Shopping Loot, Stitching, Coffee- The Usual

I'd just read an article about why our ears and nose look bigger the older we get.  So it's not my imagination or some form of dysmorphia I'm experiencing! My nose really is bigger and this realization provided one of those moments where I thought oh fudge! because really who of us have ever thought, can't wait till I'm older and this too small nose of mine will grow bigger. According to this article,  Our Nose and Ears Continue to Grow as long as we live. Sadly, it's true but back to the gratefulness to be around for this thing to happen all the same!

I love monogramming in all its various forms.  I used to embroider my initials on the pocket of a plain blouse back in the day. Shades of Laverne! Doesn't Penny Marshall look pretty here?


  Jenny of ELEFANTZ has been offering a free alphabet pattern for a monthly pin cushion featuring her lovely versions of the letters.  H is below. Her posts are always an enjoyable read as well.



New to me   Rust Dyeing This kept popping up when searching for autumn coloured material till finally I took the time to read about it.  Very beautiful glowing colours are achieved with a little effort and ordinary materials, sometimes old nails!

                      

Jennifer Coyne Qudeen  has the most interesting posts about dyeing/painting fabrics with a tea and vinegar mixture to give them these unique markings and colours.  It's a whole movement apparently and one some of you creative fabric types would enjoy checking out.

Loot of Late
With thoughts of colder weather, I gravitate toward the wooly sections of any store these days.
 I did buy that coat from Cabela's.  It is my fall coat presently but can also accommodate a nice thick turtleneck so could last a bit longer into our winter.  It's fairly light and comfortable and the toggles remind me of a coat I had when I was young. I've been using my Landsend purple paisley print scarf with it which has little rows of velvet trim.  Daughter thinks the colour suits me.

Another wooly I found at Value Village- a Talbots sweater that is loose and comfy and a soft mulberry colour.  I've been wearing this with pj bottoms watching t.v. in the basement.  Definitely worth the ten dollars.

I wish my camera captured the real colour here...a very pretty saphire blue and I found this one in the Banana Republic outlet store. I can wear turtlenecks...can you?  Cause I know not everyone can. Having a long skinny neck like me helps!

And this purchase from Bed Bath and Beyond...a little tired of the Keurig coffee pods which can't be beat for how convenient.  I did a little research and decided to try a coffee press, something I had way way back when I first became a coffee drinker.  This one, the Bonjour Monet French Press had good reviews and was available locally so I bought it and I'm liking it.  I love the design, however there is a tiny bit of work to actually making the coffee but I'm retired so time is not an issue now. The coffee is stronger than I'm used to so I've had a small learning arc to get the coffee/water ratio right for me. But it does seem like real coffee to me.  What is your preferred method for getting your morning's brew?

Here are The Grasshopper's four corner stone blocks.  These were a treat to hand stitch and a pattern that is pleasing for another project sometime.  When I uncover my machine, I'll start to sew these blocks together- she says with fingers crossed.

Do you remember the little cartoon devil and angel that used to sit on people's shoulders and give them opposing advice?  That could be me right now. I have one saying yes, get to it, finish Grasshopper now and don't forget the pumpkins! while the other little one is whispering, nah, Grasshopper can wait-it'll be there when you're ready for it; scandi redwork is almost done; pick out something else Christmasy to start...you only live once and you love Christmas so much.
Is that floating around in your head too?  Conflicting thoughts about when/what to start or finish and feeling the love for Christmas and Christmasy things that builds this time of year??

We are sitting at -4 degrees C this morning so definitely nippy outside. How's the weather where you are?
Meanwhile so happy to link with Not Afraid of Color as always. Also joining Esther's Quilt Blog,
Free Motion By the River, The Needle and Thread Network, Sew Fresh Quilts, Busy Hands Quilts and My Quilt Infatuation.

Tea Buns, Grasshopper EPP Star Blocks

A bit of gorgeousness in the midst of gloomy and somewhat humid days.  So happy to see some stints of sun yesterday however back to rain today.

