Flowers and FNSI Results

 Here is a section of my as yet unweeded, unraked flower garden. I am in process of removing the forsythia bush...mainly because it does too well in this spot and overshadows everything else lol. It has beastly deep roots.

This was originally a vegetable garden but when I changed places of work, I no longer had time or energy to consistently devote to tending my gardens, so I removed all the raised beds and bought perennial bulbs and plants at discount prices. In here I have muscari, various types of lilies, daffodils (various types), tulips, astilbe, several types of hostas, and other plants I can't remember off the top of my head.  My ultimate goal was to create a perennial garden that blooms all summer long. Over time most of these perennials will  spread on their own, but they take some time to do so. So for the times the garden appears sparse, I add annual flowers like petunias or marigolds. I love these flowers because they are extremely hardy and so much less susceptible to frost which we can get right into June and again in September. The growing season here is so short, but I do love gardening.

I also love day lilies and have many throughout my yard. To demonstrate how hardy, and virtually indestructible they are, here are some that are in my son's old kiddy pool awaiting transplanting. They have been waiting about three years now, and yes, they do bloom here as well. Hoping I will get around to replanting them this year when we finish putting up the sections of fence along the road way. My forsythia bush will also be moved to there as well.

Okay, finally, let's get down to my FNSI...although I am showing only a small portion, I did get quite a lot of work done...

This is actually the reverse of my project, and it is easy to see why this has been dubbed "chicken scratch" embroidery. I had been doing some cross stitch prior to this project, and I found it difficult to get back to the imperfection of chicken scratch...I mean in cross stitch using aida cloth, each stitch is pretty much identical to its neighbours, in chicken scratch there is so much more room for variation in each stitch, but it really is quite lovely when done...not so the reverse of the work, but that too is acceptable =)

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. I worked this weekend, but also managed to finish opening the pool. The filtration system is set up, finally found the vacuum head attachment, the filter basket, etc. Tomorrow, if the nice weather continues, I will vacuum the pool, and I picked up gas for the lawn mower and, God willing, that will get done tomorrow as well. I also picked up some marigolds and cascading petunias for my hanging baskets and window boxes, as well as the earth I will need. Maybe I'll even have time to get to that tomorrow as well. Then I can take more photos....yay!

FNSI, Quilty Stitches, & On The Needles

Got busy yesterday at my quilting guild meeting, and having the cat shaved, and didn't get around to posting until now. Had a productive FNSI but as you will see in the photos, it really doesn't look like much. Forgot how slow going larger-sized projects can be. Plus it has been a long time since I worked on 14-count aida. So much smaller than the 11-count I've recently been working on for my smalls! Oh, my poor aging eyes!

I chose different colours than Corey at Little Miss Shabby, mostly because I didn't want to wait until my order from Herrschners arrives. Love blues, greens, and purples so that is likely what I am going to continue to go with. The fabric is 14-count Aida in Antique White, so the white stitching doesn't show up very well. I figure it will show more once the other colours fill up the interior. And I'm likely to backstitch my project as well.

Also worked on some knitting and crochet projects...

This is the January mid-month cloth. When finished, photo will be added to my monthly dishcloth KAL page.

Always wanted to crochet in the round. So I've decided to make some round scrubbies. Once I work these out to my liking, I'm going to make some to add to my Christmas box with dishcloths and dishtowels.

Oh, and here is the progress on Sock 1 of my first pair of socks. Bit of a standstill cause I dropped a couple of stitches and picked them up but 1 or maybe two rows down. Guess I was too excited cause I was on my last round before starting work on the toe. Oh well, will pick it up again when I catch up on some upcoming deadlines LOL

Well, that was about it for FNSI and Friday on the Needles. Linking up with Wendy for FNSI and Judy for FOTN!

For your viewing pleasure...

Here is Harpo sleeping being disturbed while trying to sleep along the back of the couch. Yikes his ear is dirty; probably from hanging out in front of the woodstove.

And here he is again in all his furless glory...

I usually only shave him in the Spring, but this year he has begun shedding en masse already. Every time I pick him up, I get a nose full and shirt full of fur...so off with his fur! He doesn't go out so he is plenty safe snuggled up near the woodstove. I actually have to shove him out of the way in order to add wood LOL

FNSI

I realize my time zone is only Thursday, but experience has shown that this is frequently a better evening for me to sew. On the Friday's I work (graveyard Thurs into Fri), the morning or afternoon is the best time for me to catch up on projects. I figure, Thursday or Friday, there is always someone sewing with me.

So I'll be joining in with those in Australia for FNSI ;)  sign-ups are over here at Wendy's! Scroll down, add your name, and join us...

FNSI Results

I'm late getting up my results because I worked night shift this weekend. Sorry ladies! As mentioned previously, I'm working on my project for the upcoming "For the Boys" blog hop so please excuse the cryptic photos...

 I'm hanging my pictures to be traced on the patio door and taping the fabric in front. My fancy lightbox lol.

 These are some of the strips I have cut out for my project.

 These are the big squares I'm using to trace my handstitching designs.

 Here is one square with the wash away stabilizer. This is my first time using this and I'm not sure If I even like using it.

 Just a quick snap to show the sturdiness the stabilizer gives.

 Here are bits of my stitchings.

 Back view

I have two squares complete and a third 3/4 of the way. With my son home, it is not easy finding a way to work on this, plus this afternoon I slept more than yesterday. So many people with colds, I'm not arguing about needing my rest. School starts up again tomorrow, so I should have more time to give this project. Enjoying it immensely. Especially feel good and sneaky about making something for my son that I know he will love and be so surprised when he receives at Christmas!

Thanks Wendy for another fun and successful FNSI! See you again next month.

FNSI is tonight!

FNSI with Wendy of Sugarlane Quilts is happening tonight.

I will be working tonight, so as I have a little time today, I will be working on my project for the "For The Boys" (with Head Cheerleader Amy)  blog hop in November hosted by Mdm Samm at Sew We Quilt.

I love FNSI, it is always so much fun to gather (virtually) with others, sewing, and mostly creating items for others or for ourselves. I really enjoy visiting the blogs over the weekend to see just what everyone has been up to. Lots of pretty things to see and inspiration for my next projects (an ever growing list!)

There is another nice prize again this month. I have a few patterns of Jenny of Elephantz and they are just great...this month, if your name is chosen by the random generator---name chooser thingy, you could win a lovely pink/striped fat quarter and two design patterns by J of E...a bag, and a cushion. Go see the photo on Wendy's blog and sign up while you're there.

See you later!

FNSI August 16

Edited Aug. 27/13: Random Generator selected Kelliott as FNSI winner of this lovely prize. Congratulations!

Oooh boy, am I in the dog house this week. I did some sewing almost every day except Friday night :)
I never did finish the lap quilt for my sil before her vacation ended. I learned a valuable lesson this week, you cannot sew a medium loft quilt with a regular presser foot...at least not and have stitches that resemble more than pinpricks. So I began the search for a walker foot. I have a simple sewing machine, a Babylock BL3500. I love my machine but accessories are seemingly not so simple to come by. I called my local Babylock dealer and they don't have in stock. Waiting a few days to hear back from them, I learned that I need to know what type of shank I have...googling led me to believe I have a low shank machine, so I will call the store later today and see if they can order me one. Phew!!!! I sure hope so because I so want to learn to quilt!!

So here is the sewing I have worked on this week...

 I moved the pins in the quilt from the corners of the blocks to the centers.

 Tied every second block corner using six-stranded embroidery thread. U.n.b.e.l.e.i.v.a.b.l.y hard to push the needle through. I was ever so grateful that I am only making a lap quilt.

 Trimmed my batting to fit, and then trimmed my backing fabric down to one inch.

 In an effort to make things easier, I am self binding with the backing fabric, but I will have to do this part by hand since I still don't have a walking foot, nor do I really want to wait too long to complete this project.

Now, on Thursday evening (technically Friday if you live in Australia lol) I worked on a top secret pin cushion project. I will be part of the

So this is as much as I dare to show here. Originality is not my strong suit so when I do manage to come up with an idea as much as I would love to share it...I have to keep it all hush hush.

 On Sunday I went shopping for sewing stuff. Believe it or not, I spent 2 and 1/2 hours in one store. Wow! I took the time to look at EveryThing! I bought some fusible, wash away embroidery stabilizer. Some pellon wonder under, pellon craft stabiliser. Quilting marking pencils, crewel needles, and some adorable pins with butterfly heads. Not that I needed the pins right now, but they were just so cute!

 The buttons, rings, clips, zippers, ribbon and trims are for a fidget apron I am planning to make for my mom who has Alzheimers and really loves to fidget with everything.

