the shore, the garden, fabric

Yesterday, was a golf day off for hubby and we decided to take a short drive down the coast to the Stonehaven wharf. It is in the opposite direction of the in laws place at the beach and we hadn't been there in years. I like to get around with my camera, taking pictures that i store for future inspiration. My husband joked that he was 'driving Miss Daisy'. 

The terrain there is completely different than the more beach-y areas that stretch before and after it.

We don't see the fishing boats in the Bathurst basin as it is too shallow. Fun to read the names.

Afterwards, we went to the in laws place in Beresford to visit and take out the kayaks. There are lots of shore birds around right now as fall approaches. I cant believe I managed to catch this one in flight.

And this one with a fish.

The heron however, kept moving away from me.

This morning, after my tea and breakfast and getting clothes on the line, I made a couple of jars of  old fashioned blueberry jam using no pectin and less sugar. This recipe has maple syrup in it. I made 1/2 a recipe.

Wild Blueberry Jam

I'm planning to do a tomato and sausage stuffed zucchini for supper.

The garden is looking a bit wild with the nasturtiums winding their way around the cosmos and the herbs by the back door.

The sunflowers are just blooming and I really like them against the fence.

The scarlet runner beans are taking over the deck.

Late summer colors run from deep purples, pinks, oranges and gold.  I can't resist picking some of the wild tansy that  grows along the roads. It will dry out and hold it's color for months.

I can't possibly sketch or use all this inspiration in my work but I do try to enjoy all the sensual nourishment at least.

Now, I must go and get started on that zucchini

I'd love to hear how your enjoying your summer (or winter).

Swoon

I just have the hardest time to stay focused! I want to garden, I want to work on my fiber art, and then there's sketching. On top of that I've been taken with the Swoon blocks that have been allover the internet recently. I have some fabrics I've been collecting that I think would make a nice quilt for my mother. At first, I was looking for something quite easy, as I usually do, but pictures on Pinterest of the Swoon block were occupying my mind and playing 'what if?'. Go look it up on Pinterest. Beware though; it may captivate you!
There are so many versions out there. Isn't this one beautiful? No wonder I must try it!

I found that I needed to draw a sample out onto the graph paper in my book. Even now I still can't decide on the arrangement of the areas of color. I've also started to cut out a few pieces and piece them to get a feel for how it's going to work. I want to get at least one block done so that I can have it in my project box ready for when I need a traditional sewing project.
This is just the center part. There is still another row to go around.

Today, it's been sprinkling off and on. Stubborn as I am, I managed to get the line of clothes dry by putting them out, bringing them in, and putting them back out again. Crazy, huh?

I love to be in my sewing room and at my machine where I can view my raised bed, the garden and the clothesline. It makes me happy.

My tulip hanging is progressing slowly. I did another hour or so on the thread painting of the tulips.

I keep my sketches and specimens handy for reference.

The heavy stitching , despite the stiff interfacing, is causing the more scantily stitched background to buckle.

I'm somewhat confident that I'll be able to stitch it out. You can really see it in the pic below.

It's a learning process, isn't it? I must have moved the tulips around dozens of times before I finally committed to the arrangement and I'm still not happy!

In my down times, I've been knitting away, finishing 2 baby blankets from my stash. I'm slowly sewing the ends in.

Of course, I can't go a day without something new on the needles. I started this Spiral Staircase shawl  using a ball of Boboli Lace yarn by Berroco that I picked up on my last day trip.

I downloaded the pattern from Ravelry but could not figure it at all. A member of my Facebook knitting group came to my aid. The pattern really isn't written right clearly, but with her clarifications, it was easy. If I find it easy, it really is!

Sunny Sunday

When you're by yourself for meals, do you eat well? I don't always enjoy the mundane--ness of everyday cooking, but I do like to cook healthy. Even though my husband is away, I arose this morning early due to the bright sunshine and felt like making eggs. They turned into a veggie omelet for one.

After breakfast, I took my tea and the crossword out to the deck  and then I did a bit of catch up stuff in my studio. One thing I really wanted to get done was to get my tulip piece up on the wall where I could eye it for a few days in order to make the final edits before oi head to the machine with it.
I love the Lite Steam a Seam 2 because once you peel the paper backing off it sticks but is moveable until it gets ironed into place.

After lunch, I did a quick errand and then went on to my in laws for a short visit, dropping off a couple of extra little tomato plants. I've been busy in the garden the last few days getting all my vegetables in.

That meant today I could get to the perennial beds top finish the weeding and mulching. I was weeding away on the right section of my bed at the back fence when I looked up and just happened to notice this face peering at me.

I saw one of the swallows on the power line this morning, but wasn't sure if they were using the house. They have been quieter. I guess that explains it!

I moved over to the other side of the yard and did some weeding and mulching there.

As I was walking away to put away the tools, I spied a quick movement. The gold finches are using the recycled glass bath that I made last year.

This one is special because I stuck a solar light in the milk glass bowl section and it glows at night.


My birdy friends are popping up all over. I was taking a picture of my windowsill with the colored bottles and the flower stems that I had just picked when the female hummingbird showed up at the window feeder.

This is proof that contrary to my husbands fears, I did not kill the old apple tree when I  lopped off all the top of it while on snowshoes this spring!

I've also been trying to get back into my habit from last summer of doing little sketches of the bits and pieces that I pick up along the trail, the beach, or from my yard. I did this one at lunch time.

