Livin' La Needle Loca

...the first 3 days. First, here are the photos of the Mallard handspun that I finished last week. and the close-up: Specs: Started 6/9/2020 Finished 6/25/2020 Merino-Camel-Silk (4 0z.) from Greenwood Fiberworks 193.75 yds, 12 WPI ======== Day 1, 6/27: I finished plying Rainbow Sherbet handspun [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started 6/18/2020 Finished 6/27/2020 Merino (4.5 oz.) in Gypsy’s Soul 2 from the Yarn Wench 122.9 yds. 3-ply, 8 WPI ======== Day 2, 6/28: I spent some time selecting the fiber I want to spin during the tour. I took photos and picked one to spin. This is Peacock Feather handspun [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started and finished 6/28/2020 Falkland top (4.1 oz.) from The Yarn Wench Plied with Coats & Clark Polyester thread in teal and Superior Threads Metallics in gold 133.3 yds. 3-ply; 9 WPI ======== Day 3, 6/29: I decided to spin another art yarn. I ended...

...that week went quickly! Our geraniums are still very happy in the front yard: The red roses are also blooming in the front yard: Our spider lilies have returned: and the zebra tomatoes are coming in: I finished the Mallard handspun [ Ravelry . As soon as I take photos, I'll post the details. I started a new scissor fob. Even though it's June, I felt the need to work on something Halloween...LOL! .

...no photos today. I've been unable to concentrate on one project since I finished the Tiny Garden needle roll. Yesterday, I bounced from project to project and made a little progress in several projects. As result, there wasn't enough progress in any one project to make it worthwhile to take a photo. I hope today is better! WIPs Roll Call Worked On: By the Sea needle roll (cross stitch) I had started this project a week ago and realized that I was off by a thread (it's 2-over-2 stitching). I pulled out the two motifs to restart this project Day of the Dead quilt (quilting) Rethinking the borders on these squares. Tried a couple of ideas that weren't worth implementing. Marionberry Shawl [ Ravelry ] Working on the eyelet rows section Milky Way [ Ravelry ] Restarted the weaving. Wove about 3 inches. I like this weft yarn better than the original. ...

...minus the finishing work. This is the Tiny Garden needle roll, which actually may become a picture. This is project #1 in the next assembly queue. Specs: Started 6/5/2020 Finished 6/22/2020 Kit from Shepherd’s Bush I haven't decided whether to start another small project or just work on the peacock sampler I have in progress. The peacock sampler is pretty, but working on the dark teal fabric is tiring. Maybe I should just switch over to the Day of the Dead quilt...

...yup, another Friday. This week we have baby figs appearing on our tree: Orange dahlias are blooming: The Martha Washington geraniums are very happy by the front door: And the Blenheim apricots are ripe: I'm looking forward to seeing The Daughter on Sunday. We're still physically distancing, but at least we can see her in person! .

...a little bit of this and than. I finished spinning the singles for the Mallard handspun [ Ravelry ]: I'm making good progress on the Tiny Garden Needleroll: I stared a new shawl with the Miss Babs yarn that I frogged from the Mother of Dragons shawl last week. I'm using the Asbury Shawl pattern from Sarah Punderson. I've named it the Marionberry Shawl [ Ravelry ] because the color reminds me of the marionberries growing in our backyard. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Day of the Dead quilt (quilting) Sewed the borders on two more squares. Ordered some border fabric. Renaissance Mermaid (cross stitch) Still working on the tail Tiny Garden needle roll (cross stitch) Working on an 8th row Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cross stitch) Adjusted the lupine row Works In Progress, Did Not Work On This Week: Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting)  Malachite (needlepoi...

...I started this post yesterday on my iPad and couldn't finish it because it was too big a pain to link to my Flickr photos. Here are the photos of my finishing work. These items are all by Shepherd’s Bush. As Bethlehem Slept 2005 Christmas ornament Specs: Started 8/10/19 Finished 8/18/19 Assembled 6/11/2020 Pattern: Shepherd's Bush from the 2005 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue Love (Valentine) scissor fob Specs: Started 7/2004 Finished 6/1/14 Assembled 6/11/2020 Love scissor fob kit by Shepherd's Bush; Modifications: did not like the cutesie people in the original design; replaced with extra hearts. Violet pin cushion It started out as a needle roll, but I hated the fabric in the kit, so I made it into a pin cushion. Specs: Started 2/1/2007 Finished 6/9/2020 Assembled 6/11/2020 Needleroll kit from Shepherd’s Bush; hated it and decided to make it into a pin cushion Bee Joyful scissor fob Specs: Started ...

...and another week gone by. We are getting closer to harvesting our apricots. We can tell, because the birds are starting to check out the fruit. The Tecoma Sparky have flowered again: as have the Gloriosa: Our tomatoes are starting to ripen. And so are the marionberries: On the craft-front, I completed my finishing work yesterday. I'll take photos soon! .

