Adulting - Ugh!

A week away from home was a very welcome break in the routine. I really enjoyed having others direct my day, feed, and entertain me. It was great not having much responsibility other than for myself for a few days. Now that I'm back home, I'm still recovering from camp's frenetic activity.

After breakfast yesterday I went back to bed and mindlessly watched YouTube videos on a variety of subjects. I had a couple of errands to run which I forced myself to do then scurried back home to my 'cocoon'. 

This morning I had a call to make then puttered around here. After lunch I headed out to pick up a few things only to find the pharmacy hadn't received the prescription refill order from my doctor that I had called earlier. I called the doctor again but the office was closed so I left a message for them to please fax the order to my pharmacy so the prescription could be refilled. I then did some shopping and went home. 

I made a Chefs Plate meal which was very yummy and added a cob of corn as a side. 

I usually make both servings and freeze the extra one for another meal. This order had 8 potatoes, which were way more than I needed in addition to the red pepper, onion, and zucchini. I only used 4 of the potatoes and still the mixture completely covered the cookie sheet I baked them on. I still only ate about a third of the veggies that were prepared, plus the fresh, sweet corn. My version:

I didn't cut the veggies exactly like the recipe called for and buried my meatballs in the garlic dill sauce. Yummo! 

After supper, I had an online meeting then had to whip over to Poppy's to take her birthday gifts. I'm heading to a cottage tomorrow for two days (one night) so won't be here for the auspicious day tomorrow. Our stitcherly 'gang' will celebrate her birthday at brunch on Sunday at a local eatery.

The big task that had been hanging over my head and that I accomplished while out today was to buy yet another range hood to complete my kitchen renovation. Initially the plan was to have a microwave oven over the stove with the built-in range hood, but it hung down too low over my gas stove so I exchanged it for a range hood. The one I ordered was backordered for over a month, then a couple of weeks went by before the installer cold come to put it in. When we held it up to the spot, I didn't like how far it stuck out over the stove and how deep the unit was below the cupboard above the stove so I returned it and decided to get a more appropriate one elsewhere. Then I went away last week and did nothing about getting another one.

Long story short, I have ordered one that still sticks out farther than I liked but is shallower. It's stainless steel to match the fridge and stove, has LED lights, and the filters are mesh metal and can be washed in the dishwasher. It is not returnable so it better be right. It is being delivered on Saturday. Then it'll be another couple of weeks before the installer can come and put it in. This will involve cutting into the bottom of the new cupboard above the stove to connect it to the vent that goes outdoors. So that will be the last week of this month. As of right now, I don't have too much on the calendar for next week. Yay! All this running around is a lot for me right now. 

Tomorrow, I want to get an early start for my 2.5h drive to my friend's cottage just north of Wasaga Beach. It will be nice to visit with Sue (another long-time friend and sorority sister from my university days) and her daughter, Erin. Sue and I have kept in touch all these years. Early on we'd carpool to our weekend retreat with some of our other Gamma Phi Beta friends. We have been through a LOT of life events together. I remember at our weekend 'retreats' in our late 20s and early 30s we speculated that we'd still be getting together when we were senior citizens. And here we are - still getting together.

Another thing I spent a ridiculous amount of time on last night was deciding to buy the crochet pattern for the Persian Tiles afghan. I'd been eyeing it online for a while and had the opportunity to buy a kit at Mary Maxim in Paris (ON) last month but the colourways weren't really grabbing me. So last night I did a search on Ravelry for ones other folks had done and came across a colour variation by Lucia Dunn.

So I bought a .pdf of the pattern from Jane Crowfoot and the variation formula from Lucia Dunn. 

Then next task was to decide what DK yarn I would choose. Someone on Ravelry had used Michaels' Impeccable Solid DK. My local Michaels had all the colours and quantities I needed but the balls only have 50g and the called for Stylecraft DK yarn comes in 100g balls. Also the Michaels yarn was more expensive even for the 50g balls. I went on the LoveCrafts website and found all the Stylecraft DK yarns I needed and even with $14 CAD shipping from Berkshire England, it will be less expensive than buying it all from Michaels. So the order is in and Canada Post should deliver it within about 10 days. 

