Sylvia's Simple Shots

 
I was treated to seeing the kitchen cupboards painted on Dec 31st!   I am very happy with the color.

I picked up the 30 hinges I needed to replace the bronze ones that were on the brown cupboards.

These are chrome and will go much better with the grey color of the cabinets.

I managed to get a better price of $2.00 each at another supplier than the big box store.

Another great read from Patrick Taylor.  An Irish Doctor in Love and at Sea.

This was a great book.  The story alternated with Dr. Fingal O'Reilly's earlier medical career and a more modern time where new doctors are joining the practice and Dr. Barry Laverty is a partner in the practice.

We finally find out what happened to his first wife. How they met, their love affair, their married life and how he loses her.  There have been vague mentions of her in past books and here we find out a lot more about Deirdre.

Donal is up to his antics as usual.

Loved the book!

New Year's Eve was a quiet night with the TV running the fireplace video.

My last glass of egg nog.

It was an early night as things have been hectic between the renovations and family celebrations.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Finally, the restoration project is moving forward.

The bottom cupboards are back in the kitchen.

They are being reinforced where damage occurred during the removal process. 

There will be plastering, sanding, painting happening here for a little a little bit.

The carpenter is very generous to spend an hour with me going over ideas about paint, finishes, and much more.  

I left feeling that we were on the same page.

I watched this Christmas movie this week.

An angel tree topper comes to life to return a Christmas spirit to this town.

One of the residents of this small town has a very poor attitude and she brings woe to those around her.

The angel and the girls vow to bring a brighter spirit to those around them.  They bake cookies, give away gifts, paint rocks with encouraging sayings andhelp out neighbours including Mrs. Grouchy. 

Turns out she used to be Mrs. Christmas in this town till her daughter eloped against her wishes then her attitude soured.

A Christmas spirit is returned at the of the movie and Mrs. Grouchy gets to meet her grandchildren for the first time.

I spend a lot of time with my sister on Christmas day trying to decide which color scheme to paint the cupboards after they were damaged during the asbestos abatement process. 

The white is the walls, the yellows are the frame on the cupboard doors and the grey is for the face of the cabinets. The second yellow represents the butcher block counter top.

I am happy to report that painting was the solution chosen and that project is moving forward

I went to my sister's for Christmas day and we attended this church's Christmas morning service.  It was very good.  I am so grateful that roads were so good for driving.  I returned to the hotel on Boxing Day.  We were joined by their neighbors.

We attended a community turkey lunch with a few hundred people.  I understand 214 plates were served.

We sat with a gentlemen who had recently loss his wife and this was the first time he attended on his own.

The turkey with all the trimmings was excellent though it took a while to serve that many people.

Another visit with Kinsey Milhone in Sue Grafton's X book.

Kinsey helps a widow with investigating the death of her husband which was someone Kinsey worked with.

I have read this book before but I did not have it blogged so I am including it here.

Wool Felt Ornaments

I always like to make something for my brothers and sisters when we get together for Christmas.

I managed to get these wool felt ornaments cut before I had to pack the craft room one more time this year.

It was cut with the Sizzix Ornament #2 die.  It cuts the big shape and the circle to match.

I cut 10 sets of these with 2 circle fro the front and back and one ornament in the middle.

The circles were cut from craft felt.

I put some warm taupe floss and some grey floss in the bag along with these die cuts.

I did not have a specific plan.  With more craft stuff packed it became a challenge to decide how I would decorate these. I had several ideas but eventually it came together.

I knew I had small heart buttons in my stash and eventually I found them in the sewing space which was less put away.  The bling box was still available so I pulled out the metallic fabric snowflakes.  I pulled twill tape and a black marker.

These were stitched by the middle of November with RamBoard on the living room floor and the living room continuing to be filled with items from the other areas.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Visited my aunt for our annual meat pie session.  These are a French Canadian Christmas Tradition called Tourtieres.

Omelette for lunch.

Always a great lunch with non alcoholic wine.

A mixture of beef and pork with spices.

A double recipe of pastry but more work with out her kitchen aid mixer.

We made less this year!

I brought home 3 pies and 3 servings of the filling which I will eat as a meal over the next few months.

I watched this movie while slow stitching this week. A Man Called Otto - Tom Hanks.

We all grieve differently.  We all have lost loved ones, jobs, family, countries so we can relate.

Mr. Otto lives an ordered life and follows the rules.  When a family moves in next door it brings a warmth and caring (the color) he has been missing since his wife died.

He can manage most house challenges and starts to help this family in between trying to figure out how he is going to join his wife.

The pregnant wife is very perceptive and senses something is missing.

Very touching and at times very funny.

Loved it.

My sister passed this book to me. It is a story of teenagers sorting out their place in the world.  Paper Towns by John Green.

When Margo Roth Spiegelman comes to Quentin Jacobsen's window in the middle of the night — dressed like a ninja. She has plotted an ingenious campaign of revenge and he follows her. Margo always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. 

After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.

The adventures a long trip, investigating abandoned buildings, and finding the smallest of clues as to where Margo has gone.

It was a good read in the youth reading genre.

Slow Stitching - No. 051 - Grid Journal Slow Stitching Style

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challnege 2024

Week 51 - Grid Journaling Slow Stitch Style. 

I stitched my 4 squares onto a piece of blue cotton with a foundation layer with stem stitch.  Four different colors.

I then cut a few snippets of fabric to stitch at random in these squares.

It turned out quite bright and I was happy with it.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

A bit of a snack with the Sewing Group. 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and chocolate with a cup of tea!

Meeting with the Reconstruction team to talk about the damage done during abatement and the way forward.

A visit to see my sister in the country.

I had a good visit and my other sister came for a couple of hours.

This is Saturday morning as we all left early.  Them to a grandson's hockey game and be back to the city.

Finished my first puzzle while staying at the hotel.

It is a metaphor for life.  

I was sure that there were some pieces missing because at time it did not make sense.

In the end after days and rearranging pieces put in one place but belonged elsewhere all the pieces fit.

Books - Catch Up

The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt. Another great novel from one of my favorite authors.

Lenore and her Grandmother live at Silk House owned by the Sallonger Family.  Following a scandal and the death of Lenore's mother in France the pair were transferred to England.

The Sallonger family is in the silk business and get their silk from France produced by the St. Allengeres family.

Weddings, funerals, coming of age traditions, reunions and grudges all play a part in the story. 

The divide between the upper and lower house in England is blurred with Lenore marries the son of the house and becomes the Lady. Her husband is murdered, but why?

Lenore and her grandmother start up a good business in London then expand to Paris. Silk is in good demand with a friend who becomes the business manager.

A great read!

Ines of my Soul by Isabel Allende.  Another favorite author.

This is a story of the conquest of Chile by the Spaniards.  What a brutal story. The goal was to annihilate the natives and steal their land and gold.

There are love stories with Inez Suarez having 3 husbands in the time of the story.  Great travels by sea and over land which are arduous and dangerous.

I love a strong female character and this has it in spades.

Another great story less the violence.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox. I was 

intrigued with the story of twins who switch places.

The city girl and the country girl try manage the other's life.  There are challenges when this switch was done in a couple of days. You know your sister but what is her favorite coffee shop, how does the family bakery work, how to grow sourdough starter are a few of the issues that arise.

Of course, there are love interests which come the switch and eventually the truth has to come out.

Success and growth for both girls is the result.

Christmas Ornaments - Mom's Memory

I am working on making these ornaments for mysiblings and grand kids as a memory of Mom who passed Jan 2023.

We are having a family get together on the Dec 27-28, 2024

We did a similar one for Dad 2 years ago.

Wooden spool, with navy wool felt, a piece of Mom's favorite dress and a LOVE heart held with a safety pin.

Mom sewed all her life so the spool works well. We all remember Mom's special dress which she made herself.

She loves us a lot. 

Nice slow stitch project which my sister helped with preparations since I have limited access to my tools!  

Slow Stitching - No. 050 - StitchingText

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024

Week 50 - Stitching Text.

I chose fabric with lines I could follow.

As it is snowing heavily today that is the word I chose.

I used stem stitch. Added highlight to the lines then used a white pencil to draft my letters. Then added a snowflake in the square and offset the empty corner with smaller snowflakes.

Really happy with this one.

Purple Dove Stitching

I was donated some batik fabric from one of the girls at Sewing Group a couple of weeks ago.

The pieces were large enough to create an accent panel for a bag.

I tucked the 4 triangles in each corner then couched the seams to the foundation layer.

I used a white piece of linen as the background of my focal element.  I cut the bird from a coordinating fabric from my stash. I made the wing from the same purple batik. Some heavy stitching for the eye.

Not sure when it will end up as a bag.  

Turkey Dinner

I got my one Turkey Dinner for Christmas.

This is our seniors group at church, who served a wonderful turkey dinner.

It was wonderful to visit with friends and enjoy a great meal.

I skipped the concert afterwards because of having to walk at night.

 

Caramel Popcorn

I got some Caramel Popcorn made thanks to my sister.

I spend a short visit with her on Dad's Birthday. 

We went to the grocery store and bought stuff. 

Thanks to Mom there were plastic bags to hold the goodies.

I really appreciated a day of normal away from the hotel. 

Treats for our family Christmas. 

Slow Stitching - No. 049 - Stitching by Chance

 It's week 49 of the K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching 2024 Challenge.

This week's prompt was Stitch by Chance.

I put 6 prompts in a box and then pull one by one by chance and executed the technique.

1. Leaf (1)

2. Seam (2)

3. Color (1)

4. Applique (1)

5. Couching (5)

6. Patch

I pull 6 prompts and was lucky to get seam so I could add a bit to my piece to make it square.

This was fun!

Christmas Movie - A Christmas Winter Song

I watched this Christmas Movie on Sunday. A Christmas Winter Song.

A new to me Christmas movie with a good story line and wonderful characters.

A story of redemption which fits in well with Christmas.

Books - Catch Up

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

I finished this book a bit ago.  I wanted to document my recent read before my from the blog for a bit.

I was surprised to find this book was first published in 1925.  Anthony Cade is doing a favor for a friend when he heads to the UK from France. A simple delivery.

Well, when he arrives at Chimney, the grand estate in the late evening he senses something amiss so decides to leave under the cover of dark and return in the morning.

There has been a murder! The story was very well done and Anthony uses his charm to get to the bottom of it and into a woman's heart.

It was a very good read.  I will keep an eye out for more of her books.

It's always good to reconnect with Kinsey Milhone in B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton.  This is the second book.

Beverly Danziger is looking for her sister Elaine Boldt and hires Kinsey to locate her. 

Elaine does go to Florida for a few months in the winter but her pattern of behavior changes just before she leaves. She takes off a few days prior to her plan, she leaves in the dead of night and where is her cat?

There has been a fire in the house next to Elaine's apartment building in Santa Teresa. Elaine knew Marty Grice her neighbour. 

Kinsey heads to Florida and finds Pat Usher living in Elaine's flat.  She is subletting she says.  No sign of Elaine.

There is a connection between the fire and Elaine's disappearance and as usual the final chapter things turn completely upside down.

Great read!

Another great book! The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley.

Verity Grey is asked to join an archaeology dig in Scotland to uncover an ancient Roman site. She leaves London and takes the bus to the town of Eyemouth, Berwickshire then makes her way to Rosehill estate a good walk from the town.

Peter Quinnell has searched his whole live for the Ninth Roman Legion. Verity is reacquainted with a past boyfriend and there is David Fortune an archaeologist who teaches at University of Edinburgh and is part of the crew on the dig.

The gatehouse at Rosehill estate houses a small family - Brian, Jeannie and Robbie McMorran. Brian is a fisherman and is away a lot, Jeannie is the cook at Rosehill and Robbie is a very special young boy.

There are romantic interests, the sound of galloping horses when none are about, and those who have the second sight.

After a couple days, I had just sit down and finish this book. The history recounted in this story is wonderful. 

I found several Sue Grafton books at the thrift store a while ago so I picked up about 5 of them.

K is for Killer by Sue Grafton is this one.  I missed Henry Pitts the landlord this story. 

Janice Kepler is a grieving mother who can't leave the death of her beautiful daughter Lorna alone.

 
Kinsey pieces together Lorna's young life: a dull day job a the local water treatment plant spiced by sidelines in prostitution and pornography. She tangles with Lorna's friends: a local late-night DJ, a sweet, funny teenaged hooker, Lorna's sloppy landlord and his exotic wife.

