Sunday 17 January 2021

Flosstube, Shopping Sales, Wintertime Slow Stitching

 After a night of steady snowfall, we woke to a true winter wonderland yesterday. The views out each window were spectacular and the snow continued to fall all day. 

The feeders got refilled the evening before and many birds availed of an extra bit of nourishment including several blue jays that stopped by.

The back yard...

The golden maple...
 The day before we'd been able to follow a deer track all the way up through our land, see where it had pawed the old leaves to find something to eat and then move on. I was pleased to note trails of tiny tracks leading to and from several of the branch piles I had made in the fall. 

After our walks we stayed close to the fire- myself set up for my hand stitching below.  Also wearing head to toe fleece.  The bright turtleneck fairisle tunic came from Lands Endhere is a link so you can check it out yourself.  I bought a couple of items for the daughters too that were on sale and then had a further markdown at checkout.

My white hair is blending into the white snowy background. I'm really not bald...yet!
I'm watching Flosstube. This is the best time of year for Flosstube viewing as everyone shows their WIP's, stash and stitching plans for the new year. Some folks have over a hundred!!

Speaking of stitching, I finished the Be nice piece. I'm a little baffled as to what the connection between the queen, king rooster, coffee pot, acorn, crown, heart and rabbit would be. I read all the notes but no mention of a story. This was a miniature kit from The Heart's Content, 1999. When I realized I could never sew it on the 40 count silk gauze that was provided, I used evenweave instead and enjoyed it very much.   

I've started the next cross stitch project, Find the Good Every Day from  Erica Michaels. I'm using 32 count linen and also enjoying the idea of stitching another message that is exactly what I try to do every day. 

The news continues to be a parade of dread and worrisome events. This pandemic is truly horrible and it is continuing, picking up speed even. The wonderful advent of the vaccine has become fraught with confusion and concern which is disheartening. The only thing we can do is stay isolated and do our best to stay fit, busy and keep each others' spirits up.

So happy to be a part of the wonderful stitching community including the folks at Kathy's Quilts linky party. Also enjoying linking with It's a Small Town Life,  Paying Ready Attention and My Corner of the World

30 comments :

Quilter Kathy said...

What a gorgeous winter wonderland... so sparkly!
Your cross stitch is lovely, and I like the new project you have picked out. SO fun to see you in your stitching corner :)

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Awesome pictures of the snow and Blue Jay. Here in Northeast Indiana, we got about a couple inches. It was pretty while it lasted. You really comfy sitting there stitching, love the sweater.
Really like the Be Nice stitching, I don't get it either. Your next stitching will be beautiful when done. I know what you mean about the pandemic, I haven't left my house except to go to the bank, which is a drive up window, my son does all my errands for me. I'm taking a wait and see option on the vaccine. Keep safe and keep stitching. Have a great day!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

It is definitely a worrisome time for all of us, so good to have crafting and blogging and daily walks to look forward to. Your photos of the snowfall are beautiful, Jocelyn! I love the saying on your new project - it's very good advice!

Nana said...

I have never heared of it but will check it out.

You look so good and it must be nice sitting there and all is snow outside.

Nana

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

what a pretty snowy scene you have - it is not near as cold and wet here of course but here too we have greedy birds who keep me filling the feeders ever couple days it seems. That is a pretty top you are wearing I order from Lands End now and then too

Kim said...

Isn't it a most wonderful thing us stitchers can visit one another's blogs to be encouraged and inspired in these troubling times. Love the sentiment on your embroidery and the design is lovely. Don't you look pretty as a picture sitting there in the warmth of your home in that gorgeous red and white jumper. It looks the perfect place to while away your freezing days. Is that Murphy snoozing at your feet? How cosy and contented he looks. Your wintry wonderland is magical and the birds....just delightful.

Ruth Hiebert said...

All that snow looks wonderful .

Michelle Ridgway said...

Yes truly a winter wonderland.....looks look a picture postcard! You look all ready for business there Jocelyn in your cosy spot.
Love your stitching projects. I am a bit hopeless and can only cross stitch on aida....linen completely bamboozles me lol! Stay well x

Jackie said...

The whole vaccine roll out and now being told that we will be getting less from Belgium (at least until they upgrade their facility) is very worrisome.

No snow really here, but when one lives in Saskatchewan anything can and does happen.

