Spring Cleanup, Finishes, A New Start

 Here are the dogs taking a dip one day when the clouds did a very unusual thing.

They swirled and darkened above us in the center with a rim of brightness all around the horizon's edge. It looked like we were under a bowl of doom, LOL.

  It was both neat and threatening looking. And I wish I could have captured some kind of surround photo. Everyone's complaining about the cold and cloudy spring. The weather people keep promising higher temps that don't happen or there is a chilling breeze. 

My Merlin Sound ID ap is identifying usually seven or eight different birds around the pond every morning. Nashville Warbler is the new one to me but I've yet to see it. Keep hoping to.

Meanwhile, here is the second brightest bird I get to photograph. 

My cross stitched project that is an homage to Mom is finished. I think of her every day, usually with something I want to ask her about. 

And here is my next summer cross stitching project, Summer Feels, from the clever folks at The Artsy Housewife. They have an Owl design that I love, but my rule is this one has to be done before ordering another.

 I don't stitch on coloured fabric that often but the design certainly suits this pinkish shade of 32 count Belfast linen called Sorbet. I already know I will struggle to show you this colour as it really is.  

And here are the flosses around my upside down very tiny start.

My FPP Primrose Flowers small quilt is at the flimsy stage. I've sized it to fit a certain side table here. These blocks are pretty and the FPP makes the sewing go quickly. Now to choose a backing and get it layered for quilting.

Meanwhile I'm almost finished the quilting lines on the Lone Star Medallion. I'm using the seams as a guide.  I'm also using Frog Tape to help keep the lines straight too. Any of you use that?

 May has been a productive month for me. I've changed over the bed linens and reorganized three closets. I've cleaned out the flower beds in front and to the side of the house...still have more to do in the back yard. I tidied up the laundry area in the basement where I also keep all my plant stuff. It's one of those places where you dump things and can get messy after a while.

 There have been three ticks on me so far and I do a check every night. I'm using the OFF Tick spray and so far it seems to be working; last year I'd found 7 or 8 ticks at this point.  

Yes this is the center of a Tulip. Besides the brilliant yellows, I like the hexagon shape and the brushed edges of the brown.  There's so much more beauty to see when you look closely. Plants don't disappoint...unlike weather, people, politicians, etc. LOL

I do hope there is nothing disappointing you! One final thing... I've bought a fitness device that I'm loving. I'll share next time. 

Old and New Stitching Projects, Spring Delights

Outdoors, the world is awakening; every thing from the biggest to the tiniest is changing now. I'm out tramping about three times a day so as not to miss anything. I almost missed the White Trilliums, Ontario's provincial flower. They are a little scarce here on our property and bloom far apart so was happy to spy this one. 

Also happy to see these all over...white Dog Rose.

Flower centers are so interesting! Not wild but can you guess which spring flower this is?  

Meanwhile, inside I've been keeping with my plan for a little machine stitching now and then. 

 I've stitched four more Flicker bocks. There is very little orange, the RSC colour for May, in my stash and what I do have is being saved for a Halloween applique quilt. This burnt orange will have to do. 

And it's time to share with you a new quilty start. I'm always late to any new pattern craze and have had this one in my file for a couple of years now. It's the Liberty Puddles quilt. While I have a few bits of Liberty fabric, I won't be using them. I'm continuing digging deep into my scraps instead. Hexies are the perfect pattern for using smaller scraps. I'm hoping by choosing the very bright yellow it will give all the so so patchwork hexagon colour mix a lift. HERE is a link to free printable Hexies in sizes ranging from 2 to 4 inch.

And you can get a free 1 inch pattern at the pretty AppleGreen Cottage site HERE.

I'd wanted to use up this green fabric below, kind of a spring green for the solid Hexie borders. This is a piece I've hung onto forever. 

Then I worried about running out of it and finding a match would be a challenge and also break my plan not to buy any more fabric. The yellow is easier to match up and I think I have enough on hand to get this one done. I'm, per usual, cutting the hexagons from old flyers and papers. EPP is the perfect sewing in the evening in front of the tv. This is #2 panel this size I've made so far.

 Did you know they are putting vitamins in coffee now? We received a notice that Tony's Nespresso coffee is available with B12 added to the pods so we've been using them.  I've been worried too that, with his waning appetite, I haven't been able to get enough protein into him. We decided to give one of those meal programs a try. This one, Factor, promises more protein in the servings. Anyway, our first box is proving to be successful as he is enjoying the meals and eating most of the servings. Last night he had green curry with rice and vegetables and really liked it. That's my salad there.

If he likes these it would take a little pressure off me to keep him fed properly. 

I really liked what Prime Minister Carney did for the Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, who was part of NASA's Artemis II team who flew around the moon. He presented Jeremy with the Canadian flag that was flying on our parliament building Peace Tower the day they successfully touched down off California.  

In far less exciting news, we are getting the pool opened this afternoon. I plan not to heat it again like last year and I'm really looking forward to a daily swim.

I hope there is something you are looking forward to too. We must do our best to keep moving and enjoy the odd treat from time to time too. 

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.