Friday Finish!

 

This week I tried a comfort pillow. It is something the kids can hug and use as a pillow, so perfect for kids who might have to go to a shelter in an emergency. It is fairly easy to put together and can be done in different types of fabrics. I hand stitched the details, by using a tighter blanket stitch, so it is durable and will hold up to snuggles. I do need to tweak the pattern, his ears are too pointy, so I will round them off.

It has been too cold to get out for walks, so we go for rides along the ocean towns to enjoy the views. The cove at the point was frozen over.

At home I have had a lot of birds visiting the feeders and for that reason, more visits from the hawk. This guy was a big one, he is way up on a tall tree, half way across the yard.

And lots of snow, for once it didn't rain and the snow has stayed. The bad thing is, the cold has made the snow hard and dense, so it's too much for Bean to play in.

Today we got out for another ride and were able to see the remains of a shipwreck on the beach. This is the area that has the breakaway, that is being repaired. The storms have uncovered this ship and it is estimated to be about 40 feet wide and 100 foot long, but no other data on what ship.

The rest of the ship is in the water, under sand. It's amazing to see and wonder what it was like, before it went down. 

I hope you all had a nice week and not snowed in. We are missing the next big one that is hitting the south, but still under frigid cold conditions. A great time to stay inside and work on projects.

Friday Finish!

 

This week I got another idea, like I need any new ones. But this one is something I can do in my spare time, use up excess fabrics and do something good for others. I found some patterns for little teddy bears and made up a few to try them out. 

I read that police take stuffed toys to give to kids in crisis and also at shelters. They like small items that the kids can carry easily. I will have to check the local stations and find some shelters, to see what they take and what materials I can use. If anyone has experience with this and knows of places in the New England area, I would love your feedback. 

I have collected different ideas, so I will try some to see what works best and easiest to accomplish. Another idea is animal head pillows, something easy to make and something the kids can hold and use as a pillow in the shelters. The original pattern I found for the bears can be found at, Shiny Happy World.

I also finished punching my hearts, now I need to figure out what to do with them. I may make a garland with them.

We got enough snow last week, that I finally got to try out my new cross country skis. Bean loves running around with me, but also wants me to play ball, which is hard to do on skis.

We always get more activity at the feeder, not much to eat in the winter. This White-breasted Nuthatch decided to hang out with me on the porch.

I guess it felt safe with me there, so it took a little nap.

I also got peanuts, the Blue Jays love them and they are gone in minutes. 

Today we did some shopping before the mobs took over. We are expected to get snow starting Sunday afternoon, so we are all set when it hits. 

I hope everyone is staying safe this weekend, I know a lot of you will be hit with various storms as it comes through. 

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.

Friday Finish!

 This week I wanted to make a little mat for my side table. I also wanted something with reds for Valentines. I do enjoy hand quilting at night, so this was the perfect project to keep my hands busy and make something I needed. It was also a way to start using up old stash and these were precut mini squares, so they were perfect for a small mat.

Last weekend we went to the southern beaches for a ride and look for birds. Lots of birds, but always hard to catch them. I lucked out and found a hawk who was hanging out in the area and stayed long enough for a shot.

Another day we took a trip to the island. At one beach we enjoyed watching a tow boat bring in a larger boat with a long tow rope.

Once they got closer to the bridge, the tow pulled the rope in to be closer to the larger boat. They do this when they get into the narrower channels, for better control.

At another beach I spotted a couple of crows, hanging out on the icebergs. It has been raining today and then cold again, so I am hoping it will warm up so we can go on more walks and less riding. I hope you all have a nice weekend and enjoying the winter months by catching up on your own projects.

Friday Finish!

 

As usual I am working on several projects and started a new one. Most are taking time, so I always like to have a smaller project to finish for the week. I found this design from Dearie Dolls, who seems to have disappeared from the web, but still has her blog with freebies.

I made this for the kids, so I wanted it to be fun. I am still trying to get the blue pen out, but once that is set, I will use glitter in the snowballs. It is still wet, so it looks discolored.

Last week we went for a ride and stumbled onto a ceremony at the Westerly cemetery. It was for an area that only had one grave and later it was found out that there were 172 people buried there. They had veterans from each era represented and this group did the 3 gun salute.

On the weekend we drove into Connecticut so I could get some fabric and then stopped at a park for a walk. Lots of birds along the river, most were far away or constantly moving, but I got a few decent shots.

After we drove to Eagle landing on the Connecticut river and I was surprised when I saw the nesting eagles, hanging out in the trees nearby.

The next day we went into Connecticut again to visit the fish hatchery. They have paths along the river and into fields, so a good place to walk and enjoy the birds. 

Today we went to Jamestown, a nice place for a walk and enjoy some beach time, Beans favorite. I caught this bird, hanging out on a rock. I hope everyone had a nice week and nice weather for this weekend. 

Friday Finish, feathers and fun!

 

The fun thing about a new month is, a new project for the Stitch of the Month Club, by Kathy Schmitz. I really love this months design and wish there were more like it, so I could make a quilt from them. For now I decided to make a fun wall hanging and I added a saying that I thought was perfect for the design.

I used colored pencils and kept it bright and fun.

Last week we got out for some exploring. I have been studying areas with lakes or rivers and possible places where we might find Eagles. We found a beautiful section of river and I could hear birds in the trees, so I went in quietly and waited for them to move around. Not one would come out for a photo and just as I look up, I see something big with a white head fly by. By the time I got out to see it better, it had flown to the far end of the river. 

Not a great shot, but I spotted an immature Bald Eagle.

