Miscellaneous tasks..........

I took my plants back outside today as I had to bring them in last week when we had that frost warning. 

Since I replanted my clematis last year it is growing and blooming like crazy!  I need to get in there and weed too!

Since I cleared the plants off the indoor shelf I was able to clean it and put my houseplants back where they belonged......

I've got laundry going and bread dough rising and I finally got my Stitch Maynia orders in although there are still things I need but they will have to wait....like the supplies that will go to this beauty........this is a Carolyn Manning cross stitch design that is based on Jane Stickle's 1863 quilt which if you are a quilter you have probably heard of it.  I have the pattern but not the fabric or floss.  It is only about 13 X 13 so it's not that big but look at all those colors!!!  LOVE!!!  She used a hand-dyed blue for the background and there is a row with no stitching around each square where the material shows through and then on the border too.  I'm thinking of using a yellow for the background or something besides blue.  I think it looks drab.  But then I imagine you don't want anything too striking that would interfere with all those designs and colors.  Let me know what you think.

I also managed to finish another Victorian Square........

The edges are curling up but that will be remedied when I block them all.  I also finished Miss Marple except for weaving in the ends so I will save that for Sunday's YOP.  I need to make some jar salads and then go pick up groceries from Walmart so enjoy your afternoon and stay well!
Happy Trails!!!

 

Stitch Maynia is taking over!!!

Yesterday I spent the day on my menu and shopping for groceries online.  It was an all-day event!  I didn't finish until 5:30!  I can pick them up on Friday at 3-4 p.m. and they are now predicting severe weather for tomorrow!  I'm hoping it will change. 
Today some other Walmart items came in the mail............things that I could not get in the pickup at my local Walmart.  I'll let them sit for 24 hours just to be on the safe side.  I do the same with my mail.

Today was spent figuring out the patterns for Stitch Maynia and then calculating fabric needed and if I need floss.  This has taken all afternoon too!  I did get a call from the hospice people.  They contact me every month since Jim died to see how I'm doing.  Then I had to go pick up my prescriptions.  I ordered an oximeter that measures your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood.  They have noticed that people with COVID-19 could still function even though their oxygen level was like 50% less than it should be!  They were amazed.  It was like a slow message to the brain but then they would just pass out while minutes earlier they seemed fine.   It's a handy gadget to have around so since I am 1 1/2 hours away from my doctor I thought I would get one.  It's about $37 or $47.  The doctor that was discussing these COVID-19 anomalies said that oximeters will eventually be like thermometers in the home.  I checked and my oxygen saturation was 98%.....pretty good! Connie this would be a great little device for Gene and you or maybe you have one already?
Now, I'm back to Stitch Maynia supply order from 3 different vendors!   It is fun and I have been saving up for this for a long time!  But it is complicated trying to use what you have and figuring the size of the fabric when you change the stitch count but it will save a lot of money, in the long run, to use what I have.

On breaks, I've been working on Miss Marple and I'm just about finished!  I'm also still garden planning and planting when it isn't raining.  It has been raining for days now.  Not all day but not weather you want to go out and work in or even take a walk as it comes and goes.  What have you all been up to?
I've been watching Stitching the High Notes who has been doing a daily Vlog and she hooked me up to 2 new recipe sites that look healthy and from what Johanna says, the recipes have been delicious!  So, I chose the ones she said were "keepers' and they are on my menu these coming weeks.  The sites are Against All Grains and Downshiftology.  Be happy and stay well! 
Happy Trails!!!

There's nothing to see here...really!

There are no pictures today.  I mowed my lawn and spent an hour picking up sticks and debris from the last storm and then came in and took a bath and I'm done now.  I've also been sneezing and blowing my nose continuously!  I was going to show you another finished Victorian Square but I goofed and had to tear it halfway back.  I need to make a menu and grocery list and get on Walmart's waiting list!  Until tomorrow!  Oh, BTW,  I didn't have any OFF so I pray I didn't get any ticks on me and then I noticed poison sumac growing up the side of the house again not to mention the armadillos are still at it......woe is me!  Not really....LOL!
Happy Trails!!!

Social Distancing People!!!

