disappeared

The post I had for today disappeared as I tried to publish it - totally disappeared!  I'm not even going to try to re-write it.  Instead I will share my recent x-stitch pieces.

Both of these are freebies from Hands on Design.  

it's not the stress that kills us

it's our reaction to it

in love ...

I fell in love with this panda and had to stitch it! ^^  It is a design by Alexa Kiss Crossstitch - available free on her FB page - it was a pleasure to stitch. 
I'm re-posting this because it disappeared from my blog.  :(

be kind to those who are unkind - 

they need it the most

spa day ....

This spa basket and washcloths make me think of a spa day.  ^^  The basket is quite sturdy - used a #6 yarn - learned a new stitch. It's the perfect size for the accompanying washcloths that worked up quickly - used cotton yarn.  I like this designer - she makes good suggestions such as using a larger hook for the washcloth if you want it soft and flexible - I know ... I should have figured that out for myself.  Here is where you'll find the instructions for both...

The mild weather continues and we escaped the freezing rain - whew!  Today it is gently snowing.

be yourself -

people don't have to like you

and you don't have to care

a finish ...

This one was in my stash of unfinished pieces - it's an oldie from Ajisai Press.  I remember stitching it but not knowing how I wanted to finish it - it looks good as a wee cushion.  

in the middle of every difficulty

lies opportunity

going green with bento bags ...

I hadn't considered using a Bento Bag for produce, etc. but why not.  I happened to have some bandannas on hand and using one meant I didn't have to finish the edges - plus it's lightweight - would be so easy to make with a serger!!  ^^  This bag can be left open for the cashier to see what's in it or to check the bar code and then I can tie it up when I pack the groceries.  I'll keep you posted on how successful this is - a lot will depend on the cashier.  A couple of weeks ago I had a coupon for a free item - there were three varieties to choose from and we chose our favourite - at the check out, as I was packing the groceries, I noticed she left the coupon on the item - I pointed this out - she said I can't use it - I asked why - she said you need to buy the new variety.  I didn't argue but did a return on the item - when there is just one cashier and a long line up of impatient shoppers I try not to hold up the line.  At home I re-read the coupon - it says valid on any variety.  This particular cashier is one of the better ones at this supermarket - I was disappointed.

You will find good instructions here and here for making one of these - you can make them any size you want.  On the first site she also shows produce bags that were made from old sheets and gives the dimensions of the ones she makes.  I love the colourful bags on the second site - might be a good way to use up some of my stash.

Some years ago I made my first Bento Bag from an old linen table cloth - it has come in handy for many things including an overnight bag. ^^  This one is a bit different as the corners were not tied but stitched together and a gathered piece of fabric used to cover the join - makes the bag roomier.

I was able to try out the Bento Bag and the drawstring bag at the supermarket before publishing this - both worked well - the bar code was visible - the cashier was not bothered - they get a thumbs up (so does the cashier  ^^).  The Bento Bag needs to be bigger than the one I made (about 19" square) but worked well for a few bananas.  BTW I use fabric tote bags for the groceries.  ^^
  

see a challenge as what it can do for you

not what it is doing to you

let it snow ...

Since we're having a snow day this is an appropriate time to share this one. 
 It's a another one to add to my winter collection -

  a Lizzie Kate design (with some artistic licence).  

Stitched and finished!

expect nothing

appreciate everything

another winter finish ...

My stash of stitched but not finished pieces yielded another one for winter - this is one of  Lynn B's designs - stitched and finished!

It's been cold here this week - being January it's no surprise.

always start the day with a positive thought

zero waste ...

It's not easy being environmentally conscious these days but I try hard to have zero waste.  A trip to the supermarket can be very challenging to avoid packaging - perhaps it's easier in a big centre but in a small town it's tough.  I decided to try making my own produce bags and this is what I came up with - not as transparent as it should be but a trial run will see how it works - if successful I'll make more.  If I leave the top of the bag open before it goes through the scanner that should make the cashier's job easier and hopefully not annoy her too much.  I made this one with French seams but a flat felled seam would work well and a serger would make it very easy - my serger is at the cabin.

 There has been fresh snow overnight for 3 or 4 days - light and fluffy and easily moved - shoveling is a breeze (so my fella says) - the wind is creating large drifts - the fresh white is so clean looking and brightens up a cloudy day.

We were at the supermarket quite early in the morning on the weekend - only one cashier was working - she was a student, she was ill - I admired her for showing up for work - did not appreciate that someone who was ill was handling all my groceries.

if it's important to you,

you'll find a way - 

if not, you'll find an excuse

wrong season ...

It's the wrong season but a finish nonetheless ...

This one is a freebie from Lynn B at Happiness is Cross Stitching - Lynn is so generous with her free charts - I've stitched many of her mini cats.

the trick to ageing gracefully

is to enjoy it

winter ...

Winter came back - there's fresh snow, wind to blow it into drifts and cooler temperatures.  I needed a few more smalls for winter - these are the newest additions ....

Winter Tree from Jardin Privé

Carolyn Manning Designs

This one makes me smile ...

sorry I'm late - 

I got here as soon as I wanted to

new trick ...

Who says you can't teach a new trick to an old dog!  ^^  I learned how to crochet a chain less foundation - it's my new favourite trick.
Here is a video on how to do it.  This technique made my life easy when I needed a chain of 145 stitches for this hanger cover. 

Crochet Hanger Cover:
 1. Chain 145 loosely (needs to be long enough to the  fit length of the hanger)
2.  Sc in 3rd chain from hook, *chain 1, skip next chain,  SC in next chain; repeat from * across
3.  Chain 2, turn, SC in next chain 1 space, *chain 1, SC in next chain space; repeat from * across
 4.  Repeat row 2 until the cover is wide enough to fit loosely over hanger; sew or crochet the two long ends together around the hanger

I usually crochet a chain tie for a bow and to this one I added a x-stitch scented sachet.

follow your dreams - 

they know the way

tempus fugit ...

Tempus Fugit - isn't that the truth - many of us ended the year talking about this.  This was in my stash of stitched pieces and recently added to the pile of pieces to finish - I'm steadily working my way through them.  I stitched this quite some time ago - cannot remember if I had a purpose and/or finish in mind.  ^^  

After Christmas I made a list of things to do, needed doing and/or would like to do - surprisingly, I have already ticked many of the items off the list.  Firstly, I had to sort through all the Christmas decorations/décor and decide what to keep - previously I had downsized to 3 bins and 1 box and am pleased to boast that now there are 2 bins - round of applause happily accepted.  It wasn't easy - when it came down to the nitty gritty I had to decide whether or not to part with the plastic canvas gingerbread house that I made a few decades ago - it still looked like new -  wouldn't fit in the bins so it went into the discard pile - I'm okay with that decision (surprisingly).    One other item that I'd been hanging onto was this Saint Nicholas - he even has wire spectacles that I made and real fur trim ...  

He joined the gingerbread house - hopefully both will find a home where they are appreciated.  

I'd like to thank all of you who follow my blog, read my blog and make the time to comment - you are appreciated.  If you don't have the time to comment I'm okay with that - I'm happy that you visit.

your mind is a garden -

your thoughts are the seeds -

you can grow flowers

or you can grow weeds