Stitching and Shopping

We are kind of holding our breaths re the weather. Still no snow. Is it possible we could slip into April without another snowfall. Here is the backyard view this morning; not a flake in sight, and sunshine streaming in. 

I'm playing again with the Bramble Blooms Improv project...more to be found here at Quilty Folk.  I need to nail down what I am doing with this next border. With that in mind, I began embellishing petals. Fun stitching of an evening.

Weekend machine stitching and the Blue Courthouse Steps blocks are together. Much larger than I thought it would be. I really should pay more attention to numbers! Working on borders this week.

Ned turned 3 on March 3. Those three years have been a flash. Here are the browns in the litter with Ned in the middle. 

I sat down with the doctor for my consultation on Thursday past. I am happy to tell you that all the tests showed no indication of anything wrong with my heart; my aorta valve is normal. I was given the green light to exercise as hard as I want. His last words to me- Exercise is good for you. He doesn't know me. I'd been nervous; my voice sounded weak so I didn't bother saying to him you don't have to tell me that. I got back in the car and thought I should celebrate but I couldn't think of anything in particular to do. I decided to go to the lovely Wool Store in the town, the one where we bought our Auckland wool winter duvet. 

I had a great look about and wound up buying two tunic type blouses (I'll get photos for the next post) which seem to suit my shape these days. The room with all the wool floor to ceiling is so wonderful, I said to the lady I could live in there. She said everyone who comes says the same thing. I'll have to remember to take photos next time and hopefully that will be soon as I'd like Tony to take a look in the men's room which had lots of warm wool shirts. I bought three balls of wool, all variegated. I will have to share the project I have in mind- I keep forgetting as there is always lots else to talk about it seems. And I don't want the posts to be too long.

 Rumi

Humble living does not diminish. It fills.

Going back to a simpler self gives wisdom.

Don't know about myself and wisdom but my life and enjoyments are definitely simpler these days. What about you? 

Linking this post with Alycia Quilts, It's a Small Town Life, Creations Quilts Art, Melva Loves Scraps, Quilting and Patchwork, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and A Quiltery.

Chookshed Stitchers Challenge,Hawk Run Hallow Cross Stitching, Favourite Meal

 We had an amazing temperature shift in the weather this week...+15 C high one day back down to -15C low the next. Definitely surreal to have another higher temperature like that in February. There was a tremendous amount of melt that took place in a very short time. The change over period brought on early darkness amidst a heavy wind, thunder and lightening storm that seemed to be crashing right above our roof. Ned was scared- not the bravest fellow, and we were so relieved we only lost the power for a couple of minutes. I wonder what did the critters think of it. 

Chookshed Stitchers Challenge

I'm pleased with how far I moved this project along in February...the FFP Blue Courthouse Steps. I've stitched 35 of the 9 inch squares and sewed the border made up of 6 inch squares.

See the block on the right...not the real colours at all...no teal or aqua at all in this quilt. That's how badly my camera phone represents certain shades. 

I now have to pull out the papers and sew it all together. 

 I had just three things in mind for this quilt...that it be kind of manly since it's a gift for a man, it be large enough for a lap quilt and that some of the men's thrifted shirts would be used in it.  I'll have to do some dreaded quilt math to make sure it will be a good lap size but the other two goals have been met.

 I've also sewn together a number of orphaned blocks to use on the back. Definitely another plus to use scraps and stash for this project.

As on track as that project is, in other areas....

 I've gone off the rails with my current winter Cross Stitch project, Jour de Neige. Here's what happened. I was taking stock of my cross stitch WIP's ...there are 4 of them and most are large projects. I pulled out A Year at Hawk Run Hallow and just felt the impulse to pick up the needle and lay a few stitches. I was ready to stitch Block 7, July.

And I've just kept working on it this week-as the stitching spirit moved me if you will.  July's block now has a spouting whale and a waving, though sadly headless couple. I've added that will be underwater whale myself and for a reason. 

My stitches are just not good enough anymore for full coverage areas which is what that whole area required. ( I was relieved when I heard I'm not alone in this...full coverage is not a favourite thing for many cross stitchers.) I may add a couple smaller fish than the pattern has just to break up the space even more. I used Brenda's book to help me chart that little fellow. Here at  Amazon if you'd like to take a look.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is if we could come home to a favourite meal cooked by our partners what would it be...assuming they can cook. I had a chuckle at the very thought of Tony in the kitchen preparing a meal. While good at so many things, he's the first to admit having to cook for anyone would be his worse nightmare.  When he was alone, he lived on President's Choice blue menu frozen items, prepared salads, Delissio Frozen pizzas and toast for years. However, if Tony did cook, there would be much precision involved both in the cutting/dicing- he likes things to look uniform, and the cooking time as he reheats his tea at exactly 66 seconds in the microwave. He would literally have it down to a science. I think he is a little surprised at my rather slap dash approach to teaspoons, tablespoons, quarter measures, etc. 

