A Little Bit of Slow Stitching and a Few Good Reads

Our rainy season is upon us and late afternoon on the 2nd of July lightening hit in the area and took out my modem I spent about an hour on the phone mostly on hold trying to arrange to have a new modem shipped to me but first I had to wait 24 hours for the technicians in the area to make repairs.  The next day I was able to order the modem and pushed for it to be shipped asap as I work from home and depend on the modem to do business.  The rep kept telling me it wouldn't go out till Monday or Tuesday but after several discussions the modem arrived on Monday, with a big stoke of luck the line the modem was attached to worked just fine.  Since living in Florida I have lost many small appliances not to mention 4 or 5 landline phones, usually the answering machine.  One motherboard and a computer.  Two years ago only the sound on my TV.  During the summer months or times when we have heavy thunder I normally unplug the TV, Modems, and Computers until the storm passes, Florida is the lightening capital of the world so a strike is inevitable even with surge protectors.

 On the medical front it seems my gallbladder will have to be removed as it is no longer functioning, one of the test I had shows me at 1% normal is 35% and above, I am hoping this is the reason for the intense pain and trips to the hospital aside from the aschemic colitis.  I don't want to think about it too much until the surgery is done and that isn't going to happen until sometime in September. UGH!

I recently read a few fun light mystery books.

Well after weeks of illness and not being comfortable enough to sit up long enough to do any hand embroidery last week I was finally able to sit up for a little while and I pulled out an old pattern I had prepped on fabric to stitch. (I usually have a few small pieces prepped to stitch).  The pattern was offered free from Crabapple Hill Studios, I just love the cute snowman and witch.

 The Spellcaster's Garden fabric panel in the photos below are the newest line of fabrics by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios, I just love her patterns especially the witches, there will be several hand embroidery patterns to go along with the fabrics soon.  In the meantime I am enjoying the time spent hand embroidering the snowman and witch.

 I couldn't resist buying the fat quarter bundle to go along with the panel, oh the bundle also includes a panel.

These are a few close up shots of my favorites in the bundle:

These are next on my to read table

The wool applique kit is a project I am working along with a stitch a long info here https://www.calicopatch.net/woolen-oak-wool-applique-mystery-stitch-a-long.htm each pattern is free as a download and each shop offers a kit or one type or another. You do not need the kits to take part.  This is block #5, it is the piece I saw in my Facebook timeline posted by Valdani Threads and I just wanted to make one.

The above photo is the original block done by Shawn York of Rusty Crow https://www.rustycrow.com/ 
I joined the Facebook Group for the Woolen Oaks Mystery Stitch A Long and these Turkey blocks are just so cute.  The other blocks are quite lovely too here is more info including the shops taking part and when the blocks will be available.

I am also doing the Christmas by the Sea stitch along.  Here is the first ornament  I just had to buy the kit I love anything beach related.

The first pattern is available here: https://hattieanddella.com/products/free-download-christmas-by-the-sea-week-1-star-man?fbclid=IwAR0q322yGirqU9B3g6Zzyo2tEG_Sv9vzmw6qpZG2jfIucX20F0XQjMG-Zp4

And week two pattern is here: https://www.rustycrow.com/

And last but not least from Notforgotten Farm these two witch patterns:

Update: Stitching on the Witch and Snowman piece progress is being made it's slow going but isn't that the point of slow stitching.  Yesterday was a good day as far as pain goes so I was able to sit for about an hour so I did take advantage it.

A little blast from the past July 12th 2015 I started the Hocuspocusville Quilt by Crabapple Hill Studios

I traced all 12 pattern blocks before I began stitching, the first block the potting shed was traced the first time on a tone on tone fabric that was so rough it wore away the tip of my tracing pen so I changed fabric to a plain muslin which I backed with muslin also to give it more stability.  I often back my pieces with another piece of fabric especially muslin.   I will link to Kathy's Quilts today for Slow Sunday Stitching, I haven't link up in quite sometime but I have been reading her blog and checking what others are slow stitching while I have been ill.   https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2020/07/slow-sunday-stitching_12.html

Happy New Year a few new goals and Slow Sunday Stitching

A Happy New Year to Everyone!

We are starting a whole new year today, a blank page to be filled in as you choose. If you have followed my blog over the years you know I don't make New Year resolutions to me it's like setting myself up for failure or at least disappointment.  I set for my set goals I want to achieve for the year ahead.  Most of the time these work out well and I achieve most of my goals which gives me a small sense of accomplishment.  Not so in 2016 which started out strong and then by mid February fizzled into a train wreck that seemed to be endless. Not this year I tell myself, but we all know how life tosses in a few curve balls when we don't expect it.

Never one to give up I have a few goals for the New Year, the first and foremost is to regain my health and physical fitness, I smile wryly while I type this because I am on day 4 of a Z pack for bronchitis which started as a sore throat a few days before Christmas than by mid week that deep cough that plagues me worsened, but this time I didn't wait weeks for "my cold"  to go away, by day 3 of the heavy cough and slight fever I called the doctor.  I'm happy to say I am feeling so much better than I did a few days ago.

I will continue to pursue my love of hand embroidery which gives me such a sense of peace and calm I feel as if I've spent the time meditating.  I'm happy to say I spent the last evening of December putting in the final hand embroidery stitches in the last block, number 12 for Hocuspocusville Quilt.

 I will work on putting the quilt top together some time this year but for now I want to move on to another project. Today I will link up over at Kathy's Quilts blog for Slow Sunday Stitching here:
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2017/01/happy-new-year-at-slow-sunday-stitching.html  and on Monday be sure to check out http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-91/

Later today I will begin working on the 1 Year of Stitches:2017 hand embroidery project, where you simply make at least one stitch every day.   If you are interested in joining or just curious to see what its all about here is a link http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/1-year-of-stitches-2017

So yes 2017 is going to be focused mainly on getting better control of my health, getting back to increasing my level of physical activity for a more fit and hence a healthier body. But I have other plans for 2017 too, continue with my needle arts, travel more outside of Florida and take long weekends for me time.

A few other goals I have:

Purge more stuff I haven't used in the last six months,  I have been doing this for a few years now, I feel if I haven't used by now I probably won't. As I've grown older I have learned I need less stuff.

Continue on from last year: each month locate one new trail in a state park, preserve, conservation area in Florida hike it.

Read at least 5 new to me authors. 

Travel throughout Florida to visit the downtown square or main streets in small towns and cities, browse the shops and art galleries. This is another continuation from last year which I enjoyed so much I intend to do it more often,

Well that's a few of the goals I have set for 2017 I'm sure as the year passes I will have found a few more things I would like to achieve.  I didn't plan anything for the garden this year that will come as time and health allows, I have faced disappointment too often with the garden to want to even think of it as a goal. One thing I will say is it will do better than last year, even if I can only spend 15 minutes pulling out weeds,

I wish you all a wonderful 2017.

Slow Sunday Stitching December 18th and Monday Link up Party

It has been a very busy week as I pull and pack items for shipping each day to keep all my customers happy. This time of the year is such a busy time for all of us so trying to make time for some much needed stitching time gets a bit creative and nearly impossible.

I did manage to get a start on the last block for Hocuspocusville and I will take a little time today to put in a few more stitches.

block 12 started

I removed the stitch and wash away project from the little goddess mandala project I was working on and you can see how much I chose to leave off from the original piece.

The piece still needs to be pressed and finished but overall I like the look of the simple hand embroidered outline. Below is the original piece where you can see all the moons I decided to leave off.

Yesterday I received a few small packages in the mail, one from my friend K in California who made these sweet little Christmas coasters. She retired from teaching this summer and has enrolled in a few sewing classes.

The other package contained a rainbow of perle embroidery floss for a future project I will be working on.  I don't normally use perle cotton when I hand embroider so it will be interesting to see if I notice any real difference when I am handling the threads.

A perle rainbow

The perle cotton is DMC number 5 which feels thin enough to get through the eye of some of my needles. I will experiment to see if I will work with a single thread or two or more.  I usually use 2 strands when I work with 6 strand embroidery floss, years ago I preferred working with 3.

I will be linking up with Kathy's Quilts for the slow Sunday stitching post. https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/12/slow-sunday-stitching_18.html

My last bit of stitching news I have is I am going to join  1 year of stitches 2017 here is a link if you are curious:
http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/1-year-of-stitches-2017/
I like project, blogs and groups that keep me hand stitching, so this hand embroidery project looks to be right in step and a fun way to start off the New Year.

Monday Update:
My progress on block 12 is slow and steady, just the way I like it.  I just now realized I started stitching this on the right to left, after I finish stitching the window I'll move the work over in the hoop.

I'll be joining the linky party at Super Mom No Cape today a place where talented bloggers show what they are working on too come have a look.
  http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-89/

Slow Sunday Stitching: The last block for Hocuspocusville Quilt

block 12

Block 12, the last hand embroidery block for the Hocuspocusville Quilt will be started today, I will link up at Kathy's Quilt here:https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/12/slow-sunday-stitching-binding.html

I am changing a few things on the Calamoondala I am not adding all those moons so today I will wash the Stitch and Washaway product off.

Slow Sunday Stitching on National Pins and Needles Day

I finished block 11 of the Hocuspocusville quilt last night, this has to be the fastest finish of all the blocks I hand embroidered so far.
I will link today at https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/11/happy-national-pins-and-needles-day.html

block 11 complete

Before I begin the last block for Hocuspocusville I am starting on a new project which gives me a break from all the black floss.

This is the first Calamoondala I will be working on, the photo shows the pattern printed on Stitch and Wash Away product ready to be centered on the fabric.

This is the second piece which is ready to be stitched, I love both templates and just not sure which one I like better for the project.

Information for the project can be found here: http://www.brigidsgrove.com/creative-spirit-circle-membership-page/

Today is National Pins and Needles day

Here is a bit of Trivia:
National Pins and Needles day is a special day which remembers the 1937 play Pins and Needles, a Broadway play, which debuted 11/27/37, this blockbuster pro labor play debuted at the Labor theater

and was presented by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. The play would go on to perform 1108 times.

Clocks back and Stitching slowly on Sunday

Even after leaving a few post it notes around the house I still forgot to set the clocks back last night so this morning at 8:15 I set to work getting the correct time on all my clocks, note to self: get rid of some of those clocks.  The best thing about forgetting is now I can live that hour over again.

I started on block 11 for the Hocuspocusville quilt last night, not much progress when you look at it but it took a while to get the big tire on the bicycle done.

This block doesn't have that much to stitch so I think I will be done much quicker than some of the other blocks.  I'll be linking my post over at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching click on the link to see what other bloggers are slow stitching today:  https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/11/slow-stitching-sunday-lighting.html
On Monday I will link up here at Super Mom No Cape.
http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-83/

My friend Yvonne sent me this cut little crocheted tea cup she made, my photo doesn't do it justice, the yarn is a lovely lavender trimmed with white and sits on a crocheted saucer.

I am going to stick a small plastic cup or cupcake liner inside to make it sturdy, I do that when I make the quilted tea cups, that way I can fill it will potpourri or small trinkets.

This week I  made my way over to the library to renew my library card and check out a few books.

I didn't make it to the local quilt show this weekend, It wasn't that I was sick or anything I can't really put my finger on it except to say I just wasn't in the mood to go and I didn't feel like driving over. I will just have to catch the 2018 show.

A fun filled October and slow stitches on a Sunday

WOW! This month has just flown by and much has gone on this October, early in the month my doctor added a few new medications for my blood pressure and not high cholesterol and something to keep my blood sugar in check, since my A1C was 6.5 but the fasting glucose a whooping 139 I am back on the Metformin at this point I am now considered diabetic, its only for a few weeks to see how things go but in all honesty I think I should have stayed on the medication 2 years ago when the other doctor first prescribed it even though all the numbers were normal.  My echocardiogram came out normal my heart is pumping at 60% normal is 50-75%.

On a good note yesterday I spent the afternoon with my sister and great niece at The Pickin Patch farm in Dunnellon http://www.dunnellonpumpkinpatch.com/  It was my first visit and we had a great time picking out pumpkins and sunflowers, walking through the corn maze and taking a hayride before heading home.

sunflowers

my pumpkin

The sunflowers are bright and cheerful in a clear pitcher and the pumpkin is just the right size for display.  When the pumpkin begins to wither I am going to cut it open fill it with potting soil and see if I can get it to grow, I think I will try my h and at planting sunflowers this year,

T and Me

The weekend before we visited a local church carnival and had a good time, my little niece is fearless and wanted to try every ride, unfortunately she is too short to ride most of the bigger rides even with an adult but there were quite a few rides just right for her short stature and the big smile on her face and the giggles rumbling out told me she had a great time.

Carousel Fun

I am posting my last Slow Sunday Stitching post for October and  linking up over at Kathy's Quilts
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/10/slow-stitching-sunday.html
I have one corner of block 10 for Hocuspocusville Quilt, I will be working on finishing this block today and then on to block 11.

Slow Stitching on a Sunny Sunday

There is nothing like the sunshine after a storm, and today we have bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine.  Hurricane Matthew blew through here on Friday and while the storm was wrecking havoc on the coastline here in Ocala we were very lucky.

I managed to run a few morning errands before the worst of the winds came blowing through and by dinner time it was clear enough to take my daily walk at a local park with a blustery breeze and light drizzle it was invigorating.

I was able to finish the last 6 hexie hand embroidery pieces for the Christmas Tree Skirt while the rain was pelting the windows.

Here is a close up of some of the blocks I put my own spin on I added spirals to the center of the stars
and stars to the gift box. In the above photo the first gift box is also my own while the 3rd one is done in the book as is the last star hexie block, though I used less lazy daisy stitches.

Here is a look at all 12 hexie blocks with the hand embroidery completed, the lines around the motifs are guidelines for the needle turn applique.

After the hexie blocks were done I picked up block 10 of the Hocuspocusville Quilt stitching the items on the clothesline,  I can not believe how long it took to stitch the articles on the clothesline but they are all so cute. I plan to finish stitching the tree today.

I will be linking up over at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching click on the link to view what other bloggers are working on today.
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/10/slow-sunday-stitching.html