Cardinal Rule, Tilda Orange Peels, Cakes, Free Patterns

Thanks for the lovely comments about my veranda views. I miss Newfoundland very much but I certainly can't complain about where I'm living these days. It is beautiful and I enjoy all the critters so much too. Of course, those photos don't show the mosquitoes or the heat. However, no sun this morning; it is rather gloomy with promised thunder and lightening today.  So it goes.

Our busy week is over that included two medical appointments for Tony. And we did take Ned to the vet and now he is on two drugs and has a special shampoo. One week into the treatment and he is already feeling much better. Fur is growing back in a spot he had scratched almost bare. Perhaps this will do to see him through the hot summer in comfort. Hope so. At the practice we go to, the vets are all young women. They are slim, energetic and favour athletic wear. They are eager to share their knowledge and are kind with us too. This latest doctor immediately called Ned "Neddy Boy".  I noticed how she could kneel down, pop back up, get down on one knee, etc. with such ease. I could do that once but not anymore and I don't know when exactly that became impossible for me. I wonder is it retrievable??

Tony is enjoying another lovely Chocolate cake from Beth. I had a sliver and it is rich and delicious. Here is the link to Rock Recipes 20 Best Chocolate Cake Recipes that includes this one.

Here is my progress on the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge for June... Cardinal Rule. So it begins...better late than never!

I used the machine to stitch the background and then prepped some leaves.

These wools are thin and very soft-lovely to the touch. But look so much alike, it was a challenge to keep them straight. And they photograph poorly. Here is part of the vines and I am hand stitching them using easy blanket stitch .

How bad is the lighting in the sewing room?  I didn't know these vines were a deep greenish shade till I brought the piece out to the tv room. I've had to use the lighten button on the computer so you can see any of this clearly. When these are all secured I can begin to attach the "fun" bits. 

It's also fun stitching these appliqued Tilda Orange Peels. The freezer paper prep for each takes longer than the stitching. I've found a few solids to work into the mix too. I realize these have such a sameness about them...perhaps I'll show them on the wall all together so you can better follow the progress. 

Over at the FAT QUARTER SHOP, they are readying for Christmas in July. Then they are offering their FREE Star of Wonder Mystery QAL and SAL, a Christmas quilt and cross stitch design. I'm interested in seeing what patterns they will be offering this year.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is did we ever go to camp as a kid?  I did...once. It was a Girl Guide Camp beside a beautiful lake near Corner Brook where I grew up. It was held over a long weekend and we were able to work on our outdoor related badges. I remember two things...the mosquitoes (I returned home with a ring of bites around the back of my neck that Mom made a fuss about) and how much I loved the singsong around the fire each evening. What about you? Did you get to go to any summer camps? 

I've got a chicken soup with lots of vegetables cooking in the slow cooker and I'm looking forward to catching up on my cross stitching while watching several of my favourite Flosstube stitchers this weekend. What about you? Any similarly comforting or special weekend plans?

Happily sharing this post with Kathy's Quilts, Bolt to Beauty, Melva Loves Scraps and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.