Cross Stitch, Hour Glass Blocks, New Food

 I just flopped into my chair feeling a little bit winded. I just cleaned all the baseboards here in the main area and while that was not hard, being on my knees and all the getting up and down was. That is definitely getting to be more of an issue with me. Can't tell you the last time I did them so thoroughly. Such a good feeling to have that satisfying chore done. Some small dust loving creature could have been making a home anywhere here. And a few spiders definitely did!

I made myself a little snack. I never buy Bosc pears, only ever the Bartlett, but a couple appeared in my weekly box. With a little feta cheese, I'm finding them delicious. I don't think I'd ever had one before. Have you?

My flowering Weigela shrubs are awakening. How welcome the tiny blooms!

The spring sunshine livening them even more. Not fully focused but pretty nonetheless.

I've given my cross stitched Pileated Woodpecker a little attention. This is 2 over 2 stitching on 28 count Light Mocha Cashel linen. And yes, the called for colour for that tree on the right is pink! DMC 152- medium pink... debated changing it but decided I will stick with the designer's choice.

And out have come a few blues. I have a lot of blues actually; well, compared to the other colours, for sure. These appliqued Hour Glass blocks are turning out to be a great So Scrappy RSC project. 

LeeAnna's prompt this week has to do with our summertime fashion choices. I have several summer skirts and a couple of dresses that I love to wear. I never wear white pants...do you?  I guess with dogs and what I get up to around here, I just don't find white practical. I also never wear shorts. I always wear capris and usually black. I'll share photos of some of my summer best thrift finds next time. Btw, love to read your responses to LeeAnna's, Not Afraid of Color, prompts. Interesting, fun, definitely learn new things and a way to get to know you better too. 

There's more I want to talk about but I don't like the posts getting too long. Take care all of you whether coping with heat waves or frosty mornings these last of May, 2024 days. 

Sharing this post with Kathy's Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework. 

Chookshed Stitchers Challenge, Bramble Blooms, Free Redwork Patterns

I'm amused watching this small turkey flock trot through the front yard. The male is displaying constantly and looking so special. 

But as far as we can tell, the females don't even give him a glance. In fact, one day they all left and trotted off leaving him standing there alone. We felt a little sorry for him. 

What a great gift! My sister always hits the mark with the books she gives me. 

I've enjoyed reading it very much and just love the collection of over 50 easy and healthy recipes Helen has included with her tales of life on the farm. I was interested to see she made Custard using Bird's Custard Powder which was a staple in the house when I was growing up. Would you be familiar with this? I looked up the Rebanks and there are YouTube videos of them as well which I have watched. They herd their sheep and cattle with those Border Collie dogs that are always amazing to watch work. Here is Helen speaking about her life and the importance of women having choices. Amazon link to Helen's Book.

I've failed to mention my Chookshed Stitchers Challenge choice for May month. Deanna chose # 5 which is my Christmas Quiltmania Applique blocks. I just didn't feel like working on Christmas right now in May so I took out another old project, my #7, and put it on the sewing room wall...the FPP Trees and have been joining a few rows here and there. Here is a portion of my colourful scrappy forest.

And I should share an update of my Bramble Blooms...four rows of leaves and embroidered running stitch vines are finished. This was a bit labour intensive but you'll never hear me complain about hand stitching.

 I need to get them sewn on.

 This is turning into my summer of working with scraps which is a good thing. 

While researching spruce tree bark, at Anna Lena Land, I came across her recipe for Spruce Tips Syrup. It sounded delicious and that piqued my interest, living here in a mostly spruce forest as it were and all the trees sprouting such new tips. What you wonder, piqued my interest in spruce tree bark? I'd seen one of the contestants on the series Alone pare a spruce tree trunk and eat the inner layer, the cambian, of bark! I just had to look that up and yes, it turns out to be very nutritious. There is so much more to learn. Never lose your curiosity.

Oh, btw, HERE is the link to Anna's post where she shares the free Redwork chicken patterns she found on Pinterest. The ones she stitched for her kitchen curtains. I've noted these in the distant past so it's funny how things come back round sometimes. 

