on this project last summer with pink Wiegelia bushes in bloom. BTW, if you are thinking of new flowering bushes for your garden, consider Weigelias as they are so hardy and bloom for long periods. The pinks they come in are gorgeous too. 

And now it is finished. Surface embroidery is one of my many loves and of the twelve different stitches used in this design, satin stitch is my favourite. HERE is the link to the Canevas Folies site where you can see other gorgeous kits and patterns they offer. Canevas Folies is French for canvas/ tapestry whims or follies. Some of you may be interested in this link which takes you to their blog and the step by step instructions to Needle Paint an apple. It is easy to follow and you can achieve stunning results.

Tony thinks the photo isn't doing it justice which is a nice complement. He seldom notices these things. :)

I've finished the quilting lines on my Flowers and Butterflies woolen piece- photos later, and now have my Lone Star Medallion quilt topper is back in the quilting hoop and about time too. Here it is last summer. I did layer it up at the time, began the stitching and didn't like how untidy my lines looked so took out all the stitches. So maybe second time now will be the charm. 

This was stitched using EPP so it took a while to remove the paper triangles too. I'm so eager to get this one finished. Sigh

We've been busy with appointments including another one for Tony where we met our new doctor. He's at least twenty years younger than our last and we both liked him very much. He gave Tony the very good news that the lung nodule has not grown and he also had a suggestion about his medications. The one he takes for high cholesterol is known to casue tiredness in some people so he wants Tony to half the dosage to see if it makes a difference in his case. Tony was surprised (and to be honest, a bit angry) as no doctor has mentioned this to him before. Of course, he will give that a try and it buoyed his spirits to think he might have a chance to feel better. 

 

Dog walking has been wonderful especially seeing up close all the changes with spring taking hold now, in spite of it being a wet, cold one. I'll leave you with a photo taken from the tv room window (that has a screen on it) of my deliriously happy pups relaxing on the back veranda. Note the snow shovel that needs putting away- finally!

Also from that same chair, I'm watching the Phoebes who are back-yeah!- and using the same nesting spot on the wall as last year. I do hope things are also going well for you wherever you are in this wonderful world of ours!

May Tiny Treasures, Slow Stitching Progress, Summer Wear Plan

 I blinked and it is May now. We had one summery day amid all the coolness and it is still flirting with overnight frosts. These Daffodils always open too soon and, in their shady spot, don't get to really shine like they should which is a shame. I should move them and the bunch behind there that didn't get to open at all this year.

Yesterday, Friday, it was this temperature below when I got up and -1C with the wind gusts. It was -3C overnight so it warmed up. I've put away my heavier coats and winter boots but kept out my light quilted parka knowing full well a Canadian summer takes its' time ramping up. Someone said at least we didn't get a big snowstorm in April like we usually do. I'm waiting till all the critters crawl away from their winter hibernating spots before beginning the big garden clean up. After Victoria Day and as close to June as you can make it is the suggested time to plant here in the Ottawa Valley. But locals say after the first week in June has passed is even better as overnight frosts can be sneaky.  

Steady stitching has brought What Remains is Love to this nearly finished stage now. Mom loved flowers and birds so I added extras. She also was a big dog lover so I've included a couple of them too.

I used Brenda's book for these extra little designs. I hope to include a little book motif too perhaps over on the left near the blue bird as Mom also enjoyed reading very much. 

I stitched several Quarter Dresden blocks using pink backgrounds. My stack of these blocks is growing.

I'm rereading this book of Margaret's (a friend mentioned she was reading it and I remembered enjoying it so checked it out again). I'm especially interested in what she has to say about fellow female authors. 

Nature pleases me, especially seeing the way May is coaxing all the wild things to do their spring thing and open up. Seeing tiny buds that contain a future leaf, flower, or maybe a branch is miraculous to me.

And I like the spring colours too like this pretty shade of green especially paired with that orange/red.

I'm glad observing these tiny things up close still hold my interest and captivate me in a special way. 

Sometimes the new life is sharing limbs with these old rustic looking buds- preserved tiny treasures. 

The weather folks have forecast this will be a warmer and more humid summer than usual here in the Ottawa area, perhaps even hotter than the record breaking heat of 2023. Therefore, I've decided this will be the summer of dresses. I have several and am looking to buy a couple more. If I had the will, I would sew a few of the kind that I like these days...over the head, shapeless, loose and colourful...and with a pocket. If you know of any like that to buy or a pattern to sew one, please let me know. 

I hope you are well and enjoying whatever season it is where you are. Take Care All!

Beauty Product, Summer Primrose Blocks, Leaders and Enders Too

Thank you all who identified this border below as Prairie Points...what a sweet name and, of course, I had to look that up. Turns out there are tons of video tutorials showing how to make this. How did I not know about it till now?? It looks really intricate but makes such a unique border. Here is what I'm talking about in case you missed it. 

 Does planning a set schedule for what to stitch and when work for you?  I've tried that many times over the years and I've never been able to stick to it. During Covid, I seemed to be more regulated about my stitching and I remember well getting a lot of slow stitching accomplished before noon when my eyes are the most rested. That time is spent these days reading, writing and walking dogs. Nothing wrong with that but it is slowing my slow stitching progress. But of course, this is just all in my head- there are no rules or stitching deadlines for me. Generally, it is my mood that dictates what I pick up in the moment to lay stitches on but I do wish sometimes I could stick to a schedule of sorts.

 However, there is one plan that I'm happy to say I've been doing fairly well with since Christmas and that is to do machine stitching a few days of each week at some point even for just a couple of minutes. Yes, I know that doesn't really qualify as much of a plan. But that is how I've made progress on this FPP quilt project I'm calling my Summer Primrose project. HERE is the link to the Thimbles and Needles AU Etsy shop where I purchased the pattern. And here are my blocks so far in summery looking fabrics. I'm thinking of making a table topper. 

FPP helps with accuracy. And my Leaders and Enders project has benefitted from the added machine time too. I can't remember if I gave these a name. Here is my latest batch.

Speaking of table toppers, I've pulled out my daffodils tablecloth, the one that combines applique and embroidery. 

                                      

Mom sewed a lot of what she called lunch cloths back in those days in Newfoundland. These were smaller sized tablecloths featuring embroidery and usually had crocheted edgings that were used for tea and bikkies when you had company. I think this is Mom's work but I honestly can't remember about this one. She was fond of using simple blanket stitch edging, seen below, and I realized I am too. 

The Daffodils and Tulips I was given at Easter have faded. I will replant these in the garden. Meanwhile, a most welcome sight in the back garden this week is these lovely spring flowers.

I promised to share the latest face moisterizer I am enjoying. Amelia found this one and now Beth and I are giving it a go too. It is the priciest I've tried in recent years and I really like it. L'Oreal Duo Serum.

 It is not watery, goes on smoothly and absorbs into the skin nicely.  I bought mine on Amazon and I agree with the negative reviews about the packaging...you can't see how much is in the container and there's too much of it, something I don't like too. I'm still using castor oil too. 

My mood has been all over the place recently. Perhaps it's the change of season and the new chores that come with it that's on my mind. But we had Robbie here for a weekend so that kept me busy and definitely perked me and the dogs up. He's a busy guy and has started baseball now; while here he had indoor baseball practice and outdoor pitching practice.One day we all went down to the pond where he practised his golf swing putting balls into the pond. So much energy. As Tony says, it makes him tired just watching him. Ned, a true water dog, has been retrieving those balls ever since. 

I hope you are all staying calm; our supportive stitching world is a wonderful respite from all the turmoil out there. 

 

Photos of Lucky, Interesting,Yummy, and Stitchy Things

 It has been raining all night and all day. But that's good; it will help clean up the ground. The wetland on one side of the pond is finally free of ice and I flushed a pair of ducks when taking this photo last week. The Peepers are finally making their spring calls early morning. They can sound quite raucous and I read why...the females choose their mates by the volume of their sounds. 

Yesterday I  spotted these two on the pond so took this photo from a great distance and I wonder if they are the pair that made a nest there last year. It was pouring down rain but they looked comfortable enough.

I took this photo of another movie being filmed in one of the nearby towns, Carleton Place, where we go for Tony's hearing aids. That was the second one filmed there in March. They were using the local butcher's shop in this strip mall. It's kind of fun to see all the crew and equipment it takes for just a couple minutes of film. 

