Heat = Great Garden

We have had a good streak of hot dry weather and this morning it rained. The 3/8" that fell yesterday morning was lovely but it didn't cool off as much as we had hoped for. So we get hot and muggy yesterday and hot again today. 

Lifestyle

With so much heat, I have stayed inside most of the time. Outside is pretty much walking around the yard and looking at the garden. Once things get ready, it will be harvesting for 5 people. We cannot wait. 
The Spousal Unit got his sign on the baby barn (shed) and it certainly is perfect.

The garden is growing rapidly. We are going to have a lot of vegetables to share with family in a couple of weeks. 

I dug around with my hand and have found baby potatoes. We will be having them soon for dinner. 

Sewing

I starched the sleeves on the doll's t-shirt and let them dry. I then ironed fusible knit stabilizer (3/8" wide) onto the hem prior to hemming them. It sewed perfectly so I am grateful to my doll friends for their suggestions. The sleeves are in the body and the body is starched ready to finish. For the next one, I will starch it prior to sewing and leave it sit overnight to dry. I will use the narrow strips of interfacing on the hems and neckline for further stabilization. 

On one of the groups I belong to, there is a Sweetgrass Style Join Along (JAL). There are a lot of ideas being posted to get the juices going. There is no actual sweetgrass style but the idea is country and western, country chic, boho, etc. My idea is going to be based on this. 

And a doll's outfit inspiration is this one.

As this for Anna and Laura, I will use this dress pattern worn by Anna.

I need to look in the stash to see what I have. No use buying when I can use the stash. 

The jacket will be a chambray in dark navy. If I am brave, I will put pewter buttons on the shirt. Boots will be brown cowboy boots, brown belt, necklace a horse pendant, and a hobo bag. If I have time, I can make a turquoise necklace if the dress is white or some other pastel color. Ideas are floating. I may try to make two of these outfits as this join along does end until Sept. 30. But before I can do these, I have to sew a dress as part of my pattern testing. A cute one is all I can say. 

This Week

I need to shop out of town and start sewing every day. The weather forecast is for more hot weather so I need to buckle down sew in the a/c basement. I also need to knit in the evenings which will be harder to do. 

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

Drat That Fabric

We are still having warmer than we like weather. This morning is cooler with a lovely cool breeze coming in the windows. It is nice to have the windows open and the a/c off all night. We now brace ourselves for another warm day. 

Lifestyle

My weight is coming off and I'm now down 17.1 lbs. I am finding that I have more energy and do quite a bit more in the house. 
We cleaned up under the stairs on Thursday. Almost everything came out and we found some floor tiles, hardwood and laminate flooring. We set the paint cans to the side and put everything back in as it is all to be in there. The door is left open to keep the humidity down (we have a big humidifier/air exchange system in this house. 
We have the paint in the vehicle to go to the paint depot today. The colors in this house are Teepee brown (upstairs) and some darker color with desert in it (downstairs). It is not what the house will be painted as we find it too yellow and too dark. 
Daughter-in-law and I made a hasty trip to Ikea Thursday night and I saw these candle sticks on display. I need to go back and get them. 

And possibly the three tier class dish behind it. Ideas are rolling in my head. 
Yesterday we headed into Halifax as grandson had to see the doctor for his check up. He is in the good category with his diabetes and is in the normal range for height and weight. 

Sewing

I cut out the t-shirts for myself and the dolls. I used scrap fabric to play with the fabric and the stitches. 

I was really happy with the sample I did. When I sewed the first doll t-shirt, the thing stretched out considerable when I did the neckline. You could see it grow as I sewed. I played with ideas and finally trashed it. Another one was cut out and I used 3/8" strips of fusible knit interfacing on the shoulders and neckline. Much better results and I am now ready to work on the sleeves. I want to do some fix ups on this pattern which will include a neck band to help the neckline's look. 
I am hoping my t-shirt will sew up with fewer issues due to the 5/8" seam allowances. I am going to put strips of interfacing on a lot of the seams that stretch out of shape. In the midst of all this, I still like the fabric even though there was no label stating fibre content. I got it on a good sale and have 4 meters of it; 2.5 meters still in the stash. The rest of my t-shirt fabric is cotton. 

Knitting

No knitting done as I am usually tired in the evening due to the heat. I am going to have to try and knit a few rows each evening even if it is only 2 to 3 rounds. 

Today

We are taking the paint to the depot and then home to do a bit of laundry and housework. I want to sew some this afternoon. On Monday I have to cut out another pattern to test. Looking forward to this one as it is really cute looking.
Until the next time..................... 

Sewing For People -- Begun

We have had hot humid weather that has been getting to us. 

A few hours apart yesterday. The "feels like" temperatures are the humidex temperatures and it feels like that outside. And it is going to be another hot one today. We love you A/C.

Lifestyle

On Sunday the plan was to BBQ a prime rib roast for the Spousal Unit's birthday dinner. It was raining, hot and humid but we persevered. We got out and set up a canopy that has been in our possession for 5+ years. I got to BBQ under cover and it was perfect. 

We laid low on Monday and Tuesday because of the heat but last night the Spousal Unit mowed the lawns. It is nice to have that job done. 

Sewing

With the last test officially done, I am waiting to post pictures when the patterns are released. In the mean time, I tried out a new pattern that has disappeared off the face of the earth. 

A really cute backpack. I chose some left over fabrics to make it. I made another one which I will ship to a doll who loves to knit. 

This is the exact same as the first one. They take less than 45 minutes to sew. 
I will be starting another test on Monday. In the mean time, I laid out my t-shirt pattern and added the dolls' t-shirt patterns to the mix. I won't be making long sleeves for the dolls this time as I don't want to cut into the fabric below my sleeve pattern. 

When I cut out the pieces (after I pin them down), I will add another 1/4" to the back pieces so I have 1/2" to turn under to sew snaps onto. I will save the bits on each side of my sleeve pattern for later on. 
My t-shirt pattern is a trial to start making myself a TNT pattern. If I keep loosing weight, I will have to go down a size and start over again. But, if the alterations I made on this one are correct, it won't be as hard to do. This is a boring item but t-shirts are a staple in my wardrobe. 

Knitting

I haven't touched any knitting in the evenings. I am usually too tired from the heat or my hands don't want to touch the wool. I may move my knitting to the basement so I can finish up the beaded sweater. 

Today

I need to get a few groceries, sweep the upstairs, and then start on the t-shirts. Pin the pattern pieces down and cut out. Tonight I have WW and I am hoping I have a good loss. If I do well, I may meet my goal by the end of August or early September. 
Until the next time........................

Found -- Raspberries

With the weather being warm and humid, we look forward to the rain we got today. It didn't cool off as expected which we really need. Instead it is warm and humid. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday we left for New Minas to get some groceries and then to get a prime rib roast from a wonderful and very old butcher shop in Canning. On route, we deviated and found a U-Pick raspberry place. 

With the wonderfully warm weather, our plants are doing so well. We grew these lilies in pots and loved their look. Unfortunately, they don't last long. 

With the hot weather and no energy to do much, I have spent some time moving around the paint swatches and have come to the conclusion that grey is not the color to paint the walls in this house. The wood in this house is the wrong color for grey. I have decided to try something that is more on a darker white. 

Alpaca is a lovely soft light beige with a bit of grey in it. I could be a bit dark but I am willing to hang paint chips of it in the house. 

Soft Focus is a bit more yellow than I want but am still willing to try it on the wall. 

And, lastly, I want to see how Alabaster and Pearly White look in this house. 
Whatever the color, I would like to start either in the guest room (small). It won't happen until after we have company in September. At least I have a plan for that room. I put the inspiration pieces and paint colors into a picture.

The vases were given to my parents for their wedding in 1945 and the cross stitch picture I made for my mom back in the early 1990's. The conch shell was my grandmothers. I love the color of blankets that I will put on the bottom of the bed and hope to find fabric with navy, pink, and blue in it for a dresser scarf (quilted of course). I just need to buy a bed skirt and curtains or blind and it will be done. 

Sewing

I am still hand sewing on the last item for the test and it has been slow going. My hands swelled up and I couldn't do it for a couple of days. I am almost done it and it will be kept as what not to do with velveteen. I will make it again in August/September knowing what I need to do to keep the velveteen from fraying. 

Knitting

No knitting done for the same reason -- too warm and my hands swollen. 

Today

We are getting ready to celebrate the Spousal Unit's birthday dinner tomorrow night. 
Until the next time...................

New Hay, New Friends, New Memories

After several days of warm weather, I woke at 4 a.m. to rain falling. 20C and rain equals warm muggy weather. We will see another warm spell this coming week. 

Lifestyle

Though the humidex said 38C, we went out to see hay being turned and found it all baled. The tractor and trailer was coming so everyone pitched in to help load the hay. 

While some rode on the wagon to the barn, we drove down and watched them stack it in the barn. 

Even the Spousal Unit helped load and unload hay. 