But a bonus of the wet weather is all the mushrooms sprouting. I've counted 9 different kinds and was thrilled when Hubby spied this in a dark part of the woods...a fairy ring on our walk one day. It has since all but disappeared!

My autumn hanging I made in 2016 is up on the wall again. A good thing about looking at this is realizing how much my skills have improved.  This looks extremely simple to me now especially compared to the Grasshopper blocks I am piecing. I like it nonetheless and I guess it stands as a piece of my stitching history.

Speaking of Grasshopper, here are a few more blocks; not perfect but I'm handling it! I'm stitching the cornerstone blocks now and they have curved edges which soften the look.

I love a lot of stuff but an abiding one is love of pencils and pens. I'm particular about both ...ink must always be black, sort of thing. When I saw these, I thought how beautiful can you make a pencil. These are Backyards and Gardens of Portugal scented pencils from CW Pencils where you can find vintage and specialty pencils and like paraphernalia.

                               
Lately, I've immersed myself in wellness videos...looking carefully at diet and fitness as it affects aging, etc.  There is so much I could do better. But then my need for baked goods overcomes me. LOL

 When I was home recently, my sister was saying baked goods such as muffins are her downfall. Like so many Newfoundlanders,  I think growing up with a mother who baked a lot, this is true comfort food for us.
 Yesterday, even though I felt out of sorts or maybe because of that, I made these raisin tea buns in just such a mood for something to go with a cup of tea. This recipe came from a 1960's cookbook by the United Church ladies of Hopeall, Newfoundland and is called Trinity Tea Buns.  It does not have vanilla listed but does call for an egg. They are good and I didn't overbake for a change.

Speaking of fitness...
Here's Mutt and Jeff (Rex and Murphy) at the end of a little run around the property...I do a walk/run kind of thing with them most days just to get our heart rates up a bit...since the three of us are about the same age. oldtimers :)

Hope your week has been a good one as spring or fall steadily progresses.
So good to continue linking with Not Afraid of Color, Sew Fresh Quilts, My Quilt Infatuation, Brian's Home Blog, Busy Hands Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Applique, BOM's and Cabela's Shopping

Early morning view from my pet chair...yes, dark enough this early in the season to have lights on here at the wooden house.

I was considering harvesting the seeds from the tall standing cone flowers,

then remembered the idea of ugly gardening and how birds enjoy the flower leftovers.  Glancing out the kitchen window, Hubby and I watched as the late season dulled finches were doing just that...a whole flock of them spent a day feasting on the seeds. And I took a couple of " through the window" photos.

What fun it is to have these star blocks of the Grasshopper 2018 BOM start to come together.

Still a lot of stitching as there are four of these to complete but good to have worked out some of the details to make the pieces fit together accurately. I always use an old piece of batting to lay them on as the pieces adhere nicely.  Have also learned to check the underside if a piece is missing!

Their look belies how easy they are to sew and don't you just love when quilting looks complicated but isn't at all. Sarah promised a great hand stitching project and Grasshopper certainly delivered. Her video tutorials are marvelous and I'll be curious to see her next BOM to be announced the end of this month.

I forgot to show you last time...have finished appliqueing a block of the Kim McLean Flower Pot hanging. Joyful colours.  Am now working on one of the long side panels. With continual grey skies, it's difficult to have indoor photos showing true colours; for instance, that background is in reality, Kona white.

Remember the Lily Challenge Project, which features this great scrappy block.
I have made 20 or so of these now...usually 3 or 4 at a time while waiting for the potatoes to boil kind of thing.
Do you do that?  Have little chores or stitching that gets fitted into tiny time slots.

While watching this (and frankly questioning why I enjoy murder mysteries sooo much-have I got a problem?),
                                   
I cut out another twelve blocks.  I think I'll return to the machine to sew this group. I have enough hand stitching to keep me satisfied for a while. The way these are put together in groups of 4 is rather unique.  You can see for yourself at the Facebook group page or at the Het Klossie web page.

