An Embroidery Kind Of Day

 Yesterday started out dark, windy and wet and ended up with some sunshine and clear skies. We are assuming we had over 1/2" of rain as it certainly rained very hard at times. This morning, it is 4C with clouds.

Lifestyle

It was a stay at home day yesterday. I did take grandson to school and was lucky enough to do it between down pours. It was too wet to do anything else. 

The phone rang last evening and our doctor called to tell the Spousal Unit that the surgeries he had successfully removed all the cancerous cells. We were very excited about that.  

There were 2 more cases of the virus reported yesterday and last night 2 more were reported in schools. There are 23 active cases in the province now and the warning is out that drastic measures will be taken if the numbers continue to rise. 

With that in place, the Spousal Unit and I had a talk about what we can do better and I will be finishing our shopping quickly. A bit online and a bit locally. We will be tracking where we go and will not be getting out of the car when going on drives. Our social bubble is small and we continue to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and social distance when shopping. We are tired but we continue to do our best. It is stressful to say the least as added into our stress is family and friends who live far away from us. We are thankful they live in areas that are not experiencing huge cases of the virus. But we still worry.

Sewing

I spent quite a bit of time in the sewing room. The goal was to get the embroidery done on the test pattern. It was stressful getting them in the right places. I drew boxes, found the center point and worked from there. 

Once the first one was done, I was able to complete the other 4. I spent a lot of time making sure the dogs were on straight vertically and horizontally as well as getting the lines to match all the way around.

I ended the day by pinning the pleats in place and preparing them for pressing.

 Knitting

The messy bun hat is coming along nicely. I'm over half done now. 

It is hard to see the spiraling pattern on the dark yarn. It is nice though and gives the hat a lot of stretch. 

Today

I am planning on doing laundry and budget this morning and then sew this afternoon. I need to cut out the bodice of this dress, serge the skirt seams, and begin sewing it all together. Tonight will be another night of knitting. 

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

A Post But No Pictures (Now Has Pictures)

 We are having a rain storm today. The temperature rose to 8C overnight (from 2C) and the rain is coming down heavy and the wind is blowing it everywhere. It is dark outside and we are going to be inside all day. 

Lifestyle

I have been working on cleaning the upstairs and just have the living room and entry way to do. It is coming along and will get done. 

I folded the laundry yesterday morning and now need to check what I've bought as Christmas presents. I want to finish up that this coming week. I'm nearly done which is nice. 

Blogger is not allowing me to add pictures to my posts. I'm not sure what is wrong but I'm going to try on another computer this morning. What a pain. This is not the first time this has happened to me. Update -- It worked using Firefox brower.

The cases of the virus have been rising. There were 6 new cases on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Most are related to other cases which means people are not following the rules set by the government and health authorities. There were 21 active cases on Sunday with one good note -- no cases were in long term care homes and no one is in the hospital with it. 

Sewing

I've sewn 6 masks since Thursday. I have a couple more to make and I'm done. I kind of got carried away making them. 

Next up is to put away the fabric from masks and start on a dress for the dolls. Fabric has been chosen and I need to do the embroidery on the skirt. 

I was looking at a doll for sale in Halifax and after 22 hours of waiting, I got a response. It had sold. Didn't surprise me as it was a great price and in mint condition. I am getting ready to order Addy so she will be here for 2021's sewing. 

Knitting

I finished the dress and did a photo shoot. The dress is really cute and fits the dolls well. 

I am working like crazy on messy bun hats again. I have to knit 3 and a person will chose 2. The third one will sell fast through my daughter. 

There is another test pattern to knit but I'm not sure I will do it due to hat knitting. But, I have the pattern downloaded to knit a bit later on. I like it because it has 2 variations of a coat and a headband. 

Today

As it is raining, we will be staying home. I want to do more laundry, get the Christmas shopping list done, sew, and knit. 

