A Serious Case of "September Startitis"

 

Here's to September -- so why is this photo of cosmos part of my intro?!  Well...they're late bloomers this year, and I love them, so as they've started to go to seed (about 3 days after I took the photo), I've deadheaded them and thrown the seed heads into the flower bed nearby this original plant.  

Yes...already planning ahead for next summer!

That said, I'm very aware that we are heading quickly into autumn here in central Alberta.  Though very few leaves have begun to turn, there are some, and our rainy summer (a surprise in itself here on the prairies) is turning into a rainy fall, with rather cool temps.  Sweater Weather.  Wool socks (even if worn with sandals). No gloves and toques (hats) quite yet but...not far away.

All that means it's tricky to plan the fall yard-work, which is hard to do in the rain -- and at the same time, I'm still watching my growing zucchini and ripening cherry tomatoes, and still fresh leaf lettuce.  It's all entirely weird!

When I can't be out in the yard and garden, though, I've revelled in the cooler weather for all things textile crafty!

As you know, Gentle Readers, knitting never really stops -- but with the advent of cooler weather, I've turned my attention to some of the projects I mentioned in my last post: shawls and sweaters. 

It's early days for photos, though, so you'll have to stay tuned. All I'll tell you is that I've cast on a new shawl -- the "Always Better Together" Shawl from Brenda Brayfield -- using stash yarn: Sirdar Harrap Tweed DK in colour #105  and some natural 2-ply mule-spinner yarn from Alberta's own Custom Woollen Mills.

As for sweaters...no new ones yet, but I'm plugging away at my Sea Haven pullover from Jennifer Sheils Toland. I have about 2" left before I get to the bottom border, which I've decided to do in the fancy edging rather than plain old ribbing. It's so lovely -- why opt for the mundane! 😉

And of course there are still items in progress for my Warm Things Box, which I'll take to my church in early November for distribution to those in need.  Our local parish is a satellite of the main church in Camrose, Alberta, which has the ability to distribute these donations.

So...since my last post I've finished those mittens I mentioned:

More of The World's Simplest Mittens
Designer: Tin Can Knits (Ravelry)
Yarn: stash fingering-weight yarn
Size: Adult Small

And I started another hat -- a simple pattern, new to me, introduced by Cathy W. of the Yarn With Heart YouTube podcast: the Ross Hat -- named for its creator. It's a simple one and really not all that different from the others I make, but I'm enjoying the knit. Here's a photo of my tiny start -- 1 1/2" of K3, P2 ribbing, followed by round-and-round knitting.

Yarn from Stash: Schoeller & Stahl
"Limbo Mexiko Color" in #2583 - Green-white
(which looks more like a dark grey-green and white)
And yes -- it's discontinued!

As September proceeds, after this hat, I'm hoping to knit up at least one more pair of mittens (probably of adult size) and maybe one more hat before I turn the box over to my parish church to distribute.

Why? Well...because there's at least one 'gift knit' on the needles: a pair of boot socks for my son, using the Blueberry Ribbed Waffle Socks pattern. I'm making these out of a DK-weight 100% old-fashioned 100% Canadian wool -- Condon's Two-ply Fine, loooong discontinued, but bought for me for Xmas 2023 by my daughter.  It's proven to be a great, slightly rustic, sturdy yarn for assorted items!

I've decided to use this yarn and this pattern for the September 2026 challenge from Socks from Stash on Ravelry -- for popular patterns -- and I'm loving it.  I won't guarantee it's restored my languishing sock mojo, but...so far, so good!

That's pretty much for the knitting at the moment.

Now then...As the weather cools, I can get back into my "Sewdio" -- aka my quilting studio.  I've finally caught up with assorted projects...

First, the 2026 AQL (A Quilting Life) BOM (Block of the Month).  This is a  star-spangled pattern from a talented American designer. I've been enjoying her BOM projects for a few years now...but...well...I'm Canadian so...Gentle Readers...if you have been paying attention, you'll likely realize that's...um...not my "vibe".  

Long before things got...ahem...shall we say...a bit 'contentious'...I decided I'd do my pieces in only two colours -- red and white.  That's been a bit of a challenge, but I've enjoyed it, so here are the posts from July and August, which I've only recently completed:

July Block - Canadian colours
Design: A Quilting Life

August Block - Canadian Colours
Design: A Quilting Life

In other quilting...well...yes...there are a couple of other projects.  The first is another one of Bonnie Hunter's.  This is one of her freebies -- "Fun With Bricks!"  

NOTE: Should you go looking for it (it's one of her freebies) and have difficulty finding it, please note that recently she's been revamping her web page due to ...let's just say, "extenuating circumstances" so...be patient. All will soon be restored! 

This pattern consists of 12" (finished) blocks made up of four "units", and I've been enjoying constructing them, as I'm putting this top together for an Xmas gift for a fellow/neighbour who's been particularly helpful with snow removal (snow-blowing out my short, single-car driveway) and tree pruning in the last 9 months. 

I posted photos of the units in my last post.  Now, though, I have over 20 of one set of units, and almost 20 of the other -- so that's coming along.

At the same time, I've been sewing 2" x 7" strips together for another series of 16-patch blocks.  Not for a "postage stamp" quilt (I've made 2 of those) but for something different.  Yesterday I decided to add up how many strip-sets I had and...well...enough to nake 50 (count 'em!!) 16-patch blocks!!!  I've been looking for options for setting them into a top, and have decided to simply sash them with corner stones and a simple border.

Next up: cross-stitch: I've tucked away the "Quilter's Dream" project until November, when I'll pick it up again in memory of my hubby, as that's his birthday month.  As for Jacob's Fast Frisian SAL -- that little piece was fun to do, and is now finished:

"Fast Frisian" sampler
Designer: Modern Folk Embroidery
Fabric: 36-count 'Wren' from
Picture this Plus
Floss: "Maritimes" by Roxy Floss

It's a rather funky piece, isn't it?  I thought I'd try that highly variegated floss, and I'll admit, I'm of two minds about its effectiveness on that fabric.  If I use it again, I think I'd use an antique white background instead!

This month, being both "Sampler September" and my birthday month, I'll be returning to an old favourite -- my birthday sampler from 2022: "Memories of the Past" from Hands Across the Sea".  Here's where I left it last year:

There's still quite a bit to do, but I feel a finish coming close, and definitely want to aim for that if I can.  Stay tuned for my progress!

At the same time, I've joined in with the group, "Black Bird Academy", on Facebook.  The leaders of this stitch-along have a 'syllabus' that follows the American school year, from August through May (here in Canada it's September through June).  I didn't join until this month -- and the 'chapter' for September is a Black Bird Design featuring birds.  I knew I had just the thing: my rendering of the "Heart and Home Patchwork" pattern from the book entitled A Heart Remembers.

I started this some years ago, on a single piece of 28-count fabric from my stash, using DMC floss.  The piece has five sections, but I've only room for four -- three of which I completed by October last year:

I'm now determined to finish the last section -- "Keepsakes of Spring" -- this month, and so have begun:

And yes, this fourth section is full of black birds -- nine in all!

I've a second new start this month as well: "The Swans at River House" from Ellen Reid of Maximum Cross Stitch.  This wasn't expected, but I discovered that a dear couple I know have had a Big Anniversary this year, and so I decided to splurge and do this up for them -- in the called-for fabric and floss!  The supplies arrived just this past week and I've made a tiny start:

The fabric is 36-count "Cat Nap" from Roxy Floss, and I'm using a single strand of the called for Roxy Floss package for this pattern.  While not an especially dark fabric, I'll admit I find it rather slow going...but as the intended recipients have no idea about it, I'll take my time. It's not a large piece but there is a lot of stitching, so whether or not it will be done by year end, is anyone's guess!

I've not forgotten my other plans for Sampler September either -- returning to "Emeline Hotchkiss" and starting at least one new reproduction sampler, as mentioned in my last post. The month is new, so those will come along in time!

As for rug-hooking -- I've returned to the Makers' Meet-up at Deanne Fitzpatrick Studio, and it's fun to be back with my "peeps" there on Zoom.  The program has changed a bit -- as it's been merged with the Inspiration Sessions under that title -- but it's still many of the familiar faces from its initial membership, and a few new faces too.  

After a slow summer with little hooking, I've returned to "Singing to the Choir" and am working on the last bit: the night sky.

It doesn't look like much, but with all that yarn in the foreground, it'll be finished soon!

And there you have it, Gentle Readers -- my September 2026 starts and plans.  The month has begun cool and rainy, putting the kybosh on most outdoor work in the yard and garden, but making it possible for me to enjoy a taste of all these projects almost every day!