 Easter this year coincided with Brad's birthday so Beth brought over two cakes for our get together. We've been enjoying cake every night for dessert since.

The birthday cake was a Carrot Cake to die for. Yes and that is its' name. TO-DIE-FOR Carrot Cake. It was huge and heavy and shifted a little during transport. The recipe is found here on Trish's Mom On Time Out site. You will not be disappointed if you give this one a try!

And the Easter Cake was a cake that featured a favourite of mine, Peeps. It is the Peeps Sunflower Cake and the recipe is found here at Taste of Home.

 Isn't it neat!

 During my last ramble through a thrift store, I came across this sweet baby quilt. The edging was a new design to me and it was so striking, I took a photo to share with you. It added so much interest to a simple quilt made with a panel. Have any of you used this method for a binding? I'm sure it must have a name.

And my own stitching...more Flicker blocks featuring a few pinks, another colour I'm short on.

I'd hung on to this scrap of fabric below with the pretty tulips, debated using it in this project, and then decided it's time had come. You have probably done that very same thing. 

I'm so happy the season is shifting even though so far it has been sunless and very wet, the latter I'm hoping will be good for the forests. LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt last week was if we like spring. That would be a resounding yes from me; spring is a very welcome season here in the Ottawa Valley. The Pussy Willows are starting to open and pretty soon I'll see green shoots underfoot. 

I'll leave you with this photo Tony took of the three of us very lucky creatures last year. 

I'm sending mental well wishes to you all wherever you are in this topsy turvey world. Try to stay calm while we stitchers ride out this storm together.  

Stitching Progress and A Spring Photo Too

It's early spring which I think in some ways is the saddest and ugliest time of the year here. There is not a single hint yet of all the glorious green to come and I've been out there looking. But more about that at the bottom of this post.

Sewing progress first... I worked on my appliqued Quarter Dresdens and finished the March reds. It will be nice to move on to pinks, the RSC April colour.

I've also spent lots of quiet time cross stitching on my current piece, What Remains is Love. An alphabet was included with the pattern so you could personlize your piece which I've begun there. The pattern has a couple of quirky things about it like that rather fanciful bird on the left. 

Tony and the dogs are keeping me very busy. The appointments and meetings continue. And there's a long list of spring chores to do too. Outside, the spring season is baby stepping in. A flock of noisy Canada Geese went overhead today and early mornings I'm hearing birds twittering. 

 I've been chipping ice off the front steps using an axe and was proud of the little path I'd maintained all winter. Other years we would climb over it.

But then one day, Tony lost his balance when almost at the veranda and fell completely sideways. It was a miracle he didn't hit his head on the boulders that stick out from under the veranda or the ice on the other side. 

His face was right next to that vee shaped rock.

He was somehow inserted lying down between the two, unhurt, except for a few scratches on his scalp...his hat and glasses flew off. It was scary but we marvelled and were thankful for the good luck too that it was only his pride that got hurt. 

Then it rained heavily for hours and hours. We got about 2 inches worth and it couldn't make up its mind about freezing or plain old rain. That was thanks to a Colorado low passing through...how in the world can such reach this far north! The ground is a mess but this too won't last. I'm wearing rain boots with cleats on them.

Above there on the pond one day with the snow just starting to soften.

And 48 hours later after those warm temperatures blew through. What a difference a couple of days make!! The dogs tested it out and could walk all around on the ice which seemed to tickle their fancy. They spent ages leaping back and forth. Labradors are truly water dogs.

It's Easter Sunday and I'm having the family here for dinner today. LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt is about dishes for the dinner. I always cook a turkey and have the usual vegetables with it. I would cook salt meat to flavour them but I can't find good salt meat here. I've done my prep for the company and have all the "good" dishes out and the table set. I did my big shop for the dinner two days ago. My turkey is thawed and stuffing made. Beth is bringing one of her cakes so it's just the turkey dinner for me to prepare. 

I have lots more to share with you including new stitching projects and a new to me face moisturizer that I'm loving. Next time then! Take Care all.

So happy as always to share this post with Kathy's Quilts and Quilting Patchwork Applique. 

Wooden House Still Winter Roundup

 Here is one of the Mother trees near our laneway featuring in a photo taken Wednesday. 