Love your stitching.

God bless.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

There seems to be bad news of one kind or another about the vaccines every day. I really doubt whether the majority of Ontario residents will have received the first shot much before the fall. It is discouraging to say the least. At least the Blue Jays don't have to worry about such things!

Out To Pasture said...

Love your snow covered trees, Jocelyn. You certainly have beautiful grounds. Yes, the virus has been an awful foe. We can only follow advice and do our best to stay positive. Not always an easy thing.

Little Penpen said...

Beautiful snow! Perfect sweater for the snow! and I love your stitchery piece.

Brian's Home Blog said...

WOW, no kidding on the winter wonderland, it's beautiful but I'm so glad it's not here!

PaintedThread said...

Pretty snow! Pretty cross stitching, too! That is an odd combination, though. lol

Magpie Sue said...

You certainly look cozy with all that snow in the background! The snow is very pretty but I'm glad I don't have to deal with it every year. All we've had this year is endless days of gray skies and a lot of rain. Your stitching projects are bright and cheerful, just the thing for this time of year!

QuiltGranma said...

It is always a great day to have a great day! You snow pictures are pretty, but I'm glad I do not have to tromp through it! Enjoy your slow stitching!

hron said...

Thank you for honestly, openly describing the extraordinary circumstances we are coping with (terrible news, pandemic, confusion over the vaccine, isolation) and for sharing the wonderful and beautiful things we can do (encouraging one another, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting, etc.) to keep our hands busy and our hearts peaceful. LOVE the picture of you busily stitching with sunlight over your shoulder!

MissPat said...

What beautiful snow scenes and a great photo of the blue jay. Nice to be cozy inside while looking at the peaceful snowy landscape. I received an email Saturday for my health system advising that they would be calling soon to schedule vaccine appointments. Brighter days are on the horizon.
Pat

Karen said...

I got a little worried this afternoon when the wind picked up. The tree's were so laden! Most of it blew off and the hydro stayed on. More snow started falling about 4pm here in the Ottawa Valley.

Libby in TN said...

Truly a winter wonderland! We've already had more snow this year than the two previous winters. Thankfully our HOA does a great job of treating the roads as we have two big hills to climb out of the hollow. Your stitching setup looks a lot like mine but I've been too busy with renovations to get any cross-stitching done. Maybe this week ...

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I love the Blue Jay! You look so comfortable sitting in the chair working on a fun project! Beautiful winter wonderland. Hugs

Deanna W said...

I do think I am a winter person...I love the beauty after a snowfall or just watching the fluffy flakes fall to the ground! You have a great little stitching corner...looks very comfy!!

Jenny said...

So true, stay home, stay safe and keep stitching. We are so lucky at ur time f life that we don't have to worry about jobs, or lack of them. Although I realise that so many people are hurting during this pandemic.
Lovely sowy vistas out your windows, but it must be so cold outside!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Much as I hate winter, I have to admit your pictures look so pretty. Wish we could all wear your Be Nice stitchery these days because people need to be reminded it seems.

CathieJ said...

I am finding my stitching to be my lifeline to calmness lately. The pandemic and the upset with the USA politics is stressful combined with my mother's hospitalization. Your snowfall looks very peaceful also. So pretty. I do like Land's Ends clothes, but we really don't need fleece tops here lately. I really like the new project that you are about to begin.

dq said...

We've gotta stay warm. I love cozy winters when it is so beautiful outside and warm inside. I, like you, can always find some hand work to keep the days busy.

Linda said...

So nice to see that pretty picture of you. I love turtle necks and rarely find one. If my neck gets cold, I get cold, just like my Mom used to be - lol! You have a nice setup for your cross stitch, I'm peering closely at it.
Love seeing your winter wonderland and reading about your critters.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - those are fabulous winter scenes! And you look stunning in that fairisle tunic. I would be inclined to get one if I didn't already have way too many sweaters! Pretty stitching, and well done to keep your attitude in a positive direction despite the world around us.

Michelle said...

You look so joyful in your stitching corner. In your element! Thanks for linking up and stitch on!!!

betty-NZ said...

I am enjoying your snowy images from afar :) Your little sewing nook looks so cozy. No wonder your work turns out so gorgeous!

Thank you for linking up at 'My Corner of the World' this week!