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!

I Did a Thing!

A thing or two, actually.  

I'm in the midst of Christmas gift-making, which is proceeding well, but this year has involved a few new challenges that I want to crow about (at least, a little bit).

"A Winter's Night", the exhibit, launched last week but the weather kept me from the Opening Reception, so I dropped by when in town on Tuesday and took this photo of my piece in situ, as it were:

(Photos taken with permission of the Gallery staff.)

Here it is, a bit closer -- the one at the top:

I've not got anything new on my rug-hooking frame yet, but that will come -- probably after Christmas.

In quilting, I finished quilting, binding and washing that comfort throw quilt for the folks I mentioned in my last post -- the ones who'd had a house fire.  

The backing gave me some challenges, as it was a softer fabric than the top, and I had to wrestle with its tendency to want to pleat as it was being quilted, no matter how closely I'd pin-basted it.  The quilting was simple -- in the 'ditch' around each square -- but it was fussy!

When I gave it to Pastor Bev to take to the family in question, she was delighted, and said they had just moved in to a new place so she'd be taking it to them soon.

Once that was done, I moved on to make a smaller gift: a table runner for friends who are about to celebrate their 50th anniversary.  They're a Jewish couple, so I used a pattern designed for Hanukkah and/or Passover celebrations:

Pattern: Hanukkah Stars 
Table Runner
Designer: Pamelaquilts
on Etsy.

It's been a long time since I've done fused applique, but I took my time and I think the stars turned out well.  To be on the safe side, I sealed each one with 'Fray-Stop' before I washed it and much to my relief, it survived with no problems!  It's in the mail now, and they should get it well in time for their Dec. 7th anniversary. 🥰

The next quilting challenge was more applique -- in the November block for the 2025 BOM at A Quilting Life. And...it involved templates, which, as I mentioned in my last post, I tend to avoid!

I decided to make the templates out of freezer paper, and it worked a treat.  Here's the finished block, wearing it's current "position number" for what might be the eventual lay-out:

And here it is in its place...for now -- waiting for the last block, which will be revealed on December 1:

I have a feeling I'll be doing some rearranging, as I'm not sure I want to concentrate the reds or the blues.  The challenge is dealing with the blocks that have a directional centre, as I've got a 'thing' about them being 'right way up'!

I've got a bit of time now to sort the scraps in the studio, before starting on Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery project. For the time being, I'm just collecting clues, and will see where it leads.  I'm determined -- as usual -- to use only fabric from stash, with the exception of the backing if need be.

Speaking of stash...I'm doing that with my knitting and stitching too.

In the knitting department, my son's Xmas gloves are finished, washed and ready to wrap.  I also finally put thumbs on a pair of child-sized mittens for my Warm Things box:

I'm using the same yarn for the "Lawn Bowling Mitts" I mentioned in my last post -- and I've finished the first one -- but alas, no photo to share yet.  I'm a bit concerned I'll be playing "Yarn Chicken" with the second one, so haven't done the thumb on the first one yet.

I've set aside those projects in order to make a pair of house socks for the teen in my son's household.  I'm using Bravo 'Crazy Color' from deep stash.  Yes, I know it's 100% Acrylic -- and I don't usually use that for socks -- but these need to be easy to launder and hard-wearing!  I've finished the first one and am about 2" into the 6" leg on the second:

Yarn: Bravo Crazy Color #84 - 'Cairo'
Pattern: "Comfy DK Socks" by Handwerks
- free on Ravelry

I know I could probably get by without a pattern -- they're just a basic ribbed sock, after all -- but I like to have something to refer to for sizes.  I've taken a guess at foot length, but they're for a gangly almost-16-years-old boy so I don't think I'll be too far off!

This simple knitting has given my brain a rest in between challenges, as in the quilting (above) and my stitching projects.

I'm still working on "A Quilter's Dream" from Modern Folk Embroidery, my focus piece for this month, and I'll update that with a photo in my next post.

Meanwhile, though, I finished my latest "Sunday Stitch" -- the "Hope" pattern from Carolyn Manning's "One Color Wonders" series:

It's quite small, having been stitched on a remnant of 35-count "Royal Icing" from Access Commodities, with 1 strand of hand-dyed floss over 2 fabric threads.  The floss is a beautiful variegated blue, deep stash from Needle Necessities, in colour #1101.  SO pretty!

And then yesterday, as the title to this post says, "I did a thing!"

Carol and Jennifer, the Two Tall Stitchers on YouTube, put out a challenge a while back, which they call their "Big Girl Pants" -- or BGP -- challenge.  They're daring their viewers to dig out those projects -- knitting, crochet, quilting, stitching, you name it! -- that have been set aside because we just don't want to face Fully Finishing them.

Well...yeah.  I have a few in the stitching department.  At least six --but yesterday I Fully Finished two of those!

First, I turned this stitch from Hinzeit Designs into a notions pouch -- lined, and with a top zipper, no less!

Pouch front

Pouch lining, seen from the front

Pouch lining, seen from the back

And then I made my first-ever true 'pin pillow', filled with crushed walnut shells -- and I didn't make a mess! 😆

Front view

Back view

Will wonders ever cease?!

What about the other four projects?  Well...two will be small pillows, which I've done before, stuffed with wool.  No real challenges there; I just don't like fully finishing things! LOL!  And the other two...the "Coffee" stitch -- another Hinzeit design -- will likely be a hanging. Or a pillow. Again, not that challenging.  But the last one is a biscornu -- and it's a Christmas gift, so I'd best get on it.  Pullin' up those Big Girl Pants..

What about you, Gentle Readers?  I know I'm not the Lone Procrastinator out there... 😉

I'll leave you for now to ponder the possibility of procrastination, with a wish for a creative, joyous weekend and a link to Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday.  As my American friends and family celebrate Thanksgiving, here in snowy central Alberta I remain thankful for her regular connection the crafting community, and as always, I'm thankful for you, too, Gentle Readers.  

And so...a bientot!

World-wide "Knit In Public" Day...And other Things

Saturday, June 8 this year, was designated "Worldwide Knit in Public Day". That day -- and off and on this week -- it's been cold and rainy here, so I've been knitting (I do some every day) -- but not outside in public -- or even inside in public! 😉

June 8th was also my mother's birthday -- and she was the person who taught me how to knit in the first place. She learned how to knit from her mother, and when I was about 8, she taught me. I've been knitting ever since, rarely stopping. I made a pair of cables and lace "over the knee" stockings when I was in high school -- back when we wore garter belts to hold them up.

I knit lace shawls on commission in university. I knit for my kids, and my friends' kids, socks and baby outfits and shawls and chemo caps. Toques and mittens for refugees. Cowls as special gifts for family and friends. Sweaters for myself. Socks and hats on commission. Baby socks for friends' grandchildren (out of scraps) as I have no grandchildren of my own.

My current projects include a vest for my daughter for Xmas 2024 and her birthday in early 2025 (yes, it's for TWO occasions), and a pair of socks to replace a pair that I think may have been destroyed in a house fire. I'm on the foot of the first sock of the pair, and the vest currently looks like this -- at 21" from hem to under-arm.

Pattern: Presto VestoPresto Vesto
Designer: Amy Gunderson 
in Knitty.com - Winter 2023
Yarn: Midknit Cravings Comfort Sport
in the 'Shiraz' colour-way

It's time for a fitting of the vest, so until I see my daughter (next week), I've taken out something else to work on: a Work In Progress (WIP) that I started last October.  It's the "Cilin Sweater", and it's for me (eventually).  I'm making it from a yarn that I'd originally put into another sweater -- a sweater that I frogged 🐸 because I knew I'd never wear it.  

So far, I love the Cilin, which starts with knitting the cable panel that runs up the front.  I know for a fact that I love it, because it's taken me three tries to get the pattern right!  Here's a photo taken last evening; I've done another several rows since then:

Pattern: Cilin Sweater
Designer: Vera Marcu
in Interweave Knits, Fall 2023
Yarn: Austermann Marina in colour #37

I've knit at the doctor's office (it lowers my blood pressure). I've knit on the bus when commuting to work (decades ago now, a friend (and fellow commuter) referred to me as "The Lady Who Knits on the Bus"). I've knit while walking to work or elsewhere -- causing people to stare while we were stopped at intersections, back when I lived in the city.

I don't need a special day to show off my knitting. I knit every day; I have a knitting bag (with a wallet) for when I go shopping -- in case, on the way home, I'm stalled at the train corssing.

When my sweet DH died in 2006, my hands would do NOTHING but knit for months. It is my solace, my comfort, my meditation, my prayer. It is my way to express love for my family and friends.

Yes, I do other crafts -- quilting for art and for comfort; cross-stitch; hooked art -- but knitting was my first love and so it will always be.

Speaking of comfort quilting...Since my last post, I've finished the second throw quilt for that young couple who lost everything in a house fire a couple of months ago. They've found a rental space and are settling in for a while, returning their lives to some semblance of 'normalcy'. I hope these two quilts will add to their comfort as they move forward and rebuild:

Pattern: "Four-Patch Fun"
Designer: Bonnie Hunter
from her "Addicted to Scraps" column
in Quiltmaker Magazine, Jan/Feb 2024

While it's high time I took my trusty sewing machine in for a tune-up, I keep putting it off, as I'm still wanting to piece! Last week I finished another two blocks in the Block-Of the-Month (BOM) for June, designed by Sherri of A Quilting Life:

June BOM - "A Quilting Life"
8 1/2" unfinished
Fabric: Thimbleberries left-overs

There are two size options: 8" finished and 16" finished; I've decided to make two each of the smaller size. I'll have 24 blocks by year-end, and Sherri designs setting options that will be revealed in early December. By then I'll have decided if I want to make more of these blocks (maybe another one of each for a total of 36). I'm using left-over Thimbleberries fabric I've had for decades, so what's left will determine how far I can go with this!

Cross-stitch continues too. I've reached the red sweater for the sheep on "Fred's Ewe-nifying Question" from Silver Creek Samplers, but have done little more on "Ann Perrin 1841", because I started a new piece -- a gift for a friend's up-coming birthday. I've made stitched pieces for her before -- baking themed, as she loves to bake -- so it's probably not surprising that when I found Erin Elizabeth's "Baking Tier" I knew I had to make it up for my friend. It's a small patter that I think I'll turn into either a tile or a flat-fold. As of last evening, I was nearing the bottom of the piece, which I started about two weeks ago:

Design: "Baking Tier"
Designer: Erin Elizabeth Designs
Fabric: 28-count natural linen
Floss: called-for DMC

Since this photo was taken,, I've finished the motif next to the spoon on the bottom, the tiny motif next to the red bowl on the right end of the shelf above, and stitched the shelf with the lace trim under the bottom row of motifs.

This weekend the "Alberta Cross Stitchers" group on Facebook is having it's "June Push", so I'm going to use the weather (iffy at best -- cool -- with showers/thundershowers possible) as a reason to spend the entire time stitching -- right after I finish this blog post! 😆

And then there's hooked art. I've not talked much about it because it's a relatively new craft for me. Checking my blog archives, the last time I mentioned it was, I think, in November last year. I took up the craft at first, at the urging of a friend, who is a great fan of Canada's reknowned hooked rug artist, Deanne Fitzpatrick, who has a studio in Amherst, Nova Scotia. I wasn't all that keen at first, but then my friend sent me Deanne's beautiful book, Sunday Letters. I savoured it every night at bed-time, one letter at a time, and by the end of it knew I had to try this out. I sent for a beginner kit, which I finished -- and which now hangs in my bedroom.

Since then I've designed two of my own pieces. The first is "Something's Brewing!", an 8" square piece mounted on a painted board, that's now on exhibit (and available for purchase) in the gallery at Curiosity Art and Framing in Red Deer, Alberta, where I have my art quilts:

Last week I finished the second piece -- the one I was working on when I wrote that post last November:

All the Pretty Poppies (c) 2024
8" x 20" - mounted on stretched canvas

It's inspired by a photo I took of baby poppies that were coming up last summer, under the big willows in my hoped-for meadow.  On the left is the photo; on the right, a 'pixelated' version I used as inspiration for hooking the piece:

It will end up in the gallery too, I hope -- eventually -- or (better still) in someone's home!

I've no new original pieces in mind to hook yet, but Deanne's started her  "10-Minutes-a-Day" Challenge -- so I splurged and bought myself a full kit to play with.  It's due to arrive next week, so more on that in a future post.  Stay tuned!

Of course, being on my own, I've had to Take Care of Business around the house and yard this spring, as dictated by the weather.  This past week I finally found a couple of calm, sunny days -- so the automatic garage door got it's joints oiled and was given a new coat of paint.  Also sanded, cleaned and painted are the railings on my back stoop.  Deadwood in my aging ornamental fruit trees got pruned, raw fleece mulch was applied on flower and veggie beds so they'll retain more of what little moisture we've had (or expect to get), and the grass on both the regular lawn and the 'meadow' has been mowed.  Before mowing I dead-headed as many dandelions as I could, but that's a nearly impossible task so...there will be more of them (and more jam!) next year.

Meadow-wise, the poppies, batchelor buttons, daisies and lupines are coming up. The few wildflower plugs I can find from the multitude I planted last year are doing just fine.  No idea where their siblings are, however.

In the flower beds, the purple irises have blossomed and are being followed now by yellow ones.  And the allium -- newcomers to my beds -- don't seem to be doing well, but as I've not had experience with them before, all I can do is watch and wait.

As I close, I see the sun is shining -- tentatively -- and although it's decidedly cool for a mid-June morning, and the clouds are swirling in the north/north-west, I think it's time for a brisk walk before I settle to stitching.  I leave you with a link to the "party" over at Nina-Marie's Off the Wall Friday, and wish you all comfort and contentment this weekend, wherever you find it.  A bientot!

Plans, Hopes, Dreams...

 Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  I don't -- any more, that is.  Haven't for years.  That said, I've often written in this blog about my susceptibility to "Startitis" -- both in September (the start of a school year) and now, as we move from one calendar year to another.

This year, for the first time, I'm going to try to corral that "infection" by jumping on the WIPGO bandwagon.

"What's WIPGO?!" you might ask.  It's...a process for working on ones WIPs (Works In Progress) in order to finish them -- or at least make some progress on them -- throughout a given year.  

It's 'founder' is Jessie Marie, who created it some years ago now, in order to manage her cross-stitch WIPs.  It's a flexible game, really, that's adopted from Bingo -- and uses a 25-square "board".  You assign either projects or processes or categories of project -- or whatever you want, really -- to each square.  Each month -- on the 25th -- Jessie Marie "calls" (posts) two numbers to be worked on in the following month.  They're called about a week before the end of the month so you can prep your projects ahead of time -- the better to accomplish whatever your goals are for the month.

You might be able to tell that I've put both cross-stitch and knitting on my 'board'.  No quilting?  No spinning?  No rug hooking?  Nope.  I don't have a plethora of WIPs for any of those crafts.

If you want company, or advice, or encouragement, there's a Facebook Group (you have to answer questions to join) and there's action on Instagram (but I don't do Instagram so you'll have to look for it there yourself).  

Here's a link to her "how-to" video from 2022:

I found both of these resources very helpful when setting up my first "board". 

The mantra for the process is "Your board; your rules."  Some folks discover it doesn't work for them, and that's okay.  If you're a first-timer, though, you're encouraged to try it for the year before you decide whether or not it suits your practice.

And of course, just because only two board numbers are called each month doesn't mean that's all you work on!  Heck, no!  Work on any and all of your other crafts, hobbies and practices.  After all, there are 28 to 31 days in any given month (and 2024 is a Leap Year so February has 29 this go 'round) -- you can decide to work on a project for "100 stitches" or "300 stitches" or "3 days" (and a 'day' is what you say it is -- five minutes or 12 hours!) 

I've decided that when a number is called, I'll work on a project in the designated category for 7 days during the given month.  I decided to use categories of project rather than get specific, because I have 19 cross-stitch WIPs and 16 knitting WIPs, and some fall into more than one category.  

For January, the numbers 9 and 22 have been called. 

Looking at my 'board' -- photo above --  "9" is designated "Full Coverage"!  I've only one of those, which I began...oh...some twenty years ago (give or take).  Entitled "Bag Ladies", it came as a kit from Sunset Counted Cross Stitch of Reading, PA.  The pattern cover indicates it was designed by Braldt Bralds -- or perhaps more appropriately, used a design based on one of his paintings or illustrations -- and was kitted up for stitchers in 1999.  It included a large two-page pattern, all the floss, a needle and a  piece of 16-count grey aida.  

When planning my WIPGO board, I dug it out -- only to discover some sort of weird rust-coloured stain on a portion of the fabric!  Having stored it carefully (I thought) in a cloth tote, and having no recollection of having spilled anything on it, I'm at a loss as to what it is.  I tried soaking it in my eco-friendly laundry detergent and warm water.  No visible change.  Tried again with blue Dawn in slightly hotter water.  Ditto.  Scrubbed with a soft brush and mild hand soap.  Maybe it's a bit lighter.

And then I took a close look at what I had left to stitch.  Lo and behold, I think the remaining stitching will cover most -- if not all -- of it up!  Here's what it would look like finished:

Photo source: Pinterest

The red bag with the feathery tail at the upper right will cover quite a bit -- as will the rest of the bags and cats therein!  And the background is only partly bare fabric -- there are stitches all along the top, creating shading and dimension.

With my love of cats, and the fact that I'm just starting the second page of the pattern, how can I not finish it -- or at least, try to?!

As for square #22 -- that's "Monochromatic".  I have two stitching pieces that fit that description.  One is the Holiday Countdown 2022 from Evertote and Modern Folk Embroidery.  I decided to stitch it on a piece of fabric in a gorgeous red, using a creamy perle cotton from Caron.  Both are from deep stash:  

That said, my start was so small that I didn't even photograph it!

My second monochromatic WIP is the one I really want to return to, especially seeing as the 'holiday' season is drawing to a close.  It's a Carolyn Manning design from her "One Color Wonder" Collection: "Peace":

I'm stitchiing it on a piece of 28-count pearl grey linen that I got from a sale table somewhere.  It has no identifying maker, but it also hasn't the trade-mark orange stripe in the selvedge that would say "Zweigart".  It's perfect for this project though, and suits my choice of thread perfectly, to my mind.  I'm stitching it with a single strand of a hand-dyed tencel yarn (!) that I bought at the vendor's market at Olds Fibre Week last June; it's in a variegated purple:

Dyer/vendor: Trail Yarn
Colour-way: "Badass Babe"!

Preparing my WIPGO board gave me a great opportunity to track down all my WIPs -- including some which were tipping into the UFO category.  The  Mystery shawls fit that bill, along with a pair of socks that had succumbed to Serious Second Sock Syndrome:

One piece that's probably not going to get on the board is "No Winter Lasts Forever" from Silver Creek Samplers.  That's because I'm planning to finish it this weekend!  

I'm not following the "12 x 12" event closely, but I'm going to stitch like I am.  For one thing, I won't get home from church before noon on December 31; for another, I'm in bed by 9 p.m. and sleep through the entry of the New Year!  But I expect to have a good six or seven hours in which to stitch, and "No Winter" will be part of that (if it isn't finished even before that!)

All I have left to stitch is the snow, my initials and the year at the bottom!

Pattern: No Winter Lasts Forever
Designer: Silver Creek Samplers
Fabric: 28-count Pewter from Picture This Plus
Floss: DMC and a bit of Weeks Dye Works

Another item that probably won't make the WIPGO board is a sweater I'm knitting for a just-turned-18-months-old little girl  -- the granddaughter of a long-time friend, who lives in Ontario.  

Pattern: "Wee Lima"
Designer: Taiga Hilliard
Yarn: Berroco "Vintage" in "Black Cherry"
(from stash)

As you can see, I've only a portion of a sleeve to knit -- and it'll be finished except for sewing on the buttons (See the large stitch holder, shaped like a safety pin? That's where the buttons go!), sewing in the ends, and washing/blocking it.

Now little Sophie -- the future recipient -- also has a new baby sister, Ivy (2 months old).  She'll be getting a little crib quilt.  I made the top last March and when I learned of her arrival I decided to quilt it up for her.  Here's a photo of the top:

Pattern: "Chandelier"
Info: see my post HERE

Note that neither of those projects is on the WIPGO board.  That's because I've classified them as Priority Projects because they're gifts -- and will be finished come heck or high water, WIPGO or no WIPGO!

Speaking of gifts...being who I am, and being who my friends and family are, I received some lovely yarny and stitchy gifts for Christmas and "just because"!

My son's partner gave me a gift certificate for a southern Alberta indie yarn dyer -- Arcane Fibre Works.  His colours are fantastic -- but his yarn base is all extra-fine merino.  His prices are reasonable but I was hoping for a skein of fingering for socks.  And y'all probably know by now that unless colour palate is an issue, I won't make socks from high-grade merino.  They don't wear well.  They might stretch/slouch more than other socks.  They pill.  And they might felt -- even if they're super-wash treated.  Oh -- and feet don't need socks that soft.  Never test sock yarn on your face or neck. Your feet aren't that fussy!!

So...I've got a colour-way in mind but will reserve a purchase until I can afford (even with the gift cert) two skeins for a shawl.  (And yes; two skeins will equal free shipping -- at least in Canada.)  I'm willing to bide my time...

My friend Mary W. gave me two balls of yarn.  This is admirable, because a) she doesn't wear wool; and b) she doesn't knit!  (True friendship: supporting a friend's passion even when you don't share it!)