...with many things in the the works. I decided to start the finishing work for 6 Shepherd's Bush projects. I've done the sewing: and made the cord edging: I need to square up the pieces a bit more before stuffing and closing them up. Then I'll attach the cording by hand. I started the Tiny Garden needleroll that matches the scissor fob that I finished last week: I decided that I was not going to finish the Mother of Dragons shawl and I frogged it. I'm looking for a one-skein shawl pattern so I can use the yarn. I'm having a bout of start-itis. I've looked through a bunch of kitted projects this week and there are too many calling my name! I did start Mallard handspun [ Ravelry ]: WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Finishing work Sewed items together; made cording Bee Joyful scissor fob (cross stitch) Christmas ornament 2005 (cross stitch) Earth's D...

...more needlework and a lot more reading. Finished: 5/7 Jamaica handspun (spinning) [ Ravelry ] Falkland (4.2 oz.) from the Yarn Wench 154.2 yds., 11 WPI 5/8 Black Grape handspun (spinning) [ Ravelry ] Falkland (4.0 oz.) from the Yarn Wench 118.75 yds., 8 WPI 5/9 Face masks - 5 (sewing) 5/13 Bee Joyful scissor fob (cross stitch) 5/19 Face masks - 4 (sewing) 5/30 Earth's Delight pincushion (cross stitch) 5/31 Cetina handspun (spinning) [ Ravelry ] Merino-Bamboo-Seacell (8 oz.) from Creatively Dyed 433.3 yds., 13 WPI Books Someone Knows, Lisa Scottoline Dark Crossroads, Debra Dunbar The 20th Murder Victim., James Patterson If You Must Know, Jamie Beck The Vampire Book Club, Nancy Warren Sunrise on Half Moon Bay, Robyn Carr A Rolling Scone, Nancy Warren A Light Last Seen, Grace Greene Sisters b...

...day number 87 of shelter in place for me. I probably will stay home for a while longer.  With my age and diabetes, it's best for me to stay put. Staying put means that I will continue to explore sourdough baking. This week, I tried a new recipe for sandwich bread, this time with sourdough instead of whole wheat. I toasted two slices as breakfast this morning and it was perfect!  Light and tasty...yum! I finished the Tiny Garden scissor fob. It will join the other items that need finishing work. Specs: Started 5/30/2020 Finished 6/3/2020 Kit from Shepherd’s Bush I've been spending a lot of time doing needlework. As a result, I've been experiencing some eye strain. Today, I'll swap back over to quilting and maybe start a new handspun to give my eyes a rest. .

...and the weeks just keep on whipping by. We have a few things going on in our garden. A few more dahlias have bloomed: The apricots are starting to ripen We have some baby tomatoes: And the hydrangeas are blooming: I'm always tempted by the Phat Fiber newsletter and posting about the latest box. Most times I can resist (I really do not need any more fiber!). However, The May theme appealed to me - Beach Cottages and Lighthouses. Yeah, I bought it. Column 1: Phat Fiber Sample List; Scarf pattern from Mad Angel Creations; Shell stitch marker from Jager and Yarn; May 2020 Phat Fiber button; Stitch marker and buttons from Gloria Patrie Row 1: Green angelina from Kathleen Spins; Merino/Merino Glitz from Sweet Kelly Jane's; Dyed Perendale from Naturally Ewe Row 2: Lair of the Sea Serpent from Fiber Quirks; Cheviot from WyEast Woolens; Silvery Sands of Cape Blanco from Plum Crazy Fiber Art; Row 3: Fine-grade alpaca from Wyoming ...

...still stitching away. I've been working on another Shepherd's Bush kit in my stash. This is the Tiny Garden scissor fob: I'll probably finish it today. Then, I need to decide whether to swap over to the mermaid or start another small project. I finally received my order of replacement colors for Tucson Twilight (needlepoint). I need to decide which of the colors will work best with the piece and remove all of the ugly-to-me brown stitches. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Renaissance Mermaid (cross stitch) Working on the tail Tiny Garden scissor fob (cross stitch) Finished the front and almost done with the back Works In Progress, Did Not Work On This Week: Day of the Dead quilt (quilting) Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting)  Malachite (needlepoint)  Milky Way [ Ravelry ] Peacock Majesty by Just Nan (cross stitch) Pure Comfort Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Tucson Twilight (needlepoint) Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cro...

...already. I managed to finish a coulple of things before the end of May. This is the Earth's Delight pincushion I started earlier in the month: Specs: Started 5/13/2020 Finished 5/30/2020 Kit from Shepherd’s Bush I finished the Cetina handspun [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started 5/13/2020 Finished 5/31/2020 Merino-Bamboo-Seacell (8 oz.) from Creatively Dyed 433.3 yds., 13 WPI This month I'd like to finish at least one old project. We'll see if I can meet that goal! .