All the Things

Well, Friends...My annual bout of New Year's Startitis is still in high pitch.  I've been trying to tame the Beast by sticking to a certain routine - Making My Bed, as it were -- and so far, I'm Getting Things Done and Holding the Fort -- to use a variety of time-worn cliches! 😉

So here's the gist of it, with my loosey-goosey "goals-that-aren't-carved-in-stone":

Hooked Art

As I mentioned in my last post, I've applied for a spot at the local art show/sale again this year (won't know for about a month), and I've been working toward that a bit with a new hooked landscape or two.  

I finished the first -- 12" square -- which is the one I think I'll donate to the silent auction fundraiser at the local performing arts centre:

"Under a January Moon" (c)
Finished Feb. 2026

I have to thank my cyber-friend, artist Holly Maclean of New Brunswick, for permission to use her painting of a deciduous tree as inspiration for mine. 😊

On the same piece of burlap, I drew out another 12" square piece, modelled after a long-finished art quilt from 2012.  This hooked piece will be the third iteration of this idea.  The first was "Trio" -- the art quilt I made as my final exam piece for my London City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in 'Creative Techniques: Quilting' (with everlasting thanks to my tutor, the great Linda Kemshall):

Trio - (c) 2012

The second iteration: in June 2019 a long-time friend commissioned me to turn this piece into a bed-sized quilt -- she wanted to buy it for herself for her 99th birthday in October!  I agreed, gave her a price, and proceeded to get to work, creating this, with the help of Katie Pasquini Masopust's book, "Artful Log Cabins":

"Prairie Quintet" (c) 2019

I had to add 2 trees to make it the right size!  I finished it in time, and can still here her voice mail message of thanks.  She used it for several months -- never sleeping under it.  She put it on her bed only when it was made up, and took it off each night!  Alas, she died of heart failure in May 2020, a few months shy of her centenary. I miss her still.  I only hope someone in her family has kept that quilt.

So now...a third iteration: as a hooked piece!  I'm now working on the last bit of it -- that blue sky:

"Duo" in progress - Feb. 6, 2026

It's only 12" x 12", so I've put in only 2 trees, and gave them a slightly different look.  I'll show you the finish in the next post.

Quilting

I'm still moving right along on the 2026 Bonnie Hunter mystery, "Lupines and Laughter".  It's so darned pretty!  

In my last post, I'd just started Clue 6.  Now I've only a few units left to make for that clue, before I move on to Clue 7 (more units!!)  Here's a progress photo:

Stacks and stacks!

And of course I couldn't miss the BOM for February, from "A Quilting Life" -- which I'm doing in "Canadiana" colours:

Something tells me I'm going to be very good at making those stars when this is finished! 😉

As a sort of "leaders and enders" project at the moment, I've returned to making crumb "sections" and scrappy, wonky log cabin blocks, which will end up going to those in need -- eventually.

Knitting

This is where starts and finishes line up for me at the moment.  I've finished a hat, and started a pair of socks, and am nearing a finish on a blanket.

First, the hat -- the "Melt the ICE" hat -- from Needle and Skein via Ravelry.  YES, I paid for it in CAD, even at the 30% exchange rate. It's a worthy cause!

I used an unlabelled stash yarn, which the 'match test' revealed was mostly -- if not 100% -- wool. I enjoyed the knit, but could have done without the tassel. Full disclosure: I don't like tassels, pom-poms or bobbles on the things I knit!  I used only 100 sts, but it fit my small-medium (22") head just fine.  However, if I make it again, I'll go up to 108 sts, and leave off the tassel.  This one -- and future ones -- will end up in my Warm Things box, for indeed they would be Warm Things.

As for socks, I'm trying again to revive my sock mojo.  This month it's with a pair of textured socks from a vintage pattern (1947), which satisfies the criterion for the February 2026 challenge in the Socks from Stash group on Ravelry -- something they're calling "Ultra-unappreciated patterns".  In other words, patterns with very few projects recorded on Ravelry.  Mine is #3! 

Yes...this is the source -- and I have the book. It was my mother's -- or maybe her mother's! -- and it's in a page protector in my collection of knitting patterns.  I've made other socks from it, but not recently.

Anyway, the one I selected is called "Fancy Rib Socks", and I've been thankful for another Ravelry member -- a Canuck living in B.C., to boot! -- for the notes she made when she knit these.  It's not every day you try a pattern that someone else has knit, and you become cyber-friends with that person! 

