Happy Mail

Some patterns that I ordered arrived this week. 

Most stitchery shops had trouble getting this popular pattern, Maggie Mae by Stacy Nash, in stock. I had to resort to ordering online to get it. I am using some of the called-for hand-dyed threads and DMC equivalents for the rest. Some bits are so small, I had trouble justifying the expense of hand-dyed threads for them. I just need to raid my stash for an appropriate fabric.

My stitcherly friends are surprised I purchased a pattern with a rabbit because they know that I abhor what they can do to my garden and plants.  However this is so dang cute, I couldn't resist.

I liked this pattern with the American goldfinch. 

But I preferred the lettering of this one. So will stitch the one above with the word 'Gratitude' from the one below.

I really like the colours in the Tellin Emblem No. 131 chart. Stitch count is 131 x 102 so wouldn't fit easily into a 5 x 7 frame with 40ct fabric. I will have to get a custom frame for this if I choose to frame it.

I'm starting to get excited about an upcoming cross-border shopping trip. I don't have a lot on my shopping list but it will be really good just to have a change of scenery and to visit some of my old haunts in western New York.

Sue Spargo Class

Poppy, Barb, and I ventured up to Farm Girl Quilting near Beaverton for an introductory Sue Spargo class with Trina from The Cotton Harvest Quilt Shop in Seaforth ON. She is a Canadian stockist for Sue Spargo products and teaches classes regularly at Farm Girl Quilting.

Our homework was to sew nine wool felt 'pennies' onto a wool felt background. We used DMC floss the same colour as the penny and the whip stitch.

At the class, Trina explained how Sue Spargo started her 'empire' which currently involves herself and three of her 4 adult children.

Then Trina began instructing us on the chain stitch which we stitched around one of the pennies (yellow thread). Then again just on the inside edge of the penny (lime green thread), then again with that colour and finally, a round of turquoise thread. I finished the centre with several colonial knots.

Sue Spargo's book, "Creative Stitching - Second Edition"** provides diagrams for all the stitches. 

I then outlined another penny with the chain stitch. Trina then explained the Detached Chain stitch (aka Lazy Daisy stitch) which I did in the variegated turquioise thread. Then I filled in with light yellow Colonial knots.

I then went on to another penny and outlined with a version of the Fly stitch (Purple). The Palestrina stitch was our next one. I didn't get it quite right on this penny. Pistil stitch was next (fuschia) -  basically, it's a French knot at the end of an elongated stitch. I filled in the bottom with green Thorn stitches.

I did much better on my second try of the Palestrina stitch. Trina coached me one-on-one through the first couple, then I was 'off to the races'.

I had to laugh - my photo ID called this image some kind of key lime pie - until I zoomed in. 

One application I have seen for this stitch is to embellish the edges of Christmas ornaments alternating with beads. I'm going to try that.

The final stitch Trina showed us was the bullion stitch. I've watched lots of videos but had never done it myself. Trina showed us that it could be done fairly flat - with just enough wraps to fill the space. Or it could be raised a bit but adding extra wraps; then really loopy by adding even more wraps. Pictured below are my attempts at just filling the space or adding a couple more wraps for a bit of dimension.

Mary Corbet used a bullion knot loop as the fastener for her Cornflower Scissor Pocket. I usually use cording but I might try her idea when I go to finish mine.

This is what I accomplished at our class.

Trina likes to work on a felt pressing mat. While resting her needle, she just sticks it in the mat. I use pin cushions but the mat idea is a good one.

** Sue's book is very comprehensive. 

The first section deals with excellent descriptions and diagrams of the various needles used in wool felt appliqué - including photos upon which needles can be place for identification. Her signature threads are then described including what needle should be used with each weight. The rest of the book outlines many embroidery stitches. There is a very handy alphabetical index at the back. The penultimate section of the book includes photos of stitch variations. 

Sue's variegated perle cotton and wool blend threads have colour repeats at much smaller intervals than other variegated threads like Valdani or DMC. She also has many bright colours. I plan to substitute several DMC perle cotton threads for now.

During breaks I went around the room and took pictures of what other folks were working on. I was quite intrigued with the 'Tinsel' book.

Trina has been doing this as an online Block of the Month club. I'm not sure I want to invest in all the wool felt and coordinating threads in the Sue Spargo line but could certainly use things from my stash and supplement with other commercial threads.

I will keep my eye out for Trina's other online classes.

Of course I had to buy a needleroll kit which included the pattern and felt. I bought two spools of called-for variegated thread. Using my DMC Threaded Colour card I have found substitute colours for the other perle cotton threads. There may come a day when I invest more money into Sue Spargo products but for now, I'm happy with what I have. 

