Can You See It?, Videos and Shows to Watch, Slow and Fast Stitching

August has brought welcome cooler temperatures here this week to the Ottawa Valley, Canada. The season of growing things with all the greens and the buzzing things is at its height...this meadow below was literally abuzz, so much so I would not walk through it. In particular, there was a large fly there we used to call stouts as kids. Have no idea what exactly is a stout but we were afraid of them as they could bite. 

Speaking of green, I saw this frog and was intrigued by his 2/3's brown and 1/3 green colouring. This one has his bases covered to blend in with either mud or plants. Nature is amazing which seems like not nearly strong enough of a word to even begin to describe it. 

And speaking of blending in...one morning we rounded the path to the pond and something at the furthest end caught my eye. I immediately led the dogs away and went back by myself to investigate. Another of my "can you spy it" shots. Something so tall and standing so still to almost camouflage itself.

A Great Blue Heron

I was sorry it was so far away and also it took off just as I had adjusted my camera. I would have loved getting a better photo of it. Oh well, I saw it and enjoyed the sighting.

I'm still using the Bear Bell on Ned's leash to alert any critters nearby when out on our walks. So far we have not met any so I hope it means the bell is working. 

Michele in this post at Pennsylvania Piecemaker mentioned she watches Sue at From Small Things on YouTube. I'd also discovered Sue and am enjoying her unassuming attitude and also thrifty ways all the while sewing marvelous quilts. She can get the most amazing deals on men's shirts to use for quilt fabric at regular church rummage sales, for instance. As well as all the great Oceans quilts, Sue shared and demonstrated two things that I've noted to purchase. More on that later.

Meanwhile, I've been stitching more of the Propeller blocks to bring my number to 60. Each little block is hand sewn then the four propellers machine stitched together. I'm sorry to be boring you with more photos of this simple block but this happens when there are not that many WIP's being worked on. 

July 30 was International Embroidery Day and I did stitch along while watching the amazing YouTube video. I just loved seeing so many stitchers from all over the world - I wonder how many countries were represented. And the great variety of methods they shared was incredible. Oh my, some of the surface embroidery pieces are works of art truly. 

I've stitched up to V ( no U in this alphabet) in my G. Leger 1898 alphabet. I'm eager to get to a pear but I've realized the alphabet actually takes up most of this design, not the pears or house. I don't know why I'm just understanding that now. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees. These are the fanciest letters I've ever stitched.

A small matter but one that makes a big difference...Tony has put new lights in my sewing room ceiling fixture and I've decided not to put the very heavy ornate light dimming shade back up. It is wonderful to have this much improved lighting and will be especially important in our short darker winter days. 

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's conversation starter this week is did you play with hula hoops? Yes we girls all had hula hoops on Charles Street, Corner Brook, Newfoundland where I grew up. I am reminded of that as we are watching Offspring on Prime and in the opening song, which is really catchy, one of the characters is swinging her hips in a hula hoop. The Australians have a brilliant way of combining serious with humour so we are enjoying this one very much and loving that there are so many seasons.  

I enjoyed reading your reactions to the photo of my messy sewing room I shared last post. How kind you all are! And funny too. No, sadly no, I did not throw scraps all around just for the photo, LOL.

Hope something is putting a smile on your face and stirring your creative juices these days while you try to stay cool or keep warm, wherever you are in our big wonderful world. Take Care All!

Happy to share with these linky parties - Creations Quilts Art, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Kathy's Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, The Inquiring Quilter and So Scrappy.