Friday Finish!

 

Another week flew by and I think the weekend tired me out, so I have been resting more than doing anything constructive.  Add a noreaster to the mix and no power for three days. We did lose our outdoor tent, but nothing else was damaged.

I was able to make up a couple of Balsam pillows for Christmas. I used a design by Cheri Saffiote, that was part of a larger design. It was something fun to do, to keep my hands busy and a start on Christmas gifts.

This weekend we had planned on taking the kids for a day trip and getting photos, but Saturday didn't work out and we headed to the beach for a bit. The weather is getting cooler and the tides aren't always the best, but still fun to walk along the shore and find a few good treasures. I was surprised to find the blues and the dark one was a new find, it looks blue, but when you hold it to the light, it is a yellow shade, maybe an old piece of carnival glass.

And on Sunday we made it out with the kids. We piled into the RV and headed to the castle. The colors weren't as vibrant as we hoped, but it was a nice day to be out, and take a few photos.

The family photos came out too dark or too light and they are the worst to get nice photos since they all tend to fidget, but this one came out nice and I have been working on my editing skills to make them better.

I did get some nice photos of the scenery. This is the Essex train that takes people on scenic rides up the Connecticut river.

A view from the castle, looking down river.

After the castle, we headed to Devils Hopyard to see the falls. They were not running as strong, but a nice spot to take photos. A day of squatting and running around was enough to tire me out for a week, lol. Tomorrow is rain and hopefully we can find some places with nice color on Sunday. I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Friday Finish!

Years ago, my friend Kelley, With Hook and Needle,  sent me some quilt tops and I finally finished one. She wanted me to have some tops that I could practice on my new machine, but this one just screamed, hand stitching. She hand pieced the entire quilt, it needed the same hand work for finishing.

I wanted to try something different and easier to see how it worked, so I put on the backing and hand quilted the flying geese blocks and around the borders. Once that was done, I put on the back and did tacks, down the strips, in-between the flying geese. That way I tacked down the backing without over quilting the back. I will be using it and it makes it a lot smoother and softer on the skin. I used a thin striped brown, homespun for the back, so it is nice to lay under.

I don't think it is the best way to quilt, but it worked and I didn't have to worry about pinning or puckering, if I did. I finished it off with a black edge.

I love how it came out, it is more prim in person, just fits the bed, so not sure how much it will shrink when I wash it. The top has been washed, but not the backing. I realize I should have washed both, to avoid puckering when the new materials shrink.

I laid it across the couch, it will be nice to hang on my railing too.

A little closer look. I had to use my wide angle to get it all in, so not the best shots. The bed is extra long, so this longer quilt was a nice size for it and will be nice for the summer. I used black pearl cotton, #12 on it, I like the heavier thread for doing prim quilts.

The turkeys decided to come through our yard, and I wanted to get a photo of the babies. Of course the babies started walking off, but the parents wanted to grab the goodies that fell out of the bird feeder.

And I didn't realize Bean had come out with me and the minute he saw them out there, he opened the gate and running after them. The babies got  upset and  you can see one as he is flying up to the fence. The rest followed and then the parents were stuck, so they flew the other way and went across the street. I could hear the babies calling to the parents and eventually they came back, but walked through the neighbors  yard, I don't think they will be visiting any time soon.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, no matter what holiday you celebrate. We had a nice weekend planned, but I seem to have gotten sick and it seemed to happen after I ate dinner on Saturday, so I suspect the food.

Not matter, I wasn't going to let the fact that I felt miserable, ruin the time with the kids. I had the house clean and dinner prepared, so that left the day to relax and it was just warm enough for a little walk on the beach. It really helped to get out in the fresh air and and I found a few heart rocks and some more sea glass.

Of course Bean was thrilled when he realized we had headed to the beach. He has no sense, he just went into the water, even though it is freezing. We all had fun exploring the beach.

Sunday we had the kids at our house. We went to the early mass, since none of us wanted to stay up till midnight. Then a nice dinner and we opened presents. Nick was thrilled with his new harmonica, I think that is the only thing he cared about, lol.

Alex was having fun playing with his new electronic phone and learning toy.

Bean was allowed to open one present, but he was more interested in playing with the kids. On Christmas he was more into presents and loves his new ball.

