The Phoebes are building a nest on the old speaker at the back of the house again this year...two in a row. I can watch them from my chair in the TV room window. The two of them spent ages flying back and forth from a nearby tree to the site thoroughly checking it out before giving it an okay it seems.
They are both bringing material now I notice but I can't tell them apart, though one seems a little darker which might mean the male.
We both love mandarin oranges and one of these tiny ones is enough for Tony. But it is the thrifted crocheted doily that I want to talk about.
It has extra material on the middle of the four corners. I wonder how many of you remember this. I think the extra was to poke up in a wave and be starched into that shape. Do you remember your Mom starching doilies? Mine did.
Below is my tableside work bench in the TV room just below that window I mentioned above. I have a special gift for collecting things around me where ever I sit. Here there is my hand stitching, my 5 lb weight, sparkling water, and dark chocolate coconut almonds for sustenance during the long night of TV viewing, LOL. What you can't see are...my Ott lamp poised on a narrow book case, my small cosmetic bag with nail files ( because with cross stitching, the nails have to be smooth) and lip conditioner (dry winters), my needlebook, a large ceramic cup for pens, pencils, scissors, etc. and my plastic bin case ( you can get a glimpse of it there) that contains threads, glue, pins, etc. I try my best to have whatever I need for the evening at hand there so I don't have to make trips back through the main area to the sewing room. And I don't know why that sounds arduous but by that time of the day, it just seems so.
I also have a stretchy resistance band there, but truthfully, I'm not sure if I use that correctly. Resistance training is having a moment now especially important for seniors apparently.
What about you? Do things accumulate around your stitching chair as well?
And as you can see, I've begun stitching EPP stars in the May RSC colour, green. Joining the party at So Scrappy.
The new fridge has been ordered and will arrive next week. Though eager to have a fridge again I believe it has been healthy for me to use the stairs so much each day. Maybe that's why I'm feeling pretty good fitness wise...with spring conditions underfoot so much improved I've been taking Ned on two long walks, morning and late afternoon. And I've been using my Cubii at night too. Tony also takes Ned out some days for a brief jaunt up the laneway. Ned, btw, has an enclosed one acre back yard to use but won't stay out there without one of us with him. Again this year, a groundhog is out there thinking it is his garden.
Lori at Humble Quilts is running a SAL featuring The Tree of Life block, a traditional two colour one. Lori's is red and neutral and she has been using those triangles on a roll which interested me too. Though practising my HST's, I don't think I could be accurate enough to manage this block.
Recently I asked if any of you knew the name that the hst's in a Broken Dishes block had formed. We all get by with a little help from friends. I was watching Quilt Roadies on YouTube, an episode called Quilting Settles the Heart and Mind and Anna shared her very cute Kathy Schmitz bunny she had made.
She knew she had the patterns to stitch the other animals in Kathy's series and went looking in her craft room which she calls the bee hive. Anyway, she can't find them and she wondered if any of us viewers maybe saw where she had put them when she shared them with us a while back.đBut I know exactly how she feels because even with my efforts to have designated stations, files, containers, baskets, etc. in rooms, I am always searching for something...glasses often, phone sometimes, books, etc.
Btw, here is Ruth the Rabbit, one of the sweet embroidered animals she was talking about...Kathy Schmitz if you'd like to check it out.
I'm eager to get outside in the garden and get clearing the flower beds. I don't like to do that too soon as I want to give overwintering critters a chance to crawl away. But soon now, maybe if the weather cooperates, even today.
I'm checking out a couple of super comfy summer dresses online that I'll share next time. It's been a long time since I shopped for clothes. I dressed like a lumberjack all winter what with the wood carrying and all. So it's time to spruce up a little. I also will share a frightening but thankfully short lived experience I had.
Take care, dear readers, each and every one of you!
Happily sharing with the slow stitching party over at Kathy's Quilts. Also happy to share with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.
20 comments :
I wonder if the Phoebe's are a pair that return to the same nesting site each year...or perhaps the ones this year are last year's babies that have returned.
I don't remember my mother ever starching doilies but my grandmother certainly did. I actually think I still have a piece of the same design you show here. I cut into it and used the corners for some crazy quilting at one point.
Your tableside work area is somewhat similar to mine, only replace yarn for sewing. My sewing all takes place in my sewing room during daylight hours but tv viewing in the evenings generally involves knitting or crocheting.
I tend to keep all my hand piecing stuff near where I sit in living room as well so I don't have to keep popping up and down - it is just easier - I too use my Cubii in the evening I have light weights near by but must admit I rarely use them I mean to and then forget about it.
I have a table next to my comfy chair where all that very important stuff collects, too, Jocelyn! And some of it ends up on the floor as well, I have to admit. Mike has been doing PT for a degenerated disc in his neck (which has caused arm weakness) and a lot of it is with resistance bands. He has four colors of them! Apparently each color is a different level of strength. I would love watching the phoebes make their nest!
Years ago I pieced a tree of life quilt, so many HST's! I foundation paper pieced the triangles, when there is that many triangles, paper is the way to go for accuracy. Having your old fridge go has been a blessings, maybe you should keep some items in the basement refrigerator? Have a blessed week!
We definitely gather our crafty nests just like the birds build theirs! Not only is there comfort in it but who wants to have to constantly get up for supplies once you get into a groove stitching? These days most of my hand stitching is for cross stitch so other than any accompanying dirinks or snacks, all the supplies are thrown into a project bag and only spread out while I am stitching. The good news is this means my "comfort nest" can be transported to wherever I need!
We all have our sewing spots, it seems, with all our supplies close at hand. I usually have a book in the pile too. I have some doilies made by my grandmother. Love seeing your growing collection of stars. Gail at the cozy quilter
I have a bit of a junk pile beside my recliner chair. That's where my knitting lives, I've got several projects on the go, some hand stitching, all in various bags. Quite junky really, and I cringe when visitors arrive.
How lovely to be able to sit and watch the Phoebes build their nest. They are beauties. I have an affection for doilies. I have a few of my grandparents. Yours is so lovely. It warms my heart to get a glimpse of your stitching area. I see handmade warmth and loveliness.
I remember my Grand-mere starching her hand crocheted doilies...I used to love to see how they came out when I was ironing them for her--I've always loved to iron--just something rewarding to my mind.
I have my hand quilting and little hand projects in a big basket near my recliner and mostly books and my daily journal jotter next to my area on a little bookcase. Oh and our latest Weather Station is on the top...
(great idea to have some chocolate sustenance nearby, Jocelyn!)
I have yet to set up my EPP for the Summer deck sitting days to come...still planning that one out...[60 degree diamonds for a change from the hexies], Hugs, Julierose
I'm glad your fridge is ordered. Ours is such a convenience that we don't even think about until the power goes out. The phoebes are prettier than our barn swallows which used to make a nest under the patio overhang. We enclosed the patio and their went their nice camping grounds. Makes me sad for them. We have some kind of bird which has made a nest in our fan under our pergola and has been teaching the babies how to fly this past week. They won't be still long enough for me to photograph and identify them, but they scold us from the roof when we go outside. We bought some new sofa tables that have a nice drawer and shelves with doors for all of our junk, er, necessities at night!
It's taken me many years to realize I want my supplies close at hand. It makes my spaces messy looking and it doesn't help that I can't seem to put scraps away in a reasonable amount of time. So, yes, I definitely relate to your table. Your birds are beautiful. I doubt we have them in our area. But we do have the most beautiful blue birds.
Oh yes - things do accumulate on the little table next to my favorite chair. There are always some hand stitching things there, along with hand lotion and other things. I have several doilies made by my grandmother, and I do remember her starching them.
I've never heard of Phoebies before reading your blog. They are pretty birds and must be interesting to watch. I tend to surround myself with way more "stuff" than I have room for when I am stitching. Never know what we will need LOL.
Pretty doily. Your tableside work bench is pretty crowded! I have more weeds than flowers right now - I don't think I'm ever going to get ahead with my garden this year!
It was my grandmother who loved to crochet doilies and I definitely remember her starching them.
I also collect things around my chair and I really am trying to control how much I have there right now. So many projects, so little time.
God bless.
My grandmother used to crochet doilies and I remember my mom starching them. She always liked them flat and stiff it seems. Every morning, I sit on my couch and collect what I'm going to need throughout the day. I grab my laptop, cross stitching, Nook and whatever else inspires me for that day! That's when my day begins!!
Pretty birds. I love to see them building their nests and coming to the bird feeders. I have already planted and we will soon be too hot for anything to survive :-(
Enjoyed your post, very much. I seem to "collect" things around every spot I sit. LOL! I run into the same problem of location services. I'll put something away, thinking how clever I am to be so neat and organized, only to tear everything up, trying to find it again months later!! Can't wait to see your pretty summer dresses! :)
We've a great shop nearby and I keep buying fat squares. I never do anything with them tho!
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