Cross-Stitch, yet another hobby.

I love to cross-stitch but haven't picked any up for years. I have lately been into knitting like a crazy fool and I have also been quilting. I am working on my first "real" quilt which I am not nearly finished but have set a goal to be done in the next 4 months.  So, that has been a focus.

However, sometimes change is good!  So, I picked up an old project that I love and feel very much re-energized to work on... especially with the advent of cats in my home. Ophelia is my personal Maggie!

Anyway, here is a photo of where I am at.

Not far into the project at all!!

However, when its finished, this is what it should look like.  This is the link to the dimensions kit. I personally do NOT like using Dimensions kits and this one really is no different except that I love this Charles Wysocki print and I really wanted to stitch it as a tribute to all those happy but bratty cats who love craft and sewing rooms.

New Projects and faces :)

I have been quite cleverly creative lately. And, it's our Winter Break so I have time to paint and craft and do all those sorts of activities.  So, over the weekend, I painted an old desk I was given by the school I teach at. It's one of those old style, metal with fake wood tops. Because it was free, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try and paint it. I am very pleased with the end result.

It's now Navy Blue.  There are a few flaws, mainly because I painted it outdoors in winter, but come spring I'll touch it up.

I've also added some new faces to the rat herd.

I woke up Dexter to say hello. He's a Black Hooded Rex (curly) rat who also carries Blue. He's nervous right now, but I think he'll grow into a nice, calm boy.

Zander saying hello!

This is Morgan. He's a sweetheart of a rat- calm, clever, lovely. He's a blue rat.

My blue girlie, in the corner hiding out. She's a blue hooded girl named Willow.

Smudge and Dru

This little lovely is a Mink Hooded girl named Buffy.

The new rats are all she wrote for now- they will become the foundation rats of my rattery, if all goes according to plan. Or, they will just be beloved pets. We'll see how it happens.

Here's to weeks off to get "stuff" done. Bonding with rats, playing with dogs and painting old yucky desks.

Brrr! It's cold out there.... (and Wratty Wed!)

Morning all from a frigid Saskatchewan.  I'm dreading going out there.... Temperatures last week hit +6.3 Celsius. This morning: -34 Celsius with a windchill of -46 Celsius. And, that's warmed up since I woke up earlier.  It's a morning I am grateful for dogs who try to go out (and it's tough, but they do it!), warm blankets, a warm house and a good block heater in my car. No matter the temperature, schools do not close here. Kids may not go, buses are not running but school is still open. So, soon I'll head out to warm the car up before I attempt to drive to work.  This too shall pass; after all, I'm reminding myself it could be November after all and already this cold.

And, to also to remind myself of some of the good things in life...

Zander and Giles cozied up in their toasty warm hammock.  There's a tiny little baby boy huddled in there too. I rescued a wee little 3.5 week old male last week. He's a doll- can't wait to get photos of him. (Is that the same photo I used last week?? Sorry! I didn't get anything new this morning....) 

And Murphy, sleeping on top of the doggy blankets in the basket. :)  She knows comfort when she sees it. 

Ah well, stay warm whereever you are and remember, Spring has to come eventually! In the meantime, I'll be spending my free time hunkered down on the couch, knitting my first project, a scarf that is sure to be done in time for the balmy summer weather that will eventually be with us.

The Third Annual Christmas Quilt

Two posts in one day, WOW! I have some catching up to do, that's for sure!!

Anyway, as seems to be my December tradition, I made my third quilt this December.  Of course, I have to show you the journey.

Yes, it's a rag quilt. They are easy and relatively quick. Plus, I had tons of old jeans to use up.  Here's the intial laying out of the patterns.  Bu the way, you can see my foot in that pic- you can see my lovely new Alpaca slippers. They were a pricey Christmas present to myself, but I have a new found fondness for Alpaca fibre and I had a moment of weakness at a Christmas Craft Sale. So comfy!

I made it in 9 patch blocks, each with one pattern and jeans. Then, I stitched the blocks into 5 blocks by 5 blocks. I had 4 cozy flannels, yes again in pink. This one is for my couch and the size ended up smaller than the last two, but perfect for a TV watching blanket.

The dogs overseeing the process. Maggie was still here then. :)

Hmmm, comfy! Sophie as always HAS to lie on the quilt, mid process.

Anyway, the finished product, all washed and ready to go. It frayed up lovely and I am very pleased with the results!

I won't be waiting another year to make another quilt, I can tell you that. There's going to be some heavy duty sewing in my near future. :)