Happy New Year!!

Isn't it wonderful to finally say good by to 2020! Needless to say, it was one of a kind. We are celebrating with our granddaughter tonight. She is determined to stay awake until midnight. We will see!!!

Shaun the Sheep is sooooo glad the new year is almost here.  He, too, is one of a kind, but in a good way.

Thank you for following my blog posts. You will see a new website in the near future and I will be doing my posts from there with a link to all previous posts. Happy New Year! I wish you health, happiness and hopefully, time with family and friends. Stay safe in 2021!

 

Celtic Christmas Trees: More Christmas Gifts!

In 2017, I finished my Celtic Christmas tree. This is stitched on linen using white Sashiko thread. The pattern is from Indigo Niche Designs. I find this method of stitching very relaxing as I don't have to count stitches and pay close attention to the pattern.

This year, I stitched two more trees using red linen. One went to Tennessee and the other to Newfoundland. Both trees have seed beads randomly stitched over the tree and are stretched on to canvas panels.

• How to Sashiko Stitch from A Threaded Needle
• Sashiko Stitching for Beginners from KoeKoek
• Patterns and Tutorials from Radiant Home Studio  Free Patterns
  
• Step-by-Step Guide to Sashiko Stitching by Create Whimsy
• Sashiko Stitching by Machine from We All Sew
• Wikipedia   
• Check out my 2011 finish of Sashiko Tablecloth HERE 
  

Enjoy!

Have a Cup! Christmas Gifts

I can finally show you some of the Christmas gifts I made this year. These were inspired by Sue Spargo's 90 day Circle Sampler, from last fall's free on-line class. The cup was one of the embroidery patterns of that series. They were hand embroidered on a one inch wool circle, appliqued to a base. My tiny cups have a 5" x 5" white mat (the colours are a bit off, as you can see). Thanks, Sue, for the inspiration.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

My granddaughter decorated her tree here at our place last week. She has put birds on it for the last three years. Some, she picked out at the shop, but for the most part, she got them from our tree. Can't you just hear, ' Grandma, that bird would look so nice on my tree'. Well, here's a sample from that tree:

We are so lucky that our daughter and her family are in our bubble. 

Merry Christmas from Pine Grove, Nova Scotia. Stay safe!

• DIY Christmas Trees    
• More DIY Christmas Trees      
• Bird Ornaments on Pinterest HERE, HERE, & HERE   
  
• Handmade Bird Ornaments      
• Free Bird Pattern  
  

Enjoy!

My Studio Has New Shelves!!

This Christmas, I received an early gift - new upper shelves for my studio!!!  My husband asked me (big mistake) what I wanted for Christmas. My studio finished!  Well, he has started, with more storage to come in the new year.

My colourful wall below. I'm not as happy with this colour as I thought I would be. Live and learn. I'm going to redo it with the same paint colour as on the bottom. The wall to the right needs some sanding and is on the 'to do' list.

This is the other side of the shelves shown in the top photo. There is another steel shelve on the other side of the bins (shown below).

The other half of the room holds my office space / library,standalone embroidery machines, storage unit . . . Photos of the rest of the room will have to wait. Needless to say, I'm pleased with the process!

Talking about storage, have a look below:

• Studio Storage Solutions
  
• Simple Storage
• Coil & Crochet Basket   
• 50 + Fabric Baskets and Bins from Patchwork Posse
• Lots more at All Free Sewing 
  

Enjoy!

Ready for Christmas

All parcels have been mailed and most have been received, trees are up, floral arrangements done, dark fruitcake is made and wine has been purchased!

This year I opted to leave off the strands of tinsel.

My Charlie Brown tree is in the dining area. It's a skinny one and doesn't take up much room.

Here's a full view of the tree skirt that made my sister made a few years ago.

Our favourite dark fruitcake from an old recipe of mom's.

I have been making a few gifts but cannot show them until after Christmas. Stay tuned!!

Enjoy

Squash Squad Stitch Along is Finished!!

Nine weeks of stitching with Sue Spargo is over! I have enjoyed this project immensely. For one thing, I got to practise stitches, that under normal circumstances, I would probably not bother with! So thanks Sue!! 

These blocks are not yet stitched together. That will happen after I finish several Christmas presents. I am planning some more wool applique with vines and leaves, for the border. Stay tuned! It will be in the new year.

The squash used in this project are:

Spaghetti Squash           Long Island Cheese Pumpkin                           Queensland Blue Pumpkin

Baby Boo Pumpkin       Blue Hubbard Squash                                        Knuckle Head Pumpkin

Big Moon Pumpk          Mellow Yellow & Painted Purple Pumpkin      Porcelain Princess Pumpkin

 

Garden Sewing Box # 2

For the last several months, I have been working on another Garden Sewing Box. This one will be an on-line class for EAC - Embroiderers' Association of Canada. Since the original was completed in 2005, I felt it necessary to create another one. So here it is!

I enjoy teaching about the techniques used in my art work and this project has lots! 

Each photo was taken with the box lying on its side which is why the front feet aren't touching the counter top. Also, the top is not closed.

 As this is a functional sewing box, the inner box comes out.

To read about the first Sewing Box, please check HERE. 

See the four sides of the original box HERE.