I've only recently cast them on, and adapted the pattern (with the above-mentioned help) to 64 sts (from 80 as called for) -- so this is what they look like as of this morning:

Yarn: Estelle Highland Alpaca Fine
Colour: "Lagoon"

I think I'm going to enjoy knitting these, but whether or not they'll be enough to restore my lack-lustre sock mojo remains to be seen!

While the Sylph Cowl is still in the queue, it's become my 'train knitting' -- carried with me in the car in the event I'm stopped at the local train crossing, which is not just for trains passing through. It's a switch-point for CN Rail, which means I can sit there for 15-20 minutes, depending on the day and my timing!

However, I'm working hard on my January Blanket, started in 2024...and closing in on a finish. This was a photo taken a month ago; it's now longer -- I've finished 24 of a called-for 35 pattern repeats, and am on the 8th of 10 balls of yarn.  I thought I might try to use up all 10, but that would make it far longer than called for, so I'm just going to stick with the pattern as written!

I've done nothing more on my red-and-white cowl, or on my Bernie sweater -- just focusing on the above-mentioned projects for now.

And then there's Cross-stitch

I'm pleased to say that I finished the (recommended by Jacob) January section of the "Little Acorns" SAL from Modern Folk Embroidery -- at 8:30 p.m. on January 31! 

I then took a few days "off" but yesterday evening I started the February section (again, recommended by Jacob in his pattern notes).  Here's how it looked at the end of the evening:

NOTE: the border on the left isn't really skewed; it's just that the linen in the hoop has been pulled off grain!! It's really a straight line, and would look that way if I took it out of the hoop!!

Of course, I've been distracted by other things, as one is.  I've not done any more on the Elsa Williams "Winter" piece, or on "Disagree" by Rebel Stitcher, but I did have a new start.

Being February -- the month in which I was engaged in 1975 -- I've returned to "A Quilter's Dream" (also Modern Folk Embroidery) and have made a bit more progress on that:

Yes, it's only one teen motif, but each one is a mini-accomplishment, eh?! 😁

As for my "squirrel" moment? Well...again, given what's still going on in the world, I downloaded this new free pattern from Ellen Reid of Maximum Cross Stitch, and made a start:

It's entitled "Go Show Love", and is available in both Canadian and American versions re: the -- ahem! -- spelling of "neighboUr". 😉 

I found a large piece of 22-count white evenweave in my stash (I believe I inherited it from a dear friend who died in 2020 -- heart, not Covid) and I'm using the called-for DMC, 2 strands over 2 fabric threads.  Because I messed up on the colour instructions, I'm using black for both the 1st and 2nd inner borders, but I'm okay with that.  It's the perfect counter-part to stitching 1 strand over 2 on 40-count as I'm doing with "Little Acorns" and "A Quilter's Dream".

That's really all the news that's fit to print for this post, Gentle Readers.  My heart goes out to those in Eastern Canada, the Maritimes and all down the east coast of the US into places not as used to snow as we are, as they experience really overwhelming dumps of the stuff.  We out here on the Canadian prairies could use some more, as without it we're likely to remain in drought territory this spring and summer...not good.  Sigh...

And I continue to hope and pray for better days for all my US readers...

So I leave you with those wishes, and my usual link to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday.  This week, she has the Great Reveal of her Studio Reset -- it's a WOW!  

And until next time...a bientot!

Making My Bed

 

I've never been a tip-top housekeeper -- it seems like such a thankless exercise -- but I do try to keep up with some things: the dishes (I'm the dishwasher); the laundry; the bathroom; the vacuuming...that sort of thing.

And I always made my bed -- until about 20 years ago, when my husband died.  I'd been sleeping in a twin bed in my daughter's room for some years before that, as Howard was in a hospital bed -- with a special mattress for his fragile skin and poor circulation -- for more than two years before he died.  

During that time, I'd tried to keep my room in good shape -- it was at the front of the house, after all -- but after he died, I moved back into what had been 'our' room, and it didn't seem to matter much any more.  Even after I moved out of the city to this wee rural hamlet, well...I'd make my bed before I left the house for any length of time, but if I were at home, I just left it.

That seems to have changed in the last few months...since the fall.  In August I posted a special post about what would have been our 50th Anniversary -- and the 19th of his death (same day, different year).  Sometime in the weeks after that, and after my 73rd birthday, and a visit with good friends who let me work through all that those weeks had brought, I began to make my bed again.

Pretty much every morning -- after whichever cat was sleeping on it, got up and left.

I still have my weepy days, my grumpy days, my angry days...but they're less frequent now.  I found a new faith family that I'm still uncertain about joining, but one thing I know is this: they are kind and friendly and want me to stay.

And while my 'art mojo' has been unsettled, this month I'm back into a better groove, making time for it again.

My word for this year is 'Enough' -- and I think that somehow, somewhere deep down inside, I found I'd had enough. Enough of the mess of the bedroom every night at bedtime.  Enough of feeling like I was never accomplishing anything.  Enough of bringing the uncertainty of the outside world into my home.

I'm sleeping better, longer and with fewer unsettling but unremembered dreams.  I'm drinking more water and tea -- even herbal tea! -- and less alcohol.

I'm losing my resentment for the short winter days, all the snow shovelling, and the unpredictable sidewalk and road surfaces that make daily walks difficult.  And when I'm out in the cold, crisp air, I take deep breaths and thank the Creator for the sunshine.

So my making is more a pleasant routine than a boring rote exercise -- and I've found the courage to apply (again) for a booth at the local Art Show/Sale in April.  I'm making new hooked work, including a piece for another fund-raising silent auction for the local performing arts centre.  I gave my 2025 Warm Things box to the church for its mitten tree, and have begun new pieces for a 2026 box.  I'm listening to more quiet, lovely music and less to the news.  

And it all began with the simple step forward: making my bed.

Here are some photos of what I've been working on:

Quilting

I'm making steady progress on Bonnie Hunter's latest Mystery, "Lupines and Laughter", inspired by her 2025 trip to Iceland.

I finished the units for Clue 5:

And I started those for Clue 6:

Shortly after my last post, Sherri posted the first of her blocks for her annual Block of the Month (BOM) at A Quilting Life.  She's doing hers in colours that honour the US 250th anniversary.  Being Canadian, well...I've decided to dig out red and white from my stash -- including fabric left from Canada's 150th Anniversary of Confederation.  I don't have much of the red-and-white print from that fabric line, but I'm going to stretch it as far as I can.  Here's my version of the first blocK:

If you want to make it, and haven't yet downloaded the pattern, it's still free for the taking, HERE.

Knitting:

You all know how I get 'startitis' every January, and (truth be told) again in September with "back to school" -- though I've not had to worry about that for decades now! LOL!

Well, this year, a couple of the knitting podcasters I watch have joined in something called "The 12 Days of Cast-Ons" (or "Christmas Cast-ons"), to which I referred -- briefly -- in my last post.  This originated some years ago, apparently, with a podcaster named Rainbow Ange -- her YouTube channel is YarnNYarns.  The project calls for folks to cast on 12 new items between Xmas Day and the end of January, and then try to finish them by the end of the year.

That said, the "rules" are...well...loosey-goosey.  One podcaster is casting on 6 new projects and dug out 6 Works in Progress (WIPs) to make up 12.  And the craft can be knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving...whatever.

Me?  I decided to cast on a few new knitted things, start a few new projects in my other crafts, and toss in a few languishing WIPs.

The quilting?  My 'new projects' consisted of the Block of the Month, that began January 4, and a funky scrappy log cabin I'm making as a leader/ender project.

In the knitting vein, I cast on a pair of socks (since frogged because though I liked the pattern, I didn't like it striped); a cowl -- mentioned in my last post -- red and white with maple leaves on it.  Sorry; I've still no photo to show you because although I'm past the ribbing and some of the first colour-work, the darned edge rolls up such that I can't photograph it!

And then...my first ever top-down stranded colour-work raglan pullover.  I am loving it!  Even the short-rows!

Pattern: "Feel the Bern"
Designer: Caitlin Hunter
FREE on Ravelry
Yarn: a stash assortment

I finished my 'Simple Handspun Hat'. and it's going into my Warm Things Box:

2-ply -- hand-painted Falklands wool
marled with black alpaca

And I continue to work on the 'Sylph Cowl', which is now my carry-along project.

Cross-stitch:

Except for my Sunday Stitch -- "Cattle on a Thousand Hills" from Plum Street designs -- I've set aside the other projects mentioned in my last post, in favour of focusing on a languishing WIP and a new start (part of my "12 Days" informal plan).

The WIP is the first section -- "Winter" -- of a four-seasons kitted cross-stitch project I got sometime after it came out in (yes) 2005. It's from Elsa Williams, and is done on 14-count white aida, with specially kitted DMC floss.  I really didn't have much left to do, and now all I have is a bit of straight stitching "tree branches".  It's very pretty, and I'm delighted that I'll have it finished by March, when I can start the "Spring" section:

The other piece is my new start -- mentioned in my last post -- the 2026 Stitch-ALong (SAL) from Modern Folk Embroidery, entitled "Little Acorns".  I did indeed start it January 1st, and here's where I am now:

Floss: "Pippy" from Roxy Floss Co.
Fabric: 40-count "Platinum" from Roxy Floss Co.

I took Jacob's suggestion as to how to divide up this year-long SAL, and then decided to further divide the first section into four -- one for each week this month Jan. 1st, Jan. 8th, Jan. 15th, and Jan.22nd.  What you see above is where I got to last evening, just past the half-way mark, so into the fourth week, which is really 10 days.

Finally, in stitch, in light of the events of the past week, I dug out "Disagree" from Rebel Stitcher, and have put in a few stitches.  Here's where I left it in May, 2025:

                              And here's where it was as of last evening:

Thread: 12-wt. Sulky variegated in blues and greens
Fabric: unlabelled 40-count something! 

Rug Hooking:

These are my newest projects.  In my last post I mentioned that I'd received Deanne Fitzpatrick's latest book on landscapes.  I've now read most of it, and taken inspiration to get back to the frame(s).

On my made-over embroidery frame, I started a small piece (8" x 10") that's a floral, inspired by a water-colour from my cyber-friend Holly Maclean of New Brunswick -- and used by permission:

There's actually more been done on it than the photo shows -- but I've put it on pause until I receive some more yarn in shades of maroon that I discovered I was lacking.  They should arrive next week.

And on the Cheticamp frame, I drew two landscapes.  One is an adaptation of an art quilt I created in 2012, but I've not started it yet. Stay tuned!

The other is the landscape I plan to mount on canvas (provided by the venue) for the 2nd "Piece-by-Piece" silent auction fundraiser to benefit the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC):

Working Title: Underneath a January Moon

Again, I took some inspiration from Holly -- a watercolour she did of a large bare tree in winter -- again with her permission -- but I've made it my own with the other trees and the moon etc.  I have yet to finish the sky and the foreground snow, but it'll be finished soon.

Those of you, Gentle Readers, who've been following along, might remember that in November I was accepted into "Winter's Night", a small group exhibit also at the LPAC.  It closed last week, and on Monday this week I picked up my piece, "Love Lives in the Stars".

It won't be home long, though, as "my" gallery, Curiosity Art and Framing in Red Deer", has accepted it for their next themed exhibit, "Starry-eyed" -- so I'll be taking it there next week.

Riding a wave of inspiration and hopeful ambition, I've sent in my application for the 2026 Lacombe Encore! Art Show and Sale in April, and am giving consideration to answering an Open Call at LPAC for later this year or into 2027, a solo show of my quilted work.  I've talked it over with the young woman in charge, and she's encouraged me to apply...so stay tuned for news on that too.

I think that's enough for this go 'round, Gentle Readers.  Just reviewing it all makes my head spin a bit. The evening is getting late, so perhaps it's time for me to close this off and crawl into that well-made bed with a cuppa and book.

Until next time, I'll leave you with a link to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday.  She too is in a whiriwind of new making -- requiring her to deal with the...um...state of her studio.  I think you'll agree that for most of us, it's easier to make our beds! 😉

A bientot!

May I Have a Word?

 

I've been blogging in this space since February, 2003 -- but rarely, if ever perhaps, on New Year's Day.  And I've not chosen a "Word of the Year" for a few years now.  Last year I chose a word almost daily through January, sharing them on Facebook, but this year...

This year I just felt inclined to write a few words about the Word of the Year I've chosen for 2026:

Enough.

That's it -- plain and simple.

I don't know about you, Gentle Readers, but even though I live a pretty quiet, blessed rural life out here on the rolling prairie, and even though I had many memorable, gentle, lovely, creative days throughout 2025, I'm tired.  As regular readers will know, I've been tired for a while -- fed-up tired.  I even wrote about it in this space in August, and I thank you for your understanding and kind comments back then.

After all, I don't live under a rock or deep in a cave; like you, I live in the real world, and it seems to me that in the last several years I've been aware of more tumult and angst, anger and power-lust -- and protest against all that since I was a teenager growing up in the nineteen sixties. While I'm thankful for those protesting what's going on, most days it really seams as though "the wrong is oft' so strong".  Protest takes constant work, energy and creativity, even if all the best you can manage to do -- like me -- is to sign petitions, publicize public activities, and write letters to your elected (but not, personally, voted for) representatives.  

It's been exhausting, demoralizing, and sad -- juggling all the events, fear and anger...and so I've decided ENOUGH.  

However, that's only one aspect of the idea of 'enough' for me. 

I've also got enough:

• Not wealth, but enough to pay for shelter, heat, light and food, with some left to give away;
• Enough fabric, fibre and floss to keep creating well beyond life expectancy; and
• Enough ideas and project plans and starts and works-in-progress to keep me inspired, and my hands occupied, so that my mind, heart and soul are fed.

Given that I've had more than enough of the news -- at home (some) and abroad (far too much), but because ignorance, for me, is not bliss -- I've been curating my intake, and am now paring it down even further, even in my craft-viewing, choosing to skip parts of podcasts that are...well...meant for an audience of fellow-citizens of a particular country, and not for those of us who live in other lands, who celebrate other holidays or have a different focus -- knowing -- or at least, hoping -- I can return when the season of a particular celebration is over.

In my quilt studio, the "Keep it Out of the Landfill" project continues, with progress on the Bonnie Hunter 2025 Mystery quilt.  I've finished the first three clues now:

In the photo above, the tray in the centre shows the 2nd clue, which I managed to ignore until I'd done clues 1 and 3 (!) At the time I took the photo, Clue 2 was still under construction, but it's now finished as well. 

Speaking of quilty finishes, in my last post I showed you my "finished" top from the Block of the Month for 2025 -- from Sherri at "A Quilting Life".  I was contemplating adding a border simply to unify it, and this week, I did just that, using one of the fabrics that's in some of the blocks:

Shown here on my bed, it's not quite twin-sized; it's just a rather large 'throw'.  I may send it out for quilting, as between the size and the pattern, it would be tricky to quilt on my domestic machine.

I've enjoyed making Sherri's BOM projects -- I've done both 2024 and 2025 -- they keep things moving and create a bit of a challenge.  However, Sherri has said her 2026 project will be a tribute to the 250th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.  I may look at the first block and if I can do it in "Canadian Colours", I might give it consideration, but I make no promises!

Last but not least, my friends M & S sent me a kit of sorts for Xmas, hoping to steer me towards 'Slow Stitch' of the contemporary kind, rather like visible mending but creating an original, meditative piece.  Alas, while I like the idea of Slow Stitching, and I've tried it a few times, I just really don't enjoy it.  Still, there I had in front of me a small 'quilt sandwich' -- a random patchwork top in a pretty palette of pinks, blues and purples, sandwiched with a thin batting, on a plain grey backing.  

It was expecting me to do something with it -- so I did.  When I first started showing my small art quilts, people used to ask me what to do with them.  Were they hot pads?  Cushion covers?  That used to irritate me mightily, but this pretty piece, well -- it certainly wasn't wall art.  So...much (I expect) to my friends' disappointment, I cut it into two squares, quilted each simply with my sewing machine (pink thread, no less!), bound them -- et voila! Two new hot pads to replace 2 of mine that were well over a decade old and looking much the worse for wear!

They're pretty; they're fresh, bright and serviceable -- and the process was strangely satisfying.  Works for me!

In new-ish knitting, the "Sylph Cowl", which starts of my latest "Warm Things" box, is moving along.  

Pattern: The Sylph Cowl
Designer: Jade Sapphire
Yarns (held double): Austermann 'Marina' in 
colour 45 - "Grape" and Universal Yarn
'Odette' in colour 106 - "Concord"

It's knit flat to 26" and seamed to make a long, deep cowl.  Both yarns are from stash -- long stash. 😊

Inspired by the "12 Days of Cast-on", I've cast on another cowl -- red and white colour-work -- but it's too early to show you any real progress. 

This morning I cast on the "Crooner Socks" from Nancy Wheeler. Again this year I'm trying to keep up with the Ravelry 'Socks from Stash' group. The challenge for this month is "Striping, but not self-striping", and the group's moderators have confirmed that this pattern will fit, so  I'm doing these in a royal purple for the main colour and a baby blue for the contrasting "stripes" -- using up more stash of course!

In my stitching, I finished "Wintertime" -- the wee stitch from Cathy Jean at The Victoria Sampler, and had an "almost-fully finished" afternoon, turning it and two other smalls into pillows -- they just have to be stuffed:

Top Left: "Wintertime" by Cathy Jean of
The Victoria Sampler;
Top Right: "Chubby Ewe" by Jeannette
Douglas; and Bottom Centre: "Harvest Virtues
by Thea Dueck of The Victoria Sampler

I think the largest of these is about 5" square, so they're just perfect to put in a bowl or prop on a shelf.

As I decided to interpret the "12 Days of Cast-on" rather loosely, I'm including in it any new starts, no matter the craft --such as these recent ones in my cross-stitch repertoire:

• For my Xmas Day start, I chose "Joy" from Carolyn Manning Designs -- her, "One Color Wonder" series -- which I'm stitching on 28-count "Splash" from Picture This Plus, using Wild Flowers cotton, colour #001 -- "Sandstone" from deep stash, 1 strand over 2 fabroc threads:

Working on a deep blue-green is a new experience but I'm rather enjoying it.  Also, I usually use 2 strands of floss on 28 count but this particular floss is a bit heavier than a strand of DMC, so I find that a single strand is sufficient.

• On Boxing Day (Dec. 26), I started "The Light of Winter" from Brenda Gervais (With Thy Needle and Thread), which I'm stitching on 40-count something -- can't find the label, but I think it's Platinum from Zweigart -- using DMC floss, 1 strand over 2 fabric threads:

• On December 29th, I started a third new piece: "Rejoice" from Lila's Studio.  It's a free pattern at the time of this writing, and I thought it would be a good way to celebrate the season -- and to rejoice that 2025 would soon be over! 😉

I'm working this on 32-count Lambs Wool, a fairly stiff fabric, using the called-for DMC, one strand of floss over 2 fabric threads.  The photo above shows my progress as of last evening.  I chose to do the top border in gold rather than in the blue called for, and switched out the gold of the flowers for blue.  Given that the letters are in blue, I thought this would be a better balance...but that's just my opinion, of course! 😊

And today, being January 1, 2026, marks the start of the 2026 SAL from Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery.  I've never participated in an actual SAL -- and not one of Jacob's.  I had in my stash a beautiful piece of 40-count fabric in "Platinum" from the July 2025 'Traditional' fabric club offering through Roxy Floss/Evertote, so I ordered the paper pattern and enough Roxy Floss -- in "Pippy" -- to do it.  Yesterday I printed a working copy of the first 2 pages (left and right top) so I could start, using the "map" suggested by Jacob in the pattern book.  Once I get this blog post up and running, I'll be in my stitching chair, making a start!

Does that mean I've abandoned my 'Sunday Stitch' habit? Not at all.  I'm really enjoying my current project, "1000 Hills" from Plum Street Samplers.  Here's my progress as of the end of December:

Each little motif feels like a finish in itself!

NOTE: If you're also stitching this sampler, or if it's in your 'plans' collection, the link to the Plum Street post about it -- shown above -- also has a Big Bold Errata notice about one of the symbols used. You  might want to make a note of that! 😊

There are two other fibre crafts I work on from time to time: spinning, which I prefer to do outdoors in warm weather; and rug-hooking.  I've taken a few weeks away from that, but I did manage to finish the little pattern, "The Two of Us", designed by Deanne Fitzpatrick, in time to send it to Peg in Montreal for Xmas.

While the above photo was taken before the piece was trimmed, blocked and bound, rest assured all that was done, and I sent it off with a note giving options for hanging.  She was totally delighted with it, and I'm sure she'll find a good spot for it in her home.

My 2026 plans for rug-hooking centre on landscapes.  I've received Deanne's new book on the subject as well as some more worsted-weight yarn especially for the purpose, and have decided to use these to finesse my skills in that genre which, truth be told, is my favourite.  It's time to crack open the book, mount some fabric on my frames (large and small) and get to it.  I'm hoping that as the fatigue of 2025 wears off, I'll stay upbeat and energetic enough to make several new pieces, and apply for a booth at the Lacombe Encore! Art Show and Sale in the spring.

For that, Gentle Readers, I will need your good thoughts and prayers for energy, patience, and the willingness to keep procrastination at bay!

 

And so I close with a wish for you and yours -- for all of us -- to have a safe, stable, creative and contented year ahead.  Linking this now to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday...on which she's posted a good reminder as we head into this new year.  

Until we meet again...A bientot!

