A Busy Week and It's Not Over Yet

Monday was the usual stitching morning; this week at MaryKs. I still have not turned on the furnace and it was a bit chilly that night so I lit the first fire of the season that night.

Scooter texted me from Japan (they're 13h ahead) so I sent him this cozy photo. With the sun streaming in my south-facing windows (dining/craft room, kitchen, family room) the house warms up nicely during the day. At night, once I'm rolled up in my duvet in bed, I don't mind it being cooler upstairs. I'm trying to see how long I can go before turning on the furnace. To avoid that burnt dust smell, I always install a new filter before turning on the heat or A/C for the first time. 

The next day was unseasonably hot; record-breaking in fact, with a high of 27C with the humidex factor. Tuesday afternoon, Jen1 came over for a stitchy afternoon and Katherine arrived shortly thereafter. Both Katherine and I had to change into cooler togs. We had an enjoyable time talking about music camp, EAC Seminar in St. John's next June, and stitching. I got a bit more done on the Spring Courier. 

After supper, Katherine and I headed to the band rehearsal where we were reunited with fellow 'band camp' folks, Dunc and Helen. After the rehearsal we went to Dunc's place relatively nearby for wine and more visiting.

The next morning was more visiting with my houseguest at breakfast and a while afterwards. Katherine headed for home before noon and I got ready to head to a medical appointment in Pickering. The clinic is in the Home and Design centre at Brock Rd and the 401 so after my appointment I popped into Fabricland to see if there was anything I 'needed'. 

I bought some fusible batting and fusible featherweight interfacing and a pack of wooden spools.

The spools have the hole big enough to hold embroidery scissors. The height of the part where a piece of stitching would wrap is just shy of 1 3/4". That's slightly shorter than the spools crafted by Richard Pikul but for the discounted price of $1.06 each including tax, I couldn't pass up the bargain. It was the only pack they had and I couldn't resist the 50% discount for members. Of course, I had to renew my membership since I allowed it to lapse after the Fabricland stores closed in Whitby and Oshawa. I was pleased to learn that the annual senior membership was only $20. So with the discount on the spools and other items, it almost paid for itself on this one visit.

I did more work on Mystical Lanterns - finishing the side half-lanterns on one side. 

I have 2 more crocheted so only need to do 9 more, plusone horizontal half-lantern for the bottom left corner. With all those attached, the blanket will be all squared up and I can figure out how I will do the border. The pattern calls for a few rounds of single crochet all the way around but I'm going to take a look at what others have done on Ravelry and see what inspires me.

Tomorrow I have my final appointment at the clinic where my dental implant was done. It's in The Big City but it's easy to get there via the $$$407$$$. This process was started mid-May. I've been back for one check-up since the surgery. My own dentist will install the new tooth next month.

Saturday I will head for Ottawa. I plan to make a little detour and stop at Paisleys Quilt Shop on my way into the city. I have learned that the cocktail party tomorrow night will be between 5 and 10pm so I don't have to rush at all. My cousin, Jeannie, and I will meet for breakfast on Sunday morning, then the wedding will be at 4pm that afternoon with the reception following. I'm staying at the Lord Elgin Hotel across the street from the wedding venue (National Arts Centre) so I don't have to worry about driving after the reception.

I'll start for home on Monday morning. Next week will be busy, too, with a stitch day at Elmhirst Resort on the NE shore of Rice lake with the Northumberland guild, another overnight visitor, and the fall Stitch North with Theresa Venette/Shakespeare's Peddler/Kitten Stitcher in Markham. 

And exciting news! The very popular Tilda Christmas fabric line 'Merry Little Christmas' is going to be reissued for 2017. Quilt shops that carry her designs will be taking preorders. Keep an eye out for your local shop.  I was really bummed out I didn't order any last Christmas so am thrilled to have another opportunity.

Some of my favourite fabrics in this line:

So many cool things can be done with these fabrics.

And free downloadable patterns from Tildasworld.com

I emailed Quilter's Cupboard in Uxbridge and they will be taking pre-orders very soon with a 20% deposit and the balance due when the product is released, probably July 1, 2027.

Oooh! Can't wait!!!

Still Crocheting Mystical Lanterns

I was looking at other peoples' 'Mystical Lanterns' blankets on Ravelry and noted that someone found a pattern for the side half-lanterns. Originally I had planned to leave the sides wavy but seeing her finished blanket, I decided to do that too.

It did mean that in addition to the 22 side half-lanterns I needed to make 4 more top and bottom half-lanterns; all this before attaching the border.