The octagons are quite intricate but there are several videos online which will guide me through the process for the octagons, granny squares, and both kinds of triangles (side and corner). Also the pattern has line by line instructions and big charts to follow. I have the hooks ready to start as soon as the order comes in. 

3.5mm, 4mm, and 4.5mm (depending on what shape is being worked on)

Only one colour wasn't available from LoveCrafts. Michaels offers several DK yarns but I needed a light DK (3) rather than a regular DK (4). I did the math and Patons Astra is a light DK and almost exactly the correct weight as the Stylecraft. I also may make the afghan bigger depending on how much yarn is left over after doing the required blocks. Each octagon has 10 or 11 colours so I will be mastering burying the yarn ends as I go. There are additional instructions available for the outer border so I'll probably need to use more Astra yarn for that.

Poppy and Barb have afghan projects on the go, well UFOs, actually, from two years ago, so maybe I'll inspire them to get going on them again. 

Now I must throw some things together to take to the cottage and head to bed. I'd like to be out of here by 8am tomorrow at the latest.

Home From Camp

Camp was a lot of fun. Once I realized 95% of the people there had a lot less musical training and experience than I did, I relaxed, knowing I wasn't going to have to work to hard to get the rust off my musical skills that had lain dormant for over a decade. This was the daily schedule which shows all the classes that were offered:

Our individual schedules were written on the back of each of our nametags. This was a very handy feature because classes started at different parts of the hour and I always had to remind myself if I needed to go to the 2nd floor or the 4th floor.

Rifka had warned me not to sign up for a class for each of the 6 periods and I'm glad I didn't. I really needed the rest in the middle of the day.

After waiting around a lot after breakfast the first day for the first class to start, I timed how long it would take me to get to the dining hall from the dorm (about 5 min) and set my alarm accordingly to make it there before the dining hall closed at 9. My first class, Choir for All didn't start until 9:20. 

There were about 70 of us in this group. this is only part of the first couple of rows. Because we were such a large group, we rehearsed in the recital hall.

Then the ukulele singalong class and vocal jazz (with the same instructor in the same room) took us to 12:50 and lunchtime at 1pm. Since lunch was served until 2pm, I often would find a practice room to practice my vocal parts for about 20 minutes before going for lunch. Sometimes I'd practice on the electric pianos set up in the lobby of the recital hall if no one was using them.

To learn my vocal parts, I'd find a recording on YouTube and on my iPhone and plug my earbuds in. Then I'd put the piano's headphones on over them and play my alto part on the piano along with the singers on the YouTube video. It really helped a lot. You've gotta love technology. If I wanted to sing along, I used a private practice room in one of the rooms upstairs. 

Then I'd go down for lunch, then back to the dorm until my next class at 3:50. 

During this break in the day, I would usually lie down to rest and listen to an audio book, setting my alarm for 3:30 so I could compose myself and walk back to the music building (5 min) for Concert Band. Last period was Celtic music - basically a lecture series about Celtic culture in Cape Breton Island. I brought my knitting to this class and on Thursday finished the second, striped Kroy sock and grafted the toe closed.

Dinner would be served in the dining hall from 6 to 7. Then a long time to kill before the recitals would start at 8. Some evenings I'd sit outside in the shade as it would be a bit cooler then and I wanted the fresh air and a change from the frigid air-conditioning. One night, due to the misplacement of one of the critical instruments, a recital didn't start until 8:20. I usually did knitting or caught up on correspondence during these lulls.

There were lots of performing groups at each recital. We would get the programs earlier in the day so if we were performing, we knew to go to the 'green room' three acts ahead to be ready to go on. This was the weekend schedule for final rehearsals and concerts:

I got an action shot of Debi performing in a percussion ensemble. 

It was a total surprise to see her there - we just happened to sit in front of each other in the dining hall the first day. I joined the same sorority (ΓΦB) she was in 52 years ago. I had seen her a couple of times since - at both of Lorna's weddings, and most recently back in 2019 when she was performing in a handbell concert near Christmastime. From that concert:

Debi inspired me to want to try handbells but I signed up too late for that class at camp this year. It had very limited enrolment and filled quickly.

I also took a pic of Rifka (in the light shorts) and some of the altos performing in one of the vocal  ensembles. 