I hope that whatever this month brings you, it's full of creative pursuits, soothing for your hands, hearts and minds.  Linking -- late as usual! -- to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday and until next time...a bientot!

Catching Up -- and Turning Toward September

Raspberry Jam II
Aug 4-2026

The summer is slipping away.  The days are growing visibly shorter.  As a Certified Morning Person, I am rebelling against the fact that as long as we're in Daylight Savings Time, the mornings stay darker far longer than I'd like, even now -- and the evenings, lighter for longer than is necessary! LOL! 😄

Soon I'll be changing up the photo in my "Header" for something more autumnal.  

That said, the Battle of Cool/Rainy versus Hot/Steamy here continues.  Me?  I prefer "Warm with a Breeze"...but apparently Mother Nature ran out of that some time ago. Sigh...

In the midst of all this, and the ongoing global angst, I continue to try to Create Beauty Every Day, as one of my heros, Deanne Fitzpatrick, would say.

In fact, I spend so much time on that objective that I've not had a lot of time to sit down and share what I've been doing in that regard -- so today is the day -- even though it's almost a full month since my last post.  

This means it's time to catch up!

Let's start with knitting. At the end of July, I showed yet another pair of finished mittens, and mentioned the Caribou Mountains Hat, which I have, indeed finished:

Pattern: Caribou Mountains Hat
Designer: Kalea the Luddite
Yarn: Diamond Galway Heather (discontinued)

This is the third of these hats I've made and I confess, it's one of my favourite patterns!

After the hat, comes mittens -- per my overall plan for this summer.  Thus I followed that hat with these fingerless mittens in 2 colours:

Pattern: Simple Bi-color Mitts
Designer: Cathy Dages
Yarn: unlabelled synthetics

And I followed these up with another hat.  This time, I tried a new-to-me pattern.  It was a bit of a challenge, as it required me to knit a stitch pattern I'd not tried before: the Honeycomb Stitch. What it is, is a closely-packed series of cables.  I love cables but I confess that making these, one row (seemingly) on top of another, in worsted/aran-weight yarn was a bit hard on my old hands, and definitely required some focus, to ensure the cables were going the right way! I persisted, and the result was a close-fitting, cozy hat that fit a small-medium head -- in large part because I increased the number of stitches I cast on...and adapted accordingly:

Pattern: "Tweedy Honeycomb Toque"
Designer: Kent Turman
Yarn: 1. Unlabelled maroon/wine-coloured
worsted weight yarn; 2. a few grams of 
elann.com Peruvian Sierra that matched

Now that those are finished, I'll be casting on another pair of The World's Simplest Mittens from Tin Can Knits -- my absolutely favourite mitten pattern which, of course, I commend to those of you who live in parts of the world wherein it gets cold enough to need warm hands!

Up next?  Not a lot of quilting going on -- too hot! But there have been cloudy, rainy days in which I've spend some time in my sewdio, cutting fabric, prepping pieces and making units that will end up in a quilt.

There have been horrific fires again this year in the Okanagan Valley, so I've put out feelers re: sending tops or quilted throw-sized quilts to those who might be in need.

And a few weeks ago, a young woman in my area who'd seen my art quilts contacted me, because she wants to learn to quilt -- so we got together.  We met for coffee and then came back to my home for a look at what I do.  I sent her home with some fabric, a list of supplies she needed (cutting mat, rotary cutter, etc.) and a couple of simple patterns -- the first being a Rail Fence. She's made a start, and we'll keep in touch once her seasonal job winds down.

Aside from that, I've been adding units that will end up either in another postage-stamp quilt or in 16-patch blocks that will be combined in a more expansive way.  And I've started cutting scraps into 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles, and 3 1/2" squares, to combine in a pattern from Bonnie Hunter that I want to make into a throw quilt for a neighbour of mine who's been particularly helpful: a "Fun With Bricks!" quilt!  

It's a pattern that involves two distinct four-patch units which, when put together, create a larger block.  I began with one four-patch design and then tried out the second...just to get a feel for the full block.  

Left: Unit 1; Right: Unit 2.

I've discovered I need to use fewer 'lights' in the Unit 1 pieces in order to make the entire block - two of each type -- work harmoniously. So...on we go! I'd like to have it done for Xmas but...well...time will tell!

Now then...what about cross-stitch?

