Sylvia's Simple Shots

It has been unseasonably warm the last few days and nature is responding.  

These black poplar buds are starting to emerge but it is only February in this northern climate so there is more cold to come.  I hope it does not destroy the new growth.

I found these on my morning walk which I am enjoying again with the better temperatures.

I had the fan out and the windows open because it was so nice out.

It is a very nice reprieve from the cold of Christmas.

I hope to get out an visit family while I can.

On the last day of my visit with my sister we came upon this idea of fabric vase covers.

I am very interested in this idea.

I am going to approach the idea with the slow stitching focus. 

The organic ones I find very appealing.

Some are made adjustable with buttons, velcro or elastic.

Many are machine embroidered.

I am inclined to make them for a glass bottle.  I have bent myself into a pretzel in the past trying to make a product super versatile and I am not sure most customers get it.

I have a couple of bottles in mind.

We shall see where this inspiration takes me.

I had my aunt over for coffee this week.

The Olympics were on so that kept her husband and many others close to the TV.

Our weekly coffee time has seen lower attendance due to the games.

I installed a small battery operated light above the printer so that I can see the page guides in the back.

Generally, natural light is enough but with dark evenings it was not.

Not good if you leave it on and forget about it for a few hours.  I need to replace the batteries.

Maybe a new strategy will need to be entertained.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham is a book I recently read.  It came from the small library in our building.

It is a memoir and features a series of stories from the author's life born 1902.  Early life living in the UK then moving to Kenya in Africa as a child. Growing up with many friends, playing with the neighbour boys, living a rough and tumble life.

When at eighteen, her father leaves Africa she decides to stay and train horses.  She reconnects with her childhood friend.  

One day she meets a pilot, Tom and her life changes.  She learns to fly a plane. She then provides air cargo services in East Africa for many years. Tom returns to the UK and she is scouting elephant herds for safaris.  A dangerous adventure.

She was an aviatrix―she became the first person to fly nonstop from Europe to America, and the first woman to fly solo east to west across the Atlantic. First published in 1942.

Sewing Project - Wine Bottle Bag - Warm Florals

Here is the latest wine bag.

I loved the warm flowers on this part of the fabric so I cut it to make them the focus of the front.

I found a warm brown grosgrain ribbon in my stash that worked well which I placed at the top edge.  I layered a cotton twill tape on top of that to tone down the shine.

I decided to create an accent element with the same ribbon.  I cut it, sealed the ends with heat then I just folded it back and forth this it was wide enough.

I bought a couple of bags of buttons recently and this shell button was in there.  I stitched this whole element to the top left hand corner of the bag.  Done another one!

For information on "My Bag" Line: 

Recent Photos

I have been enjoying the out of doors from my balcony window mostly.  Last week we had several days where the sun was just pouring in.  With a cup of tea, my toes on the sill I just sat there and soaked in the sun.  It was marvelous.  This week we have snow and cloud.

I went for groceries last Thursday at 7:30 am so I could get in during seniors hours.  I found this tea which is much better than my previous store brand.  One tea bag does a pot of tea.  It is strong and delicious.  Really loving it and of course it is decaffeinated which a must.

I finished this book this week.  I try to include self help books every once in a while between the historical fiction stories that I like. 

God is a relationship person so it was good to be reminded even if I am distanced from my humans He is still close.

Connie says that God will provide a dream and the steps to get there.  Now not always will the whole plan be revealed at once but more likely one step at a time. Take it one simple, immediate, possible yes at a time.  He does provide proofs (chocolates, peace, power, provision and presence) along the way.  Chocolates are tangible evidence that you are on the right path.

The barriers:
Fear - The minute you change "what if" to "what now" you are in a position  to hear from God. Human fear builds walls godly fear builds roads.
Pride - Let it go and let God
Guilt - Remorse brings me to God - Guilt separates us
Shame - is a dark dungeon place and transparency is the key to letting light into that dark place
Comparison - Show up, do your best, judge your progress on your own performance not on others
Doubt - We do faith - it is not a noun but a verb

These pillows were given to me by a friend.  She said they are the perfect color for me and she is right.  Love the golden yellow butterflies. 

They now live on the couch but give me the extra height on my chair when I am sewing. 







It was time for a trim but with businesses closed it was up to me to do it.  I put a cloth in the bathroom sink, dug out the scissors, had to scrounge for a comb and cut 1/2 inch off my hair closest to my forehead.  I cannot stand it hanging on my forehead.  Feels better.

Recent Photos

I lit three candles on my advent wreath.  I have added a tall slim glass in the center for the fifth candle which makes up the wreath. 

I love the warmth of real tealight candles.


I read this book recently about a woman who connects with an Amish woman.  A storm keeps them together and an emergency forces them to see what is important at Christmas time.
Family tops the list.

I have been adding to my collection of blue and white pieces. 

I bought the ceramic decor ball with floral elements a couple weeks ago.  I was looking for a base to use to display it.  I found this rice bowl with the right colors and pleasing patterns. 

The small vase is only 4 inches tall but has pleasing floral decor.

The set of napkin rings in alternate blue & white and the alternate colors.  Lovely floral decor.  They are hexagonal.

I have a full shelf and a good number of items to develop table still lifes in the new year.

I have been looking for a cheese board for a while.  While vising my niece we had a couple hours to visit the local Goodwill.  A new store which was large and well organized.  The photo on the left is what it looked like before I transformed it.  I wanted to be able customize the board for the seasons.  I was able to remove the photo on the bottom of the glass with my heat gun.  Now I can add a doily or other seasonal decor under the glass. Love it!

I am currently reading this book which is about a woman at crossroads in her life. She has some amazing events take place for her.  I look forward to the rest of the book and how her life improves.

Sharing with Share Your Cup 275 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson.

One Thousand Gifts - Session 2 - Grace in the Moment

I am leading this bible study tonight - One Thousand Gifts Bible Study - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.
Nine of us met tonight to share and learn.
I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratitude.

Session 2 - Grace in the Moment

Ann this week talks about how to live our one life well.  When we give our undivided attention to the moments of life; time slows and there is enough time.

It has been studied and proven that those who take pen to paper and maintain a gratitude list of gifts enjoy:
1. Absence of Stress
2. Progress in Personal Goals
3. Higher levels of Energy
4. Feel closer in their Relationhips
5. Experience a 25% increase in Happiness

Who does not want that!!

Another subject Ann covers this week is the hard gifts which come our way.  She was eager to take the good, easy, nice gifts but there are hard things that come.  These too come from God. How can you open a hand to the easy and close the hand to the hard. You can not.

She recounts a story of an injury her son sustained and she had to come to terms that we must accept all things that come.  God has a plan.

Card Club - October - Masculine Stripes

I started with a double sided designer paper by WeRMemory Keepers - Urban Window Collection - Restoration Silk Taffeta.

I chose a warm grey card base.

I cut the designer paper to 5.25x4.00 inches then again at 3.5 inches cross wise. These pieces are tape back together so I can handle them as a single piece.

I cut some silver sticky tape to 1 inch wide and 6.00 long.  This was placed over the join and the ends were put to the back.
This layer was adhered to the card front in a landscape orientation.

I created a banner greeting in grey and about 3" long. I fussy cut around the banner along the line. I adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.