July Snow

What can be better on a 98° summer day than spending some time in my cool basement Studio finishing up a winter wonderland scene?

Today I did the finishing work on Letter Snow.

Yesterday I bought a frame at a thrift store. Today I sanded it, then took it outside to spray paint it white. When it dried, I placed it on the paint racks in my Studio and added a couple layers of silver acrylic paint. I had the dark blue mat in my stash, so was able to put the finishing touches on the needlework without too much fuss.

This completes another of my 18 in 2018 goals. I plan to do a full July update on those goals later this week.

Morning Walk

I got out for my walk before the temperature hit 70°. That was a good move because we're in the middle of a heat wave. I wonder if these beauties survived the 98° heat today.

Horsing Around

We're having quite a heat wave this week. It's making sleep uncomfortable and difficult, so I was dragging around most of today. I decided to watch a couple movies and do this fun and fairly mindless activity.

Do you remember having sticker books as a kid? We had them sometimes as "summer activities" to keep us busy. Well this is a grown up version of a sticker book. I find it akin to adult coloring books. You simply match the colored stickers in the correct shape to fill in the blank spaces. These seahorses caught my fancy.

My daughter Julie gave me this Stickers by Numbers Book of Animals a while ago, but this is the first of the pages I completed. The bright colors send off a good vibe. And it was just enough activity to keep my hands busy as I watched the shows.

By the way, Brain on Fire was pretty good. But then, I like movies about people dealing with brain issues and how those issues can affect one's life.

Playing Footsie

On Melody's first birthday, she got to know her Auntie Jeanne a bit more intimately.

It's Me!

Because I haven't done one of these in a while ...

Hot, in July

Ah, Honey, I'm So Tiirrrred

I haven't been getting the sleep I need. Due to the heat mixed with "power surges" in my body, I'm not resting well.

I got less than six hours last night and felt like a zombie most of the day. Sigh

The temperature is likely to get up to 100 degrees in the next few days. Maybe it's time to get Melody a small wading pool to keep at Grandma's house. I could 'test' it for her this weekend.

Continuing Saga

The new decks are coming along well. All the framing was finished today. Here's what it looks like from the far east end of the back yard. You can see the slope of the yard and how the two deck levels are situated on the hill.

From the top of the hill on the north end of the house, it looks like this.

This last panorama image was taken from our kitchen. Those boards in front look curved due to the nature of panorama photos. All the dark wood you see was from the old oval-shaped deck. The lighter wood will support the new rectangular shape of the upper deck. On the left is where the upper deck will step down onto a lower deck.

Our new configuration will add a considerable amount of square footage to the upper deck, while the lower deck adds another seven feet from the old deck to the corner of the house. We've given up very little grass area for all this extra usable space. I'll finally have a place to hang my hammock!

Click for larger image

This evening, Dale and I bought some gray paint to cover the spots where the old railing was attached to the house. (Can you believe this house used to be a brick red color before we moved in!) We'll also paint the vertical boards that will show on the sides after the deck floor is installed. That installation should happen tomorrow!

We're enjoying working with this contractor and his sons. They are troopers for working in this 95 degree heat and maintain a great sense of  humor!

Harvesting Reality

In each of us ... OK, in me ... there are (at least) two beings. Fantasy Margaret and Reality Margaret.

One personality trait of Fantasy Margaret is that she believes she is a gardener. She'll tend to a small garden of tomatoes, green beans, peas, Swiss chard, carrots, lettuce. In addition, she'll maintain tiny kitchen herb garden. In Spring, her borders will be filled with flowering bulbs. In Summer, sunflowers and hosta. In Fall, she'll have a yard brimming with bright red burning bushes. She'll eventually add raspberries and a cherry tree.

Reality Margaret, however, has tried these things. I've had minor success. Quite minor. This year wasn't one of them. Recall that I planted an herb garden from seed. I had some sprouts. They died. I planted small starter plants of parsley, oregano, basil. The basil died. The parsley and oregano barely held on.

Today, I faced reality. I am not a gardener. I never will be a gardener unless and until the plants grab a hold of my soul and we grow together in harmony. So today, I harvested my meager herbs.

I don't harmonize with growing plants. So what? I harmonize with cross-stitch and sewing and crafts and photography and singing. I harmonize with making wreaths and flower arrangements from faux flowers. So this afternoon I used the containers from my herb garden and filled them with artificial flowers. They brighten up the corner of my kitchen where the herb garden perished.

I will, however, continue to take lovely photographs of my neighbors gardens. I can be satisfied with that.

Before ... During ...

Here's a photo of our deck (with me on top) that Dale took a couple weeks ago. It looks OK from a distance.

Our deck from the north/uphill side

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But the poor thing is over 30 years old and is showing its age.

The wood deck as seen from the kitchen door

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So we (with daughter Jeanne's drafting skills) drew up some plans, we picked some materials, we found a contractor, and they got to work this morning. Most of the demolition is done. Tomorrow they take out the stairs, power wash the old under structure, and seal the wood. Then they'll lay footings for a second, lower deck once we get a sprinkler head moved. They'll also deliver all the decking and railing.

What it looked like at lunchtime

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But tonight, this is what our deck looks like from the kitchen door.

Watch your step! That's more than a 5 foot drop.

Totems

While finding one of Jodie's geocaches at Willamette Heights Park in Springfield, Oregon, we were greeted by these two totems, the pole and a grazing deer.

"The stag is the king of the forest, the protector of all other creatures. For the native tribes of North America, the deer was a messenger, an animal of power, and a totem representing sensitivity, intuition and gentleness."

Blueberry Country

We took a lovely drive through a lush valley today. Blueberries are in season. The fields and orchards buzzed with activity.

The berries are beautiful hanging, ready to pick.

A Geo Kind of Day

Dale and Jodie and I were able to spend the better part of the day geocaching on this gorgeous summer day.

Jodie showed us all the caches she owns. Fun!

Make a Wish

and blow.....

A Year of Meditation

I realize meditation isn't an endurance sport or a competitive endeavor. All the same, I'm incredibly proud of myself for having the fortitude and persistence and ability to stick to it and reach this goal. WOW. A full year of meditation without missing a day!

Admittedly, some sessions I felt like I was "phoning it in" and doing the bare minimum. Overall, I managed an average of 10 minutes of meditation per session -- some as long as 20 minutes, others as short as 3 minutes.

I've recently found a new favorite series for meditative running. I walk instead of run due to physical limitations. What I enjoy is the coaching aspect of these guided meditations. I've never before been called an athlete, and I get to think of myself that way when listening to my coach.

I'm impressed at how easily I can slip into the habit of meditation now. Like in the waiting room of a doctor's office, or a grocery line, or a traffic jam. Breathe. Feel present. Observe. I have more patience during times of inconvenience.

I've attempted meditation off and on since high school. This year, I found the right teacher for me, Andy Puddicombe, at the right time. I'm grateful.


If you're interested in guided meditations, check out the Headspace app on your smartphone, or headspace.com for more information. At the time of this writing, they are offering 40% off your first year.

Dada and Babe

My son-in-law Jeff and my granddaughter, Melody

She can be such a serious little girl!

Let Her Eat Cake!

Another photo from my granddaughter Melody's birthday party, six weeks ago.

My Visitor

This robin has been hanging around our back deck for weeks. He's an inquisitive fellow ... and poops on the deck railing quite a bit.

My Today

with Dale

This Rose is My Rose

This rose bush in my front yard puts out only a few blooms every year. It has a most glorious aroma! 

The brilliant color slays me.

Throwback Thursday - 2000 (Part 4 of 4)

My year of small projects finished up with several more ornaments and one Thanksgiving stitchery.


Little Snowfriend

This cute little guy came as a free chart in a mailing for an offer for a cross-stitch magazine. He stitched up very quickly in just two days. I decided to stitch him on 14ct perforated plastic. It was a very fun project. (Some are quite fun, others are a test of patience). This Snowfriend has just enough shading to make him interesting, but only uses twelve colors of floss.

When the stitching was done, I trimmed it close to the stitching and backed him with craft felt. I kept this ornament for myself and hang it on the tree each year.

Tall Turkey

I stitched this goofy turkey for myself. I was born on Thanksgiving Day, so turkeys have always held a special place in my heart.

This chart calls for Gentle Art Sampler Threads, but is also charted for Anchor and DMC stranded floss. I chose to use the DMC floss for my bird. He's such a cutie! The button and fabric came with the chart.

I completed it as a quilted banner and hang him in our front hallway each Fall.

Elves and Spiders

These charming Christmas critters aren't cross-stitch, but did involve some sewing and beading. I found the elf pattern in one of the many Christmas craft books that I inherited from my mom. I made about a dozen of them in red, green and white. They have pipe cleaners for bodies, so they can bend and pose! Their heads are made from wooden balls, and their hands and feet are beads.

The spiders were made from bead kits. They are formed from beads and wire with various jewelry findings. The kit instructions were very clear, making the spiders fun to put together. Here's a close up of a similar spider that I made this year.

Over the years these elves and spiders have given my daughters quite a bit of fun. The elves have been known to ride on the backs of the spiders, use the spider's heads like soccer balls, and play follow the leader. I kept all the spiders, but gave many of the elves away to the UPS gal, the mail delivery gal, and my favorite waitresses. It's a joy to give a gift to someone who works hard, and isn't expecting something handmade.

Folk Art Snowmen Ornaments

This is the series of ornaments I stitched for my own family in 2000. These snowfolks caught my eye because they are just slightly tattered and torn, and have a real homey feel. They are stitched on Fiddler's Light ground cloth, a fabric with nubby brown fibers that help with the country/rustic flavor of the designs. The ornaments were finished as little banners with fringe on the bottom. The hanging "pole" is made from twisted paper ribbon. Clever!

There were eight ornaments in the kit, so I stitched the other three for my oldest sister - and got them to her on time!

In 2001 I was ready to work on some larger projects, beginning with a latch-hook rug. I look forward to sharing that and more next week.

Welcome Blanket

A story in two parts


Part One

When I was six years old, I had my very first birthday party where I was allowed to invite school friends. I invited friends from my new first grade class along with my best friend from kindergarten. It was one of the best days of my life. I felt indescribably special. Among other gifts, I received a Midge doll, Barbie's best friend.

But my very favorite gift was a big box with lots of tiny bottles filled with fragrances and a bunch of teeny tiny labels. It was a perfume lab ... sort of like a chemistry set for girls. The idea was to use the eyedropper to mix three drops from one bottle, six from another, two from a third and develop your very own personal scents. Then you could name your concoctions and add a label with the name of your new blended fragrance.

I so loved that gift! My family wasn't quite as thrilled because the new fragrances didn't necessarily smell good. But I loved it. Long after all the little bottles were used up, I carried the remaining mini labels around with me ... even to college.

One of the things I loved most about the experience of that gift was having that box full of possibilities. Ever since then, I've looked longingly at similar boxes of "learn to do this" crafts in stores. Learn to draw. Learn to make beaded bracelets. Learn to do macrame. Learn to fold origami. Wooden boxes full of pastels and watercolors and markers and colored pencils. But I didn't have the money for them as a kid, or even in high school. Then I outgrew them. My age grew beyond the age on the box: "For Children 6 to 12 Years Old."

Well, a couple months ago, I found myself in the aisle of Walmart where these enticing boxes are all lined up. I ran my hand along the shelf, that wistful little Mimi inside me yearning to explore all of them. I found one craft I've been meaning to learn: making a fleece blanket. I picked up the box. Sighed. Put it back on the shelf, knowing that it won't be so very long when I can buy a craft box for my granddaughter.

I moved on to the next aisle. Then walked back. I picked up the box again. Then put it on the shelf again. Then I looked at the price and realized I can afford this now! I didn't need it. There are all kinds of free ways to learn the technique. I had no use for such a blanket. But it was pretty and colorful and not very expensive. So I bought it, brought it home, and added it to the shelf of "someday" projects in my Studio.

Part Two

Those kids. Those parents. Torn apart at the border. Taken from each other for weeks and months. Me, feeling revulsion and impotent. It's a daily horror. Some of those little girls are even younger than my granddaughter. Their caregivers were not allowed to hold them and comfort them. Cruel. Unnecessary. I'm horrified that our government would treat people like this. Angry that we are told the United States no longer wants to help those seeking asylum.

No. Just no!

NO!!!!!

Yet what is my part? Financial donation? Carry a picket sign? Call my congressmen? What can I do that fits with my gifts and talents?




Then this opportunity was presented to me. Welcome Blankets. Here's what it's about in a nutshell:

The proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico is almost 2000 miles long. Imagine if the massive distance of this wall was re-conceptualized and re-contextualized not to divide, but to include. Instead of wall, a concrete line, to keep people out, what if lines of yarn became 3,500,640 yards of blankets to welcome people in?

A welcome blanket is traditionally created to lovingly mark the arrival of a new person into the world. In the Welcome Blanket project, each handmade blanket is a physical manifestation of this celebration of new refugees and other immigrants: “Welcome to the United States and your new life here! We are so glad you have arrived.”

So here I have a chance to do something tangible. Here I have a chance to use the blanket kit I'd bought. Here I have a chance to use my gifts and talents to maybe share some love through giving a gift of a fuzzy blanket to a child who could use some comfort.

When my two baby daughters and I left the women's shelter 30 years ago, we were given a blanket with a Snoopy print on it. We used it for decades - until it was shredded. I know what it's like to be homeless, and to be given the gift of love from someone who cares, someone who didn't even know me or my daughters. I'll never forget that gift.

So here's my chance.

On the 4th of July, I spent the entire day making a Welcome Blanket for a new American.

When cruelty, racism, and bigotry are eating away at our society, Welcome Blanket harnesses our creativity and community to stand up for those who are marginalized, those who are hurt, those who are often unseen. Together, we say: we are so glad you are here.

A full circle moment.

Cuddle Pile!

A little about my blanket:

The kit came with all the colorful squares. The slits were already cut to create tabs on all four sides of each square. It's as simple as lining the squares up and tying the tabs together with a square knot.  I thought the finished blanket was a little too wimpy and could use a back. So I looked through my stash and found a nice piece of black polar fleece.

I cut the black fleece to size, cut slits in the edge, then tied the colorful tabs on the quilt top to the black tabs on the quilt back. I reinforced each corner where the colored squares meet by tying black yarn through both top and bottom layers of the quilt. The finished quilt is approximately 36" x 56".

Hosta

The hosta forest in our front yard is in full bloom.

Yep. It's Here

It's been rather mild in the Pacific Northwest lately. But today ... yes today the temperatures rose. It feels like ...

I made this about 10 years ago. I display it on my mantle each summer.

Christmas in July

Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania

Happy 80th, Joany

Today we celebrated my mother-in-law's 80th birthday. Many of her grandkids and great-grandkids were able to come to the party, along with one of her best friends, two of her sons, one nephew, and her two brothers and their wives.

I put together this guestbook for all to sign. (My calligraphy is slowly coming along!)

We had food galore! BBQ hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs and steaks. Fresh corn-on-the-cob. Guacamole and chips. Many kinds of salad. Cookies. Cake and ice cream.

It was really good to see my nephews and their young families who live in western Washington. It was a day to remember.

Sleepy Girl

We took Melody on a walk to the river. She fell asleep along the way. We got to have "sleeping baby meditation" for a half hour before she woke up and played in the waves.

Throwback Thursday - 2000 (Part 3 of 4)

I continue looking back on the year 2000 starting with projects I completed in October. 

Pumpkin

This sweet 3-1/2 inch pumpkin design by Carolyn Meachum of Serendipity Designs came as a kit. I framed it in a gold frame and display it on my mantle each Fall.

Joy ChikadeeB

This tiny ornament is from a kit by the New Berlin Company. I gave this away as a gift.

Rustic Rose Towel

My sister received a chain letter from an elderly woman that she helped to care for. Though my sister usually disregards these kinds of letters, the elderly woman had received the chain from a favorite niece. So I was asked to fulfill the request because the woman was so excited about it.

In consultation with my sister, we picked out a design and color scheme. I found the pattern in one of my embroidery books, stitched it quickly, and sent the towel to my sister. She said that her client loved the towel and it made her day. It feels good to go out of my way every now and again to help out someone whose life isn't as easy as my own.

Shepherd Christmas Ornament

Here's another tiny ornament from a New Berlin Company kit. There are times when I need these quick stitches for a feeling of accomplishment

Noel Ornament

I fell in love with the simplicity of this pattern when I found it in an old version of Christmas Cross-Stitch by Better Homes and Gardens. This was an ideal introduction to Assisi work (also known as Voided Work). In this this type of stitching, the background is stitched and the ground cloth left exposed shows the design. Assisi work has the best result when the contrast between ground cloth and threads is high, like this white on red.

This ornament was stitched on red perforated paper with #8 perle coton. I then backed it with red felt. The banner's "pole" is a toothpick, stitched right into the top row of Xs. The finials are red beads, glued to the ends of the toothpick. I make the hanging cord from three plies of the perle coton. The finished size of this ornament is 1-5/8 inches by 4-1/8 inches.

The final #throwbackthursday from the Year 2000 ought to be posted next week.