Our next stop was the state camping grounds, but they had it gated and I was not in the mood for a long walk to the camps. So, we headed to the other camp nearby for a short walk. We ended up finding a new trail and ended up walking for 3 miles. There was a lot of downfall but a nice quiet path, which is rare to find nowadays.

On the way back, we took the old fire road. Along the way we noticed a path that took us to this shed. I have no idea what it is for, but it is too small for anyone to sleep in, but it did have a lock originally. 

Another shack was nearby and taller, maybe an old outhouse? I did read that the CCC did work in the area, so maybe from that era.

Today Bill came home early so we could get out, before the rains come tomorrow. The tide was out, so the perfect time to go beach combing and get some fresh air. I got a nice haul today and I think I could have gotten a lot more if it wasn't so late. Winter weather tends to bring in more glass, so it's the perfect time to go.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and this finds you all healthy. 

The week before Christmas

 I thought I would do an extra post this week, since we will be busy for the next few days and I may just put up some photos on Friday. I had some nice time out this week and started making masks for my niece who works at a vet's office.

I wish I had known they were all woman there, I wanted to get fabrics that anyone could wear and not too bright. The store had some beautiful fabrics for ladies, but she seems pleased with the ones I made up, so I will be working on more, so everyone has one.

We also got out for some rides and nature viewing. There are more Great Blue Herons this year and they stay during the winter. I spotted this guy in the marsh and just as I got out to get a shot, he flew further away, so I wasn't able to get a good close up.

At another area, I spotted two more, in a marsh. They look small since they are resting, but they are the same size as the ones above.

We sat at the Breeze way and watched the boats go by, and was treated to this seal, who popped up for a few minutes to lounge on his back. I always seem to spot them when they are moving away. 

And the most fun was watching these Common Eiders. They were fishing and the seagull was following them around. He tried with all his might to steal a crab, one had caught, but he was no match for the Eider.

And we got home in time to watch the boys go sledding, at the nearby school.  They loved sledding and it was a joy to see them having so much fun.

And at home, I am enjoying my feathered friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and are able to spend it with family. May you be filled with the peace and love of the holiday spirt.

Friday Finish!

This week I finished one small project and about to finish a few more projects. I always like to have one small to do during the week and found a small simple one. A friend sent me a box of goodies last year and I had forgotten that it had kits in it, so I decided to make the little heart pin cushion.

After I made it, I decided to turn it into a lavender sachet, I really do need a lot of those. I am putting one in every box of supplies and also drawers, as well as books, the lavender keeps the musty smell away and it seems to keep the moths away, as well.

Nothing fancy, but fun and relaxing to make.

I also finished the second snowman pillow top. I was all ready to finish them, I added a border, then I noticed how crooked they were. So now I am trying to figure out if I need to redo the outer stitching, or cut more of the main piece, to follow the lines better. I am not sure if the lines are straight on any part, so I may just redo the bottom stitching and leave it as is, what do you think? I am waiting for my brain to work better, before I redo it.

We also got out last weekend, visited some new places, but no eagles. But, I did hit the jackpot with cemeteries, two old ones with a lot of unique stones, so I may just do a booklet and add some sayings and local folklore. I really got a good workout, between hiking and walking up and down hills, along with deep knee bends for better photos. It took a few days for my legs to recover, lol.

We also stopped at local waterfalls,  I love trying the Bulb feature to slow down the water's motion. I don't use a tripod, so I can only do a quick burst, but I was pleased with how this one came out. And if you notice the rocky outcropping, it reminds me of a dog with a stick in it's mouth.

And today I got a nice surprise, a belated Christmas box from my friend. She sent me some fun nautical decorations and made me this wonderful cross stitch piece. I always treasure the things my friends make me.

It looks like a storm is heading our way, so we may not get out as much, but I have been reorganizing and cleaning and today I made a lot of progress, so I can finally move my furniture around in my sewing room, to make it more functional. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay safe if you are in the storm's path.

Weekend Wanderings!

Another cold weekend, so shopping was more on the agenda than going for walks. The good thing is, we got to enjoy a few nice rides and check out the frozen scenery.

We drove down some back roads to see the rivers. With the snow and rain melting it all, the rivers were running fast and high. This area is part of an old mill village. There are mills all along the different sections and the main mill was a textile mill.

With the rising rivers, it meant rising waters. The boat ramp was getting swallowed up. A lot of people like to start here and go down river, along the rapids. We always start further down and paddle the slower moving, section. I noticed a few areas that I can get down to the mill section, so when the weather is better, I will have to do some exploring.

On Sunday we did our ride to the ocean. It is nice to get out and hit the stores at the south end and then enjoy the scenic drive, along the waterways to the ocean. The problem was, way too cold to get out. On the way home, we stopped at the boat launch in town. Even with the rains, the cove is still half frozen.

There are still boats in the water and I was surprised to see this pirate ship at the docks. I heard it is wintering in our harbor. It is actually a motor boat that was outfitted with a pirate facade. Even comes with it's own lady pirate.

I love shopping this time of year, got some great bargains and even found a large Glitter house church with lights for only 3.50. Another thing I have been looking at is bean bag chairs. I thought it might be a fun and comfy chair for my room, something I can sack out in when I am drawing or creating. I was surprised when I found one in a TJ Maxx home store and a matching ottoman, and half the price. So, it came home with me and it is so comfortable, but it is a lot bigger than I thought, lol. Now I have to redo my room, maybe time to get rid of things I just stuck in there. I will have to find a nice crate to use as a table.

For now I decided to leave the chaise in the room and I actually like it much better, now that it is in the other corner. Seems more cozy and with some large pillows and a quilt, it will be another cozy spot to relax. Still a work in progress, so I may change my mind again.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Time to get going on my projects and I even found two new greens to match up my stockings better.