I cranked out a couple of top/bottom and side half-lanterns out last night and attached some of them. the bottom left corner is what it'll look like when I've filled in all the ripples and corner.

These instructions are on Janie Crowe's blog but only in written form. Being primarily a visual learner I much prefer seeing the charts. I ended up finding someone's YouTube video which helped clear up a lot of the confusion but even she deviated from Janie's pattern.

I'm looking forward to finishing this but am already feeling antsy about not having something else planned to knit or crochet after this. I'll definitely be looking at more Janie Crowe patterns.

I still have the Sophie Scarf to complete, too.

Violet moved to her new home today at MaryK's. Here she is in her new habitat with MaryK's beautiful flower arrangement.

The next few days will be quite busy. My 'new best friend from music camp', Katherine arrives tomorrow. Jen1 is coming over for a stitchy afternoon, the K and I will head to band that night. K will leave late morning on Wednesday as I have a medical appointment in Pickering at 1pm. I can relax for the rest of the day.

Thursday, I'll pack for the wedding in Ottawa. I have an appointment with the folks who did my dental implant on Friday at noon. Then finish getting ready to head out for the weekend.

I hope to visit Paisleys Quilt Shop on my way to Ottawa on Saturday so I'll have to get on the road fairly early on Saturday as there is a cocktail party and rehearsal dinner that evening and the wedding on the next day.

I'll miss stitching next Monday because of my return from Ottawa. Tuesday I'll take it easy because early Wednesday I'm picking up MaryK and we're heading to Elmhirst Resort on the NE shore of Rice Lake for the Northumberland Hills Stitchery Guild's stitch day. Our own guild meeting is that night.  Next day I have a retirees luncheon then MaryK will spend the night here so we can again get up early to head to Markham for Stitch North with Theresa Venette/Shakespeare's Peddler/Kitten Stitcher. The retreat is over the three days but I have to head out early on the Sunday (these early mornings will be very challenging for me) to make it back home to head to Pickering for the band's Hallowe'en concerts at 12:30 and 1:00pm. MaryK will get a ride back to my place with someone to pick up her vehicle and head home later on the Sunday. 

Thankfully, aside from stitching and a dental appointment, I don't have a lot going on the last week of October until Kimat's Stitch Day on the 31st.

I am grateful that for now, the first three weeks of November aren't too packed with activity (yet). All this comes with wanting to do 'all the things'.

Some Little Things

I have been doing some housework in preparation for an overnight houseguest arriving next Tuesday. It's not really hard to do, there are just many other things I'd rather do. Regardless, the house will be somewhat presentable for my guest.

I passed the halfway point on my Sophie scarf. It occurred to me that I needed to weigh what I had knit and the remaining yarn so see where the halfway point was - where I'd start decreasing every 8 rows. 

Turns out, I had knit well past halfway and had to rip back to the halfway point (where the yellow stitch marker) is and rewind the yarn. There wasn't too much bad language (just the right amount, I guess). The blue stitch marker shows where I went from increasing every 6 rows to every 8 rows so will mirror that on the 'downhill slope'. My calculations are such that I'll only have a few metres of yarn left when I get to the other end. Fingers are crossed.

I did a bit more on 'This Bee's Got Knees'. Once I fill in the centres of the little orange flowers, the cross stitching will be done and there will only be backstitching (detail on flowers and bees) left to do. Then assembly. I really liked the colours in this piece. The pointy parts will meet in the centre of the bottom for a 3D block pincushion.

I really don't need another pincushion but this design was so dang cute, I couldn't resist.

I also did a wee bit more on the Spring Courier.

I don't have a single thing on my calendar for the next two days so will enjoy a hurkle-durkle tomorrow morning and do some serious goofing off for the rest of the day.

Oh yeah, and MaryK has named her kitty cat, Violet. I'll be seeing her at stitching on Monday and can give Violet to her then.

Lot of Fun Things

By special request (some whining was involved) I created two more little knitted friends for Judy and MaryK.

This is Judy's Princess Kate:

MaryK will receive hers next Monday, at which time little kitty will be named.

I hosted stitching this morning so spent some time yesterday preparing the dining room (adding an extra leaf in the table and locating appropriate tablecloths) and the kitchen for my discerning guests. It's always a nice way to start our week.

During our get-together I got an email from a former student from the 1980s, Dennis. Chris, Andrew, and I were talking about him last month at our lunch and wondered how he was doing. I googled him and found that he was on faculty at a university in New Brunswick so I fired off an email to tell him we'd been talking and thinking about him.

