Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Surprise!

My venture into gardening this year has not gone well. I had some lettuce and basil early in the season and a bunch of jalapenos are needing to be picked, but the rest of my plants failed to produce much of anything at all. I promise I watered and fertilized and babied the heck out of them. I just don't seem to have the proverbial green thumb.

So yesterday I'm out on our deck, tending to what's left of the near leafless stems and sticks I refer to as my garden, when I happened to look out at our bluff and see something growing that resembles a squash plant. You see, I've gotten in the habit of tossing my failures over the railing, down to the ground below in the hopes that Mother Nature might take pity and breathe life back into something I've all but killed. Up until now she hasn't.

So I ran down with my camera this morning to get a better look and this is what I found...

I have two rather healthy looking squash plants growing from what was last year's Thanksgiving centerpiece!

Ahem...

It's true... I threw at least a dozen small gourds over the rail. And maybe a peach pit or two. And the strawberries that no one ate.

Now before you start worrying that I've gone completely mental, throwing trash out in the yard, I must explain that the bluff is a very steep hill that leads down to the lake and we let grow wild. I figure anything with seeds has the potential to germinate and produce something the critters might like nibbling on. So you see, it's all for the greater good!

Of course, picture a 54-year-old woman out on a steep hill at the crack of dawn trying to take pictures of plants and you have another kind of crazy altogether!




Monday, July 20, 2015

Taking Inventory

With the news of Prairie Schooler's retirement, I had to pull out all my charts and take a quick inventory. I have a feeling I'm going to hop online and go a little crazy pants with the ole credit card here in the next few minutes!


Thursday, July 16, 2015

Blame it on the Sun

Not much progress to share on Spot the Cat. It was too nice a day to stay inside so out I went to laze around on the chaise and watch the boats go by on the lake. A certain ballsy squirrel came by to do a little harvesting while I was out. It was hard to understand him with his mouth stuffed full of my strawberries but he seemed to be professing his innocence in the whole candle-eating caper. Apparently he's a Vegan. What I need to be looking for is a chipmunk with a pica disorder.

Today is cloudy and the plan is to finish the border on Spot. Mostly so I don't have to count how many stitches long his legs should be and where the tree needs to end. So when I discover a "counting error" we'll all know why!

Have a great day!


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

What's On...

The ottoman?
I've been working on Spot the Cat from La-D-Da this week. It is going super slow but I am determined to stick with it until it's finished! He's sooo cute!

The ironing board?
I started a tiered skirt over the weekend. I've used this pattern before so you would think the second time would be a breeze, but nope! Pattern instructions always seem to be written in a foreign language to me!

The table on our deck?
 I haven't a clue what ate my votives! We have squirrels and chipmunks helping themselves to my strawberries but I didn't think they'd eat wax! One candle is missing entirely! Did they need a little mood lighting for their nest?

The lunch menu?

No surprise here! Orzo salad and andouille!
Deeeee-lish!

This afternoon's agenda?
A bright sunny day calls for some relaxin' on the deck!

The TV?
Phil gave me a set of Bob Ross DVD's for my last birthday! Am I the only one who finds his voice incredibly soothing? I practically slip into a coma! Happy little trees! Happy little clouds!

And speaking of my sweetheart?
He's always on my mind!



Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Much Better!

I de-cluttered and organized...

Dusted and vacuumed...

And now I can have some shame-free stitching time!

Of course, I need to reward myself so first I'll do a little cooking...

Oh yeah! Salad time!



Monday, July 13, 2015

Full Disclosure

In an effort to shame myself into getting my act together and cleaning up what has become one large unorganized disastrous pile of stuff I am posting pictures of what shall become known as The Grand Mess. You may wish to avert your eyes!

This is what greets you when you walk into the Chicken Ottoman Empire...
 
You can see I've set up a slalom course so I can get a little extra exercise on the way to my chair!

It's not much better looking the other way...
 This was after I had picked up my boxes of DMC, 3/4 of which were left open because apparently the lids were too heavy to close.

The loft where I do my sewing and crafting is no better...
I must admit the "get it out and leave it out" rule isn't working!

 So today is to be devoted to doing a bit of "tidying up", shall we say.

Dinner is likely to be late.

Very late.







Friday, July 03, 2015

Fun with Flags

I put this flag banner together yesterday afternoon for our 4th of July celebration! It was super fast and easy and practically no-sew! I used a fusible interfacing to stick the front and back of each flag together and then zig-zagged them onto some red seam binding. It doesn't get any easier!

We are getting ready for weekend guests today! Washers and dryers are going, linens are being changed, menus are being planned, lists are being made! By Monday evening I might collapse but it will be with a smile on my face!

Have a fun and fabulous 4th!


Thursday, July 02, 2015

Woohoo!

Birdhouse Sampler
by Prairie Schooler
stitched on 28-ct. Raw Linen
with DMC

To think I've had this pattern in my stash for nigh on 20 years and just now got around to stitching it! Apparently my tastes haven't changed much over the years because I LOVE how it turned out!


Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Mill Progress

Jacob was off purchasing windows for the mill so I was able to get two trees planted in his absence. He's hoping to have the whole operation up and running by the end of next week but he doesn't realize how many X's need to be crossed before the walls are up, the stream is flowing, and the wheel is turning. Not to mention his contractor's proclivity to run off and work on other projects!

Today is errand running day but I'm hoping to have a little time to stitch this afternoon! I am getting close to finishing Birdhouse Sampler!


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Jacob - 1, Me - Zip

When I showed up at Block 8 yesterday with my gardening gloves on, the roofing crew was already there and eager to get to work. Jacob had also taken it upon himself to "misplace" my NPI 245 so the landscaping was put on hold for the day. Now that the roof is complete my silk has magically reappeared where I left it and I've been able to get started on the leaves.

Jacob is quite please with himself and his new roof and has scheduled the walls to be framed next. He fails to realize that if I don't get the rest of the tree trunk stitched his fancy sign could come crashing done at any moment!

Quel drama!




Monday, June 29, 2015

There's Something in the Salad

Whether it's the basil or the pine nuts or maybe the feta cheese, there's something about orzo salad that puts me in the mood for finishing! I threw together another big bowl of it Sunday morning and by that afternoon I was ripping apart pin cushion version 1.0 and reworking it into something I can live with.
Not too shabby!

It's housework day today but I do hope to sit down and work on Ye Olde Grist Mill at some point. Jacob is getting antsy about the roof not being complete, but I thought it best to finish the landscaping first.

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Jacob's Grist Mill

Let's hear it for Jacob! He applied for and received the proper permits to begin building his grist mill in the humble Village of Hawk Run Hollow! Our man Jacob didn't waste any time hanging out a shingle but I believe it may be a while before he can open his doors to the public! Lumber is on order and the walls will be going up soon!


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Wining and Dining and Painting

Last night I went to a Wine and Canvas class in Grand Rapids with my darling daughter. Sooooo much fun! And I think my "Red Wildflowers" isn't half bad!
Here's my daughter with her masterpiece...
This is the second class we have taken and always have such a great time! I'm already checking next month's calendar!


Tuesday, June 23, 2015

That's Better!

Woohoo! Some actual progress on Block 8! Although I admit having to frog a bit more because I stitched black right over the spot where the apostrophe is supposed to go.

I really need to stop going on auto-pilot when I'm stitching!


Monday, June 22, 2015

Ducks or Frogs?

I was hoping to share a picture of my start on Block 8 but ended up doing more frogging than stitching. Silly me, I wasn't checking and double checking as I stitched and "Jacob's Gris" ended up one thread off. I did manage to save "t Mill" so at least I have that much to show.

All together now...

PFFFFFFFT!!!

But here's something to cheer us up! A family of ducks!

Ahhhh! That's better!

I'll take ducks over frogs any day!


Friday, June 19, 2015

Expletive!!

It started innocently enough. I stitched a small Prairie Schooler design and gathered a few materials to make a pin cushion that would look more or less like the one pictured on the card.
Simple enough, right?

Wrong!

An hour later this is what I had managed to create...
Quel horreur!

The seams are all wonky and my corners are even worse. I cut my trusty twiney trim too short and it unraveled before I could get it sewed on. And there's bleepin' bird seed everywhere!

I do think I can rescue the stitching and make it into something that isn't quite so frightening! I just need time to recover!


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Somebody Stop Me!

Seriously! You all may have to stage an intervention because I have yet another finish to share!
This was originally meant to be a floss tag but it ended up waaaaaay thicker than I had intended. So out comes the glue gun and my *now* favorite twiney trim that hides a multitude of sins (thank goodness!). I haven't quite learned the "neatness counts" lesson so please squint your eyes and tilt your head before viewing from across the room!

Here's a photo of all three of my funky finishes together...
I've been trying to create a summer themed centerpiece for the table and these guys are filling it out nicely!

Tomorrow? A pin cushion? Do I dare?


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Birdhouse Sampler Progress


Sorry for the wrinkles but I wanted to post a quick progress pic of Birdhouse Sampler! I've been working on finishing up the little fussy bits I skipped over. Bird beaks and legs. Wings. Eyes. That sort of thing. It's like a scavenger hunt for missing stitches!


Tuesday, June 16, 2015

One More!

I finished Lizzie Kate's Summer ABCs into a little hanging dealie-o. It's pretty darn cute as long as you admire it from afar! I had to resort to using hot glue (and burned fingers!) to get the trim to stay on and barely escaped with my sanity intact! I have only so much patience with sticky things refusing to stick!

Looks like more stitching is on the shed-jule for today! Should I get started on my next VoHRH block? Maybe keep working on Birdhouse Sampler? Or do I dare start a new project?


Monday, June 15, 2015

Back to Stitching

I've made a some more progress on Birdhouse Sampler. I was on auto-pilot when stitching the verse and didn't notice that "singing birds" was supposed to be stitched in a different color. The little angel stitcher on my shoulder has been trying to convince me to rip it out and "do it right" but I'm ready to shoo her away and leave it as is!

I was hoping to share another finish today but things did not go as planned. I've been having technical difficulties with the trim so I thought it best to set it aside before I made too much of a mess of it. No telling what was going to happen if I poked one more pin in my finger!

Time to relax with some stitching!