We planned on spending a little time at the kids. I was feeling wretched and tired and learned that they only made a few dishes I could eat and no meat that I could eat. We went and played with the kids and ended up staying and I just ate some potatoes, but I enjoyed being with the family and kids.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Friday Finish!

Another week come and gone, seems time flies by lately and there is never enough time in the day to get it all done. I was able to make a new piece from a free design by Cheri Saffiote. You can get some of her designs and share pieces made from her patterns on her Facebook Page.

This week I made A Tiskat a Tasket. The original pattern is a stitchery pillow but I wanted to do the baskets in wool. Of course I add to change a few other items and the type of stitchery and then I went with a new saying on mine. I love doing patterns that you can change up to fit your own likes.

This is going on my wall for a spring piece, love how it came out.

I also finished Nick's photo album. The booklet might be a card holder, not really sure but the slots are smaller. I liked it because it was real leather, so soft and thin enough to put in his bag and only three dollars. Here are a few photos, great idea for a child's picture book, especially for Grandparents who are far away.

I decided to use my card stock for the photos, it was easier and stiff enough to fit in the slots.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Easter with their family. I am still trying to figure out dinner, Bill is coughing again, so I may go simple and do shish kabobs. I took a photo of Danielle's gravesite. We got her a Hydrangea bush for Easter and planted it next to the stone, leaving room for growth. I used that to make up a photo for her page and thought I would share it here.

May this Easter bring Joy and Blessings to you and your families.

Friday ( un) Finishes!

This week I have been working on and off, on different projects. One is a new punch needle design that I am working on, today I finished the main design, now I just have to add a border. It is always nice to see a piece in a photo, then I can decided what I do and don't like about it and of course, it always looks better when I antique it;) I think the hands need more definition, but overall I am happy with the piece.

A bit late for Valentines, but I was inspired by an antique fraktur and wanted to make this piece.

Another thing I have coming up is, my son's birthday. We gifted him money to pay for some things for his house and a loan to do the rest, so no big present, but I wanted to give him a little something. I found a nice frame and made up photos of Nicholas to hang in his office, he can change the photos when the new baby comes, but I liked the idea of doing 3 of Nick, just being a boy and having fun. The photos are 5" x 7", so today I learned how to adjust my photo sizes in photoshop;)

I always found some beach frames for my new room. Someday I will use the room, but for now, I am happy just decorating it and making things for it. I found a nice barn wood frame and a large beach themed framed for multiple photos. I will put pictures of all of the family with beach themes. I put one of Nick's photos in the white frame, he just makes me smile, so it is a perfect photo to put in that room.

I had to buy some extra fabric to do the baby quilt, now if I can just get it made. One more week till the shower so if nothing goes wrong, I can have it done, I work well under pressure;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, filled with family and new memories.

Weekend Fun and Almost Finish!

I am finally at the tail end of the flu that is going around, not something I would wish on anyone. I think I would get better if I could actually sit down and rest, that will never happen, lol.

This weekend I had Nick and Bill worked, but sometimes it is easier when I have him by myself, I am better organized and most of the time, things run smoothly. Since I am still weak, I saved my energy for play time and cooking.

Of course Nick and Bean love play time and nothing better than seeing them playing and having fun to lift my spirits. I am not sure which one of them has more energy, though Bean might be the winner on that one.

Nick found a new game, roll the tire around the yard.

Then he decided to clean up the yard, his wagon was full of leave and he picked up two of Bean's old water jugs. We let Bean play with them in the yard, he loves to push them around and when they get beat up, we have plenty of new ones.

Nick discovered the holes in the fence, wonder what is on the other side?

I realized I needed some rest time too, so I had Bill run out and get Nick a block wagon, it came with blocks and picks them up when you roll it over. He also grabbed an extra bag of blocks that has a wheel base, Nick loved them and played quietly for once. The best thing to keep a busy boy, happy.

On the crafting front, I made a small pillow stitchery, so I had something to keep my hands busy this weekend. The design is free and can be found, as well as others, at Free Christmas Coloring. The designs are great for stitching, punching or appliqué.

I didn't have time today to finish it into a pillow and the blue marker is still on it.