Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Mittens Needed


Design - "Alphabet Mania - M"
Designer - Heart in Hand
Fabric - 32 count Clay Belfast linen
Fibers - GAST & WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 28 January 2012
Completed - 30 January 2012

Another nice addition to my growing mitten collection.  This one appears to be a 'single' without a mate in sight.  Isn't that how it goes?

It was cold enough this past weekend, I think the deer and birds would have worn mittens if they'd been offered.

I had a group of three deer...

...and a group of two.

This House Finch provided a bit of color in the brambles.

This Junco was awaiting a turn at the peanut feeder.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Commemorating Our January Snow!

Here it is, here it is, here it is! 

Design - "January Snow"
Designer - Twisted Threads
Fabric - 28 count Cream / Natural Gingham Riviera linen
Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Colors used: Black Crow, Cidermill Brown, Cornflower, Lavender Potpourri, Morning Glory, Nutmeg, Oatmeal, Old Blue Paint, and Peacock.  I also added a JABC Snowflake button.

Okay, okay, okay look at this!  The perfect frame!
A perfect fit!

Here are my Gratuitous Snow Photos - from January 2004 - 8 years ago now.
This was a heavy, wet snow.  We were without power for almost a week.

It was pretty...

...and destructive.  We lost several large trees.

No snowmen were built during this snowfall.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunday Bunnies

From The Cross Stitch Archive

Design - "Plaid Bunny"
Chart - "The Bunny Collection"
Designer - JBW Designs
Fabric - 28 count White Cashel linen 
Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 6 August 2010
Completed - 8 August 2010 

I thought I'd post a photo of an Indoor Bunny, as recently all my Outdoor Bunnies decided to make an appearance.

The first bunny to arrive.

The second bunny - this is the one with the white blaze on his/her forehead.

Bunnies #1 and #2.

Oh, and here hops Bunny #3!

One, Two, Three in a row - safe in the protection of the brier patch!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Frosty Birds

Thursday night / Friday morning was forecast to be cold - 22F.  Instead we dipped to just 31F, but with a heavy frost. This morning it is colder - and frostier (is that a word?) - 29F. 

Under the watchful eye of a Steller's Jay, I put out sunflower seeds.

I was assisted by an Oregon Towhee (in the back) and a Golden-Crowned Sparrow (front).

The sparrow was willing to pose for a few photos.

She felt her right side was her 'best'...

Followed by a full-on profile! 

I don't know the variety of this sweet little guy.  Some kind of sparrow I think.  Everyone was puffed with down against the cold this morning. 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Chill Out - Find Your Zone

Design - "Chill Out" (kit)
Designer - Heart in Hand
Fabric - 32 count Dirty Belfast linen
Fibers - WDW & GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 19 January 2012
Completed - 25 January 2012

I thought about stitching some buttons on the snow guy, then decided I liked the simple, uncluttered look.

The Big Gardening News today is the publication of a new U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the United States and Puerto Rico. 


You can click: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ and get to the website to find out more information about your location.  There's a box to input your zip code to get your zone.  For example, I live in zone 8b with average extreme low temperatures of 15-20F.  You can also click on any state on the map and get a more detailed look at your state.  Note that mapping was done by our very own Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR.  Very cool!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Snowmen and Robins

I've got all the supplies together to begin stitching Twisted Thread's "January Snow".  It's an over-one stitch, but I have enough gingham fabric that I'll be stitching it over-two instead.  It has a snowman and some snowflakes, and so it is in keeping with my January stitching theme. 

"January Snow" also shares the same color pallet as this Scrub Jay.

A rainy, blustery day did not deter this Red Tailed Hawk from keeping watch. 

The recent rains have made looking listening for worms easy-peasy.

Our 'front yard' has been filled with Robins.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rain and Reindeer

Design - "New England Reindeer Sampler"
Designer - Elizabeth's Garden
Fabric - 36 count Creme Brulee R & R linen
Fibers -Needlepoint Silks - 1 stand over 2 threads
Started - 30 December 2011
Completed - 24 January 2012

The design called for two strands of NPS, but I decided that looked too bulky with the 36 count linen.  I used one strand over two threads, and am pleased with the coverage.  I think this is an extraordinary design.  It uses just two colors - and repeats motifs over and over - and manages to create a wonderful bit of thread art!  I guess the symmetry of the piece is pleasing to my eyes.

Well, the rain began at 4:30am Tuesday morning, and it hasn't let up since.  You'll need a raincoat and wellingtons if you're going to join me on today's walk.

Unlike the other Oaks on our property, this small Oak has kept its leaves all through the Fall and into Winter.  I've walked over to look at it a couple of times and it is alive.  It must be some kind of hybrid pin-oak.  I wonder what critter dropped the acorn and from whence it came.    

The Hazel Catkins flutter in the wind and rain.

Besides the catkins, the Hazels are forming buds.

On a rainy gray say, this patch of chartreuse moss glowed.

The Osoberry (Omeleria ceraisformis) is one the earliest plants to bloom in the Spring. It too is setting buds.  Last year it was in bloom in April - you can see a photo with this link

The Pussy Willow is also forming buds.

I think this small bunch of moss and lichen would make for a charming hummingbird's nest! 

The Green Tree - Leafless but green!
This Ash tree is in dense shade.  Moss has covered all but the tips of the branches which still retain seeds.

That's it for our walk today, it's time to come in out of the rain.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Rain Returns

I've started work on "Chill Out" a kit by Heart in Hand.  I needed something portable for basketball games on Thursday and Saturday - this was just the ticket.

Solomon was quite taken with the idea of Hermit Stitching.  He further suggested Hermit Sleeping as a hobby. 

I've a few things in bloom in late January including this primrose

and my ornamental kale

and I've got several pansies going strong.

The daffodils are beginning to poke up out of the ground - a sign of things to come.

As today is a rather dreary day, I think Solomon has the right idea.  Make sure you schedule an Afternoon Nap. 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Nine Little Snow Guys

Design - "Baubles - January"
Designer - SamSarah
Fabric - 28 count Newport Natural / Cream Zweigart linen 
Fibers - WDW & GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads - I changed the color Straw to Oatmeal
Started - 16 January 2012
Completed - 22 January 2012

The first pictures shows the stitch before I attached the JABC buttons.  This photo is the 'after' with the buttons.

Sunday was a blustery mild day - no rain, but the wind indicated that a storm was on the move.  Not much new on the Nature front.    

Sparrows greeted me as I set out the bird food.

Though much smaller than the Quail, they appear to co-exist peaceably. 

One bunny appeared for Sunday brunch.  I didn't hang around, but I wouldn't be surprised if more showed up for the buffet.