Snow day activities

This is what we woke up to this morning. I’m looking forward to seeing the glow through the snow on the rail when the snowflake lights come on at dusk.

My husband took my car with the all wheel drive to work as I decided not to venture out to knitting this afternoon. We are heading to PEI on Friday for our grandson Ollie’s 3rd birthday and it was nice to stay home and get some little things done so I won’t be stressed later in the week.

I’ve finished the advent calendar except for the hanging sleeve which is done and ready to hand stitch.

Then I wrapped all the little surprises.

I got a chicken and vegetables ready for roasting shortly. My oven was cleaned on Friday but I just cleaned the racks this morning. Done.

Sometimes I like to take a break from my fiber art pieces to make smaller gifts items like, zippered pouches, book marks, little notebooks, needle cases, etc. My last large piece of painted canvas is all used up; it was time to make a new one. I found some raw canvas and randomly coated it with a base layer of acrylic paint.

The picture appears a bit darker than the actual color but there will a few more layers of paint with stamping and screening. It’s large enough that I can cut it up when the inspiration strikes for me to make a small item. It is  a fun exercise, especially going through my stamps and screens to see what I’ll add next. It looks messy now but when it’s finished with all the layers and stitching it’ll be different,

Winter is here, advent calendar

The choice is I can be cranky about the early snowfall or I can strap on the snow shoes and get out there. It took a little pushing myself though; one must set the intention first thing in the morning while planning the day and stick to it.

At least it’s mild today and calm- very peaceful out there. I tried to take it slowly and with intention, focusing on the stillness, the air, the smells, and the view. I’ve been feeling anxious and stressed- probably the time of year but also I’ve been detoxing off the drug Gabapentin which has been a real trial. I’ve been on rather high doses for years with numerous side effects including weight gain and decided I’d had enough. I’ve been slowly reducing the dosage for a long time and finally stopped it about 2 weeks ago. The first 10 days were the worst with terrible insomnia and nerve problems. It’s easing although I’m still having anxiety and sweating.

I also took a few pictures as reference for another chickadee on the hand piece that I’m going to start as a commission.

No chickadees today; I was just posing. This is how I get started beyond the spark in the mind. I’m testing out poses and backgrounds. The hand and bird are paper prints of my photo from another year.

So that’s percolating...

I also took a photo of some curly birch bark as I’d like to add some to my birch tree.

I haven’t yet added the berry stalks. They will come after the background stitching is done.

This morning I finally got all the pockets stitched down on the advent calendar for Ollie who is now almost 3 yrs. 

I still have to add a sleeve for hanging on the back and free motion stitch something on top. Maybe trees. I need to find some little books.


Finally, but most exciting is my daughter’s news this morning that she is expecting a second boy. She’s almost 5 months.

Thread sketching birch

I can’t believe I’m writing this - today was a snow day - and it’s been kind of a lazy day here. I’m slow getting moving in the morning, especially right now when I’m plagued  with sleep issues. I’ve been working on giving myself a break. I actually sat with my tea and watched an hour of a talk show this morning,  something previously unheard of unless I was sick. Then, I moved and slowly did a few little chores and by then it’s lunch time. Dinner tonight is leftover stew so I had the afternoon to stitch away in the studio.

How does one slow the clock? Here we are again slipping into winter with our first storm and it feels like I’ve just been writing about snow and wishing for summer and now it’s passed and we’re heading into the ‘dark again’ Ever conscious of not wanting to wish time away, I do try to take advantage of winter sports. It’s not that I prefer summer; I find it often too hot. Early fall is perfect and all too short. Ok, so that’s my little rant. Enough.

Some happy stitching time was needed.

Free motion stitching on all those organic leaf shapes is relaxing.

In my down time, I finished a baby sweater. It’s a size 6 months. My daughter is expecting our 2nd grandchild; we don’t know the sex yet. I enjoy knitting little sweaters though and can always use them for gifts. It was knit bottom up so I could adjust the neck. It seems a little loose.

This one that I’m knitting (it’s a top down) now would suit a boy I think.

Stitching mosses, thread lace

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours cutting the rest of the leaves and most of the shadows or highlights on the birch 🌲  piece. 

Then I tacked it up onto the design wall in order to eye it over the next few days checking for anything I need to change or add. The berry stalks are Once the under-layer is done, I’ll add the leaves atop. I can’t wait to start stitching them down. 

I did a short video showing free motion stitching on the thread lace moss.

moss

Last night I finished up the needle lace moss and cut it off of the netting.

This morning, I had an appointment with the specialist for my shoulder and my foot. She gave me a cortisone shot to  the shoulder and ordered one done in radiology for the foot.

We are expecting some snow in the next couple days, yuck, so I thought I’d better get out for a walk today. Picked up a friend and did a nearby woodsy trail. I had to push myself but I’m glad I got out. The forest never fails to relax and inspire me. It’s all about balance.

Finally, I got the piece under the needle where I temporarily removed some leaves and stitched on some black wooly texture as well as some moss.

I did a short video of free motion stitching down some moss.