Almost Ready

We will be leaving in a day and a half for the family reunion. Slowly but surely I am getting things done that need to be accomplished before we leave.

Today I straightened out the sewing/craft room. I have been working in there over the past few days trying to complete these:

This is a surprise for all the family attending the reunion. It is the first time I have made a badge on my embroidery machine and I am pretty proud of the way they turned out. I now know the mistakes I made and have an idea of how to improve them and I got ideas running through my head for more surprises for the next reunion. I am thinking a banner using the Cricut or a stencil and fabric paints.

The garden is coming along slowly. Lack of rain and the cold spring have slowed down growth. I did however get this,

My first Moonflower. 

The other plant looks to finally being able to produce a bloom or two. I think some of the first blooms (or buds) were damaged from the hail we had one evening. They died on the vine, but one now looks close to opening tonight.

The fridge is pretty well cleaned out. I am hoping to give it a wash down tomorrow, and finish off all the leftovers for our meals.

Packing will begin in earnest tomorrow. At least mine will and the neighbour is coming over to pick up the keys and see where I will be putting the cat food and such.

I will try to get back on tomorrow and at least one day while we are gone (might be the only way I can keep my sanity).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today our Gospel reading was the Prodigal Son. Father Brian said that we were to focus on the father and his forgiveness of his son. That both sons were separated from their father physically (in one case), emotionally and spiritually much like we are separated from God at times. We need to focus on how God loves us and always will love us.

I took a few pictures of my stock up shopping.

I got all this material for at least 50% off. The first one is a knit fabric that I plan on making another skirt from. The second is a cotton that just may become a dress for summer, and the third is a stretch corduroy that eventually will turn into a jacket and skirt. The thread was all buy one get one free. Not too bad for my first stop.

My next stop was Micheal's and I managed to get all these balls of yarn for $1.00 each. Should keep me out of trouble for awhile. The embroidery floss was full price, but considering I can not buy DMC floss here in town, and Coates is twice as expensive here I did manage to save a bit.

Pork chops and chicken divided up into meal sized portions and vacuum sealed for the freezer.

A whole pork loin cut into three roasts and a rather large beef roast made into two roasts. Sealed in Zip Lock bags and ready for the freezer.

I seem to have missed taking a picture of the ground meat, sausages, and salmon that were portioned out into meal sized vacuum bags. Oh well, perhaps I will keep the camera a bit handier next time.

The dratted embroidered quilt. I have managed to get a bit more done. I still have the eye of the rabbit to back stitch and the back stitching on the yellow ribbons but I do see an end in sight. I am so thankful that a few more days of work should see it all finished and put away until I get a name to embroider in one block.

I picked up a day of subbing this week so this project may take a bit longer than I hoped. Yet it will be completed and I can move on to something else.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Today started out cool and a bit icy, but by afternoon the temperature had risen and the sun shone for a few hours. By the time supper came around we were starting to get snow. Just a little bit, but enough to lay a skiff over what ice remained.

I have spent the past couple of days learning how to use my new stove. It has more buttons than my computer or tablet, more rules than school and a very small drawer. I did find a place finally for all my baking trays and pans that did not necessitate me moving them down to the basement (I would either be running up and down the stairs or asking Harvey to bring up something he would not be able to locate). While this will be different, it will be a difference that will not be too hard to overcome.

Last weekend was Valentines day and Harvey sent Kris to pick something up for me. Not flowers this year but a rather large box of chocolates.

The box is so pretty that now it is empty I do not want to just toss it.

I just have to figure out what I can use it for. More than likely something in the sewing/craft room, perhaps snap storage or bobbins?????

It has been awhile since I posted a picture of the baby quilt I am embroidering.

I am hoping that you all can see the progress that has been made. Click on the picture to make it bigger and hopefully clearer. I am finally seeing an end in sight on this project. I am not going to get working on the other goals for this month until this is completed as far as I possibly can.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thursday Tid Bits

I spent some time in the sewing/craft room this afternoon and started the dreaded coat project. This is the last of my cut out patterns and something that has been sitting in the box for awhile.

The first two pieces of the back sewn together.

The left front is partially done (need to decide if I want pockets before continuing).

The right front is partially done as well. Just awaiting the same decision as the left front.

So many curves that need to be basted, clipped and then sewn. I am taking my time, but should manage to get it finished in time for our trip perhaps.

Harvey says of course I need pockets, but I am not sure I want to put them in. They are cut out though so if I decide to do them I can.

Slowly but surely we are making our way through the leftovers in the fridge. This is causing some menu changes each week, but saving time, money and food are important. Kind of like this cook once, eat twice regime we have been able to follow this last couple of weeks.

I also managed to pick up another full day of subbing. This time I will be the secretary at the school. Hope the real one leaves me something to do.

My embroidery project is coming along nicely. It is getting as close to complete as I can be. Until I know who will be getting it, the gender of the baby, the name and birth date the rest will have to wait. I will fold it nicely and place it in the box to be finished totally at a later date.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

Today started off just lovely. The sun was shining, the temperature above freezing and joy of joys, no wind. However by the afternoon that changed to overcast skies, falling temperatures and very gusty winds.

I thought I would update you all on how far along my unfinished projects have come over the last week.

First my sewing.

The corduroy dress that Harvey keeps thinking is a nightgown.

A simple, light weight dress. This is more a wear around the house or to run out shopping dress.

A medium weight jumper/sleeveless dress.

A light blue knit split skirt.

All these have some hand hemming to do, so that will be done tomorrow afternoon while I am watching Little House on the Prairie episodes. The corduroy dress needs some snaps and buttons as well. I see a relaxing day ahead of me.

The only pattern I have left to sew is the dreaded coat/jacket. So many new techniques to master in doing this one. I am thinking that I should be able to get a really good start on it the beginning of next week. Don't know if it will be finished by the end of the week, but I will at least give it a try.

Now I will show all of you how far along the embroidery is.

I work on this for an hour or so each night and every day I see more and more of it being completed.

Slowly but surely some of those unfinished projects are being completed. It does mean, however, that not all of my goals will be met this month. But there is always next month!

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

The cold weather has settled in enabling me to work on projects and not want to head outdoors for a walk, or visit friends. Probably the only good thing about having this kind of weather.

You all know I finished two sewing projects this past week. I have left those alone for a bit (I have another 6 patterns cut out to sew this month) and have concentrated on finishing some of those bothersome unfinished projects.

My sweater is finished.

It needs another bit of pressing and then it will be put to good use. It drapes wonderfully and will hide those fluffy parts that I want hidden.

I am working on the embroidered quilt once again.

There is a great deal more stitching than I thought there was, but I will plug away on it for the next week or so. I am really hoping to get this done within this month. Well all except the blank square as I have to wait for a baby in the family so I can fill in the name. Wish me luck.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week And Going Strong

I think I am going to give up on getting more cherries this year. The wasps seem to love to fly around my head. Me, a ladder and wasps as a group is just a disaster waiting to happen.

After 12 trays of drying cherries this is what I ended up with.

There is probably 4 cups here so that will have to do. Four loaves or 4 batches of muffins will work just fine this winter.

I have been working on my embroidery project.

You can't really see the pale blue but slowly but surely the stuffed bear is being filled in. I am actually trying something a bit different this time around. I will continue with one colour until all the areas using that colour are filled in. I feel strange leaving whole sections unfinished, but at least this way I am not forever changing floss colours. Hoping to finish this baby quilt top by the end of the month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Just A Small Peak

Thought that I would share an update on my newest project with all of you.

Another one of Mom's stamped embroidery projects. A baby quilt. Slowly but surely getting it finished. I am hoping to have this quilt top more or less finished (need a name and date to put in the empty block) by the end of next week. Then I will be moving on to the next project of Mom's that needs to be done and out of my stash.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Thrifty Tuesday

Instead of buying something new to work on in the evenings (it really is too hot to knit), I decided that perhaps it was time to start working on some of the many embroidery projects my Mom had gathered together.

I could have started another cross stitch project, heaven knows I have plenty of those, but straight embroidery goes so much faster.

I started this dresser runner the first week of the month.

I finished it late last night and all that is left is the hemming.

Today I started this baby quilt top.

I think it will move along fairly quickly and keep me out of trouble in the evenings.

Fact of the matter Mom seemed to collect a great many quilt tops so I plan on getting some of them finished this summer. They will make lovely gifts later on.

I have enough to keep me busy for the next little while and will make quite a dent in items taking up room in my sewing/craft area (as well as saving money on gifts).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Finally Started

Today, after much procrastination I started the machine embroidered squares for a quilt I want to make for our bed. Our bed spread is 20 years old and it is time for a new one.

I set up my machine, picked the pattern, sized it, and picked colours. Whew, the choices that I had!

Here is a photo of the first butterfly.

It is only partially done in this photo. Lots more layers of colour to go.

Here is a picture of the finished product.

I need to press and cut the threads yet, but I am waiting until all of them are done.

I only got 5 of them made today.... only 25 more to go. Hopefully tomorrow will see more then 5 being finished.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

One Unfinished Project Done, Many To Go

I finally finished the embroidery!!!

Here are some shots of the finished project on my dining room table.

One of the ends of the cloth. You can vaguely make out the small bouquet on the side.

The middle of the table cloth.

Sorry for the shaded area, but we have put in our air conditioner and the sun was shining through the window onto the table.

I started a "new" project. This is for our family reunion, as we always have a silent auction to raise money for the next reunion.

The start of the lapghan I plan on donating. That plus some dish cloths and a couple of ripple scarves will be my donation. Harvey is donating a wine basket with 4 bottles of his homemade wine.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Unfinished Embroidery Project

I am sure that many of you have those unfinished craft projects put away for a rainy day. I have decided that this year is that rainy day for me.

I pulled out the table cloth I had started years ago (back in 2008 I believe) and have slowly but surely working on getting it done. It is a lot of work, and there are times I want to bundle it back up and put it away, but this project will be completed.

Here are a few pictures of it.

I am working on the third corner of the cloth, just one more corner to go after this one is done. I seem to be slowing down a bit though.

Each corner has 2 bouquets, one a bit smaller than the other. Then there is a small bouquet in the center of each side.

Here is a picture of one of the finished corners.

This is a picture of one of the small bouquets on each side.

Now it wouldn't be too bad if I only had these to do, but in the center......

There is this large oval of even more flowers to embroider!!!

I hope to get the whole cloth done by the end of the month, this after a month of working on it already.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Happenings

We have had a full day of sun and warmer temperatures. I do hope this means an end to the winter.

Harvey has spent the last week working on a project for Kris. He made a microwave cart for him. This is the finished product.

He has a bit of touch up to do, but I think he did a terrific job. We had the knobs already and so that was no cost to us. Got to keep our eyes open for another sale on them so we have a supply handy.

On a forum I moderate we were talking about embroidery (okay I mentioned finishing a project from a few years ago) and it was mentioned how most of the posters learned how to sew and embroider using those old transfers of kittens and such on tea towels. That made me think of all the goodies I got from my Mom when she passed away.

I pulled all these out of the box.

I can see myself making new tea towels sometime this year (once I finish all the other projects that need to be done). I even have all of the sugar sack material that Mom collected and I inherited. Think I will be busy for while.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Surprise Gift

All of you know that I have been using  Miss. Ellageo to do my machine embroidery. I have her set up and haven't taken the embroidery carriage off in weeks.

She is doing an excellent job on both the church's project and the Girl Guide project (that one has been at a standstill).

Today I dropped off the church project and saw one of the Girl Guide leaders. I mentioned to her the fact that I was waiting for supplies to finish the names on the pockets of the girls ponchos.

Lo and behold she went out to her vehicle and brought in a bag.

This is what was in that bag.

White and black stabilizer, 2 packages of embroidery machine needles, 2 large spools of white embroidery floss, and 4 different colours of embroidery floss. I am in 7th heaven!!!! I never expected such riches to come my way.

I have more than enough white to finish the project now and extras to work on other projects.

Life is good.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Next Project

Today I started the next embroidery project I have to do. This one is for the church.

These are cloths for Baptism. The priest will use them to dry off the babies head after pouring water over them.

I have finished 6 of the 12 and will finish the remainder tomorrow afternoon. Ahhh, it is so nice to be kept busy doing something useful and something I love to do.

I still have a few names to do for the Girl Guide Unit here, but until the white thread gets dropped off that project is at a stand still. Hope to get back to it very, very soon.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Starting A Project

Today I started a project for our Girl Guide troop here in the city.

I hope they like how it is turning out.

The girls are making ponchos and on the pocket I have been asked to embroider the names. Under the name they are going to stencil a Trefoil. It took me awhile to figure out how big and how to embroider the letters on my machine, but I now have 6 of the 27 done.

It is something I can do for an organization that gave me so very much while I was a leader.

It is also something I can do sitting down as I still am running out of steam so very easily. Coughing and such does not seem to bother how the finished project comes out.

I have also stepped back from the church musical. I just don't think that I will be up to it this year.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Glimpse

Thought that I would share a glimpse of my embroidery project.



This is one corner of the tablecloth. I have realized that I just can't work on it in the evening due to the bad lighting in my livingroom. I do work on it in front of the window while the sun is shining. Whew what a lot of work.













This is the next section that I started. I hope to have this little side flower done by the end of Wednesday. We will see.










When it gets too dark to thread my needle, I pull out a knitting project. This is going to be a U necked vest. It is made out of Soy and boy is it soft. Should add some more colour to my mainly black, brown and grey wardrobe.







Well off to visit everyone. Hope you are having a wonderful day.

God bless.

New Project

I promised myself that I would finish off a few of the many unfinished projects I have hanging around my sewing/craft room. Over the last while I have managed to cut down my yarn stash by about 15 balls, and decided it was time to pull out the stamped embroidery once again. Many of the pieces I got from my Dad when Mom passed away. I finished off a few of them and stored the others for a rainy day.

That rainy day has finally arrived. At the beginning of the week I pulled a tablecloth out of the tote to get started on.

This is the table cloth. It is covered with stamped daisies and stems. Oh my, I think perhaps I should have pulled out my unfinished dragon cross stitch or even the unfinished angel cross stitch. This is going to take a long time. Harvey figures I will still be working on it six months from now.

This is how far I have gotten in the past three days. Hope to finish another couple of stems tonight. Heck, even one stem will make me feel like I have accomplished something. Each of the four corners have this stamped design. The middles of the sides have a smaller stamped daisy bouquet and the center has a circle of daisies.

Oh well this should keep me busy for awhile.

Off to visit all of you.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Unfinished Projects Getting Done

I thought that I would share some more of my unfinished projects with you all. When my dear mother left us years too early, Dad packed up all her yarn, embroidery projects, and knitting patterns. He gave everything to me, and slowly but surely I have been working my way through each of them.

This time I decided it was time to do these stamped embroidery pillow covers. I don't know where I will use them, or if I will give them away as gifts to others in the family. All I know is that working on them the past few weeks has made me feel as if my Mom is looking over my shoulder as I stitch away.

They are taking a bit longer to do than I thought they would. That's okay though, a person needs something to do on these long, cold winter nights.

Well off to pay everyone a visit. Everybody have a wonderful evening. God bless.