She gave me a lovely ball of German sock yarn (NOT 'extra-fine merino' -- the Germans know their sock yarn!) in one of my daughter's favourite colour-ways.  And my daugher?  She's always up for a pair of sturdy, well-wearing, hand-knit-by-Mom socks!  So...her January birthday prezzie is taken care of!

She also gave me a ball of 80% acrylic (!)/20% wool yarn from James C. Brett -- a lovely UK-based company.  The colours are similar, but the yarn is clearly for a shawl or something cozy; it has a 'halo' that makes it look like mohair but there's no mohair to be found in it.  And...I have a friend who suits this colour palate (she has auburn hair and complexion)...so maybe this will become something for her.  Hmmmm....or given to her -- because she knits.  She knits shawls (and I found a pattern for this yarn).  Prayer shawls, even.  Hmmmmm....the possibilities!

Isn't it delicious?!

Yarn: "Shhh" DK (but it's more like fingering)
Supplier: James C. Brett
Fibre: 80% acrylic, 20% wool

I'm not lacking in stitchy gifts, either.  Today I had lunch with my friend C. (we do this every 2-3 weeks -- two-hour lunches at Mae's Kitchen here in Mirror, AB.  Food and friendliness par excellence!)  She had a major reno to her home this past summer (don't ask; it wasn't planned!) and now is putting things back where they should go.  In the course of doing that, she's sifting and sorting her "stuff" and gave me this beautiful book: Sampler & Antique Needlework: A Year in Stitches.  It's available on Amazon.ca (and probably "dot com") for a pretty reasonable price but oh!  The treasure of it!

I managed some years decades ago to procure a couple of the original magazines by that name, which used to be published quarterly, but I wasn't aware of this book.  The publisher of the magazine is/was Phyllis Hoffman, and she published the book under the company called "Symbol of Excellence Publishers, Inc."  That title is appropriate -- even as I gaze on the cover of the book, having yet to open it and go through it.  C. is a stitcher too -- but she knows how I've fallen in love with reproduction samplers, and so this is a very special gift honouring that affection for this genre.

And then...the piece de resistance!  My friend A. is a quilter known for her album quilts and the beauty of her applique and hand-quilting.  She also knits and stitches, and is a lot of fun to be with.

This year, she gave me the most delightful, exquisitely executed gift for Christmas.  I have it out on the table in my living room, where I hang out to stitch, where I can see it.  It's useful, yes, but the artistry and detail make it so very special.  The pattern is from the "Block Party Series" from Hands On Designs; this one is "Meow".  A. knows I'm a Certified Cat Person...with an Elder Grumpy Cat and two 6-month old kittens...so she paid tribute!

I just had to show you the top and all four sides (the bottom is plain but for her initials and the date):

Her stitching is par excellence, because she never does anything by halves.  💓

And now, my friends...I've spoken of plans and gifts -- but what about hopes and dreams?

My hopes for 2024 are too numerous to list, but in the main consist of these:

1. "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." -- Isaiah 2:4 -- that the lust for power and dominance globally, nationally, regionally, locally and within families disappear and be gone forever.
2. That the US doesn't fall into fascism; 
3. That in all times and all places we can -- as Fred Rogers' mother instructed -- look for AND FIND the Helpers.  May there always be helpers.

My Dreams? Well...in a concrete sense, I've only one.  It's far smaller than my plans or hopes.  I long to return to Scotland...just one more time.  I have a friend -- Anne H. -- who is willing and eager to come with me.  Both of us knit.  She crochets; I do a bit.  She weaves; I do not.  I spin; she doesn't.  We both walk.  And we are on a wait list to be notified for the registration to sign on to a Knitting/Walking Tour of the Shetland Isles in 2025.  

I may never go home (to Quebec) again this side of heaven (though I'd like to do so too) but if I get to Shetland...to walk the isles, experience the sheep, the scenery, the skills of the knitters there...oh!  That's my Dream.

All that said, I told Anne recently that if I never made it there, I'd not die disappointed.  Sometimes the Dream is enough.

And so, Gentle Readers, I close this with a message of thanksgiving, and hope for you all: that you will find your space, your purpose, your calling.  That you will know the peace of God (however you understand that) that passes all understanding.  May that Peace enfold you, enable you, inspire you, encourage you and bring you to where you need to be for your own equanimity and for your giving of who you are and what you are to others -- a light in the darkness; a safe haven in the storm; a quiet centre in the whirlwind; a refuge.  May you be given the resources to do and be so -- and may you know that you are held in love in the Everlasting Arms -- however you understand that to be.

A bientot!