It's still mostly winter here and that's all I'll say about that. I suppose it's appropriate that I'm still knitting my very warm afghan. Here's how long it is now.

The male Cardinal is even more beautiful this far into what should be spring. He may be the showiest bird we have in Canada especially against a winter landscape.

And I'm so happy the Barred Owls have returned to Jim's nesting box in Indianna. They were a little late which made us worry it would be the first time in 13 years that no owl would choose the box. Here is the video after egg #2 was laid and Here is the link to the live cams run by the wonderful Cornell Lab folks.

Tony forwarded this to me. 😊 Fair enough, I am a little obsessed with them. 

Here are a few more of my little appliqued snowmen in progress. I decided I needed a teacup snowman, a sailor, and a ghost in the house snowman. It's fun to stitch these. I also machine stitched a couple 9 patch blocks to see if I liked the white better than the dark colour of the original pattern and I think I do. 

It's been a busy week with appointments every day including the vet. Tick season is almost here and we needed the special medication for the dogs that helps repel insects.

Here's a photo of the happy freeloaders. Petey would never join Ned on his couch but does so now, a sign of his comfort with us all. Ned disappears on this couch as his coat matches the colour exactly.

 I'm finding there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. I fight the feeling that I am falling behind. Behind what exactly? Ridiculous, I know.

I hope you are not feeling behind on things and finding something to soothe you from the news out there that is all miserable. Even the Oscars, which I normally enjoy, upset me to see and hear about this new thing that some women feel they have to take to be thin. Madness!

Take care of yourselves!

Happy to share this post with great linky parties- Alycia Quilts, The Inquiring Quilter, Songbird Designs and Creations Art Quilts.

Online Inspiration, Wool Applique, 3 Ingredient Squares

We were plunged back into Christmasy looking winter on Saturday. It was beautiful outside in my woods.

 I tramped about while the dogs ran madly around, sniffing new tracks here and there. The air was so cool and fresh and enjoyable. Below is the woods at the back door with a glimpse of the old tree house. 

This Wednesday morning is cool, windchill making it -18C but the sun is shining so another very pretty wintry looking day. But staying this cool means no melting today.

I've been trying to choose which of my quilt tops to get to the quilted stage. I found this one using pretty coloured wool appliques and decided it would be first up. I've picked a colourful backing fabric with the same colours as the lively flowers. Sadly this photo is not showing the gorgeous colours well. This is Laura Heine's pattern and her website is here at Fiberworks.

 I plan to hand stitch simple lines around each of the motifs. 

In the sewing room, I've been sewing more Flicker blocks in the March RSC Reds. This is such a great simple pattern to use up scraps. 

Here is the audio book I'm listening to presently, Rabbit Foot Bill. I like Helen's straightforward way of telling a story. 

 Listening is a convenience when in the sewing room and makes me feel good because I'm multitasking. I've tried to get Andrew Lownie's book about the utterly disgusting royal, Andrew (but yet I want to read it). There are hundreds of people in line for it. 

Online inspiration lately...

Kathleen Tracy is generously offering another of her very sweet patterns to made a mini in March. HERE is the link to her free pattern. It involves little houses which are very hard to resist. Kathleen's Website is Country Lane Quilts if you'd like to check out her other free patterns. 

And have you seen the little films being posted by Typewriters Voices on Facebook. I'm captivated by them and the words of wisdom too. 

I made the 3 Ingredient Apple Oat Bars that kept popping up in my online feed and love them. The recipe, if it can be called that, is just 2 cups of diced apples, 2 cups of oats, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.  I diced the apples very small, mixed it really well and pressed as  hard as I could into the pan. Baked for 25 minutes. I let it cool completely but, as you can see, mine didn't come out very cleanly. Maybe when it gets to set up overnight. 

It was declicious with this wonderful honey yogurt from Costco. 

I hope your week is going well in spite of how the news is always unsettling these days. I'm so envious of the wonderful spring bursting out all over for some of you and love to see your garden photos. 

*The mug was the thrifted find in my last post. As the owner/Nana of two Labs, it was a given it was going into my cart!

Very happy to share this post with The Inquiring Quilter, Days Filled with Joy, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Alycia Quilts.