Summer Daze

So glad I put in the long hours of yard work in April and May.   I am now reaping the benefits of being able to enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of the summer.   Flowers blooming, branches swaying, birds chirping, leaves rustling, strawberry and honeysuckle scents are being enjoyed daily as I sit on the deck and stitch.

More than a few trips back and forth with the township on permitting but the contractor was finally able to get started albeit with changes.  We are not permitted to construct an extension to our deck.   Easiest way to explain is because we already cover too many square feet of surface area on our property.   But, we can put in pavers.   Huh?   Water runs threw a deck and is able to be absorbed below; pavers however are non-permeable.   Just my thoughts.   Pre-backfilling and leveling, I found myself following the sun’s path each day to see how the sun and shade would be hitting the additional paver space.   Why?   I don’t know.   It seemed I was conjuring up different scenarios of little vignettes I would be/could be creating for this otherwise square dance arena space.   Mr. W. Has had absolutely no say in anything in our house or property for the 40 plus years we have lived here.   He was not allowed to choose/didn’t choose paint colors, remodeling, siding, windows, decks, railings, furniture, garden and plant design but paid for it all.  So I decided just to let him roll with whatever he wanted - I just wanted cohesiveness.  Dimension and design were on him.  It was kind of nice….he is the contact with the contractor and one making all the decisions and calls.  Boy that need to control has gotten in the way for me over the years.  I am often such a slow learner.  However the job somehow grew in scope - imagine that - somehow even more footage was added to the proposed ‘helicopter landing zone’.  But alas, my job is only to sit and enjoy it once the work is done.     

June is ending with me in the midst of 12 days at my son’s while my daughter-in-law is traveling for work.  The kiddos have camp and pre-school 3 and 4 days respectively so that’s a break for part of the day.  It is a bit of running back and forth.  Since my son leaves for work at 1:15. he and I get to have time together.  I have got a couple of afternoon hours to sew or stitch before I make the return pick-up trip which of course are at opposite ends of the county.  There are lots  of giggles, splashing in the tub and reading stories to round out each day.  I must admit I am ready to drop off to sleep not much longer after getting them down.

Last week while the kids were at pre-school and camp, I was able to prep the back for my hexagon quilt and I hope to start on the quilting on Tuesday once everyone is where they are supposed to be.   I decided on a blue plaid flannel for the backing.   It is not like I could make it match with anything on the front.  LOL.      

Good thing my WIPGO assignments for June  were not too taxing.    My first assignment was to chart and stitch my name and initial to use to convert this perpetual calendar into a usable cross stitch display piece.   The charting and stitching was completed in  one day!  Finishing took another day.   I am super happy my vision actually materialized.   Nothing against Thomas Kincaid but I prefer my name on the calendar.  Now I just need to stitch the 8 remaining Year of Celebration monthly designs from Hands on Design.   

In addition to fully finishing the perpetual calendar, I pulled this stitched piece out and finished it.   It is from Hands On Design, called Autumn Skies, and was stitched last year.

I finished Over-Dyed Spools, an EGA Canvas piece.  It has been cut to fit on top of this box which I still need to paint and add trim to.   I do like like learning and doing different techniques that EGA offers but they can really cut in to my cross stitch time!

All these finishes I am racking up are nice but unfortunately none seem to be on my WIP/UFO list.   

My other June WIPGO was to start  “Barnwood Buttons” from Rosewood Manor.    It would be nice to be able to say I closer to finishing but I completed the assignment - to start the piece - and I am nearly to the half way point.  The fabric is a mystery linen that was bright blue; I coffee dyed it to be a color I preferred.   It is much bluer than it appears below.  I don’t think it was the coffee dying that did it but this fabric was a pain to stitch on.   The weave is really tight and I have had to revert back to using cheaters to work on it.  

Just a sucker for jumping on board to any old SAL.   I joined Colorado Cross Stitchers Summer Camp.   No worries, not necessary to pack my suitcase; it is all virtual.   Each month (June July August) she gives an assignment motif that you are to include in your work.  June’s assignment - stitch something with a bird.   I picked Luminous Fibers Arts - “Stitcher”, mystery linen with WDW Turkish Red.  Again, stitched in under a week.   I dug into my box ‘o flea market frames and painted this one red to fully finish this piece.    It will find a home next to my stitching area - notice, I say ‘area’ not chair as I tend to sprawl!

  As for my gardens, veggies are coming in and in the flower beds I have been eradicating the spiderwort.   Nothing I planted but something that keeps coming back and multiplying each year.   UGH.   It’s ok…i mean I can’t sit and stitch all day.  Early morning coolness is a great time to tackle the mess.  

I am trying to survive without a swimming pool.   It has been hard though.  I know it is the reason for my pre-June funk. This year, we actually had a springtime and didn’t jump right from cold weather to blistering heat.    I admit that I am missing the cooling off by jumping in or that leisurely evening floating with the music on and a wine glass in my hand.   

Thanks for stopping by, and keep on stitching.