New Projects Ready to Sew

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a lovely cool breeze. The high got to 20C (humidex 22C). This morning it is cloudy and 13C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with some showers. The high is to get to 21C.

Lifestyle

I did a bit of research on my family and kept getting no hints on everyone but one person. I wonder if Ancestry was having issues or if there is no hints for these people. With that happening, I left for New Minas. 

My drive to New Minas was delightful. I didn't drive overly fast and enjoyed looking at things. I did go back and look at the house I had talked about. People do live there. I am hoping they are enjoying a beautifully renovated home. 

At New Minas, I went to Giant Tiger to get canned turkey. The lady showed me and said there were only 8 or 9 cans left. I grabbed them all. I also did some snooping around and found a bunch more on a shelf. I ended up buying 19 cans. They were $2.00 off the original price. 

My next stop was at Michaels. I got what I wanted there and snooped around. They are getting ready to have a fabric aisle in the store. They moved the ribbons down to the yarn area and across from the ribbons they have a huge amount of trims. I did look at them but wasn't buying any. I noticed that there were very few flowers and a lot of the summer items are discounted. I bought only what I had on my list and left. 

My last stop was the grocery store to get lunch and a new spoon rest. I also got daughter a dish for snacks or cookies. My lunch was a bust. I bought a caesar turkey wrap that had no dressing in it. Good thing I had a pop to drink with it as it was dry. 

After I got home, I did the balance sheet. I thought I had been spending more money but I haven't been. Everything balanced on the first try and I was happy it was done. 

Sewing

I went down and cleaned up the cutting table. I put the scraps into a bin on the shelf under the cutting table. I also put away all the thread I was using. Then I got to work and cut out a jar cozy and a small hot pad from the left over fabric I bought for the bag I had made. The fusible fleece is attached and both are ready to be made. I will have to make binding for the hot pad and have enough of the purple fabric to make it. 

I cut out the doll's jacket pattern and have it pinned on the fabric. I am going to print another set of the pieces as all but the sleeves need to be cut twice -- main fabric and lining. 

I bought beads and a charm at Michaels for the bag I am going to make for the contest. I will be starting it and another one July 1st. I still need to buy a D ring for the bag. 

Knitting

I did knit last night. I think I knit between 8 and 12 rows. The ball of yarn is almost gone and the afghan measures 22" in length. 

Thoughts

    I had a good think about June to date. I was starting over this month with better eating habits, less self inflicted stress, and was hoping for better sleep. I allowed myself to be stressed out over things I can't control. This has affected my health which includes not sleeping well. I ate poorly but much to my surprise I only gained .3 lb from my lowest weight earlier this month. I am back on track for eating and am trying not to get stressed over things. I just need to get my sleep under control. I was awake again last night thinking about things that I didn't need to think about. They weren't even things I was worrying about. 

    I did buy cucumber seeds and put 4 into the one container I have the little plants in. I will water the other container and plant 4 more seeds in it and also put out the little plants I have. I do know cucumbers are hard to transplant and this year I am having problems which I haven't had in the past. Part has been the wind we've had lately. Just enough to affect the seedlings. 

Today

I have to do some things this morning -- garbage, fuel the car, water plants and fold laundry. I will probably have a sleep after lunch as I have a meeting tonight. I may get some sewing done but am not sure about knitting due to the meeting. 

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

Kitchen Projects Completed

 Yesterday started out sunny and ended up with angry storm clouds with just a few drops of rain. The high got to 23C. This morning it is a mix of sun and clouds and 13C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 20C.

Lifestyle

I was out to the community hall to help set up table for the dinner last night. We were done in an hour which included peeling 30 lbs of potatoes, getting buns bagged and coleslaw made. I was back again before 5 pm to help put out pies. I worked the bar from 5 to 6 pm and then helped dish up the dinner. After dinner everyone pitched in and cleaned the kitchen to spotless. There was one load of cups and glasses to be done when the event was done. I was home about 7:45 pm. 

I was out to get a couple of things from the grocery store and returned the last of the plant pots. I also went to Dollarama to look for something to make a small picture for daughter. I found it but it wasn't what I had thought it would be. 

I did have a 45 minute nap after lunch as I was awake for 3 hours during the night. I was sore from lifting tables. My SI joint rebelled. When I laid down and got comfortable, I felt the SI joint slip back into place. I had a deep sleep which did help me feel better. 

Sewing

At Dollarama I was looking for a small painter's canvas and what I found was too big for the piece of fabric I had. I was going to leave when I found 4.5" square pieces of wood in packages. I have seen them used on YouTube but have never seen them in the store. I grabbed a package as I knew they would work. 

At home, I cut the square of fabric to 6" and added fusible fleece to the back. Not a good move as fusible interfacing would have worked better. I carefully glued the fabric to the piece of wood and am fairly happy with the results. It took a while to do. I also added a ribbon hanger and a bow to the top. 

I went though my buttons to see if I had a bee button left but there were none. 

I sewed a mug rug from the last of the plaid and green fabric. I experimented with binding it and it was a success. There is not enough fabric left to make anything. This project was a success as I got a lot of items made. 

I did get the Edwardian bicycle jacket pattern printed and it is ready for me to work on next. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night as I was too tired. 

Thoughts

    I checked my cucumber plants outside and I am wondering if they will survive. One has a bent stem and the other one is wimpy. I may put some seeds into the pot and see if they grow. We have had some strong winds and it could have damaged the plants. 

    The tomatoes and peppers are doing well. They are growing large and are quite healthy. We could have a good crop of both again this year. 

Today

I may head into New Minas to do a bit of shopping at Giant Tiger and Michaels. I would like to cut out the doll's pattern and pin it onto the fabric this afternoon. I hope to knit tonight. 

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

Two More Small Projects Completed

 Yesterday started out a bit cloudy and then it cleared off. The high got to 24C (humidex 27C). This morning it is clear and 14C. Today is supposed to cloud up with showers this afternoon. The high is to get to 21C.

Lifestyle

I covered the cucumber plants to keep the direct sun off them. They are doing well though they are still tender. I will continue to baby them for a while longer. I will put the other two out tomorrow as they are ready. 

At noon, the person came to mow my lawn. He was trying to do as many places as possible due to the amount of wet days we are to have this next while. My lawn was long and ready for a good clipping. The company who does the fertilizer and weed control are supposed to be out on Monday to do weed control. 

Son and I were out yesterday after lunch. We went to get the buns for the dinner and then to get the ham. Both of us hadn't been to this butcher shop for years. He was looking to see if they carried items for his ramen making and I was getting the ham for the dinner tonight. We took everything to the hall and then home. We had a great visit and enjoyed our little outing. 

Sewing

I am trying to finish the items for daughter's living quarters so I went down to sew yesterday morning. The item I made was a 8 x 13" hot pad. It is a simple sew that I had done by noon. 

I have enough of these two fabrics to make a mug rug and then some strips. 

After I got home in the afternoon, I made a square placemat. Same idea as the hot pat -- simple in design and to sew. I had it done by 5 pm. 

There is very little of the pink fabrics left and I am hoping I have enough to do a small picture for the wall. I could do a hoop or a very small painter's canvas. 

This project is just about done and from 1.5 meters of fabric I got a lot of items. 

I will be happy to get the last two items done. I have enjoyed making each piece. I had the opportunity to try out a couple of new items and then fill it in with items I have made before. 

Next up will be the bicycle jacket for the doll's Edwardian wardrobe and it will be done. It will be nice to have two projects completed this month. I am also hoping to shorten two curtain panels. 

Knitting

I knit 8 rows on the afghan last night. I will take pictures when I have finished the ball of yarn I am on. 

I am thinking of crocheting a doily. I found a simple pattern with a YouTube video to go with it. I also think I have the thread and hook so I can start it whenever I feel the urge to do so. 

Thoughts

    I woke up last night and tossed and turned for 3 hours. I know what caused it and it is a regular occurrence for me. I get stressed and it affects my sleep big time. 

    I left the sewing room and where I hand stitch in a bit of a mess yesterday. I need to clean it up before I start the next project. I have a small pile of scraps on the table I need to deal with. I do not have anyone to take them and I hate to throw them away. I may have to put them into a small container and see if I use them by the end of the year. If not, I will toss them which will make me sad. The group I gave these scraps to has stopped making charity quilts. 

Today

I am out shortly to help set up the hall and do some prep work for the dinner tonight. I go at 5:30 pm to help dish up the meal and do clean up. I hope to do a bit of sewing today but know I won't knit tonight. I will be too tired to do much of anything. 

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

The Kitchen Collection Is Growing

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with rain last night. The high got to 23C (humidex 25C). Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 23C (humidex 27C). 

Lifestyle

I was out the door to make sandwiches yesterday morning. It was done in good time and I left for home by 9:30 am. Once home, I had something to drink and then cleaned the kitchen. I had to unload the dishwasher and put in my dirty dishes. I also hand washed some dishes that needed doing. I then went and cleaned the bathroom. 

I checked on the cucumber plants and they were doing okay. The sugar water does help them when transplanting them. I did cover them with a loosely woven blanket so they would get filtered sunlight. That really helped them and they were quite perky when I took it off last night so they could get watered by the rain. 

I had to go to the quilt shop near me for some supplies so I decided to look for the house that was on YouTube. I took Exit 10 and went by the coffee roasting place and Tangled Gardens.  Tangled Gardens makes award winning jellies, chutneys, etc. and had a tea room. I went down the road thinking this house was past the turn off to Grande Pre. It wasn't. It was just past Tangled Gardens on the other side of the road. I had to go further down the road to turn around. I drove slowly by the house. It is very close to the road. The front and one side was mowed. The other side and back was wild and it seemed as if no one lived there. There were no flowers or outdoor furniture to be seen. It looks lonely sitting on the plot of land as there are no out buildings. The apple orchard behind the house is huge (about 60 acres) and you can see it behind the house and from the highway.

Sewing

As I going for a drive right after lunch, I made one potholder before lunch. When I got back from the drive I made the 2nd potholder and sewed the opening on both of them.

They don't look great but they do look better after they are used. The green one has fusible fleece and the flower one has insulbrite. I like the fusible fleece one better. One thing I am going to do is make the border pieces a bit wider and trim them back. Daughter is thrilled with them. 

This is what I have made so far for her. 

I have enough fabric left over to make a small rectangle and a square pad. I am sure that will leave me with scraps of fabric. 

At the quilt shop, I bought the insulbrite for house items and the foam batting and webbing for bags. I am set for a bit as I have to make another bag plus the bicycle jacket this month. 

Knitting

I got 8 rows knit on the blanket last night. It is going to be huge. 

Today

I am going to do some work upstairs and then this afternoon I am out to get some items for dinner at the hall tomorrow night. I may get some sewing done if there is time. I will knit tonight. 

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

Short Gown Finished

 Yesterday was a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 27C. The humidity dropped to 32% which was nice. This morning it is sunny and 11C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with some showers. The high is to get to 23C (humidex 25C).

Lifestyle

I headed out to New Minas in the morning. I had to get a few groceries and pick up my quilt. I enjoyed the drive as everything is so green and the lupins were in full bloom and vibrant. 

I did my shopping quickly and then headed over to the quilt shop. I had a lovely visit with the owner whom I haven't seen for a long time. We chatted away and then I got my quilt and came home. 

I watched this Youtube video yesterday. The title has Acadian in it which caught my interest. It actually the house is a Colonial style which is quite popular here, even in new builds. I did a lot of research trying to figure out who built this 1896 house but found nothing. What I did find is that this couple bought the house in 2022 and sold it last fall. There is an apple orchard behind the house which was part of the property when the house was built. It is near Grand Pre which is where the UNESCO site is for Acadian history. It is about a 10 minute drive from my house. 

Sewing

I finished the doll's short gown jacket.  I turned it out, clipped the areas that needed clipping, rolled the edges sharp and pressed it well. I sewed the side seams and then finished them with what I thought was a zig zag stitch. It was more than that and the edges are now securely finished. 

I put the jacket on the doll and had to take it off. Having the shift and corset/jump made it very difficult to get the jacket on her. Without those items on, it fit really nice. I marked for the snaps and sewed them on. The outfit is finished. 

The back of the jacket has a pleat in it for better shaping. 

With the apron on. 

My quilt turned out beautiful. I am so glad that I chose the flowers as they are big and airy. 

The binding is ready for me to sew on to the quilt and then hand stitch down. 

I didn't sew as I spent a bit of time cleaning up the cutting table. I need to do more before I can start the next project -- potholders for daughter. I also need to cut out the bicycle jacket and sew it. 

Knitting

I did knit about 10 - 12 rows on the afghan last night. It is getting big and a bit heavy. 

Thoughts

    I planted two of the cucumber plants outside last night and they are doing well. I give them about a half cup of sugar water (1 soup spoon of sugar in 1 cut of water) so they have some energy to ward off transplant shock. They look okay and I will put shade over later this morning. The other two will go out as soon as they get their next leaves which should be in a few days. 

    I had a good night's sleep last night and am feeling better from it today. I have started to park the things that have caused me a lot of stress which is good. The stress has derailed me several times this month and has affected my health. I do not need that. 

Today

I am out to make sandwiches soon and once home I will do some housework. This afternoon I want to sew a couple of potholders for daughter and cut out the bicycle jacket pattern so I can start work on it. Tonight I will knit on the afghan. 

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

Sewing Stupidity

 Yesterday started out cloudy and ended up sunny. The high got to 23C (humidex 25C). This morning it is clear and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny this morning and showers this afternoon. The high is supposed to get to 24C (humidex 26C). 

Lifestyle

I did a bit of family tree research first thing and then got up and cleaned the kitchen. I pulled out the stove and cleaned the sides of it and the cupboards. I vacuumed the floor in that area. Then it was put back in and I started cleaning counters and what ever else needed cleaning. I also cleaned and shined the stainless steel appliances. Garbage and recycling were taken out and the floor vacuumed and scrubbed. Though there was little to vacuum up, when I scrubbed the floor it was dirty.

I was out for dinner at family's last night. We had lasagna and it was good. I brought some home with me. We had a good visit and when I got home, I realized I hadn't turned on the a/c. My house was warm. 

Sewing

I made the last jar cozy and the set looks great together. 

I wish the tray was a bit bigger so all 4 could fit in it but that was the best I could find. Next up is 2 potholders. 

I had hoped to cut out and sew the short gown jacket. I struggled with such a simple pattern. When I realized I had cut up the back of the main fabric I was mortified at how stupid I was. At that point I had one outer fabric and 2 linings cut out. I cut out another outer fabric, slowed down and paid attention to what I was doing. After 2 hours I had the lining and outer fabric sewn together. I put it on the doll inside out and left the room. 

I do like the fabrics together and when I read the selvage, I realized it was a Riley Blake design which I do like. But, it is also a Christmas fabric. It didn't present itself that way when I looked at it. 

It was in with the regular fabric as all the Christmas fabric is in another location or stored away. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night as the house was too warm. 

Thoughts

    The deer that have eaten my plants have not been around for months. The one bush by my house needs trimming and looks the best it has in 2-3 years. I wonder if the deer have moved to another location due to the building going on in our area. They have lost a lot of their habitat and basically moved into our yards to survive. I do know there was a report of a newborn fawn on the other side of town so they may have gone there. There is more natural habitat for them in that area. 

    My tomatoes are starting to bloom. I was surprised to see that one plant has a bloom that is almost fully opened. 

    The lupins are in full bloom. In our area, they are blue, purple, and a couple of shades of pink. Last night I saw white ones across the road from family's. We see more of them down the valley.

