Friday Finishes and Fun!

This week I made a pillow with a design by Kathy Schmitz for the One Stitch at a Time Club. It came with the alphabet so you can personalize it and I did one with a letter for a friend, to get a start on Christmas gifts.

I antiqued it but the photo is making it darker than the actual piece.

I also made some new masks. I found some fun fat quarters which are a nice size, but with the fitted mask, I could only make two adults and one child, but a fun set.  I am setting aside the pieces from the masks and was thinking of making some simple teddy bears or a doggie, and adding a tag and. year for a momento to give to the boys.

Then today I decided to whip up a couple more which is a mistake, I made a mess, but they are still usable. The kid's mask is a 3D style and I wanted to try one for Nick to see if he likes it better than the fitted. I want to make him school masks, so it is important that they are comfortable and breathable for him. It didn't come out right and might be too small, but he does have a small nose, so it may be just right. I also found some fun lodge material and these I added a third pocket layer, so the wearer can put a filter in or leave as is. A good way to make them more protective when using thinner fabrics.

And we had a nice time camping, not too crowded and the noisy neighbors was asked to leave, so the next day was much quieter. I spent a lot of time on the water, sitting in the cove and enjoying the birds. I saw the kingfishers, but they would not come out for a photo.

I was able to catch Eastern King birds, a Lesser Tern and Tree Swallows.

And on the way back, this Cormorant was nice enough to sit still and make silly poses for me.

On Sunday the kids came and we had a cookout, and played games at our site.

And the boys were thrilled they could swim in the lake, Nick is getting better at swimming and Alex goes up to his neck and fake swims, where he keeps his legs on the bottom and uses his arms only. But a big improvement over last. year when I had to coax him, just to get in the water.

It was nice to get away for a bit, but this weekend we are staying home and getting some things done. It is going to be hot again and the beaches are too crowded. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoying the summer as best, as you can.

Monday Meanderings!

This week we are staying home and trying to just enjoy being out, when the weather is good. We had an early fathers day with the kids over for dinner. We did a family visit to look at trailers and it was fun to see how we all fit, or not, but nothing that was just right for us, so we will wait until we decide what we want. Hate to buy too much if they don't come with us.

Sunday was a relaxing day at the beach. The air was cool and windy, so there weren't too many people at the beach. We found a few nice pieces of glass and got some exercise, walking up and down the beach. I found some nice driftwood, as well. I need to get a cheap dish pan so I can soak them, then they will lighten up more, when dry.

We also enjoyed the birds in the area, a Great Egret flew over head and the Lesser Terns were in their nesting areas and if you got too close, they would dive bomb you.

Today I decided to go to the beach again. We stopped at the store first and I was able to find a speedo for only 12.00, couldn't beat that price. Once we got to the beach, I realized it was warm enough for suits, luckily I had extras with us, so we could beach comb and walk in the water.

I found a few nice pieces, we walked and looked, more than hunting today, less glass, but easier on the back. Always thrilled when I find a nice piece of pottery with a colored spot.

After beach combing, which was a lot of walking, we walked to the furthest point of the beaches, which took us the the breakers. Between the walking back and forth and the full walk, we did well over 4 miles today, lol.

For a perspective, we are at the end of our walk and the dots in the sky is where we were beach combing.

On the walk we met up with this little guy, a Piping Plover. They are very busy birds, so hard to get a photo.

Then I noticed a knob on his leg and this is what I found. He has a hitchhiker.
I hope  you all had a wonderful weekend and a wonderful week to come.