The Test Skirt Begun

Yesterday was warmer with a high of -0.8C. It was nice to have it that warm. This morning it is -3C as it has been most of the night, and we have a skiff of snow. We now await the ice pellets and freezing rain. Then it is to be cold again. The high today is suppose to get to 7C but I'm not sure as another site says 0C.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I cleaned up a bit and then washed the floors. It was good to get that job done. I did it the easy way with Swiffer but I got it done. I need to was the floors on my hands and knees though. 

I helped with the puzzle yesterday. Not sure how much it was appreciated but I did get 5 or 6 pieces in and a large area placed in almost the right spot. I want to spend an afternoon helping. 

My IBS is flared up and it seems to be gluten. I've had a bit more gluten lately. Back to 1 item a day for the next several days. I've pretty much eliminated onion from my diet which has been helpful to realize I'm sensitive to the gluten.

My weight stalled with the IBS flare ups (as it always does) but I finally lost 1.7 lbs for a total of 17.3 lbs. I am starting to feel my clothes are getting loose. 

There was one case of the virus reported yesterday. We are back to travel outside the region or close contact of another case. 

Sewing

I got the skirt for the test pattern cut out and I started to sew it. I got the yoke and shoulder parts done. I put lace on the straps and ran out so there will be no lace on the yoke. 

It fits like a charm though some have complained the shoulder straps are too long. I think they are needed to go over the puffy sleeves. 

Knitting

I got the first sleeve finished last night. It is knitting up faster than I had thought. Three more evenings and it should be done and I can start the hat. Then it will be on to the next test pattern. 

Today

With the storm coming in, we are staying home. I will do some housework, sew and knit for as long as possible. We may loose power with the freezing rain. I'm hoping not but one never knows. I also have to get gas for the generator. We will be able to have tea but no heat so it could be a bundle up in blankets and drink tea kind of evening. At least it won't be cold.

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

Test Pattern Blouse Done

It has been cold. Especially at night. The days look better because the sun shines. The wind has died down some and it is -5C this morning, the warmest it has been for several days. We have a storm (snow and freezing rain) coming in tomorrow. 

Lifestyle

I've been cleaning the house, cooking, and we had our grandson over on Saturday night. Yesterday daughter-in-law and I went shopping for groceries in Bedford and that was fun. 

I did some genealogy on Friday. I chose my great aunt by marriage and looked for information on her siblings. It was very informative and I surfaced at noon. I probably won't do this again for a couple of months but it certainly is an interesting time when I do. 

The virus counts have been low with 1-2 cases a day. We continue to be vigilant when we go out. 

Sewing

I finished the blouse yesterday. It was difficult but not difficult. The pattern is similar to the last 2 dresses I made so I understood the process. The problem was my machine hating to do fancy stitching and then not wanting to make buttonholes. 

All the buttons were sewn on as we watched Finding Your Roots on TV. We record it to watch on Sunday afternoons. 

I've had issues with my iron leaking. With some research I figured out that I have to turn off the iron and empty it at the end of each day. When I go to use it, I need to heat it up and put in the water. A pain but it is working really well now. 

Knitting

I have started another test pattern. It is a shawl collar sweater and nice to knit. I have the body done and just started on the sleeves. The shawl collar will be interesting as there are many stitches to pick up and knit on it. 

I have a second pattern in the line up to knit. I am not sure what yarn I will use but I will be looking for yarn in the stash for it. It is knit on finer yarn and smaller needles. 

Today

Some housework, cutting out the skirt pattern for the test pattern, out for dinner, and some knitting. It is Nova Scotia Heritage Day and most businesses are closed. 

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

Decorative Stitch Failure

 Yesterday was another cold and sunny day. The high got to -6C. This morning it is -12 with wind. We also had a snow flurry go through and whiten the deck. We should see some sun today but could have flurries during the day. 

We talking about when the last big snow storm was in this area. Feb. 14, 2017 had 65 cm fall. That is 26". Between Feb. 5-7, 2001, there was 200 cm of snow fall. That is a whopping 80" of snow. We will not complain about the snow we had. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday was a hodge podge day. I did get some housework done in the kitchen. Right down to the floor being swept. I did a load of laundry also. I was waiting for the doctor to call so couldn't get into big jobs so it was small jobs that got done. 

The doctor called after lunch and the news was good. My thyroid is still stable and has been for about a year now. My liver functioning has improved. Up from 45% to 52%. Loosing weight has helped that. It also means my blood pressure is good and my blood sugars are below 6.0. I will continue to eat properly and loose weight. 

There were 2 cases of the virus reported yesterday and both are close contacts with other cases. I'm sure people here are really thinking as Newfoundland reported 100 cases yesterday. It is a reminder that the virus is around and can infect many people in a hurry. 

Sewing

My time in the sewing room was limited yesterday so I had to make the best use of my time. I decided to pin and cut out the blouse of the Amy outfit. I worked on the front, did the stitching (after doing a test piece) and I tossed it into the garbage. It was a failure.

The stitch pattern did its own thing on me. I have laid out another front and will rethink which design I will do. I left the sewing room in a frump and picked up our grandson from school. Best diversion I had. 

While I had some down time, I may choose not to do any fancy stitching but just two rows of a 3 step stitch down each side of the center front. Or, it may stay plain. 

Knitting

I worked on the Daisy Stitch sweater and my luck was not so good with it. I had to unknit several rows to fix a mistake. All is well but it certainly wasn't fun undoing the daisy stitch. Fear of dropping a stitch reigns wild. 

Today

More housework today along with sewing and knitting. Another stay at home day for us. 

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

Mask Making Success and Failure

 Yesterday was another cold day. They say it was -15.8C yesterday morning and the high got to -5C. The sun shone and the world sparkled. This morning it is -11C and we are to see sunshine and -5C. 

Lifestyle

I did some housework yesterday and then played with embroidery designs on the computer. I will have to do more housework today. With the cold weather we don't feel like doing much indoors. 

There was one case of the virus reported yesterday. Close contact of another case. 

Sewing

I went down the rabbit hole of trying to find an embroidery design for the yoke on a toddler's dress I want to make. I did 2 to see if one of them will fit the yoke. If not, back to designing again. 

In the world of sewing, I made a mask for myself and it was too small. When I sat and thought about it, I began to doubt myself. I was wrong when I measured the mask I had. It is too big on me but the circle used was 11" not 10". I cut out another 10" circle to put in daughter's box and then 2 11" circles for masks for me. I will use 3/8" seams to make them smaller. 

I do love this mask as it fits most faces well and is fast to make. 

With that figured out and me needing a break, I made daughter another 3 meters of piping. I had it done in less than an hour. 

A new Keepers Dolly Duds pattern is out to test. It came out yesterday afternoon and I missed it last night. It is called Amy and is to be a part of the Little Women collection.

I found the picture on the designer's Facebook page and have loved it since she showed it last fall. I will be making it for sure starting today. It is a skirt and blouse with decorative stitching on the blouse. I need to look for the fabric so I can make it quickly. It has a week's sewing timeline (very fast).

Knitting

I worked on the Daisy Stitch sweater last night until my hands cramped up. I've got about 20 rows done so far. It is my slow knit as I will be setting it aside while I do other test patterns. 

Today

This morning it will be more housework with sewing in the afternoon. I have to pick up grandson from school at 3 p.m. In the midst of all this, I have a call from the doctor. Tonight will be more knitting.

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

Knitted Sweater and Hat Done

 Though it was cool yesterday, the sun shone. And it had heat in it. The high got to -5C but you could see water dripping from the snow outside the back door. This morning it is -11C and the high should be about the same. And sunshine. A body loves the sunshine. 

Lifestyle

I was out for blood tests yesterday and was tired the rest of the day. It is the stress of having them and once done, I relax and crash. It's a long story that has gone on since I was a child. 

I did get all the laundry folded and put away in the morning along with some kitchen clean up. I did push myself to do a few things.

The county widened the roads in our area yesterday morning with a huge machine. The operator was so good, he even cleaned out the mess he put in each driveway. 

The Spousal Unit also did more cleaning on the back deck. He did not touch the pile by the BBQ. He had to measure it (3 feet) and could start on it today.

There was one case of the virus reported yesterday. The latest ones have been related to travel outside of the province. With Newfoundland having 11 cases on Monday and 30 on Tuesday (after very low counts), we are reminded that the virus can spread easily and quickly. 

Sewing

I swept the sewing room floor and then cut out three masks. Two are made and are in daughter's box to ship. The third one I will make for me. There is enough of the paisley fabric left to line a basket for the guest room. I will cut it out and put it away for later on. 

Once the paisley fabric is dealt with, I will do a bit more cleaning and then start other projects. Piping is first on the list. 

Knitting

The hat for the set is done and pictures taken. I quite like the pattern on the sleeves and once I figured out the rhythm of it, it went fast. 

I put a pompom on the hat but I'm thinking of taking it off. I like the toque look more. 

Julie is now requesting new jeans. 

I cast on the Daisy Flower sweater and got 6 rows knit on it last night. 

Today

I've been out for groceries already and they are put away. I want to do some housework, play in the sewing room, and knit on the Daisy Flower sweater. I may even cast on a sweater for Bentley, daughter's cat. 

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

Dug Out After The Storm

 Yesterday was cool and it snowed until almost noon. The sun shone and the wind blew bringing in the cold front. It was -11C at 6 a.m. with a wind chill of -17C. It will be sunny today and cold. 

Lifestyle

It was dig out day yesterday. The Spousal Unit cleaned off over half of the deck and a good third of the driveway. The neighbors finished it for him as he was tired. 

We have the best neighbours. They had about 4 feet of snow to blow off the end of their driveway as did everyone on that side of the street.

I stayed inside and made our neighbors fresh baked buns as a thank you for being the best. I also did some housework that needed doing. 

There was one new case of the virus reported yesterday. Travel outside the region. With restrictions being lifted, we are being asked to not become complacent but to keep up the good work we've been doing. 

Sewing

I spent 3 hours working on the dress to get it completed. My fix job was on the wrong side so I had to redo it. When I sewed the last button on I was thrilled to have the dress done. 

The back looks great now and I'm happy it is done. 

I am thinking about next month's dress already and it will be in the 1850's again if I can get the lace I want. But in the mean time, I have a pleather skirt and jeans to make for the dolls and the rest of the items on my list. 

Knitting

I got a picture of Julie in the sweater I knit. 

The hat is almost complete - 12 decreasing rows left to go and a pom pom. I will have a few days to knit on something else before the next pattern arrives. Looking forward to that as the designer has been laid up for months. 

Today

I'm off to the hospital for blood work this morning. I would like to make another batch of fresh buns and more housework. The sewing room will be tidied and a couple of masks made. I want to finish the hat tonight. A busier day for us. 

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

And The Storm Arrived

 Yesterday was a nice day. Cool but we enjoyed it as we knew the snow was coming. It arrived just before 7 p.m. and an inch of snow fell in the first hour. 

 It has been quite the storm since then. The wind has blown all night and this was our back door this morning. 

And our neighbor's house. Lots of places have the same issue of drifting snow.

It is suppose to stop snowing around noon today. 

Lifestyle

How do you prepare for a storm was yesterday's question. We had everything so we prepared to just hunker down. 

I did fold some laundry, did another load, and helped with the puzzle. We did get more done on it. The Spousal Unit is working all over the puzzle while I am anal and am honing into one area. I'm not finding what I want so I will have to work on another area next. 

Sewing

My goal was to finish the dress but I did. 

 But now I am going back to fix the back of the dress. That means undoing the back seam, unpicking the serged waistline, and undoing one back part of the skirt. I forgot to turn under a piece at the waist of the skirt. I was tired, I was rushing, and I will own my error. 

Knitting

I worked on the hat last night and have started the pattern. If I am not too tired, I may have most of it done tonight. 

Today

Shoveling snow is the name of the game today. I have to help as there is a lot of it to be removed from the deck and driveway. If I am not too tired, I will start fixing the mistake on the dress and work on the hat. 

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