Tree ornament with Rhodes

 

I know I shared a photo of this already, but……

So here’s how I finished the ornament:

I cut 2 pieces of white felt to use as padding and backing

I cut a piece of blue tissue paper (didn’t have felt in a nice shade of blue to use)

I sewed the felt to the canvas with the tissue paper backing the canvas

I twisted some crochet thread to create the cord and sewed it on leaving space to tack in the ribbon to use in hanging.

I’m sorely tempted to tat an edging to use also. Maybe it’s because I like the way Ice Drops looks on the tree. I recommend a fabric rather than felt. When I did a test fit on a live tree, the felt made it difficult to hang the ornament carefully. I will likely use a different thread to create the cord for the next ornament. The crochet thread doesn’t have enough sheen to the fiber. I like sparkle.

Elephant canvas progress.

I hit milestones yesterday:

One month since I last played the organ for people to listen to.

One month since I last taught a lesson in person.

I finished “lesson 1” on the Elephant canvas. It looks more like an elephant now.

I have emerged from the “in shock” phase of this new reality. I have wrapped my brain around what I must do each day to take care. I need to revamp my daily life to work towards my big goals. I need to work for a future for myself and for those I love. I can do this!

I look forward to hearing what each of you are doing to find a new future for yourself and those you love.

laughter helps with focus

I’ve been focused lately. I’ve really tried hard to stick to my goals and accomplish what’s important. So far, I’m succeeding. That’s why there’s not much to post here. Most of my energy has been directed towards keeping house, keeping the yard, volunteering in music, and volunteering in stitches. I like the sound of that last bit. I like to keep a humorous outlook on life. Laughter is far better than tears to me.

So, what have I accomplished? Besides a bit of laughter? Our house has been “inspected” by ye ole ‘ouse ‘spector. He didn’t find much to document. We’ve kept it up fairly well.

Our persimmon tree is picked as well as a human on a ladder can; the rest can feed the birds. The hummers like the fruit quite a lot.

Our choir is rehearsed for Lessons and Carols. No, I don’t think I’ll have a B flat, but then again, we’ll be singing in the evening.

Our stitchers have 15 canvases prepped for stitching except for mounting them on a frame. We are still attracting new volunteers to the group. And we have a good start on finished canvases ready for the upholstery shop. Just a few more to go and we’ll have the minimum they asked for with each round.  

I had an “aha” regarding the chair canvases and our impending move: I don’t have to be the one in the driver’s seat for timing the move. I can respond to what comes our way with grace and rolled up sleeves. We thought the chair project would be a 20 year project. Well, we’re half way done after just 2 years. We would like to move within 5 years. We’ll see what happens!

Chair canvas is done

I have finished the needlepoint canvas I have been stitching for the chapel chairs. Whew!

 

completed canvas still on frame

I’m not sure what I’ll be tackling next for the group. There’s a fair amount of work to be done organizing yarn. There are also a few canvases coming back partially stitched. I may take on the finishing of one of those canvases. And we thought this project would be a 20 year project!

 

October thoughts

As is my custom the first day of the month, I look over the last month and see what I accomplished. It’s my way of staying motivated. I try to stay focused on what I did right. I leave the examination of the mistakes for the second day of the month. I also set a timer to spend no more than 15 minutes each of those 2 days. Does that sound too structured? Well, I’ve found as a Mom who needs to have a personal life, I need that structured “me” time.

So, what did October 2013 have to reveal about me and how I spent my time and energy? Pleasant visits to family, an indulgence of attending an Organ Conference, see my canvas on a chair and in use, hosting a gathering in our back yard, and completing a large portion of a huge tatting project.

Not bad.

Now it’s on to more tatting and singing and attending organ recitals.

Chapel chair in use

Time has flown by. I’ve been working steadily on the Saint-Saens. With the cooler weather, I’ve been able to work an extra hour or so. I did end up cutting out and changing how one of the motifs joined. That took 3 days work, but it’s worth it!

Last weekend saw a milestone:

The chapel chairs are back and now in use. Here’s my little contribution:

Thank you to Don and Penny for the photo and all your help. I hope everyone can see enough to appreciate how nice the chair looks. The design really does bring the stained glass windows into the interior of the church. In case you’re wondering (and even if you’re not curious) folks estimate 2 hours per square inch of stitching. Most of my stitching was done during the healing phase of my summer. It saved my sanity!

Now on to more Saint-Saens and may be some pineapple doily.