One Fish, Two Fish

 Yesterday was a mix of heavy rains and showers. The high got to 24C (humidex 32C). This morning it is cloudy and 20C (humidex 27C). Today is supposed to be a mix of showers and clouds. The high is to get to 24C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

The rain hit with a vengeance and I stood and watched it run off the road into the ditch. The ditch was about 1/4 and running like a stream. We had several of those during the day with a lot of rain and showers. With the humidity it felt like tropical soup and you could say that you were breathing through a wet towel. 

I was out late in the morning to mail a parcel. I was lucky enough to go between the rain storms. I was gone for maybe 20 minutes max and it rained after I got home. I did pick up my mail and when I drove up the street to turn around I saw this doe pruning someone's hosta plants. 

The plants loved the rain and humidity. The cucumbers are standing up like they are ready to salute someone. The rest of the plants are looking happy also. I am hoping the lawn will show more green growth after this rain. 

I was out to the community hall at 5 pm. It was time to put everything away after having the floors refinished. The floors look amazing. They are birch and quite light. The hall looks brighter now. We put felt pads on a lot of the chairs so they won't scratch the floor. It wasn't a hard job to do. Then another member and I scrubbed tables using a drill and a brush. I ran the drill and got all the tables but 2 done. I think I did 23 tables and they are now clean as we could get them. Son, and 2 other men moved tables and chairs back to their right spots. Daughter-in-law cleaned the kitchen, the bathrooms were done by the person who does the cleaning, and the curtains were hung by daughter-in-law and another person. We left the hall tired but happy. I am suffering today but am glad I went and did my part. I can live on Tylenol for the next 24 hours. 

Sewing

I sewed in the morning and then in the afternoon. It was a marathon as I wanted to get the Market Tote done. I had figured out how to do the handles in my head and did a test. It worked so I made the handles. It wasn't hard. I cut the fabric 1" longer than required and made the tube. I cut the webbing the correct length. I measured 1/2" from each edge and marked it. I pulled the webbing through the tube and adjusted it so it was at the line. I folded it over and held it with clips. The other end was folded over and clipped. I repeated that for the other handle. I topped stitched 1/8" from each edge. Then I sewed the straps on according to the pattern. 

I decided to make stuffed fish for the bag and I used a pattern for it. Yes, I stitched around the fish and left an opening to stuff it. 

I ended up making 2 fish but am not sure if I like the bag with one fish or both. 

This fish is my favourite. Not too bold and allows the sea gull to be the focal point. 

Two fish which may be too much. 

The only thing left is to string some wooden beads on a ribbon and see if I like it on the hook. I am at the point where I want this bag done and gone. 

Thoughts

    I may have shared the cookie recipe a long time ago but here it is again. 

I cut the recipe in half to make 3 dozen cookies. I use 1/3 tsp of cinnamon when I do them. I also weigh the balls -- 20 grams. The recipe is old. My mother use to make these and they were a favourite when I was a child. They are still a favourite today. 

    The humidity got to me yesterday. I have an air exchange system in the house and it lets in lots of humid air. I didn't hear the dehumidifier running and ran to empty it. I had the upstair's heat pump on dehumidify and should have put on the basement one also. The basement was not comfortable to work in. I will put it on today. This humid air is supposed to move on after today and it will be sunny and hot this weekend. 

Today

I have a dentist appointment this morning and then will be working on the bag. I want to apply some heat to my sore muscles and rest them. It won't be a busy day for me. 

Until the next time........................................................

A Tote With No Handles = Almost Done

 Yesterday was warm, sunny, and somewhat windy. The high got to 27C (humidex 29C). This morning it is raining lightly and 19C. Today is supposed to be a mix of showers and rain. The high is to get to 22C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I made a batch of ginger cookies. They don't take long to make as I have the process down pat. 

By the time the last batch is out of the oven, I have the kitchen cleaned up and have one pan to clean. The cookies are in the freezer. I am now looking to make a batch of brownies. Recipe is found and I need to get the ingredients. 

Once the cookies were done, I was off to the grocery store to get a couple of things. I was home in good time. 

I watered all the vegetables and they are doing well. Two of the cucumber plants are small but are growing. The others are taking off and growing very quickly. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon in the sewing room working on the Market Tote. The pockets were sewn on very carefully and then the side seams done. Press, press, press to make sure all the seams laid flat. I then boxed the corners and we had a bag that still needed a lot of work. 

The next step was to cut out the lining and pocket. I made the pocket and sewed it on. I put it lower down than the directions said. I also sewed the pocket down the center so one half can hold a phone and the other half can hold keys etc. 

I sewed the lining the same way I sewed the bag. In put it into the main bag and decided to cut 3/8" off the top as it was too long. I did that and we have a nice looking lining inside the bag.

The next step was to fold down the top part, pin, measure, resin and sew the top part in place. I now have a bag with no handles. 

The fun part of making this tote was figuring out how to do certain things to make it unusual. I did enjoy that challenge. Doing a bag like this also had me fill 4 or 5 bobbins as it uses a lot of thread and had 4 different colours of thread in it -- white, blue, grey, and cream. 

I am still thinking about the handles. It is mainly about which direction to cut the fabric -- stripes vertical or cut across the fabric. Do I make my usual straps or do I make them with webbing inside them. A little experimentation is in the books. 

Knitting

I did knit again last night and got 8 rows done. I did notice the afghan is making me feel warm as I work on it. 

I will continue to work on it until it makes me feel too hot and then I will start something else and pick it up when the weather cools off. I am about half done at the moment. 

Thoughts

    I have had 2 nights where I have slept all night. I am feeling more relaxed and have way less stress on my plate. I have had less pain and have been more active which does help. The cool nights have been helping also. I hope this continues on as I am enjoying feeling more refreshed in the morning. 

    We are still under a rain warning but it seems to be down graded from when it was first put up. We can get up to 2" of rain and it is still supposed to last until sometime tomorrow. This rain is from a tropical storm. I am not complaining as we need all the rain we can get. 

    It was 3 years ago that we had the most intense thunderstorm system hit the province. In our area we had almost 1400 lightening strikes and 535 mm (21 inches) of rain fall in 6 hours. There was flash flooding and lives were lost. It is something that we remember as it was a night we will never forget. Though we still hate being awakened during the night with the emergency alert system blaring at least we will be warned if there is flash flooding and can stay away from the areas hit the hardest. 

Today

I am hoping to finish the bag today. I want to do a bit of housework if I have time. I am out tonight to help put the tables and chairs into their proper spots as the hall floor is finished. There will be no knitting tonight as I will be too tired when I get home to even think about it. 

Until the next time............................................................................

More Progress On The Tote

 Yesterday was clear with a cool wind. The high got to 22C. This morning it is clear and 12C. Today is supposed to be mainly sunny with a high of 28C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

As I had mentioned yesterday, I had tied up the tomato plant even more as the one branch has a load of tomatoes on it. I took a picture of it. 

The other plant has been staked but needs to be done more as it also has a load of tomatoes on it. 

Once I had dealt with the tomatoes, I started cleaning the bathroom. It was the big clean and I did a lot of washing, wiping, and mopping. I was in and out of the jet tub several times either cleaning it or dealing with the curtain. It wasn't as dirty as I had thought but it needed to be done so it was off the to-do list. 

I had just enough time before lunch to work on the curtain for the bathroom. I had bought a panel from Fabricville and it was way too long. I measured it to the proper length and took it downstairs to shorten. I measured the length about 6 times to make sure it was correct and even. I added the hem length and cut it. I removed the weights from the old curtain and used them. I got it done and hung up in about 45 minutes. 

Did I question myself on why I shorten ready made panels? I certainly did as they are a bugger to do. This one was not exactly the worst but it was difficult. Measuring while it is hung is important. Measuring it flat several times is also important.  

The bathroom is now clean and the curtain does help keep the sun from beating into the room. 

Sewing

I spent quite a while in the sewing room working on the Market Tote. I did get the second outer body done. It took way less time than I had expected. I just made sure that there was a lot contrast between the rows. I actually used less strips this time which surprised me. 

I sewed the bottom piece onto each part, gave the whole thing a good press. Then it was time to tackle the fusible fleece. The fusible fleece is held down 2" from the top. I made sure that was marked well and the 1/2" turn under was pressed down. I pressed the fusible fleece into place and then added a 1.5" strip of interfacing to the top. I did fiddle around with that a lot. When I checked the time, the afternoon was gone. 

I did take a few minutes to lay the pocket on the other piece to see how it looks. I am happy so far. 

Progress is being made slowly but I will get it done. 

Knitting

None done last night. The evening slipped away on me. 