I'm starting to droop and I can see why after everything I did today! It's time for me to call it a day. I'm going to soak and settle in to find something to watch while I knit.

My garden, muffins

Only having so much energy in a day, I decide what activity I will do as my day unfolds. I'm limited in my physical pursuits right now while I wait to see the specialist for my hip and knee. I'm told I should hear in a few weeks. I miss taking my camera along on my trail walks. As compensation, I decided to do a little work outside today.
I chose a corner of my humble little garden border that I can see from my deck and kitchen window. Using a great ergonomic weeding tool,  (it's just there on the left)I cleaned it up a bit, pulling a few weeds. I'll add some mulch later with a little help from hubby.

The crooked pole is a clothesline pole.

There is a beautiful birch tree on the neighbor's property behind the border garden and hedge that houses birds, and sways and rustles in the wind. I never tire of observing it through all the seasons. I suppose some day we shall have to worry about it falling.
We also have an apple tree in the middle of the yard that is another bird haven.

It is also my view form my kitchen window and it allows us more privacy on the deck. No the rails are not quite finished yet but it's all useable so, I'm not complaining.
When one has limited mobility, one compensates by looking more carefully at the textures and colors in one's own space. I've re-discovered this little hidden patch of lichen against the fence behind the hedge Perhaps it will be inspiration for a fiber art piece.

I believe they're called British soldiers.
And I love this lichen growing on the apple tree.

After the gardening, I skipped  the sewing room and made muffins instead. Banana. date, walnut, yum! Perfect with a cup of chai spice tea.

Well, that's my day. i must go get dinner started. I hope your having a great Tuesday!

Mustard pickles, hydrangeas, strip piecing

The title of my post sounds a little strange. For those who follow the produce and flora of the season, it probably makes perfect sense.
After a chopping session last night in order for the cucumbers, celery, cauliflower and onions to soak in a brine while I slept, this morning, I got my bottles ready and cooked up a batch of my mother's mustard pickle recipe.

Thanks to my mother in law, Joyce for her help!
I've been waiting for a sunny day when I had time to pick some hydrangea to dry and today was the day.

For now they're on my deck because I spied a few ants which I'm hoping will vacate.

I dry a bunch in a vase every year to enjoy throughout the fall until December. I like to tuck them throughout the branches of my tabletop Christmas tree. It fills in empty spaces and adds such soft snowy prettiness. After that I dispose of them and wait until next September to pick some more.

Then, I had just a sliver of time to spend in my sewing studio, adding a few more curved strips to my beach themed piece.

The top piece is as yet uncut and un-sewn while I think about what I'll add next.I do way more thinking and piddling about than actually sewing! As I mentioned in my last post, this is something a bit different for me. I have an idea where I want to go: I'm feeling my way there. Whether I get there or not, the journey is fun.
I'm connecting to The Needle and Thread Network.

Seashells and a Big Old Pine Postcard

It didn't start out to be a great day--I went to bed with hip pain last night and awoke with it at 4AM. I took pain medication but couldn't get back to sleep until it was time to get up to drive my husband to work. My day for the car. I am thankful that I no longer have to go work; I was able to come home after a doctor's appointment and have a bit of a rest.
It is very hot and muggy here today. Thunder storms are forecast for later today. I haven't' ventured out except for my appointment and to water my plants. After the rain the other day, I took this photo of my lily which just came into bloom this week.

In summer, I always have a bouquet in the house although it's a little harder this year since I used some of my flower space for vegetables. I'll add wildflowers to the mix occasionally as well as fern or hosta leaves.
At lunch time, I still felt a little low, but the habit of sketching has become ingrained. It focuses me and takes my mind off the pain. I read somewhere just last night that the act of reating art can increase production of serotonin, so I guess it was just what I needed.

Something else that I saw  recently on Facebook (Martha Stewart, I think) was the idea of using a coffee press to steep loose tea for iced tea. What a great idea! Add some honey and lemon and put it in the frig when cooled.

While I was out this morning, I picked up a roasted chicken breast from the grocer and I made a corn and black bean salad to go with it. Easy. Gave me time to do a bit of stitching.

This is postcard sized 4" by 6". It is based on the picture you see on the I Pad screen taken by my niece.The background was done using the Neocolor II crayons and heat set.

It's going to be a little gift for someone.

Breakfast table sketches

My crazy hubby just called to tell me he' coming home early form work. I thought it was because it was too warm in the office but no, he's decided to try to get in a round of golf before the rain and thunder start. I stupidly agreed; we'll take a cart, just in case, and I'll get to see if my knee can hold up.
This morning, I finished one of what I now like to term 'my breakfast sketches'. Instead of doing the crossword right now while the wildflowers and such are in bloom,  I've decided to use my after breakfast tea time to do some quick little sketches. As you may spy in the background, other flotsam and jetsam from beach and woods make it to the table as well. It is an easy way to find the time to paint and a nice way to start the day.

I also did a tiny one for future reference. The attention to detail is meditative and relaxing.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a friend's garden and I thought you might enjoy a small peek. Her husband has spent years building it, making special little viewing and seating areas. I took several photos but this is my favorite

Here is another little seating area that overlooks the water.

It is a magical place.
I'm off to get ready. One thing's for sure; I'll either be wet from sweat or wet from the rain! Maybe both.
Have a great weekend and Happy July 4th to all my American readers!
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