I was so pleased to get a response from him this morning, so forwarded his email to Andrew, Chris, and another former student, Karen. I then sent Dennis a newsy email. Coincidentally, this afternoon I found a program from a show in which I played in the pit orchestra in the early 80s. I remembered we needed some reed players so a couple of my more accomplished students (then in grade 12 or 13) also performed with the group. I scanned the program and have sent it to the both of them. It is so fun to remember some of these good times from the past. I taught some amazing young people and am pleased to get in touch with any who are interested in catching up on the last decades since we last were together.

Being a high school music teacher afforded me the chance to really get to know many of my students over the 4 or 5 years they were in my classes or bands.  A lot of  social and intellectual development happens during those years. Years later, with the help of social media (mostly Facebook) and search engines, it has been possible to follow up and see how life has been for some them. Most have had very interesting and satisfying lives. I've been invited to some of their weddings and other important events in their lives over the years. I have attended the school's anniversary/reunion celebrations and run into many others.

Most students in my classes and bands had very enjoyable times learning to play an instrument and in larger ensembles. Aesthetic education 'massages' different parts of the brain than most other school disciplines. Shy, outgoing, introverted, timid, extroverted kids are all welcomed in the music program and it is a pleasure to see them develop over the years. I have always felt so privileged to have been able to interact with kids in this way. It is so fun to reminisce with them now, decades later.

Personally, I've been involved in creating music since taking voice lessons as a little girl, playing recorders with my dad and sister, taking piano lessons, playing the oboe in high school and majoring on it in university, playing in my town bands, working as a music educator for 30 years - teaching and conducting bands, vocal ensembles, and classroom guitar, and now finding my way back to creating music again after a hiatus of over a decade and attending summer adult music camp. 

I have been fortunate to have made many friends along the way.

Good Things Today

I spent quite a bit of time procrastinating about getting stuff done today. I knew I had an errand to run but couldn't remember what it was. I figured I'd remember at some point today or tomorrow. 

Instead, I sent a newsy email to some longtime friends. Just before I was going to send it, I remembered the errand I wanted to run - buy cranberries and white chocolate chips to make treats. I headed to the store and got the supplies.

Back at home, the drizzle had stopped. I've wanted to tear down some more foliage from the garden and was waiting until after some rain. Plants and weeds pull out so much easier after the soil has been soaked. I filled three yard waste bags with most of the stuff I cut back beside the deck and along the east fence. I did some huffing, puffing, and sweating but I got that much done. More to follow.

I just remembered that I need to contact the oboe repairer and see what the status is of my oboe and its sticky key. It's either going to just need a cleaning and oiling $$$ or a complete overhaul $$$$! I must call him tomorrow.

Last night, I finished the last 'lanterns' and finished sewing them onto the blanket. It measures 35" x 53" before blocking and without the top and bottom borders.

I only have 5 half lanterns to make and attach to the bottom. Then decide what border I'll make.

I'm not sure how I'll block it. Being acrylic, it won't be like blocking wool. I will try a warm iron and damp pressing cloth to see if it will smooth things out a bit. Must do more investigating on how to do this.

I did a bit more on the spring Seasonal Courier yesterday. I'll do more on it at our stitch day on Saturday.

I also have a hankering to start this project, 'Merry Christmas' from Hobby House Press.

I purchased the pattern a while back, have the fabric, and just need to decide what floss colour I'll use. It'll probably be slightly variegated. Right now I'm leaning towards something like Weeks Dye Works Cayenne.

Or maybe something a deeper red. Will consult with Meagan and Kim.

Unorthodox Finishing

When I was swapping out my front door stitching with my autumnal decoration, I found the winter Seasonal Courier by Robin Pickens, all framed. 

I remembered the plan was to mount the other seasonal pieces on foamcore so they could just be popped in and out of the standard 5 x 7 frame.

Fastidious stitchers often stitch a line around the item where the edge of the foam core will hit - carefully counting threads out from the design edge.

I have discovered the convenience of Frixion pens to do heat-erasable markings. I only use them in areas that won't be seen - cutting lines on fabric, centring lines on the backs of things, and, in this case, delineating the edges of the foamcore for mounting. If the item ever gets cold, the lines will come back. That's why I use the erasable pen (erases with heat of the iron or little eraser on the end of the pen) only in areas that wouldn't be seen.

I then mounted the autumn Seasonal Courier,

and while I was at it, the summer one.

I'm almost done the spring one so will prepare it for mounting and framing once it's done.

I do pin into the sides of the foamcore all around using short appliqué pins. I could take the time and lace the backs. Not wanting to take the time, I choose the easier method of just tacking down the excess fabric with masking tape.

As the seasons change, I can now swap out the relevant stitched piece.

