Last Sunday in June and I mean to Stitch!

It is the last Sunday in June, all my belongings are now moved from the old house and unpacking has been a near daily task. I am stiff, sore and bruised in places I didn't know could ache but today I am determined to pull out the Celtic Cross project and put in some slow stitching I NEED it!

This is a free coloring book page from Dover publications I thought would be lovely embroidered I have been itching to get back to it, this is where I left off.  I know exactly where my project box is so I don't even have to hunt for it.

I am going to link to Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching

https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2019/06/slow-sunday-stitching_30.html

and also here is a link for a summer give away by Red Thread Studio for a complete set of Sue Spargo Elaganza thread https://win.redthreadstudio.com/thanks/70324/RedThreadStudioGiveaway

 I hope you are all having a great weekend.

Red Thread Studio Give Away

A lovely summer's day and I came across this summer thread give away so I thought I would share the link.
https://win.redthreadstudio.com/thanks/70324/RedThreadStudioGiveaway

I am Moved out of the old house and now slowly settling in the new one, things are still chaotic but I am going to attempt to get some stitching time this weekend.

Good luck with the give away.

Still Up to my Knees in Boxes

Still in the process of moving,  mostly unpacking boxes which seem endless, this week we will be moving the contents of the garage and a few things in the house that didn't make it on the last truck load which translates to stuff I am most likely donating but have to be sure I don't want it. 

Luckily there are several spaces in the house to use for drop spots which makes a mess but allows for all the stuff to be sorted and moved to designated rooms, closets etc.  I'm happy to say that just about every box I open more items are removed to the donate boxes, which is great since many things were designated to donation boxes while I was packing. 

I haven't had a moment to stitch, read or any other activity, after moving stuff during the day my body is so tired I barely have the energy to eat before I fall to sleep.  Once all the stuff is moved from the old place I will carve out some time for myself and unpack and a less hectic pace. 

A little garden tour

This is the pond that almost was and part of a slate stone patio, when we first looked at the house I

was certain there was a plastic pond liner basin resting upon the two branches waiting to be installed

and it was there another time when we went back to take a closer look when it was raining, it was still there, I didn't think to snap a photo.

however the day of the closing when we did the walk through it was gone, my son doesn't recall seeing there but I was certain it was sort of kidney shaped.

So for now I am considering finishing the pond of filling it in, for now though it will have to wait till after I'm moved in, I do know I want to paint that big round rock perhaps with a big sun face.

The area where the pond is located is very shady spot with dappled sunlight, the beginnings of a serene garden area was in the making, this area below is to the back corner of the garden and has been cleared.

There is I think a pear tree in yard though I don't know how well it will do considering all the shade.

And either lime trees or very neglected grapefruit trees or both which should be an easy fix with proper fertilizer

limes?

grapefruit 

Well those are a few photos of the garden on one side of the house, this week the real moving in begins when the furniture starts getting loaded onto the truck.  Today though I have a few little projects to do with the assist of my brother in law and then hope time to stitch.

Adventures in Moving

Yesterday the appliance were delivered after a 30 minute delay and just in time for the afternoon rain, silly me remember to measure all the spaces where the appliances were to be placed but I forgot to measure the opening to the front door, so the refrigerator doors had to be removed before bringing it in. 

The stove followed after and was easy move as were the dryer and the freezer, my current dryer is a gas dryer an old Kenmore possible original to the house so replacing it was necessary.  I went with a smooth top stove for one main reason the coil  get so warped and wobbly after a time which drives me crazy.

I spent most of the day Saturday at the new house cleaning even though the house was quite clean I always have to put my own cleaning touches in each room, whether is was wiping counter tops, and dusting out the cabinets, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor or scouring the tub and toilets, I just feel they are cleaned to my standards. 

The first thing I did though was hang a clock and calendar, yes the calendar is crooked which is a strange quirk I have had since hanging my first calendar when I set up my first home straight out of high school.

Early evening had me picking up a few things at the store, outside trashcan, curtain rods, some bottled water, hurricane season began yesterday, I dropped then off at the house.

So funny story, I was back at the house checking to be sure the new fridge was getting cold (it is) and decided to take a real look at the back yard so I'm looking and I see a body of a cat or a dog and all I can think is oh gosh I got to call animal control to remove a dead animal and I haven't even moved in yet then I started walking on the other side of the pond that was area and tried to see if it was dog or cat and its a cat alive and well and looking quite indignant because I disturbed her sleep. Oh the adventures in moving!

Some Stitching, New Buttons and Two New Challenge Projects

Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. we have the house closing, it was moved up two days early so I have been busy getting my ducks in a row and looking for kitchen appliances and found them on sale until early June.
We had a long hot weekend, yesterday evening we did get some much needed rain which I listened to while I did some stitching to unwind after a busy day.  I put aside the Celtic Cross for now I'm just working on some less detailed pieces when I have some downtime.

This is a new piece for the drum and dance series I am doing.  A while back I purchased several crystal grids this one is the Flower of Life grid. Then simply added the drumming woman on top of the grid scanned it and printed it onto Stick and Wash product.  The photo is a bit blurry.

On Saturday the Theodora Cleave buttons I ordered arrived, I just love them and can't wait to be moved so I can get on with some projects I have in mind.

The designer Barb Smith creates such wonderful buttons, about 10 years ago I came across her hand embroidery patterns back then as The Woodcutter's Daughter, I still have the patterns and once I move I plan to stitch some up.  Here is a closer look and the large button, I guess I should have taken them out of the package before snapping the picture.

These are the other two buttons

The buttons can be found here https://www.theodoracleave.com/

There are two Needlework Projects I am taking part in over the next few weeks I thought I would share the website info if you are looking for some interesting needlework projects too.

The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design's newest stitch at home challenge is underway, the theme is Talismans here is a link for information:
https://www.sfneedleworkanddesign.org/rules-and-entry-form/

The deadline to submit is August 15, 2019  which gives me plenty of time after I move to make the deadline, I have drafted a few designs now I just need to get moved so I can begin working on it.

There is also an interesting on-going project by Paula MacGregor called Dangerous Pockets Project which I'll be taking part in, though it's been put aside for a bit while I move. For information check out the link here:
http://www.paulamacgregor.com/dangerous-pockets-project.html

And the Facebook pages can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/DangerousPocketsProject/

Paula MacGregor idea for the project was inspired by the Sharon Owens poem Dangerous Coats.

DANGEROUS COATS    by Sharon Owens

Someone clever once said
Women were not allowed pockets
In case they carried leaflets
To spread sedition
Which means unrest
To you & me
A grandiose word
For commonsense
Fairness
Kindness
Equality
So ladies, start sewing
Dangerous coats
Made of pockets & sedition

These 18th century pockets could hold many a secret bits as well as leaflets I wonder if this is the type of pocket Sharon Owens thought of when she penned the poem.

To take a look at the size of the 18th century style pockets follow the link to Jenny LaFleur's designs https://www.jennylafleur.com/precis/2013.001.htm

Anyway you can view the various types of pockets participants are making on the Dangerous Pockets Project website and Facebook page at the links above.  I first read about it Sunday in the current issue of Be Creative Workbox magazine

Perhaps I will make something similar to the little pocket purses I made a few years ago using an old pockets from worn out jean.  I have several pockets from clothing found at thrift stores or have worn out, I usually cut off  the pockets and buttons and a square ot two of the fabric if not too worn out or stained. 

Though I like the idea of making a pocket from fabrics in my stash that have been waiting for just the right project.  All will be revealed once I am moved and the project is underway.