This story was full of suspense and twists and turns and really finishes with a bang on the last few pages.

 

Christmas Store - Spruce Grove Gallery

I have a table at the Christmas Store.

• Tree Scent Ornaments - add essential oil to the felt to give your artificial tree a seasonal touch.
• Oil Diffusers in Travel Case - stitched felt applique designs stored in a plastic travel case
• Fabric Coasters - 4x4 inch coaster set of 2 in cotton/linen fabrics - some have been stitched 
• Bottle Bag - A tall bag to carry a bottle to an event - be it wine, vinegar, flavored oil
• Book/Craft Bag - a bag to carry and protect your current read - can be used for needle project
• Brooches - Stitched felt ones as well as shrink plastic designs
• Needle Cases - Containers to safely carry your applique and stitching needles
• Post It Note Holders - 3x3 notes tucked into a sleeve with photo - just tug on the tab to pull out
• Magnets - My watercolor art printed onto photo paper made into magnets set of 4

Slow Stitching - No. 048 - Cloth Gathering

Next piece of  K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024.

Week 48 - Cloth Gathering.

I chose this soft yellow cotton fabric. I cut a piece 3 times the length of my anticipated final piece (5.5 x 3 =16.5 inches). 

I used pieces of embroidery floss longer than the cloth by a few inches.  I chose them from my ORTS tin. I think I did 9 rows of running stitch.  Make sure your knot is secure - a back stitch would be helpful.

I then pulled the threads to scrunch up the fabric. It feels really nice.

I really liked the stem stitch along the top edge which was just stitched to the top of each fold in green thread. I put crosses in blue on the left.  I did not find adding stitches to this piece easy except the stem stitch.

Drawing - Quick Doodle

A quick doodle with a graphite pencil after a day of packing more of the kitchen.

I used a Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment pen to add more details.

The washes were added with Payne's Grey and Deep Red watercolor pencils by Faber-Castell.  Got deeper color by letting it dry and doing it over again.

Like it!

 

Slow Stitching - Extra Squares

Another extra square of slow stitching. I have used up the supplies I had packed for being away so I will have to dig out some more.

White cotton top layer on a foundation piece.  I did not learn my lesson about now covering the front with fabric as well which makes for a thick piece.  In all fairness, I did not have a plan when I started.

I chose strips of purple fabric in various patterns. I stitched the horizontal lines first in running stitch with purple thread from the ORTS tin.

Then I did the vertical ones with bright pink thread. Along the way I had found the lace flower I had dyed a while back and decided to use it.

I tacked it in place then added a purple circle which I over cast stitched to the piece. Then I added a lot of French Knots in yellow in the middle of that.  That was very thick with 4 layers of fabric.  Turned out nice.

Slow Stitching - Extra Squares

Another Extra Square for my slow stitching project.

I decided on a landscape composition.  I invisilbe stitched my white layer to my foundation layer.

I added a couple of pieces of blue for the sky with a yellow sun.

Two grey mountains and a green layer of trees.

A deeper blue layer at the bottom of lake and a brown piece for land.

Mostly running stitches on these pieces. A bit of seed stitching. 

I did triangles on the green for trees but it is not very visible.

Slow Stitching - No. 047 - Wrinkle Stitching

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024

Week 47 - Wrinkle Stitching - wrinkling a piece of cloth then stitching along the fold lines creating a random pattern. Filling in the spaces you have created with the stitched lines.

I chose three pieces of pink linen as I needed something perky.

I scrunched it up then basted it to the foundation piece. The stitching in pink the same as the fabric is the original wrinkle stitching. 

Then, I got carried away.  I wanted colorful but I may have filled it in a bit too much.

It is what it is.  It is what I needed today. 

Ink Drawing - Flowers

A pretty set of flowers today drawn with another Staedtler pen - cool roller.

Turns out it is not permanent so no watercoloring this bunch of flowers.

I love these nice smooth lines in this cool ink color.

I am working on the kitchen today and leaving just bare minimum dishes to facilitating feeding myself. 

Still waiting! 

Watercolor Painting - Green Leaves

I created this green leaves piece last night prompted by a photo challenge of green.

I used my rag tag watercolor pencils and the pencil sharpener to get some pencil shavings onto my watercolor palette.

With 2 greens, 2 yellows and a grey I managed to get a variety of colors for this collage.

Once it was dry I added the lines between the squares with a marker.

I then used a fine marker to draw leaves in the spaces. All kinds and shapes with a bit of help from the internet.

It's nature wonderful.

This morning looking at it I'm not sure that I will do for a photo challenge.

I will scour the place to find something green to shoot. I do have plants if worse comes to worse.

Slow Stitching - Extra Squares

Sewing Group

I have joined a group who meets to do sewing the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

The last group shut down when the pandemic hit and our leader moved away.

I got a call in early October to attend the first meeting. We brainstormed who we could find from the old group to invite? What was the purpose of the group? When were we going to meet? 

A women's group. Tradition quilting is the focus but all are welcome with whatever project they are working on.

We will meet from 10 to 12 Noon then have lunch together for fellowship.

I missed the last meeting due to commitments here at home and made it for a bit of lunch. 

Today, was our third meeting and fortunately I was able to attend.  With most of my stuff packed I brought my slow stitching.  The 2024 challenge will produce 53 pieces about I think I need 56 for the project so there is room for a few free lance pieces.  I pull some fabric bits, some foundation pieces, my tools box and the floss box and a bit of lunch and headed out.  It was a great time. Three of the ladies are working on their own traditional quilting projects, another brought knitting and me with my slow stitching. We shared our projects and then 3 of us had lunch together it was great.

I cut my foundation pieces 5.5 inches square from white cotton - top white and the bottom stained. I brought pink fabric scraps and some green.  I cut the petals and leaves, pinned the pieces and stitched them down. Added the yellow center circle with running stitch and French Knots. I added blue seed stitches to the upper part of the background then some green below.  A bit of a brown strip at the bottom. I think it was supposed to be ground but now it's just a random element/.

Watercolor Art - Christmas

I tried a Christmas art drawing last night.

A Bethlehem Star front and center.  A night blue sky with stars.

A stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

Sand dunes a plenty.

Penciled then went over with a dip pen and black ink.

Watercolored with my rag tag pencils.

 

Slow Stitching - No. 046 - Kantha Motifs

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024.

This week's prompt Nakshi Kantha Motifs which is part 2 of last week's Kantha Stitches.

I chose the fish as my motif.  I drew a circle which I stitched in black stem stitch. Then added my 2 fishes going around in it.  The central element is a lotus flower reflected.

I chose two different shades of green threads and alternated them on each fish.  

I used blue thread and seed stitches for inside the circle.

I used the Double Running Stitch in blues for the background quilting stitches. Alternating with single running stitches in darker blue. 

Remembrance Day

I am grateful for the service of our men and women of the Canadian Forces and those around the world who aim to keep us free.  I have a couple of men in my close family who served as well as uncles who served in years gone by.

I pray for freedom and safety for all. For unity and peace in all countries.

Watercolor Art

After getting my last few watercolor pencils I gave them a whirl.

I created an abstract with foliage and other elements.

It was good to be drawing again after the long haul of Inktober 2024.

I will have to translate some of these into cards when life get back to normal and I have access to card making supplies again.

Maybe I should be trying some Christmas images.  I think I will!

Watercolor Pencils - Set of 12

I was wanting a set of good watercolor pencils to use while I am away from home.

I have collected a rag tag selection of them from the ReUse Center over the last couple of years.

Some are high quality which made me realize that my Artist Loft set need to be replaced.

I had the case so today I went to Delta Arts and got 3 colors to round out the set.

I got a red, a grey and the silver. Thanks to the staff a Delta I got 3 watercolor pencils in the same brand. She pointed out the watercolor pencils are hexagonal in shape. I had 1 of the 3 right. Great customer service.

I have documented them all in the front page of my sketch book.

They all dissolve completely and it should be a treat to paint with them.

The brands are 

Staedtler Karat to 

Kohinoor Hardtmuth Moneluz to 

Caran d'Ache Prismalo and the new ones are 

Faber Castell Albrecht Durer. 

All the basic colors and one metallic.

These will last for as long as I need them.

The technical pen is still working great.