April showers

In recent weeks my blogging seems to have missed the mark.

Daylight savings again, spring arrived and thankfully winter has ended.  Even on the last day of winter we had morning hail/rain and snow showers.  Enough already of the white stuff!   And yes, it's back to rain for us, at least we seen green and signs of spring.

Here's a bit of what has kept me busy.....

stitched gifts sent

 


Mail art stitched and sent.  Inside pocket and outside back of the envelope.


Next up, something new for me, an embroidery SAL.   In my effort to use from stash, the redwork became blue.   The crochet edging is vintage.  My grandmother made this edging years ago.  I've a few more pieces tucked away.  It's taken all this time to find the right home to place it.  Nan would be pleased with my choice.

Socks, who would have thought that it could be done.....March 21st I cast on stitches and embarked on a journey of dropped stitches, picked them up, lots of muttering and more or less figured out the heel and gusset stuff.

 

And then things went awry  heading down to the toes......

a tad short but a finish just the same (March 31st).    I'm already thinking about knitting a pair.  This one will be my "where did I go wrong".

With my slow stitches, anything goes.    Thus far there are eight fabric blocks with applique shells and flowers.

Behind the sink....the mango seed sprouted

 

It doesn't take long to grow up and out.   There is almost daily growth.  

Out the patio door, a bit of spring.  Simple pots purchased, well worth the wait.

 

And last but not least, snow garland.  For all the snow that fell since December this was the only time we saw this garland effect.

All for now. 

finishing up

Somewhere along the way I realized that I hadn't posted what I made for the Santa Swap....

a small reversible bag  .......chocolat  inside and out.

 

hand applique/hand quilted, my efforts are are humble and heartfelt.  There is something so nice about slow stitches.  I'll never be a quilter but I'd love trying this.

Eco dyeing project.  Fabric panel sewn and carry bag made.  There were other made/bought goodies but I missed a photo.  It was a fun swap.

We're back to rain and milder temperatures on the west coast...hopefully the worst of winter is done and we can look forward to spring.

Have a good week!

Happy Valentine's Day

Family Day (BC holiday yesterday), ready for our family lunch. 

 After the photo, the cake was moved out of site until it was time for 'let's have cake'.

As for a photo of two boys together and the cake.... this is it!

Mom and the boys, priceless.

the boys......our joy

From my last post as promised a photo of  the Christmas Tree quilt.  

A photo truly doesn't do it justice.  It is a treasure.

Have a wonderful week!

Come Saturday morning.......

and no snow in our forecast!  Definitely a nice change.Yes there is still a lot of white stuff on the rooftops but so much better than we've had in the past week.

This is a bit of a catch up.  Be warned many photos to come.....


Christmas 2016, well it's a wrap.   Many hand made ornaments grace our tree.  And many of them are gifts received, thank you dear friends.

 



Treasures..... new,  a 3D snowglobe Christmas card  and family ornaments from Christmas's past.
    

 


An exchange gift received from Mary B.  Santa Sack Swap is an annual event.  I can't express enough my thanks to my partner.  Nestled behind the JOY banner is a Christmas Tree quilt that Mary made.  I will treasure it always.  A full size photo to follow.

Part of a gift made for my daughter.   Hand made brings happiness.

Winter snow

Breaking out the hedge.  A little fellow could get lost out there.

And yet more of the white stuff.

Recent visitors

 




footprints in the snow  and we discovered they belong to....

And the attitude I got for providing a bit of food.  I kept my distance, as did the cat.  In all the cold and snow it only seemed right to help out a bit.

And the men of the house...

 

Over the hedge the snow is really going away. Several dump truck loads hauled away and they're not near done yet.

And the noise doesn't seem to deter the hummers.

and finally, if you followed to the end of this post....when ideas come together

 

wine coasters with some hand applique, a birthday gift in the making

and a mug/wine rug for me.  Seldom do I make something just for myself.  

and that is a wrap!  Happy weekend to all.

about the snow ice cream

It's pretty good.  Lots of recipes to pick from.   A blog, happyhooligans.ca offered a simple recipe and photos so I gave it a try.

Here's my version:

8-12 cups fresh snow
1 tsp vanilla (I used more)
150 ml (1/2 can) condensed milk
Creme of coconut  to taste

Mix vanilla and snow.  Slowly add the condensed milk/creme of coconut and stir till well mixed.  I put the mixture in a low covered container and then to the freezer.  Of course some sampling.   The condensed milk/coconut worked out well, just the right amount of sweetness.

Definitely worth the wait!  

about that snow.....

Snow started falling yesterday morning and just didn't let up till well in to the evening.  And guess what, it's snowing again.   This time I am going to scoop some fresh snow to stash away in the freezer to make some snow ice cream in the summer.   Done and in the freezer.  Now what to do with the rest of it.

The hummingbirds seem to be taking this weather hiccup in stride.  At any time at least one is perched on a limb under the umbrella while others are nearby.

Sully is checking out the snow, again.   This is shared hummer space too.  It becomes a standoff...that is until the hummers buddy up to dive at Sully and then it is all done...till the next time.

Yesterday made a batch of Amish White bread.  Other than cutting down the sugar it has be a great recipe.  Once having home made bread it is hard to go back to store bought, let alone the price difference.

My Saturday started way to early this morning, somewhere around 1:30 am (way too early) then 5ish time for a bit of coffee and finally up for the day around 7.  A full nights sleep is rare, it must be a getting older thing akin to staying up late.

In the best laid plans visiting Venice for Carnival will not happen this year, it is mind you on the list. Meanwhile thanks to live cam Venice, San Marco  .......it is a window to a favorite place and a small way to share in the sights and sounds.

stay warm and dry this weekend.

Welcome February

and another step closer to spring!

I need to take a wonder through the far end of our patio to see what is poking up from the ground. Further down the complex in a neighbor's garden the daffodils are already up a few inches.  Mind you there is still frost overnight and a mention of snow for Friday so ........the countdown to an early spring might be delayed.

Meanwhile indoors things are moving- from room to room, a work in progress.   Letting go is not so easy at some points but other moments it's " LET IT GO" .

Rarely do I ever comment on our world/politics/what's going on but events of recent weeks leave me shaking my head (well more than that actually) but if you can't say something nice........................... be kind, be respectful, share a smile, keep some common sense.  

back to the rain.....

It's not too late to say Happy New Year!

What started early in December as a cold snap and snowfall lasted some six weeks.   It was a long haul for sure.  Definitely a good reason to rediscover neglected indoor projects.  I realized how much pleasure I get from making gifts.  I hope to continue this in 2017.  My goal this year is to work from stash for most projects.

The hummingbird featured in the header photo is one of three that come.  All through the cold and dark mornings, they came.   Now that the temperature is a bit more to normal they still come but seem to be elsewhere during midday.

Local stores are selling primulas....the colors so bright  and yes hopeful that spring will come.  I'm so looking forward to this year's garden.

Earlier this week  I cut out fabric, basted it in place and started the first stitches on a hand applique panel.  When the panels and pieces are done I hope they will become a quilt....no photos yet.

There is progress in my efforts to de-clutter ......the good stemware is meant to be used, same for the dishes.  No more 'just for special occasions', it's nice to see the table set.  Other items have been sent to the thrift store.  The sorting is getting easier, well mostly, it is a work in progress.

Thanks to my husband  recent purchases have been built.  A bench/storage unit, the desk the computer now sits on and a side chair.  Improvements for sure.  Of course it means that as something new comes in, something else has to go.  

And so it continues...  welcome to 2017!