Welcome October

October first came so quickly it seems, I guess with hurricanes and yard clean up and other daily distractions the month did feel like it flew by.

This week I spent some much needed me time reading, writing a few letters, watering plants and looking over my garden and cleaning up more sticks and twigs, I barely had time to stitch.

I did get in a few more stitches on my newest project so all is well on the stitching front and I even put in a row or two of crochet on the Ruana.

Mostly though I did a lot of reading in my free time, it was one of those books that I can't stop turning the pages of and before you know it you just want to get to the end to see what happens.

For me Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore is one of those mystery books I happily finished late last night and it was worth every minute. It is also one of those books that break your heart just a little and stays with you a while after you read it.

I'm going to link to Kathy's Quilt https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2017/10/slow-sunday-stitching.html
Today is the first Sunday in October I plan to get some slow stitching in today before I start the next book waiting, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

I made my pick up at the library last week expecting two books I had reserved and left with four, two of the others I wanted had just arrived that morning.  I really need to space out my request of new books better too often they all come in at the same time so I drop everything so I can read them all before they are due, new books can't be renewed and I try not to return them late.

Happy October Everyone I hope it's getting to look and feel like Autumn where you are.

Slowly Stitching August Away

This month has been moving through it's days faster than water through a sieve; I'm not at all sorry to see this month end, August weather in Florida can be brutal to say the least, hot days filled with sunshine and heavy gray clouds, humidity so thick it feels like you're parting a veil just to breathe.

I have my newest project set up for stitching, it's a Sashiko project from a kit I purchased a few months ago.

The kit included the printed indigo fabric, a packet of needles and the hank of white DMC perle cotton thread.  I'm using a light blue chambray cotton to back the indigo fabric for more stability since the dark fabric feel thin and I'm not sure how it will stitch with the perle cotton.
The kit can be found at this Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/225743049/aine-a-celtic-design-sashiko-kit
I loved the pattern when I saw it, Aine as it is called with it's Celtic knotwork look just called to me as you may have noticed over the years many of my hand embroideries are of Celtic knot work or symbols.  Aine is the name of a Celtic/Irish goddess and  I have made quite a few hand embroidered goddesses over the last year or two.

Speaking of goddess embroidery here is the latest goddess project I completed this week:

Goddess stitched

She started as a simple sketch of this lovely little figurine I have, the figurine is an Abby Willowroot design.

Goddess figurine

A few weeks ago I was listening to the rain fall while recovering from a nasty bout of finger pain so I grabbed my sketchbook and began to sketch, after my sketch was done I thought to embroider her. I gave her a spiral labyrinth look to her head, the actual figurine has a spiral on the other side of it.  I left off some of the lines and didn't add the stars to the embroidered piece.

sketch of statue

I scanned my sketch to my computer and printed it out on my favorite stitch and wash away product, then found the fabric I wanted a few days later I would chose the colors and begin the stitching process.  I used variegated embroidery floss throughout except for the moons for those I used DMC satin floss.

I have another two witch bonnet sue blocks put together and a few more waiting to be pieced I decided to wait until all the blocks are done before I begin embellishing them.

witch bonnet sue blocks

I will be linking up today at Kathy's Quilts for slow Sunday Stitching stop on over to see what other bloggers are slow stitching today  https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2017/08/slow-sunday-stitching_20.html

I just finished reading a lovely book  by Kathleen Rooney titled Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk  I couldn't put it down until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

I also started the newest Susan Wittig Albert book The Last Chance Olive Ranch  I love her China Bayles mysteries, what began as cozy mysteries over the years have evolved  into some well written mystery stories filled with information on various aspects of herbs and herb gardening, these books inspired me to expand my own interest in herbal medicine and herb gardening years ago.  The photo is my last haul of books for the library, I'll start the Garden of Small beginnings later this week.

Speaking of gardening the near daily rains come in torrential down pours which is great when it comes to watering my plants and keeping my bamboo plants growing by the foot. Unfortunately the bamboo isn't the only thing growing by leaps and bounds in my garden, after so much rain the weeds are going to be jungle height and thoughts of replacing the weed whacker with a machete has crossed my mind more than once this week.

I would like to plant one of the small dormant beds this autumn, I don't feel the connection to the earth as much tending a potted plant as I do when I am bent over a garden bed taking in all the beauty the scent of the sun warming the plants, seeing them grow, pulling the never ending weeds growing whether it rains or not, so I think it's time I prepare at least one of the beds for a Fall garden.

Until then I will spend my days stitching away on one project or another in my free time, and reading a good book or three.

Monday Update:

My Summer of Love challenge piece has been completed I added two tabs for hanging, I missed the deadline to send the actual piece (like many others I sent just a photo) now it will be another prayer flag for the garden.