Year End Thoughts

This weekend marks the second turning of the year -- when in the respective hemispheres -- north and south -- change places for the second time in twelve months, and here up north, our daylight hours begin to increase, while those down south of the Equator begin to decrease.  

In the depths of winter here, we're moving toward light, the spring and the summer.  In the waning days of summer, our Australian friends (for example) are moving toward days of shorter light, into autumn and on to winter.

I'm someone who loves the light -- metaphorically and in reality. These short days are hard for me...even as I treasure the cloke of quiet, candle-light reflection that starts my days, especially now.  

As I write, I'm watching the sun set --  it's 4:07 p.m. Mountain Time -- and I'm preparing to light the candles for this 6th night of Hanukkah, in keeping with my late husband's traditions.  Remembering, too, that Jesus was born into a Jewish family, i smile to think he and his parents -- and siblings, eventually, for there were many -- might have also lit lamps, using precious oil, to mark that miracle wrought in days of old.

But I won't get into that here. Suffice to say that as this year draws to a close, and the new year hovers in the wings...

I want to wish you all blessings, strength, resilience, creativity and courage for 2026.

Makers need to make -- because making keeps us whole, sane, sensible, reflective and strong in the face of the whirlwind around us.

I'm in for another year. Will you join me, Gentle Readers?

First, I am continuing with my Keep It Out Of the Landfill Project, which means I'm continuing to make quilts (throw-sized) to give away.  I've now finished the 2025 BOM (Block of the Month) from Sheri at A Quilting Life.  I've decided that given its size, it's likely that I won't add a border -- even a narrow one -- but rather will sandwich, quilt and bind "as is" -- at 54" (or so) by 72" (or so).  I tried to arrange the blocks so that the distribution of the focus colours -- blue, red, green and gold -- would be fairly evenily distributed. This was a challenge, given the 'directional' nature of some of the blocks.

This project accomplished two things for me: first, creating a new piece with the log cabin block as its inspiration; and second, using up almost all of the last of a line of Thimbleberries fabrics that I've had in my "stash" for well over 20 years!

With that top finished, I've moved into one of my favourite annual projects: Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Mystery.  This year the title is "Lupines and Laughter", inspired by her recent trip to Iceland.  I love lupines and have lots of them in my flower beds and wildflower "meadow", so I was immediately "IN" for this project!

Bonnie's quilts are always big, so once again I'm reducing mine by 25% which this year, means taking it from an expected 80" square to 60" square. Although I can quilt a top this size on my domestic machine, I still might have it long-armed because Bonnie's scrappy style makes for many pieces, and many seams.  Making it smaller than called-for simply means there's a better chance I'll use only fabrics from my stash for the top -- and maybe even for the backing -- and only have to pay for batting and (probably) quilting.

I've finished all the units I need from Clue #1, and the first set of three for Clue #2:

As this weekend's forecast is for bitterly cold temps, I think I'll stay cozy indoors and finish Clue #2!

In my last post, I was in the throes of making Christmas gifts.  The two stitched ones have been delivered to their recipients, and I finished the socks for that young man in my family:

I also remembered -- at last! -- to take a photo of the gloves I knit for my son:

Thick and serviceable -- from a pattern used to make them for soldiers in WWII!

And I've tucked gift cards into the socks and gloves, just for fun. 😁

I took my box of Warm Things -- a couple of hats, a couple pair of socks, a shawlette and the child-sized mittens I showed in my last post -- to the church to be distributed, and while I was at it, gave our pastor a pair of long-cuffed fingerless mittens, because her hands are always cold.  She was thrilled, and put them on immediately.

I have to thank my cyber-friend, Kate, of the "Arts and Socks" blog, as this is her pattern -- and they turned out beautifully! For those interested, it's "Lawn Bowling Mitts", free on Ravelry. I used the last of the yarn that I'd also used for the child-sized mittens: Schoeller & Stahl's Limbo Mexiko Color, colour-way #2594.

Now that the Warm Things box is empty, I've begun a new item for the next go 'round: the Sylph Cowl.  It's named after a particular yarn, which I don't have, but I've found two stash yarns -- knitting them together -- that seem to be working.  Because it's knit flat, it'll take some time, but it's a broken rib pattern -- interesting enough to keep from being boring, but simple enough to be meditative and relaxing too. Too early for a photo...so stay tuned!

I've also picked up a couple of sweaters I started last winter, in hopes of finishing at least one of them before the winter's over.  