Recitals usually ended between 10:30 or 11pm followed by snacks (chips and fizzy water) back at the dorm. Wednesday night was Cabaret night in The Terrace - a reception hall in the building next door. Instructors and others entertained us with various acts and the bar was open for beer, ciders, coolers, and wine. I didn't want to be hungover the next morning so I only had a vodka cooler. 

Then right to bed until the next morning when all this would start again. 

Concerts by the groups that rehearsed all week started on Friday night. Two of the groups I was in performed: Concert Band and Jazz Choir. The performances went well. I was able to clear out my locker afterwards as I only had my Choir for All music to tote for the concert the next night and the ukulele group wasn't performing in a recital.

The ukulele in my locker. I also stored my backpack with my oboe and music stand in there.

Back at the dorm, I finished the toe decreases on the first Regia Yak sock and grafted the toe.

I'm not really fond of the colourway but the yarn is deliciously soft. I'll cast on the second sock tonight but it definitely won't be an identical twin since the colour repeats are so long.

Saturday morning was our last Choir for All rehearsal after which I had the rest of the day free. I probably should have gone back to the dorm to start packing but hung around the music building and practiced my alto parts after lunch until the next recitals at 3pm. They ended about a half hour before dinner at 6 then it was time to get ready for the concert at 8. Choir for All was in the second half of the program followed by the Musical Theatre group doing some solo and chorus numbers from 'Anything Goes'. Then it was back to the dorm again to grab some snacks and finish packing.

I skipped breakfast yesterday, got the car packed up. turned in my keys, and hit the road by 9am. I stopped en route at an ON Route near Cambridge for a bite to eat and a coffee and got home by 11am.

I'm really glad I did a variety of musical things - singing and playing the ukulele and oboe. I'm not sure I want to be in a small ensemble next year but would definitely consider orchestra as well as concert band. There was a suggestion to offer the next level for ukulele which I would take but if only a beginner's singalong is offered I would probably take that again, too. I'd also be interested in handbells. Lots to think about.

After all the activity last week I'm pooped. Yesterday afternoon and evening I just sat and noodled on the iPad and watched TV like a zombie.  The only unpacking I did was fish my charging cables out of the suitcase. 

This morning I went to stitching and then home to rest and do laundry.

Creating music was such a large part of my life for so many years. This week was a really great way for me to get back into it again. I have so much training and experience it's been a shame that I haven't done anything with it for so long. All that being said, I'm not sure I want to commit to anything that would require much effort on my part. I'd consider playing oboe in an ensemble of some kind but I don't want to have to schlep into The Big City for evening rehearsals. In the meantime, I can plink along with my ukulele and sing along with YouTube videos. That might just have to do for now.

Music Camp

My arrival at Laurier University in Waterloo ON yesterday was delayed by half an hour because of 401 nonsense and a scenic cross-country detour. The check-in at the dorm was very efficient and I quickly made my way up to my cell room.

It’s the basic, institutional dorm room. There is lots of cupboard space and shelving.  The colour of guacamole on the walls would not have been my preference, though. 

The bathroom is shared between two rooms. I paid extra to not have to share so I also don’t have a neighbour through that door. The toilet, shower, and towel rods are in this room

The sink is across from the bed right in the room.

And around the corner from the sink is the desk and more shelving. It has all the basics for my comfort for the week.

The dorm beds are like the surface of a slate pool table. I am so glad I brought the foam pad for the bed. I slept great last night.

Last night was introductions, followed by free snacks. I was pleased they had ketchup chips - my new guilty pleasure. Since Alexa served them at her place on Canada Day, I’ve been addicted.

Rather than schlepping my ukulele and oboe back and forth between the residence and the music building, I was able to get a locker in the music building. We were told ahead of time of time they would be available and to bring a lock.

The first class of the day is ‘Choir for All’. We are working on several tunes (I didn’t take a photo of the titles). One of the pieces has a very moving melody and poignant lyrics. It was all I could do to choke back my tears. Since retiring, I haven’t really listened to a lot of music. I think I was kinda burned out. My mind doesn’t let it just wash over me, rather I’m always separating out bass lines, melodies, or inner parts. Since Skip died I can’t even listen to music on the radio in the car. There’s something that just ‘grabs’ me and waves of emotion just wash over me. It’s hard to describe. Anyway, this particular piece was the last one we worked on and as we were leaving the rehearsal/recital hall I noted a couple of other people were also feeling emotional. It wasn’t just me. I headed for a cubicle in the washroom to compose myself and prepare for my next class.