Thoughts

    The solar light that was acting up has been fixed. I did it two days ago. When I opened it for the 2nd time, an earwig came out and I killed it. It had built a next in the battery compartment. I used a disinfectant wipe to clean the battery case and removed some rust from the contact points. It is now working really well. 

    I did fold the laundry yesterday morning and question myself as to why it takes me so long to do. I finished the job in 20 minutes. 

Today

I am going to make a batch of cookies for the freezer and then do some grocery shopping. I want to sew on the bag this afternoon and hope to knit tonight. 

Until the next time..........................................................

One Side of the Bag Body Done

 Yesterday was a sunny and windy day with a high of 22C (humidex 25C). This morning it is sunny and 14C. Today is supposed to be sunny with winds. The high is to get to 23C (humidex 25C).

Lifestyle

I was on the move all morning. One of the first things I had to do was tie up a branch on one of the tomato plants. It is so heavy with tomatoes I was afraid it break. I got a stick out for that and tied it up. I have since tied it up more as it needed it. 

I tied up the grape tomato plant which is growing tall and spindly. I won't be buying that variety again. The other tomato plant will get tied up also. I checked the pepper plants and we have tiny peppers forming. The cucumbers are growing and will need their supports out soon. 

I did tidying up in the house as it was a mess. Recycling was taken out. I put away some items and put out some new tea towels I bought. I love how the coffee bar area looks. 

I then settled down and did the balance sheet after printing out the bank statement. No issues doing it. I was mildly surprised to see that we are 55% of the way through the month. By that time is was noon and I hadn't folded the laundry or cleaned the bathroom. The morning had disappeared doing little jobs that needed doing. 

Sewing

I got the second pocket done. I took my time with the piping and got it on quite nicely. I did hand basting and slow sewing to accomplish that. 

The body fabric is a stripe fabric. I didn't like how it had white pieces between the stripes. But it was a fabric that was challenging me to do something different with it. 

My plan was to cut the fabric cut along the stripes and sew diagonally together. I had spent days mentally figuring out how to do this. I finally decided to see if tracing pellon would work. I cut the piece I needed slightly larger than the finished sized. I drew a line at 45 degrees so I had a starting line. I cut the first strip by hand using scissors. It was slow going. The first strip was laid right side up on the pellon. Then I cut a 2nd strip by hand and sewed it wrong sides together. It was pressed to the right side. I repeated the process using 5 strips of fabric. I was elated with the results. 

I thought the fabric had 2 different stripes but it was only one which the print was moved around so it didn't match. I was quite careful when laying out the strips so I had something that didn't have the design side by side. 

I was tired when I got done but very happy. I am ready to do the other half of the bag. It will take time but I now know what to do. The stress factor is gone. Once the outer bag is done, the lining will be easy to make. 

I found another bag pattern that I quite like. I am not sure when I will make it as I have made 3 bags this summer. I have a quilt to design that will be donated to an auction and I need to start thinking about it. 

Knitting

I did knit 8 rows last night. I was very happy to have it on my lap as I had opened the windows and an almost cold draft was blowing through the house. 

I have knit the top dark part since starting the new ball of yarn. 

Thoughts 

    I have put my decorating the kitchen to bed for a few days. I think I know what I want but need to think on it a bit more. I know the colours are blue and white with maybe a bit of sage green. I do know I like minimal as it is easy to keep clean. I know my thoughts are developing and I just need to figure out where I am going next with the look I want.

    The dump trucks are back working in the field behind the houses across the road from us. The deer will have moved on as they have lost the last of their habitat in this area. They haven't touched the rose bush since they pruned it for me. One wonders where they will find a new home. 

    I am going to do some crafting once this bag is done and before I start designing the quilt. I want to get a couple of projects finished and shipped to a friend. They have lingered on the craft table for long enough. 

Today

I do have to fold the laundry and clean the bathroom this morning. This afternoon I will sew on the bag with hopes of getting the outer bag sewn together. I will knit tonight. 

Until the next time.......................................................

Off To Ikea We Went

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 26C. It started to rain around 8 pm and it is still raining this morning. The temperature is 18C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with showers. The high is supposed to get to 22C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

After a bunch of texts with daughter-in-law about her washer, I got up and checked mine. Her soap dispenser area was very dirty and mine was very clean. We figure hers is such as it's in a damp basement and mine is upstairs. 

I decided to finish cleaning the dining area. Started off with the windows. I scrubbed it all with a bleach cleaner and two grout brushes. I even did the seal at the bottom of the window as it was dirty. The glass was cleaned and I wiped the window ledges well. 

I next dusted the furniture and moved everything around as I vacuumed and mopped the floors including the hall. I will say that it wasn't filthy but more grungy. I got the area put back together and called it a morning. 

I did 2 loads of laundry and they are waiting for me to fold them. They were done and dry buy just after 1 pm. 

Daughter-in-law came and picked me up and we went to Dartmouth to visit Ikea. We had a lot of fun wandering around the market place. I bought some items I had on my wish list. I did get the containers and a tray for beside my stove. The bright blue object is a silicone trivet. I have since put it into the drawer beside the stove.

I also bought another set of towels and have one more set to buy and that will be done. I picked up two artificial plants and some where along the way, I lost them. I will get them the next time I go in. 

Our next stop was Walmart for groceries. I bought myself something to drink and some strawberries. We were on our way home after that and arrived home about 4 pm. I was tired but I really enjoyed my trip. 

I did not sew yesterday as I was out all afternoon. 

Knitting

I did knit 8 rows on the afghan last night. I did enjoy doing that while I watched TV. 

Thoughts

    I found out a bit more about the plate I researched. It was produced about 1890 and my uncle would have bought it about 1923. It is art deco. It has a piece of tape on the back with CS on it which I am assuming is my great aunt's initials. I am also assuming the plate was bought new and I do know he had 2 or 3 more of them which his friends had in their possession. I will be putting the plate away due to its age. 

    I realized yesterday that I have figured out my style. It is more Nordic home which is minimalism but not stark. I love the simple neutral and calming designs that have a nature or natural look to it. I love the open flow with the less is more approach to decorating. My grey walls and love of blue are perfect for this look. I can add a bit of yellow or soft sage green if I want to. My ideas are now flowing which is wonderful. I have moved items around a bit. 

    The storm last night came with lots of wind. One of my tomato plants was knocked over and my watering can is on the lawn. The wind was really blowing and rain was quite heavy when I got up at 3 am to close windows. We did need the rain and here is hoping it helps revive my lawn. 

Today

I have to fold laundry and clean the bathroom this morning. I want to sew this afternoon and will knit tonight. I am having a quiet day as I was awake a few times last night with the weather. 

Until the next time................................................

One Pocket Completed

 Yesterday was sunny, windy, and warm. The high got to 20C (humidex 22C). This morning it is sunny and 11C. Today is supposed to be mainly sunny with a high of 26C (humidex 28C) and rain overnight. 

Lifestyle

I was off to New Minas yesterday morning to get a few things. My first stop was Dollarama to get their small painter's canvas. While there I did some snoop shopping and found 2 more green bowls for daughter. She now has 4 of them. 

I did get a small organizer for a charging station in the kitchen. 

My next stop was Walmart and I got what I needed and left. It was getting busy in there. Third stop was the quilt shop to get the fabric I needed to finish the bag. The last stop was Canadian Tire to pick up 2 mugs for the coffee station. 

It was time to go home as it was getting too busy for my liking. 

Once home, I put away everything and sat while daughter texted me about her parcels. She loved how "matchy, matchy" it was. What was amazing is the dishes I sent her match the Ikea dishes I gave her 2 Christmas's ago. I did notice that there were a lot more of the dishes at Dollarama. Popular in Sackville but not in New Minas. 

I have been playing with items on the small server. I took out the one plate of my uncle's. It was given to me years ago by the people he was great friends with. A bit of research states it is Enoch Wedgewood's and the design is called Marjorie. The plate is about 100 years old and is in almost mint condition. 

I put it on a plate stand and added flowers to the server. Not sure if I like it or not. I'll keep playing. 

I got a phone call as I was going to make dinner. Son called and told me to come over for dinner. Off I went and we had something similar to lasagna but with shell pasta. It was delicious. After dinner we talked about travel and we looked at videos. One was on train tours in Switzerland. We also looked at a video about the border between North and South Korea which they went to many years ago and another one where they had gone in Gibraltar. I am thinking I may go to Switzerland for a week later on. Daughter-in-law will accompany me. 

Sewing

I spent 3 hours in the sewing room and got one pocket done. I did cut out the seagull pocket and the bottom piece. I interfaced the pocket pieces. One side got the interfacing I love and the lining side got a cheaper interfacing. Next I made piping. I spent a lot of time adding the piping to the top of the bag. It was a case stitching 1/4" down from the top of the pocket, pinning on the piping and hand basting it in place before sewing it. It worked like a charm for me. I did finish up the one pocket including the top stitching. 

I laid the bag fabric behind the pocket to see if I liked it. Not too bad. 

So far I have about 8 hours into this bag. Call me crazy. The other pocket won't take long as it has no quilt block on it. I will do the same steps as I did to attach the piping. 

Carol, I could frame quilt blocks for the kitchen or I could stretch fabric over printer's canvas using a fabric I like. I would only put it on the wall by the back door. I am thinking on this at the moment. 

Knitting

None last night as I was out last night. 

Thoughts

    I am starting to think I am getting too much stuff out in the kitchen. I am not use to it. I am working through my thoughts carefully and will fiddle around until I have what I want and what I feel will be easy to keep clean. I seem to be a bit more of a minimalist than I thought I was. 

    My neighbour got their cat house up so the cats can go outside from a downstairs window. They were out in it last night and seemed to be enjoying themselves with the toys and climbing items that are in it. 

    I looked for some artificial greenery for the container on the shelf. Dollarama had very little. It seems as if people buy there for weddings. I looked at Walmart and there was nothing there. I will continue to look when I head into the city in the next couple of weeks. 

    I have been enjoying our cool mornings. I open the house up and let it air out. Yesterday I didn't run the a/c at all and the house was perfect all day long. I did have 2 windows open slightly. 

Today

I am going to continue cleaning in the dining area and the small hall. I have a load of laundry to do. This afternoon I will sew and I hope to knit tonight. I need to fertilize the vegetables and water all the plants. 

Until the next time.....................................................................

A Block Is Made

 Yesterday started out sunny and then was cloudy with rain. The high got to 25C (humidity was 28% the lowest I've seen). This morning it is clear and 11C. Today is supposed to be mix of sun and clouds with a high of 22C. 

Lifestyle

I started the morning with emptying the dishwasher and tidying up the kitchen. It wasn't dirty but I was thinking about what I wanted to do in the room. 

My next job was to start cleaning the dining area. I stopped procrastinating about the minutes and typed them up. All that is put away and the table was cleaned. I also cleaned the server and another side table in the area. I then started to play with items to put on the shelves at the end of the cupboards. Round 1 of playing is done. 

I like the pieces I have up on the shelves but it needs something more. I want to buy some greenery for the pot and something else for each shelf. I may stagger the items also. I am on the look out for items when I shop. 

My tomatoes looked a bit droopy yesterday afternoon due to the wind. I gave all the vegetables a good drink of water. The wind was blowing and had dried the pots out more than I had thought. 

Sewing

I did sew yesterday afternoon. It was a marathon of sewing tiny pieces. I did fix the piece that was going the wrong direction. I had to cut other pieces as I couldn't find them. I had to redo the feet but in the end I got a block. 

I spent a lot of time measuring what I needed for the sides, top, and bottom. I cut out the pocket pieces and got one bottom piece cut. I then cut out the pieces I needed for the block. It is sewn together but no picture was taken. I literally staggered out of the sewing room exhausted from all the math. 

I have to buy .5 meter of the blue fabric for another pocket piece and then I can proceed to do the pockets once I make the piping. Once that is done, the rest of the bag should go quickly. 

Knitting

None done last night. 

Thoughts

    Daughter is feeling much better with the protection order. She was tired yesterday and spent her spare time researching more about what can happen next. She needs to ask some questions which I am sure she will be doing. 

    The storm that blew in late yesterday afternoon was wonderful. The temperature dropped 8C in 2 hours. It wasn't a heavy downpour but more of a good rain. I am sure lawns will turn a bit greener with it. We have more rain coming tomorrow night and Sunday. And more showers next week. 

    It is busy on our street this morning. There are dump trucks taking away dirt. There is a road going into the property behind the houses across the road from me. We knew there would be a road there but we didn't think it would happen this soon. It is going to be noisy for an undetermined amount of time. 

    In the kitchen I am trying to add colour. It is so  plain without any colour or pictures. I am not doing artsy as I don't like "clutter". I think I am trying to soften it up a bit. I have some ideas in my head. At the moment I am focusing on the shelves. The one big thing I am trying to do is be able to be able to clean the kitchen easily. At the moment I can clean the kitchen quickly. 

Today

I am heading out the New Minas to get the fabric I need and to do some snoop shopping. I have a couple of things to look for. I want to sew on the Market Tote pockets this afternoon and I should pick up my knitting tonight. 

Until the next time............................................................