As for stitching, I've put "A Quilter's Dream" away until our next 'date', in February, but here's what it looked like when I took it up at the start of November:

And here's what it looked like at the end of November:

Fabric: 40-count "Porcelain"
Floss: 'Pippy' and 'Greater
Porpoise' -- all from Roxy Floss Co.

I've moved well into the next section of the pattern!

To follow on from that focus, I first stitched another little Modern Folk Embroidery pattern, "Cranky Owl", which seemed to suit my mood from time to time as the daylight hours grew shorter.  And yes! I even Fully Finished it in a wee embroidery hoop.  It now hangs in my sewing studio, and makes me smile whenever I see it:

Fabric: 40-count "Wren" from 
Picture This Plus
Floss: "Gomez" from Roxy Floss Co.

Having finished my last Sunday Stitch, "Hope" from Carolyn Manning Designs (see my last post), I started a new one: "A Thousand Hills" from Plum Street.  This is an older pattern (2017) but I was inspired to acquire it when I saw it worked by Carol Whitchurch ("Saltbox Stitcher" on YouTube).  It's substantial, but it's going to be beautiful!  It's early days yet, so I've no photo to show you, but I can say this: I'm loving the stitching thus far.

I'm working it on a piece of 'mystery' fabric, estimated at 40-count, using a combination of DMC and hand-dyed flosses, one strand over two fabric threads.

For a 'regular' stitch, to mark the official start of Winter, I've taken up a tiny piece entitled "Wintertime", designed by Cathy Jean at The Victoria Sampler.  It's one of her "Bitty Buttons" patterns, and is absolutely delightful!

I'm working it on a scrap of 28-count linen using DMC and the occasional over-dyed floss, using 2 strands over 2 fabric threads.  It'll finish at about 4" square so I'll probably turn it into a pillow.

And speaking of pillows, I have another Fully Finished Object to show you that's...well...sort of a pillow.  It's the biscornu I mentioned in my last post. It's only the second one I've ever made, and I had to put on my Big Girl Pants to stop procrastinating and "Just DO It"!

Here's the view from the top:

And here's the view from the under-side:

The pattern is "Flanders Fields Biscornu" from Heartstring Samplery, and it was given me by a friend for my birthday in 2024.  I worked it on 36-count "Grey" from Weeks Dye Works, using mostly the called-for flosses, 1 strand over 2 fabric threads. 

And is there still one Fully Finished Object that bears mentioning? Why, yes!  

Again, in my last post I talked about having one more Hinzeit kit to finish: "Coffee" -- complete with charms.  I really didn't want to turn it into a pillow and doubted I could find a frame to fit, so what to do? I wanted to give it to neighbours for Christmas.

Inspiration struck!  Coffee, as we all know, Gentle Readers, has become very expensive.  It's now up there in the "suitable as a gift for neighbours" or a "hostess gift" and the like.  So...I bought a package of dark roast coffee and made a 'sleeve' for it!

Measuring around the package, I trimmed the excess even-weave of the stitch, and attached borders and backing in a dark coffee-coloured print.  I top-stitched the lot, and added snaps:

I then wrapped it around the package of coffee and snapped it closed. Here's the back view:

And here's the front:

I put it in a gift bag with a card and left it at their door yesterday while they were out!  Truth be told, I don't care whether or not they can fit this 'sleeve' around any other coffee container.  It's served my purpose and was a fun project to do, so I'm leaving it at that! 😊

With all my Christmas/holiday cards written and mailed, and all the 'away' parcels delivered, I'm left with only a bit of gift-wrapping for my family, who'll be here Christmas Day (weather permitting) -- and with a wee bit of grocery shopping for the casual buffet of nibbles I'm offering this year. No big meal, because my son and his family will have one later that evening, and my daughter will likely dine with friends that night, both back home in Edmonton.  Keeping it simple, guarding against the Antics of Young Cats, I'll have only my nativity scene out on display, and forego the tree for yet another year.

The best part of Christmas for me is the candlelight service on the Eve, and the gathering with my children on the Day.

Meanwhile, I'll link you to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday, where this week she's trying to stay on top of her 'To Do' list.  

I hope that however you celebrate this year, which has been a tough year for so many of us in this ol' world, that your "list" is short, and that you and yours are safe, well, and able to...

Patterns from Hands On Design,
stitched by me.

Blessings to you all, Gentle Readers, as we close out 2025 and open a new door to 2026.  Until then...a bientot!