Thomas and Tilly

I had a special request to make a girl kitty cat with a blue sweater and bow. Her name is Tilly.

I made a Tilly yesterday but her legs were too long and I didn't know an easy way to shorten them so I knit another Tilly today.

Thomas had to get in on the photo shoot outside. This patch of echinacea has thrived in this spot practically since we moved into this house 30 years ago this month. Last winter I left the spent flowers in place so the American goldfinches would have something to eat in the late fall. The centres were all that were left on the stems by winter and after a snow they'd look very artistic with the stack of snow on top. I did cut them down in the early spring but enough seeds must drop for them to just keep blooming year after year. But I digress...

Back inside in the photo studio (kitchen counter with a foamcore background).

Then ChatGPT generated a photo of Tilly and Thomas going for a walk in the woods.

I think my friend is going to love having her own little buddy kitty cat, Tilly.

I crossed a few things off my 'to do' list these past couple of days: planted an Icelandic poppy I got on sale that had been sitting on the deck for over a week, did a bunch of weeding, rehung the curtains in my bedroom after the new window install, got a replacement valance clip at Blinds To Go to replace the one that broke when removing the blinds for the new window install in the family room, reinstalled the blinds and valances in the family room, made a purchase at Marks, picked up floss at Michaels not already in my stash to kit up 'The Bee's Got Knees' project to take to the retreat next week, mailed something to the US, deadheaded daisies and bellflowers in the garden, swept a bit in the garage, did a load of wash, cleaned some stuff out of the fridge for garbage day tomorrow. I did some sewing Monday and yesterday but none today.

Now I'm making a list of what projects to take to the retreat next week; lots of sewing, crochet, knitting, and stitching. I'll have total craft ADHD for 4 days.

A Busy Weekend

Yesterday I attended the Peel Stitch-In at the Meadowvale Village Hall in Mississauga. When I arrived it was pouring rain so I sat in the car until it was finished then got in line for the 10am admission time. I spotted Clare ahead of me in line so sat with her when we got into the hall.

Also at our table were Margaret and Julia. The spot where Julia was sitting was kinda sticky so she  purchased the retreat mat I had taken in case anyone wanted to buy it. I took some project bags, too, but there was a vendor there selling sewn items so put them away for another time.

I worked on the Robin Pickens Autumn Courier piece for a while

and got some done on my sashiko piece.

The door prizes were drawn at 2:30 

and I won!! However, I'll probably give the chart away after all. 

At a couple of points during our time there, we all got emergency alerts on our phones about a tornado in our general vicinity.

I looked for a basement door and found a locked one. I didn't think the 150+ year-old board and batten building would hold up well in the event of a tornado. We did have a plan to duck under our table, though.

Fortunately it didn't pass near us. 

I left at about 4 and had a very uneventful drive home on the $$ 407 $$.

Today, the skies are much clearer thanks to the wind shifting and coming from the southwest. I got two loads of wash out on the line. 

I really like that my Wamsutta fitted sheet has these labels on the sides. I wish more manufacturers would do the same. They're so helpful for queen or king sheets.

Today I had the urge to make another retreat mat in case someone from the Monday stitching group wanted one. Once again I agonized over what fabric to use from my stash that would be cute enough.

I like using the 60º lines on my cutting mat for my quilting lines. I draw one in each direction using chalk (that rubs off afterwards) then use the guide on my walking foot for the rest of the lines.

First I measure out 2 1/2" from the needle and lock the guide in place on the walking foot.

Then use the guide along the stitched line for the next one over.

This saves so much time not having to draw each quilt line. Next mat, I'm going to try curvy lines.

All done!

Inside. This time I fused the magnet in place on the back of the thread bed before attaching it to the interior fabric.

Again, the pocket was anchored by the binding and a dividing line was sewn down the middle.

Of course, I attached my 'logo' to the binding on the left.

Then Lorna texted me that the final FIFA game between Spain and Argentina was on. We tuned in at about minute 75 - the most exciting part of the game!

That Argentina goalie was a beast and I kept realizing I was holding my breath but at last, Spain won! We were so happy for them.  (click twice on the play triangle)

The heat wave has finally broken so I turned off the A/C, brought the clothes in from the line, and opened a bunch of windows, including the new windows that were installed last week. The fresh air smells so good. Climbing into bed with fresh linens and sleeping with the windows open is going to smell so good tonight.

So Hot Out...

It continues to be well over 30ºC during the day so I've been huddling inside. Yesterday I found a bunch more batting in my stash so thought it would be a good day to make a retreat mat.

I took a look at what was being sold on Etsy and determined that 19" x 14" would be appropriate dimensions. 

Basically a retreat mat is a large-ish placemat that protects your stitching from whatever table surface it's on. I previously made one with some Peanuts fabric.

I loved the inspirational interior fabric. Basically it's a big placemat and it has certainly served its purpose.

I noted other creators added pockets and a magnet/needle minder under a thread bed. Once again I agonized about what fabric to use, deciding on this big print .

and plain, white inside. The thread bed is just a piece of batting with a trim. The little magnet (under the needle) is loose  under the thread bed but easily felt with the fingers. I could stitch it in place if I need to later.

For the simple 30º quilting I used the lines on my cutting mat to draw an initial line in each direction using blue tailor's chalk; then set the guide on my walking foot at 2 1/2" for the rest of the lines.

