2025 Trends, White Hair Issues, Pillsbury Treats

 I'm feeling pretty good today as I successfully navigated the online Patient Portal at our doctor's website to renew a prescription, a cream I use infrequently but like to have on hand. The Portal has become notorious with having so many glitches it has increased calls to the reception desk, not lessened them as hoped. Now if only I could figure out Blogger.

I keep the binoculars on my kitchen window shelf and my camera handy there too. I took this photo of a small fluffy looking bird that turned out to be a very young Blue Jay. Love those distinctive markings.

I wondered what the big quilting trend will be for 2025 as there seems to be one each new year and sure enough there is one...it is "finding your zen". The overall movement to promote strong mental health and well being translates in the quilting world to choosing  designs and patterns that are soothing, relaxing and promote mindfulness. We all knew that already I think. I was thinking last weekend that every time I work in the sewing room, it is a big mess in there. I can barely look when I dart in there for something. That is definitely not zen...ish at all. 

Lone Star Medallion is on the quilty table and I've begun stitching it down. As always I enjoy seeing the fabrics up close. Most of these were Minick and Simpson who seem to specialize in red, white and blue and their fabrics are very good quality. I'm sewing with a neutral light grey. 

Some decluttering has been going on here these first weeks of the New Year. Putting away the Christmas things allowed me to see what else was stowed in the many boxes and tubs downstairs. Tony's auction winnings most of it and too good to just toss but need to not be here. 

And while I remember,  have you heard of the latest 365 Day Declutter program? You discard one thing each day of the year, just one. I've started and have 11 items in my basket so I'm off to a good start. And I'm continuing my 2024 plan to shop my stash for fabric. You would not believe what I've found tucked away. How could I forget a fabric line that I coveted enough to order a fat quarter bundle online. Apparently, I could.  Anyway, more about the one a day declutter program here at The Simplicity Habit.

I did pick up the Pillsbury Grands and made the cinnamon rolls for Tony. He really liked them and has been enjoying one after supper each night. I had one the first night with a big cup of ginger tea. There are my blueberries which I eat almost every day.

 I don't know what to do with my hair. In later years, Mom complained that her hair was unmanageable, felt like fluff she said, bird's feathers, which we had a laugh about. But lo and behold, my hair is feeling exactly the same way. My hair always was fine with a little curl and took to curling really well. No problems with it mostly and I don't mind at all the white it has turned. I can use a curling iron but the heat turns my white hair a bit yellow, not nice. I guess I could dig out the curlers and use and see how those work. If you remember, I cut my hair into a pixie style which has grown out a bit and it's only the top that is so flyaway and needs managing. Any tips, ideas, products you find work well with fine white hair, please let me know. 

Happy to join Brenda's linky party at Songbird Designs and Judy's at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Christmas and Other Odds and Sods

This is the last sign of the mystery pond animal. Something broke through the ice to make a path right to the hole in the bank.

The pond is like this now. It can hold my weight and there is no further sign of the animal. 

There is lots of goal setting happening this special time of year as we start a brand new one. "25 in 25" is very popular in both the cross stitch and quilty worlds. What do you think? For myself, I'm determined to continue finishing projects begun and my in sight quilting table is definitely helping that goal. Speaking of which, here is the latest on that quilty table, my blue EPP version of a Lone Star Medallion quilt.

I had already spent ages stitching white corners on and didn't like how wrinkled looking they were so took those off. I did a little research and am going to applique the whole thing to one large piece of background fabric, like I saw one person online do successfully. I've still kept the papers in the edging so it should be pretty easy to get that job done.

We'll see how that goes. Wish me luck!

And here is how far I've gotten with Redwork Noel. 

My ex was here for the holidays and we had a number of happy get togethers with the family. This Christmas Day, there were nine of us around the table. I was disappointed in my turkey. Looks good, doesn't it? Tasteless, no real turkey flavour there...a bit of a mystery why. Tony very helpfully suggested I should have bought a Butterball which I probably should have.  LOL

One of the best things about having visitors is the nooks and crannies get a clean out. As if anyone could see those- by 4:30 it is dark here these days, or anyone really care for that matter. 

We didn't put up a tree but had a number of light up things around this living area. I'm happy with this little house row bought at Value Village. Took a chance and all it needed was a battery.  

Wonderful gifts were shared and I'll talk about that in another post. 

A housekeeping issue... Readers comments...I don't receive them in my gmail feed anymore, only in Blogger itself and I don't know how to reply there. I've spent a couple frustrating sessions trying to rectify the situation with no luck. No doubt I have pushed a key somewhere that changed this situation. I'll keep at it. 

Thank you to the kind reader who had concern for us about air quality with burning wood. We are in a main area with a 20 foot ceiling which probably helps. We also have two air purifiers, one in this living area and one down the hall in the tv room. Fingers crossed those too are helping.

So now we are on the cusp of one year's end and a fresh new one beginning. Yikes. Endings always come too fast. Does anyone know the song that line comes from? 

Loving having linky parties like Kathy Quilts.

 

2024 Plans, Chookshed Stitcher's Challenge, Minor Injury

Don't you hate it when you lose the power? Ours was out Wednesday for half the day and I moaned so much (in my head) I got annoyed with myself. We had a mini snowstorm that turned to rain and a bit of freezing rain in the middle of it all put out the power. We got out our gear -emergency lamps, radio, and now keep the generator inside the house from way down in the big barn because we lose the power every winter. (It is placed outside on the deck when in actual use). Everything is all ready for the next snowstorm...already announced for this weekend. All the usual wildlife trailed through to get a nibble of bird seed and suet. You can see the ice hanging from the veranda there.

Leeanna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is what you might want to learn, do, change, etc. for 2024. 

Here is my list...

 I've been getting back to reading more books (instead of using audio) which I want to continue.

 Snowshoeing is on my list to try...since I got those shiny new ones for Christmas...I've never done that before.

  I feel like my cooking/baking is in a bit of rut and could use a boost so try new recipes is on my list.

 I'm determined to keep up the latest organization in the sewing room. Further to that, I received these plastic packets and rings to organize my floss for each cross stitch project. This present one requires 22 colours and by the end of the stitching, this would wind up being quite the mess with my old non system. I'm going to further divide these by colour shades onto two rings.

I'm going to pick a project to sew from one of my quilting books. Like so many of you, I too have a lovely stack of them and while I do look through them fairly often, I seldom stitch from them. 

I'm also wanting to maintain tidiness in the cupboards and freezers. Should get a system for labeling items there too. I always think I'll remember. Speaking of which...here below is a mystery package. Thawing will reveal what it is. Doesn't look like meat. Please tell me I'm not the only one with frozen mysteries in the freezer. Or share how you organize to avoid the suspense. :D

The Chookshed Stitchers Challenge

Deana chose #6 to work on this month and I'm ever so pleased that my #6 is the EPP Lonestar Medallion red, white and blue project. using pretty Minick and Simpson fabrics.  It is so close to a finish and I like it so much. Here it is being quilted last spring which all had to be removed later but it's okay. 

Before I forget, several folks asked about the fabric Jour de Neige is being stitched on..the Lugana 28 count. It is an evenweave cloth which means the threads are mostly the exact same width unlike linen which has some fibres larger than others and also has tiny lumps called slubs. That can make the counting a little more challenging and the stitches may not lay quite as neatly. Aida, Evenweave and Linen fabrics all have their positives for stitching. 

 I'm having to coddle something. That made me think of the things I've coddled like babies and children, my pets, of course too. Not sure I could say coddle but definitely spoil my hubby. Have I coddled eggs? Can't remember.  But I don't remember having to coddle myself as much before except maybe after childbirth. I've got a small injury. I've pulled a muscle in a very odd place somewhere in my back and it is affecting my hip and walking. It came completely out of the blue; one minute fine, next minute buckled over in pain. Wow, and I have a high threshold of pain too so it's taken me by complete surprise. This happened after my walk Tuesday when a light dusting of snow hid the bumps on the trails and I complained I found it hard to walk on and worried about turning an ankle. But could something so slight cause this? Anyway, I'm completely pain free till I walk on it and even then if I walk hunched over, I am pain free. So weird. It's only when upright, putting full weight on that leg that it hurts. Odd, heh. So I've taken an Aspirin to combat any inflammation, have the heating pad on it and am hoping for the best.

UPDATE...wrote that last bit on Wednesday. This is Friday and it, whatever it is, is much improved. I'm able to walk upright without pain spasms but moving slowly; overall it is far less painful. I am so relieved and thankful! I'm going to try a tiny walk on the laneway with Tony and Ned this afternoon before the snow starts. I will definitely pace myself but I'm so missing fresh air.  

Well, hope you and your bits are all working well. Be safe and enjoy your weekend stitching or whatever else is on the agenda. 

Besides sharing with the Chookshed party which is now in full swing, I'm also sharing this post with Life in Pieces and The Inquiring Quilter.

Lone Star Medallion, Pink Rainbow House, Free Pretty Patterns

I normally want to cling to my time but have to admit I'm glad this week is almost over. There are some things you just want behind you. But there is always good stuff happening too...life is not static thankfully. I felt off my routine so pushed myself to exercise this morning and jog the trail with Ned. I am better for the fresh air and activity.

Oh the greening up of everything outside is just wonderful to witness. Kitchen window view yesterday. That's the faucet there in the almost middle.

Here is a small Song Sparrow and I was happy with this photo. A reminder to keep up a hobby I enjoy- photography. Look at the new buds on the fir tree.

Tony and his biking buddies had their first ride of the season and enjoyed it very much. He's been riding with some members of the group for many decades. They are very careful and ride back roads during the week days. And have their favourite haunts to stop for lunch. 

Well, in time out is the EPP Lone Star Medallion quilt. Here is the only photo I have on hand and here it is still in the templates. They are all out now.

I've had to unpick hand quilted lines twice, yes twice on this piece. First time after stitching one of the diamonds-that was tough after so much stitching. I didn't like my stitches- too uneven. Second time, it was just hard to stitch through the layers and hurt my fingers. I could see why my stitches were not great. So I dismantled the layers, trimmed more of the seam fabric and am giving myself a little break from it. I am pleased with how it is all holding up with the whole thing being hand stitched though. 

Happily, I had better luck in the sewing room with this-  the pink house sporting  the dresden block has been added to my Rainbow Neighbourhood. Dappled sunlight is so pretty too. Overall so bright!

Definitely the house all the neighbours would be talking about. 

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was have we had any close encounters with celebrities. I've seen quite a few singing celebrities over the years  in St.John's. Off the top of my head...The Turtles, Kitty Wells, Nana Mouskouri, Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Anka, but never close up. 

 For instance I was one of 20000 women who saw Oprah Winfrey when she did a talking concert here in Ottawa. My husband at the time once saw Paul Newman in a northern Canadian airport. Decades ago and he had four bodyguards with him. He certainly did not need them in that setting so I wonder how many he would need in these times. What shocked then hubby was how short Paul was and how old he looked. 

Little towns around here are often used for shooting the Hallmark Christmas movies. Just this week, one of them, Carleton Place, had their main street taken over by a film crew shooting one called A Christmas Homecoming. Christmas decorations and fake snow all over the place. I'm not sure if any of these actors really count as celebrities as such. What about you...have you had any close encounters with celebrities?

Great Stuff and Free too!

Wonderful Gayle at Sentimental Stitches is offering all the free patterns to make a quilt called Dream Garden. Each block features an appliqued flower with embroidered embellishments. So pretty. Wish I could show you more but you'll have to visit that link to see how simple and sweet the blocks are. Could be interesting too with modern fabrics.

All People Quilt I found this sweet table runner and it seems like an easy quick one too. Full instructions with templates are to be found there. Rhoda Nelson designer.

Amanda Gregory has this lovely cross stitch pattern as a free download at her link...Strawberry Heart. Thank you Amanda for sharing your talents with us. 

Daughter and I did get to the spa for a Mother's Day treat. I'll share a photo soon. Hope everyone reading this has the best weekend ever!

Linking this post with wonderful parties...Quilting Patchwork Applique, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts,  Kathy's Quilts and Quilt Fabrication.

Free Patterns, Lone Star Medallion, Stitching Stars

 I spied this mug among the mark downs at Winners the last time I was there. Still a bit expensive but I recognized the design. Sure enough when I turned it over to look at the maker, it said Rifle Paper Co, a fabric designer I enjoy. I used their Holiday Classics line for a quilting project two years ago. I think that is the same design there in the upper left. Beautiful fabric but costly. The mug is also beautifully made with gold trim.

 I didn't know they produced so many items featuring their marvelous designs- planners, vases, dishes, gift cards and gifts of all kinds including for Mother's Day.  Rifle Paper Co if you'd like to see lovely things.

SIL gave me these tulips for Easter. It's been nice to have a little flowery colour in the house.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is are we a morning or night person? I was never a night person except when work or various deadlines loomed. These days I am a confirmed morning person and usually have my 20 minute walk with Ned done by 8 am. 

This now definitely applies to us. Does it to any of you???

This, the Lone Star Medallion, is now sandwiched and in my floor hoop. Made a mere start last night. Going to be lovely slow stitching- talking about the feeling not necessarily my stitches. That's tulips there in the middle too. I always start in the center or as close as I can get to the center to begin the quilt stitching. A debate raged on one of my Facebook quilting groups about where should the start be made with some saying at one of the edges. What do you think?

I've discovered quilting star, Pat Sloan- I should say rediscovered. I subscribe to her channel and recently began listening to her videos. I realized I like the quilting projects she chooses and she moves them along quickly. But what I've enjoyed most is her upbeat tone and that happy little giggle she has. 

