Sylvia's Simple Shots

 This week new life appeared at the little pond.

I am sure they have been there all along but now that the mornings are quieter a few muskrats were feeding on bulrushes.

The morning sun was perfect lighting for these little fellows and I am sure their position where the sun arrives was well intentioned.

It was great to have continued photography interest at the pond.

I have been living with a pencil sharpener with a suction cup taped to the file cabinet.  When one which I could screw to the wall appeared at the thrift store it landed in my shopping basket.  The price was terrific.

It is 20 years older than the one I had so it dated back to the 1950's all metal with a pencil size selector dial on the front.

It works really well.

A friend came over for tea this week. Her last visit was in early August and the change in my place was remarkable.

I had left over desert from the house warming on Saturday so that was wonderful.  I chose the Ikea navy dishes for our visit.

The glass table set pitcher was great for water.

I have had the tray for a while and it sits under the serger desk.

It would slide in too far and it was hard to get out so I gave it a handle this week.

I checked my supply of knobs and found this plastic one tha would do nicely.  The bolt expects to have a drawer front thickness so I just added a piece of stiff foam to fill in the gap.

It sits on the floor right next to my sewing desk stool.

I have acquired a few Stampin Up products at the thrift stores in the last little while.

I was needing a "Thinking of You" Stamp for the IWin cards.  I was happy to return the rest of the stamps and keep the one I wanted for $2.

I picked up a SU Scallop Oval Punch in hopes that it matched the smooth oval punch I had at home.  It did. Another option for layering greetings on cards.

I picked up a sealed SU Oh so Ombre designer paper pad in 6x6 with some of the older colors that I have in card stock.

I headed to St. Albert for the fall art show which my aunt had some of her pieces in.

It was a great show with smaller pieces this year probably aiming for the Christmas gift giving shopping which is just around the corner.

Later, she indicated that sales were pretty good but because the pieces were smaller the total dollar amount was down.

We had lunch at Cajun House.

I also picked up boxes which have been stored at her house since 2022.  Now I have to got through all of them.  I am grateful she had room to spare for my stuff.

On my way to St. Albert yesterday I saw a sign on the highway for a quilt show.  I checked it out when I got home.

My neighbour aunt and I headed there on Saturday.

It was great to spend some time in this medium.  I am not a follow the pattern quilter but it was nice to learn more about AccuQuilt.  Interesting mystery challenge quilts. There was a vendor that dyed her own fabric which was great.

Several quilts combined the sewing of a quilt with the hand stitching of applique.  Those were my favorite one. 

I guess in crochet doily blanket will be something like that. 

Card - Thank You

I refurbished an old card I made years ago. It is my daisy flower color printed in gocco or inkjet.

I trimmed the white card to leave a small border.  

Used colored pencils to color so if it was ink jet printed I would not make the color run.

Mounted the layer onto Stampin Up Gumball Green A2 card base.

A thank you to my aunt for lending me the dutch oven.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Activity picked up a lot once I tested negative for COVID.  I confirmed my plans to host my siblings at my house on Saturday, Oct 18th.

I treated myself to a Turkey Sandwich at Tim's for Thanksgiving. I skipped the dressing on my sandwich. Picked it up in the afternoon and heated it up for supper.

It was expensive but really good.

The Canada Geese descended onto the pond this week which meant the Egret for itself another place to be.

All I see are bird butts in the air and feeding is going great guns.

With the windows open, I can hear them honking. They seem to head out towards evening.  Probably moving to harvested fields to eat some more.

I did not have enough cloth placemats for hosting my family so I decided to buy vinyl table cloth material from JYSK and cut it up to make placemats.

I had made my choice from looking on line but when I got there it was too yellow so I browsed and finally chose ALMBORG. It is embossed clear vinyl material which measures 54 inches wide and you can buy it by the meter. It has a geometric pattern.

They worked well I have 12 of them.  I cut them on my quilting mat with a quilting ruler and an Exacto knife.

I bought the MÅLERÅS picture ledge from IKEA. It is bamboo (a renewable resource).

Here I am vetting whether the color will work in the livingroom/dining room.


They will be set up aligned with the top of the bookcase in the livingroom and will go right across that wall to the far side of the dining room.


I consulted with the DIYers in the family and I will purchase metal anchors to install them. It is the wall between units so who knows where the studs are.

