Reading 1820 Blogs Daily!


March 21, 2023
Three Free Patterns, More EPP Pluses, Embroidered Snowy Scene, Muffins, A Show to Watch from Canadian Needle Nana

 My Jasmine Magnolia is bravely blooming a little. Photographed against a screen and that backyard bank of snow.

I'm a bit proud to have kept this one alive and kicking. And thanks Mary Anne, Magpie's Mumblings, for that tip about banana skin water being excellent for houseplants too. We eat a lot of bananas so I will definitely be adding it to the mixtures rather than straight to composting.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was about favourite spring flowers. Think it will be a while before I'm seeing any flowers here. This ...

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March 4, 2023
Carrot Cake Cheesecake, Projects Updates, A Show to Watch from Canadian Needle Nana

 Picture me that cloudy end of February morning gathering sticks on land that most of the year is a foot under water. A cardinal was singing its song in the background. This is usually the only time of year I can walk through there and the pickings are good. I  could see where some animal had clawed bark off quite a few of the trees. Porcupine perhaps. Ned trotted from tree to tree with me then patiently sat and waited while I filled the bag. So full I had a hard slog getting him and it back to the house ...

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February 20, 2023
Two Thrift Store Finds, EPP Lone Star, HST Blocks Galore from Canadian Needle Nana

 We've been enjoying much warmer temperatures and sunshine during the days with freezing overnight; the sunshine makes me think of spring and that brightens my mood. Underfoot the paths continue to be tricky early morning. The deeper foot prints are frozen and you can catch your foot in one. My walk has been reduced to more of a creep around.

On last week's list of what to get done was sew another diamond for the EPP Lone Star Medallion.  I got that done and now hope to finish up another one this week. Yes Susie, these are Minick ...

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January 31, 2023
Free Patterns, Renewed Interest in an Old Project from Canadian Needle Nana

It's all about the weather again here in south eastern Ontario. Weather does not know borders, LOL. It's a good thing I love the snow, with the caveat that I don't have to drive in it. 

It started snowing yesterday mid day and is still snowing. Looking out my kitchen window this morning. Everything swaddled in a fresh blanket of white.
Ned and I ventured out for our early morning walk and didn't get too far. We wound up walking just the laneway and even then the going was tough.  I know it's hard for ...

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December 19, 2022
Free Patterns, Christmas Redwork, White Lotus, White Winter World from Canadian Needle Nana

Ned, stopped in awe, looking at what the back yard has been transformed into this morning. Our first real snowfall taking the yard from brown to white overnight. It actually made him frisky something he is not supposed to be these days. I just got the shovels from the garage and will tackle the front steps shortly. So winter really begins.

While it's great to be finishing up Robbie's quilt, I felt the need to be stitching something of the season.

In my stash was this little kit someone gave me ages ago. The included fabrics are quite ...

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December 3, 2022
Two Online Goodies, Department Store Muffins, Yuletide Blanket, Friendship Stars from Canadian Needle Nana

It was fun to read about everyone's American Thanksgivings. From the small and quiet ones to the large family gatherings. Thank you for sharing.
 Last week Hubby got the snow tires on the car just in time for downpours of rain. I'm always happy to have someone else do that chore though when he told me how enjoyable the garage waiting room was with t.v., free good coffee and comfy chairs, it doesn't sound too bad. With a little stitchy project in hand, I would actually have enjoyed the experience. 

This fellow is back around the ...

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November 14, 2022
Three Free Patterns, Sewing Tiny Trees and Poppies, Recipes Too from Canadian Needle Nana


Our laneway in view there and one of several mother trees on the property. To the right-the overgrown area was a rock garden originally. A few plants flower there from time to time and I would love to revive it.
I mentioned I tried growing herbs in a planter this summer. This is one of the culprits caught red handed or red pawed in this case. Look at him happily munching that plant. I recognize him as a "regular" because of the notch in his ear. 
Recently I made us one of those breakfast for supper meals. I used Turkey ...

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August 26, 2022
Bird Behaviour, Crochet Granny Stripe, Karnak Wall Hanging Sewing, Watching Love Me from Canadian Needle Nana

Our week is off to a good start here at the wooden house. Weather wise, it has turned humid again with rain and thunderstorms. But that hasn't stopped me from  sitting down by the pond with my camera early mornings- so far I have captured nothing. But using the quiet time, Ned with me, to have my inside voice repeat how fortunate I am and grateful too for my days here on this wonderful land. 

Closer to the house I did capture something a little unusual. I saw movement in the flower bed one day and it turned out ...

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April 11, 2022
Canadian Spring, A Gardener's Alphabet, Links, Free Patterns, Inspiring Quilts from Canadian Needle Nana

Crabapple Hill Designs A Garden's Alphabet BOM, pink crayon tinted and embroidered. Blocks all done; assembly required.

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February 22, 2022
Loves, 7 or 8 of Them Today from Canadian Needle Nana

"Love each other or perish."

                           W. H.  Auden

Monday is a public holiday here and in many of the Canadian provinces, Family Day. It's a day for families to take a midwinter rest or get outside and enjoy winter fun together. This year there are lots of planned activities. We will be dog sitting as daughter and family take a little overnight trip. 

 Love these faces...mother Abbey with her offspring, Petey and Ned. These Labradors love the snow.

The family was here last Sunday for snowmobiling. They all had a great time.  Both the grandsons were here.


I ...

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February 14, 2022
Free Patterns, Scrappy Appliqued Hearts, Book and Show and Art Too from Canadian Needle Nana

I transplanted the White Polka Dot plant into my old teapot which is now a planter. It is doing well in it so far but I need to read up on how to prevent it from becoming "leggy". And I got out my finally completely finished appliqued Scrappy Hearts runner for this week. Pattern of my own multi-year making; I didn't mean it to be that way.  I just kept second guessing all my choices which is what I do when I'm not following along with an expert who knows what they're doing. 

In spite of the ...

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January 10, 2022
Wordle, Gail's Jewel Box, Wooliest Pin Cushion, New CAL, A Show to Watch from Canadian Needle Nana

 I have a bunch of stuff to share in this post.  

Have you heard of Wordle?  My sister alerted me to this new word game that folks have gone wild for. One puzzle is released each day and I won't talk about the details here; if interested you can read them yourself. The creator does not want to make money off it so it isn't an app. I think. Doesn't take long to do; I like it. If you try it, let us know what you think.

One puzzle a day found here at Power Language UK ...

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November 26, 2021
Two Sewing Room Additions, Great Gift Idea, Foundation Stitched Scrappy Trees, The Thanksgiving Star from Canadian Needle Nana

 I have two additions to my sewing room, neither of them are brand new but I'm enjoying both very much.  

Daughter was updating her den tv and had her bedroom tv available so she gave it to me for my sewing room. I'm able to watch whatever I want, well, listen to really.  So that's been fun.  I've watched the new Dexter which Hubby has no interest in. Yes, and another place to drape fabric!

My little $79 Brother sewing machine bit the biscuit last week. Wow, it served me well and I treated it horribly ...

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November 11, 2021
The Sopranos, Autumn Quakers, Hand Quilting, Quiltmania, Photo Fail from Canadian Needle Nana

 We are rewatching The Sopranos and enjoying it very much. Last night's episode got me thinking.  In that one, Tony is convincing his mother( played by the wonderful Nancy Marchand)  to move into a facility for old folks...he is careful to not call it a home but a retirement village. Several times he brings up her age,70, as if that is reason enough to be living in such surroundings. The reality is that she is showing signs of early dementia and is really not safe on her own anymore. 

It made me think of people I knew ...

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October 30, 2021
Five Fabulous Things to Like on a Late October Thursday from Canadian Needle Nana

 So many things to like and share this Thursday!

Daughter and Robbie made these spooky gingerbread cookies and dropped them off on their way to Saunders Farm last Saturday. That's a popular spot here known for their haunted hay rides and a kid friendly one too. 
At the Flosstube channel, popular Elizabethanncanstitch (who has an infectious laugh) shared how she made this Halloween pillow.  I thought it a great idea...appliquing a Halloween motif onto a background of autumn fabrics.
Btw, many of the flosstube folks also quilt so include a separate section in each video relating to their ...

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May 24, 2021
Netflix Shows To Watch, Star Stitching, Cross Stitch House Building from Canadian Needle Nana

 I have to mention how lovely the weather has been finally and how great it is to be outside digging in the dirt. The least bit of raking up the old leaves and debris makes a big difference to how neat and tidy the flower beds look. And enable me to spy this fellow returning to what might have been his winter lodging under the tree right in front of my kitchen window. 

I have cleared the beds in the front and to the side of the house. So nice to see all the green shoots poking up. Lots of ...

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May 3, 2021
Beauty Product, Apple Crumble, Basket Applique, Amazing Bird Sighting from Canadian Needle Nana

All this week down at the pond I've been serenaded by several cardinals singing their beautiful songs. I had to think how blessed I am to not only live where this is a morning greeting but also to have my hearing to hear them. With hubby being hard of hearing, I'm conscious of that too. 

I had a marvelous treat last week when the barred owl suddenly alighted on a tree in the marshy area as I was sitting on the skating shack steps. I was using binoculars and caught the movement of something quite chunky looking. Because ...

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April 19, 2021
Cakes and Puppies, Quilted Stars and Flowers in Blues from Canadian Needle Nana

 Hello all. A sincere thank you for the emails we are still receiving. All read, all appreciated and put a smile on my face.

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November 29, 2020
Turkey Photos, Winter's Palette, Fans Applique, Homemade Bagels from Canadian Needle Nana

 In honour of my American friends celebrating their Thanksgiving-

Turkeys- live ones. They trot through from time to time, no rhyme or reason for their visits.

I love their feathers and sometimes pick up one around the property.
Such large bodies; such tiny heads!

I  watched the snow falling all day long yesterday. Out every window it was the same view. Evergreens laden with white and the snow flakes drifting down. Pretty but I realized how narrow the colour palette becomes in a Canadian winter. No pinks or yellows, or blues.  It's a beautiful one in its way with ...

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November 22, 2020
Whimsical Foxes, Applique, Christmas Quilting Tutorials, Netflix Viewing from Canadian Needle Nana

You know I like whimsical...especially involving mice, fox, deer, dogs, bunnies; well I guess any critters actually. I love the details in this scene below. 

Snug little fox with her knitting, cup of tea and pizza slice. And note the dream catcher on the wall and the tiny cowboy boots.  Does a scene like this make you feel cosy and snug too? As far as I can find out this illustration is from a children's book called Jezeva Kucica by Branko Copic.  Translation, The Hedgehog's House. If you know more about the artist, please let me know ...

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