After a coffee and another snack break, I headed to ukulele class. It’s geared for beginners but more advanced folks can do fancier strumming for a challenge. We learned C, A minor, F, and G chords today. Our teacher, Gillian is very experienced teaching beginners. Basically she queued up YouTube videos from Ukulaliens and we strummed chords and sang along. It was good to be playing my uke again. 

My tender fingers were ready for a break by the end of the hour. After stashing the uke in my locker and a ‘pit stop’, I returned to the same room with the same instructor for Vocal Jazz Choir. We had been sent .pdfs of the two tunes ahead of time so I had listened to both arrangements on YouTube. 

I’m singing Alto II and am enjoying harmonizing. Tomorrow we’ll work on some of the tricky spots.

Then it was lunch time, so headed next door to the dining hall for lunch. Last night at dinner I just happened to be sitting across from one of my sorority sisters (from uni 50 years ago). Debi inspired me to learn handbells and I hoped to take that class at camp but I signed up too late and the class was full. She’s now playing percussion so isn’t in any classes with me.

I was advised to not sign up for a class in every time slot so I took Period 4 right after lunch as a ‘spare’. Back at the dorm I had some quiet time and a bit of a lie-down and listened to my audiobook until it was time to return to the music building for Concert Band in Period 5. I’m playing oboe (for the first time in 15 years !) in this class. Interestingly there are no brasses or percussion in our group. The conductor knew the instrumentation ahead of time and arranged pieces for us to make sure all the parts were covered. My oboe worked pretty well. Intonation with the other oboist is a bit of a challenge but my lip held up for the hour.

After dinner tonight I listened to Dave Brubeck’s ‘Unsquare Dance’ to try and solidify the 7/4 time signature - “1 and, 2 and, 3 and a” or STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG weak weak.. You may remember it as the theme of an old Ritz cracker commercial. 

Although about a third of the 120 participants at Lakefield (Adult) Music Camp are newbies like me, many of the rest have not only attended previously but, in many cases, several times. Normally the camp is held at Lakefield College School (“Canada’s top University and Prep, Boarding, and Day School in Ontario”) just north of the village of Lakefield near Peterborough ON. Randy Andy attended the private prep school back in the 70s but I don’t think they brag about that any more.

The last class is Celtic song. Basically lectures about Celtic language and history. We’ll be singing a couple of traditional Celtic tunes.

After supper I had about an hour to kill before the evening recitals so I sat outside and listened to several YouTube videos and enjoyed being outside and not freezing in the air-conditioned buildings.

The evening recitals were entertaining. It was very brave of the participants to get up there the very first night and perform. There were several vocalists, instrumental soloists, and a jazz combo. I had brought my knitting so was able to keep my hands busy and not be a ‘discipline problem’. Between Celtic song class and the evening recitals I got about 2” done on my sock. 

After the recitals was yet another snack time and karaoke in the lounge - lot of fun. I had more ketchup chips and a fizzy drink.

It was a very busy first day - lots of fun. Tomorrow more of the same but in more depth. Our rehearsing will culminate in performances on Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of new music to learn before then.

World Embroidery Day 2025

In 2011, a group of embroiderers from Sweden founded World Embroidery Day to 'acknowledge and promote the craft of decorating fabric using a needle to apply thread or yarn.

My guild, the Trillium Embroidery Guild, decided to commemorate the day by stitching in public in a beautiful local park - Lakeview Park in Oshawa on the shore of beautiful Lake Ontario.

It was yet another stinking hot day and I almost didn't attend but from past experience I knew it is always a bit cooler down by the lake so I made the effort to go.

I found my group at the appointed spot - about halfway between the gazebo, restrooms, and the lakebank. There are so many mature trees, there was lots of choice about which they'd sit under. We brought our camp chairs and lunches and spent several hours, stitching in the shade, chatting, and enjoying the cooling breezes off the lake.

I'm so glad I wasn't a weenie and decided to go after all. it was a lovely day.