I hope your week will be a good one with lots of time for you to do what you love. 

Also love sharing with Songbird Designs, A Quiltery, Quilt Fabrication, Quilts Art Whatever, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Life in Pieces and It's A Small Town Life.

Hourglass Blocks, Free Patterns, Berry Scones

The garden and land is getting a summer look with so much green grass and sprouting leaves everywhere. No matter the season or weather my morning routine is exactly the same... get up and get out.

 I take Ned out for a big walkabout first thing. How tall our trees are!

Then back home where he gets fed and I get a coffee. Then I usually get my laptop out and work a little on my blog or photos or emails. What about you? Do you have a morning routine? This was our latest Prompt from LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.

 On Tuesday we had a late afternoon violent thunder and lightening storm that lasted a couple of hours. It got dark enough to need the lights turned on and the wild wind bent the tree tops which worried us. And it rained so heavily our gutters couldn't handle it.

But it all cleared up without a power outage and none of the hail that some places got. Phew!

I baked a little treat for us this week. I'd torn this recipe from one of the Costco magazines and since we both love scones/biscuits, I gave it a try.

 I used whole wheat flour and added cranberries and chopped strawberries and didn't cut back the sugar which I usually do. Not as pretty as the picture but tasty with a mug of tea. 

I put all my appliqued scrappy Hourglass blocks together and realized I need more colours especially blues. Seems I have just one sad and lonely blue block there. Thank you those who suggested more darks to form contrast. I have no shortage of dark scraps. 

So back to the scrap bins I go! 

Speaking of which, I continue to cut scraps into more appropriate sizes rather than blobs. I'm using my Marti Michell's template set and the pieces will be stored in marked bags from now on -rather than left in a bin able to mill about and get totally jumbled up.

 I never mind doing this chore; seeing the pretty fabrics up close is enjoyable and reminding me of the projects sewn with them too. I get in a fit of doing this from time to time when I feel overwhelmed by the yardage on hand...which seems to be bothering me more lately. However, I'm happy to say I've stayed true to my fabric diet so far this year.  

This is a wonderful block I found at Free Patterns web site. It is called Bountiful Blessings. They have covered all the hobbies with free patterns to sew, crochet, knit, quilt, cross stitch, etc. so lots for you to check out. What a pretty table topper this would make!

Since I've been researching how to use my Tiny 9 Patches in an interesting arrangement, I've found many different patterns. Below is one such...Sweet Menagerie, a free pattern from the folks at Moda Fabrics.

 I've been watching Peter Santenello videos for a few years...think I started during the Pandemic. Peter visits different areas of the US- mostly out of the way spots, doesn't do anything political, just speaks to local people to learn about their lives. It seems everyone has a story and some are so fascinating.  He also tries out whatever is the local food which I enjoy. This is the one where we learned so much about West Virginia and the coal industry which is doing quite well just now.  

Our house guest, Petey, has gone home and Ned has been catching up on his rest. Similar to human house guests, he found Petey amusing but the busyness very tiring. Interesting how two dog brothers can be so different. 

Hope you all have a good weekend doing something you love!

Sharing this post with It's a Small Town Life, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, So Scrappy, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Kathy's Quilts.

Life Lessons, Crossroads Quilt, Mother Robin

"The times they are a-changin..." Bob Dylan

The library underwent upgrading last summer and huge new windows were installed. This was the view a couple of weeks ago out one of them. It struck me it could have been taken in so many small towns all over America with a church squarely in view. This is the Zion-Memorial United Church which would have been my church in the old days. This one is holding on but one of the other especially beautiful stone churches has been turned into apartments.  

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt last week was what were our lessons from childhood. I learned lots from Mom and Dad, of course, but here were two main influences outside the home. Below is First United Church, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador as it was when I attended growing up. 

I learned the Golden Rule, of course, and through their missionary and services, that it was important to help out people in other parts of the world. I learned about Corrie ten Boom in Sunday School and it must have impressed me because I always remembered her and what she did.  I learned how important it is to take care of our world, a wonderful creation, and we each are stewards of the world. 