Thursday's Three Free

I've been looking for blocks to use in the house quilt project. It would be good for me to try to improve my machine stitching with whatever I choose. So challenge myself a little. I saw this block called Double Aster and thought it interesting though mesmerising to me in how it could be sewn.

The search led to a free pattern at the Quilters Cache.

From Jessica Dayon comes this beautiful free pattern she calls The Fidelity Quilt. I like how those white spaces work out well both inside and outside the block pieces.

Jessica is running a Block of the Week Scrappy Sampler quilt now. 
Here at Skein and Hook, Jessica's old blog, you can find free cute crochet patterns too.

Fans of Blackbird Designs is a site that features cross stitching stars, Barb and Alma's free cross stitch patterns over the years. Links are there to downloads like this one.

Let me know if any links are not working; I will try my best to connect you.

Well, the sun is shining, snow is melting, chipmunks have left their winter burrows, birds are singing and yesterday the Spring Peepers began their spring song down in the wetland area. All attempts at photographing them have failed so I'll leave you with another photo of the female Cardinal enjoying my seeds. 

Happy Thursday and Happy Stitching!

Also happily linking with My Quilt Infatuation, Floral Friday Foto, Wendy's Quilts and More, Alycia Quilts, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and The Inquiring Quilter.

Knitted Coasters, EPP Projects, To Do This Week. Woody/Wendy of Woodpeckers

 

I may have mentioned before that I knit scrappy wool into table toppers and use them underneath my plant pots. I've learned that wooden tables need protecting from the damp or scrapes that happen (even when sitting on saucers) when used for the plants. Smaller squares knit from prettier wool are good for a coffee coaster too. 

To Do This Week...I'm looking after Daughter's dogs, very lovable Abbey and Petey, this week. She is recovering from an exercise injury which seems like such an unfair thing to happen. Ned is in his glee. 

I woke up this morning with all three dogs cuddled together on the bed with us.  A little more company than I'd like, but it was adorable to see. 

Also this week will be a job to sort out the backing for this one...the Lone Star Medallion which is now finished to this point. Here is the un-pretty back showing all those little pieces (over 200) of cardboard.

I would like to make another of these but next time with eight diamonds as I realize now the true Lone Star does look more remarkable with more points. To that end I found a link to a free ebook PDF HERE by Terri Swallow.

I finally got a photo of the fellow pecking so much alarming damage to one of the trees near the house. I recognized the rectangular shape as being made by a Pileated Woodpecker.

 While getting wood from the veranda one morning, I heard him. The loud heavy knocking sounds were echoing. A few minutes later I was sneaking around the trees trying to get a good photo. His head was in constant motion and below turned out to be the best photo of those I took. And through my camera, I could see this was a female not a male because there is no red cheek stripe. She's been busy in that area and I wonder what she is finding in that poor tree.

I'm pleased to share the first few Pluses I've sewn, a project that came out of the blue and totally turned my head!  I discussed it HERE. May as well sew them in the So Scrappy RSC green. I will try to stick with each monthly colour, but no pressure. BTW, the free pattern from Mollie works quite well. I downloaded the sheet, glued it to cardboard and cut out the individual little beach houses, four of which form the plus or X. A great scrappy project and I have to remind myself not to sew too tightly which is a habit of mine when hand stitching. A definite SQUIRREL project. If I remember I will link up with Sandra's DrEAMit post at the end of the month.

Here is our house in early winter 2021 which reminded me of Robert's poem's last stanza. 

From Winter Time by Robert Louis Stevenson-

                               Black are my steps on silver sod;

                              Thick blows my frosty breath abroad

                              And tree and house, and hill and lake,

                              Are frosted like a wedding-cake.

I was taught with these kind of rhyming poems; they were all I knew of poetry for a long time and I loved them all. This also matched the rhyming hymns I sung in church every Sunday which I also enjoyed. 

 Hope your week is off to a good start. I'm off to throw the ball for three Labradors. How lucky am I!

Note: Please always let me know if a link you are interested in doesn't work for you. I will do my best to get you connected!

Also lucky to join lovely linky parties like Quilt Schmilt, Alycia Quilts, A Stitch in Time, It's a Small Town Life, Wendy's Quilts and More, and Quilt Fabrication. 

Free Patterns, Lone Star Medallion Progress, Cutest Thief

Doesn't he look so innocent! 

Meanwhile, he is a thief, albeit a cute one. He is quite adept at robbing bird seed from whatever style feeder I use, even those labelled "squirrel proof". Luckily, I don't mind. All creatures deserve a little something to get them through our cold winters. This time of year, the furthest from anything growing, there's not much left of nature's food. 

This below made me smile; "my" squirrels still run away when I appear but the moment my back is turned, they are instantly like magic at the feeders again. 

I'm feeling happier with how this below, the EPP Lone Star Medallion, is looking.  Colour choices and placement are certainly important for a medallion and, being me, I'm still second guessing where I've placed the darks and lights. One more diamond to stitch...maybe next week that will be a priority. Btw, the three triangles on the tips are actually real red, not this burnt red looking colour showing.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is what would we like in a dream studio. I've moved around a lot and lived in all kinds of accommodations. I've never been one to dream about a space that would be just mine. But if I'd done that I probably would have wanted a space for a little library with big wingback chairs and a nice writing desk. I do wish my present sewing space was big enough to hold a cutting table though. But other than that, I'm pretty happy and grateful for what I have available to me in this house. 

Thursday's Three Free

 Planted Seed Designs is home to Gerri Robinson, a designer for Riley Blake Designs. She has interesting free patterns like this one called Chinese Checkers... It involves something called  a Triangle in a Square block that when aligned together forms stars.

I followed up with this tutorial video showing how to make that block and got lost at the idea of using rulers. But many of you are adept at it.  Emily does make it sound sort of easy in this video. She has lots of other tutorials at her own site, Homemade Emily Jane. 

You'll find more links to Gerri's books, kits, patterns and fabric lines for Riley Blake there as well. 

I love this pattern called Berry Patch from Laundry Basket Quilts. The free PDF download is found HERE. What a pretty table topper this would make.

I became quite taken with the look of a quilt made up of a block called Clown's Choice. I found free download instructions at Meadow Side Designs Link Here. Very simple geometrics (yes I could sew it!) but the combination gives an interesting overall look to a project. Two basic colours, a light and a dark but they also show how to incorporate a third colour into the design for another "look".

And for my fellow slow stitching friends...Smart Cross Stitch has many pages of free cross stitch designs for special occasions and whimsical topics too. This caught my eye.  A small project that uses cross stitch and pretty Algerian Eyes stitches which look complicated but are easy. 

The sun is shining brilliantly but not warm enough for any melting today alas. But the daylight is lengthening and the quality of the light is changing, definitely brighter. Hope everything's brighter in your world too!

Sharing this post at Wendy's Quilts and More, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Songbird Designs and Kathy's Quilts.

Carrot Cake Cheesecake, Projects Updates, A Show to Watch

 Picture me that cloudy end of February morning gathering sticks on land that most of the year is a foot under water. A cardinal was singing its song in the background. This is usually the only time of year I can walk through there and the pickings are good. I  could see where some animal had clawed bark off quite a few of the trees. Porcupine perhaps. Ned trotted from tree to tree with me then patiently sat and waited while I filled the bag. So full I had a hard slog getting him and it back to the house. But yet invigorating too with the fresh air and exercise. 

 I usually have my small camera with me and took this photo in a little forest I came across. An interesting glowing colour, quite striking in the midst of greys and white. What colour would you call this?  Reminds me of autumn which my friends in the southern hemisphere are experiencing. I just looked it up... Eastern Redcedar which tends to "bronze", as the writer termed it, in winter. 

We've eaten an extraordinary cake from Daughter, a Carrot Cake Cheesecake, since I last wrote you.

Sounds like too much of a good thing and yes it was and so delicious.

 Recipe here at Rock Recipes where Barry calls it a genius combination.

We are thoroughly enjoying this show, 1883, found on Paramount +. Always enjoy Sam Elliot but it is Isobel May that is stealing the show with her performance as a coming of age young woman. I'm enjoying her "voice over" remarks very much. These pioneer wagon train series remind us of how treacherous the journey was for those brave souls making it and also for those equally brave souls already inhabiting the land. 

 I don't usually set stitching goals because I have a firm track record of not keeping them. However, I am happy with how Wheels is moving forward these days with a little attention. Perhaps I'll keep that momentum going this week. 

That and stitching one more diamond for the Lone Star Medallion. Linking up with Carol at Quilt Schmilt for the To Do Tuesday party helps keep me mindful.

Corey Yoder at Coriander Quilts is launching her Sunny Patches BOM 2023 on March 18. I wonder if this would work out to be a good way to use up scraps. 

I also want to share with those of you who embroider the work of Alice Makabe. Pretty kits of her designs are available from The French Needle and also other sites. This brief video gives you an idea of Alice's work.

So much to enjoy and dream about. Hope that is how you are feeling this first day of a brand new month. 

Wonderful to join linky parties like these....Quilt Fabrication, Alycia Quilts, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Creations, Quilts, Art and Wendy's Quilts and More.