 Then I also bought lots of fabric. Natural Kona cotton, gingham black as well as marine, dishtowel fabric for Christmas gifts, flannel gingham in blue and green to make bootied pyjamas for my mom`s "baby" doll. The blue and yellow fabric in the foreground is what I will use for the fidget apron. The chick and rooster fabrics will likely become towel toppers for my kitchen. Oh, and in the back is some beautiful purple corduroy and a purple and blue "splotchy" fabric I think will end up as something in my mom's room.

Spent lots of money and had a great time. Then I came home and divided up the fabric into various ziplock baggies with the printed instructions and pattern pieces. So this week I will be getting down and busy.

I was too tired to do any sewing last night. I've been having trouble with my allergies this year. I'm taking pills, but on a day like yesterday when the pollen count is so high, I sneezed, sniffled, blew my nose and grumbled my way through the day. Today my ribs feel tender and achy front and back, but I feel better over all. At least I am not trying to rub my face off lol.

So, please excuse me for not really producing during this month's FNSI...but I will be back to try again next month! Now, I'm going to go hop around and see what is happening with everyone who signed up.

Thanks Wendy for hosting FNSI and Anthea for donating the lovely prize (scroll down to see). Good luck and good health Wendy in your retirement.

FNSI

Wow, can you believe Friday Night sew-in is almost upon us already?! What project should I work on...hmmm...I'll have to give it some thought.

Sign up with Wendy at Sugarlane Quilts.

Updates du jour

FNSI

 (**oops, thought I had already sent this through earlier**)

two prizes awarded  for this month's virtual sew-in provided by Anthea. Thank you for these tempting little lovlies.

And the winners of these prizes were selected by random generator.

1. Christina M, and
2. Cathy

A big thank you to Wendy for hosting this months FNSI!

Pilgrim's Progress RAL

While I was whizzing along in the first few chapters, they certainly became meatier as I continued reading. I read only for as long as I was able to concentrate and really digest as I read. I developed early on in life the bad habit of reading fast and skimming fluff...suffice to say there is none of that in this book.

Chapter 1-4

"I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second."

It is difficult to believe that no matter the wonderful promises of God and everlasting life, we still hold on to this one. With the ridicule and harsh words against us by those who do not believe. Coming to judgment is a scary affair. No matter how good I may be, there are many things for which I will be judged...shamefully, yet rightfully so.

There are many out there in our life who would like to persuade us not to follow the Christian path. Not out of malice, but out of misunderstanding or ignorance...friends, family, strangers. It is difficult to leave friends, family, and familiar ways behind. We really stick out when we do these things.

Like me, have you ever found yourself in the Slough of Despond? It is a very nasty place, and so easy to get yourself turned around in...like a white out during a blizzard where you cannot see your hand in front of your face and you dare not move in any direction, and yet you dare not remain still.

I like when Christian was told by Goodwill in Chapter 2: "Thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being straight and narrow." This suggests a serious focus.

Christian asks the Man in the Iron Cage: "For what did you bring yourself into this condition?"

The Man in the Iron Cage responds: "For the desires, pleasures, and gains of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight; but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me, like a burning worm." 

I like in chapter 3 where Christian says to Mistrust: "To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward." I have had thoughts like this. To stop living the Christian life is to go back to death. To continue living the Christian life is fear of death...fear of all the sorrows, the roaring lions, the wolves in sheep's clothing, but perseverance achieves life everlasting and so I continue on the straight and narrow path.

On more than one occasion I have fallen asleep, and had to retrace my steps. It is a worrisome affair!

Did you like the part where Porter talks to Christian about the lions. About how the lions are chained and are placed there for the trial of faith where it is, and for the finding out of those that have none. This is a really beautiful example of how God is in control of everything, and how he will let nothing harm us. It also shows how he tests us to help us learn about ourselves and to grow in our walk with Him.

"Jael slew Sisera", I am not familiar with this story. I had to search it out and found it in Judges 5:20 or with Shamgar, also in Judges. Guess I need to familarize myself with this particular chapter. Hmmm.

If I had to choose one thing that most spoke to me as I read, it was the following words found in Chapter 4 from the Valley of Shadow of Death: "...one of the wicked ones got behind him, and stepped up softly to him, and whisperingly suggested many wicked words to him, which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind. This put Christian more to it than anything he had met with before, even to think that he should now speak evil of Him that he had so much loved before." "...but he had not the wisdom either to stop his ears, or to know from whence those wicked words came."

