Friday Finish!

 

This week I wanted to make some lavender pillows with a design by Cheri Saffiote. It is part of a larger pattern and I reduced the chickens to fit a small pillow. I was thinking of someone who likes chickens, as a gift for Christmas. 

We also spent a few afternoons at the beach. The surf was rough at one beach, so not great for swimming. We were able to find space at another on the quieter side, so it was nice to swim in calmer water with a sandy bottom. I was amused by this young, Great Black-Backed gull, squawking behind his mother, I guess it was it's first time swimming.

Of course I found a few treasures while walking on the shoreline. One item was hidden in the sand, looks like a can opener, but too big, still trying to figure out what it is. It is not solid, it is thinner and molded in the back, so wouldn't be a great tool.

And I am enjoying, all the young birds who are visiting now. A couple of Chipping Sparrows resting in the tree.

I also spotted a Goldfinch, feasting on my neighbors sunflowers, and a young Bluejay has been coming to visit.

Some birds are harder to ID, but this young house sparrow came with it's dad, who had the red coloring. The young Bluejay is a curious fellow. I hope you enjoyed seeing what I have been up to and my feathered visitors. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Friday Finish!

 

This week I wanted to use up some precut pennies that I had from my stash and some from a friend. I still have lots of wool, so it is fun to use what I have and make something new. I decided to do stitcheries on the pennies and used a loose chain stitch so it has a bit of a rope look. It seems a lot bolder since I used a lighter floss but I did wash antique medium over them, to tone it down. The camera seems to pick up more lightness. 

I just added what fit on the back of the piece I had and made it up, as I went along. It was fun to do and a nice way to keep my hands busy while I watched tv.

Over the weekend we had a family get together. My sister got a trip home for her Christmas present from her daughter and son in law, so they came this week, to visit and some sight seeing. My brother and nephew, as well as my son and family, so it was nice to have family get together. It was hot, so we enjoyed time under the trees when the breezes picked up.

I also spent some time at the beach. One day it was sunny and warm, so great for swimming, the next was cloudy and cool, which was so nice with all the humidity we have had. I even found a few treasures. 

Today we had an early dinner and went to the beach later. It wasn't as hot but the waves were rougher. I was able to slip into the ocean for a quick swim, in between the waves and found a few pieces of glass that the waves threw up. More heat for the weekend, so we won't be outside as much. It seems we wait all winter for summer, then it is too hot to be outside. I hope you all have a nice weekend and a break from the heat.

Friday Finish!

 I finally finished my wool piece, a bit wonky as usual, and a bit darker than I wanted, but it does look better in person than in the photo. It is a design by Crane Designs called, Lighthouse Landing.

I also enjoyed watching the moon, I do wish I had been able to watch it rise from the beach,  it was beautiful as it came up.

This afternoon we finally got a chance to go to the beach. While I hunted for glass, I got to enjoy the race, around the island.

A few more from the race, lots of beautiful sails. I have been spending most of my time cleaning and getting the yard ready for a family get together. I seem to have gotten bitten by something and it gave me a reaction, so not being up to par all week, didn't help. So, guests will have to be happy with specialty pizzas from a local shop and a few side dishes. 

I hope you all had a nice week and a wonderful weekend.

I hope everyone had a nice week and holiday. We stayed home and got some things done, which we usually don't have time for, when we are running around. We have family coming in next week, so plans for a family get together for next weekend. 

I have been working on my seaport piece, still in the works and I may add a few of my own touches. I got the new stitchery from Kathy Schmitz, so I decided to make that this week. I am sticking with a theme for her yearly contest, mine is hot pads. They will be nice for gifts, at Christmas.

This one is a garden bunny and I have a few relatives that like gardening and bunnies. I like giving them a pop of color since others like bright and cheerful decor. I still need to stitch up the outer edge, I like having a bit of a bump there, so they can place things on it, without them sliding off. For some reason the blue marker does not want to go away, so I keep pressing it with a damp cloth and eventually it will go away.

I have been getting a lot of new birds at the feeder, lots of young on their own now, but I still get the ones who make a racket to be fed. In these photos are, a Baltimore Oriole, a Northern Flicker ( first time photo of one in my yard), Red Bellied Woodpecker, and a Blue Jay. 

I hope everyone has a good week. Hopefully I can get out for some paddling and time with the boys.

Friday Finish!

 I can't believe it is July, already. A holiday weekend coming up and I have no plans and no plans to go out in the traffic and crowds that will be hitting the beaches. The kids have been sick all week, so we won't be able to get together. 

I keep busy at home, always something to do and working on projects in my spare time. I am almost finished with my seaport applique, and all I will have to do is the accent stitching and I will be done. I decided to make something quick, I can always use more lavender sachets and I love the simple and prim designs by Deborah Cade. 

We spent a few afternoons at the beach. It seems there are more people now and less glass, but still a nice place to walk since it has a Long Beach. We enjoy watching the boats and wind surfers and of course, finding treasures along the way. I saw a little head sticking out of the sand and pulled out a gingerbread man.

This week I have had a lot of activity with the Baltimore Orioles. The youngsters are coming out and this particular one was full of energy and was picking on its sibling.

It is hard to tell the sex at a young age, but the males will turn a beautiful orange color. This guy was enjoying a mouthful of grape jelly.

Last night, one forgot to follow the others home and decided to hide out on my porch. It hid beneath the feeding basket and fell asleep for the night.

Another regular visitor is a chipmunk that lives next door. He scurries under the fence and comes to fill his cheeks. The other day, Bean scared him when he went to chase the squirrel, this little guy was at the feeder and started running and Bean chased him. This week I have been training Bean to not chase the chipmunk or the bunnies in the yard and he will stop when I say no, so that is good. He won't hurt them, he just stays on their tail till they clear the yard.

Happy Canada day to my friends across the border! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend.