Beach finish and finds!

I wanted to try some starfish in punch needle, so I looked online and found some pretty colored starfish that were not too detailed, perfect for punching. The yellow and gold one needs a better eye, maybe I will just do a large french knot. The blue one has main dots and lots of little white dots, but I just did a simple punch going up, so it is not exact, but close enough. There are lots of fun starfish and beautiful colors, I may try some larger ones and try more detail.

And we went to the dog beach, and found some nice glass. The glass on the right side is from the dog beach. Then we got out early and hit the island and I found more glass, a lot more glass. All the glass on the left is from that beach.

Today I just wanted to get out and enjoy the nice weather. One more day, then more cold coming in. So, we went back to the dog beach, I figured we could just relax and walk and if I found anything, that was a bonus. Well, we hit the beach at the right time, it was all over the place, I found big chunks just laying on the beach. So, I have a lot more glass, lol. I guess it is time to start making things with them. I do keep the best, older glass in a heart shaped bowl, those I keep to look at. I like the ones that are a bit clearer and flat, they will work nicely in art pieces.

It is hard to see, but that blue piece is in the shape of a fish, even the markings on the bottle, made an eye and fin, definitely making something with that piece.

And, I finally put up the lights on my netting. I got fake sea glass and bottle lights. They are heavy, so I put up some cast iron holders for the netting, and that holds the weight of the bottles. Now I need to get started on some pillows and a quilt, as well as, art work for the walls.

Happy Easter!

I want to wish you all a Happy Easter and blessings to you and your family. This is an old photo of my family, I am the baby. We look like the Kettle family, for those who remember the Ma an Pa Kettle family, lol.

I am not sure what we will be doing for Easter. I am still recovering from my infection and the meds, so not up to cleaning and cooking for a large group. I asked my son to host and he said yes, then he tells me we are eating at Ivy's friends. I like her friend and children and enjoy spending the holidays with them, but the last time she cooked, they all got sick. So, I really doubt she will have anything I can eat and with the extra kids, it might be too much for me, we may just eat at home and go to the beach.

Speaking of the beach, it seems that is where we spend most of our free time. I love walking on the beach and the fresh air and of course, finding new treasures for my collection. This week we spent a few days at the beaches near the old navy base. One beach has some nice glass and the other has a nicer beach and much stranger glass. I found some large pieces and the bottle in front, that looks like it has been melted down, have never seen something like that.

Today we spent a few hours in Jamestown, the best beach for older glass. It was a bit dismal out, but warmer, so I spent a lot of time digging in the piles of rock and found some nice smooth and rounded pieces. It was nice to get out without freezing, but I got hit twice with incoming waves, so that did me in. Bending and squatting is killing my back, but I was having too much fun to care. Hopefully a good nights sleep will have me all ready for a new beach tomorrow.

I am also working on my stocking quilt, a few more blocks to go, then I will sew them together to see what I have for size. I would like to finish the top before we go on our camping trip in two weeks, then I can hand quilt this one, while I relax at camp.

Friday Finish!

This week I finished another piece done with the snowman pattern from Kathy Schmitz's, One Stitch at a Time Club. I decided to make a runner this time and used white fabric with the fun blue snowflake border. I really like how it came out and am leaving it white for now, it may be going to someone who likes brighter pieces, but I can always tea stain it, if I change my mind.

The finished piece is 26" x 11 1/2".

We had some beautiful weather this week, so we took advantage of the nicest day and Bean got to have some fun time at the dog beach.

Of course he loves to jump, he is such a show off.

He found a piece of drift wood so a few rounds of fetch was mixed in with walking up and down, on the beach.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend. I am babysitting Nick tonight, but the poor guy was fast asleep when he got here, so I am relaxing until he wakes.

Weekend Wanderings Giveaway!

It was an easy weekend, not too much but I got out for a bit and enjoyed some time outside. I also decided not to do too much work on my little dog, I just did some tweaking and made him a ball, so I thought I would show you how he looks with his ball. I enjoy making fun things instead of realism but I may try more dogs and some cats too.

On Saturday I wanted to get out but not go for a long ride so we took Bean to the dog beach. It wasn't too crowded and the tide was going out, so more waves coming in. It felt good to be in the cool breezes.

