Stitchy Gifts, Kits, Links, Quarter Dresdens

 I'm feeling a little drowsy this morning sitting here by the fire. I've just mopped the whole upstairs because we've had a lot of activity here. It's been a trying week because our furnace quit working and what a time to choose to do that during these very cold days in February. I'm thankful to have Brad who helped me with getting wood up from the back basement door for our fireplace...that is quite a trek. The little heaters we also used were okay but it was really nice to be able to keep a fire burning.

 We've had to go in and out for appointments too which has all kept the dogs and me off kilter. But thankfully, in the end, we just went four days without a furnace. I didn't realize putting in a new furnace would take so long. The two guys were here for five hours which drove the dogs mad- they wanted to be with them! Of course, they had to remove the old 21 year old furnace first which took up some of the time. Thankfully the new system is working fine so far, and, fingers crossed this episode is now history.  

I'd found this book below and want to read it. It's a book where writers who knit or try to share their stories about knitting. I always knew Barbara Kingsolver did but I didn't know Sue Grafton did. Turns out there are a lot of writers who knit and more that would love to. Here is the Amazon link if you'd like to read more about it. It would make a great gift. 

Kate at the Last Homely House still interests me and it's the perfect kind of show to have on while knitting. I don't have to follow any instructions or such and the tv room was also the perfect spot this week as I could keep it warm in there with a small heater. Isn't the winter sun on these colours pretty.  

I've also been working on my Quarter Dresdens project. Now I have more of the working parts kitted up all ready to stitch together so I feel better about it. I'm still using mail flyers, the flimsy ones, for template material and an old cookie tin to keep them in. 

I've decided to use more colour in the blades; I know white is the colour of the year and all but so many in white got boring to me.

I'm using dark greens, the RSC February colour, for these backgrounds and one is looking lighter here than it really is and other darker. Sigh

Beth gave me three embroidery kits for Christmas. The Puffin is Newfoundland's provincial bird so it makes sense I finally embroider one. It's from Hook, Line and Tinker whose link is HERE if you'd like to check out their other cute designs.

I get so many Chickadees at my feeders and love them. I wanted it to be Canada's national bird but it lost out to the Canada Jay, formerly the Gray Jay. This is a sweet little kit from Nest Embirdery. Their link is HERE where there is a gorgeous bumblebee I'd also like to stitch.

And as well, this kit by Wendy Williams that I'd mentioned to her quite a while ago that I liked. Now I don't have to order it. I've admired this one for a long time and you can check it and others equally beautiful at Flying Fish Kits.

Stitchy gifts are the best, aren't they!

I'm feeling a bit tired but a good tired, if you know what I mean. The kind you feel when you've moved your body. We've decided to treat ourselves to a lunch out at one of the very old restaurants in a nearby town. They make good pork souvlaki there and that's what I always have. They make their own dressing for the Greek salad, something else I'm fond of. Would this appeal to you? 

Happy Valentine's Day to you all too!