Ah one, ah two -

 Yes, two wraps on each French knot, done with two strands of DMC floss...

Sorry about the basting threads!

- Making THESE would be fun!

- and perhaps THESE too.

- Or how about giving THIS a try?

Today's quote...

A little more spring in my studio

 I've added some cherry blossoms and am currently boring myself silly making innumerable French knots to create the tree in the distance.  

- I rather like THIS but I'd want to add an additional row (perhaps two)

- THIS might be fun for either yourself or make as a gift.

- If you like crazy quilting, perhaps you'd like to see THIS article.

Thinking of spring

 When it continues to be this cold and snowy outside, I decided I really needed to work on something that reminds me that spring is coming, so I've made a start on a new landscape...

And....the RC arrived in the sewing room doorway to show me this...

Because you might like to make this goodie for yourself, here's the recipe...

IRISH SODA BREAD

3 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. raisins
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
1 T. veg. oil

Combine dry ingredients and stir in raisins.  Set aside 1 T. beaten egg.  Combine
buttermilk, oil and remaining egg.  Stir into flour mixture just until moistened.  Transfer into greased 9" round baking pan (a dutch oven works a treat!) and brush top with reserved egg.  Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 10 mins and remove from pan.

- THIS made me smile and think of spring.

- Most of you know I love denim, so of course THIS caught my eye.

- Scrolling through THESE made me smile (and sometimes laugh).

- Have you ever wondered why there are coloured bands on sewing machine needles?  I'm sure you have (haven't you?).  Well, wonder no more.  Go HERE.

Answering sock question and other mumblings

 Last week I had an anonymous comment that asked what sock pattern I use for my socks, so I thought I'd share it here.  The very best pattern I've ever found that fits a multitude of feet sizes is the 'Wise Hilda's Basic Ribbed Sock' which can be found HERE.  We like it because it has a K3, P1 ribbing for the leg and the upper foot which helps it to stretch to fit various sizes of feet.

The modifications I make:
- I cast on 72 stitches for my RC because he has thick calves...then when I do the heel flap I use 35 stitches to work on with remaining 37 placed on the holder.  Then I follow the pattern as written, only for rows 2, 3 & 4 of the heel flap, I slip one and then use the remaining 34 stitches. 
- Otherwise I keep to the pattern until I reach the toe when, instead of Kate's instructions (and only because we prefer a rounded toe) I do the following:  Row 1: K6, K2tog across the row;  K 2 rows even.  Then K5, K2tog, K 2 rows even (and so on).  You may have to adjust the final decrease in the row until you reach the correct number of stitches.
- The only other modification I make is to K 10 or 12 rows of K1, P1 ribbing to start the sock for everyone except my RC (thick calves).  I don't know if the narrower ribbing is really necessary but I think it helps the socks to fit better at the top.
- I pretty much always use Paton's Kroy sock yarn because it wears well and comes in lots of interesting colourways. 

I hope those modifications aren't too hard to follow.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  I know it's a pretty basic sock and doesn't have 'pretty' designs worked in but it's the favourite here and everybody is happy with them.  

******

The Resident Chef just finished making a really nice soup, so thought I'd share the recipe in case you'd like to try it.  

RESIDENT CHEF's VEGETABLE SOUP

1 onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 T. olive oil

4 carrots, sliced
1 green pepper, diced
4 ribs celery, diced

28 oz. can diced tomatoes

8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 lb. frozen green beans

1/4 c. chopped parsley

1/2 T. smoked paprika

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/4 tsp. pepper

pinch of cayenne pepper

6 c. chopped cabbage

6 c. vegetable broth
1 tsp. salt

1 T. lemon juice

Saute onion and garlic in oil.  Add carrots, celery & pepper and saute.  Add tomatoes, beans, spices, cabbage, and broth and bring to a boil.  Simmer about 40 minutes (or all afternoon).  Season with salt and lemon juice.

******

- THIS is a cute little fellow that would be fun to make.

- I know it's not Christmas but when I came across THIS  I thought it was good enough to share.  Perhaps you could get a head start?

- You might find THIS useful.

Today's quote, from the Diary of Anne Frank, written 13 Jan 1943...."Terrible things are happening outside.  Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes...families are torn apart.  Men, women and children are separated.  Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared"  

Have we learned nothing from history?

For lack of anything creative...

....I thought maybe I'd share pictures (not mine, but found on the internet) of the three breeds of woodpeckers that visit our suet feeder every day.  I know many of my followers are probably familiar with them but I have some readers who are from other parts of the world and they might not...

This one is a Downy woodpecker and is quite small - generally 5 1/2 to 7".  They're quite feisty and don't tolerate sharing with others of the same species, although will feed at the same time as nuthatches.

This one is a Hairy woodpecker and at first glance there's not much to tell them apart from the Downy - other than their size, with the hairy being about 9".  

The Red-bellied woodpecker is the largest, coming in at about 10".  The name seems odd considering their bellies aren't all that red - it's their head.  These are particularly pretty when they're in the sun.  They are the most feisty of them all and don't tolerate other birds at all and will drive them off.  

The RC is kept busy keeping the suet feeder filled with a constant parade of these guys - plus two kinds of nuthatches, juncoes, and chickadees.  We also have a flock of starlings that will clear the feeder out in mere minutes - they are bullies too and we'd just as soon they dine elsewhere because they drive our nice birds away.

- I came across THIS article and thought it was quite interesting so thought I'd share.

- HERE is a useful little creation you might want to make for yourself.

- And for those of you dealing with lots of snow, perhaps you'd like to get out and have some fun trying THIS.

-THIS is a really nice scarf pattern.

Today's quote..."When we understand that each day isn't one more day, but one less, we start giving more value to what truly matters"

A finish!

 Introducing.....'Dancing Sky'!

FOR SALE!
measures approx. 22 x 18"

All this cold weather means I've been staying inside and playing in my sewing room. This one was super fun to make and I'm almost sorry it's done.  I'm also sorry that a photo doesn't really show the sparkle/shimmer it has.  I think you can click on it to embiggen it so perhaps a larger size might show it better.  My inspiration was a colouring page I found on the internet.

- Thank you to Canadian Needle Nana for THIS rabbit hole (don't say I didn't warn you!!)

- And thanks to Joy of Days Filled With Joy for THIS roundup of some fun-looking block of the months, as well as a downloadable page to help you keep track.

- If you're looking for something to create for Valentine's, perhaps THIS would be fun.

- I don't know if you've seen the knit or crocheted 'Melt the ICE' hats , but the pattern is available HERE for a nominal charge.  

I came across this 'quote' and it made me stop and think...wow, who knew there were THAT many stitches in a pair of socks....I think I should lie down until I recover...

The sky's the limit?

 I pretty much completed working on the sky part of the latest landscape.  There are lots (!) of sequins of various sizes.

- There's a sweet little cross stitch design for Valentines day HERE.

- I really enjoyed seeing THESE (and the detail photos are incredible!)

- Have a peek through the gallery slideshows of THIS artist!

Today's quote is from Alexei Navalny...."We must do what they fear - tell the truth, spread the truth.  This is the most powerful weapon against this regime of liars, thieves and hypocrites.  Everyone has this weapon.  So make use of it"