And now for the contest, give me a caption for this photo! The winner can pick any one of my e-patterns or e-booklets. If you can't think of anything, you can just leave a comment and I will draw a name on Friday night.

There was a group using the area to picnic and sail their boats from the beach, not sure why they didn't go to a regular launch site, makes it hard for us dog lovers when others use the beach and Bean doesn't have the freedom to play. I can just imagine what he would do if I let him off leash, no one on the beach would be safe from his loving.

On Sunday we went for a drive to the south end. We did a little shopping and then went to the beach. It was cloudy and the forecast was for rain showers, but we didn't get any and that meant the beaches weren't crowded. I finally gave in and got a season pass, it is well worth it and we got to enjoy a little time on the beach and a swim. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Monday this and that!

Not a lot this weekend, it was overcast and with threat of storms, we didn't want to go out in the kayaks and get stuck in a storm. The good thing was that they air was cooler so we were able to get out for some fun time.

I also worked in my garden and now I need to figure out how to design it. This is the basic layout, I put the fence there for now, but that will go. I planted flowering bushes in the back and will line the outer edges with flowers and plants and put benches on each end. Bill is going to make me a ladder trellis and that will go behind the garden, then I can grown flowering vines to grow over it and hang bird feeders from there. We will also be able to add some bird houses to the sides. My sister is coming up next month and wants to help, so I will hold off on some things till she gets here. I got a simple bird bath for now, but would like to make or buy a waterfall feature, so I can wait until I find or make just what I want. I used the old bath for food, since it is cracked but perfect for the birds and of course and squirrels and chipmunks are enjoying it too.

I added some mulch but have more to put in, the bags are heavy so Bill can put the rest in tomorrow. I also got some red stones that I can lay around plants or pathways on the side, still thinking about it.

On Saturday we went to the lighthouse, it was a perfect day for a walk and not too many people. Bean loves going there and loves greeting everyone we pass. I think I could sit on the rocks all day, it is just so peaceful and relaxing.

Sunday we stayed home, but I needed to get out for a bit, so the dog beach was perfect. Close by and not crowded so Bill enjoyed a swim and I walked on the beach and found some nice hearts and stones to add to my collection.

My son is still in Malaysia and sent me a few photos. This is the baptism at her parents church. I was surprised at how casual everyone was dressed. I was raised in a family where we dressed to go to church and special dresses for special occasions, and I am still that way, I wear dresses all year long and in the winter I wear fleece tights under my dress. Yes, I am old fashioned in some ways;)

I guess they had a late party for Nick so my son would celebrate with them. I have no idea what Happy Full moon means? He just sent photos, no explanation. It cost more to text from there, so he sent me a few photos and hopefully I will see more when he gets home.

I hope you all had a nice weekend and hopefully I can get myself back into sewing and doing things this week. I am on full meds again, my lyme doc wants me to stay on them longer so putting up with yeast over load again.

Happy Fourth!

I hope everyone has fun plans for the fourth. We are going to go to my sister in laws, time to say yes to invites and we will be seeing her husbands side of the family for the first time and My son and Daughter in law will be meeting all of them for the first time too. If you have ever seen the movie, Moonrise Kingdom, it was filmed in Rhode Island and my sister in law was actually in it, Bruce Willis came to her door when he was looking for the kids that ran away in the movie. It is hard to know it is her, but still neat  that she got to meet him and be in the movie.

Bill and I have been able to get out and enjoy the beauty of our own area this week. Yesterday we visited a dog friendly beach at the old base. It is in between the ferry and a ship builder, but the beach is nice and clean and a perfect place to let Bean have some fun at the beach. He finally realized that water is fun to go in and getting braver so next we will have to try him on a kayak.

Today I wanted to try out my mini sit on kayak to see how she handles on the water. Well Bill, who needs a hearing aid, put my sea kayak on, so I used that instead;) I am out of shape, so it was just a nice easy paddle in the main coves and time on the beach to enjoy the cool breezes.

There are two small islands in the cove, they were home to the indian queen at one time, it was there summer place.

We went out to the breakers, we had to go the long way around since it was low tide and we had to avoid the mud flats.

Coming back we enjoyed another trip around the islands and the beautiful views of the harbor. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend.