Rain, Montreal and Candy Canes

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Heather

You may or may not have heard, but Toronto was hit by a very bad storm on Monday evening. (This was very near our street. We are up a little hill, and this is the road that runs by it.)  Our power went out at about 6pm on Monday, and didn’t return until around 3pm on Tuesday, and our internet was out until early this morning. But, the a/c is back on, the fridge is restocked, and right now we are bracing ourselves for the possibility of another thunderstorm this evening. I’ve got my fingers crossed that it won’t be anywhere near as bad.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal

So, what have I been up to? Well, at the beginning of the month I went to Montreal for a wedding. We had a lovely time, and really enjoyed the train trip there and back. I did manage to get some stitching and knitting done, and I will share pictures soon. Unfortunately, one of our two cameras broke while we were away, and that has delayed some of my picture taking and processing.

Just before the blackout, I finished up this little piece:

Candy Canes, designed by Mill Hill

Candy Canes, designed by Mill Hill

It is Mill Hill’s Candy Canes, and is from the 2011 Winter Holiday collection. I stitched it as per the chart, although I did mange to get some of my beads facing in a different direction. I have no idea how it happened! I think I shouldn’t be watching my archaeology class lectures on Coursera while I’m beading!

Yesterday, sans internet and power, I spent quite a bit of time working on this month’s ornament for the Ornament SAL. All I will say about it is that it has something to do with a dragon. Surprise! lol!

I’ll have more pictures to share over the next couple of days, assuming tonight’s storm isn’t too bad.

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Happy Canada Day!

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Heather

Happy Canada Day! Become a Canadian for a day–eat some poutine and Canadian bacon, say “eh” a  lot, and apologize when someone bumps into you. 😉

Canada Flag and Mountains_small

Image courtesy of Stock Exchange.

1 Comment | Posted in Site News |

Baby Book

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Heather

My baby just finished his first year of school (junior kindergarten), so I figured it was time I finally did up that scrapbook I’ve been planning on making.

Baby Book Cover

Baby Book Cover

I am aware that it isn’t really great, but I still think I did a good job. I love the pictures I picked, and the stickers I bought (many of them were purchased when I was pregnant).

Sleepy baby

Sleepy baby

I am glad, though, that I went with a 10″ book. I was able to complete it pretty quickly. Although, I wasn’t able to fit all the pictures I would have liked.

Eaties!

Eaties!

It isn’t totally done yet. I still need to buy some Halloween and Christmas stickers. But, all the pictures are in the book, and everything else is finally put away properly. Thank goodness!

Yum, a book!

Yum, a book!

(And last week I even finished up his baby book, which went through to his fifth birthday. I need to get three more pictures printed for it, but otherwise it is done!!! Wheeee!)

2 Comments | Posted in Crafts |

Travelling Light

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Heather

Tomorrow we head off to Montreal for three days. (Don’t worry, the house won’t be unattended.) We are going for a friend’s wedding, but the long train trip and lots of unscheduled time means (potentially) lots of time for stitching and knitting. So, for the past couple of days I’ve been obsessing over planning what to take with me.

Namaste and stitching supplies all ready to go.

Namaste and stitching supplies all ready to go.

I ultimately decided to go with some simple projects. As my cross stitch project, I’ll be taking Ink Circle’s Namaste. I haven’t made any progress since I shared it last, so I think it is time it gets some attention.

Socks! Surprise.

Socks! Surprise.

Deciding on my knitting project was actually difficult. I thought about taking a baby sweater (no babies here, don’t worry!), but I worried I would finish it too quickly. Then I thought about a sweater for the little man, but I worried it would be too big. So, of course, I’m taking socks. But this pair is a little different. They are Turkish Bed Socks from Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, and they have an interesting construction. With luck, I’ll have at least one done by the end of the weekend.

Seriously, I’m going to be gone less than three days and yet I have to know I have enough to keep me busy. Heaven forbid my hands are idle for a moment! lol!

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch, Knitting | Tagged , , , , ,

Ornament SAL – June Check-In

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Heather

Well, ladies, we’ve made it through six months of ornament stitching! Congratulations!! Only six more months to go. 😉

Paws Off, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Paws Off, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

This month I stitched Paws Off by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams (who else?), from the 2005 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. And, amazingly, I stitched it as per the chart on some sort of white linen.

I’ve got next month’s ornament picked out and ready to go. Although, I was a little surprised by how small my pile was. I only have four ornaments left to stitch! But then I remembered that I plan to add the ornament from this year’s JCS ornament issue and also the ornament Jennifer designed for the Creativ Festival in the fall.

Unfortunately, Angela M. wasn’t able to stitch up an ornament this month, so I don’t have one from her to share.

logo_stitchinglotus_2013_ornament_sal_200x231

So, ladies, the end is in sight! Please add your link to the list below so we can all go and visit your blog. The list will be closed in about one week, on July 3rd or there abouts. The next check in will be July 31st.

Remember, it is never to late to join the Ornament SAL. Post the link to your blog below, and head over to this page to add yourself to the official list. The more the merrier!

8 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , , ,

So Nice I Made it Twice

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Heather

Knitting is different from needlework in a lot of respects, gauge being probably the most important . You can do your needlework on a piece of fabric that has more threads per inch than the chart calls for and you will still get a lovely finished project. But if you don’t make gauge when knitting, you usually end up with something that doesn’t fit. What’s even more annoying is when you do make gauge and still end up with something too small.

Small Creepers Hat

Small Creepers Hat

This is the Creepers All Around hat that I knit for the little man this past weekend. I got gauge and knit the children’s size. It is too small. Now, the little man has a bean that is a bit big for his age, but this hat is way too small. It is toddler-sized or maybe even infant-sized.

So, I knit it again.

Larger Creepers Hat

Larger Creepers Hat

This time I did the adult size, but adjusted the height of the hat to be more inline with the children’s instructions. The yarn is Paton’s Canadiana Solids in colour Cedar and Bernat Satin in colour Ebony. The pattern is available for free on Ravelry.

Both Creeper Hats

Both Creeper Hats

1 Comment | Posted in Knitting | Tagged , ,

Sparkles But No Fabric

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Heather

The newest Passione Ricamo SAL started last week, and I was nearly all ready to go. I had chosen my fabric, bought some beads, pulled the floss, and ordered the PTB I didn’t have.

Well, the PTB has arrived, but I haven’t started yet…

Petite Treasure Braid

Petite Treasure Braid

My fabric is too small!! I don’t know why I thought a fat quarter would work. I think I forgot to add the extra for framing. I could maybe use the trick of sewing on muslin for framing, but I generally prefer to frame without mats. I’m just going to have to wait and get some fabric later. Darn. 🙁

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch |