My Most Popular Posts of 2015

This is my second year of blogging and I like to look back and see which posts seemed to be the most popular.  The way this Google Blogger works, I receive an ongoing tally of certain statistics, one of which is the number of pageviews per post and those are further broken down to show the numbers for each country of the world.  Unless you comment or email me I have no idea who you are.    Though I write this particular blog for my own enjoyment and recording, you the reader is always in my mind.  It is a lot of fun to see someone in Malaysia, for example, is checking out my blog.

#1

I reposted this one, The Warmth of Wood , about heating our house with wood.  It holds the record for the most pageviews.





This is what seven cords of wood looks like all stacked in our garage.  This is repeated each fall and is all gone by spring.  For instance, right now heading to the middle of February, we are almost to the end of the second row.

#2

My post about cross stitching a William Morris pattern from a book I own called The Art of William Morris in Cross Stitch by Barbara Hammet did well.
   Strawberry Thief  drew a surprising amount of interest; I had no idea of the popularity of William Morris when I started talking about him.
 It's one of those times when here you are thinking you are unique or alone and then find out that actually many, many feel exactly the same way or as in this case, love the very same thing.





It's fun to revisit the very beginning of a project.  It also gave me an idea of how long this took me from start to finish.

#3

Heaven Spelled Backwards

This post seemed to strike a chord with a lot of people.   I received some very interesting emails about it and I am still receiving the odd note about it.

#4

Thrift Shop Finds

My thrift shop posts always draw a good response.  I guess a lot of people enjoy the hunt.  In fact, the richest person I know (money-wise) once told me that even rich people like a bargain.

#5

Chipmunks, Cheesecake and Crochet

Though I'd like to think it was the cute chipmunks cross stitch photo or this, my crochet that drew the pageviews....




this dessert  from the wonderful Rock Recipes, Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Trifle, was probably the real draw.  Smile






I'm really happy that some of my needlework adventures made it into the top five unlike last year where none of them did.
 I have noticed the dessert posts always fare better than the healthier food chats.  Another smile.

So once again, the top five are widely different topics.
 I guess I'll just keep on with basically writing whatever strikes my fancy!

Some of the Things I Didn't Know

Thing 1

Just when I think I have heard of everything...living long like I have and all, along comes an idea completely new to me.  Have you heard of  Bottle Cap Pin Cushions?  Perhaps you have and I am the last to know of this tiny but large phenomena.

They are absolutely adorable, require very little in terms of supplies and what a great recycling project.  Each is individual and offers the freedom to get creative with the decorating.






Jen Segrest offers an excellent tutorial on Flikr  and the link is here.  I love the clever use of rick rack in these from Pine and Wine.  What a cute gift for a sewist.

Thing 2

I saw this on Facebook and realized I never knew how the shuttle part thingie worked even though I've been using a sewing machine since my teenaged years.

Thing 3

Just when I thought I'd sussed out everything sewing on the internet, I discover this.

A site completely new to me that is jam packed with free stuff...

All Free Sewing offers a wide variety of patterns in all the sewing areas. All patterns are reviewed and given a time to make and a difficulty rating. 

  Of course, I went right to quilting and looked through the projects.  This little appliqued hanging caught my eye. The instructions say this can be made in a weekend.  Perhaps the fabric choosing and drawing and cutting the shapes, but I don't think I could get it all sewn in a weekend unless I was machine sewing it.  Love the pattern and fabric choice in this one.

                               

I also looked through the embroidery section and found this little project.


                              


Of course there are oodles of projects to find on the two really hot topics in the quilting world right now....quilt-as-you-go and stash busting.

Whatever your stitching interests, All Free Sewing is worth checking out.



And in other news....

I came across a knitting pattern called Quest For a Man.  I found that amusing- knitware to bolster the man search, I thought.  It's really quite a cute pattern from Laura Nelkin and you can find it on the awesome  Ravelry site.  Actually,in reading Laura's post about this, I think her original pattern was called Quest and she updated the instructions to make it suitable for a man, not the way I read it.
 Either way you read it, it makes good,warm headgear for the man in your life.

Laura's blog, Nelkin Designs is beautiful, It is very fleshed out with tutorials, videos, projects, kits and even her reading/listening/watching lists.   HERE is the link to check out her lovely offerings.

                                       

You remember my Granny Stripe crocheted blanket with the fiesta bright colours.  How could you not...it was a part of my life and thus this blog, for about 4 months.  Anyway, I saw on Pinterest a version of it done in shades of grays and white, a very cool kind of palette.
  It didn't look at all like my blanket.  It looked like it belonged in a condo or some sparsely scandi-decorated posh house.
  I was floored by how colours completely change the look of a thing. Colour choice is sooo important to the finished product.

Lastly...

February Weather Forecast Via Old Farmer's Almanac

“Groundhog found fog. 
New snows and blue toes.
 Fine and dandy for Valentine candy.
 Snow spittin'; if you're not mitten-smitten,
 you'll be frostbitten!
 By jing-y feels spring-y.” 
― Old Farmer's Almanac

This has all happened here already and it isn't the halfway mark of the month yet!

All good fun.

When You Are Old

W.B. Yeats- I spent a lot of time with this fellow at one point in my reading life, a time when I was not old or gray, as I am now. Many people consider him to be the greatest poet in any language.  I never tire of reading these lines below; the first stanza has an ease and flow that is especially sweet.

 Of course this poem was inspired and written for a woman he wanted but could not have as is often the case for poetry writing.  He is telling her he will always love her even when she is no longer the beauty she is now, in fact he fancies he would be the only one to still love her then.

(Am I the only one who thinks she looks a little like Tina Fey?)




Below that for those who prefer audio when it comes to poetry, Colin Farrell reads this poem with his lovely soft Irish accent.

And just look at the cover of the 2015 edition of Penguin's When You Are Old: Early Poems, Plays and Fairy Tales by William Butler Yeats.  It is William Morris' Tulip and Willow designed in 1873.  Isn't it beautiful?

Hope there is something poetic in your day.

Cross Stitch Patterns and Snowflower Diaries SAL

A Pattern I'm Looking For

I had pretty much settled on my next bigger Cross Stitch pattern.  It was to be Strawberry Fields Forever by Blackbird Designs and the second in what they called the Magical Mystery Tour series.  I loved the strawberries and I thought the Strawberry Fields would pay a tiny homage to John Lennon and a part of my early teenage years.  I also loved the colour palette they chose.

                          

Unfortunately I can't find this anywhere and Blackbird is no longer producing it. If you come across it somewhere, could you email me.  I'd really appreciate it.

The Beauty of Unique Finishes

Meanwhile, I'm visiting my blogging favourites and I have to say, there are some awesome cross stitchers out there.  What immaculate tiny stitches they can achieve.  I feel like a bull in a china shop when it comes to my stabs on cloth in comparison.
 And their finishes...wow, so beautiful.  Just take a look at this beauty from the wonderful Stitching Dreams.  The way this little piece is finished is perfection.

                              


There are numerous ways to finish these small projects, many destined to be tree ornaments.
Vonna at The Twisted Sister  generously offers a link to learn more about her finishes where she emphasizes the importance of tiny details.  I really enjoyed her video tutorial on this subject in particular.


               


I will revisit her site many times as I try to work out finishes for my Snowflowers SAL monthly designs.  I've decided to make each into a tree ornament.  I love the woodland creatures theme and it fits well with my present Christmas tree.  If there is another bird pattern in the future months, all the better.  I still want to include a few snowflakes on this one, Clever Crow and Wily Fox.
 First time stitching on 16 count and it was okay.  I chose an oatmeal colour hoping the white would stand out more.

Humour me...the geek in me that is.  Hear me out about one more fact about foxes.  They have whiskers on their legs as well as their faces that help them find their way. How that actually works, I haven't a clue. But isn't nature grand!

Me?  I'll just be finding my way to the dining/sewing room this weekend.  Drawing, ironing and cutting pieces for several more of my FWSQ blocks.

Meanwhile, hope you have no trouble finding your way this weekend.

A Nana Day

A couple weeks ago...sunrise and the early morning drive to daughter's shows country roads are long roads.

Wearing my Nana hat several times a week is one of my pleasures, as you know.

But do you know what it's like to dress a two year old for going outside in the snow?

  I'd honestly forgotten what a rigmarole that is what with the snow pants, parka, hat, mitts, boots.  I was tired by the time I got myself ready and he had almost forgotten what we were attempting to do.

Here he is patiently waiting for slow poke Nana to get her snow boots on.

  But the fresh air was worth it.

  A few slides down his little hill, a trot through their big back yard looking for tracks and a long walk to the super mail box with Nana doing the slide pulling and getting her exercise...all good fun.

Back inside and I thought we both deserved a treat.

His mommy had made oatmeal and blueberry muffins....Nana sized and  toddler sized...

This links to Martha Stewart's excellent recipe for Blueberry-Oatmeal Muffins.

Then without skipping a beat, back to play.  His Mommy and him had a wonderful time working on this project one weekend.  A homemade parking garage for his smaller cars.  Her work mates had helped in the paper roll collecting.  

