On a roll!!!

 Yesterday I got so much done and I was happy as a clam!  One of the things I realized though is that I have to find ways to make certain chores easier on me.  One is washing floors on my hands and knees.  But mops don't get in corners well and the newer mops just push dirt around and I do vacuum first.  But the hands and knees is really getting hard soooooooooooooo.......I've been looking at this and this  The first one is a robot and is able to get around and behind toilets!  Yes!!!  The other one is bigger and self-cleaning and more expensive but cordless and you control it.  I think I need both but I can't afford that right now but soon I will be getting the robot one I think and then save up for the other one....I am waiting to see how much the AC Blower repair will be first! LOL!  

I've also been plugging away at my craft room and I made bread dough and sourdough yesterday.  I worked on Brill shawl and I have more than half the 452 stitches picked up.  I painted a silver whatchamacallit black to be my Halloween tree.  I got it at a garage sale.  I am not sure what it was for originally but I think my Halloween ornaments will look good on it.  Maybe some creepy lights too.

Today I took my walk and watered and got the garbage can back in and that was it for outside except to go get the mail and pick up my prescriptions.  It is hot out there!  It is 88 but feels like 93....that's what the weather channel says, not me.  To me it feels like 103! LOL!

I have definitely been checking things off my list.  I had been procrastinating about fixing my Microsoft Office since my new email didn't agree with it.  Well, today was the day so I called the fiber people and I got this gal, Lea, in technical support and she and I had the best time!  We laughed so hard!  It was the most fun I have had with a total stranger!  We just clicked like old friends and on top of that I got my Outlook fixed!  Yay!  Thank you, Lea!  

I made my bread today........

and fed my sourdough...........

I worked on the craft room some more and gathered up materials to paint my pantry in the garage tomorrow morning when it's cooler.  I also need to find paint for outside trim for when it cools off.  Please dear Lord....make it cool off!  That's about it for today.  I hope you enjoyed your long weekend!

Happy Trails!!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Labor Day!

 

I hope you are having a nice day!  It is hot here so no mowing took place but I did get a walk in this morning and I watered.  I also spray painted something which I will show you some other time.  I did some cleaning and I am plugging away at picking up those 400 some stitches on my Brill shawl.  I have about 200 so far.  It's not bad.  I sit down on my breaks and do 20 at a time.  I did start a cross stitch yesterday on 30 count linen and using a hoop I am having no problem.  That was a happy moment and the project is gorgeous. 

I'm off to make some phone calls and then kick back and do some crafting!  Have a great day and stay safe!

Happy Trails!!!

 

YOP Week #10

 It's been a good week for "finishes" again!  I finished my first sampler ever and I have plans for more!

It still needs a 'final finish'  but I was pleased with how it turned out and I enjoyed stitching it.  This was a free pattern from Blackbird designs on their website and I used the called for colors and I stitched it on 14 count Aida that I had coffee/tea dyed.

My other finish was a 'final' finish of a little pillow I had stitched last year from another free pattern that I don't remember where I got.  I tried the new method (for me) of sewing all 4 sides and then making a slit in the back for stuffing and then gluing a piece of felt or felted wool over the hole.  It was also the first time I used trim which didn't go too well.  I stitched it wrong and had to undo the entire pillow and start over.  Even then I didn't leave much of the trim showing and on one part it doesn't show at all.  It was a learning experience and hopefully I'll get better at it.

here's the back...I copied Celeste Creates method, and pin with buttons.....the backing fabric has little pumpkins on it.  I call these little pillows "bowl fillers" as people will stitch a bunch of them and put them in a bowl of some sort.  I don't have enough yet for a bowl so I'd better get busy! LOL!

The other items that received some love this week were my Brill shawl although it was 5 steps forward and 10 steps back.  I have to pick up over 400 stitches and I thought I was doing pretty well as I had almost 100 when I realized I was almost halfway and I knew that wasn't going to work out!  So, I had to rip it out and start over and pick up 2 stitches in every stitch of the trim in order to get the required number.  I am putting a stitch marker every 20 stitches so it will be easier to count and keep track of as I go along.  I remember Betsy Makes mentioning that this part was a bit fiddly and trying, but after that it was home sailing.

I did work on When Witches Go Riding too ..................I had to redo the 2nd cat after I found a mistake so again....5 steps forward and 10 steps back!  But it is an enjoyable stitch and really gets me in the spirit of the season!

I have made categories related to my cross stitch as there are many different types that I am interested in stitching.  They are,  1) red work, 2) samplers, 3) seasonal, 4) holidays,  5) smalls and maybe 6) gifts If I deem anyone worthy enough....lol!

I have my red work in progress......and I need to get back to it..............this is the first time I have used silk thread and it is a dream to stitch with but expensive so not sure I'll be using it very often.

The next project I am thinking of is a combination of a holiday and a sampler.......I have yet to order it.

I haven't figured out the rest of the categories but I'm sure I have them laying around here somewhere!  Last year I was gifted some cross stitch patterns already kitted with the pattern, floss and fabric but the fabric was linen and after that black cat I did on 40 count linen I swore never again.  But then I watch podcasts where all these people are stitching on 40 count linen and even 46 and 56!  What?  Well, I've picked up a few clues by watching these podcasts and my problem was not in the seeing so much as the irregularity of the weave.  First of all black is the hardest to see and secondly I was stitching in hand and everyone that stitches on linen uses a stretcher of some kind...hoop, scroll bar etc.  So, I have decided I will give it a go again as I have quite a bit of linen in my stash that was included in kits and I hate to waste it.  Here's the kit I have and it is beautiful......the gal that sent me the majority of these things was so generous and I can't believe she gave me so much.  There had to be hundreds of dollars of materials patterns and fabric!  It was an awesome gift and I appreciate it more and more each day!

This kit contained 2 patterns and all the floss and fabric needed to complete both...........not sure which one I will do first..........

These are all hand dyed flosses too.........

and the linen.............

That's all for this week.  For those of you in the U.S. happy Labor Day and to all of you stay safe, stay well, and keep making and creating!

Happy Trails!!!

Green Friday

 I have 2 photos......both are green...........first this little cutie.............

and these...............my green beans.....the ones the deer didn't find! LOL!

I'll have them tomorrow night.....I am beat tonight!  I got up early and picked up my groceries and unloaded, debagged in the garage and slowly took in the house and disinfected.  After that I put them all away.  I vacuumed and washed my bathroom floor but I used a mop which never does a great job but it got the worst of it so tomorrow I'll get down on the floor and do a better job.  The weather is beautiful and not humid or hot.....very nice.  It  did rain again today after I got home from the store.  It needs to dry out so I can mow but that might be Monday.....after all it is labor day so it seems fitting to work.

Now it's time to kick back and have some supper and enjoy the evening!  What are your plans for this holiday weekend?

Happy Trails!!!

The rain finally stopped!

 I loved the rain but some places had flooding which is not so good.  I finally got my bone broth finished.  I only got 4 cups after starting with 12 cups of water but it is rich and full of vitamins!  I put 2 cups is each bag and then freeze it flat.

I always get the cleaning bug in the fall.  I wish I would get it more often actually! LOL!  I'm not a Spring cleaner as much as a Fall cleaner.  I guess because the summer is spent outside but the winter is spent inside.  

I also ordered groceries today that I will go pickup in the morning.  I got some treats for the holiday weekend....some non-dairy ice cream, hot dogs and buns and dip and chips  and some Payday candy bars.  I rarely eat candy but every once in awhile I get a craving.  It should be a fun weekend!  What are your plans for Labor Day?  I'll probably mow once it dries out and I hope the temps are going down.  We'll see when the sun comes out!

Happy Trails!!!

Treasures and a productive Wednesday!

 I got 2 books in the mail yesterday. Both books had been recommended by pod casters I listen to.  One is a book about introverts which I consider myself to be.  I never realized it for years and although I can socialize with the best of them it is draining to me and a little socializing goes a long way.  I will be interested to read this book as it was recommended by another introvert!  

The other book is a cross stitch book by a French designer.  I had seen her designs on Pinterest but realizing she was in France I never dreamed I would ever see her designs in print here in the U.S.  Well, lo and behold.....here it is.  The thing that attracted me to her designs was her children.  They reminded me of the 40's or 50's and they were just so sweet!  I loved them.  Here's the book and a few examples...but you'll  have to buy the book if you want the patterns.  I got both of these on Amazon.

  Even her animals are from a time long ago.............so precious!

Look at those sweet little children...........

Lots of small little projects too that would be quick to stitch up.

Yesterday I was making stock in the InstaPot.  I had tried using it awhile back but I couldn't get it to work so I figured I needed to sit down with the instruction manual as I must have done something wrong.  Well, no.  The InstaPot doesn't work.  It turns itself off as soon as it is preheated.  I tried several times to no avail.  Unless someone out there knows something I don't know.  Please inform me as this is money down the drain for sure.  I got it shortly before Jim passed and with all of that I never paid anymore attention to it so no warranty...nada!  The lights go off on the screen too.  So, this morning I was going to make it in the crock pot but it wouldn't all fit in so I had to get my big stockpot out and it has been simmering on the stove all day.  The house smells delicious and I will probably turn it off tonight and cook it some more in the morning.  It takes a total of 15 hours to get all the goodies out of the bones.

It's been raining on and off for days now and some areas of Arkansas are flooded.  I've been cleaning and trying to get things prepped for Fall!  I cleaned my bathroom and polished a window frame and put up clean curtains.  I'm still working on my September Sampler on breaks. I hope you are enjoying September so far.

Happy Trails!!! 

 

Welcome September!!!

I am so happy September is here and Fall is near!  It's raining here, some leaves are changing but now we just need the hot and humid to go away.  September is also Sampler September in the cross stitch world so I dug out my little sampler that I had started last month.  It was a free pattern from Blackbird Designs on their website.  This is my very first sampler but I know it won't be my last!

I also printed off another free pattern from Hewitt Hill Samplers on their website and it is a beauty and the original resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

I'll be looking forward to stitching this someday.

I was able to get a picture of my fall clematis in full bloom....the true sign of fall at my house....and then when the hummingbirds leave.  They're still here but I think they're getting ready as they have been swarming the feeder.  They try to eat as much as possible before their long journey.  I'm thinking fall may arrive early.

That's all for today.  Enjoy the first day of September!

Happy Trails!!!