 Along with the church, I was a Girl Guide and each week pledged my allegiance to God, the Queen and my country. I took those words to heart. I was also a Partrol Leader, Bluebird patrol, and this little foray into leadership gave me much needed confidence. I loved the wide range of activities, the weekly sing along and closing each meeting singing Taps. I was so upset once when I thought I would have to miss a meeting that Mom paid for a taxi to get me there and that would have been a big deal to do that. What an earnest, serious kid I was! Good Grief! Did your activities outside the home also influence you?

Ok back to the very much less serious...life here at the Wooden House. I finally got a photo of the Crossroads flimsie. This simple pattern went together without a hitch.  Ned wanted to help. 

I've been spending an hour here and there raking and tidying the garden. I'm never in a hurry to do this as I like to give all the critters that overwintered there a chance to get on their way. My robin...as she is surely mine now, has finished her nest on the front door light and is doing a lot of sitting. Note...I did remove the material twice as we are in a small forest so lots of places to nest. But she was determined to be right here. 

 I've moved our big salt bin and my stick containers further along the veranda. They were right under the nest and would have given an animal access. And we are now mainly using the door at the further end of the veranda. I took this photo of a robin on the front lawn and I'm pretty sure it is her because there is straw in the beak.

Fingers crossed it will work out. 

I showed you my toes...here are my fingers. I'm no longer surprised when I see those nails. But if you could see what my fingers get up to here with the garden and dogs and big house to clean, etc. they won't be looking like this long. 

Below is between the walks and ball playing I'm fitting in for Ned and Petey. It is great exercise for me too so I'm very happy to do it. Here they are still panting after a game of fetch. 

Don't forget either..."The present now will later be past"...also Bob.

Yes, time moves on for sure. We just have to make the most of it while we can. To that end, here is an excellent article about how to make time work for us...Ten Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Time on This Planet. 

Okay starting to ramble now, so I'll end this post. Hope you are staying focused or happily rambling- whatever suits!

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Food Hacks, Barred Owls, BB Border Design, Pink Hour Glass Blocks

I just have to share the end of another successful Barred Owls of Indiana season. I so enjoyed watching these three grow and then branch successfully off into the big wide world. I really like how the owl parents are so attentive and make sure all three, even the youngest and smallest, hatched days after the first, gets plenty of food. Their eyesight is thought to be better than ours so imagine emerging from the nest box and seeing all the world in front of them for the first time- no wonder they look transfixed. 

BTW, the Cottage Garden Samplings Year in the Woods series does feature an owl in the group but it is a Barn Owl. I would definitely work it if it were a Barred Owl. I've never seen a Barn Owl though I know they are plentiful here in Ontario. This one is a beauty though. 

Sunday last was Mother's Day. Beth and I enjoyed our usual outing...getting pedicures and manicures at the local Mahogany Spa in Carleton Place, a nearby town. 

I wish I could get my house to smell as nice as that place does. This year I picked the deep pink polish. 

The event includes Mimosas to sip on and a delicious boxed lunch. Beth also gave me a bag of goodies including this information she came across on the web. 10 Glucose Hacks from the Glucose Goddess. I'd never heard of her but I've watched a couple of her YouTube videos since. 

Stitching this week so far... Here are some of the appliqued Hourglass blocks in pinks together. 

And I've appliqued sort of leaves for the Bramble Blooms borders. More to be added to this. I hope I can pull it off -how I'm imagining this in my head I mean. 

Our sweet house guest is still here. Getting me out of my chair and out the door. 

Ned hangs on his every whine!

I've gathered more free patterns to share soon and also thoughts about how to join those Tiny 9 Patch blocks. Think I should begin that before the numbers get overwhelming. I'll also talk about LeeAnna's Not Afraid of Color prompt next time...it has to do with childhood lessons. 

Sharing with Quilting Patchwork Applique and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Amazon Delights, Shopping, Pileated Woodpecker

We are doing well with the healthier eating. The weekly box of fresh vegetables and fruit has certainly helped. There was a large cauliflower, potatoes and green beans lately that I used in one of those mushroom soup casseroles...actually I switched to cream of chicken and it was good too. I also made a lentil, pea and bean soup with added carrots and sweet potatoes from the box. Not foods Tony would like but he enjoyed the soup. And for me, I can make a meal of a salad. I always add carrots and oranges. I'm still using Jenny of Elefantz's salad dressing...1/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup maple syrup. I cut back the maple syrup for me as I don't have a sweet tooth. 

 I did get shoe shopping for running shoes and bought these. Sketchers with hot pink soles with a little more cushioning than I'm used to.

So many pairs I tried on were white or light colours. Around here on the trails, they would be dirty so quickly, I opted for the black and I've come to like Sketchers over recent years. They are very comfortable which is the main thing, of course. 

Have you heard of doing this? Yet another use for toilet paper rolls. There must be a book that could be published with all the uses by now. Last weekend, I got out my saved toilet paper rolls and made quite a lot of these. Planters for seedlings which I put to use on the weekend.

 It is always tricky getting delicate, tiny sprouted seedlings out of containers to put in the ground. This way, they don't need to be removed; you can plant the whole thing. Here is a short video showing how to make the containers. Two from each roll and this tiny project definitely scratched my thrifty/frugal itch too.

Two Amazon Delights

If you google latest quilting trends, you'll probably turn up this. Alice Carolines' latest book, Alice's Wonderland Sampler Quilt. It features 100 blocks, I think all sewn in Liberty fabrics. It's popping up all over the place. Many quilters are sewing these blocks which are a variety of applique and piecing. It sold out quickly but is back in stock now even found on  Amazon. Here is a short video preview of it.

And I saw this at KatyQuilts and thought I'd share it. She got hers from Sam's Club Online. Great for many uses besides sewing tools, maybe jewelry or other craft supplies. Makes a cute gift. I found similar on Amazon too but there are variations available from a number of companies and all in pretty colours. A new fangled twist on the old metal tool chest. Amazon link

My weekend's progress on the Pileated Woodpecker. I've switched to stitching some of the boring bits to get them out of the way. 

And in a bit of amazing coincidence, on the weekend I was able to grab a shot of our local fast moving Pileated Woodpecker making his rounds of the trees beside the garage. Ned and I spot him quite often early morning. He always seems so intent on  pecking the heck out of the trees that he doesn't notice us. And look at that... leaves have appeared almost overnight it seems.

Prep for this week's Tiny 9 Patch blocks...and nine at a time. And sadly not making any noticeable dent in the scrap bags. 

I have to continue the garden tidy up this week and begin my new border on the Bramble Blooms. I hope I'm going to like what I've planned. Next time I'll talk about that and my Mother's Day outing. Hope your week will be one that includes doing something you love!

   Linking up with generous folks like Brenda at Songbird Designs, Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation, Denise at A Quiltery, Alycia at Alycia Quilts, Kathy at Kathy Quilts and Melva at Melva Loves Scraps.      

Thrifted Bargains, Tiny 9 Patches, Knitting Moss Stitch

 Ned's big brother is staying with us for a little while. Here he's having a chat with Tony. Petey is demonstrating his signature move...how he can balance and beg at the same time. Definitely treat worthy, he insists. 

During this week, I've been tv stitching. So enjoy making these tiny EPP blocks. 

I found another YouTube stitcher to watch who enjoys both cross stitch and quilting. Laura at LalaDee Stitches. She has a great upbeat vibe and shares much enthusiasm for each of her many projects. She does beautiful work in both cross stitching and quilting.

I heard from many of you who also loved that very colourful Future Dreams yarn. Here is the beginning of the particular Irish Moss (also known as American Moss) pattern I chose. From Studio Knit which offers a fine collection of patterns that just use knit and purl stitches. 

 It is a four row repeat pattern perfect for beginners. It is also reversible which is good for a blanket. Nothing fancy stitch wise. I'm liking the look of this better than the cross stitch pattern so I'm going to be knitting this blanket. Here is the Studio Knit video demonstrating the Irish Moss Stitch. 

And HERE is the link to the West Yorkshire Spinners free pattern page for you who are clever enough to knit not only blankets, but clothing.