Evidently some people did not get the memo!  I went to the gas station which is the same one I have gone to for years.  It is self-serve and I never have to go in and I am always the only person there.  Not today!!!  There was a woman filling up so I waited.  I could have gone on the other side but I thought that was a bit close.  When she was done I pulled in and started filling up and I also needed to fill my gas container for the mower.  Well, wouldn't you know, a guy pulls up on the other side and then he gets out and starts talking to me!  I didn't have a mask on because I was not expecting to be that close to anyone!  I got out of there as fast as I could but at least I have my fuel and I hope nothing else!
Today was get the garbage out and empty all of the ones in the house and reline them.  I also cut up a cantaloupe and made some applesauce in the crockpot with some apples that were getting soft.

 I have no idea where the day went but it went!  I did work on calculating supplies and choosing patterns for Stitch Maynia but I guess I should have done it sooner because some of the online shops are out of items because Stitch Maynia is a big deal by a lot of people!  I'll manage but I need to get my orders in!  It's fun and exciting though.
I worked on my crochet WIP of Victorian Squares and got 1 1/2 done.  Oh, and I started with a G hook and I got lucky!  It ended up the same size as my other squares!  Tonight I'll work on Miss Marple as it is just knit right now and I can do that and watch t.v. 

 Speaking of, I am still watching Doc Martin to catch up.  I am reading The Nightingale (fiction) on my PC, and on my tablet, I am reading Reality Is Not What It Seems by Carlo Rovelli an Italian physicist (non-fiction) and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....a classic from the 1930's, I think. (fiction)
Time to call it a day!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #42

I have a finish!  My crocheted scarf/cowl.............

I love it although I can't wear it now but I will next winter!  I love the yarn the style and the color...so soft and squishy!  But it did hurt my hands so no more bulky yarn for me unless I have some in my stash to finish.  This was super bulky I think.  So, now that I finished this 'new'  project, I have to pick a crochet WIP and I chose this one............
the only problem is it calls for a 4.5 or size 7 hook which I don't have so I used either a G or an H  hook but I didn't write it down so I will have to use one and see how it sizes up with the squares I had done already..........

I only have 4 squares done and I don't know how big I'll be making it.  I'm using Stylecraft DK as I have lots of it in different colors.   Now, I can't do any other crochet until this is done!  Unless an emergency crochet situation arises but I doubt that will happen! LOL!

As for knitting, I am getting close to finishing my Miss Marple shawl/scarf and hope to have a finish next week........

Since this was a new knitting project, the next will have to be a WIP.
In the cross stitch category, I am still working on the COVID-19 remembrance piece.........

I am also prepping for Stitch Maynia 2020 and I have my first piece picked out and I have the pattern.
Beth Twist of Heartstring Samplery designed 4 cross stitch patterns each with a different theme; justice, faith, hope, and another one I can't remember at the moment.   They cost $12 each but $10 from each sale goes to a different charity.  This one, Justice, goes to an organization that fights human trafficking.    Eventually, I want to do all of them.

 

As for sewing; the ironing board cover was new so now to a WIP.  I thought this would be a crochet WIP but the crochet is all done and all that is left is the sewing so it is my sewing WIP!  I'm sure you remember this one............it's been around for a while but not for much longer! 

This was supposed to be my daughter's birthday present several years ago!  Well, she will be getting it this year for sure God willing!  These are the 4 sides of the basket

 

 This is the bottom of the basket

The bottom is the only part I have lined so far.  My daughter loves Frida Kahlo as an artist and the basket was named after her.  Then I was able to find Frida Kahlo fabric!  

 I have to line the sides, sew together and then I just realized I do need to crochet the handles but that shouldn't take too long.  

My craft room is coming along and it has motivated me to finish things now that I am organizing my projects.

It's raining today but yesterday was nice so I took a walk and some photos as things change so fast!  The redbuds are fading and soon so will the dogwoods but there is always something new to discover........dogwoods...........

 I don't know if you can see but dogwoods are sprinkled throughout the woods and it is like someone is shining a light from above in the middle of the forest.

These are new just since the day before when I took my walk!  We are surrounded by beauty even during a pandemic.

Stay safe, stay well and Happy Trails!!!