Increasingly thinking of warmth and fleece comes to my mind- this in a Cabela's catalogue caught my eye. It's called The North Face Crescent Wrap pictured in Fig Heather.  I like the colour (also available in black), but not sure if just one closure would be warm however forgiving on the hips! You can look at it here Cabelas.
                           
                                                   
October is settling down upon us, much cooler overnight, and out west in Alberta they had a huge snowstorm! Ahh, foretelling what is sure to come.

As always linking with the Thursday likes gang over at Not Afraid of Color. Also linking with
Quilt Fabrication, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Esther's Quilts, Crazy Mom Quilts and Sew Fresh Quilts .

Bird Sweater Season and Pumpkins Too

Just like that it seems, Mother Nature snaps a finger and it is Bird Sweater season. Love this sweater!

And since this season is already here, I've been wondering if I really wanted to/had the time/ inclination,etc. to  sew something with pumpkins this year.  First I had to check if I had enough orange/autumnal colours.  I have to admit what a surprise it was to realize I had this much hiding in my smallish cupboard- orange is just about my least favourite colour (probably next to purple) when it comes to choosing material.  So lack of fabric is not going to be an excuse for skipping the pumpkins which I love, btw.  I think they are such happy looking things.

I even have a real Halloween fabric there with black cats which I would have denied owning!

I almost ordered this pattern of Pumpkins designed by  Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts

when I remembered the full pattern appeared in a copy of Quiltmania I own.

Yes, found it and I think this is going to be the pumpkins I work on this year.  I will make it my OMG for the month of October over at Elm Street Quilts which seems very fitting.  Edyta ( I wonder how you pronounce that name?) used fused applique method and rounded each with blanket stitch by hand which should be easy and enjoyable.

But before that, I'm up to Month 7 with the Grasshopper and want to move it along further(before the pumpkins start) by working on the last four starry blocks. Lots of little pieces but I'm following closely Sarah's method of sewing each half of the star first, then joining the two halves.

I've decided to break down and do a little fussy cutting with these center pieces of each star.  I'm usually reluctant to do this because of the bit of wastage it entails.  I mentioned there are lots of little pieces; I checked and in fact there are 32 of these diamond shapes in each block which will make for some interesting hand piecing.

Meanwhile I have my little Scandi redwork horse finished and am embroidering the rabbit now.  This is just about the most relaxing hand stitching you can get. I wonder should I add more embroidery to his end and legs. I seem to have made his head extra dense with stitching.  What do you think?

Again I'm apologizing for the photos taken this morning- we are having a very grey, cloudy start to the day with more rain in the forecast.  Hope it is sunnier where ever you are.
Linking this post to  Kathy's Quilts and thanks Kathy for hosting a slow stitching party each week.
Also joining the parties at What a Hoot Quilts, Em's Scrapbag, Busy Hands Quilts and Love Laugh Quilt.

Watch, Read, Eat, Stitch, Repeat

The Weather Today
Here just outside Ottawa, Ontario, Canada it is presently pouring down rain.  Cleanup from the tornadoes that occurred last week continues.  Missed us completely but the seeming randomness of how they touch down is so scary and now I can add tornado to my middle of the night things to fret about.  Thankfully, no one was killed despite all the damage.

Chores To be Done
I guess it's time to mop the floors.  Hubby says they are sticky in places.  His slippers are not gliding like they should, LOL.
The floor situation is not helped by these two...puzzled why I'm there but not immediately opening the door. I'm at their beck and call when it comes to the ins and outs.

A Chore I Ignore
Ironing...I usually postpone ironing a ridiculously long time.  Also don't like mending which is confounding for someone who loves needle and thread.

On My TV
We're finishing up Ozark and Homeland  on Netflix.  I've been watching Murdoch Mysteries while stitching.  But just to confound you, I'm looking forward to the new season of Walking Dead too.

Reading and Listening
I've been listening to the CBC podcast Somebody Knows Something and also the podcasts of Serial. The last book I read was this one below.... I enjoyed it. There is something about books written from the perspective of minister's wives that appeal to me. I liked Linda, the wife of a Mormon bishop, very much.