It was a very enjoyable day spent with other enthusiastic embroiderers.

A Few Little Things and One Big Thing

I’ve been plugging away on my stitching while watching Olympics. I got the third bird done.

and the lobsters’ antennae.

I think I have all the bricks done. Tomorrow at stitching I’ll finish stitching the door. (I figured out how to make stickers from my photos)

Then there will be ALL. THAT. MORTAR. (Whatever colour I decide to do).

I got the third tree done but need to finish the house.

Then will need to check over carefully. Looking at a photo makes is easier to see any omissions or errors.

Lots to look forward to next week: stitching on Monday, a Sue Spargo class with Barb and Poppy, then fun on the long weekend. 

Words Are Done

I finished the words at Monday morning stitching. The piece measures 15" x 10.5". 

One of the persons on the Plum Street Sampler Stitchers group on facebook liked my 'mistake' on the birds. They said it made them look like gulls. I did have one request for the Canadian flag chart that I graphed.

I've mentioned this in previous posts but I like how the charts for the nautical flags at the top of the mast are included in the pattern. These are my initials G C I.

I will purchase a custom frame and mount it myself. I don't want to use a mat as I think the border is quite adequate to outline the piece. The custom frame place ships with plexiglass with the option of shiny or matte finish. The foam core is already cut and ready for the piece to be stretched/pinned/laced/mounted. It's quite economical if one doesn't mind doing the work. I'm the kind of person that if it's a task I can complete myself, I like to do it. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.

I have several different projects on the go - both stitching and housekeeping. Am also in the process of selling my car. Lots to keep me busy.

Done the Flowers

I had Jen1, Barb, and Jeanette over for stitching in the afternoon today. I got the felt circles stitched onto the background.

It’s the homework for a Sue Spargo class Barb, Poppy, and I are taking next Tuesday. We’ll be embellishing the circles with brightly coloured threads, beads, etc. Kinda like this:

and like this:

This evening, i finished stitching all the colours on the cornflowers. Next will be finding an appropriate lining fabric and putting the scissor case together.

I guess I can continue on my Live on Little for the next couple of days.

Coming Along Nicely

I got a lot done on the cornflower petals last night. I should be able to finish the last one in the corner and get the accents done with the lilac and navy blue threads. 

I really like my Nurge No. 2 rectangular hoop. It's 145mm x 165mm. There are other sizes, too, I like that it's the same basic shape of my stitching. 

Then I need to get serious about picking a lining fabric. I may even use a contrasting fabric like a nice floral yellow.

I tackled a few things on my 'to do' list. I have to write these tasks down so I can check them off. Also lots of them are little tasks and can be accomplished in under a half hour - like cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace.

I borrowed Alexa's pressure washer and got the algae and mold off my front porch. I still want to clean off the stones in the garden before I return it. I thought I'd do my deck but the nozzle is very narrow and would take a LONG time and be hard to hold the trigger in the on position for that length of time. I will try to adjust the nozzle to see if it can make a wider path.

I got the floor mats washed in both cars and used the Dyson to get most of the loose stuff up. I'm getting my car ready to sell so am cleaning it up in preparation. I need to get a 'safety check' and a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) from Service Ontario for $20.

When Poppy and I go on our cross-border shopping trip we'll take my other car (formerly Skip's). I really don't have a list of things I want to get. I'm sure I'll see some things I can't resist at Hobby House Needleworks in Victor NY - just outside Rochester.

The Flower Petals are Next

Last night while watching the Simone Biles documentary on Netflix, I finished stitching the receptacles/calyx' of the cornflowers.

I also got the last leaves done using one strand each of the medium and light green on one, and on the other, using two medium strands. Close up, the fishbone stitches look pretty even - if I do say so myself.

The burgundy thread (one strand) doesn't show up that well on the tips of each 'diamond'. I'm not going to worry about it. 

I'm so excited I can start stitching the blue cornflower petals.

I got a bunch of yard work done this morning now that the temperatures have come down to a reasonable level. I filled another half of a yard waste bag with the creeping vegetation from my neighbour's yard. There is still a lot to tidy up and throw away in the side yard but they will be tasks for other days.

There is new, beautiful soil in one of our composters that I need to dig out then can start putting kitchen scraps in there again. We do have compostable recycling but I only use it for bones and meat products as everything else can go in the composter.

I also am very vigilant about yanking out dog strangling vine and putting it right in the garbage. It is one of Ontario's most invasive species. It can grow 2m high and entwine itself around fences, trees, and other plants.

I try and catch it before the seed pods appear but usually it's the pods that make it very identifiable. If you see it anywhere, destroy it. Pull it out and throw it in the garbage. 