Sometimes it is hard to know whether the voice or thoughts in your head are actually your own. Those little tempting thoughts, encouraging you to do what you know is wrong. Read that book, watch that immoral program, don't come to a full stop at the stop sign because there is no one there....

This book is so meaty, that I am going to stop my comments here. My thoughts on the remaining chapter contents of Part 1, are very unformulated. I'm not sure that I will blog any further comments on my reading done to date, but I will continue with my reading into Part 2 in an effort to complete my RAL on time or not too far off my designated end date of August 9, but I will be reading this again. Perhaps this Fall once my routine returns more to normal with the start of school for my son and for us when the sun sets earlier. I think I will purchase a copy with notes, but I'm undecided if I want a paper copy or ebook copy. I still prefer a paper copy...guess that shows my age :)

Project 119

Whoo boy, I am incredibly behind. I have memorized the first verse only.

Psalm 119: 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

I have not kept up with using Scripture Typer, and really just not had the focus to memorize. I will get back to this.

- Clematis - in my garden

FNSI July 19 (Part 2)

Well, the weather held out, and I settle in for some sewing. The plan was to use PUL (my first time ever) to make a pail liner for wet clothes. I read the instructions...closely I might add...and proceeded to sew two rectangles together using a French seam. This fabric is quite slippery - strike one for fabrics I enjoy working with, but it did have a love swishy type sound when being sewn. That was enjoyable. Slowly but surely I sewed down for the first half of the seam, and poked and prodded and finger pressed open the seam and resewed to encase the first seam. Nice swishy sound sewing the second seam.

Now, I have done French seams a few times before...but never on fabric that I am not supposed to iron. Um, I decided to try it anyway you know (a bit OCD perhaps but I like a nice flat seam), and here is my result.

Notice how Mr. Froggie has lost his head. Head shaking in shame and burning face of frustration I put this aside not knowing which way to go next. I figure I tackle it later today when I've had more time to think...maybe just cut this seam off, and resew using other end of rectangle...I've got about 3" left to spare of this fabric so...

But, last night I was determined to sew. I also wanted to get started on making some bibs for a friends new baby (idea to use PUL nixed due to previous oops) so I moved back to cotton. My absolute favourite fabric for ease of use and soooo forgiving.

This past week, I bought a book called "Baby Essentials Made Easy" by Babyville Boutique. And yesterday I picked up some adorable novelty print cotton fabric, a big roll of tracing paper, and several other sewing items. So I got busy tracing the bib pattern from the book, then proceeded to cut out my front and back pieces and a flannel piece to be sandwiched in between. This must be a night of bloopers because when cutting the backing fabric, I forgot to reverse both the fabric and the pattern piece so my pretty pea novelty print will end up on the wrong side or I may just put the snap on anyway and let it be attached on the left side instead of the right side. And this is the result.

Perfect it is not, but this is the first ever bib I have made and I am pleased enough with the results. So this is the extent of my FNSI. By this point it was almost 10 p.m. and I just couldn't take the heat in my sewing room anymore. Even with the door open and the fan going directly on me enough was enough, it was time to call it a night.

Had a great time though regardless of my bloopers.

FNSI July 19 (Part 1)

I'm feeling a bit nervy. We are experiencing stronger than everyday winds and excessive heat and this has been joined by stormy weather. I've been hearing the thunder for the last hour, and the grey clouds accompanied by rain have moved in. The lights are beginning to flicker and I am worried I may not be able to sew tonight if we lose power. Ugh!

I picked up the last few things I needed to play around with my diaper wet clothing pail cover, bibs for two friends newborns, and clear vinyl to work on some see thru zipper purse pouches.

So just in case I am putting out this little note, because if I cannot sew, then I will cut in preparation to sew over the weekend.

Happy sewing, and if I can be there, I will.

FNSI

Woo hoo, FNSI is up and running again and I have time to sew this Friday.  Sugarlane Quilts is hosting for the next three months while Handmade by Heidi takes a needed (and well deserved) blogging break.

I need to work on the John Deere apron for a Christmas present, I'm making a lapquilt for my sister-in-law who is coming down next month to visit for two weeks, so I will aim to have it completed by the time she leaves. I'm just beginning to cut out my squares for this project. I have a bag liner in the works and some baby bibs for a gift. Guess we'll see what's what as Friday evening progresses.

See you Saturday with my photos...