Well, was it you who stole August? Where in the heck did it go? Is it just me or are we in some kind of time vortex that is collapsing the hours and days. My head is back there in July somewhere. Anyway, the calendar says it's September so I'll just have to go along.
Here is the little poem that Kathy Schmitz included with this September redwork embroidery pattern below she called Woodland. I can't believe I stitched this set back in 2018-seems like only last year.
"In autumn when the wind is up,
I know the acorn's out its cup,
For tis the wind that takes it out,
And plants an oak somewhere about."
F. D. Sherman
Light and lemony...delicious!
They were back together for my birthday party- the three amigos, Abbey, Neddy and Petey, and had a great play together. When we looked after them for a couple of weeks, we enjoyed them together so much and they are such loving dogs, we would happily dog sit them any time. Abbey has the most soulful eyes.
Look at all the steps! And a big thank you to Neddy who worked along with me trying to arrange them on the floor.
I've decided to write about 10 commands or rules for just me to start off my 70th year. Things to motivate or encourage me in my days to stay fit, active and engaged in my hobbies. There might be some shopping involved. Here is the first one and a much needed item for the lifelong thrifty, make do kind of person I have mostly been.
Rule #1: Spend more on me... that sounds so selfish to write but after all, what am I waiting for!
Like I said, I am a long time thrifty person when it comes to treating myself. One of my enjoyments in life is to treat or indulge others but not myself. Can you identify? I haunt thrift shops, sales, buy paperback rather than hard copy or borrow from the library. (Buying those Valdani threads for the Autumn Quakers cross stitch project was the start of this one.) Even in the sewing room, I find a particular pleasure in cutting up old shirts to reuse the fabric. Something I'm doing today that will make my life a little bit easier in that sewing room...I have terrible scissors for cutting fabric; I'm going to order a really good pair....Recommendations??? Not too big or too heavy.
As always linking with Not Afraid of Color. Also linking with Brian's Home Blog, Life in the Scrapatch, Alycia Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and My Quilt Infatuation.
37 comments :
Good luck with that! I love the doggie assistant!
Gingher scissors! I love the one with the feather, where you only need to move one step, the other one makes the feather.
Nana
looks like a wonderful birthday cake - so nice to get treats like that made for you! the dogs so cute all lined up like that - yes summer is about gone and I'm ready for fall weather!
Your embroidery sure is pretty and that cake looks delicious. Oh those pups are so darn cute looking it. Rule #1 is a darn good one. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Good advice to spend more time on self. I do think I have learned in some small way to take better care of myself since my husband passed away. I know that he is no longer there to tell me to slow down.
Like you (and a lot of other people I know), I feel the time is simply flying by. You'd think, with all the lockdowns, that we would find time would drag but it doesn't seem so.
Good for you to for treating yourself...after all, if you don't, who will!! Sorry I have no suggestions re scissors beyond telling you that I have two pairs of the titanium ones made by Westcott. I like them because they seem to be sharp and have nice 'soft' handles which my arthritic hands appreciate. Longevity on them remains to be seen (scissors...hands too, come to think of it).
Tomorrow is my BD and I turn 69...thinking about year 70!
Spending on yourself can be a hard project to tackle I know.
I like to thrift store...I like to tear apart shirts and make things work.... its part of the "game" and the hunt
I check grocery ads and shop for good buys
Having said that
I love my local library but there are books by certain authors that I buy as they come out because I do not want to wait and see if the library is going to get them "eventfully"
I also like the right "tools" to make the job /game easier in the sewing room or the kitchen those are my big splurges. The right tools!
So if you need a good pair of scissors might I suggest your probably over due for a new seam ripper also? They do get dull.
Also if you can do sweets might I suggest an occasional indulgence in some really good chocolate? Myself I prefer dark!
I've heard lovely things about Kai scissors, but never treated myself to them. Yet. Of the scissors I do have, I like the Fiskar shears with the spring loaded handles as they don't make my hand and wrist hurt after long cutting sessions.
Oh I love those puppies! We aren't quite ready to look at any dogs yet, but my son (and family) brought theirs when they visited and it was really nice to have one in the house again. Such pretty redwork; redwork always catches my eye. That cake looks wonderful.