                                         

What I'm Eating
 I just bought an Air Fryer on sale at Canadian Tire; it has been on my "to buy" list for about a year.  I made chicken and vegetables last night in it and we both enjoyed the meal.  I liked the convenience of putting fresh food in the tray, setting a timer and 20 minutes later, having a meal. It's kind of like a mini oven.

I also made us a batch of blueberry seed muffins (not in the Air Fryer!).  Dairy Goodness has the recipe which I changed up slightly...used all whole wheat flour and cut the milk with water. They are filling and freeze well.

My Stitching
I have Grasshopper, my Sarah Fielke BOM, out of the sewing room and into the main area to give me more room to maneuver it.  Applique is enjoyable but not if you can't get at it.  Love that Ott light and how the blue of the birds is standing out.

Also love having finished this project, the Sew Love Laugh embroidery and hand quilting.  This was my OMG for a September Finish at Elm Street Quilts. Now this is typical of me... I'd picked out the buttons for the finishing touches, then lost said buttons; searched, searched several more times, no luck. Then opened a drawer one day and there they were.  I really don't know how I do that! Confounding some more but I guess the lesson learned is not to sweat the small stuff.
This will look nice in the sewing room and I'm sorry about the rather dull photos today.

Looking Forward To
I'm looking forward to some Nana time with the grandsons this week and getting out the Autumn hangings.  Meanwhile I'm contemplating moving my sewing room to a larger bedroom.  Maybe I shouldn't do that as my sewing stash, etc. seems to expand to fill whatever space I have.

Hope you all have a calm and enjoyable week.

Also enjoy joining these link parties  Diary of a Stay At Home Mom, Sugarlane Designs, What a Hoot Quilts, Love Laugh Quilt, Cooking Up Quilts, Sew Fresh Quilts and Free Motion By the River.

A New App, Sarah's Grasshopper Applique, Barred Owl Love

My iPad Pro is just a year old so I am new to the whole app phenomena. I do my 'work' on my 17 inch Acer laptop that is over 6 years old now and still works well for me. I love it.
 The iPad Pro I bought for myself as a fun thing has turned out to be just that...great fun.  I have downloaded a few free apps on it and one I love is called Flipboard.
 It reminds me of Pinterest but instead of images, you are sent articles curated from around the world.  And you can do a little survey at the start if you like so you can be forwarded items that suit your interests.  This has turned out to be the most marvelous resource for a wealth of information and interesting tidbits. I know online time often needs minimizing but I think this resource is a keeper. Yes, all kinds of stitching is found there too.
You can read more about Flipboard here.

One of my first posts from this property was about a barred owl I sighted...in fact it was sitting in the laneway when we returned once from the cleanup at the old place.  I've seen one perhaps three times since. However, we have heard them calling many nights here so know there is more than one around.
 Recently, when I was walking the dogs, I caught sight of a flash of wings and there landing on a very high tree branch was a barred owl.  I set off home, dropped the dogs, grabbed my camera, wishing against hope the bird would still be there by the time I got back.  No it wasn't, but I heard blue jays squawking like crazy not far away and followed their racket.  And there was the owl sitting so high up I could hardly make it out.

It was quite serene and seemed to be looking down at me, not at all interested in the birds flying about and screeching. I positioned myself and the camera against some thin birches and took photos using the zoom fully extended which makes handling the camera so darn awkward-and wobbly.

Two things struck me.  One, just how big this bird is.  I looked it up after and they can be as much as 2 feet tall. He/she looked enormous to me especially with mostly song birds I see for comparison.  The other thing was how hard on my neck this was!  It really hurt to be staring straight up for even a short bit of time. I had to keep looking down even though I didn't want to take my eyes off it.

What a beauty! And so happy to have a photo for my records.

Speaking of birds, here are my two large Grasshopper fellows. ( I'm calling them Gertrude and Heathcliff -how many of you will get that reference, I wonder.)  Two tulips to go next and lots more leaves to sew on.  The last block will be released any day now. I think this will be an interesting piece once all put together.

Continued heat and sunshine so it is still veranda times.  And yes, I have the classic Greek female foot where the second toe is longer than the big toe.  Many of you have that odd little thing too??? About 25 % of us do and you can read more about it here. I must have mentioned a concern at some point because I remember Mom telling me it was a sign of intelligence and to forget about it. I had very supportive parents!

We sometimes have tea mid afternoon there like the civilized people we are, hubby would say. LOL

I'm hand stitching like crazy on my other project, the Sew Laugh Love, hoping to accomplish an OMG for a change. And eyeing new projects as these two are winding down. I'll be round to check out what you are doing.

Happily linking with Not Afraid of Color, Esther's Quilt Blog, The Needle and Thread Network, Busy Hands Quilts and Free Motion By the River,

Overwhelm Happens

I have been feeling nearly normal for almost a week. I credit it to getting more sleep after a terrible bout of continual insomnia.  I would like to know the cause. Is it my fearful, worrying and sometimes overactive brain that can't stop thinking of things past, present and future. Intellectually I know just what a waste of valuable time (when I could be getting much needed beauty sleep, LOL) such meanderings are!
 Like so many of you, I do possess a slim vein of creativity in me ...words, music, nature, architecture, art, fabric each and all stir me and make me want to get going making something, anything. This sometimes leads to frustration.  Whatever I write, make or do is not usually as wonderful as my idea or vision conjures it. And then disappointment enters into this cycle.
A phrase I read recently struck a chord- "overwhelm happens"( the way nowadays verbs are turned into nouns!). Since my days are so calm, peaceful and I think more or less productive, is it in the nights that the "overwhelm" happens. I don't know.

 As I was thinking about all this, I read a wonderful post shared by Caroline at Sew Can She about her journey coping with anxiety and depression.
And this one by Susan Biali published in Psychology Today which I found meaningful to me...A Little Weird? Blame Your Creative Brain.

Sorry about that big moan.  On to other things.

I have been chicken sitting while family were away. They are beautiful hens and we enjoyed the fresh eggs. They seemed to be happy to see me and would run towards me when I entered their cage. But they are such fluttery creatures... no petting.  Sigh

I have my Sew Laugh Love piece to the quilt sandwich stage. Choosing the border fabrics was easy with all those pretty colours throughout the piece. I will sew buttons on those blank spots when I'm done with the quilting. Since this is my OMG for August, I hope to work on that this weekend.

I have logged many hours on my Grasshopper project. More bias making and I have the two larger birds prepped plus the tulips. Appliqueing down each of the pieces on the huge center piece was tricky with the actual start the trickiest. Now things can begin to just line up.  I finished the latest four blocks, also hand sewing; there are just four more to go. Using a fabric collection has lessened my indecision about the choices so that has been a bonus and a major time saver.

I've spent enjoyable early morning hours in the garden. So much clearing out of now dead weeds and tidying. Watched some videos on how to divide various perennials that are overrunning their beds, notably the shasta daisies and all the day lilies.  Though the early drought and extreme heat took a toll on the lilies this year.

For My Records
 Into bloom now are the broad leafed goldenray- a favourite with the butterflies

The anemone plants- bees by the dozens always on them

the rudbeckia- I was trying to capture Mrs. Cardinal from my pet chair in the living room

the phlox (with a row of blue balloon plants just fading there in the background)

not sure what this one is, but the bees are drawn to it before it even opens

and the lavender hibiscus which also attracts the bees.

I'm pleased to have inherited such a bee and butterfly friendly garden. I mustn't forget the hummingbirds...have lots of those here too.

Hope you all are facing the day well rested. Are you?

Happy as always to link this post with Not Afraid of Color, Esther's Quilt Blog, Free Motion By the River, My Quilt Infatuation, Busy Hands Quilts and Sew Fresh Quilts.