August is the month in which I focus on "A Quilter's Dream", which I selected well over a year ago as the piece I wanted to do in tribute to my late hubby, my greatest art-quilting fan.  He died 20 years ago this month, and so I've been working steadily on that piece, designed by Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery.  I'm using 2 colours of Roxy Floss Co. hand-dyed floss: Pippy (a red, after the character 'Pippy Long-stocking'); and "Greater Porpoise" -- a blue-grey, because...well...you know. 😉

Here's where I was when I left off at the end of February this year (that's the month in which we got engaged in 1975):

And here is where I am as of yesterday (August 22, 2026):

It's slow, steady, meditative work.  At the end of this month it will go away until November, the month that marks my late husband's birthday.  And so...we'll see how far that takes me too.  

I confess, though, that as a big fan of Jacob's work, I couldn't resist participating in his first-ever "Fast Frisian SAL", which is taking place now, through August 31.  I'm stitching it on a small piece of 36-count "Wren" from Picture This Plus, left from another project, using 1 strand of 'Maritimes' highly-variegated floss from Roxy Floss Co., over 2 fabric threads, mostly doing one 'X' at a time, given the nature of the variegation.  And yes, there are errors here and there where I've fudged it, but no matter -- I'm enjoying the journey!

And that's really about it, folks, for the textile crafts.  

Oh yes, I've spun a wee bit from an alpaca roving, but nothing to write home about.  

As for rug-hooking, I've only the sky left on the kit "Singing to the Choir" that I won in a draw at the Makers' Meet-up at the end of March (hosted by Deanne Fitzpatrick Studios). Here was my progress as of July -- some time after my last post. 

Kit variation: "Singing to the Choir"
Deanne Fitspatrick Studios

In the past week or so, I've added the rest of the stars (not shown) and started filling in the night sky above the blue-coated gal on the left.  It's going to be very pretty when it's done -- and once I get back with the Meet-up in September, that shouldn't be too long!

With September just over a week away (!), what are my hopes/plans/dreams for that month, one of my favourites in the entire year?

Quilting: 

• Get back to the Block of the Month (BOM) from A Quilting Life;
• Keep working on creating units and then blocks for the "Fun with Bricks" quilt top;
• Keep making 16-patch blocks for a future charity quilt;
• Keep the hopes of another Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt in the back of my mind;
• Follow up with my young learning-to-quilt friend as dictated by what she needs.

Knitting:

• September is for shawls and sweaters, with WIPs taking priority, but with at least one new start in one or both categories;
• Continue with small projects -- maybe adding in a cowl -- for the 2026 Warm Things Box.

Cross-Stitch:

• Finish the Fast Frisian SAL by the end of August;
• Move into Sampler September with work on the following projects:
• "Emeline Hotchkiss, Lacolle, 1846" -- a Canadian sampler reproduced by Kathleen Littleton of Cross Stitch Antiques; and
• "Memories of the Past", my birthday sampler from a few years ago, from Hands Across the Sea.
• Start a new sampler for my birthday this year.  It's a toss-up between Isabella Carter MaClean, 1799 -- a Canadian sampler with Scottish ancestral influence -- or Elizabeth Eason, 1827, a Scottish sampler.  I've bought the pattern and kitted up the former; the latter is still on my wish list!

Rug-Hooking:

• Finish "Singing to the Choir" as described above; and
• Lay out a new large piece on linen -- drawing for inspiration from Deanne's book on Landscapes and her online courses on "Working Big" as well as "Wildflowers in the Glen" all of which I've purchased; and
• Participate actively in the Makers' Meet-Up/Inspiration Sessions, which have been combined into one programme!

Some of what is started in September will, of course, continue through the winter months.  I've no requests for knitted items for Xmas, but may make the odd stitched one if inspiration strikes and time permits.  I'm not a "holiday" stitcher -- no Hallowe'en or Christmas-themed pieces for me (and that includes ornaments).  

I'm just going to cozy up and work on pieces that are relatively slow, rhythmic, and meditative -- to soothe a troubled mind!

It seems, too, Gentle Readers, that these hopes/plans of mine dovetail perfectly with the ideas that Nina-Marie is sharing on her Off The Wall Friday post this week: having fun, letting the work flow, not comparing what I'm doing with what others are doing, being fulfilled from within rather than from validation from without.

What about you?  Take a look at her post, and ponder...

Until next time, may you be safe, well and remember to find and/or create a bit of beauty every day.  A bientot!

Still in Search of Sanity!