I used the leftover vinyl material from the placements to add privacy to my craft room. I generally leave the curtains closed since there have been times when people have walked by the window. It is at the back of the building I did not expect to have folks back here but it happens.


The vinyl is on the moving window and taped to the bottom 2/3rds so that sunshiine can get in but people cannot see in.


Really happy with this solution. The plants get some real sunshine as well.

I brought the craft table into the living room and left a walking aisle between the 2 tables. It did seperate the conversation corners but I was happy to have enough room. I am set up here for 8 but we ended up with 10 people for lunch.


I made home made chicken noodle soup. My sister brought homemade whole wheat buns, and I bought date squares and Nanaimo bars for dessert. Another sister brought Chocolate Zuchinni cake so there was plenty. There was just enough soup. I borrowed a dutch oven from my aunt since mine is still packed. Great time!

Journey of the Heart by Diann Mills was the book I finished this week. True love crosses cultural barriers in these two old west romances.


When her father dies, Katie Colter is forced to leave her home amoung the Comanches and return to live in the fort with her aunt and uncle. Her family is very kind, patient, and loving to her and she adapts to her people's ways. Long dresses, church on Sunday, bible study, military men in the community and less nature.


Lone Eagle still thinks Katie as his wife and eventually comes to get her. She goes with him to save the fort being burned to the ground. After a time, she is released after finding out interesting things about her past.

Cards - Donation - Friends

Once I discontinued my on line card exchange I started giving my cards away without having someone else's card to handle.

I was going to see a friend at the funeral so I made up some cards for her.  She has been battling cancer so not sure card making has been a priority.

The card base is Chocolate Chip with white embossed layer.  The folder is a floral one from Cuttlebug. I added a sentiment created from a CC Scallop Circle and a 1 inch cirle color printed punchie. It was mounted to the card front with 3 D foam tape.

This card features Stampin Up Designer Paper from the "Oh So Ombre" 6x6" set which I bought at the thrift store unopened for just over $2.

The colors in the set are Bermuda Bay, Blackberry Bliss, Granny Apple Green, Rococo Rose and Whisper White.

Again, a Chocolate Chip card base, with the green DSP from the above set. I used pencial crayon to put 2 brown lines across the top of the card.

The greeting is a CC scallop circle, a coordinating green circle then a 1" Just for you punchie.  

A quarter sheet insert and white envelope.

This card features the ombre DSP in the Bermuda Bay color.  The card base is the same color.  

I cut a SU Window Frame die cut from Whisper White with a framelit. I cut a left over of the DSP to about 2" square and adhere it to the die cut. 

I added 2 Five Petal Flowers one large one small layered and held in place with a coordinating mini brad.

This layer was adhered to the left of center on a landscape card.

This card base is Bermuda Bay with a coordinating DSP in the same color. 

I cut a strip of Whisper White the width of the card and adhered with double sided tape.

I cut a piece of card stock to 2 inches square and added a Martha Stewart butterfly punchie in white held in place with a tiny white brad. The square was adhered to the white strip.

Some of these cards are greeting less so they can be used for multiple occasions.

This bright blue card stock is from Michaels. 

I cut a book page down to fit the front of the card then used a couple of inkpads to add color and soften the text.  Blue and grey ink pads.

I took a scrap of silver card stock and cut a strip and a star die cut. I mounted the strip across the card.

The accent is a black SU Deco Label punchie, with a 1.25 inch circle light grey, 1 inch dark grey circle and the star I cut earlier.  It was adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

Nice to have a masculine card on hand.

Again, Pretty in Pink card base.  

I added a panel of Whisper White embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.

I mounted some Prima Handmade Paper flowers onto the panel with tiny white brads and irridescent flower sequins.  I placed them from dark at top to lighter below along teh left hand side of the panel. It was then adhered to the card base.

I am sure my friend will enjoy the cards.

Card - Sympathy

I attended the funeral of a church friend's husband.  He died quite suddenly after a fall.

I chose Pretty in Pink card base.  

I then embossed a Whisper White layer which left a decent border. The embossing layer is Stampin Up folder. Once adhered to the card front I used a small amount of chalk on a Qtip to apply some color to the flowers and branches.

I stamped the sentiment from Stampendous with an inkpad called Cement

A white quarter shee insert and a white envelope with pressing under books for a while made the card ready to give.

Cards - Charity - IWin

Dipping into my commercial decorative paper stash I found this warm tone piece of card stock.  

These colors strike me as More Mustard and Always Artichoke but I am only guessing.

I cut the piece down and adhered it toward the bottom of the A2 Summer Sun card base.

I cut the small butterfly with the Stampin Up Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. I added a body and antennae in black. Adhered to an Always Artichoke tag cut with the Sizzix Tag Set die.

It was mounted to cover up some purple color on the left hand side. I trimmed it as needed to stay within the card edge.

I added a sage colored ribbon on the tag.  The greeting was stamped with a clear polymer stamp which I don't have credits for, with Always Artichoke ink.

This card is in the landscape orientation.

Same Summer Sun card base in the A2 size.

I added a couple of strips of Always Artichoke card stock leaving a small gap between them toward the bottom of the card.

I cut the medium butterfly from the same paper as the one above. I added a black body and antennae.

The greeting is the Modern Label and Word Window that I have used before.

White quarter sheet insert and white envelopes.

I started by cutting the large butterfly from book pages from a book that fell apart recently.  I managed to finish reading it at least.

I chose a Crumb Cake card stock which is a kraft color which I rubbed with SU Tea Stain ink pad.  I added a strip of Soft Suede embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. It was adhered to the right of center.

I added the large butterfly with a black body and antennea over the embossed strip.

I adhered the Word Window greeting which was stamped with a SU small stamp.

A landscape (wide) layout for this card with the same large butterfly cut from a book page. Distressed with the SU Tea Stain ink pad. A black body and antannea.

A stip of Soft Suede embossed with the Swiss Dots folder mounted in the center of the card. 

Adhered the butterfly and stamped the greeting in the bottom right hand corner.

These will all sit under books for weight over night and will be ready in the morning.

Cards - Charity - IWin

I found out that we need a few more cards for our delivery to our charity for their work in November.

Since I have time with my one sewing project done I decided to spend some time on cards.

I used the Stampin Up Beautiful Butterflies die to cut the winged creatures.

For this card I chose SU Pacific Point card base in the A2 size. I added a strip of Rich Razzleberry card stock embossed with the DVine Swirls folder. It was adhered on the right of center. 

I added the largest of the butteflies cut from marbled paper. I added a hand cut body with marker antennea. I used the marker to add stitching along both edges of the purple strip. 

The greeting is the classic combo of the Modern Label punchie with the Word Window punchie. I will run out of these printed ones and I hope I have some rubber stamps I can use till I get a new printer.

 For this card, it was designed in the portrait orientation.

I added stitching using the outline of the off cut from the first large butterfly.  I then placed the smaller butterfly from the same marbled paper over it and adhered with double sided tape.  Added the antennea and body to the butterfly.

I added a strip of black card stock along the top of the card and mounted the same greeting combo which featured a purple Modern Label punchie mounted with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert and a white envelope will finish each of these cards.

This card featured Night of Navy card base. 

The embossed layer is white done with a Cuttlebug foliage folder. It was placed right of center.

The butterfly was cut from commercial handmade paper printed with silver ink from India.

It received its body and antenna same as the others.

The greeting matches with silver printed paper. Word Window is black with coordinates well.

More marbled paper on this card for the large butterfly.  It received its body and antennea same as the others.  I added stitiching with a black marker.

The card base is Brilliant Blue.

The embossed layer is a piece of Whisper White with was embossed with the Stampin Up Script folder.

The greeting is the Modern Label with matches the butterfly and the Word Window in black.

White quarter sheet insets and white envelopes.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 The Egret at the pond is providing a nice distraction.

Apparently, it comes to the pond in the fall and stays for about a month to six weeks.

Still islolating with this illness. It means things are getting done at home so I am grateful for that.

I bought is thermometer back in September.  I finally worked out where to put it on the patio.  I did move it once because it was being affected by the sun.

Now, it is protected so I know what the actual temperature is when I get up.

It helps me know how to dress for my morning walk which I am still taking early. I wear my mask while in the building then enjoy the fresh air outside.

The Sonf of the Silk Road by Mingmei Yip is the book I finished this week.

Lily Lin grew up in Hong Kong and was captivated by photos of the desert - long lonely vistas and sand dunes.

She now lives in New York and is struggling to finish her graduate degree. One day she receives an astonishing offer from an aunt she does not know. Take a trip to China, complete some tasks and then receive a million dollars. She decides to do it.