While at the barn, the Spousal Unit and I looked at their blueberry bushes and flowers. 

We enjoyed our visit with these people. New friends and fun memories. As we walked up the field for the last time, I took a picture of these flowers. 

Our evening was one filled with beeps from one of our smoke detectors. We finally figured out the back up battery was dead. Removed one smoke detector and thought we were good to go. The beeping noise started up again and we had to dismantle a second one. The only detector untouched is the one in our bedroom. No more noises but I will change the batteries in all the detectors. 

Sewing

I worked on the next part of the test pattern; the last part I can do. This item is made out of cotton velveteen. It frays fiercely, especially when turning it inside out and right side out. The project is sewn with just the trim left to do. If I sew it again, it will not be done in cotton velveteen. 
I had a couple of minutes to finish up the hat I made for Laura. I hand gathered some left over lace to make a flower and put it around the silver button. I also trimmed the rick rack. 

Once I clear my table off and sew up a couple of items I want to do some smocking for the dolls. My idea came from the beautiful dresses Princess Charolette wears. 

Found on Pinterest

The patterns I will use are the following ones. 

I will basically use this pattern except I will use the sleeves on the pink one. 

My color scheme will be pink with navy smocking. I want to knit a burgundy cardigan and buy burgundy shoes. 

Knitting

I am working on the second sleeve of the beaded sweater. I may undo the first sleeve and redo it as I am not pleased with it. This sweater will be done again in acrylic yarn as it tests well. Color choice will be different as I am using up left over yarn. I can hardly wait for this pattern to debut as I can then show how I do the beading and how I come up with my designs. 

Today

We are out and about this morning. Grandson has a workshop he is going to and we get our hair cut. After lunch I want to work on the test project and try to complete it. It is time to move onto something new. 
Until the next time.......................

Exploring Fort Edward

It has been warm and humid and we have been feeling it. Even the nights are warm and we aren't sleeping as well as we should be. 

Lifestyle

I spent two weeks at the pool while grandson had swimming lessons. We also had him sleep over for two nights. We are learning how to deal with his highs and lows and I think we were successful. 
On Friday afternoon we decided to be out and about Windsor. We did a geocache at the library. Great cache. We went to Fort Edward for another cache and we enjoyed this historic site. 

This blockhouse was built in 1750 and was an important landmark during the time the English removed the Acadians from the area. It is the only blockhouse remaining in Nova Scotia and maybe in Canada. 

There are four signs on the grounds which were interesting reads. 

The grounds are still in the same shape as they were originally but the fences are not there as well as any other buildings. 

We looked at the canons and they were interesting. 

And the last bit of information. 

We did start another geocache but ran out of time. We will do it next week. This week grandson is doing a workshop at the library. 

Sewing

I can finally show you the first test pattern I sewed. It has been published here.

It was a good sew and I do like the top. I am thinking of making the pant legs narrower the next time to make it more modern rather than 1970's. Just a personal choice. 
I am working on testing a three piece outfit for another designer and hope I can show it next month. I am ready to cut out the third piece. 
I have traced the pattern for my t-shirt, laundered the fabric and it will be on the table next. I really am looking forward to sewing a simple t-shirt in a human size. 

Knitting

I am slowly knitting the sleeves on the beaded sweater. It has been too humid for me to get a lot done even in the evening. 
My next project is a bolero to go with the check dress. I would like to knit it this month so may move my knitting to the basement where it is cooler. 
I am also lining up to knit this cute top. 

I want to downsize it to fit the dolls. I also need to find the blue yarn but I want it in a nicer blue. The buttons will be from the stash and may be pewter colored. These seem to be black and white which goes with the lamb. I will use this graph for the lamb.

I also want to start a scarf for myself. It is to go with my future wardrobe. I need to knit human items also. 

Today

My goal is to tidy up the dining area, sew, and grocery shop. I am back to cleaning house as it is time to do more of a deeper clean. I try to do that once a month to 6 weeks. 
Until the next time.........................

A Good Rain To Cool The Air

We have had extremely hot weather since the end of June. With the humidex, we saw it 41C two days in a row. It was brutal to say the least. Yesterday was cooler and mid afternoon, it rained just about 1/4" in less than 30 minutes.

By the time the rain stopped, it had rained just over 1/4". 

Lifestyle

With all the heat, we retired to the basement with the a/c on. We were able to survive but sleeping at nights was hard.  We survived it and will survive it again. 
I spent the week with grandson and daughter-in-law at the pool while grandson had swimming lessons. I am learning his routine and eating while he has lessons. 
The garden is growing rapidly. The potatoes are coming into bloom, tomato blooms are setting and tiny grape tomatoes are now visible. Beans will soon bloom and the cucumber plants are doubling in size. The watermelon plant is ready to take off also. Cauliflower plants are slower but I am sure they will take off soon. Onions and leeks have stopped growing up and are getting larger under the ground as are the beets. The carrots are also doing well. In all, we will have lots of vegetables to eat in the coming months. 

Sewing

I cut out and sewed a hat for the dolls. This little outfit is coming along nicely.

I didn't have flower for the side of the hat so I sewed a button on. I may have some gathered lace left to make a circle to go around the button. Once I get what I want, I will trim back the rick rack. 

While sitting at the pool, I am picking apart children's underwear to make doll underwear. I keep the elastic to reuse on the doll's as I can't buy nice elastic locally. I made the first pair of underwear and the front fits nicely. 

The back is too high on the doll and the side seams need to be 3/8" rather than 1/4". 

I have adapted the pattern to make the next pair. They are yellow. 

I have another pattern to test and will be starting it today. I got the fabric for part of it yesterday and will be holing up to do pleats. Only 15 of them and the instructions are well written. 
I have also traced a t-shirt pattern for myself and will work on it when I have time. The test pattern is my July project and may end up being something more than that. 

Knitting

I finished the body of the doll's sweater and love how it turned out. 

I am now knitting the sleeves which will be long length. Last night was a tough knit as I had a headache from the thunder storm. I finally gave up. Maybe I will succeed in getting the rhythm tonight. 

Today

After a bit of laundry and house cleaning, I am going to sew on July's tester project. I need to get started on it. 
Until the next time.............................

The Town Crier

The weather has been everything from rainy (1.25" in less than 5 hours) to hot and humid. We have seen it all in the past few days. This morning we woke to fog and 12C. Perfect I said. 

Lifestyle

The garden is growing quickly and we see the results every couple of days. The tomato plants have blooms on them, the potato plants will be blooming soon and you can see how big everything else is getting. We will be eating beets in less than two weeks. 
With yesterday being Canada Day, we spent the day with family. Lunch and then going to the parade in Hantsport. We decided whether to go but went because it was cloudy. The sun shone for the parade and clouded up after we left. 

The town crier started the parade wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day. He and other dignitaries walked the route which took them about 40 minutes. I am sure he was hot and deserving of a cold drink when he completed the route (we were at the end of the route.) Windsor, the town near us, has a town crier who has held the position for 40 years. He announces many important going ons in the community and around the world to the people. Really interesting as it has been happening for decades in parts of Nova Scotia. 
Many of the floats were from the towns and businesses around the area. There were two floats with water guns and a couple of water fights ensued, one not far from us. 

There were water balloons thrown by a group of spectators at this float causing a lot of laughing. 
After we got home, Daughter-in-law and I filled water balloons and had a water fight with Grandson. We had a great time throwing balloons at each other. 
Supper was BBQ kebobs, veggies, and ice cream. A great end to a wonderful day. 

Sewing

I got the doll's dress done. The pattern is beautifully drafted and fits Laura to perfection. 

I decided to put some left over rick rack at the bottom of the skirt. I left it at that. I have a hat cut out except for the interfacing. The hat will be trimmed with rick rack and I will need to find small flowers to put on the hat. There is still enough fabric left over to make something else. A top of some sort I'm thinking. 

Knitting

I have been working on the sweater from the twin set. I am thrilled with the beading pattern I chose from a picture. 

For this sweater I chose to do the V design on the front only. 

I am hoping to progress to the sleeves the next time. This is a one step at a time using up the extra yarn project. I am deciding if it will be long sleeved or if I will leave it short sleeved and do the cardigan. We will see what is involved. 
This week I want to cast on a new bolero pattern that will go with the dress and hat in the left over shirt material (pictured above). 

Creativity

AKA - doll clothes for sale

I am slowly figuring out what I want to sell in the doll clothes world. It has been a long process that has been driving me crazy. As I get a successful outfit, I will be putting it aside for my shop. 
I know that I want to knit and create items that are different from others. I also want to sew and knit for both Gotz and AG dolls. So, I continue to look at what patterns work for me and build on them. I will continue to try different patterns and see if they will meet my standards for items for sale. For knitting, I have ideas for the twin set plus I will be trying different patterns to see if they meet my expectations. If so, they will be used with sewing patterns I have on hand. 

Today

The main job is to vacuum and then sew. I do have to do laundry over the course of the day. 
Until the next time..........................