Thursday, January 23, 2020

I Like Thursday # 41 ~ Winter's Gifts


Life has been kind. 
It has been snowy and then a very sunny week here.
It has been cold all week.
The snow has stayed and crunches underfoot.

On Sunday when it snowed, our heat went out three times 
before the repair guy got everything up and running  smoothly again. 
Thankfully it has been warm inside since then.


Last week I missed I Like Thursday 
as I was under the influence of a wintery malaise.
has gone a long way toward lifting my winter blues.


I have mostly spent my time indoors under my daylight lamp
stitching and sewing.

When I am snuggling under the quilts on the cold,
I spend some time enjoying the big online quilt show.
My Free Quilt Pattern Find of the Week ... 


Free Pattern for this new


As you may know I love all things from



I do not sew dolls so I asked a shop to order me one
 of these long legged cat friends.
I am hoping my granddarling will like it. 


This is Maestro meeting the new "cat" in the house.


Maestro gave it "the sniff" ...


... and "the look"  ... 


... and when the new arrival did not hiss or scratch or bite ...


Maestro gave Tilda the " bump nose kitty kiss."

My kitties always make me smile.

I made dresses for the new kitty in the house from this


It was a week of warm winter soups on the stove 
and homemade bread baking in the oven.


This is my new favorite, loaded with mushrooms, onions, garlic, orange bell peppers


and lots of broth and homemade meatballs and Banza Pasta.


This one is chicken and rice, our all time favorite,
made with fresh chicken breasts, homemade chicken broth,
onions, celery, garlic, carrots and herbs.

I am the soup maker in the house.

My hubby and I both make bread.


Mr Scrapatch also made this wonderful homemade deep dish
 Cast Iron Skillet Pizza 



 Very yummy!  

I am hoping he makes this again this weekend 
and puts lots of veggies on it.

I love the scents of winter with soups simmering and homemade bread in the oven.



Linking up with  the  
and enjoying life's kindnesses and blessings.

Happy Thursday! 
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Quilt ~ Love ~ Stitch


More Stitching Happiness :) 

I am making progress on my 




I cannot stitch without my 


Yes, I know it is expensive, but I need this portable bright light
and magnifier to see to stitch.

The photo above shows how close I need to get to my work.

I carry this lamp with me wherever I sit and stitch.

As seems to happen every winter, my eyesight is declining more rapidly again. 

I see my eye doctor every six months and will be seeing him again soon.
There is another surgery that might help prolong my sight,
 but the recovery is longer and I will not be able to do all my daily tasks 
for an extended period and the risks are greater.
I am delaying this surgery in my "bad eye" until such time
as it may be necessary for me to function.
I may never have my "good eye" done 
as I am dependent on this eye for most of my vision.
I use prescription eye drops several times a day,
which are a help.

I take every day one stitch at a time. 

Just keep stitching ... <3 

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Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Winter Blues Blog Hop ~ Stitching Joy


My 1st Sashiko Stitches

In my little corner of the world "winter blues" is a malady,
a blah feeling that comes each winter and can take root
 indoors during long cold winter nights.
Occasionally it is tempered by days such as these 
when the sun shines bright on new fallen snow. 

My favorite way to meet and beat the blue days of winter,
when it is so cold even the air feels tinted icy blue,
is to learn something new.
Sew I did ... :-)

This simple stitching project is my choice  for the


This form of stitching is very soothing to me.
Maybe it is the colors.
Maybe it is the large stitches
Maybe it is the gentle waves of this pattern.


I stitched this first piece in one session on a cold, quiet winter evening.


This simple design was on a pre-printed panel.


As is my way when I am learning something new, I find good books
and look for the new tools I need.

Many of these supplies I found at  Here @ Fat Quarter Shop
My first project is one of the small pre-printed panels on this
Navy Hidamari Coaster Panel from FQS


My favorite new tools, the snips from Japan and the Clover Ring Plate Thimble
 I found on Amazon.


This the most comfortable thimble I have ever used.
It is an inexpensive version of a Japanese one.
It is adjustable and fits my hand!
I have tried many different kinds of thimbles over the years
but this is the only one I have been able to keep on and use.
I am actually able to take multiple stitches.
I also found I can use it for large stitch hand quilting.
It is a wonder! 

I found the following video very helpful ... 

How to stitch Sashiko using this thimble 

This video is from Sashi.Co

They do not have it in stock at Fat Quarter Shop but I put in a new product suggestion
and they emailed me back that they will be stocking them soon.
I plan to buy a few more of these inexpensive thimbles 
so I can always find one when I need it. 


I wanted to frame and save my first Sashiko stitches.

Sew I found some fabric in my stash and turned this small square of sashiko 
into a simple quilt block.

To do this, I cut 2.5" strips and framed my stitches into what 
I have always called a "Happy Block".

Then I used scrap batting and a sticky board and set it into an 8" white frame.
No glue was used in this setting.
I could easily remove the block.

I am now thinking to make more of these 
"Sashiko" Happy Blocks and make a quilt. 
I like the idea of combining my stitching and quilting. 

I will be happy in my home this winter, 
continuing my Sashiko journey 
by stitching along with the 



I am learning more of this hand art with

#sashikosalwithkristaandamanda

May you be interested in stitching along, too. 

This beautiful blue blog hop is hosted by

Carla @ Creatin' in the Sticks


This lovely and simple project really brightens my home.

Thank you for visiting me today
 and brightening my winter day! 

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Monday, January 20, 2020

Winter Blues Blog Hop ~ Starts Today



Monday, January 20th


Tuesday, January 21st


Wednesday, January 22nd


Thursday, January 23rd


Friday, January 24th
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Sunday, January 19, 2020

On a Winter's Day


Winter Blues Sneak Peek

Today it is sunny and cold and we are digging out from last night's snow storm.

We had a very bitter early morning as the temperatures plummeted.
 the icy winds blew,
and our heat went off in the wee hours of the night.

All is well and warm now here and I am looking forward 
to the beating the wintery blues with the 


Starts tomorrow! 


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Saturday, January 18, 2020

A Good Night to Stay In and Stitch


My Motif #1 ~ Top Row Center 
for my Quilty Love Cross Stitch is done!

I am really happy with how this one is working up.

I got to the center of this motif and decided o add a new color.
Green was not a part of the original plan.


I have decided I want to use these fabrics for inspiration and finishing 
and  I do not have a lot of DMC colors so I opened this package
of Cosmo Floss that was in my stash and used that.
The Cosmo floss feels different and I little thinner.,
but it works okay together. 
I am never going to get perfection in cross stitch 
but I feel my efforts are improving.


is my favorite cross stitch project so far.

The motifs are a good size and easy enough to follow 
an the chart is easy to read with my bad eyesight.
My eyesight is getting worse and I have to adapt.

Things I have leaned in my return to cross stitch adventures:

1) I like DMC (which is the least expensive) floss the best.
2) I need to use large count Aida like this 10 Count white.
3) I need to be happy with what I can stitch and not worry about the minute details.
and


4) A "Snag Nab-It" tool is good to have around.

I saw this at 
tool for $2.24 and wondered if it might be useful
and I have to tell you that is is very useful.

I have used to to pull out the fuzz when I needed to rip out a mistake
and it also helps to pull loose floss threads to the back!

The official use video from Dritz is Here


I am going to get another one or two of these so I can always find one when I need it.

Time to snuggle under the quilts to stay warm .... brrrrr! 

Sweet Quilty Love Dreams <3 

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