She prepares by letting friends know she will be away. The married man she has been having an affair wants to know all the details which she does not provide. She researches the trip, where to fly to, where to stay, what the culture is like. 

I found the culture very different. Her way of thinking and relating was interesting.   It was an okay book.

I bought this table cloth in the summer at Ikea. 
I chose a warm grey because I was not sure the navy blue was going to work. SVARTSENAP is 100% cotton, measures Length: 240 cm (94 ") Width: 145 cm (57 ").

I am working towards being well enough to host my family in this new to me home.  I had to cancel my first date.

It need some trimming to fit my table.  I removed some from both the length and width.

I am very happy with the result.

I spent some time in the craft room.

I used the saran wrap and salt techniques to add texture to my 140lb watercolor paper.

Cards will be forthcoming.

 

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

 

I had a piece of RFID fabric to make 3 more wallets so I just used the scrappy fabric I made this morning and cut it up into 3 pieces.

I am happy to have gotten 3 different colored wallets.

I found some bright green cotton polyester broadcloth for the lining for the 2 on the right hand side.  The blue one on the left got a white and blue polyester fabric lining.

All of them got blue elastic.

These will be available in the Christmas Store at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery at Heavy Metal Place in December 2025.

Sewing Project - Fabric Scraps to Scrappy Fabric

 

Another scrappy fabric with small and medium scraps. This time in warm blue tones.  I laid out the whole piece this time before I started sewing ensuring that I was overlapping the edges sufficiently.

I used gray thread this time like quilters do to provide a neutral to all the color.  I think that worked.

I was thinking bottle bags but I think this will be fabric wallets instead.

Sewing Project - Card Wallets

 The next set of wallets I made this morning. These are made with a circle of fabric.

What cards do you put in these wallets? All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly) and a few I am sure I have not thought of.

Top Left: I love this feather fabric.  This time I paired it with a teal green solid fabric.  

Top Right: I tight plaid in white and navy.  I did not want to stick with those colors so I chose a yellow fabric.

Bottom Left:  This rust colored patterned fabric is really nice.  I paired it with the yellow subtle patterned fabric.

Bottom Right: This is gorgeous floral fabric with pinks, green, yellow and some deep read. I chose a sage green solid for the petals on this wallet.  The piece was a bit short so the tabs at the top are straight instead of curved.

A very productive morning. 

Sewing Project - Card Wallets

I made a bunch of these card wallets this morning.   I have been sewing for a few days and with all the fabric out and some combos used for the fold over wallets I just powered through.

What cards do you put in these walletsÉ All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly) and a few I am sure I have not thought of.

Top Left: This fabric is gorgeous.  It was strips so I just cut the length to 12 inch pieces and sewed them together to get 12 inches wide. I paired it with this raspberry fabric and it may be a bit too pink for the colors in the outside fabric.

I have not sewn snaps into these. My neice will help me with plastic snaps when I see in the next few weeks. It will take just a few minutes instead of hours by hand.

Top Right: This bold navy and white plaid / check is nice heavy fabric.  I paired it with a lemon yellow broadcloth for the lining/ petals.

Bottom Left:  A nice blue on blue plaid cotton fabric I paired it with a taupe cotton fabric.

Bottom Right: For the outside fabric I chose a floral patterned fabric which is part polyester I think.

I paired it with a deep dusty blue.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Still spending time at home. Feeling a bit better I rest a lot and investigate boxes when I can.

I finally found my lace shower curtain while rummaging through fabric storage working on small sewing projects.

I remember the days of packing and at the end you just stuff things where they fit physically whether it makes sense in context.  Makes it a bit harder on the other end to figure out where stuff could be.

Very happy to have it hung in the bathroom in this place months after moving in.  I had bought a temporary one a while back. It will go back to the thrift store.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray was a book that kept me company this week.

A summer house party turns into a thrilling whodunit when Mr. Wickham, one of literature's most notorious rakes, finally gets what's coming to him. 

Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a house party bringing together distant relatives and new acquaitances. When the opportunistic and deceitful Mr. Wickham arrives unannounced.  He has swindled many people of their money including some at the party. The weather is foul and Emma as host makes room for him to stay till travelling is possible. 

Mr. Wickham is found murdered in gallery.  Everyone must remain in the house while the investigation is taking place.  It is one of them but who? 