Saturday is our regular, monthly stitch day which is held on the first Saturday of the month. Although our evening guild meetings are only held from September through June, we attend our once-a-month stitch days all year round.

After A 53-year Break...

Allow me to trip down memory lane for a bit... (scroll past the green text if you can't be bothered reading my ramblings)

I attended Ontario Youth Music Camp (OYMC) in Beaverton ON the summers after my Grades 10, 11, and 12. It was a wonderful, musical experience. I met lots of kids from all over Ontario - several of whom ended up studying music with me at the University of Western Ontario (now called Western University) in London ON.  The last time I attended a music camp was before my first year of university music studies in 1972. Courtney Youth Music Camp was sponsored by the Vancouver Youth Orchestra and took place at the high school at Courtney on Vancouver Island. Although I wasn't thrilled to be spending the last couple of weeks of my summer away from my boyfriend back home, the camp was a really great experience. Our orchestra was conducted by Kazuyoshi Akiyama, the newly-appointed conductor of the Vancouver Symphony. I do remember we played Rossini's 'La Gazza Ladra' (The Thieving Magpie - you'd recognize it as a Bugs Bunny tune), Wagner's 'Overture to Lohengrin', and some Gounod Ballet music. I think I played Oboe III in the orchestra. I also remember a Viennese-style evening of waltz music where the citizens of Courtney were invited to come and dance the night away to live waltz music.

I remember our 'dormitory' at the school was a science lab where we slept on mattresses on the floor. The sinks were very handy for tooth brushing, though. I hung out with Debbie H and Janice Y (both Vancouverites). There was a military base nearby which happened to be hosting a beer fest so the three of us went and had a great time. I may still have the mug somewhere. I don't remember having to sign out from the camp. I do recall drinking five 20oz. mugs of draft (it must have been really watered down) and having to pee several times that evening and during the night back at camp. Holy bladder buster! 

After camp and a concert in Victoria, I returned Vancouver where I planned to take the train to Edmonton to visit my aunt and uncle before flying back to home in Ontario. While in Vancouver, I stayed with Janice. That weekend happened to be the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) which we also attended. I remember we had trouble finding a way home and being quite put out that the police we encountered at the fair's entrance wouldn't  provide us with taxi service back to Janice's. I don't remember how we actually did get back to her place. 

After a gap of 53 years, and on the urging of my university friend, Rifka, I got myself signed up for an adult music camp this summer.

I haven't played my oboe since about 2010, so after 15 years I'm a bit rusty. I only signed up for one daily session (out of 6) where I will be playing it. I figured I could hide more easily in a concert band rather than in a smaller ensemble.

I did honk out a couple of notes before signing up for Concert Band. I was surprised that my old reeds worked and it actually sounded passable. My chops and lung capacity won't be optimum but I think I'll be able to fake my way just fine. 

The little film cannisters are great for soaking the reeds. I haven't bought film in decades but still had this cannister kicking around. Yet another example of one of the few  benefits of not throwing anything away.

My instrument is a lesser known professional model - Gordet. It can produce a lovely, rich tone - personally my preference over the much-hyped Lorée oboes. I purchased it used from my oboe teacher in 1972 and played it all through university and since. I may have had it serviced once in all that time. I'm amazed at how well it plays considering it's been sitting in the case in a backpack for 15 years. No leaks or anything. Fingers are crossed it will hold up to a week of daily, hour-long sessions.

Most oboists of any accomplishment make their own reeds. I was always a slacker in that department and often scrounged made use of my university oboe classmates' rejects - somehow making them work. I misplaced my reed making tools in one of my moves at least 4 decades ago so have relied on commercially available ones since then. I had ready access to reeds when I taught band instruments for years but bought a couple of reeds while on my crafty road trip a couple of weeks ago. The Galt House of Yarn is in the same plaza as Long and McQuade Music Store in Cambridge.

The top reed is priced from 2007, the bottom one was one of my new purchases - an increase of 274% over 18 years. I also did some online research and learned the new Légère plastic reeds are very good, not subject to atmospheric changes like the traditional cane reeds, and seem to last a long time, but they're $149USD!! Too much of an investment considering that after camp, I may not play again for another year, if at all. I stuck with the traditional cane reeds.