The décor in the foyer is now complete for the fall.

'Autumn Collage' on perforated paper - Mill Hill Buttons & Bees completed in 2000. It was a real coup finding the autumn-themed Mill Hill frame.

'Quaker Pumpkin' by the Stitcherhood, completed in 2019, also in a Mill Hill frame. Other seasonal pieces are popped in and out of this frame as well.

'Halloween Flip-it' by Lizzie Kate, stitched on 28ct Monaco and completed in 2010.

Snorri the bear was an IKEA find years ago. In the fall, he wears his pumpkin sweater.

I took this shot of Veronica and my new haircut on the way out the door to band last night. It was her turn to come with me.

Having been a music director for over 30 years, I'm very picky about efficient use of rehearsal time. Our musical director, Giancarlo Binetti, is very well organized and sends out the lists of pieces we'll be rehearsing ahead of time. We also receive any new music by .pdf. Several band members use their iPads for their music but I don't have a current device that will upload the software so I print out the parts and use a band folder for them. Giancarlo is also very good about planning how much time he'll spend on each piece, and observes the timing for the beginning of the rehearsal break and end of the rehearsal. 

Our Hallowe'en concerts are on Sunday, October 25 at Pickering Museum Village, at 12:30 and 1:30. I'll be leaving Stitch North early-ish that morning to head home and prepare to arrive at the concert venue by 11:30.

Trillium Embroidery Guild Stitching Retreat

Last weekend was the 4-day, Trillium Embroidery Guild stitching retreat at Elim Conference Centre on the eastern shore of Pigeon Lake. I brought about a dozen WIPs, snacks, my bed pad, duvet, and pillow, stuff to give away, my bag of crocheting, and a suit case.

Jen1 and I carpooled. This is what the back of the car looked like with her stuff crammed in there, too.

The back seat was also full of stuff. My gang was also in attendance - Thomas, Veronica, and Ernest.

We set up in the Chapel, one stitcher per 6 foot table. We also had 5 people bring their sewing machines to do sewing and quilting. 

I worked on these projects in no particular order. Traditionally on the Friday, I spend an hour on each WIP.

I stitched the dotted lines on the bee skep and the flowers and stems on this wool felt appliqué piece that I hadn't touched in months.

I almost finished the stitching on the scissor fob - 'Pearls & Rosebuds' by The Drawn Thread.

I spent quite a bit of time on the moth on Teresa Kogut's 'Newcastle Bouquet'. I started this project when it first came out in 2020. The chart is black and white so the symbols were all mashed together. After using Markup R-XP to sort things out, the stitching went much more smoothly.

We had spectacular weather. The leaves on this tree were just starting to turn red over the weekend.

Then I spent some time on 'Tomato Tom-ah-to".

I started the delphiniums with the silk ribbon on this piece. It was my first time using silk ribbon. The tip of each is done with floss. Inside each silk ribbon will go a French knot, a smaller one stitched with yellow floss. You can see where the other two delphinium 'spikes' go - the little x's. I don't remember what goes on the long spike on the right. I also did the flowers along the bottom with sequins and beads.

Then did a bit of work on the Papillon Creations 'How Does Your Garden Grow'. I picked this up at a stash sale. It was a mystery stitch along (SAL) from years ago,  kitted up and started by the previous owner. All the silk threads were in the kit. I'm not sure I'll do the entire floral piece but I am enjoying all the specialty stitches.

A wee bit was done on the Hands On Design 'This Bee's Got Knees'. I thought I misplaced one of the yellow threads for the centres of the white star flowers - it later turned up. There isn't a lot left to do on this.

I did a wee bit on Robin Pickens' 'Spring Seasonal Courier' and got a lot farther than this later on in the weekend and at stitching yesterday morning.

Jen1 always sets up her stitching environment very tastefully. Her Lola also attended.

The time away from 'adulting' was very enjoyable and passed quickly. The food this time was excellent! We came away from each meal with full tummies and more energy to do more stitching.

Stitching was yesterday morning. Today I went for a haircut, arriving two hours early. I exited the salon and did grocery shopping and had lunch before my 1pm appointment. Then crocheted a bit (oh yeah I made a couple of 'lanterns' for my blanket at Elim), and rested this afternoon before band tonight.

Tomorrow the windows are getting cleaned. Then it will be October. Nothing is on the schedule for Thursday or Friday. I may do some thinking about how I'll make a version of the Hands Across the Sea "Needleworker's Companion". I want to make it big enough to accommodate patterns on 8 1/2 x 11 pages. 

Then Saturday is our guild's stitch day. Lots of fun things to look forward to in October.