Beauty Product, Embroidering Pumpkins, Amish Hexagons, Shows to Watch

 It's the flight of the geese season now, a natural cycle here in Canada. I've never been able to get a good photo of them with their marvelous vees marking the sky. But I am getting photos of the bright colours beginning to mark the landscape these days too. We both noticed it's getting darker earlier too or "closing in" as the old people called it.

I was dropping something off at Beth's yesterday and couldn't resist taking a photo of her pretty front veranda view.

I like how in these newer subdivions they don't mow down all the trees. On their two acres, she has many squirrels and birds. 

My Ligularia was affected by the drought though I watered from time to time. 

I noticed the flowers were not quite as large as usual and they bloomed later. Because of the size of the leaves, mine are sometimes called the Tractor Seat version. And while one of the last perennials to bloom these are fading faster. 

I had traced one of Pinker n Punkin Quilting & Stitching's Saltbox House patterns and decided to finish it this October. I used a chain stitch to make the pumpkin stand out a little. You can check out the latest very cute autumn cross stitch freebie, Pumpkin Crow, HERE. Thank you, Melisa, as always, for your generosity!

I came across Ginnie's video of how to make hexagons without paper templates and that caught my attention. I was so intrigued with this method I had to give it a try. 

The finished product is quite accurate and it is definitely liberating to make these without having to trace and cut many paper/cardboard templates. And they whip up very quickly. I used this men's shirt with pretty dark pink striped fabric; maybe these could fit in a Christmas project if I make enough for a border. 

I think these are also called Amish Hexagons. Perhaps you would know.

A beauty product I've been enjoying is this one called Fat Cheeks. Older daughter, Amelia, showed it to me. My skin is getting paler I notice. I never did have much colour...someone once said to me you look like you've seen a ghost...no, just my normal pallor I said. I don't even seem to redden up a bit when exercising any more. This one adds a little pink colour with just a light application. I bought mine at Walmart. 

We rewatched the American version of Getting On (it is originally a British show) and enjoyed it so much. The cast is awesome including the wonderful Laurie Metcalfe. Also there are guest starring roles by many famous actors. The setting is a hospital ward for elderly post op patients. It is all outrageous and funny with lots of antics by the patients and the staff. 

!There are lots of fecal jokes so it might not be for everyone. But I thought the final sentences of the series were worth noting... first Dr. Jenna-Laurie- says something like this...There is no justice in this world; we just have to show mercy to each other. And Nurse Didi replies, because that's what we can give to each other. 

So I hope you all are giving and receiving a little mercy these late September days. I have, first up, dogs to be walked, then floors to be cleaned. Then I'll be free to stitch!

So happy to link up with Alycia Quilts, Days Filled With Joy, Kathy's Quilts, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Creations Art Quilts.

 

Scrappy Pumpkins, Cross Stitching Crows, Homemade Bread Stuffing, Talking Temu

This is the Smoke Tree in September. I like the mulberry and lavender colours the leaves have this time of year.

And of course, the wild New England Asters are also purples and so pretty.

Thank you for lamenting with me about the loss of our little pond. It is sad, especially for all the critters and birds that lived, drank and bathed there. And though its been raining off and on the last two days, most of September continued the rainless streak. We've had frost warnings and I covered my pots on the veranda twice now but didn't need to. They're on my to do list to move indoors.

I've finished Autumn Quakers and am very pleased with it. I'm a bit stumped as to which project to cross stitch next. I decided to order The Blue Flowers' "In Praise of Pollinators", one I'd been eyeing for quite some time. And perhaps you would agree with me, this certainly reflects my interests and life here at the wooden house. You can see it here at 123 Stitch.

Or I could begin the Peace on Earth design which I showed you Here. While I wrestle with that lovely dilemma, I pulled out the mammoth Year at Hawk Run Hollow. I finished the August block and began September. I've had to set it up on the big hoop as it's so large to manage and I feel like it's getting mauled with all the handling. But I've finished nine months now so getting there. The  stitch count for each block is 92 x 92 and the total stitch count on the whole design is 271 x 371 and that is a lot of stitches. 

Here it is finished and a start made on crows for the September block.

While I had in mind to sew a couple of turkeys...one in applique and one pieced, I decided to wait. More about those later. In the meantime I began a few appliqued scrappy pumpkins for a table topper. These are small and since they are so simple, I drew the shapes myself. 

I liked that Karen at Just Get It Done Quilts made a video about the sewing supplies you can buy at Temu. They are so much cheaper there than anywhere else which raises questions.  I value Karen's opinions. 

Have you bought anything from Temu? They have this neat apron there that I like and it's $6.25C. HERE if you'd like to check it out again because I think I shared this before.

I cooked a small beef roast on Sunday. Instead of mashed potatoes I decided to make oven fries for a change. I cut the fries large and parboiled them before putting in the oven. Since Tony loves stuffing so much, I made this recipe From Valerie's Kitchen for a stovetop version. You need chicken broth to give it some flavour. This was really good and I think his favourite part of the meal. There was enough food leftover for another meal which is always a bonus.

Daughter gave me these beautiful home grown apples she got in Quebec. I'm thinking of making an apple crisp today.  

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is how we started class each day in school. Growing up and in all the Newfoundland schools I later worked in...all of them Protestant, every morning we'd stand to sing God Save the Queen and then O Canada and the Ode to Newfoundland would be sung on alternate mornings, all to the recordings on the PA. This was followed by an in class Bible reading and the children took turns reading those. I was nervous when my turn would come around and I learned later that the Bible is not easy to read. Mom told me they did the same thing in her school days but the children could choose a verse to read. Teachers would ban the verse " Jesus wept.", the shortest in the Bible, because the boys especially would pick it. How about you? I'm thinking your experiences were probably very similar and, of course, our American friends would have to do the awe inspiring Pledge of Allegiance too.

I hope your week is going well. I'm keeping very busy while these September days sure are flying by. 

Loving having linky parties to share this post with like The Inquiring Quilter, Quilt Schmilt, Quilting and Learning, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Melva Loves Scraps.

 

YouTube Videos, Hand Quilting, Feelings

 Richard Scarry books were a favourite of my children and then the grandsons. So many things on every page to point to and talk about. We had to make a rule with younger daughter, Beth, that she couldn't choose one of Richard's books for a night time read in bed book. She was the one so reluctant to give up on the day and she still makes the most of her busy days starting with a very early morning run.  

We had geese flying overhead yesterday and turkeys trotting through though not in a cute little red car. 

It was so sad that our little pond completely dried up with the summer droughts. The well we used to top it up also dried up. Both firsts for here. It will be interesting to see if winter snows can bring them back.

I collected a few little shells from the bottom. A surprise as I never knew there were crustaceans in our pond.

I enjoyed this video of Megan explaining what it was like to wear dresses for a year. She is Mormon but it wasn't for religious reasons and it was interesting to hear what her final thoughts were. I wear dresses in summer time and do like it...I've also noted the convenience of not having to worry about tops and bottoms and also just how comfy it feels. Megan gives links to where she bought her dresses, some on Amazon. 

BTW, Megan is now recording and sharing her journey with breast cancer. It's so awful how rates of that dreadful disease keep rising. It's so frustrating that all the substantial funds thrown at research can't seem to further our knowledge of how to beat this for good. 

With Tony's help, I moved the smaller television into the sewing room. So here's my hand quilting set up now. That's Kate there from The Last Homely House that I'm watching.

 I decided that quilting circles would be appropriate for the Propeller quilt and, for the first time, I'm using chalk to mark the lines. It's okay so far. 

So there I am, stitching and watching Kate show how she hand quilts at her table half a country and the Atlantic Ocean away. These are amazing times to live in!

I had a tiny epiphany while searching for the slippers I'd stowed away last spring. While searching I found two things I'd forgotten about and was happy to come across them. So I realized it isn't such a complete waste of time to have to look for something after all. Sadly still have not found the slippers.

This post has been my usual mishmash of topics. I started with a children's book, the idea for which was so cleverly devised by Richard over 50 years ago and still lives on though he has been gone over twenty years. I'll finish with a line I have written in a notebook. It's meaningful because we all know what loss feels like and I've said at times I'm the queen of losses. But even when suffering, luckily I knew what I hadn't lost...my life, my health, a limb, my mind- though in private inside my head, very sad woe is me mode for quite a while, and with a little more time I felt fortunate to not lose my family and my history. So I often repeat to myself in my sternest inside voice...you be thankful you.

And here's the line- How shall the heart be reconciled/ to its feast of losses? Kunitz 

Change, he decides. Learn to embrace the new version of yourself, scarred yes, and without whatever it is you know/feel you've lost. It's so good when you figure out what works for you to achieve that...whatever it is that can move you forward past it all. 

 Well that's enough chatter. Hope you are calm and peaceful and enjoying these September days whether it's warming up or cooling down where you are. 

Sharing this post with Alycia Quilts, Creations Quilts Art Whatever and Quilting Patchwork Applique.

September Sewing, Sites To Visit, Tasty Stew Too

From CoziNest Vintage Collective who enjoys whimsy as much as I do and Michele at 3P&N. I must admit I can't get my head around the fact that it is past the middle of September. The days are flying now and there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to get all the things done that I want to. 

This is the first rabbit I've seen in quite a while here and it is also the biggest.

This pretty flower below is a wild Allium, perhaps Wild Leek. If you can confirm, I'd appreciate it.

I've been watching the wonderful Susan Standley, Stitch In Time, on Youtube. She has been providing tutorials on how to hand stitch a four piece block the exact way they would have done so in the 1840's with what would have been available at the time. I enjoyed seeing how she handled beginning and ending stitching, in particular. You can follow her detailed, wonderful tutorials/SAL to create a doll quilt/table mat.

I finished all the hand quilting lines on Tony's bureau mat. Here it is with his family photos- he was an only child. Himself as a baby there and others with his mom and dad. These fabric prints really suit the time of these pictures.

What a big move it was for them to emigrate to Canada from England. His story makes me think how we are all travelers in our way. We all have a story to tell of other places.

I chose a backing fabric for the Propeller quilt from my stash...I think it matches the happy, colourful vibe of the blocks. 

I have no idea what batting that is but I prefer thin so I can hand stitch through it easily. I have this sandwiched now and will start laying stitches soon. I'd love to get this finished before starting the autumn project I have in mind. The first of which will include a turkey, I think...stay tuned. 

 I came across this easy recipe for a chicken and beans stew. I've never used cannellini beans (though I love saying that name) in my life and couldn't find them at the store. So I used pinto beans and lentils. And I liked the addition of a little cinnamon and cumin.( I've been using cumin more for it's health benefits). All you need for two is one chicken breast. And it's one of those recipes you could throw in extras like peppers, etc. I added a few aging cherry tomatoes and spinach too. The recipe is still up HERE at Lillian's Cupboard, a site I adored. Lillian passed away in 2018 at age 86 and I miss her. I am so happy her family decided to keep her blog online.

Thank you all for the concern about Tony and asking how he's doing these days. All the testing has not turned up anything to worry about which is still frustrating for him. However, he is finally accepting there is nothing "wrong" as such and is definitely more at ease with this new version of himself...he would joke he's just stopped complaining about it. This version, though with physical limits and things he can't do, has a great mind still and can still find enjoyment in lots of things. So be it!

Hope your week is going well and your stitching fingers are flying!

So happy to join linky parties and as always a huge thanks to those who host ... Quilt Schmilt, Sum of Their Stories, Quilting Gail, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Songbird Designs, Kathy's Quilts and The Inquiring Quilter.

Free Patterns, Autumn Cross Stitching, Starry Hexagons, YouTube Viewing

It had been rainy but we seem to be back into a dry spell with no rain in the foreseeable future. Very cool overnights. Day times it's been changeable- I think that's the word to describe the weather- one minute dark and cloudy and the next a little sunshine. There have been two frost warnings so far with one night recording 0.6 C so the season is easing in. A pretty sign of such is the fall Aster like flowers are in bloom. What a pretty shade of lavender.

I've been busy inside stitching away giving attention to each of my current projects. That includes a few more of the EPP Starry Hexagons that have been finished. I've lost track of which I've shown you but it doesn't matter. That's a little embroidered dresser scarf I found at a thrift store. Anything hand stitched like this usually comes home with me. 

I've added a couple more motifs to Autumn Quakers that weren't on the original design. There was a time I would not do this but now I'm thinking it just makes the finish more mine. And there seemed to be a couple of gaps that needed something so I've added more flowers since this photo was taken. I was worried that switching back to stitching with two strands would be an issue, but it hasn't been. I took this outdoor photo and like how the tree branch got into the picture. Also this fabric came prepped from the seller...it is perfectly proportioned so why does it look distorted in this photo, I wonder. However, this is a true rendition of the colour of this fabric, which is 28 ct. Vintage Country Mocha linen. Very suited for an Autumn design.  

My Favourite Blog post over there on the right was an important one for me. In it, I marked the first time in my adult life I didn't have to set an alarm to get up for anything. After retiring from my education career, I'd been babysitting ever since moving here...in fact, babysitting older grandson, Jack, was the reason I moved here. Then I moved on to help babysit Robbie. Some of the best moments in my life have been spent with both boys as young ones. It's always been the biggest privilege of my life, I always say, to have been able to do so. Wonderful memories! Anyway, in other matters, my baking in that post was of a Dacquoise cake featuring Victorian sponge cakes. It made my mouth water reading about it. I seem to not be baking like I used to, sigh. 

That reminded me, I've been watching this Youtube channel for a while now and don't think I've shared it with you. I think I first learned about it on Jenny of Elefantz's blog and have enjoyed watching each and every episode. Besides the emphasis on finding pleasure in small and domestic things, stitching and many recipes are shared too. Olesya and House 

Free Patterns

Sheryl at the wonderful Temecula Quilt Co. has a page of free patterns HERE. I love how she coordinates beautiful prints and pops of colour and hosts stitch alongs too. Her newest line is called Ultimate Umbers- so pretty.  From Marcus Fabrics

At the Sotak site there is a free tutorial to make this very cute Christmas tree bunting which could be adapted to make an autumn/Halloween one too. Be sure to look around when visiting as there are patterns to stitch many cute things plus the free section to explore.

 Many-probably all of us are familiar with the very famous Dear Jane quilt that Jane Stickle finished in 1863. I keep wanting to purchase the quilt patterns but they are very expensive. Anyway, one of the wonderful Dutch embroiderers has designed a small cross stitched pattern of the quilt and offered it to others for free. HERE is the link to Rine's blog post about her design she calls Little Dear Jane. 

When I first started sharing free patterns, I never included free patterns in the blog title and then someone suggested to me I should do so to make it easier for folks to search here for them. Btw, thank you for mentioning how you do enjoy following some of the links, etc. I include the ones I love reading and therefore, think you might too.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is about the lunch boxes we had as kids. That being mostly in the sixties for me, things were built to last and in our house, there was no such thing as a new one each year if the old one was still okay. I always had those durable metal tin type boxes for my sandwich and apple, milk in the thermos. Only one stands out and it was red Scotch plaid.  After the latch broke, I used it to keep catalogue cut outs in it so it was around a long time and that's why I remember that one. Yes, it was pretty much the dark ages-☺.

 

Hope this week has been a good one for you and yours and as we used to say back then...Peace, Love and Harmony!

Happy to share this post with Melva Loves Scraps, The Inquiring Quilter, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Creations Quilts Art, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Sew Can Do, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Alycia Quilts.

Stitching Slowly, Food and Flowers, Fall Blooms and Birds

 Hello again and thanks so much for stopping by. I heard the Barred Owls hooting early morning around 4 am and stayed awake till they finished about half an hour later. Then I slept in till 9, so late for me that Tony woke up enough to ask if I was alright.  

Last fall I watched a wonderful moment...an adult male Cardinal was feeding two young ones in the big fir in the back yard. It took a long time to get this photo and I never did capture a good photo of the three. But here are the new Cardinals patiently waiting for his return. I'm thinking they would have been from a second or possibly third brood. 

I had the patio door open for the dogs one day and a baby Chickadee flew in. I didn't notice till I saw  Ned excitedly at the side window and realized at the same moment, Petey was pacing nervously. I easily captured the tiny thing in my hands and it flew off no problem. I hope it had been there so briefly as to not notice at all. I still remember the surprising warmth of its tiny body in my hands. 

Fading blooms but still so pretty in the September sun ...

I've had a busy week though I've not left the property. In the garden, I've been dead heading and using my Gorilla cart to carry it away to my various piles in the woods. These piles are getting bigger (but they collapse some too with the weight of snow) and in the winter I will see prints of critters using them for a little warmth or even a home maybe. 

As soon as that heat left us, I was back in the pool for a daily swim which, with the much cooler water, is so invigorating. We will be getting it closed at the end of the month so I have to make the most of it. 

Inside I used my Bread machine to make a Sweet Bread for Tony. He loves bread so much he was happy enough with egg salad sandwiches and a salad for dinner the night I baked it. I like doing this because I can add my own ingredients like an egg for a little extra nutrition. This Kitchenarm is working out very well. 

I also made a meat loaf one day and covered the top with a little catsup/honey mixture like Mom used to do. Do you do that?

I found that oval pyrex dish at a thrift store and it is just the right size for a one pound meat loaf.

 I always bake potatoes and sweet potatoes too when I have the oven on.

 Another night I made tacos and that seems to be as adventurous in the kitchen I get these days.  

I read this book When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton. I'm pretty sure I read it before but long ago. Just the odd line here and there was twigging with me but I very much enjoyed the reread if that was what it was. I've loved all Jane's books. 

Slow Stitching This Week

I finished the hand quilting lines on Tony's bureau scarf and have it ready for finishing completely. Someone is pretty much always there reminding me to put the needle down and get moving.

And look what the Best Grandma has taken out for September very slow stitching. 

Autumn Quakers is almost at the finish line so my goal is to enjoy these last few motifs and any extra stitches that may need to be added. I'd forgotten how wonderful and truly Autumn like the colours are. 

One more thing...I almost forgot to show you this. In my wonky Propeller quilt top, I'd made one block stars and stripes just for fun as a little nod to my American blogging friends who have been so kind to me and this blog.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was did we get new clothes for going back to school in September. Though we wore school uniforms, I always got a new cardigan, coat and shoes which were usually bought for me. I do remember the first time Mom took me out to West Street to Goodyear and House Department Store in Corner Brook to help pick them out. It was a huge treat. That store had a section in the basement just for Boy Scout and Girl Guide uniforms so I went there to get my uniform later on. Dad's best jacket, a Harris tweed, came from that store. He wore it for decades. I guess a lot of towns had a wonderful general retail store like that. What about you? New duds for a new school year?

Memory is tricky isn't it...I can remember that stuff but be fuzzy about some very recent things. For example... currently I'm on the hunt for my slippers I stored away somewhere last May. Very annoying!

I hope you are remembering where you tucked away all your belongings and your Sunday is going well. We are going to a couple of Open Houses. Wish us luck!

So happy to share this post with linky parties at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Creatively Beth, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Quilt Schmilt and Quilting Patchwork Applique.

 

Free Patterns, Quilt Pros, Cross Stitch Foxy Finish

Well, there is no doubt fall is coming and it's set in a little early here. Single digits overnight for the last week but everyone is saying how welcome this is. I don't think there's ever been such gladness to have summer over. 

Meanwhile, Tony calls this little guy below my trained squirrel or my very smart squirrel that has trained me. He appears on the back deck most days and, of course, I give him a handful of sunflower seeds. When he first appeared here, he was skinny and ragged looking. Now he appears to be quite healthy. Two of his seeds made it into the planters there and now we have two tall Sunflower plants which the bees have enjoyed. 

That also reminded me of good memories of intentionally growing Sunflowers back at the farm.

Reading around the quilting net...

Many of you have shared your finishes at Michelle Cain's From Bolt to Beauty linky party over the years. Michelle has published a book called Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll quilts...Amazon link. I checked it out from the library and I liked it so much. I've just a couple jelly rolls...have always bought fat quarters or yardage. I learned just how convenient it is to use them, not just for a border (which honestly is what I've used them for a couple times), but in block making too. Great patterns and even ones I could sew with Michelle's wonderful directions. 

Btw, Michelle has been featured on Alex Anderson's t.v. show The Quilt Show, a program I love. We won't get to see her segment till 2026 but I will be watching out for it. 

Nina Marie at Creations...Art...Quilts is also the host of a wonderful linky party. Nina's post I linked there is about quilters and called "The Do Not Care Club- Quilters' Edition". Great points! Ones I need to take in and follow!

At Quilt Fabrications, Susan hosts monthly Quilt Block Mania. September's theme is technology and a group of quilters provide their interpretation in free blocks you can download too. You can find all their links at Susan's post. It's always interesting to see old patterns reconfigured for modern times. 

And our quilting friend, Jennifer, the Inquiring Quilter, who hosts the weekly Wednesday Wait Loss Linky party is taking part in this Quilt Block Mania too. You can check out the block Jennifer designed HERE.

I've had this cute little cross stitched fox below waiting around for a finish. This was stitched two strands over two on Aida cloth many years ago. It was a free pattern from the Snowflower Diaries and you can check out their very cute new Raccoon on the Loose pattern (not free but a convenient PDF) for this Halloween. HERE is their Etsy shop and oh my, what cute designs to cross stitch including a BOM called Under the Autumn Skies with the first block featuring an appliqued owl. Oh my, I should not have looked!! Anyway, back to my fox...

The first try with finishing was to use these scraps of fabric I'd had for an old Halloween project.

I had enough to make borders and backing so figured I would use that...it was white, black and orange like the fox. Moving some things around in a drawer last Wednesday, I found this tiny piece of fox faces fabric that I knew was more perfect for my little pin cushion. It's surprising what I've forgotten and coming across this struck me as a little bit of fate. Has that ever happened to you?

That's another little fox pin cushion there featuring Tula Pink's pretty resting fox. 

Anyway here is the back with those cute faces...

and I decided to give her a name...so here is Foxy. I guess she could be a bowlie too. 

The September RSC is pastel blues and greens...interesting colours. I probably have some of those lurking somewhere too so I'll be getting out my Starry Hexagons box this month to try to continue that rainbow project. 

My lunch a lot of days...rice cakes with toppings of peanut butter, banana, cranberries, chia or sunflower seeds. I'm pretty much low fodmaps most days, trying to get the most nutrition into my daily diet. 

Birthday cake doesn't count...I hope I will always be able to eat birthday cake. 

We went to a house showing yesterday in a small town I've always liked. The home was so beautiful and I loved everything about it. It even had a separate staircase to an attic room the owner used to produce her art illustrations. Yes, potential sewing nook for sure. But everything was so polished and beautiful I found it hard to imagine myself there. The wooden house is beautiful in its own way but a bit rugged...it was easy to envision the dogs and our unfancy selves living here. I think you've got to be able to imagine yourself living in a house. Or maybe such a house would make me smarten myself up a bit too. Does any of what I'm thinking make any sense...at all?

Again I feel I've rambled on too long... Hope your week is off to a great start and will be filled with good things!

Happily sharing with Creations Quilts Art, The Quiltery, My Quilt Infatuation, Kathy's Quilts, Melva Loves Scraps, Good and Random Fun, From Bolt to Beauty and Alycia Quilts.