I really love this episode with Heidi Parkes. We chat about how she became a quilter, and then delve into her world of hand quilting. Hand quilting is not for everyone, but I encourage you to give it a try. Heidi explains that you do not need to learn the traditional rocking the needle and quilting with a large hoop. She hand quilts with no hoop and with embroidery thread - or whatever thread or yarn she feels like using.

Even if you listened to this episode when it first aired, you will enjoy hearing it again. I listened to it again before posting it, and enjoyed the refresher on hand quilting tips that Heidi talks about. Check out Heidi’s website for upcoming events, on demand classes and more. Heidi Parkes website

Heidi’s Instagram @heidi.parkes

Summer Pop-in Chit Chat

It is hard to believe we are already in late summer. We are a month in since the summer solstice, and this week I have noticed the daylight slowly slipping away earlier than the week before. My favorite part of summer I think, is the long days and short evenings. At 7 pm, we are still doing daylight activities and still feels like late afternoon. Whereas in the winter, 7 pm feels almost like bedtime!

Here is a photo of my sock knitting on DPN’s (double pointed needles). I’ve been playing with background removers in Canva on photos - this one is not perfect, but really does show the subject more clearly with the background removed.

Sewing: Wattle Curve Skirt & Cedar Dolman Top

This is the outfit I made, testing out the Wattle Curve Skirt pattern to see if I want to make it again to wear to my brother’s wedding in October - in the Liberty Lawn fabric I got on major sale earlier this year.

The Cedar Dolman top pattern by Cashmerette in a cotton knit jersey fabric. I made the version with the ties in front. I only made a couple of pattern adjustments, adding length and grading from the bust to the waist between a few sizes. It fits like a glove. I was absolutely amazed at the fit. Fancy stylists always say you should always get your clothes altered to fit you perfectly. In a perfect world, right?! If you make your own clothing, it can be made custom fit with no alterations after the fact. However, after seeing a better fit of clothing on me, I am thinking that I should alter some of my ready made items to fit me better…hmmm, add that to the hundred other projects. LOL!

Garden Progress

Overall I am very pleased with my winter seed starting results. Not everything worked out, for example the purple vine flowers didn’t really grow much. The blushing Susie vine has finally burst into blooms on the trellis wall. The strawberry gomphrena and petunias grown from seed did very well! The basil and chamomile grew easily and are so nice! Oh, we ate our first Dar cucumber in salad tonight. Those cucumber plants have not been very prolific so I may do a different type next time.

I am thinking of starting cold weather seeds to plant in August for a fall harvest, like potatoes, carrots and more spinach. Those can be grown in the raised planter next.

Other than that, I still have the butternut squash and mini pumpkin plantsgrowing really well full of blooms. I hope I get a good amount of butternut squash because they are really expensive in the grocery stores right now.