Rainy days and other things

Wow! Can you believe Memorial day is here?  Where does the time go? So often I ask this question yet I still wonder, then I take the time to look around me and see what has been accomplished in those days.
Some of the time I'm tending the plants in my garden or pulling weeds and clearing debris, watering and repotting, it all takes time and as I grow older and move a little slower the time doesn't stop and wait for me to catch up, it keeps moving.

On Friday all my potted plants had to be  moved to make room for supplies and equipment that will be used to stucco my house.

Then mid way through the weekend the rains came from sub-tropical storm Alberto visiting us this weekend.  That can't be good for the grass. Sigh!  The groaning of the cement mixer all day Saturday made the day seem extra long, why wasn't the time flying by then.  The headache I woke with in the morning stayed with me most of the day.  The sun stuck around most of the day as well and by 8:30 Saturday evening the workmen left for the day. 

Sunday morning started off with some rain and clouds then gave way to sunshine and the return of the workman.  The cement mixer didn't drone on all day but the work did and right outside the window where I was stitching away.

And stitching I did until the Aine piece was completely stitched

The next time I work a Sashiko piece I will be sure to use sashiko thread, while the perle cotton that came with the kit did the job I found some of the stitches look thicker in places which could be because of the twist. 

I do like the finished piece and plan to finish it as a pillow.  I learned a few things along the way, the first is not every thing I stitched needs a backing fabric so I should make a few test stitches first.  The fabric had felt thin to me so I backed it with a thin cotton chambray which made stitching at times difficult when pulling the needle through when my stitching progressed.

I love the Celtic knot design which is probably why I continued to stitch it long after I should have tossed it onto the discard pile.
My next in between project will be this pillowcase sundress kit I picked up a few weeks ago.  I thought it would cute for Tessa.

Pillowcase dress 

There were two different motifs to choose from the floral one here and one with kittens.  I like to having a piece or two to stitch between larger projects or when I have no idea what I want to do next. Pre-stamped kits come in handy for that purpose too. 

Everything is included in the kit for the embroidery: floss, stamped fabric and needles, a clearance sale bargain for $1.75. 
I will link up to Kathy's Quilts here:https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2018/05/slow-sunday-stitching_27.html
I need to put the final touches on my design for the next stitch at home challenge click the link for more info  http://www.sfneedleworkanddesign.org/rules-and-entry-form/