I purchased some fabric cutting scissors from Havels. They have a nice variety of styles and uses. Mine are 8 inch quilting/sewing #30202, and they are comfortable and wonderful! Keep going with spending more on yourself. :)
ahhhhhh
so good... from stitching to the idea of fall, from sweet cakes made in love to sweet dogs with soulful eyes. The joy of watching them play. The orderliness of courthouse stairs blocks and an asst. snoopervisor to help...
That is a great rule 1. Too many people spend too much time doing for others. If you are feeling good and taking care of you helping others just flows
Check out Karen Kay Buckley's scissors. They come in many sizes, most have serrated blades and cut all the way to the tip. Cushioned grips, too.
I love my Gingher scissors. The sharpness lasts and lasts. I've had them over 20 yrs. and I can only remember getting them sharpened once (surely there was another time). They stay crisp and sharp if you don't use them on paper, of course. They come in various sizes. Those 3 dog faces at the door are so compelling. Glad you had a nice birthday. I turned 70 this summer too. It has put me in a very reflective state of mind.
I am way ahead of you at 81, but even now have to try and not feel guilty if I indulge in a bought necessity for myself. Then I say, Get it!!! Usually clothes on sale, fabric is never cheap, and now in a lockdown with no fabric shops open, SO glad I did indulge a while ago. Scissors, I have Mundial scissors, lifetime warranty, 4 sizes, the tiniest are perfect for snipping curves, and like them all, the largest I hardly use now, the roller cutter is easier for quilting pieces that have a straight edge. My cousin likes Fiskars, some have angled handles, you might have another brand there, the even more expensive Gingher, don't know anything about them but very dear so guess maybe the Rolls Royce ones, my hands are small so the thumb and finger size is important. Like you, where did August go? The days slip past so quickly, we are in spring, and soon the days will be a lot warmer here.
You have such a wonderful daughter to supply you with gorgeous cakes and desserts! Love that photo of the three dogs together, they look such a fun loving bunch. And that redwork block, it looks great. Is this a one off or have you made more?
I love the picture of the 3 amigos. So adorable.
Not sure where the time went either. I have a couple of pairs of Gingher scissors and like the way they feel in my hands cutting fabric. I have also heard good things about Kai scissors too.
Happy birthday and enjoy your rule #1.
Love your blog!
Scissors: Gingher, Dove, and Fiskars are still pretty good and light!
That poem goes perfectly with your redwork embroidery, Jocelyn, and I love the block you made it the center of, too. Your cake is pretty and sounds delicious! I love lemon flavors in baked goods. My mom gave me a pair of Gingher scissors for sewing many years ago and I've always been happy with them!
Hi Jocelyn! I just adore your Happy Birthday, Mom cake!! And those pictures of three amigos is just adorable. It looks like they want in - for some of that delicious CAKE!!! Give me Petey - I think yellow labs are just the best dog ever. EVER. I can see that Neddy is an excellent assistant - always up to help you rearrange your steps. You don't even have to ask!! Yes, yes, YES Jocelyn - you deserve just the perfect pair of scissors. I have several pairs of Fiskars that I enjoy for most craft projects. {{Hugs}} Stay safe. ~smile~ Roseanne
Your cake looks wonderful. Sometimes Harvey goes out and buys me a cake from the Co-op. I really miss the boys baking me one.
What a cute red work design. Love the acorns and squirrel.
God bless.
I adore your writing. I’m so glad I found your posts.
My favourite scissors are by Karen Kay Buckley. Her fabric scissors have a serrated edge, which helps to “grip” the fabric as you cut. Check out her website and tutorials for better information. www.karenkaybuckley.com
OMG, August was just a blip! Love the color of the frosting to go with that lemon cake. LOL - quite the quilting helper you have there. I've had my Fiskars for years, but I'll be interested in the recommendations you get!
As a matter of fact, I could use a new pair of fabric scissors myself. I notice that many serious sewers use a cutting wheel and mat. Wow! Your daughter sure makes beautiful cakes! Happy 70th, Joceyln! (Hit that mark myself five years ago.)
I'm envious of your lemon cake! It looks good! You asked about scissors...my lightweight pair is plastic gingher scissors and I have had them for many years. They are called featherweight scissors and I know Amazon has them. I love your courthouse steps!!! So pretty and seeing those three dogs together makes my heart happy! Have a lovely weekend JOcelyn!