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

Christmas Masks Begun

 Yesterday started off warm and by 8:00 a.m. it was raining. It cooled off all day and was raining at 8:30 p.m. last night. This morning it is 3C and it will remain cool today. Tonight it is suppose to rain again. 

Lifestyle

I headed downstairs and washed the sewing room floor. It was dirty as we wear shoes downstairs all the time. It was nice to have it clean and ready for sewing. 

We went out for a bit after I did the floor. We renewed our library cards; our first trip into the library since late February. There was one other person so the Spousal Unit had a quick look around before we left. We will go back another day so he can take out some books. 

Once home, I cleaned the bathroom and finished laundry. It was a busy morning for us. 

There were no cases of the virus reported yesterday. 

Sewing

I spent time in the sewing room cutting out two masks. I finished one and almost finished the second one. 

I have nose wires and put them in both of the masks. I also used the adjustable elastic and sewed them together rather than knotting. Next I will be cutting out one more mask from this pattern and make it up. After that, I will be making more masks using a different pattern. All are Christmas themed. 

I got another pattern to test. I will be using a plaid fabric and embroidering on it. I will start it on Monday as it will take time and I will have to work on masks at the same time.

Knitting

I worked on the dress last night and am close to finishing it. Three more rows on the skirt and then the sleeves. They are short so only 6 rows of knitting. I have enjoyed knitting this dress and can't wait to try it on one of the dolls. 

Today

Grandson and I are going into the city to do his Christmas shopping. I will be doing more of mine also. I hope I only have to go in once more and be done. Tonight I hope to work more on my knitting. I doubt if any sewing will get done. 

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

Another Warm Day

 Yesterday was another lovely day with more clouds and a high of 22C. We broke another record. We even had a humid of 24C which is unusual for November. The weather stayed warm all night and finally started to cool off this morning. It was 19C at 6 a.m. It is suppose to cool off and rain today. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning, I cleaned the kitchen and it is spotless. All the surfaces got disinfected as I was in that kind of mood. I washed the floor and it was dirty. You can't see the dirt on brown tiles. I knew it was going to be dirty as we've been in and out the back door a lot. I finished at noon. 

The Spousal Unit finished mowing the lawn yesterday and is hoping it is the last time for this year. We have never mowed lawns this late in the year. 

There were two more cases of the virus reported yesterday. They were reported as being close contacts of an earlier case. There are 20 active cases in the province. 

Sewing

I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room cleaning it up. I did a good basic job of putting things away and having things in their right places. I swept the whole floor and it was dusty and dirty. It is ready to wash and then I can sew. 

I looked in the closet at the doll's stash and I really need to sew more of it up. Daughter sent me 4 more pieces of cotton for the dolls and one will be on the cutting table before Christmas. I was going to make one pattern but I may do another one. I will have to purchase the 2nd pattern as I don't own it. My idea is based on this dress that Eve Coleman (Keeper Dolly Duds) designed and made. 

Keeper Dolly Duds Prairie Ruffles

Not only is Eve Coleman a fabulous designer, she is an expert seamstress as well. And she has a fabulous eye for color and pattern. 

Knitting

I happily knit on the doll's dress last night and I am liking it. I don't have a lot left to knit before I start on the sleeves. 

Once done, I will have to start knitting a cat sweater for daughter's cat. 

Today

The first job is to wash the sewing room's floor and then tackle the bathroom and clean it. I'm trying to clean the house once again as I love it when it's clean. I hope to start masks this afternoon and knit tonight. 

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

A Glorious Sunny Day

 Yesterday was delightfully warm with a high of 24C. The sun shone, the wind was warm and we thoroughly enjoyed it. This morning it is 8C and we are to have a repeat of yesterday. From here, it gets cooler. 

Lifestyle

After starting the laundry and rotating the mattress, we headed outside to hang the Christmas lights. Before lunch we got the lights up around the garage door. The postman stopped to tell us we were too early but we've promised not to put them on yet. After lunch, we did around the front door. I did a lot of cleaning this year prior to putting up the lights so everything is clean. 

The Spousal Unit mowed most of the lawn yesterday after we finished up the lights. It certainly did need doing again as it is healthy and vigorous. 

We arrived here 3 years ago today. It was warm when we landed in Halifax at 1 a.m. 

We had 4 reported cases of the virus. One was on Monday and 3 yesterday. There are no hospitalizations. We continue to monitor where the cases are and so far, we have not or do not go into those areas. 

Sewing

I finished the doll's outfit and I do like it. 

There is a lot to like about this outfit. The pattern is quite easy to sew, the ribbons add a cute contrast, and the hat finishes outfit. 

The trim on the sailor's collar is from the fabric and I used a bias tape maker rather than fold and press. 

I did line the hat as I am not a fan of the seams showing in the crown. It was easy to do. 

I am now ready to clean the sewing room prior to sewing masks. 

Knitting

I worked on knitting the test dress and am about half done the skirt. I am enjoying knitting this pattern as it is easy and the results are stunning. 

Today

As businesses are closed due to Remembrance Day, I will do more housework, start to clean up the sewing room, and knit. If the weather is warm this afternoon, I may sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. 

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

Easy Cables On The Dress

 Yesterday started out cloudy but warm and turned out to be sunny with a high of about 16C. This morning it is sunny and 8C at 6 am and 13C at 7:30 a.m. The high is to get to 20C or better. 

Lifestyle

I went shopping yesterday and got a few Christmas presents and a bunch of groceries. By the time I left (near noon), it was getting quite busy. I made one stop in Sackville on the way home and what I wanted was not what I had thought it would be. It was ugly. I will do a couple of other stores when I take grandson in on Friday. 

I was in and out of the house in the afternoon only to enjoy the sunshine on the back deck. It was lovely outside. 

The Spousal Unit is excited that the garlic has sprouted and the little green shoots are showing above the soil. They are covered with burlap to help protect them from the cold this winter. 

Sewing

I did not sew yesterday afternoon. I was too tired from a poor night's sleep. The hat remains unfinished. 

Knitting

I worked on the dress yesterday and the cables are quite easy to do. 

Each cable is to put the first stitch onto a cable needle in the front, knit 2 stitches and then knit the stitch of the cable needle. I have done 3 repeats of the cable and enjoyed the process. 

Today

Along with housework, I want to hang the Christmas lights as it is a warm day. I also want to finish the sailor's hat and knit on the dress. It is a stay at home day. 

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

Sewing And Knitting Progress

 Yesterday was a cool day with a high of 8C. There was no rain and very little wind. This morning it was 8C and it is suppose to get to 15C. Warmer weather for the next two days. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning was spent looking at maps, looking at the family tree, and talking about our next trip to the Truro region. We finished up at noon. We learned that my mother's family came to Nova Scotia in the early 1800's to Pictou County and most of the family still remains there today. If they moved, it was to the States with my mother being of the few who moved to western Canada. 

There were three new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 20 active cases, the most since May. People are asked to be tested if they were in certain places but we have not been there. But, we are becoming concerned and will be doing less in the city if the numbers keep climbing. 

Sewing

I looked at my sewing room in disgust. What a mess. I got to it and started sewing the sailor's hat as it is the last item to be sewn on the test pattern. 

The pattern doesn't show the hat lined, but I am lining it. I just have the brim to sew on and then attached and hand sew the lining to cover the seam allowance. 

My next job -- clean the sewing room. Two days of it. And then onto Christmas masks. 

Knitting

I did quite a bit of knitting last night and have the dress ready to start the skirt. 

It will be slower knitting as the skirt has many vertical rows of cables. I will get it done though as I am enjoying how this dress looks. 

Today

I am off to the city to do some shopping. I may just go to Bedford as I can get everything there. I am hoping that most of the Christmas shopping will be done. I'd like to sew on the hat this afternoon but I am not sure if I will or not. Knitting tonight.

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