Juliet and Jonathan work together to determine who the killer might be.  They share their findings with the policeman. 

Reconciliations take place while these folks are isolated in the Donwell Abbey.

Things are getting sorted at home while I am still stuck at home.

I bought this small vacuum in September.  I still have a small carpet at the patio door, my chair needs to be cleaned regularly and lamp shades need to be cleaned. 

I am very happy with the machine.  It has a washable filter and the clear dirty container is great.

I finally this week figured out where it was going to live.  I hung it on the hook of one of the shelf brackets.

I used a metal shower hook which stays on the handle.

Done and dusted.  

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

Another set of Fold Over Card Wallets with RFID Protection.

I dipped into the pink bag of fabric scraps because I had bright pink elastic I wanted to use.

A gorgeous floral print with the perfect pink to match the elastic.

Again, the fabric is cut to 5.25 x 11 inches for the outer fabric and the lining fabric.  The RFID fabric measures 5x5.5 inches and is placed in the center of the panel based on the center fold. 

The elastic is place 3.25 inches from the bottom edge. Then a seam is put all around the edge with reinforcement where the elastic sits. Leaving a small slit to turn the sandwich right side out. 

Press the center fold again and by placing the fabric to the light you can see where the opaque RFID fabric starts and that is where the fold is placed and ironed. Repeat on the other end.  Iron the slit well so the edges are well aligned. Top stitch down both flaps with a seam that goes all along the right hand edge making sure you do not trap the elastic. Repeat on the left hand side.  Done!

I wanted to make a couple that were more masculine in color and pattern so I chose this navy and white bold plaid.

A white lining and a navy blue elastic completes this wallet.

Another wallet with the other half of the pink elastic.

This is a striped cotton fabric.  I gave it an ivory lining fabric.

What cards do you put in these wallets: All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly) and a few I am sure I have not thought of.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

Another set of Fold Over Wallets.

I found a long scrap of this screen printed linen in my stash. Platinum Collection © NNXIX US Canada.

It had a wide selvage edge so I just layed the next strip over that edge and aligned the designs till I was happy and pinned it.  Then I did that again to give me a strip of fabric wider than the 5.25 inches and just over the 11 inches tall I needed. 

I sewed these pieces together with the same overcast stitch I used on my fabric collage piece with the yellow thread from the previous session.

Then, I found a piece of fabric for the lining and I used the grey stretchy fabric for the elastic.

I found this batick fabric in my scrap stash.  Gorgeous deep rich colors.  It is a heavier fabric but ironed beautifully.

I chose a coordinating brown cotton for the lining fabric.

I added a blue elastic to keep the wallet closed.

Love the vibrant yellow in this wallet.

These again, are all lined with RFID fabric to prevent the theft of your information on your credit / payment cards.

What cards can you put in these wallets: All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly). 

Another medium weight fabric in stripes of white, grey and blues.  Working with this weight works really well for this product.

I chose a white cotton lining fabric and a grey stretchy fabric for the closure.

The elastic is placed at the 3.25 inches from the bottom edge of the fabric.  I reinforce the seam where it is as it will be a stress point.  It is easier to choose fabric that is works in any direction.  The one above I wanted the back to the be the front but I put my elastic in the other place and the prettiest piece is on the back.  It does allow one to see it all at least.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

More Card Wallets with RFID Protection

I used my new scrappy fabric to make 3 more foldover wallets today.

The first one I did not pay attention too much to where my folds would be.  The next couple I did audition which would be the front and the back.  I had a bit of leeway as the piece of fabric needed to be trimmed back some.

I put a red elastic on this one.

The new scrappy fabric allowed me to make 3 wallets with none of them being exactly the same.

I chose to put a black elastic on this one because of the little black bees on the fabric on the right hand side.

What cards can you put in these wallets: All kinds - credit cards, transit cards, library cards, loyalty cards, business cards (yours or those you need to access regularly). 

This one has the light fabric on the left hand side which is quite a contrast.  I think it works though.

Again, a red elastic for this one.

I chose to use clips to hold the sandwich together when sewing these wallets.

The silver fabric you see if the RFID fabric and I think it is best if there are not holes in the fabric where the cards will be.  

The fabric is incorporated into the 2 side seams then the fold over flaps are aligned with the edge of the fabric so that the full outside of the pockets are protected.