On the Charlie Brown mat, I added the border separately and hand-stitched it in place after folding it over to the other side. On this one, I just made the exterior fabric 3/4" bigger on all 4 sides and folded it in half then over to the inside, sewing it in place. The corners were mitered and for extra security, I did a couple of machine stitches at a 45º angle. I also added my little sunflower 'logo'.

The right side and bottom of the pocket were secured when the binding was sewn. I didn't realize I was playing 'thread chicken' but this was all the white thread that was left on the spool when I was finished.

Yikes! Note to self: buy more thread.

This project could be done with 2 fat quarters. 

A couple of my windows are being replaced today.

Hopefully the house can get closed up again soon.

The air quality is so bad. The skies are yellow from the haze - a NW wind blowing forest fire smoke our way. From the current Ontario Forest Fire map: (I'm just east of Toronto)

It's like the filters used in dystopian movies. I had to use filters to brighten my photos when editing for this post.

Another good day to stay inside...

Quaker Star and 6 x 6

I finished stitching this a couple of weeks ago. It was one over one on some 28ct Monaco from my stash.  Surprisingly it was a LOT of stitching.  The incomplete motifs are beyond the confines of the star shape.

On the back, I drew the stitching lines. I used an old, striped pillowcase for the backing fabric on which I'd fused some interfacing to give it a bit of heft. Then, with right sides together, I sewed along my drawn lines, leaving an opening on one of the bottom star legs for turning and stuffing.

I used to stitch a lot on 28ct Monaco but on this project, found it to be too thick for stitching over one.

After stuffing it  (it took a surprisingly large amount of stuffing), I added an afterthought hanger with some beading wire, a bunch of seed beads, a pearl bead and crimping bead at the top.

I mostly aligned the stripes vertically.

It looks pretty spiffy on my fridge. 

It's quite small - only about 3 1/2" across. I may stitch it again over 2 and use it as a tree topper.

I made a bigger checkerboard, zipper bag yesterday with quartered charm squares from the Promenade collection from 3 Sisters. There were more than enough charm squares for this project.

This time, 6 squares by 6 squares were used. Doing the math, 6 x 6 x 2 sides equals 72 total squares divided by 4 quarters of a charm square = 18 charm squares. I tried to balance the different colours.

I didn't quilt it this time as the fusible batting adhered nicely to the outer fabrics. I didn't round the top of the bag either. These two omissions made it a much faster project. I love how precise the squares are using this gridded interfacing method.

There wasn't enough companion fabric left to do the lining so I just used plain white. It measures about 12" x 9 3/4".

I simple, little zipper pull finishes it nicely.

Zipper Pulls

I feel a zipper is naked without a zipper pull so I hauled out my beading supplies and cranked a few out.

The canvas bag got one.

as well as the Spring Brook checkerboard bag.

And a cute one for this bag.

They're so easy to make with beading wire (I use 7-py Beadalon wire) from Michaels.

crimping beads,

and small lobster claw clasps.

Any beads work fine. I like to coordinate at least one bead with the fabric, use seed beads as spacers then others for balance. I had a bunch of key charms so I usually put one at the end of the zipper pull.

On the left, I used a heart-shaped clasp that was in my stash. These are ready to attach to any new bags.

I used to use nylon line and thin wire but they would break after moderate use so the beading wire works very well.  There are various thicknesses but the 7-ply wire is pliable enough to work with (having to bend it back under the crimping bead), yet strong enough to hold. I've never had one break.

Spring Brook Zipper Bag

In an attempt to use up some of my 5" charm squares, I created two checkerboards with 5 squares by 5 squares to make another zipper bag.

I had the remnants of a Spring Brook charm pack - most of which I'd previously used on a project bag.

There was a coordinating zipper in my stash (yay!), and enough of the companion fabric for the lining.

Finished dimensions are 10" x 8" with the bottom being about 6" by 4".

Another one with 6 x 6 checkerboards would also be a convenient size for cosmetics or knitting projects.

Once again, I've had an issue with an online seller and had to lodge a dispute with PayPal. The seller tried to upsell when I was trying to order one thing and much to my horror, after I paid for what I wanted, all the upsold goods also were billed to me. I immediately contacted the seller to cancel the items I didn't want but they said it was too late and that the order would be processed right away and couldn't be called back. I said this was bad business practice and that I would be returning all unwanted items and to not bother shipping in the first place. Interestingly this transaction took place on June 22 and the items weren't shipped until July 1. (grrrr!)

Long story short, all the items arrived in yesterday's mail and the one item I did want wasn't the right size. When I contacted the seller to see about getting my 100% refund and instructions to ship their items back, they gave me a runaround. First they offered a 20% refund and I could keep the goods. Then a 45% refund, then a 70% refund, and still no instructions about returning the items.

At this point, I contacted PayPal and lodged a complaint, explaining all I had done to try and return the unwanted items for a refund. It is now in their hands. 

Last time I had to file a dispute  via PayPal I got my refund within 24 hours. Hopefully this time will be the same.

I need to learn the lesson NOT to order any more stuff online except from well-known sellers.

Another One

I found some canvas fabric in my stash and thought it would also be good for a zippered bag. I think I bought it at a remainder store during one of our South Padre Island visits almost a decade ago. 

I found lining on a knitting theme that coordinated with the green accent colour and a coordinating zipper.

Initially I thought the canvas would be sturdy enough for it to stand up firmly on its own but before closing everything in, added batting between the lining and canvas.

I have a LOT more of this canvas fabric so will be thinking of projects for it. I welcome any ideas.