Holiday Finish!

 I was able to finish my Christmas quilt, just in time. I machine quilted the edges around the blocks and then I hand quilted around the mittens with black and used white in the patterned blocks. I didn't use any pattern, just made up a mitten template and used a variety of wool textures. It was a fun way to use up wool and some fun fabrics I had gotten, last year.

Last weekend we went to the mill to pick up corn meal. I spotted this guy, outside of the mill.

We also made a stop at the thrift store. This store always has fun things and great prices. I found fun snowmen to add to my collection.

And a nativity set, that I couldn't resist.

After some shopping, we drove around the salt water ponds and I spotted this guy. He was busy fishing, so he didn't mind me, taking photos.

Yesterday we went to the island and walked on a few beaches and around the lighthouse. Lots of Common Eiders and a few Harlequin ducks, braving the surf for a meal. A Downy Woodpecker was enjoying the berries at one parking lot.

We also got to spend time with the kids. Mom and dad went shopping, so the boys stayed with us. While here, we did a family shoot so Ivy could sent photos to her family in Malaysia. This was one of my favorites, the background is AI generated.

Now it is time to get ready for Christmas. We have the kids on Christmas Eve and go to their house on Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, in whatever way you may celebrate. May you find peace, love and joy in the coming days.

Working on!

 

This week I have been working on a Thanksgiving piece at night and I was able to finish the mittens and cut out the extra blocks. I almost had enough to finish, but was one short. I stuck another block in the center and then I can add a border with the same print, to blend them a bit. Not perfect, but I want to use what I have, so it will do.

Last week we took our walk around the lighthouse. We can get in 3 miles around the road and back path and lots of beautiful views and wildlife.

We are seeing more butterflies coming through.

Lots of Mockingbirds are coming back.

We also took a walk at the bird sanctuary. With the warm weather, the turtles are still out, sunning.

I also was able to spot a Flycatcher at the pond.

When we got to the point, I looked up and was lucky enough to spot a Gray Frog.

A Buckeye Butterfly along the path.

As we were leaving, a Merlin flew overhead, and landed in a tree. I was able to walk back to the spot and catch a photo of him.

As we headed home, we stopped at the marsh. Lots of Egrets and Blue Herons, are still coming through and taking a rest in the marsh.

Today we were heading to the island and noticed the traffic was backed up on the bridge, so we turned around and headed back to walk to the point. I was hoping to spot some seals, but they haven't  come back yet. The walk is nice, through woods and out to a point, with views of the bay.

And I spotted this guy, enjoying a very large fish. Very ugly Vulture that looks comical in the photo. I hope you all enjoyed your week and in areas with nice fall weather. We actually have warm weather coming in again, so we may do some paddling.

Friday Finishes!

 

The bad thing about being sick is, you can't get out to shop or the beach, so I am stuck at home. The good thing is, I have plenty of time to work on projects. It seems I have a good day and then downhill again, but at least my body is fighting. Having injuries adding to the mix,  doesn't help and hopefully I can get well enough to get checked out and fix my problems this winter, so I can get out and have fun when the weather gets nice again.

This week I started by finishing a needle felted piece. I saw a design on the web and wanted to try it. I didn't get the exact effect I wanted, but it came out pretty nice. I need to make a wooden board to mount it on or maybe find an old piece I can mount it on. The star came out too thick, wanted it thinner and less bold.

Then I made up some mini pillows to use up the balsam I bought. I gave some as gifts and Nick took a couple home, so the rest will go to neighbors and the milkman. 

The last piece is from The Stitch of the Month Club. I always need hot pads to put dishes on and this will be fun to use at Christmas. I seem to have gone a little wonky on one edge.

I hope everyone had a good week and not getting covered in too much snow. I am hoping to get out tomorrow to do a little stocking stuffer shopping for the boys. I have been shopping online but I want to get a little candy and small items to fill a stocking. I have one more quilt to finish, hopefully by Christmas and will have to put the printed nativity aside and finish that next year. It will be easier to put away without stuffing it, and I need to get ready for Christmas Eve dinner.

Friday Finish!

This has been one of those days. This morning I decided to trim Bean's nails and misjudged, so I had to   try and keep him still while I held a compress on it and Bill ran out for a septic stick. Next time I won't attempt it without someone else holding him, while I cut;)

Then I start cooking and while the cookies are baking, I get all the apples out for apple crisp. I need water to rinse them before I cut and my water is coming out brown. I check the other taps and they are all brown. It seems the town was putting in new sewer lines and broke into the pipe that runs into our house, ugh. So, I had to wait most of the day for the water to run clear and then run all my taps to clean out the pipes. I finally was able to make my crisp and clean the house.

I wanted to make a punched piece to go with a piece I made, as a gift and finally finished it tonight. I still have to fill in a few spots that I missed and I also need to redo the greenery in the snow basket, it needs to be a brighter green to show up. I enlarged the design and think I got carried away, it is 7" x 6".
Now I have to decide how I want to finish it. The design is by All Through The Night. I did the piece in 6 strands of dmc floss.

Bean has been keeping me busy, most of the time. He has toys to play with but after a while, when I am not looking, he grabs something off a shelve and starts chewing, so I cannot take my eyes off of him. This is what happens, after a few seconds of quiet, I found this on the floor with him. I just bought it yesterday on sale, but still, I would have liked it to last the season, lol. I hope everyone had a fun halloween, no one stopped at our house, all the kids in the area, are grown and gone.

Friday Finish: Snow Angel

I got my first Christmas piece down, a million more to go, lol. This piece is called Snow Angel by All Through the Night. I love her designs and this one was no exception, it was fun to do and pick out wools to use in it. One thing I got when I hit the wool store this year, was a few yards or white shades, love the textured whites and they are fun to use in winter projects.

The wools are are a mix of new and thrift wools. I think this will be a happy piece to hang for the holidays. I decided to use snowflake buttons on mine, I think they are fun on this piece.