The life of a house cat is hard…

Don’t tell him, but we have a booster shot booked for him with the vet this afternoon. It’s just one, instead of three like last time, so hopefully it won’t hit him as hard.

The curtains didn’t take very long on Sunday, and Burton was still keen on working in the studio… so I went stash diving again.

These were fabrics (bolt ends) I bought on clearance last year (or maybe the year before) with the intention of making a bag for former neighbour Krista. But I never got around to it. Her birthday is this month so I figured now was a good time to finally do it.

The pattern I had in mind is one I’ve made once before. It’s a freebie called Pick-A-Pocket Purse.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of making bags. I often find them fiddly… and they make me angry. But this one is very easy and it goes together quick. The only thing, is if you’re using directional prints (like the birds) you do have to make sure you’ve got your fabric cut the right way.

But the result is a nice little bag. I did make the pocket shorter to show off more of the frog print. There are a couple things I would add, including some top stitching. I did some around the top of the bag, but if I do it again, I’ll add it around the pocket too. I just think it makes it look a little more finished!

Last week, Dave came to me and asked if we had any curtains for the laundry room window.

When we moved in, we just stuck a pillowcase on the curtain rod that was there. Overtime, it got rolled up around the rod because to be honest, a covering isn’t really needed. That window is up high (it’s at neck level for me and I’m 5’7″; and it overlooks the back yard. It’s up high enough, that no one can look in it. It’s also the window I take a lot of my bird pics from.

I figured we’d worry about a proper window covering when we got around to reno-ing the laundry room. But for some reason, Dave was adamant we needed a window covering ASAP.

I do have a studio chock full of fabric, and intended to go stash diving. But then we were out thrifting the next day and I came across this.

It was in the “fabric” section, but it was actually about half of a twin sheet. Some enterprising seamstress probably reused her sheets for something. I quite liked the print, it said “laundry room” to me. I got Dave’s approval and it came home with us.

And Sunday, I hit the studio.

I don’t make fancy curtains, so it didn’t take me long. I think I had them sewn up in under an hour.

And another few minutes to make some tie backs so I can still photograph my birds. And the main thing is… Dave is happy.

Under the watchful eye of his Lordship

Many more stitches were added to the All Hallows Eve sampler

The second witch has a body, if not a head and a second arm. They will follow shortly. His Lordship has decreed it, so it must be so…

I cast off Wingspan just before the weekend.

It’s a pattern I’ve knit before, and it’s one that’s great for gradient yarns. Which this yarn is… it’s Bernat Wavelength. It is a subtle gradient, but for some reason, my phone camera really doesn’t want to show it.

As mentioned, I modified it a bit to work better with the chunky yarn. That mostly meant less stitches on the needles, but also more repeats. It’s not super long, but long enough to wrap a couple times around the neck.

Now we just have to wrap it up! That’s Burton’s favourite part.

I’d like to say this is the last thing I have to knit for Christmas. But Dave just told me he invited his uncle for Christmas dinner. That’s not a problem, but it means I should get something together to tuck under the tree for him. So before I do any wrapping, I have to go stash diving.

It’s going to be a fairly quiet Christmas here this year, so I’ve kept the inside decorating a minimum

The tree is up, and of course high enough that the cats can’t reach it because Lemmy cannot be trusted. And something tells me Furby can’t be either.

Skiing sock monkey is counting down the days. And we have a new addition…

Bagpiping Santa. We found him at a thrift store and Dave fell in love with him. Unlike me with Carl, no side-eye was involved.

I swear, I find the best garden items while thrifting in the off season! Probably because just before winter, people clean out their garden stuff and donate it!

Recent thrifting trips have resulted in several great garden prizes.

It’s hard to see, but this little butterfly has an eye on the middle of her back… so you can hang her up. And when you do, those bells flop down and clatter against each other in the wind! You may not know, but I absolutely LOVE garden decor that makes noise! Probably because Dave does not! LOL. He gives me side eye every time I pick up a wind chime.

Next – this pretty little casting that I fell in love with for obvious reasons. I will find the perfect little nook for it in the catio come spring.

Now… let me preface this next one with…. I have been wanting a sundial for AGES. But boy are they expensive! So imagine how thrilled I was to stumble across this one on the shelf for just $5!

And with a cute frog too! I’m going to have to find/make a pedestal for this one and give it pride of place.

This next one could go in the garden or stay inside….

She stands on her own – just pop a pot in her ring, and voila! Perfect little garden lady! I have a feeling this one will probably end up with a houseplant in it before long.

And last… my absolute favourite find so far…. (though I think Dave is starting to question my sanity…)

I can’t tell you why…but I was immediately drawn to him. I knew I just had to bring him home. I was getting more than side-eye from Dave. I think his exact words were…. “Seriously??? Why???”

But he didn’t protest much more than that… except to say something about it possibly being possessed by an ancient deity… (and wouldn’t that be cool???!!!!) So he came home with us.

It’s actually hollow…. it’s a vase (the opening is at the top of his head/hat) Some quick research has told me it’s a replica of anthropomorphic pottery found in the ancient Santarém culture of the Lower Amazon, which flourished between roughly 1000 and 1600 CE.

Whatever he is… I think he’s going to look great taking up residence in the garden. I’ve called him Carl.

Behold!

The Super-Floofs!

I have to say – I’m quite enjoying these cold, grey weekends. I’m sure by January I’ll be desperately missing my gardens… but right now it is nice to be back in the studio sewing.

I was a bit under the weather this weekend…. not totally sick, just moving slower than usual. So it took me a few extra hours than expected. But eventually Burton, Lemmy and I banged out one kitten…

And then a second

Giving us two more fine additions to our quilt.

That brings out total kitten count to four!

These kitten blocks are big… 20″ finished. So, after consulting Burton of course, we decided that we will make two more. That means, without sashing, the quilt would be about 40″ x 60″. And with some sashing… well it would be just the perfect size!

So I guess I better go find and cut some more fabric!

While the weekend wasn’t exactly mild, the weather wasn’t too bad (for the end of November). I figured I wasn’t going to get a better chance to get my Christmas stuff up outside.

Our Christmas display isn’t nearly as extensive as our Halloween get-up. But I like it. It’s nice and simple and I can get it all up in under two hours (and that’s taking my time).

There’s not a lot new this year.

The arbour got some new garland courtesy of the dollar store.

The reindeer got three small trees added to their forest glade. The trees twinkle too – which was a nice surprise.

The gnome I painted last year finally made it to the porch (though honestly, I don’t think he ever got his clear-coat like we planned)

And Susannah and Gertie got some festive bows. I STILL haven’t made any outfits for poor Gertie! And as you can see – come spring, their poor beaks will be getting a repaint. We found some exterior orange paint on clearance just for them!

There’s lot of little sparkly details wherever you look! But the main question is… how does it look at night?

Pretty darn nice if I do say so myself!

Now… I guess I better get to decorating the inside of the house!