Oh yum, I would gladly have helped you eat that lemon cake. I highly endorse Rule #1, although we're facing a major bathroom repair due to leaky plumbing, so any indulgences here will have to wait. As far as scissors go, I like my Karen Kay Buckley one, with the blue handle (I don't know which size that is). I mostly use the rotary cutter, but I don't do the amount of hand work needle work that you do.
Pat
Happy Birthday! Love the poem and your cross stitch and the use of red as your courthouse steps neutral. FUN! cute dogs, too! Enjoy pampering yourself!!
It's September ALREADY? Hummm where did August go? At least I changed the calendar on Wednesday! LOL
Best scissors - Gingher Best Scissors for hand work are the yellow handle by Omigrid. Very very sharp.
I like these for cutting freezer paper for applique. https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-190520-1001-Titanium-Micro-Tip-Scissors/dp/B00114TK46/ref=sr_1_56?dchild=1&keywords=scissors&qid=1630687410&sr=8-56
Do Vo Scissors are made in Germany and they are the true top of the line scissors, especially for hand work.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2021/07/dovo-scissors-substitutes.html
I have so many scissors - I need to send you a couple of pairs that I do not use. I have 6 years on you and YES it is time to spoil yourself! We are realizing that we cannot take it with us and were about to start spending when the dumb virus has hit this summer - AGAIN.
You do great embroidery, cross stitch, and quilting! Enjoy your 70's as they are the stepping stones to adjusting to any changes in life that will be coming your way!
I love those Labs. I miss having a dog, but we have both decided to not go there again! Darn.
Have a great week and enjoy shopping for YOU! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY - your cake looks so great and I know it was yummy! Hugs
Love the pups and your birthday cake is beautiful. I took a slice.
I hope you had a fabulous Thankful Thursday. ♥
What a wonderful cake from dear daughter! Love the courthouse steps, even with the doggie assistant helping. Welcome to your 70's, I got there in January!
I really identify with your feelings about time moving swiftly - cherish each day!😊 Love your courthouse steps blocks and the RED is wonderful. I can’t believe how many pairs of scissors I’ve accumulated over the years! My favorites are Kai - easy to handle and they stay really sharp. The 5 inch ones are my “go to’s” for almost everything and I have 2 pairs of those plus a smaller pair for carry along projects. My next favorites are Karen Kay Buckley’s. I have 2 pairs with the orange handles and 2 smaller with the green. She just came out with a new size a bit larger and I’m thinking about ordering a pair. I have 3 pairs of Ginghers but IMHO they aren’t as good and the Fiskars are definitely not as good. Go ahead and treat yourself!!!!!😊
Lovely looking cake. Your girl has inherited your creative nature.
Your courthouse steps are looking good, I'm sure the doggy help was what did that. LOL
Enjoy you're 70th year.
Oh your cake looks so yummy. I think the flowers are lovely. Love your assistant with the courthouse steps. Funny when you said you are going to treat yourself. For years I always did for everyone else. Now I do for me,and I feel guilty, but if I don't who will? Enjoy! I agree I am definitely not ready for fall.
Your cake looks beautiful and delicious! Happy Birthday! It is my birthday today. I am 69 now. Taking time to take care of you makes you a better giver to others. Your blocks are looking lovely. Gotta love those soulful doggy eyes and playful antics. The stitching and the poem is so seasonal. Where did August go? I do like September, though, because I love the colors of fall and the tastes of the harvest. Thank you for linking up this week ... :) Pat
Happy Birthday! Fun cake. I'm hitting a new decade this year too...60.
Your doggie visitors look happy.
Wiss scissors come in many sizes and weights.
I love my Gingher shears, but Clover makes a great pair with serrated edges that help to grip the fabric while they cut. They're amazing, stay sharp and don't cost anywhere near what the Ginghers do.
Happy Birthday! I turned 70 this year, and I can hardly believe it. How on earth did this happen???
According to Mary Corbet at needle and thread.com, Dovo is out of business. I love my embroidery scissors from them. I would look at her site for scissors recommendations. I know she did a post recently. These would be hand work scissors.
I so love this post!!! Your Cake , the dogs , and okay Neddy.... knows what is going on for arranging quilts!! look at those eyes!!
And your 10 commandments - Hits the nail on the head!! Love it!!
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