  

He loves putting all the little cars in the compartments so it is a big success.   Pinterest has loads of sites featuring recycling ideas for paper rolls and this storage garage is but one of them.  Here is a link to the Diply site which offers many ideas on what to make if you want to recycle these things.  Always the ideas are amazing and so creative and I am so impressed.

The winter moon rising over their backyard.  It is just gone 5 pm so you can see the days already lengthening.  Just a few weeks ago and it would have been completely dark by then.

"Having a child is wondrous.  It is to forever have your heart go walking around outside your body."

                                                                                          Elizabeth Stone

Me On The Weekend, Part 2

Another Video I Watched

This is an intriguing idea.  An 800 year old pot uncovered in an archeological  dig and what it contained.  And then what was done with that.

What an 800 Year Old Pot Contained




It makes you wonder what else is out there yet to be discovered.

What Else I Ate

                                            Oatmeal with Montmorency Tart Cherries

I believed in the goodness of cherries before I read about this study. the effectiveness of tart montmorency cherries in combating joint pain, a topic I am interested in.  I think anything that can positively impact inflammation in the body is a good thing.

I buy mine at Costco and these lemons are delicious too.  They are not only sweeter than usual, the peel removes just like the best oranges.  These items keep me going back to Costco despite the busy aisles.

What Else I Worked On

My Farmer's Wife Sampler Blocks

From the top, this is Mary, with 30 pieces.  Then comes Blossom #2.  Do you remember Rex chewing my first Blossom?

He ate the freezer paper and we figured it was the glue that really attracted him.  Whatever, this was a write-off. I liked this block so knew I would make it again; it has 31 pieces.

 Then it is Mrs. Keller with 29 pieces and lastly, Lucy with 41 pieces.  All these blocks behaved well and presented no particular difficulty in sewing.

 I'm enjoying seeing them all together; it gives me a sense of satisfaction and an incentive to get them all done.  My stitching is improving (it had far to go)  and getting stronger.  I am not unsewing as much either so I must be learning a few things about accuracy. I love English Paper Piecing.

Something I Drooled Over

This is goldwork, a form of 3D embroidery I really admire.  I've never tried it myself but there is lots of information online and the most wonderful embroiderers using this unique method.  This little bird is available as a kit from Blue Bird Embroidery, a UK company.



They also have a collection of wonderful crewel embroidery kits.



The simplicity of this is so effective and lovely.

And a Bit of a Mystery

On the trail this weekend both days
...this is the season for snow tracks and I eagerly search for them.  It is fun to discover what animal and bird life is using our trail when we aren't.
I can identify rabbits, mice and raccoons easily now as well as several different birds.

  But this one track below had me stumped.  It went on for miles it seemed and looked rather like a deer but I couldn't figure out the strong drag mark all the way along.  That was too pronounced to be made by a tail.  So I had to look to the internet.

It is the track of the white tailed deer, our most common deer around here.  I read they often drag their feet when fatigued or to conserve energy in getting through snow.  There were lots of photos exactly like mine.  Sorry the photo is not great...gray day.

So a little mystery solved.

Weekends are the best, aren't they?  Even for the retired.

Me, On The Weekend, Part 1

Me on the weekend

What I watched

I think these are pups to be so playful and totally heedless of where they are, someone's back yard.

Some of what I ate

                           Blood Oranges and English Muffin with peanut butter and fig jam.

What I worked on

Set up my little acorn embroidery.  Here I just laid down some directional stitches to make sure I follow up with all the final ones heading in the same direction.  I need all the help I can get!

This is the start of the Nicola Jarvis kit Acorn I bought last May.  This kit is beautiful; the canvas is lovely and the crewel threads are Appletons. I'm always surprised when I return to working in wool.  It doesn't behave exactly like you want it to as floss will- usually.  But it gives the most wonderful dense (and forgiving) finish.  These colours are very autumnal; I almost wish I was working it in October.
At Nicola's studio link you will find the most beautiful stitcheries for sale.  I'm hoping to finish Acorn and that will 'allow' me to order another; I'm eyeing the birds in particular. Her section on Morris Inspired  pieces is worth an ogle.

What I Read

Me reading Kate Pullinger's Mistress of Nothing.  My hair is a bit of a mess. I'd just shampooed it and let it dry naturally, letting the curls have their way with my head!

Mistress of Nothing is the story of Sally, an English maidservant, and told from her point of view.  There is something about getting into the servant's mind that is actually more interesting than the Lady's. Kind of like being downstairs at Downton.
 This is very well written and interesting; happily, Kate most deservedly won the Governor General's Literary Award For Fiction for it.

I'm in front of the fire...

which in reality is just 6 feet away...looks further in this photo.

And saying to Murphy you can't want in, you just went out.  The squirrels have them bounding in and out all day long.

Tomorrow I'll share a little more of my weekend.