2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 6 - C2

I am following K3N Cloth Tales challenge for 2026.

My fabric is white linen backed with white cotton invisible basted together.  Measures 7"T x 8"W.

This week the prompt was Community. I created Circles to represent Cobalt blue for family, Crimson red for neighbours, yellow for On-Line Community and the small Cobalt blue Circle because I forgot them the first time around. 

I added a large Circle done in Chain stitch to represent my world which included flowers.

I added 3 borders with Cross stitch. 

I placed a running stitch along the binding edge in white thread. I am caught up before K3N publishes on Monday. 

2026 Flower Photo Calendar

The 2026 Photo Calendars are ready!

2026 Flowers - Here is my floral calendar which features flowers from several locations taken this summer. Visits to the community garden, the St. Albert Botanic Garden, the neighborhood front yards and some from Beaumaris Lake. Some shots are from my new town. The Calla Lily, Flora's Paintbrush, Sweet Pea and Clematis are making their first appearance. 


The holidays have been marked in red.

This calendar has 13 4x6 pages which is 12 month pages with an index/title page.

January - Anemone Sylvestris                     July - Purple Calla Lily

February - Bleeding Heart                           August - African Daisy (Osteospermum)

March - Flora's Paintbrush                          September - Yellow Dahlia

April - Pasque Flower                                  October - Purple Clematis

May - Red Tulip                                           November - Sunlit Dahlia

June - Ox Eye Sunflower                             December - Sweet Pea

Card Making - More

The card making continues. The card bases are Barely Banana from the Scrapping Kit - "In Full Bloom".  The stickers are wonderful.

I added a layer of vellum from the Botanical Garden Vellum 6x6 inch pack.

On the left, I cut a layer of vellum.  I adhered the stickers then I could put some double sided tape behind them to attach to the card. A yellow day with bees a buzzing. Once attached I added a leaf border sticker across the bottom of the vellum.  On the right I chose some of the designer paper and ripped the right hand side away from me not to leave a white core edge. I added some vellum to complete the right hand side. Taped togehter then adhered to the card front. I added a couple small stickers on the right bottom corner. 

Here I have chosen Lavender Lace card stock which was not part of the kit but matches well.

I used vellem again on both cards. Double sided tape behind the stickers placed on the front of the vellum pieces. Bees and flowers from the Simply Scrapping kit. White quarter sheet inserts with white envelopes. 

I will be sending off the leftovers from the kits to the thrift store and I have just that little bit less in my craft room.  I want to use that watercolor background paper soon.  It has been a bit of whirl wind session of card making but I acheived the number of cards for both events I was plannng for. The trip south was great. Loved being able to get away again after being stuck close to home unpacking.

Card Making - Sets Continue

I switched to the "In Full Bloom" Simply Scrapping Kit for these cards.

I picked the Sage Shadow card stock from the 12x12 kit and trimmed it down to make two A2 cards with a few left over pieces.

On the left, I cut the desinger paper to 4.00x5.25 inches and then wrapped a wide piece of Baja Breeze gros grain ribbon around it and taped the ends to the back. I adhered the layer to the card front. I created an accent by punching a bee from the DSP with the .75 inch circle punch then added a 1" punched circle in Barely Banana card stock. Layered these and adhered over the ribbon.  On the right is the other designer paper in the kit. I ripped the right hand edge of the DSP layer leaving to show the white core of the paper. I added a strip of white card stock on the left and then added another circle bee accent like in the previous card.

Contiued with the same scrapping kit. 

Cut each of the designer papers to the leave a small border. The A2 card bases are Barely Banana card stock 12x12 cut to 8.5 x 11 cut in two for these cards. 

On the left, I created an accent with a strip of Sage Shadow with Barely Banana  squares and bling brads. The strip was mounted with 3D foam tape to accommodate the brad backs which are quick thick.  On the right, I made slits in the designer paper to accommodate a strip of Barely Banana card stock making sure I did  not cover the yellow elements. I taped that strip down on the back with scotch tape. I added a narrow strip of Lavendar Lace cardstock over the yellow and adhered with double sided tape. 

Each card gets a white quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

Card Making - Card Sets Continue

Still working with the Friends and Flowers Simply Scrapping Kit. 

The card base color is Certainly Celery. I added a layer of vellum from the SU Botanical Garden Vellum 6 inch pack. Using the large orange flower stickers in the kit I was able to add double sided tape to the back of the vellum to ensure it stayed in place. The photo corners are stickers from the scrapping kit.  Left Tempting Turquoise and right Only Orange.  I added small leaf stickers to both cards. Again, I am alternating the orientation to ensure variety. 

There is a lot of stuff in these scrapping kits. 

Here the card base is A2 and the color is So Saffron. Left is turquoise floral desinger paper with yellow scallop stickers above and bellow the square sticker. I added the same DSP over the square and then a yellow flower sticker onto the DSP.  The other has a turquoise square sticker and the same floral DSP. Another smmal flower sticker.

White quarter sheet inserts and white envelopes. 

Back to Card Making - Card Sets

I need a few cards for upcoming events so I spent a couple of days in the craft room.

I am working with the Stampin Up "Friends and Flowers" simply scrapping kit.

I chose Whisper White card bases in the A2 size. I chose one of the designer papers in the kit which is Tempting Turquoise with white flowers. I added some white seam binding across the width of the cards and tied in a knot in front.  The left card has a daisy accent created with my large daisy punch with a circle center all held with a tiny white brad.  The right hand card has a button accent with white thread through the holes placed in the bottom right hand corners.

This set of cards is working with the same scrapping set. I chose the striped designer paper. 

On the card on left I chose some sticker from the set to cover the raspberry stripes. I used one of the square stickers and topped it with a square of designer paper. I added a greeting in the turquoise strip - Thinking of You from the Teeny Wishes set stamped in Chocolate Chip. The right hand card highlighted the raspberry color and I chose the square sticker in that color, added a square of turquoise floral DSP, a flower sticker along with a leaf sticker. The center of the flower is another of the stickers. 

Thank You Cards - Finally Set 2

The card base is SU Taken with Teal in the A2 size in portrait orientation.

Trimmed the rough edges off this piece and ripped the bottom edge.

I saw flowers in the salt marks in this piece so I took my fine black marker and drew them in.

Added stems and leaves reaching to the bottom of the paper with additional grassy strokes.

It pays to save bits of ephemera.  The green yarn came in really handy.

The A2 card base is SU Pumpkin Pie with a watecolor panel marked with saran wrap on wet color and left to dry.

I punched 4 holes with the 1/8 inch punch. Two on the right and 2 on the left.  I taped the end of the green yarn found in the stash and was able string it through the holes and knot both ends.

I added a SU Artisan Label punchie colored with pencils and held on the yarn with a orange clip.

With the yarn still on my table I used in this card.

I trimmed the waterolor to crisp straight edges.

I layed a strip of double sided tape to the back of the watercolor piece.  Layed my pieces of green yarn then added another piece of ds tape and adhered it to the SU Dusty Durango card base.

Once adhered, I picked apart the strands of the yarn to create this wavy row of goodness.

I added an 2 inch oval punchie greeting below the yarn frill.

The A2 card base is SU Island Indigo.

I added a piece of SU ribbon in So Saffron and flagged the bottom end.  Trimmed the top edge to the top of the card.

I mounted the piece of rough edge watercolor panel over the ribbon aligned along the top.

Each card has a white quarter sheet insert with a white envelope.

Card - Thinking of You - Watercolor

A card for a friend who received a tough diagnosis recently.

It is important to know that people care and are thinking of you.

I just painted a quick watercolor of water, earth and trees.

The flowers in the water don't jive with the pine tree in the dirt but I wanted a bit of color and pretty.

This was painted with my Winston Newton travel palette.

Trimmed to fit on a 5x7 ish sized card in the portrait orientation on a True Thyme base.

A white quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope.  A bit of a write and a stamp an it will be on it's way.

Slow Stitching 2025 - Feb - Week 2

 K3N Cloth Tales - Slow Stitching 2025 - Comfort Coverlet. February 2025 - Week 2

I added curlicues around the edge in several colors. 

Then, I added the flowers and insects - bee, butterfly and ladybug to the left hand side.

I created a flower with long stitches then added some weaving at the center of the petals.  Several yellow French Knots for the center of the flower.  I used the end of the curliecue for the flower stem and added a large leaf at the top for the ladybug to sit on. 

There will be 3 more compositions to come to fill in the space on this square.

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! 

2025 Photo Calendar - Flowers

 

The 2025 Photo Calendars are ready just in a nick of time!

2025 Flowers - Here is my floral calendar which features flowers from several locations taken this summer. Visits to the community garden, the St. Albert Botanic Garden, the neibourhood front yards and some from Beaumaris Lake. The Morning Glories and Nasturtiums are making their first appearance.  

The holidays have been marked in red.

This calendar has 13 4x6 pages which is 12 month pages with an index/title page.

January - Blue Flax                          July - Tiger Lily

February - New Red Dawn Rose      August - Pink Cosmos

March - Blue Morning Glory            September - Sunflower

April - Single Kiss Dahlia                 October - Orange Nasturtium

May - Apple Blossom                        November - Bell Flower

June - Albera Rose                            December - Pink Rose

Inktober 2024 - 24 Flower Garden

Inktober 2024 Challenge

24 Flower Garden

I used my refurbished technical pen to draw the flower free hand onto the blue green watercolor background.

I created ground and added the tall flowers, then the medium height ones then the shorter ones.

I added water color to some of the flowers knowing that the Quink ink is not permanent.  Not the best idea.

Live and learn.

Inktober 2024 - 16 Floral Trio

Inktober 2024 Challenge

16 - Floral Trio

I used a Micron Black Marker on Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper. 

I drew the funky flowers by hand with the marker on the 5x7 paper.

I added a couple of swatches of fall colored watercolor.

I spattered orange, brown and yellow onto the flowers.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 I took this at the St. Albert Botanic Park.  I just adjusted the contrast on this shot but I think it looks painterly.

The dahlias were in fine form with many, many blooms to photograph.

I took a visit to the Little Blue Fiber Studio that I learned about from my niece who heard about it from my sister.

I understand my sister took a needle felting class at the studio some time back.

It has yarn, roving, classes, knitting needles, felting needles, Sashiko thread, and books as well.

I did restrain myself and walked away with no purchase but I will return for roving when I solidify my idea for a future project.

My neice brought the matching chair for the yellow one I've had for quite a while.

I am happy to have a conversation corner in my living room with comfortable chairs.

A bit of light to read by if I choose and a table to hold my cup tea.

Thanks for bring the chair!

I have enjoyed African Violets all summer long.

Being in the east window has agreed with this plant.  I should get another one - just thought of that.

It also gets a grow light for a few hours in the morning.

This is the fountain pen I found at the ReUse Center last week.  It is by Creeks n Creeks and has "Les feminnins de Creeks" written on it's side. 

My research on line seems to indicate it is a  a small French school fountain pen from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

It averages about $50 on line so I am very happy with this find. It is a cartridge pen so I will have to check out where to find those.

I checked on line and found out it takes an international standard fountain pen ink cartridge.

Staples only sells these on line so I could order through the store have some brought in.  I checked with Delta Arts - they had no stock and have been working to get some in from Shaeffer but not been successful yet.  I will check back. 38mm or about 1.5 inches long.

I discovered that I could refill the empty cartridge so that is what I did.  I cleaned the cartridge and the nib thoroughly.  I had a bottle of ink I bought last year for my dip pens so I used that.  The syringe is leftover from dental surgery.  It all worked very well.

Love it!

I needed to put my metallic watercolors into a water proof container.  I found this chocolate box in my stash so I repurposed it.  I discovered that they live in full watercolor pans which is great.

They fit nicely in this box.  The domed lid makes it a bit bulky but for the time being it will do.

I used some large glue dots in the bottom of the box to keep the pans in place.

I have documented the colors here since I will recycle the cardboard box.

I don't think I will ever concern myself with the actual color names.

Seven Blessings by Ruchama King

Story of romantic relationships in the Jewish culture.  Follows several couples and their matchmakers.

Beth is the central character who is 39 years old and really wants to marry but is not finding a mate.

She is recommended several men and dating taking place but there are problems.

I confess that I don't know much about the Jewish culture.  I found the culture was very complicated and there are many rules.

Not a great read.  In the end there is still no marriage. Disappointing.

Slow Stitching - No. 037 - Home - Village

This is week 37 of K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching challenge.  This week was the prompt was HOME.  

I not thrilled about the location I live now - downtown in a large city. I love my apartment.

So, I decided to create my ideal home.  A small village. Starting on the north end there are railroad tracks because I love to hear the train but not too close. On the right is a paddock where horses live.  Next, south of the horses is a field of wheat. Across the road is the start of the row of houses which live along the lake. They have dark roofs. There has to be water so I can photograph birds. 

At the cross roads is a small park with a tree and flowers. East of the park is a bit of woodland. My place faces the park with a fence, flowers, a tree and a vegetable garden behind the building. East of there is a field of sunflowers. That will bring birds and pollinators.  South of my place is my neighbor with a fenced yard with a few fruit trees along the fence. 

To the west across the lane is the commercial district with a church, a library and a grocery store with a gas station. There is a large parking lot. Everything is within walking distance.  My car is parked in front of my house.  Writing about it now I realize that my house would face north west so maybe the house needs to be rotated a bit. We'll see when the plans are drawn up. 

This project was a lot of stitching but I loved creating it.  I used liquid acrylic ink to paint my roofs then stitched around them.  Trees with French Knots, parking lot with grey running stitches,bit of satin stitch for the cars in the parked there, seeds stitches in blue for the lake, green seed stitch for lawn, and on it goes. 

Card - HB watercolor - Purple

A large purple watercolor card for my aunt who is celebrating a birthday soon.

There is several layers and colors of watercolor brushed across then dried.

Later, I just let color drip down the paper while it was standing.  Catching the drips at the bottom on the desk.

It was then pressed flat.

A simple flower where I punched the flower and painted it with the bits left on the palette. Added a stem and a center.

Half sheet sized card on SU Lavendar Lace cardstock.

I added some clear  rhinestones held in place with Bling Zots. Full sheet insert to hide the brad in the center of the flower. White envelope and it's done.   

Found a new place to take my card pictures where I did not have to move stuff all the time.  See how it goes.

Sympathy Card - Watercolor

 

While I had the time I painted this card for my cousins who lost their Mom recently.  We were away at a family reunion for the other side of the family when we heard my Dad's sister had passed away at 90 years of age.  She is the last of the 3 siblings to pass.

We were very close to these cousins when growing up.  They visited us often especially during the summer holidays. There was 8 of us and 7 of them and were very close to the same ages.  Lots of fun.

This card is a half sheet card measuring 5.5 x 8.5 inches.  I chose a SU Summer Sun card base.  I painted on a sheet of mixed media 150lb paper.  A tree with a meadow of flowers.

Funeral took place Aug 10 2024.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

A visit to the St. Albert Botanic Park yielded some great shot. The is Jacob's Ladder and it will likely make the calendar at the end of the year.

Gorgeous color and wonderful delicate flower.

There were a few roses open, the peonies were on the verge of opening.

With a few more days of sun the gardens will be looking really good!

Attic Treasures by four authors who have written romances into each story.

This book was 4 short stories about Lydia Dunmore, a grandmother getting ready to sell her large home to move to a seniors residence.

She has invited her 4 granddaughters to visit her attic and pick the one item which was their favorite.

Sheila is looking for her grandmother's doll but it has been sold.  With the help of a local antique store owner she searches for the doll.  

Kimber chooses an old fishing tackle box and through the help of a local fisherman discovers that some of the lures therein are quite valuable.

Lauren cherishes a christening gown her great grandmother wore.  She has chosen career over motherhood.  Her husband buys a farm and they leave the city. She did survive the transition and the gown came in handy.

Jessica takes an antique dress from Grandma's attic. Inside she finds old papers and photographs.  There was an adoption and the identity of her father is in question. Lydia shares what she knows. It is all very mysterious and there's a photojournalist chasing a story. It all turns out well in the end.

There was a large stash of fabric yardage which appeared at one of the thrift stores. 

The price was unbelievable.

Did I need another piece of fabric? No but I could not help myself.  Will I have a chance to sew this summer with the renovations planned.  Unlikely. Still I brought home 5 pieces for less than $10.  Averaging about .75 of a meter. Some less some more.

Beautiful blue purple watercolor, a denim blue vintage geometric, rainbow with gold dots, a yellow blender and a turquoise batik.

Just the right size for a book cover, a placemat, or a wine bag.   We shall see.

I had lunch with a dear friend.  Vietnamese noodle bowl is always delicious and this was no exception.

Meeting at 1:00pm after the lunch time rush we had great conversation and caught up on our lives and what we have been up to.

She is headed on a big vacation.

I was invited to celebrate a birthday this week.

The birthday girl hosted lunch at her house.

It was very delicious and I was able to catch up with extended family.

Dessert was an upside down cake with blueberries with whipped cream on top.  A good cup of tea and good company.  It was a lovely afternoon.

Card - Birthday - Watercolor and Flowers

This card is for my aunt who celebrates her birthday soon.  

I chose a SU Crushed Curry textured A2 card base. 

I cut a piece of water color paper left over from the paper I made for these pieces.  I adhered it to the card front.

I wrapped a length of Crushed Curry grosgrain ribbon along the left hand side and knotted it a the top. 

I added 3 handmade paper flowers on the right and held them in place with coordinating mini brads.

I added a SU Modern Label greeting in the bottom right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

I added a quarter sheet insert and envelope.  It is ready to go.
 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The flowers in the flower beds and gardens around the neighborhood are looking good.

The zinnias from the park, the lilacs from the other park, alium in the front yard of a neighbor and the poppy from another.  I am so grateful to have flowers to photograph. I have not even been to the community garden yet.

There is no slowing down ahead.

The Beachcomber by Josephine Cox is the book I finished this week.

In the summer of 1952 two people arrive in the pretty seaside hamlet of West Bay, Dorset to start a new life.

Kathy Wilson has come to rebuild her life in the cottage she has inherited.  Having lost a husband,being in another bad relationship, and seeing the truth about her mother and sister she has moved to the seaside.  The cottage needs work but she is up for it.

Tom Arnold, an architect in a large firm in London has been adrift since the tragedy.  He decides he needs a new start away from the city and the memories. 

Over the summer Kathy leans on Jasper who had been left to care for the cottage when her father left, she gets to know Tom as he wanders the beach, and comes to know the truth about cottage and her father.

One of my best finds at the ReUse Center.

A Solo Classic from Cross fountain pen manufacturer.  It is 30 years old but like brand new.  It was often given as recognition gifts in the 1990s.  My research supports the idea that many of these were never used. It came with the converter to be filled from a bottle of ink so I will purchase some.

After some research, I decided to buy this Parker blue ink which I hope may be some what permanent versus the washable which certainly is not.

Looking forward to using this pen in art and writing.

I spent a few hours with my aunt in her cold garage as the rain came down most of the day which dampened the attendance to this event.  Too bad. 

Some of my sisters were at the quilting retreat.

I headed off the reception of the Senior Show in the afternoon.

Look at that bright and shiny chrome P-Trap under the bathroom sink.  This is a result of having the plumber in today to snake the drain because of very a slow draining sink.

He did find iron chips in the drain a couple of floors down and resolved the issue after get out the big guns of a snake. Everything was reassembled and he indicated all was good.  He headed off and I started to clean the cabinet. 

Already there was a puddle so I chased him down and asked that he return to see what was up.  Upon closer inspection the ring attaching the trap to the back drain just fell apart.  That means a new part so he was off to the nearby supply store.  Back in 15 min he installed this shiny new thing and then after some careful checking to ensure no leaks he made his exit for the second time that day.  

It has been good since.  There is a plan to refurbish this space.

We also had a plumbing inspection done today but thanks to the work I had done last March there were very few recommendations. Isolation valves on the taps under this sink were recommended.