The lupins growing alongside the roads are wild and considered an invasive species. It is recommended not to plant them in your yard as they will take it over. 

Today

I am off to New Minas this morning to pick up my quilt and to pick up a few things at Walmart. I hope to be home by noon so I can sew this afternoon and would love to knit tonight. I may get my cucumbers planted tonight as the temperatures will be about the same for the next week. 

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

Projects Started and Completed

 Yesterday was cloudy and dull with rain showers off and on during the day.  It got to 19C. This morning it is cloudy (rained not long ago) and 14C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 23C (humidex 28C).

Lifestyle

I heard the door unlock yesterday morning while I was doing some research and looked to see daughter-in-law's car parked at the edge of the street. I grabbed my car keys knowing she needed my car for some reason. She grabbed them telling me her car had low or no brake fluid. She was off to work. 

I settled back to having breakfast and then made a batch of cookies for the community hall. I had cleaned up and was just about to have lunch when daughter-in-law arrived on her lunch break. She called the repair place as this is under extended warranty. They had order a tow truck under her extended warranty. I think she may have ordered a rental car. She was then off back to work. I had to wait for the tow truck.

The tow truck arrived and it was the same person who towed my car. We had a chuckle about that. While he loaded the car, I did some weeding at the front and a bit on the side of the house. I have to either dutch hoe or spray the weeds. They are hard to get out. These weeds are the result of my neighbour's weed yard. 

I did fold my laundry and it amazes me how much I avoid doing it. It took me 15 minutes to fold and put away and I felt great after I had done it. 

Sewing

I did get to sew yesterday afternoon. The first job was to cut out and make the skirt part of the short gown. It was a simple and quick sew. It has a drawstring at the waist giving the skirt a lot of pouf. 

Is this historically correct. Maybe. What I did read is that they did weave striped fabric. It took a long time to weave two lengths of fabric to have vertical stripes. To use less fabric, they wove a length of fabric and pleated the skirts along the selvage edge. They either folded the pleated edge over to form a channel which they added a drawstring or they sewed a waistband on. I do know from reading that they did weave stripes as they had a distinct way they wove one stripe. 

I put on the apron and my chunky monkey has a very 18th century look. 

The last item to make for this outfit is the jacket. 

I also cut out the rectangles for the last two jar cozies. I got one made and the more I make the faster I get. 

I do like them together in the tray. 

I am surprised at how much fabric is left. I do want to make two pot holders and there may be enough to make a hot pad or two. I am really enjoying this project as I am making items I wanted to make (toppers and cozies) and adding items that will be used. 

Knitting

I did quite a bit of knitting last night. The afghan is growing longer and heavier. The ball of yarn I attached the other day is about half gone. 

Thoughts

    I am really enjoying reading the thesis as I am now into the part that talks more about what the people had in their probate inventories in Fort Louisburg. What is interesting is that the Acadians did own and wear fashionable clothing. How many and often they were worn depended on where they lived. A lot of what was worn in other areas comes from what they have found at those sites -- fine pins, buttons, etc. 

    I have done some more research on my 3x great grandfather's children. He arrived at Fort Edward 20 years after the Great Deportation of the Acadians in that area. After being mustered out he and his wife moved to Parrsboro where he remained until he died. Many of his children moved back to the Windsor area where they lived and died. I was looking where one relation was born and quite by accident I found it. Quite a win for me.

    I have really enjoyed sewing items for daughter's living quarters in her horse trailer. I am feeling a bit sad that this project will soon be done. It has me looking at what I would like to do in my home that would be fun. I know I love blue and white but I am not quite into roses or flowers. I will have to look when I go up to the quilt shop. I do have white linen from Montevideo I may use but that remains to be seen. 

Today

I need to do a bit of deep cleaning in the kitchen. I found some grimy areas that I need to deal with. I also need to check on the flowers to see if they need watering. I want to sew this afternoon and I will be going out tonight for dinner at family's. I may get a few rows knit on the afghan tonight. 

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