Back for a Moment.........

It seems as though it's been a long time since my last post, but now it's near the end of September, and I thought I would bring you up to date.
Unfortunately, I have been ill since my last blog entry in May with a flare-up of one of my autoimmune diseases. Thankfully, I am starting to improve, but I need to focus on getting well and getting stronger. To that end, I've decided to postpone returning to blogging, except for posting my stitching progress once a week at this group blog.  ( You can see my stitching progress here )
I would like to thank all of you for being here and supporting me in my blog ramblings over the last 5 years. I've surely missed the wonderful blogland fellowship during my recent absence, and I wish you all continued success in your endeavours and good health. I'm not sure when I'll return to blogging, but I know that I'll miss you. Thank you.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

 

Musings in May

Hi everyone! You may remember that I finished the Wedding Piece #2. Then, I realized I had forgotten to sign and date my embroidery!  Arrrrgh.  Mary Anne advised me to not only do that, but also to record the who, what, why, where, and when on a separate paper to include with the stitchery. So I shall include a card with the gift, as well as a card on archival paper, to include all the information. It will be hidden between the frame and the backing paper. Thanks MA for your wonderful advice!

The name is on the bottom right corner of the embroidery. Did you notice that it's all done in Bullion stitch?
Can you find the year?

The gelli print fabric has been embroidered, cut, and stitched with buttonhole stitch.
I'm saving the other pieces for another project.
I created some tatted tassels with the same thread used to embroider the fabric.

Then I added a jewel to each tassel.
This bookmark is on its way to DGD Jewel in Australia.

I hope she likes it.
(the colour is a little off in this photo)




This month brings with it several challenges. I shall be writing a course, teaching two e-courses through StitchMAP, and  taking a new course with Karen Ruane. As well, I hope to finish some work on hand, and do some special stitching that so far is only in the planning stages.  Then there are the gardens to get planted and into shape.
Also, we may be having visitors this spring/summer/autumn coming all the way from Australia. I don't know, yet, but I'm excited at the prospect.
 We are now into the third month of renovations in the house, and I think the noise, dust, and lack of privacy is taking a toll........So, I've decided to go dark for the spring and summer. No blog posts (except a stitching post here)  and no blog comments. I'm hoping that this blog break will allow for some spirit refreshing, revitalizing, and rejuvenation!
I'd like to express my appreciation to every one of my followers who have read and responded to any of my blatherings about my creations with paper, paint, needle and thread. Thanks so much for being here! I know I'll miss you and all your wonderful creations.
May you have a wonderful and safe summer!
Thanks so much for visiting.
See you in September.
Hugs from Suz







 

May Middle

We've had some blustery weather, so I grabbed the camera to capture some photos of the gardens before the wind and rain destroyed all the flowers.

 crabapple? tree

creeping phlox

trilliums under the maple trees

miniature iris

vinca

the last of the magnolia flowers

the lilac is just beginning to open

 I found this robin's egg after the storm, lying intact in the grass. I searched for the nest, so I could return the egg to its home, but, sadly, could not find it.






I'm not usually into sewing clothes for myself, but when I couldn't find satin pj's anywhere, I decided to make my own. I like the satin because it allows movement in the bedding. In summer we have cotton sheets, but other times of the year we use flannelette or jersey sheets. Have you ever tried to roll over wearing flannelette pj's on flannelette sheets? The sheets move with you, and the blankets, too. DH doesn't like losing his bedding every time I roll over........  ;-)

So, satin slides and the sheets stay in place. Well, unless I grab them and hold on when I roll over............but that never happens...........umm, right?
Luckily, stretch satin was on sale at my local fabric store. yay! Not being an accomplished seamstress, I spent the whole weekend and Monday sewing and frogging my new pj's. The top is done, and the bottoms just need the elastic and hems. 

Such soft and subdued colours............DH is afraid they may keep him awake at night.....lol........The neckline, cuffs and hem are trimmed in pink to match the pink of the material, so, of course, the pj bottoms had to be pink, too, right? 
They only had fuschia........bright, shiny, fuschia................... I shall be colourfully comfortable.

I hope you've had a colourful and creative week.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

 

Marvelous May

Why is May so marvelous? First, spring has arrived! Second, the Gelli print fabric is almost finished! Third, Wedding Piece #2 is finished!! Yay! and Fourth, I've been gardening and planting vegetables. Fifth, I've been playing with paint, and some ink.
So, May is beginning in a marvelous way.
In the garden this week:

these beauties shot through the eart in the last couple of days to add some happy colour to the garden beds

I love the variety of colour on one plant!

the gelli print fabric is colourful, too

 some areas have an overlap of the pattern, which has made the embroidery a bit confusing..........

 

 I had the need to play with some paint

I put the brush away, and used a credit card for the rest of the painting.

Lots of soft wave action.....


A friend spotted something in the water.......

Look!  A sea turtle!

Wow, how did that happen?!

Magical.

The basement bathroom is finished, and I grabbed a few of the tile pieces left in a bucket. After washing, a thin layer of rubbing alcohol was applied, and then I added some inks.
white tiles......

I love the bubble action.

This is a brown floor tile.

I got in trouble using the tile pieces......they might be needed for the upstairs bathroom, which is now in renovations..........I'll have to wait and see if there are any tiles left over when that bathroom is finished. Then, maybe I can play some more......... ;-)

Wedding Piece #2 is finished, and damp stretched!
Once upon a summer's night, two people declared their love and shared their wedding vows beneath a glowing super moon, surrounded by family and friends, all standing amid a beautiful winery. Pink roses flanked each row of grape vines, their soft scent perfuming the air. The grapes were not yet ripe, but glowed in the moonlight with the promise of a bountiful yield.

Does it look balanced to you?

shown with the ruler

now it needs to be mounted and is awaiting the frame DH is making

I hope you've had a fun a creative week.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

April Wanes

As April draws to an end, we're finally getting some nice spring weather, so I've been spending some time out in the gardens.
We had a Guild Workshop to make bowls for our fall window display. I finished three during the day, and have some more in progress.

 This was a gorgeous scarf that was accidently put through the washing machine and dryer, so the knitting became matted. I cut out a piece, shaped it, and gathered the top edge, then added some beads for a bit of bling.

This looks more like a nest. It began with three long, narrow, knitted strips which were tightly braided together, then wound and sewn into a bowl shape. The ends look like tails, so I beaded the longest one and wound it around the shorter ones.

Four chords braided, wound and stitched into a wee Christmas bowl.

On the Wedding Piece, there's been a bit of progress.
Remember this?  I thought the large curlicue in the middle looked too much like the name Lee. Since Lee had no place in this wedding, and looked too heavy beside the delicate roses, it had to go.

I added more leaves, branches and roses. I think it fits much better, don't you?

There's still a bit more stitching to do. I'm hoping it'll be finished by next week!
I hope your week has been a creative one.


Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

April's Happenings

There has been stitching going on during the rainy, cold days of the last week. And a special little visitor came to stay.
Wedding Piece progress:

not much further to go.......!

a gelli plate printed fabric

adding embroidery to the pattern with a variegated crochet thread

6 more wrapping cloth pieces have been pinned

two more are in the works

This little Hedgehog came to Canada all the way from Linda in the UK!

I decided to call her Honey. Isn't she so cute? Thanks Linda! Love my Honey Hedgie!


She's checking out another of my gelli print fabrics. I think she approves.  ;-)

I took another walk to the park

I was surprised to still find snow here and there in the woods and the marshy areas

This Mallard Drake was on the path with his lady 

This amaryllis was re-potted a little late and is just blooming. It didn't bloom last winter, so I'm pleased it's doing so now

Now the second flower is opening. There are 4 buds on the stalk. I've had this amaryllis for about 7 years. The red one bloomed last winter, but I only have green leaves this year.



Hope you've had a fun and creative week.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz