I am not Alice

 No, Not going to follow a white rabbit down a dark hole! I followed a Fairy through her cottage door. Much more pleasant.

It is a lovely cottage just beneath the magical tree in my room. However, just like Alice (in a way) I get myself into mischief. YouTube is my problem. Some of you know what I mean. Browsing turns into "oh I must make this, where can I get the pattern and so on and so on. Do you have fairies ? There are four doors in my room. You don't see them, but they are there. Anyway, I saw a new to me stitch....actually several stitches.... that I have not done, I immediately get out the scrap fabric and needle and thread and practice them. The latest is the Mosaic stitch.

It is actually the darning stitch redone. This will be an adorable.....never mind, when it is finished you will see. My Hawaiian Quilt Block is coming along.

This is the back side. At the moment I am doing echo stitching around the applique and I am not fond of stitching white thread on white fabric. Taking my time with it.

 I have a few more samples of stitching but I will post them in the next post and it will not take me so long to return. 

Our temperatures  are still in the triple digits and because the Monsoon season is not yet passed, we have humidity. There have been a few overnight storms with limited rain but plenty of winds, lightening and thunder. Although Sammy is not afraid of storms, he does not like the loud thunder. I am afraid, yes at almost 80 years old, I am afraid of lightening, always have been.  For those who were/are concerned because I have not posted, I am fine. No falls to report, but I am having real issues with my knee and vision. 

I would like to share  another of Alan and Lisa's telescope pictures. They have learned the process and enjoy plotting the course for each picture.

This is Caldwell 12/NGC 6946

Common name, Fireworks Galaxy

Constellation Cepheus 

It is 22 million light years away 

Note: All sky photos are property of Alan Piccirilli. Please do not copy without permission. Please  contact me for questions.

I am happy you stopped by today.Thank you for caring.

Thank you for your friendship

What I have been doing

 Keeping out of trouble for sure. Well, not exactly right, The other day my laptop slipped out of my hand and scraped against my right shin (of course the right le g) as it slide to the floor after it landed on my right foot. After an ice pack the it felt better. This has not stopped me from the sewing corner....

I just finished embroidering this needle minder. The print fabric is the backing. I am really trying to keep track of my needles while working. So far I have not dropped any, this week anyway.

I did mention that I wanted to learn Romanian Point Lace, Making the cord was not as difficult as I thought, but get tension right on a project is what I need to work on. The first try is on the left, I am sure you see a better piece on the second try. I plan to make another piece, a little larger.

I love how this Bird of Paradise finished. The embroidery is on a Ladies 18the century tie pocket. I do not plan to use it as such, just wanted to make one. I think a draw string at the top and then a short strap as if to hang on a wrist. Again, I do not plan to wear it so for now it is as is.

I began another Hawaiian Quilt block. This is from the Poakalani Hawaiian Quilt Designs. Dianna gave this pattern to me. It is the February birth month design. I still need practice with needle turn but I think it will look okay.  The flower of the month is Violet, symbolizing Faithfulness, Modesty and Young love. I chose purple shaded batik. I love using my yarn bowl from the Grandkids. Any threads can be used and I think of them while using it. 

With permission from The Brother Alan, I am posting a fantastic photo from Alan and Lisa's Sky ......

 Oh my goodness. Isn't it fantastic. Be sure to enlarge it. You will see many stars around it. This is the North American Nebula. The constellation is Cygnus. The distance from earth is 2,600 light years away! It took 174 minutes to capture this picture. Alan and Lisa are becoming very knowledgeable of the sky and plan each photo path. All pictures are captured from our back yard .

Note: All sky photos are property of Alan Piccirilli. Please do not copy without permission. Please contact me for questions.

Thank you for stopping by and for your friendship. 

Keeping busy

 Hello friends, here we are a new month, July. I have been busy finishing and learning. 

The Hawaiian quilt block is complete. The pattern is Anthurium. (The Hawaiian anthurium (commonly called the Heart of Hawaii or Flamingo Flower) symbolizes hospitality, warmth, and welcome. Because of its vibrant colors and heart shape, its English meaning centers on affection, abundance, and the spirit of giving.) 
 It may not be perfect, but I am pleased with it. I already have the next design picked out.

I am almost finished making an 18th century ladies tie pocket. I am making a few modifications. What am I learning you may ask (or not). I decided I want need to learn lace making.  Oh, not with bobbins! At the moment I have learned to make Romanian Cord which is used in lace making.  My plan is to use a simple motif. Also, I am planning to make a Japanese Pojagi window panel for my bathroom and try some Whitework embroidery. Yes, I feel ambitious. I am fortunate to have the luxury of time. The Brother Alan and Lisa have now assumed houses responsibilities. I want less to do so I can stay in my sewing corner. Did I tell you about my corner? That will be for another day. 

Sammy has been, well..... Sammy. Mostly he is a good boy. If only he did not like paper, like toilet paper, napkins and anything that can be shredded.   Loves taking Lisa and Alan's shoes. If we cannot find it we just look under my bed, his hiding place. We will not talk about today's adventure yet.

 

 Look at the full moon of May 11th taken with Alan's telescope at 11:21 am. Be sure to zoom in. His pictures are amazing. As for his new blog, technical difficulties are holding it up.

Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your friendship. 

What happened in January

 Hello friends

 I thought I would fill in the past months along with current doings. I guess I should start in December when I fell in the yard. It was about a week after getting an injection in my right knee. So, that wiped out the pain relief. Then on January 22nd while walking to see what the fire in the neighborhood was about, you may have guessed, yes, I fell. One minute I was standing then I was down. There were two neighbors who were also going to the fire so I had immediate help. I fell face first in crushed rock and began to bleed on my face. I called Lisa who was home and she came to get me and off to the emergency room we went. Five hours there and they glued the cut on the bridge of my nose closed instead of stitches. I had many small cuts all over my face. My right eye became black and blue immediately. When we returned home, I suggested we not tell Alan. Lisa gave me a look. I suggested that since he would be home late (10ish) I would lay facing the wall and pretend to be asleep. Alan stops in my room every night when he arrives home. Lisa did not seem to buy that thought. Of course as soon as Alan came home she told him. His first words were...."so you had to check out a fire". It took a few weeks before the bruising and small cuts healed. Yes, I did see my eye specialist to make sure there was no damage to the eye and my PCP. She suggested I get a PT evaluation and that was a good idea. It seems my falling issue just may be my balance. I now have a cane for long walking times and when my right knee is painful.I  have not fallen since, On to the fun stuff.

Chicken Scratch....have you heard of it, or done it? I did many moons ago as a child. 

I decided to try it again. 

 

 I bought black check gingham and used white and red for the design and made me an apron.

I do wear aprons when I am cooking. I made the bib in a floral print as well as the band and ties. A fun apron for sure. I learned Chicken Scratch when I was around ten. We had a wonderful neighborhood playground that taught us many crafts for free and held games and such. It was the best. 

Recent;y I saw on YouTube, Japanese wood carving and I fell in love with the hair combs they made. So I searched and found just the right one

 

 

It is carved from Rosewood.  It is solid/heavy compared to regular combs. I love it. The company sells many styles and choice of woods. It will require special care, not getting it too wet and cleaning it every so often with natural oil. 

Well, that about covers a back update and current happenings.  More to come soon.....

 Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your friendship.