It measures 16x17 inches with 3 inch tabs it is not hemmed as prayer flags are meant to unravel over time.  I missed the deadline to send it because I had circled the wrong day on my calendar to mail it by, such a silly mistake but it happens.  

I forgot to mention it above I plan to add embroidery to the corners of the new goddess piece or surround her with a flowering vine.  I have a few ideas brewing in my

head I just need to stir things up, lay the designs out over the fabric so I can choose what feels right.  I know I should go with what I originally planned but that never seems to happen.  

I'm linking up today at Super Mom No Cape come take a look at what other bloggers are hand embroidering today: 

http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-124/  

July coming to and end

Well here we are in the last full week of July and my needle and floss seem to be flowing along at a decent pace.  Late last week though I hit a snag when I was hit with some type of pain and some rather nasty dizzy spells,  I had plans to spend time with my sister and niece at our community pool however I spent the entire day sleeping.  Saturday morning I didn't feel as dizzy or sore so I spent the day reading and crocheting.   I managed to do 7 rows in the Ruana  pattern  I purchased a short time ago.

I didn't feel much better yesterday when I woke so I found myself once again lying around on the sofa managed to finish reading The Hideaway and finally started on The Beach at Painter's Cove.

A Good Read

I had planned to read the Beach at Painter's Cove while I was away but started another book instead.  I really enjoyed The Hideaway.

I did manage to get some hand embroidery stitches in on Friday while resting, I used a split stitch on the Flower Power portion, I have to say I really like the look of the split stitch.

I didn't get as much done as I had hoped to on the Summer of Love piece as I had hoped so I have plans to get some stitching done on it today, it is nearly complete, I just hope I can focus on the stitching.
Yesterday I added another 3 rows to the Ruana pattern and I love the loose, soft feel it has using the Shawl in a Ball yarn, I also changed the stitch from half double crochet to a double crochet for a lighter airy look.

10 rows done

Here is the pattern I am making The Playa Ruana, from Two of Wands website.  I just love the soft flowing look it has.

I am using size "N" crochet hook and Shawl in a Ball metallics yarn from Lion Brand in the Om Opal colorway.

The metallic threads are very subtle throughout but it does give a nice little sparkle to the overall piece.  I have this yarn in other colorways and I plan to use it with beads on the next piece I make. I also ordered a few other colorways last week.

I'll be linking my post to Super Mom No Cape today I hope you will stop by and have a look at what other bloggers are embroidery today.
http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-120/

Cloudy Sunday Skies and Slow Stitching

A few days ago my youngest sister posted on Facebook she was in the hospital with blood clots in her heart and lungs and an aneurysm in her heart, complications of the blood thinners her doctor put her on for a blood clot in her leg a few days prior.  Oh and she recently had a heart attack that she didn't know she had. ( I'm familiar with that one myself).
She is currently in ICU and wreaking havoc with her IV pulled out twice while she was trying to get comfortable, twice her husband hit the emergency call button in error and she is ticked off because she can't have salt or caffeine ugh yeah you are a heart patient yesterday she ranted because they didn't give her ketchup.  At least she is keeping her sense of humor about her while she endures endless testing and blood transfusions and I used to think I was a difficult patient.  I am but that's another story for another day.  So while I am posting today on a positive note with plans made everything can change in a flash.

On the stitching front after more tweaking than I care to admit I have finally begun the stitching on the Summer of Love Stitch at Home Challenge, here is a little peek at my progress:

a good start

The progress on the Zenbroidery Peace Symbol is progressing nicely despite my apprehension of the fabric stiffness I really enjoy stitching with it. I am using mostly variegated embroidery floss:

stitching along

A little over a week ago I purchased some lovely hand dyed threads/floss from an Etsy shop, the colors are just beautiful and the threads reminded me so much of the seaside I just had to have them.

Beach Colors

The assorted threads are from a sampler packet the colors just spoke to me whispering sandy beaches, tide pools and sea shells:

And the single blue just says ocean to me so I will be drafting a few designs over the next few weeks.

Here is a link to the Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/colourcomplements  I will be visiting it again soon to buy more since one can never have too much embroidery floss or fibers.

In a few weeks I will be heading to down to the gulf coast of Florida for some rest and relaxation on Sanibel Island for a much needed vacation. So yesterday I headed out to Barnes and Noble to pick up a book or two, I had one book in mind that I wanted to get and I'd see what else caught my attention, I had my membership card and two 20% off coupons in purse, I just love a bargain.  So I browsed and found the book I planned to buy thinking it would make a good beach read:

I found a few other books my guilty pleasure three cozy mysteries to crack open when my fingers are too sore or stiff to stitch. 

Then I headed over to the crafts section to see what was on the shelves in the embroidery category, not much two books I already had and a copy of Embroidered Mandalas which wasn't in very good shape, some of the pages were bent and wrinkled, some felt loose too beat up to buy so I passed on it but did jot down the title.  I headed for the checkout with my books, handed the clerk my member card and to my disappointment didn't have my coupons with me, I had grabbed two JoAnn's coupons and stuffed them in my bag.  I did save ten percent and I have my beach read and a few others so all is good.

When I arrived home there sitting on my side table are the coupons, all was not lost, I went to Barnes and Noble website and ordered the embroidered mandalas book, which online was 30% off, I had my 20% off coupon and membership gives me free shipping.  Oh I do love a bargain,

The Mandalas book has 25 iron on designs to use in spiral bound book so I can easily iron the design onto my fabric.  I don't know about you but when I trace patterns with intricate designs I always miss something or my hand goes awry and the older I get the worse my tracing is.  Here is a link for the book. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embroidered-mandalas-lark-crafts/1124986242?ean=9781454710417

I'll need to prepare my stitchery projects to bring along with me on vacation though I may just start a new project or two to work while I'm away.   

This sweet little piece on a hexie I may trace and work on vacation is from the new issue of American Quilter magazine arrived with my Yoga journal I haven't had the time to read them so I'll pack and take along with me.

The cover on the AQ reminded me one day I want to make a Mariners Compass quilt may be this is the year.  I am linking up at Kathy's Quilts today for Slow Sunday Stitching here is a link why don't you hop on over and take a look at what other bloggers are slowly stitching today:

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2017/06/slow-sunday-stitching_18.html

MONDAY JUNE 19th UPDATE on Summer of Love:
My stitching was certainly slow yesterday but I did get further on with the Summer of Love challenge piece.

The vines are complete and several of the leaf sections are done. Today I will be working to finish the remainder of the leaves then move unto the peace symbol. I'm linking my post over at Super Mom No Cape: http://www.supermomnocape.com/vintage-embroidery-monday-and-stitchery-link-party-115/
Where other bloggers are working on hand embroidery projects stop on over and have a look.

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.

On the road to recovery and a little slow Sunday stitching

It's the 3rd of April and finally after being sick for nearly the entire month of March I think I am finally on the road to recovering, at least I hope so, I thought that a little over a week ago and after 3 days of feeling fairly good I was hit with chills, fever and a deeper cough.  Tomorrow morning its back to the Doctor and hopefully some good news. Cause I'm sick of being sick.

I have started the hand embroidery on block 6 for the Hocuspocusville Quilt and once again I am so glad I traced all 12 blocks prior to stitching them.

Le Witche Boutique

the stitching was slow and steady and one thing I have noticed is my french knots are getting easier to make. Here is a look at block 6 Le Witche Boutique before I started the stitching:

block six

The hand embroidering on the Hamsa Hand went slower than I had hoped mainly due to the fabric being so finicky and I changed some of the stitches and colors of floss.

This is the second Hamsa Hand I have stitched however the first kit didn't use the same fabric it was a cotton blend and much easier to work unfortunately I sent it off to a friend and forgot to snap any photos. This fabric is polyester which easily snags and pulls and no matter how careful I was to not pull my stitches too tight the fabric still looks puckered in places.

I did get some reading done this week, I finished reading The Camino and I am midway through

Walking Home which I am enjoying so much more than The Camino. Well it's time for me to make a cup of tea and get some stitching done, I will be linking up at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching where other bloggers show what they are hand stitching this week.
http://www.kathysquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/04/slow-sunday-stitching.html

Hocuspocusville Block 6 update:
I've made a little more progress on the block today after my doctors appointment and I'll be linking up herehttp://www.supermomnocape.com/  stop on over for a wonderful vintage embroidery pattern and to check on what other bloggers are stitching today,

A Cozy Mystery Challenge for the New Year

I found another reading challenge for 2016 this one is for Cozy Mysteries which I find thoroughly entertaining.

 http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2015/11/cruisin-thru-cozies-reading-challenge.html

 The link above will take you to the site if this is a reading challenge for you.

To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com. This site is dedicated to cozy mysteries and does a great job of defining them as well as giving a list of cozy mysteries. This challenge is NOT restricted to what is on their list, it's just to be used as a guideline in case you need some hints on what to read.

So, here are the rules...

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books

Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books

Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13-20 books

Level 4 - Sleuth Extraordinaire - Read 21 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2016 and ends December 31, 2016.

3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists. 

I'm going to choose Level 3-Super Sleuth I don't have any books in mind just yet but I'm sure I'll have a few on hand once the New Year rolls around.