Bouquet

 This beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived on our doorstep unexpectedly this afternoon. No, not for me.

They are a "Get Well Soon" bouquet for Dale. He made it through thyroid surgery today. All his girls (his mom, his wife, his daughters, his granddaughters) are breathing a sigh of relief tonight.

'nother Update

 I had bit of time to stitch after dinner. Here's tonight's progress.

And here's what Your Are What You Eat looks like so far.

Tigerfish

 I had a little time to stitch today, so finished the fish in the first section.

I like seeing a little more progress on You Are What You Eat.

Blackberry Season

They're wild

They're everywhere!

They're getting ripe.

Next Off My Needle

 I picked my next stitching project! 

I'm actually picking up a piece I started last year in May: You Are What You Eat

I'd gotten as far as stitching in some grid lines, outlining the three sections, stitching the center fishbowl, and stitching most of the cat in the left section.

So yesterday I broke in my new "stitching nest." We bought a glider/rocker for the living room. I set up my floor frame in front of it and a full-spectrum light next to it. I can use the footstool or window sill to hold my threads, scissors, thread conditioner, etc. Yesterday I finished the fishbowl outline and bubbles.

Today I started the fish.

The finished piece will be for my daughter Jeanne. Let's hope it's a house-warming gift because she'll have moved to Oregon by the time I finish it. I'm so looking forward to having her live close!

This is also a step in one of my 20 Goals in 2020 alternative goals: to finish 20 projects I've started or have kitted up. This will be the fourth such project.

Summer Joy

 It was a beautiful morning for a walk!

Sunshine Wreath

I've been teasing this summer craft for a couple months now. I finished it last weekend. It's a crochet and pompom wreath!

The base is made much like a hat. The crochet starts in the middle, increases to the size needed, then decreases to get smaller to fit the wreath form. This took about a skein and a half of yarn.

On the front, you can see how the increases make a sort of spiral shape at the points of increase.

I made pompoms in two sizes using my excellent pompom tool. I made six large pompoms and six extra-large pompoms. I also crocheted the two pink circles for the cheeks.

I did a dry fit on the wreath form, placing yarn markers at each spot where a pompom would be attached. I also figured out the cheek placement and marked the center with another yarn marker. Then I had to let the project sit for a while as I noodled out how to attach all the pieces together, how to place the eyes and mouth, and how big to make the stitches.

I finally just jumped in and tried it. All the planning in the world can't guarantee success. More problems usually arise. Many times, the solutions to problems reveal themselves as I work on a piece. I decided to tie the pompoms onto the base first. 

Then I sewed down the cheeks. I had to do the first cheek twice because my original sewing looked awkward. The solution was to use a running stitch instead of an overcast stitch. 

I used a disappearing ink sewing marker to draw out the eyes and mouth. I used some black yarn and a chain stitch to embroider the facial features.

I used a ten inch foam wreath form for this project. I fit the crocheted base around the wreath form.  It fit fairly well, but needed to be tighter so that the pompoms didn't droop.

So I threaded the end of the yarn through the edge of the base, cinched it up, crisscrossed it, and tied it into place. This way the front of the wreath has a nice taut base. (This photo shows my first attempt, before I attached the pompoms). 

It took a bit of finessing to get all the pompoms to line up around the wreath. Some of them were wiggly and needed a second piece of yarn to tie them to the base. That helped hold the rogue pomoms in place more securely.

The final wreath is about fourteen inches in diameter. I'd originally made this wreath to hang on the front porch and wanted it to be big enough to be seen from the street. Unfortunately, we have a lot of spiders that make their home on our porch (my American Flag Wreath has a nest of them). A yarn wreath wasn't going to survive. 

So instead, I hung the Sunshine Wreath over the fireplace in the living room. Dale and I will get to enjoy it there more often anyway.

I used an adorable pillow pattern by Repeat Crafter Me to make my wreath. Instead of making a back and stuffing it as a pillow, I used the form to make a wreath.

I'm pleased with the way it came out. Were I to change anything, I'd make smaller pompoms, probably all of the same size, and have more of them. But I ran out of yarn and don't feel like ordering another skein, so I'll leave the decoration as is. She's pretty cute.

Happy Mother's Day!

Some slippers Dale ordered for me in early May landed in our mailbox today. How fun is that! A pretty purple present out of the blue.

Cozy!

Maybe a little too cozy for a hot summer day, but they'll be a huge comfort in another couple months.

Peace Crane

While traveling down rabbit holes on YouTube this week, I happened on this video about how to fold an origami crane. I'd made many of these as a kid, but hadn't folded one in years. So I followed the instructions and made this:

Below is the video tutorial I used. It's part of the Peace Crane Project. The purpose of the project is to:

invite every student on the planet to fold an origami crane, write a message of peace on its wings, then exchange it with another student somewhere in the world. The Project builds friendships, strengthens hand-eye coordination and writing skills, teaches geography, exposes students to new languages and cultures, and empowers youth  to make a difference in their community, country, and world.

I appreciate such lofty goals. When I was a child, I loved having pen pals. That's how I came to enjoy writing letters. Of all the writing I do, the form of a letter is probably my favorite. So it's great that this program encourages youngsters to "meet" others from all over the world in such a tangible way.

I landed on The Peace Crane Project information after watching an excellent video by The Elders. It was the Finding Humanity webinar, originally aired on July 17, 2020. The topic concerned what it means to ‘build back better’ in a post COVID-19 world. If you have an hour, it's worth your time.

Don't know about The Elders?

In July 2007 Nelson Mandela founded The Elders and we began working for peace, justice and human rights for all.

The  Elders are a group of international statesmen (and women), former presidents and prime ministers, world religious leaders, and peace activists who work in cooperation to advise, inform and teach the possible ways for humanity to work together. There is much wisdom and experience in the group. My respect for them is high.

Dual Celebrations

Time to celebrate some minor holidays again! For August 3rd we have:

National Watermelon Day 
(our meal plan doesn't include actual watermelon ... too much natural sugar).



and Grab Some Nuts Day
(I added these to my lunch salad)

How will you celebrate?

Room With a View

I spent most of this lovely Sunday in my Studio, watching card-making videos on YouTube. My creative juices have been stirred and I have some interesting techniques to try.

By the time I looked up and gazed out the window, it was dusk. My neighbor's flower garden is looking particularly pretty in this light.

Then the sun put on a peach glow show.

Click for larger image

If a person has to be in lockdown, this is a pretty nice place to spend it.

July Goal Update

In July, I concentrated on these four goals:
* Listening to two more podcast short series

* Writing another letter to a friend

* Reading books

* Studio design

I finished the first three and had help toward the fourth. I also continued going above and beyond many of my other goals. I consider this as having made these activities a regular part of my life.

Overall Statistics

Completed: fourteen goals
In Progress: four goals + two alternate goals
Unstarted: two goals
High-achiever (reached my goal but did more anyway): eleven goals


---

Goal Details

1. Transcribe session from last year's Skamania Celebrate Your Life retreat

Finished in February

2. Create a watermark for my photos

Not yet

3. Memorize the names of all the U.S. presidents in order

Not yet

4. Reach a new goal weight

Finished the 1st in March.
Reached the 2nd goal weight in April.
Reached the 3rd goal in July.

5. Find a new doctor, a new dentist, and a psychiatrist

In progress:
Got my new doctor in February
Had another appointment with my mental health nurse in July
I have a lead on a dentist, but will forego making an appointment until the crisis is over.

6. Put together 20 jigsaw puzzles

Finished in February. 

I made two more in July:
32. Painted Wood Birdhouses - July 09

33. Pinwheels - July 13

7. File all new digital photos once per quarter

Finished first quarter in March
Finished second quarter in June

8. Zero out email box once per quarter

Finished first quarter in March
Finished second quarter in June

9. Learn to cook six keto dishes

Finished in March.
Learned two more in July:
15. Zoodle Alfredo

16. Keto Brownies

10. Listen to 20 podcast short series

I completed this goal in July! I recommend both:
19. The Way We Live Now with Dani Shapiro
20. Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell

11. Find 20 geocaches

Finished in March. 

I found seven more in July:
26. Checkermallow Access - July 3
27. Territorial Seed Co #9
28. A Dumpy Kind of Place
29. 2-Dogs
30. Currin Covered Bridge
31. Mosby Covered Bridge
32. Dorena Covered Bridge

12. Watch 20 movies or series from my Netflix / Netflix DVD / Amazon Prime / Hallmark queues

Finished in May. 

In July, I watched 14 more:
21. Love Actually - July 04 (DVD)
22. Jane Roe - July 05 (Tivo)
23. Victoria (Masterpiece PBS) - July 08 (TiVo)
24. The Vote - July 10 (TiVo)
25. Victor Borge's Funniest Moments - July 11 (DVD)
26. The Dressmaker - July 12 (Amazon Prime)
27. Homecoming with Julia Roberts - July 12 (Amazon Prime)
28. The Lake House - July 14 (Netflix)
29. Jump the Broom - July 19 (DVD)
30. Clueless - July 21 (Netflix) 
31. Mrs America - July 24 (Hulu) 
32. The Gospel According to Andre - July 24 (Hulu)
33. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot - July 24 (DVD)
34. Sweet Magnolias - July 26 (Netflix) 

13. Celebrate 20 minor holidays

Finished in May.
I celebrated two more in July:

25. International Kissing Day - July 6
26. International Chocolate Day - July 7

14. Read / listen to 20 books / audiobooks

I completed this goal in July!
16. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - July 10
17. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - July 21
18. God’s Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved by Sue Monk Kidd - July 29

19. Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett - July 30
20. The Children of Lir by Ann Carroll - July 31

15. Write 20 #throwbackthursday blog posts about my 2006 and 2007 projects.

Finished in June. 

Wrote five more in July: This entire years-long project is now done.

22. September 2007 (part 10) - July 2
23. October 2007 (part 11) - July 9
24. October 2007 (part 12) - July 16
24. November and December 2007 (part 13) - July 23
25. July Birthday Fairy - July 30

16. Create a preliminary design for permanent furniture and fixtures in my Studio.

Dale helped me start this goal by making a scaled drawing of my space. He's much better at precise measurement than I am.

17. Master bedroom closet organization.

Finished in February.

18. Send 20 letters / cards

Finished in July!

20. Sister - July 5
21. Friend - July 13
22. Friend - July 19

19. Paint 20 rocks.

Finished in March.
I painted 20 more in June.

20. Buy furniture: couch, loveseat, glider, dining room table.

Finished in April.



Alternate Goals

Complete 20 previously started projects 

3. Friends Forever stitched ornament - July 19

Make a food treat or a dessert each month

July - Keto Brownies (July 25) (yucky)



Word of the Year: Settle

Dale and I did quite a number of things around the house to help me feel more settled:
* Unsubscribed from some podcasts
* Unsubscribed from more email lists

* Sanded flower boxes

* Painted flower boxes

* Planted flower boxes

* Shelves in garage

* Sorted through more boxes

* Gave Grace a home by the front door

* Completely finished the #throwbackthursday blog/website photo project

I've also tried to watch the sunset most evenings. I take photos and share them on Facebook. It's a great way to settle into the end of a day.

---

In August, I'll put more effort into designing my Studio for more permanent furniture. Perhaps I'll look at those last two goals I've not yet started: creating a photo watermark and learning the names of all the U.S. Presidents in order.

Friends Forever

I had a hankering to do a bit of counted cross-stitch a couple weeks ago. My lifelong friend, Debi, was having a birthday, so I decided to stitch something up for her.

I dug into my stash to see what I could find. I remember buying the supplies for this chart and gathering them together in a kit. Then ... well, it got buried. The chart is Stitching Friends by designer Lizzie*Kate.

The design calls for some specialty fibers. These are beautiful overdyed colors from the Gentle Art Sampler Threads line. It's cotton floss that is hand dyed so there are subtle variations in shading throughout the skein. They come in beautiful colors with inventive names.

I used an evenweave ground fabric called Jobelan rather than typical aida cross-stitch fabric. I can tell that my eyesight is changing in my 60s. I needed a good amount of magnification to see the holes! The stitching went fairly quickly since the design is only about 4" x 4". The pink buttons used as embellishments were plucked from my stash.

I decided to finish the stitching as a basic padded ornament. I used this cotton fabric as the back. 

After adhering the ornament's front to the back, I used this gold cord to cover the edge and form the hanging loop.

Gosh, it was fun to stitch again! I'm so pleased with the result. I was heartened to hear my friend likes it too.

A nice bonus is that by using a kit I had on hand, completing this design is also a part of one of my 20 Goals in 2020. 

July Birthday Fairy

Because I completed my project of sharing all my 1996 - 2007 stitching projects, I thought I'd do a different kind of #throwbackthursday blog post today. Let's take a closer look at a piece I stitched for my daughter Jodie's birthday in 2004. I'll give this charming fairy a closer look.

She's been hanging in our entry hall this month. As July closes, she will go back into storage for another year.



This fairy is definitely an American lass. She's all decked out in red, white, and blue. She's holding an American flag and appears to be dressed up for a parade. I particularly like the wreath in her hair, adorned with red flowers. She's wearing a prominent beaded necklace.



Between her blue petticoat and red overdress, she wears a white underskirt that's embroidered in blue with red beading detail.



She stands amidst a flowered arch of blue blooms, green leaves, which is dotted with more red beaded buds.



One of her most beautiful features are her spectacular wings. They have extra shimmer because of the added layer of iridescent thread.



It's been several years since I looked at the July Birthday Fairy this closely. She really is a beauty.

Good Advice

I've been taking some longer walks around the neighborhood this week which includes walking past the front of the elementary school. (Our home backs up to the back side of the school).

I like the sign.

It's sound advice for the adults around here, too.

Time for another country ride in the convertible?

Pamper Day

I took some time to spruce up today. Gave myself a haircut, facial, foot mask, and teeth whitening treatment. Took an hour to read. Bought myself a couple pair of shorts.

I even made a zucchini casserole for dinner. Took a morning walk and picked a few blackberries along the way which we'll add to vanilla pudding for dessert.

A day in the life in Covidtime.

Reds and Yellows and Oranges

I found these beauties on today's walk.

Gladiolus

Indian Blanket ... with bee

Pom Wonderful

It's been a pompom kind of day. I made twelve altogether, six each of two sizes. It was an excellent activity to do while binge-watching the first season of Netflix's Sweet Magnolias.

If all goes well, I may be able to complete the project tomorrow.

Garden Gnome

I dunno why. Just liked it.

Hibiscus

One nice surprise about living in Oregon is recognizing old friends. Plant friends, in this case.

Growing up in southern California, we had a couple hibiscus bushes in our yard. I hadn't seen any in the 35+ years I lived in north Idaho. So I was pleasantly surprised to see a bush full of these white blooms in the space between our yard and our neighbor's driveway. So pretty.

Hello, old friend.