The cork grease in my case had solidified after all this time so I resorted to using lip balm to lubricate the tenon corks. It worked fine.

We were sent a packing list so I'm starting to locate necessary items and put them on the spare bed in preparation for packing. 

I get my own room at camp (actually held in at an Ontario university) and paid a bit extra to not have to share a bathroom. 

I'll be singing in three of the daily sessions (Choir for All, Vocal Jazz, and Celtic Music) and playing my ukulele for another session. I was advised not to completely fill all six time slots so am taking a 'spare' after lunch. This will give me a break of a couple of hours mid-day. I received .pdfs of the two vocal jazz charts and found recordings of them on YouTube to practice ahead of time. Rifka (the university friend who talked me into this venture) strongly suggested I add throat losenges and Tylenol to the packing list. I sure hope my voice holds up for 3 hours of singing a day. 

Also in preparation, I'm making myself go to bed before midnight so I get enough sleep and can function getting up much earlier than I've become accustomed to in my slothful lifestyle.

There are recitals in the evenings so I'll take some mindless knitting (socks) and also plan to take some stitching in case I need a 'fix' back at my dorm room.

I sure hope I have the stamina to keep up with everything for the week.

First Drop Zone Bag

This afternoon I organized the Morris Manor squares onto the fusible interfacing and pressed them into place.

I then folded and sewed each column with a 1/4" seam in from the fold. Then quilted it with the foam stabilizer, etc. etc. 

My quilted piece was a bit larger than the pattern called for so I did the math to compensate. I did discover a flaw in the pattern, or at least how I would do subsequent ones differently. 

The beauty of this pattern is that all the raw edges are covered so the final result looks very polished. I was also pleased that I didn't need to buy anything - everything I needed was in my stash.

The result:

It opens right out to a very accessible container.

Of course I had to make a coordinating zipper pull.

Things I will do differently next time:

• eliminate the interfacing on the pull tabs to make them a bit thinner. There was a lot of bulk to sew through with the lining, foam, quilted top, zipper tape, pull tabs, and end pieces. 
• use a patterned fabric rather than my beloved quilted checkerboards. This will eliminate mis-aligning the patterns on each side of the zipper
• use a 22" zipper again. The pattern called for a 24" zipper or 20" zipper by the yard but my 22" zipper from my stash had more than enough length
• horizontally divide the piece in quarters. The instructions made for too big a piece cut out of the side which made sewing up the ends quite tricky

The pattern calls for omnidirectional fabric but it was easy to just orient the directional squares properly with a seam though the centre (which became the bottom.

I have plenty of the foam stabilizer left so could certainly make another bag. 

It was stinking hot today so I mostly huddled inside in air-conditioned comfort except for when I hung out a load of laundry and brought it in later. 

I finally finished watching the 154 episodes of  'Gilmore Girls' (22 episodes x 7 seasons) and the 4 movie-length episodes of  'Gilmore Girls: Year in the Life'. I'd been staying up WAY too late for all this binge-watching. My plan this week is to get to bed at a more decent time and get up earlier in preparation for early wakeups when I go to camp.

Update: Supposedly another season of 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' will be released on Netflix on November 14 of this year. Not much is posted about it so I'll believe it when I see it.

Another FFO, A New Start, And Sweaty Garden Work

Yesterday I felt the need to complete another project - the triangular scissor case. This involved:

• making cording for the loop closure with 8 strands of the Sulky Petites thread using my Kreinek cording drill,
• cutting and fusing light interfacing to the back of the stitching inside the perimeter stitching line
• cutting the lining to fit about 1/2" beyond the perimeter stitching line
• pinning the stitching to the lining, right sides together, with raw ends of corded loop sticking out of one of the corners
• sewing along the perimeter stitching line, leaving an opening for turning
• turning right side out
• folding two adjacent sides together (with the point opposite the cording) and starting halfway, matching the motifs, stitching to the point. Then stitching in the other direction completing the seam
• sewing on the pearl button at appropriate spot for the corded loop.
• 'blinging it up' on the front with 2mm clear HotFix 'jewels'.

All finished!

I have the urge to make a couple more. It's so easy with the Sulky Petites thread. They make great small exchange projects. The person who received one of them at the first Stitch North I attended came and thanked me more than once when she received hers. 

For my first Drop Zone bag, I began quartering the 5" charm squares into 2.5" squares. I used the dark Best of Morris squares and cut 2.5" strips from the companion fabric.

While on our shop hop, my niece Ana spoke highly of the Stripology ruler. It's a ruler with slots every 1/2" for cutting strips. I already had a similar product, the Shape Cut ruler from June Tailor, Inc.

I chose a neutral companion fabric (shown above under the ruler) and cut 2.5" strips, then laid the strips out, and cut 2.5" squares from the strips. Then took some fusible interfacing and drew 2.5" grid lines with my relatively new 2.5" wide 'quilters ruler'. 

I'm all ready to fuse the squares to the interfacing, orienting properly out from the horizontal centre for the Drop Zone project. Now to cut the lining, also from the companion fabric, and the tabs for the ends. I do need to go out and find a 24" zipper for the project. I could go to either the Ultimate Sewing Centre in Oshawa or Fabricland in Pickering tomorrow (avoiding Friday summer 401 traffic like the plague). I think Fabricland might have a greater selection of colours. 

This morning I weeded the entire, embarassingly neglected side yard. The metre-tall weeds were surprisingly easy to pull out and I filled two yard waste bags. It was hot and sweaty work but I took breaks from time to time and finally got the damned thing done. That side of the house needs a major cleanup - lots of wood, empty plant pots, etc. The subsequent shower felt great.

The wildflower seeds I planted in the back garden are coming up now, baby's breath, some type of cornflower/bachelor button, a lone zinnia, a big marigold (I think) - quite the selection of random plants. I'm still considering discontinuing a couple of the beds - filling them in with sod or grass seed. But if I can successfully grow the wildflower mix, I will do that for another year. 

Once I'm out there, I don't mind the work. It's just been so bloody hot, I really have to pick my days. It was overcast most of the time I was out there this morning. It hasn't rained much so the soil is pretty dry, generally makes pulling weeds more difficult. It's going to be hot for at least the next week.

A Quick Stitch

With one of the new, variegated spools of Sulky Petites thread I stitched another Wildfower Hearts piece from the Caron Collection.  I used 28ct white linen from my stash. It's about 4 1/2" square and will finish to 4 11/16". 

The diagram of the pattern isn't the best quality but I enlarged it to 150% which made it MUCH easier to read. 

I started in the centre with the Rhodes hearts. Around them is a double running stitch. Then did all the, what I call, 'filigree' stitches. I also really like doing the diagonal satin stitch with this thread. It fills in quite nicely and the variegation is evident yet subtle. I think 32ct would provide even better coverage for this thread. I think this is about the 4th or 5th one I've done. The centre part with the double running stitches and Rhodes hearts would also make a great, coordinating scissor fob.

The other specialty stitches are:

1. Rice stitch
2. Square Rhodes stitch over 6 threads
3. Circular Rhodes stitch over 8 threads.

This symmetrical, square piece will be made into yet another triangular scissor case. The only fabric I have on hand that would work with the colour is some whimsical Peanuts fabric (trust me, it is a pretty good colour match),

or plain white.

While rummaging through my fabric scraps, I came across the 15-sided, pulled thread biscornu I completed back in 2018 but never put the beads through the centre part. There were a couple of appropriate ones in my bead stash so I finally, after 7 years, I have fully, fully finished it.

The original pattern was designed by Kathrin Ellison of Gitta's. The instructions were available on her blog. I recall really enjoying the project and I think I substituted a couple of other pulled thread patterns. It was a SAL of hers from back in 2013. I was unsuccessful accessing it from her links just now.

As a result of all the browsing and shopping last week, my brain is running on crafty overdrive. I want to do All. The. Things. and am having trouble deciding what to focus on. I keep puttering away in my craft room and tackle little things here and there but it's still organized chaos.

July 30 is World Embroidery Day! Some of us from the Trillium Embroidery Guild will set up some chairs at Lakeview Park in Oshawa to knit in public. Fingers are crossed the weather will cooperate. Then some of us will be celebrating a couple of birthdays at a café in Bowmanville on Friday. I love having stitcherly events to look forward to in addition to my standing Monday morning stitch group.