Since my last regular blog post we've managed to move from autumnal weather into -- heat wave!  Along with that, we're getting wild fire smoke across the mountains from B.C., some from Saskatchewan to the east (!) and perhaps a bit of our own from up north.  Try as we might, we can't seem to get it to travel south... 😉

But between the heat and smoke, work in the yard and garden has been a challenge, and I've not been able to use my Outdoor Studio as much as I'd hoped.  

That said, given all the rain we got in June and earlier this month, everything's growing like Topsy!  The peonies were glorious -- as you can see from the above photo -- and the roses, daisies and yarrow, profuse!  

I've had 2 salads with my own leaf lettuce and snips of dill; my green beans are flowering; my cherry tomatoes are cherry-ing and I've 3 zucchini plants gearing up to flower.

Even the rhubarb I transplanted into one of the raised beds last fall, saving it from being buried by the raspberries, has given me a couple of cups, diced, and is promising at least two more.

And speaking of raspberries -- my canes are loaded again this year.  This morning, before the heat and smoke set in, I picked my first large collander full:

From which I made this:

Seven cups of fresh rasberry jam!

And I have a few cups left over to enjoy fresh.  And there's more on the canes yet to ripen.

Don't worry, Gentle Readers -- my crafting is still in the spotlight, because it is the key to finding daily peace and sanity, as the World Order continues be most disorderly indeed!

In the cool of the mornings I tend to take up my knitting, with what little bit of news I can handle, several knitting podcasts and at least two cups of good, black coffee!  

I mentioned socks in my last post, and indeed, I'm working on the second of this pair of "Cock-a-hoop Socks" from Canadian Nancy Wheeler of New Brunswick.  The photo doesn't do the pattern justice, but I think the yarn I dug out from my stash is capturing what Nancy was getting at when she designed them.  Here's what the first sock looks like:

Yarn: Subculture Yarn SW
Merino Bamboo Rayon Nylon Fingering
Colour-way: "Unicorn Farts"! 🤣 

I've set aside the socks, sweaters and blanket projects though, in favour of small items to go in my "Warm Things Box", which I'll take to my parish church in November for distribution to those in need.  I'm working on hats and mittens, alternating projects in turn, and have finished two hats and a pair of mittens, and am on the second mitten of my second pair of those.  Here's the line-up so far:

First, another LOSY (Left Over Sock Yarn) Hat, the fourth I've made...

LOSY Hat - Left Over Sock Yarn

Next, I tried out a pair of colour-work mittens.  I liked the pattern and would probably knit these again -- but would crib the thumb from "The World's Simplest Mittens" pattern. I'm not alone there, as others on Ravelry had doubts about the thumbs in this pattern. Anyway, here they are, knit as written:

Pattern: Kuura Mittens
Designer: Helena Joronen
Yarns: Blue - Cascaed 220 - worsted
Colour: #9487 - Puget Sound
White/Cream: Unknown worsted-weight wool

Third -- a hat, of course -- to stay in rotation!  This was a new to me pattern that I found when listening to this podcast: Cathy W. Yarn with Heart (a Canadian but I'm not sure from which part of the country). It's the "Look Out! Winter Hat"  designed by Roberta Rich, and it's free on Ravelry. The pattern is size-inclusive, is knit partly flat and partly in the round -- but can be knit entirely flat if you choose. It can be knit in 2 colours but I chose to knit my first one in Berroco Vintage, a worsted-weight (#4 in US yarn numbering) wool-acrylic blend, in "Black Cherry":

It's mostly garter stitch, and has an applied i-cord edge along the bottom.  It takes a bit more time and thought than the LOSY or other more "basic" hats, but I think I'd make another if I have the right yarn (or yarns) in stash.  I'd like to try a two-colour one!

And now...I'm on the second of yet-another-pair of my very favourite mitten patterns. I'm sure, Gentle Readers Who Knit Mitts, you know and likely appreciate this pattern too -- 'The World's Simplest Mittens' from Tin Can Knits.  This go 'round I'm using two yarns: an acrylic solid for the cuffs and a wool/nylon blend for the main part. I remain undecided as to the thumbs, depending on how close I come to playing "Yarn Chicken" in the end!

Red yarn: Mary Maxim Parisienne
DK - 100% acrylic - colour #104;
Self-patterning yarn: ONline Supersocke
6 fach, wool/nylon - Arizona - Color #1970

While I've been knitting every day (it's my go-to Sanity Saver), I've been working a bit with...

Quilting: 

1. The binding is fully sewn on 2 sides of the "Lupines & Laughter" quilt (Bonnie Hunter's Mystery 2025-26) and machine-sewn on the other two, pinned for hand-stitching when it gets cool enough to put a quilt in my lap, or the weekend of August 1 -- whichever comes first!  The reason? This is a birthday gift for my son's partner -- her "almost 40" quilt (she turns 39 later in August this year) and we're having a family gathering on August 3rd, which is a holiday in most Canadian provinces/territories!  So I need to get a move on!
2. No new scraps have been cut into usable squares/bricks -- too hot!  And out on the back stoop?  Too windy! And...
3. I've printed the July block from "A Quilting Life" but...that's as far as I've got.  Too hot in the south-facing studio (no ceiling fan).

Rug-hooking:

Working in fits-and-starts here, but am eager to finish my current project by the end of this month if I can.  For my part in the "10-Minutes-a-Day Challenge" at Deanne Fitzpatrick Studios, I'm working on the pattern/kit I won at the end of March as a member of her "March is for Makers" program -- now continuing as the "Makers' Meet-up".  

The kit is a variation of one used for the "Kit of the Month" a while back, and it's lovely.  That said, of course I'm playing with the suggested colours and colour placement!  That's the whole idea, isn't it?! 😉

"Singing to the Choir" -- on the frame
Designed by Deanne Fitzpatrich Studio

All I have left to do on this piece is the sky...and my plan? To bind it and give it to the friend with whom I sung at church for over a decade -- first as a trio (we called ourselves "The Quartet" -- see why, below!) and then as a duo.  Precious memories:

"The Quartet": 2 vocalists, 2 guitarists 😉

And then there's cross-stitch. Those of you that do these crafts probably know well the commonality they share: hands working together, often hand-over-hand.  It's that quality that plays a key part in the search for sanity.

I really didn't have much to show you in my last post, so I'm making up for that now.

July, for me, is the month I focus on Canadian designers.  In July of 2024 I began a lovely sampler reproduced by a talent American -- Kathleen Littleton of Cross-stitch Antiques, and I've continued to work on it again this month.  It was stitched originally by Emeline Hotchkiss, a Canadian girl living in or around Lacolle, Quebec, in the 1800s -- hence the Canadian connection.

Here's where I last left it almost a year ago (July 31, 2025):

And here's my progress as of yesterday -- July 23, 2026:

Emeline Hotchkiss, Lacolle, 1846
reproduced by Kathleen Littleton,
Cross-stitch Antiques.

I know it doesn't look like much but I'm turning the upper right corner of the border to go down that third side. Once that's done, I'll be moving to the bottom section, closing in on a finish. 

I'm working it with 1 strand of floss over 2 fabric threads on 40-count "Vellum" from Picture This Plus, using DMC floss -- called for the odd close-colour substitute from stash.  

To celebrate Canada Day (July 1) I started this tiny piece at the end of June and finished it at the end of the first week of July: Canadian Flag from Erin Elizabeth Designs.

I stitched it on 36-count Antique White linen from Zweigart, using DMC #327, one strand over 2 fabric threads.  I've a red mat and an inexpensive black frame from Michael's, and plan to frame it up and park it on the indoor sill of my front window, just 'cause.

Last but not least, I've gone back to Jacob's 2026 SAL, "Little Acorns", for a meditative monochromatic stitch. I'm not following the suggested sections very strictly, so I've really no idea of my progress compared to others doing this Stitch-ALong, but I enjoy it.

While I've worked on it on and off, this is the progress I recorded in May (!)

And this is my progress as of July 22:

Yes! I'm nearly finished this latest section!  I'm working with 1 strand of Roxy Floss hand-dyed floss in the "Pippy" colour-way, over 2 strands of Roxy Floss linen, 40-count, in "Platinum".  

Long. Slow. Distance.  That's what these pieces remind me of.

You see, in my younger years (mid-late twenties to early thirties) I took up running.  Long. Slow. Distance.  My purpose?  To manage my weight (I'm built like a box!) and to have Time To Myself.  I would run at least 1/2 hour a day, and longer (up to 2 hours or more) on weekends. I entered 6 marathons and finished 5 (one I quit at 10 miles due to the heat).  So I understand the rhythm.

The rhythm of the feet and legs moving in time. Steady pace; steady breathing.  Managing hills -- up and down.  Navigating around icy patches. Dressing for all sorts of wind and weather.  All to find Sanity, Peace of Mind, in the pace. Long. Slow. Distance.

Nowadays it's Long. Slow. Stitches.  Whether knitting loops or hooking them. Whether crossing stitches, or hem-stitching bindings on quilts. Whether drafting a bit of wool roving and spinning it, or plying singles to make a yarn.

Quiet, rhythmic and meditative -- yet productive.  Creating beauty every day that can be both savoured and shared with others -- with those in need or those "just because".  Beauty, comfort, the quiet expression and sharing of the work of our hands.

I have to believe that if we keep on keeping on, there will always be Light in the Making.  This belief is what gets me up in the morning and keeps me going all day.  Perhaps it works the same magic for you.

I'll leave you with that to ponder.  Nina-Marie is off elsewhere this week so...until next time, Gentle Readers, a bientot!***

***She's BACK! So I'm linking belatedly to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday.  Have a great day!

Summer Scraps for Sanity!

Hello, Gentle Readers!

Yes...it's been over a month, but I'm still here, still trying to spread light and life in 'the making' of things.

Though this weekend is supposedly the 'vernal equinox' for us here in the northern hemisphere, well...maybe it is where you are, but in these parts, in the weeks since my last post, it's been more autumnal than summer-like.  For a very long time -- April and the first part of May -- we were begging for rain as our snow-pack in the Canadian Rockies was low, and those who grow crops and graze cattle in these parts were worried about drought.  

There was even enough time for the Meadow to produce a reasonable crop of dandelions, so I was able to make a couple of batches of my dandelion jam.  Here's a photo of the first one...

Well -- worry no more! Since the last 10 days of May and right through today, it's been positively autumnal!  Not frosty; just chilly overnight and through most days...with lots of rain.  Gardens have been planted, and the more courageous seedlings have ventured forth, despite risk of drowning!  I'm happy that my lilacs and irises have bloomed, my daisies and lupines are in full gear, and my roses and peonies are in bud.  I've some green beans beginning in their raised bed, along with some salad greens, and my wee cherry tomato has flowers...so onward we go!

All that said, it's been good weather for indoor making!

The chill and the rain mean I've been focused on knitting and quilting, with some cross-stitch on the side.

The little pink-and-white pinwheel quilt I showed in my last post was finished and mailed off to the expectant grandparents, who are long-time friends -- Larry and his wife, Lydia.  Larry was our Best Man at our wedding over 50 years ago.  He called this past week to say that the parcel had arrived on the same day as the baby!  She is reportedly a sweetie and is doing well.  You can't put a price on such long and lovely friendships!  Here's what the finished quilt looked like before it crossed the country by Canada Post:

I even managed to find a sweet label for it in my stash:

This week, I've moved on to another baby quilt -- similar, but different -- and in blue and white, for a wee baby boy.  His family is part of the wider parish from which our pastor comes twice a month for services in our tiny church, about 20 minutes north of me.  He's had a really challenging start to life due to serious health issues -- so I decided he needs a quilt.

Thanks to all the hour-glass units I've made from "bonus triangles" (thanks to the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilts!!) I had several in blue-and-white -- just as I had so many in pink-and-white.  So...I took these...

And made them into this, pin-basted and ready to quilt:

I hope to have it finished by our next service (June 28) so I can give it to our pastor to take to Baby C and his parents.

In other quilting?  Well, I've finished the June block (my version) for the 2026 BOM from A Quilting Life.  

It remains a challenge to balance those prints in order to get the best effect and not overwhelm the block!

Finally, in quilty news...I've decided to commit any possible quilting-related time this summer to...SCRAPS!

This means that if I can, I want to use my outdoor studio-on-the stoop for cutting scraps into usable pieces -- squares and rectangles.  This, of course, will depend on Mother Nature's buying in to the process -- not too hot, not windy and definitely NOT rainy!  I managed to eke out a bit of time for this recently, so this is what it would look like if...well...you know...

Outdoor Studio on the Stoop

In addition to all the above, I've been notified by the long-arm quilter at Camrose's newest quilt shop -- The Quilt Closet -- that the "Lupines and Laughter" quilt I sent there for quilting is *finished*!  This is a gift for my son's partner's birthday (August) so I hope to pick it up this week and get it bound ASAP.  Photos will follow!

And to continue the scrappiness...I've returned to string piecing in two formats: diagonal and straight.  

I'm using diagonally-placed strips on both 6 1/2" and 8 1/2" squares to make blocks that will eventually become...tops:

6 1/2" diagonal string blocks

And this is what the straight-string blocks look like:

6 /2" straight string blocks

It will take a while to get enough of these to put together into something useful...but no worries!  The strips/scraps breed in the night, and God willing, She'll give me the time!

Knitting is, I confess, my first love, and my coziest craft -- whether inside or out.  Of course, then, I've got a fair amount to share about it!

That said, I didn't mention much in my last post, but since then, I finished another cozy, scrappy pullover.  It was meant by the designer to be a strictly-striped tee-top, but no!  I didn't want that.  I had a number of bits of scrap fingering yarn to use up and wanted a top-down pullover.  I chose the "Bustleton Tee" and then proceded to follow the instructions...well, let's just day that I followed them "loosely".  

First, I didn't go for fixed stripes.  I was using left-over fingering-weight yarn and when a colour was done -- well, it was done

Second, I wanted long sleeves, so I planned for that.

Third, I wanted "top-down" -- and that's as close to the rules as I got!  That said...here's what I ended up with by doing so:

It looked well enough BUT the neckline was far too wide so...I picked up stitches around the neck and created this:

And here's a closer look:

It fits well, and I've worn it several times in this unseasonably chilly weather, so all's well that ends well, eh?

In addition, I've made plans for this summer:

 - Give main attention to my 'Warm Things Box' for the fall of 2026:

FIRST: the mitred square blanket, long under construction, has been taken up again. It's currently closing in on 11 x 11 squares.  Made of left-over fingering-weight yarn, at about 2" per finished square, I've some distance to go yet!

SECOND: another LOSY Hat (Left Over Sock Yarn Hat) -- barely started, so no photo. Sorry.

After that...whatever calls to me...but there's still the Sea Haven pullover to work on (stockinette 'round and 'round for the body at the moment) and a new pair of socks: the "Cock-a-hoop Socks" from Nancy Wheeler, which I'm knitting in a gorgeous yarn from stash, given to me some years ago by a non-knitty friend:

The colour-way is *very* variegated -- not really what I expected -- but it's making a gloriously mixed-colour fabric. I'm on the foot of the first sock and will show photos in a future post -- stay tuned!

Yes, there is also a bit of rug-hooking, but it's been slow and quiet, on the back burner.  I did finish my "Daisy Cottage", which is my adaptation of one of Deanne Fitzpatrick's patterns, "Starfish Cove" -- adapted because I am nowhere near an ocean or starfish.  Here it is while still on the frame. 

"Daisy Cottage" - a DFS pattern adaptation

I'm not sure how I'm going to finish it, so it's simply stored away for now.

I've joined Deanne's 10-Minutes-a-Day challenge, though, which kicks off on June 25 -- and plan to work on the kit I won from the "Makers' Meetup" at the end of March.  I seem to be drawn more to patterns these days, rather than original work.  My brain appears to need the rest!

There is, of course, also some stitching...but I'm woefully short of photos.  I've been focused lately on the "Little Acorns" SAL from Modern Folk Embroidery, and on "Disagree" from Rebel Stitcher.  The latter is almost finished, but the former -- ah, well, I've a long way to go even to catch up!

I will tell you, though, that my June 1 fabric from the Evertote/Roxy Floss 'Traditional' club arrived -- and along with it 2 skeins of the spectacular "Maritimes" variegated floss (Roxy Floss Co too), which I want to use for Jacob's "Fast Frisian" SAL starting in August. I've pre-ordered the pattern, so I'm all set!

I think that's all the energy I have for this post.  I confess that I continue to struggle with maintaining a certain nonchalance about the state of the world -- especially for friends family and everyone else in Canada's neighbour to the south.  Staying creative, repeating the hand-over-hand work of knitting, cross-stitch, and rug-hooking, cutting and piecing strips and units of fabric, and digging in the dirt of my flower and veggie beds...all of that is an attempt to keep my heart, soul and mind from losing hope for you, dear readers, who may be caught up in the mess, and for those of us being swept along for the ride.

This week Nina Marie suggests that being 'weird' might be an asset, so perhaps as we head toward the end of yet another month, we should all try to be weird...in a creative way, that is!

Linking to her post, then, I bid you a fond farewell, with thanks for reading...and until next time, a bientot!