Around the Garden

When the weather cooperates (not too hot, windy, or rainy) I like to spend some time sitting out on the deck. Every day there is something new in bloom in the garden. Some plants are taking their sweet time, like the geraniums and sunflowers. But others are putting on some lovely displays. 

This red admiral butterfly has had a rough life. Half its wings are missing. It spent a lot of time nectaring on the echinacea.

Here's a side view.

Black-eyed Susans are in bloom and in another area of the garden lots more are in bud. I think of my late friend, Susan, whenever I look at them. I'm not sure how she felt about this flower's name, though.

Sharon gave me some shasta daisies from her garden last year. They seem to have adapted to their new surroundings.

Day lilies are just starting to bloom as well. These were transplanted from a former principal's garden over 20 years ago.

In addition to the 3 beefsteak tomato plants and 1 Roma tomato plant I planted a few weeks ago, I was recently given several cherry tomato plants so will have lots for making yard sauce (roasted tomato sauce) this fall. Early Girl tomatoes don't disappoint, this one is already starting to ripen. 

The sunlight really washed out the colour on the osteospermum (African daisy). They're a pretty lilac colour.

Snapdragons were one of Skip's favourite flowers to fill in gaps in the garden. These seeded themselves from last year's bunch and have been blooming steadily since mid-May.

Skip dug up a Queen Anne's lace from a roadside somewhere and it has been blooming nicely in our garden ever since.

Why bring weeds into the garden? Their flowers are very popular with pollinating insects. We have lots of goldenrod, which, contrary to what some believe, is not high on the allergen list. It is often mistaken for ragweed which does cause allergy problems.

We have two kinds of Joe Pye weed. This species grows over 8' high (top of lattice is that height). The insects love it. The budding black-eyed Susans are in the foreground.

Common soapwort (wild sweet William) is a weed that grew through the fence from our neighbour's place. I used to weed it out but now am enjoying the flowers. When they're done blooming, I'll remove the plants.

I didn't do any crafting yesterday but did a lot of thinking about it. I'm intrigued by amigurumi after crocheting Hobbes. A petit version would be so cute in orange, black, and white sock yarn. I also placed an order with 123stitch.com which should arrive in a week or two.

As a treat to myself, I bought a watchband that matches my sunflower watch face. 

It's the little things in life that make it fun.

A Bit of This and That

I have been spending more time on the Live on Little sampler. I got the Canadian flag done and more words. 

I think I can get this finished in the next month.

I've also been working on the Cornflower scissor case. Last night I got all but two leaves finished and the darkest green on the receptacles (or what Mary Corbet calls the 'calyx'). I remember the terms sepal and calyx from Grade 10 Science with Mr. Bryenton. 

I'll finish the leaves in the corner next then the middle diamonds on the receptacles with medium green. I'm really looking forward to doing the cornflower blossoms themselves. 

I don't have cornflower blue silk to line the pouch but will surely find something in my stash that will work for a lining.

I spent about 5 hours today on the computer or phone dealing with various issues, updating credit card information, setting up appointments, scanning documents and sending them to the lawyer, etc. etc. And now I'm doing this. 

I am looking forward to meeting with my Tuesday night crafty friends to kick back and have some girl talk. 

Oh yeah, and I booked another getaway - cross-border shopping in the Buffalo area and a visit to the new Hobby House outside of Rochester NY. I'm really looking forward to browsing. I certainly don't NEED anything but one never knows what one will see that one can't find back home. Poppy and I will be staying at a hotel that I think was built since the last time I was there. I believe it is where the old Carmine's Restaurant used to be before it burned down in 2015. Carmine's has reopened across from the Transitown Plaza on the west side of Transit Rd just south of Main St/Rte 5.

One of the restaurants Skip and I loved to frequent was La Tolteca. Our hotel is across the street and up a half a block from it on the corner of Sheridan Rd. I just noted that Olive Garden is right across the street from the hotel, too. 

JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Barnes and Noble, Big Lots!, etc. are also in the vicinity. Wheeee!!!

It's going to be very fun. 

So yesterday I hear machine-gun-like hammering on a window in the kitchen. I ran into the dining room and saw a juvenile, male, downy woodpecker hammering on the window flashing.

I imagine that if I hadn't shooed him away, the little bugger would have gone right through the aluminum. He then spent quite a bit of time excavating the contents of an old anchor plug in the wall. 

Photo taken through a window that had just been rained on.

And finally, I saw the cutest orange tabby kitten that is available for adoption. It was all I could do not to run out and pick little Benji up. Isn't he just the sweetest??? 

It's so hard for our pets when we travel and takes a big commitment to find folks to look after them during an absence. Maybe after my 'Year of Yes' I'll think about getting a cat but only if one of my friends or neighbours will be willing to look after it when I travel.