Pretty much all my knitting/crocheting tools are from thrift stores. I keep them in this E.R. Fisher vintage box that belonged to Tony's mother. They are a century old Ottawa menswear shop that is still in business. This box is almost as old as me!!

 I loved how someone had sewn a simple knitting needle caddy to hold her own collection of needles. Though a little worn, this just had to come home with me. 

There is always a huge bin of  hooks and needles at the Value Village...really no need to pay full price for such items. I wonder can metal knitting needles ever wear out.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is how we celebrate our birthdays. Growing up, my late August birthday was kind of bittersweet as it marked the end of what were always great summers and it was back to school the next week. I was always nervous about school so that definitely took some of the fun out of the day. 

These years my birthday is a reminder of, simply put, still being here. At my age, I've known a lot of people who have passed on. Recently I've been making one promise to myself on my birthday- some simple thing I want to keep up for the next year.  One year I promised to keep up connections with folks, another was to improve my fitness. Last year it was to read more books rather than rely so much on audiobooks. 

What about you? Was your birthday celebrated in a special way in your house?

Just noticed...I've got a robin nest building on a front door light. I'm wondering if I should discourage that. 

Hope your day is going well! 

Happy to share with So Scrappy, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Gone Stitchin'.

 

Bramble Blooms, Future Dreams Wool, Free Pattern

 I got a start when I glanced out the kitchen window. This guy was over close to the veranda seemingly looking in the window. I wondered what had caught his attention. I keep my camera there and took this shot while he kept staring. Then I realized there was a Red Squirrel on the wood pile in front of the window and no doubt that was what he was staring at. 

Got to treat ourselves with a fast food take out meal recently. The fries were good and the wrap was a bacon, tomato/cucumber salad one. It was tasty and very filling. I don't know how they get so much in a wrap and it stays so tidy. Is this something you would like?

Below is my Bramble Blooms improv project to date, the inspiration and challenge from Audrey at Quilty Folk. Mine is definitely the Flower Power version. All the little appliqued orange peel blocks are finished and I did put a little dark turquoise dot in the centers as someone suggested. Thanks! When sorting scraps, I found a small piece of Kaffe fabric and wanted to use it one way or another in this project. It wasn't large enough for four corners so wound up in two. His designs highlight the power of flowers, that's for sure. Now it's time to sort out the next border. 

Maybe this outside shot shows the colours better.

My eye seems to be craving colour more. I saw this yarn below and fell in love with the combination of those reds/roses/pinks and the summer leafy green. I liked it even more when I read the West Yorkshire Spinners had specially produced it for a cause.  It is called Future Dreams and for every ball sold, they are donating one pound to the Future Dreams Breast Cancer charity. I ordered a few balls to try out for a new blanket.

 Being variegated, it is a little tricky to choose a pattern that suits. First I began a crochet pattern, Lucy's Cosy Stripe, to see how the colours would play out. 

Then I thought about knitting for a change since my recent wooly projects have been crochet. I researched knitting patterns best suited to variegated yarn. Several stitchers mentioned Moss Stitch works well with such yarn so I'm going to give that a go this week. 

And one last thing I wanted to share today. I was very taken by this post over at Barbara Brackman's always interesting Civil War Quilts site. The lovely appliqued block, Kentucky Wildflower, is featured.

 She states that overgrown plants in need of repotting are a Kentucky classic quilting theme. The pots are often shown as ridiculously small compared to the size of the flowers. I read about Carrie Nation and her personal war on bars and saloons. Women willing to go to jail for what they believe -that made me wonder about the depth of my own convictions. 

Meanwhile, here is a link to this free pattern for the the Kentucky State block found at the American Quilters site.  I came across it during my unsuccessful search to find out more about that appliqued flower block above. This interesting formation would work well being stitched using  EPP.

This week will be a week of no appointments! I will be free to begin gardening and preparing pots for sowing, etc. The ground is thawed and now is the time to transplant a few flowers that get hidden under bushes later on. I'm no longer planting any bulbs as the 50+ I've put in the soil since coming here have all been removed by the squirrels and maybe the groundhogs. I hope it was tasty eating!

Sharing this post with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, The Inquiring Quilter, Alycia Quilts, A Quiltery and Songbird Designs.