 But anyway, for me, my favourite food tastes are all over the place. I used to say my favourite meal was anything I didn't have to cook myself. I love a good steak, any kind of pasta dish, souvlaki, Indian food, Chinese, a good burger and good fries, etc. But if I had to name one thing, I would make a nostalgic choice... my mother's big cooked dinner (as we called it) she made every Sunday...usually a roast with Yorkshire puddings, mashed potatoes, cabbage, turnip, carrots, peas pudding, etc. and her good gravy which she was known for.  What about you? Do you have an absolutely all time favourite meal? Do tell, as I love reading about food. 

Speaking of which, thank you all so much for taking the time to comment! I really enjoyed reading about your favourite romantic couples. I loved hearing that for some of you, you and your present partner is your favourite couple. Romance lives on!

 And I also loved how many of you commented about that special amazing thrift store find I shared HERE. But no one has suggested which of the Baltimore Album type patterns this one is. So keep an eye out as I would love to know more about this quilt. Surely that special block would be a good clue.

Hope your weekend has no unpleasant weather surprises and time for you to work on what you love.

Happily sharing with Alycia Quilts, It's a Small Town Life, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Quilting in Blues and Reds, Favourite Fictional Couple

I can hear the sound of water dripping from the eaves outside...a late March/early April sound in February. And no snow in the foreseeable forecast either... 2024 is dealing out a different winter that's for sure. 

Another week with more appointments...medical checkup for Tony and a hair cut for me. I think it was my second professional haircut in the last five years. Anyway, sadly I'm not impressed; in fact, have been doing a little trimming here and there to even things out. I gave the lady, a single working mom of two little kids, a large tip to make up for all the tips I've not given out for hair cuts in the meantime. And probably won't be for some time to come either. Any thoughts about tipping?

We finished the latest season of All Creatures Great and Small. Enjoyed it very much especially the respect and affection shown for all the animals in their care.

Moving along my Chookshed Stitchers Challenge project for February. #2 The Blue Courthouse steps. I've stitched 8 more of these blocks so far this month and am at a point of checking how many more I will need for a lap quilt. These are being machine stitched using Foundation Paper Piecing. I stitch two or  three at a time which is my limit for an afternoon. I sincerely wish I enjoyed machine stitching more. How I admire you folks who are wizards on your machines. I do like blues and I've read it's the most calming of colours.

I've four more Crossroads blocks also stitched. I've enough now using/featuring reds. And brown is definitely a grounding colour...do you think? I might work more with that colour here and there.

Here is my latest jigsaw puzzle. I couldn't resist ordering another Peter Pauper Press one as they really are great puzzles. I like the pretty dog and the sweet cats in this one. 

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is if we have a favourite fictional/tv couple. I do not romanticize real life coupledom that's for sure. But in fiction, I was thrilled when Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy finally got together in Jane's Pride and Prejudice. And whenever I watch a movie version, still feel relief and happiness for them. What about you? I would love to hear who you might pick. 

I have two more thrift store buys to share, one that astounded me and I think you will understand why when you see it. So ending this post with a little mystery. I just have to figure out how to photograph it, especially to do it justice.  Have a wonderful weekend where ever you are in this wide world. 

Happily sharing this post with Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Melva Loves Scraps and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Chookshed Stitchers, Tiny 9 Patch Challenge, Blue Courthouse Steps, Ups and Downs

We had a rabbit living in the front yard, hiding under the veranda but it has moved on. I think Ned may have caused that because he happened to catch him on the veranda one day and chased him underneath. 

Deana pulled #2 for us to work on this month for the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge .

I had to look back at my original post to see what that would mean for me. It is the Blue Courthouse Steps project and I am thrilled to be working on this one for February. Here is a photo of all the blocks I've sewn to date. It was good to get them out of their box and give them an airing, :D.

My special freezer paper that can be put through the copier machine arrived.

 I've tried it out. I like the way the freezer paper is thinner than the cardboard especially for the Tiny 9 Patch one inch blocks. It will definitely help with eliminating some bulk and thereby -hopefully- aid the accuracy. Taryn suggests stitching 10 a week but that would be on the machine I think. Of course, I'm sewing at my own pace and enjoying the process very much.

Our landscape continues to be an icy one these days. Of course, the cleats are on the boots when walking but I'm not venturing too far about. Yesterday the sun shone beautifully and we walked - very carefully- along the snow banks skirting the pond. Snow is now firm ice...it was pretty and so nice to have sun on my face. 

 I read a distressing article about the rivers of cloth in Asian countries. Our textile production is far exceeding our proper usage and so much of it is ending up in landfills and clogging landscapes. I shy away from cloth items at the thrift store...except if an exceptional blouse is spied or something new with tags. I thought more about this when I remembered how I'd bought Tony a bag of car washing cloths at Winners and realized I could/should have bought the equivalent thing at the thrift store, just never thought of it. 

Oh my, always something to think about. And there are always ups and downs here at home too. I'm late posting this week...we lost a whole day in the local ER which was distressing but ended well...multiple tests throughout the day all negative and the overall treatment was wonderful. We came home exhausted but feeling so thankful for all that.

I hope your week is going well! 

Sharing this post with It's A Small Town Life, Alycia Quilts, Art Quilts Whatever, So Scrappy, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Songbird Designs and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.