Cardinal Rule, Tilda Orange Peels, Cakes, Free Patterns

Thanks for the lovely comments about my veranda views. I miss Newfoundland very much but I certainly can't complain about where I'm living these days. It is beautiful and I enjoy all the critters so much too. Of course, those photos don't show the mosquitoes or the heat. However, no sun this morning; it is rather gloomy with promised thunder and lightening today.  So it goes.

Our busy week is over that included two medical appointments for Tony. And we did take Ned to the vet and now he is on two drugs and has a special shampoo. One week into the treatment and he is already feeling much better. Fur is growing back in a spot he had scratched almost bare. Perhaps this will do to see him through the hot summer in comfort. Hope so. At the practice we go to, the vets are all young women. They are slim, energetic and favour athletic wear. They are eager to share their knowledge and are kind with us too. This latest doctor immediately called Ned "Neddy Boy".  I noticed how she could kneel down, pop back up, get down on one knee, etc. with such ease. I could do that once but not anymore and I don't know when exactly that became impossible for me. I wonder is it retrievable??

Tony is enjoying another lovely Chocolate cake from Beth. I had a sliver and it is rich and delicious. Here is the link to Rock Recipes 20 Best Chocolate Cake Recipes that includes this one.

Here is my progress on the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge for June... Cardinal Rule. So it begins...better late than never!

I used the machine to stitch the background and then prepped some leaves.

These wools are thin and very soft-lovely to the touch. But look so much alike, it was a challenge to keep them straight. And they photograph poorly. Here is part of the vines and I am hand stitching them using easy blanket stitch .

How bad is the lighting in the sewing room?  I didn't know these vines were a deep greenish shade till I brought the piece out to the tv room. I've had to use the lighten button on the computer so you can see any of this clearly. When these are all secured I can begin to attach the "fun" bits. 

It's also fun stitching these appliqued Tilda Orange Peels. The freezer paper prep for each takes longer than the stitching. I've found a few solids to work into the mix too. I realize these have such a sameness about them...perhaps I'll show them on the wall all together so you can better follow the progress. 

Over at the FAT QUARTER SHOP, they are readying for Christmas in July. Then they are offering their FREE Star of Wonder Mystery QAL and SAL, a Christmas quilt and cross stitch design. I'm interested in seeing what patterns they will be offering this year.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is did we ever go to camp as a kid?  I did...once. It was a Girl Guide Camp beside a beautiful lake near Corner Brook where I grew up. It was held over a long weekend and we were able to work on our outdoor related badges. I remember two things...the mosquitoes (I returned home with a ring of bites around the back of my neck that Mom made a fuss about) and how much I loved the singsong around the fire each evening. What about you? Did you get to go to any summer camps? 

I've got a chicken soup with lots of vegetables cooking in the slow cooker and I'm looking forward to catching up on my cross stitching while watching several of my favourite Flosstube stitchers this weekend. What about you? Any similarly comforting or special weekend plans?

Happily sharing this post with Kathy's Quilts, Bolt to Beauty, Melva Loves Scraps and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

New Project Beginnings, Cross Stitch, Fitness Talk, Adieu Fledglings

This turned out to be the best photo I got of the mama bird. Today I hadn't noticed her very frequent trips across the lawn and checked the nest. The two little ones have fledged in what seems like no time at all. Here's hoping they will survive the all important first year. 👍

Here are the first Tilda Orange Peels I tried. When I had the block sizes sorted with the overall block finishing at 12 inches, the freezer paper templates drawn, cut and pressed on the fabric, the actual stitching went quickly.  Another slow stitching project and one I can use larger scraps for the backgrounds too. And some blues can find their way in too!

 

Cross stitching on the weekend got me to this point on my Pileated Woodpecker project. I'm using # 26 tapestry needles- someone wanted to know. And this is funny, another someone-this one anonymous- wrote and asked what the heck kind of thing is this you are cross stitching???

I've mentioned before that my sister in law, Karen, has been working hard making fitness videos. She calls them Easy Fitness Over 50, where all you need is a broom handle and the kitchen counter as fitness equipment. She was interviewed by Parade magazine recently and you can check out the article here... I'm 67 and in The Best Shape of My Life. Here's Karen with my brother who is also going strong with the fitness and eating well regime too. 

I'm so happy for her success as she volunteered teaching fitness classes after work for decades in her hometown, Corner Brook, Newfoundland. All their videos are filmed in their home and yes, their house always looks like this. 

Below an important reminder... I need it for when I get tired of how much time I spend on my own fitness and trying to eat well...generally. And sometimes feel a little discouraged about it all too. 

Next time I'll talk about my Chookshed Stitchers Challenge and the best free patterns I've seen. Hope your week is off to a great start. Take care all of you!

Sharing this post with Songbird Designs, Alycia Quilts, It's A Small Town Life, So Scrappy and A Quiltery.