Outdoor Work

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day. The high got to 20C. This morning it was 6C with some fog and a few high clouds. It is suppose to get to 21C and showers tonight. 

Lifestyle

It was work on the dreaded hedge yesterday morning. I set a goal of 8 bushes of which 2 needed pruning. Working from the yard side, I reached through those prickly branches to get as much out on the other side. The idea is to do the road side fast as there will only be a small amount of weeds to deal with. 

The Spousal Unit sprayed the weeds in the lawn so it can be reseeded. He also mowed the lawn except the area he sprayed. Lawn rejuvenation has begun on our part. 
Last night they predicted a risk of frost so we were out the door to cover all the tomatoes once again. No frost but better to be safe than sorry. 

Sewing

I was in the sewing room but didn't clean anything. Shame on me. I made piping instead as it is part of clean off the cutting table. 

I had about .3 meter of this fabric and made 4.5 meter (closer to 5 meters) for daughter. Part of it is for her birthday shirt and the rest for another shirt she will sell. 

I have 5 meters of cording left in one piece and just over 1.5 meters in another piece. That gives me maybe 2 more pieces of fabric to make into piping. Hopefully I can get more cording on Wednesday. 
Left on the cutting table -- 3 pieces of fabric for piping and 2 pillow cases. Once that is sewn, I will clean up around the cutting table and try to hang the peg board where my desk will go. 

Knitting

None done last night as we were out to cover the tomatoes and then I realized how tired I was. Also my hands were cramping some so didn't want to over do it. 

Today

It is back out to do more on the hedge. The goal is 6 bushes this morning. Sewing will be another batch of piping. Will see if I can knit tonight or if I have to take another night off. Not really worrying as I am no under any time pressure. 
Until the next time..........................

A Touch of Frost

Yesterday was a cooler day with a high of 16C. It cleared off last night and the temperature was 4C. We had a touch of frost. Today is suppose to be 20C and sunny. 

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit and I spent some time researching how to get our lawn ready for fall. After we were done, we headed out to get fertilizer. 
After lunch, I sat down to have a rest and woke up over an hour later. Before I could really wake up, I was out helping the Spousal Unit with the weed spray. He happily sprayed weeds while I woke up. 
We were outside after dinner to cover the tomato plants due to the frost warning. We have learned to move when they say a risk of frost. And 4C can bring frost. 
I woke at midnight to the smoke detectors chirping. The whole situation is stressing me. So I was on google trying to figure out what I am doing wrong. I tried something new - don't take out the power before taking out the battery. Do it after taking out the battery. Both detectors sounded better doing that and they haven't chirped in 8 hours. We wait and see. 

Sewing

None done yesterday. I was just too tired to think about cutting out piping. 

Knitting

I finished the sleeve. Using the right needle sizes makes for a better sleeve size. 

Today

I was going to weed the hedge but there is so much dew that I'll be soaking wet in 5 minutes. I may go out mid morning for an hour. I will do some housework. This afternoon I want to make more piping and tonight knit on the 2nd sleeve. 
Until the next time.............................

The Good, The Not So Good, and the Ugly

Yesterday was quite warm with a high of almost 29C and when you add in the humidex, it was 36C. Late afternoon, it rained hard for a very short period of time. Didn't cool off either. During the night, it rained and by this morning, it was 14C. 1.5" of rain fell. That is wonderful.

Lifestyle

It was a crazy morning yesterday. The lawn care company came to do weed control and was spraying our cucumber plants. We are now doing our own lawn care and have spent quite a bit of time researching. The cucumber plants are almost dead but we have our fall plan in place. 
I also cleaned our bedroom but have to go back and finish up the floor. It needs to be swept again and washed. With my hip improving, it may become tomorrow's job. 
We had no cases of the virus reported yesterday. People on the whole are following the mandates but there are concerns being raised that social distancing is not being followed outside some businesses. 

Sewing

I made 4.5 meters of piping yesterday and the red is stunning as piping. 

It would look great on any shirt, especially black or denim. 

Knitting

I knit about 10 rows on the first sleeve and am getting down to having it almost finished. I have to say it has been easier to knit it this time. 

Today

As it is late, I have been out to grocery shop at 7 a.m. and down the valley to buy fall fertilizer and home by noon. That was after doing an hours worth of research, which was interesting. I'm now ready for a nap. 
Until the next time......................................

Beginning to Clean the Sewing Room

Yesterday was another warm day with a high of 26C and a humidex of 33C. The temperature this morning is 17C. Today is suppose to get to 29C and we prepare for rain. 

Lifestyle

I was slow yesterday as my sciatic nerve is bothering me once again. But, we delivered tomatoes for someone who arrives tonight and begins his self isolation. 

After supper, I climbed up on the ladder several times to fix the smoke detectors as they were chirping. All was quiet until 5:45 a.m. this morning. I have one to check again -- the battery may be low even if I did put expensive ones in the 5 smoke detectors in this house this spring. 

There were no cases of the virus reported yesterday. I've been watching another province's numbers (daughter lives there) and have had to stop as it was stressing me out. I realized it is out of my control to do anything about it. I'm limiting my time looking at the information. 

Sewing

Before lunch, I spent 1 hour in the sewing room. I started cleaning off the cutting table and it looked like this at noon. 

I was in such a rush to start I forgot to take a before picture. There is still some items to deal with on the table and it will get done. 

Once the table was cleaned off, I made 3.5 meters of piping. I got the fabric cut into bias strips and the bias strips sewn together before lunch. 

After lunch and before I finished the bias, I had to deal with this chair. 

Most of the fabric went into the doll's, the fabric on the back of the chair onto the table to be sewn and I made piping. 

The piping was bagged with a spool of extra thread as I had 3 spools in the drawer. 

Once done, I got the broom and swept the floor in the desk area. The floor is ready to wash. 

I also laid out the fabric that will be piping. Missing is the red fabric that is under the rotary cutter. 

In all it was a good day in the sewing room with a lot done. 

Knitting

None was done last night. 

Today

I've fixed the smoke detector again this morning. I have laundry to do, some cleaning upstairs and then downstairs to sew more piping and do a bit more cleaning up. 

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

I Am Sore - Working Through It

Yesterday was sunny with a high of 27C with a humidex of 30C. It was muggy until the wind came up and then the humidity dropped. This morning it was 13C, foggy, and very damp. It is suppose to be another lovely day when the fog burns off.  

Lifestyle

It was a busy day yesterday. The Spousal Unit picked tomatoes for a person who will arrive tomorrow to their new home. We still have a lot of tomatoes to pick and freeze. 
I spent time in the house cleaning. The fridge got the outside cleaned and is shining. No streak or dirt marks on it. I also cleaned the bank of cupboards beside the fridge. A few things got tossed, a few things are going to the thrift shop, and everything got organized. There is space in the upper cupboard if I need more storage space. It feels good having that job done. 
While climbing up and down the little step ladder, my hip/leg issue flared up. It was painful and I hobbled around the rest of the day but didn't give up. I stretched it really good last night and it is better today. Tired with some soreness that will leave with time. I have to keep moving through these spells to help it get stronger. 
We had no new cases of the virus reported yesterday. School started yesterday and there were 10 children (K-5) catching the bus at the end of our street. All were/are wearing masks and were great at putting them on. The older students catch the bus in a different location and all were/are wearing masks. The new normal for school.  

Sewing

I spent some quality time taking grandson's masks apart, making them narrower across the face and resewing them back together. 
I did look briefly at the mess before I hobbled out. The plan is to work on the cutting table -- sew piping for daughter, press and fold fabrics for future projects, and things tossed on it put away. I'm sure it will take a few days to get to the bottom of that mess. I'll post a before picture for sure. 

Knitting

I found a needle of the right size and knit close to 20 rows on the sleeve. I'm happy with my progress and hope to finish the sleeve soon. It is so much easier to knit on needles that aren't worn out. 
Testing patterns for both knitting and sewing have been slow. I don't crochet so no new knitting patterns. Sewing patterns have been for smaller dolls that I don't own. I continue to look every couple of days for a pattern to sew or knit. 

Today

Laundry needs to be done, we have to be out to deliver tomatoes and masks, and I will fill in the rest of the time cleaning the sewing room and knitting on the sweater. 
Until the next time...............................

Another Busy Day

From Facebook

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day. The high got to 25C. This morning it was 16C and cloudy. The high is to get to 29C. It could be a warm, humid day.

Lifestyle

We started the day off getting a chair for downstairs. It is perfect for the sewing room's desk. It came from daughter-in-law. 
Once home, I cleaned the cupboard above the fridge and set up a couple of areas that I had neglected after Christmas. It was fun to wipe off the dishes and put them out. I got out the pieces of antique silverware and cleaned them. I put a layer of foil on the bottom of a glass dish, sprinkled on 2 tbsp each of salt and baking soda. The pieces were put on top of that. I boiled water and then let it cool for 30 seconds and poured it in. I was amazed at how the tarnish started to lift. I used a micro fibre cloth to polish them and they are shiny. 
Once that was done, the fridge was cleaned. I'm trying to do it on a regular basis now. In the afternoon, I made dinner (pirogies and cabbage rolls) and swept the floors. We had a wonderful dinner with family which allowed them to go home and pack some more (they have a big kitchen reno starting soon). 
We had one new case of the virus reported yesterday. It is to be expected. 

Sewing

I headed down to the sewing room right after lunch and got the last 2 masks sewn for grandson. 

The pattern is another Mia mask. I have to take off the side pieces and cut the mask back by 1" to fit grandson's face. They are too wide for him. That will be done today for delivery. 
As I made the masks, I looked at the cutting table (yuck) and have decided it will be cleaned first. It is annoying me to no end (as is the chair at the corner desk). At first I had thought of sewing my way through it but that isn't happening. Some will be pressed, folded and put away for future projects. I can hunker down and sew for the next few months with minimal shopping. 

Knitting

No knitting was done last night. 

Today

I will be cleaning up the area beside the fridge and cleaning the outside of the fridge. Though I keep it wiped, it needs a good shining. This afternoon, I will fix grandson's masks and start cleaning up the cutting table. I do hope to knit tonight. 
Until the next time............................

A Busy Day

Yesterday the high got to 23C. The sun shone until mid afternoon and it clouded up and we had a short shower. It did clear off again. This morning it is 8C and foggy. It is suppose to be sunny and 25C today. 

Lifestyle

Daughter-in-law and I went to the city yesterday morning. We did Walmart (not busy), Costco (line up, but in and out in 15-20 mins) and Ikea. We did not go into Ikea as the line up was longggggg and what was needed was out of stock. On the way home, we stopped at Cobbs. A very quick trip for us. 
Our neighbor (and fabulous friend) was over with 2 pints of salsa for us. It looks yummy and we will enjoy it this winter. 
While in Walmart, I did find a yellow facecloth and hand towel. I put them into the container in the downstairs bathroom. 

I need to roll one of the facecloths again and pull up one of the blue ones. I am liking the yellow and blue together, very cheerful. I'm wondering if I use this combination it upstairs also. The upstairs blue is more of a denim color and needs a bright color to go with it. 
We had no new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 3 active cases in the province. Not too bad considering 6500 university students and 150 (approx.) boarding school students have entered the province since mid August. 

Sewing

I took the box to the sewing room and put daughter's fabric into it. Half filled the box. I also got 2 fat quarters on the cutting table to make into piping. I will be putting them into a tray so they are tidy and ready to make during the week. 
Two packages arrived with fabric that daughter had ordered for bags. I am keeping them and will make them starting in January. 
These two will be pockets for the triangle bag. I will line them with a light colored fabric and then choose coordinating fabrics for the bags. 

This is a quarter meter strip of fabric and I'm not sure yet how I will design the bag. This one is a bit of a challenge for me.  

I am thinking about fall fair sewing for next year. I bought this pattern on sale. I am only going to sew the dress and probably in pink or blue. The goal is to embroider flowers on the bodice in pink or yellow with green foliage. A challenge for this winter. And, I will buy extra fabric for mistakes. 

Butterick 4110

But, first, it is to clean the sewing room and make piping. 

Knitting

I knit and I unknit last night. I dropped a stitch. I am also having issues as the tip of the needle is moving and causing the yarn not to slide off the needle. I need to see if I have that size in the needle stash and then replace this one. I have literally worn this needle out from knitting so much. 

Today

The morning is in the kitchen as I have several things I need to do. The afternoon is making masks for grandson and I hope to knit tonight. 
Until the next time...................................