Yes, I'm back in isolation again. Bill had a one-day business trip to Philadelphia USA & now we are both healthy & in isolation to keep others that way. The virus is an invisible enemy that lurks everywhere there is a human host to survive on. It is a different time for us living for sure.
I've been messaging our granddaughter & she too is having a hard time with not being able to spend time here with her grandparents & friends. Hopefully, the spring will bring a more promising time, until then we just have to encourage each other through this pandemic & stay safe.
We need to hold onto memories of our happy carefree times before this pandemic. I found this photo of our granddaughter the same day she messaged me with just a 'Thinking of you' & I knew we are all connected through our thoughts & memories. This pic was taken on Christmas 2017, who knew what would be would be? Stay positive, stay strong, be kind.
The backyard squirrel lives its day as it did before keeping things as they were & happy that the bird feeders are once more being filled for the winter.
The Blue Jays are so plentiful here, we have counted up to 12 at one time!
New to our feeder this year are the Evening Grosbeak & we have even seen a Cardinal twice now!
In the dark late fall colours, these colourful birds are a delight to see at the feeders!
Sewing Time!
I've entered the world of Luna Rabbit & Friends. It is a story/pattern book that is so worth the money with all the full-size patterns inside or the rabbit, chair, clothing, & accessories.
Here is Luna Lapin, she is known for her smart dressing & here she is in her lace top/skirt & Frenchie undies. The patent leather shoes are from Michael's 18" All American Girl accessories, I will be making her wool felt shoes & boots that are both in the pattern book. The book is available on Amazon, have a peak!
The back of her pink-lined lace outfit has shell buttons, the hat was my attempt at crotcheting a pattern from the Luna Lapin Facebook files.
I needed to create something that brought a delightful response to me & Luna Lapin did just that!
In the Luna Lapin book is also the pattern for her brother Alfie Lapin & his clothes! I needle felted the carrots a few years back learning how to needle felt, they were the right scale for Alfie's paw!
He really is a handsome rabbit! I added cat whiskers to his face.
Here they are in my sewing room before Alfie was fully dressed wearing his boxer briefs. I made little chairs for each of them & added a cotton 'dishcloth' that I edge-stitched with cotton embroidery.
Their noses are different so when fully undressed you will know who is who. lol
They are almost all handsewn with the blanket stitch!
The Harvest Pinwheel quilt has been bound & is hanging on the great room mezzanine railing.
And the scraps from that quilt have been put to good use too! I'm pleased with the way this turned out with just putting it together with the leftover scraps!
Back in 2016 I started this kit from Bird Brain Designs & made just the pillow & embroidered the other items to be made from the kit, oh yes, I did do the strawberry pincushion at that time too.
This is the needlebook that I modified for my needle storage of the many needles needed for different items that are made.
I modified it by adding pockets of clear plastic & fabric pockets.
I used the pincushion embroidery for the one page with the wool needle holders above for loose needles. I didn't need another pincushion as I made the strawberry one.
The next page had more pockets with sewn sections a plain page with a 'Made in Canada' label in the center. It could be used to hold more loose needles that go astray if not secured.
Again I used the strawberry embroidery piece that was to be used as a scissor holder on this page.
Turn the page & I have made this page that scissors could be tied to & placed in the pocket & another clear plastic pocket to hold more needles.
Finally, the back of the seven-page needlebook has another clear pocket to hold the threaders, if needed I know where they are. I made a tie to hold the book together. I was so pleased that the new Pfaff had sewn through all those pages!!
I now have a needlebook to help keep me organized & another UFO finished!
Remember Snowdrift a Kathy Schmitz design? Well, that too is sewn, now just to cut the outline out & finish the edging. I'm going to use crochet cotton to create an edging, the pattern had a chenille edging to it but I'm going to use what I have to finish the edge.
Here is the 2002-2003 Thimbleberries Club Quilt for winter that I finished last week.
The pattern needed a bit more for my liking so I added boiled wool stars that I handsewn down with the buttonhole stitch. The binding was to be done in a red fabric but I'm going to use black Kona for the binding. I'm pleased with it now having a more primitive look to it!
You had to be very careful with the cutting as the kit did not have any fabric for error so there are just slivers of fabric leftover from this kitted project. Maybe a small quilt for Luna Lapin this Christmas.
I had carefully layered this finished pattern from my girlfriend Lynn of London, it makes me smile at the scene of Santa with his daily living.
It was placed under this handsewn mat for safekeeping & because it's larger, you can't tell! The underling of this works as the base for the Santa mat!
Rexton our Manx, is always on my sewing & tries I'm sure to be helpful?!
If she sees fabric or embroidery thread, she claims it as her own place to be.
And will totally ignore me when I talk to her! This little 15lb Manx, does have a mind of her own.
These were what keep me busy whilst travelling to Alberta last month. I worked a bit more on them & even finished one!
My favourite with toast & tea! I'm pleased with that new Pfaff, it sews beautifully through any fabric!
The strawberries are next. It is tricky with a circle because the binding must be on the true bias to have it work properly on the outside.
On the topic of food...
Susan gave me two lovely pumpkins for decor, then eating! I made a pumpkin pudding & froze 16 cups for winter enjoyment of having the stove on & making yummy pumpkin recipes! Thank you, Susan!
It is so easy to make the pulp puree in the oven. Back in my younger years, I use to peel & boil the pulp, this way is so much easier!! Slice pumpkin in half, clean out seeds & loose threads, place on the cookie sheet as shown, top with aluminum foil. Then place in a hot oven of 350F for 45 mins or until a fork goes through the pulp easily. Cool, scoop, Strain, & puree with a hand blender, Voila! Pumpkin Puree to freeze or use in your favourite recipe!
We have been getting into the Christmas spirit here & the small Christmas tree is now in the Great Room to be enjoyed in the evening. It too will be a different Christmas without the kids for the first time ever!
Bill installed the Christmas find from Candle in the Window in Bosetown NB. It is hanging in the front foyer & is viewed many times a day for our enjoyment & memory of the outing we took that Sunday & discovered the Covered Bridge!
We have not had any snow here yet & I know one day we will turn the corner & it will be winter.
Winter too has its own beauty to be enjoyed. For me, that's through the window with the firebox burning & the feeling of warmth & coziness inside.
Thank you for visiting today & I hope you too are holding your loved ones close to your heart with warm memories.
This quote has been seen by me several times on Facebook or blogs & each time makes my heart sing.
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis
Stay safe. Be Kind.
Cynthia
I'm loving Luna & creating her outfits, this is on done in vintage fabric & her chair next to her.
I added macrame beads to give it a bit of height. The legs were wobbly & Bill fixed that with a wire extension inside giving the chair more stability. Thank you xo
Alfie & Luna Lapin are by the Christmas tree & need new Christmas outfits, next post they will model them for you! I use scraps from the Christmas quilt to make a sleigh quilt & pillow.
The Boston's Baxter & Bridget love the morning sun as it shines in through the foyer door.
I laugh when I see their silhouettes on the door when they're on the front porch waiting to get in. I'm going to make a pattern from this & rug hook their silhouettes onto a stool this winter.
