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October 21, 2023
Crochet, QAL's, Wool Shopping, Billions from Canadian Needle Nana

Autumn Marigolds with a little dew, very early morning. Flirting with frost warnings this week.

Through the camera lens, this one looked like it was made of porcelain. 
 Something I saw I wanted...with heating with wood during our winters, there are cold nooks and crannies about the house. I think I need one of these...I was given a short one last winter which I loved so a full length might be even better. I think I'm going to put it on my Christmas gift list for the girls too. Definitely not chic! At Amazon (not affiliated).
Speaking ...

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April 3, 2023
Free Patterns, Seed Packet Quilt Talk, Slow Stitching Updates from Canadian Needle Nana

Do you shop at the Bulk Barn or similar such store? 

 I went in there recently and was overwhelmed by the array of products. I had no idea they offered so many surprising items like teas, dog biscuits, vitamins, plus a full gluten free product section. I usually buy sunflower seeds for the birds there because there are no broken/empty shells in what they offer and when I saw some unique dog treats, bought those too. I find dog bones have become very expensive here.

Here is my capture of a White Breasted Nuthatch, one of the many that ...

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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 6, 2023
Free Patterns, Ned's Birthday, Thrifted Fabric, YouTube Channel to Watch And Learn From from Canadian Needle Nana

This fellow, Our Ned, is two years old! 

He is a quiet dog, rarely barks or makes a sound. His favourite thing in the world is playing ball with Petey and Abby; a close second is taking up most of the bed at night for his long winter naps

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is to talk about our dedicated sewing spaces if we have one. I have a bedroom converted to a sewing room and love the way I can close the door on the mess as it were. It is small and oddly ...

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February 20, 2023
Free Patterns, Valentine's Gift, Prairie Schooler Slow Stitching from Canadian Needle Nana

Heavy downpours of rain last night. Everything strange outside this morning with slush, ice and also bits of grass showing through. Our walk under a dark and gloomy sky but the air pleasant at 5C. 

Hubby did present me with a Valentine's Day gift, a surprise.  This card comparing me to his favourite food, pizza... 

He was impressed with the technology included whereby pressing the button activates a voice that tells me I am hot and there's not mush-room for improvement, amongst other "cheesy" phrases. LOL But he also gave me a certificate to the local spa which ...

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February 5, 2023
Free Patterns, Colour Talk, Embroidery Stitch Along from Canadian Needle Nana

We are deep in winter,  a time here for the fleece wear and flannel and staying cosy by the fire. Not a problem for us retirees. I just got out my winter coffee table runner that I sewed a couple of years ago.  Kathy Schmitz Snowbound fabric and EPP hexagons.
It's been through the wash a couple of times and has a nice crinkly feel to it. I mentioned at the time that I certainly would be stitching hexagons again and someone recommended this little tool below.  So I bought one on Amazon but haven't used it yet ...

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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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January 23, 2023
Pixie Hair Cut, Heart Love, Free Patterns, Quilt Decision from Canadian Needle Nana

I gave myself a pixie cut. Following Amanda as she cut her hair made it very simple and easy. She is a good teacher.


Though I must admit using the clipper attachment that gave such a close cut to the back did give me pause. Then I thought, it's hair, it'll grow back; I'm wearing winter hats outside the house anyway so it can be covered. But I'm actually happy enough with it. That window light sure smoothed the wrinkles nicely but Lordy, look at those jowls!
This gives me a chance to show you my ...

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December 26, 2022
Free Patterns, Storm Watch, Quilt Finish, Christmas Tradition, Chocolate Snowballs from Canadian Needle Nana

Christmas is kind of taking a back seat here to the weather forecast. About which we can't say we haven't been warned!  It's everywhere; warnings even turned up on my phone which I didn't know could happen (I have the simplest of plans on a 6 year old phone).  Some folks have just gotten their power back from the last snow event and now we are told to stock up and be prepared for more possible outages. 

We have our oil lamps ready, plenty of wood for the stove insert in the fireplace, the bath tubs ...

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December 23, 2022
Reflections, Project Progress, Gift Wrapping Video, Link to 2023 QAL's List from Canadian Needle Nana


It's that time of year and I too have been reviewing 2022 and noting what worked well for me and what didn't. I'm pleased with my fitness efforts and my focus on upper body strength for my year 71 to 72 continues. There is much more I could be doing with this if I was really serious but I'm not. The overall basic goal is to remain upright, able to walk where ever I want unassisted and for as long as I want without being tired. And of course, to have the strength in arms, hands ...

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September 24, 2022
September Scrap Busting, Mushroom Madness, Jenny's Dressing and Jacquelynne's Free Pattern from Canadian Needle Nana

 I never tire of walking this property in every season. Each time my eye lands on something new or different to take note of. I was happy to read Ralph's quote that  describes my experiences as I try to have an attentive eye too.

Pinterest
As a good example of that, it is newly mushroom season and a bountiful one here at the wooden house. Much to Ned's delight, we've taken extra walks with the camera, foraging for mushrooms, not to eat but to photograph.  I'm going to get my mushroom books (yes, nerdy me, I ...

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August 29, 2022
Three Free Patterns, Favourite Summer Spot, Panama Pyramids, Flight of Fancy Progress from Canadian Needle Nana

August 25 view of the pond. 
In the midst of all the pleasures of this property is this little pond, I sit down here most summer mornings with my camera and Ned beside me. Both of us looking, looking, looking. Me for birds- haven't a clue what he is looking for but he keeps his head on a swirl and seems to enjoy the experience as well. We don't speak and seem to hold our breaths waiting for something great to appear/happen. It always seems we are both reluctant to finally give in, leave the peace and ...

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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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August 1, 2022
Three Free Patterns, Kaffe Table Runner, Wheel Within a Wheel Progress, Me in the Garden from Canadian Needle Nana

The deer have been around and gnawed down a couple of hosta plants; here they eat the same one and leave all the rest. 
I've finished the impromptu/squirrel project, the Kaffe Table Runner. It finished at 13 by 25 inches. I enjoyed the hand quilting part of this project and how it used up some very old scraps.
I decided, because it was geometrical, I would try some rounded edges for the quilting as contrast. Sharing with the Purple Party at So Scrappy.
I cut a cardboard template and used my hera tool to make the quilting lines ...

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July 18, 2022
Three Free Patterns, Chocolate Strawberry Cake, Kim's Flower Pots, Purples For July from Canadian Needle Nana

I'm not feeling up to par this morning. Yesterday I turned my left ankle on a late afternoon walk (am I fit to leave the house anymore???) and it throbbed lightly in the night, enough to wake me around 2 and I didn't get back to sleep till 4 ish. Up at 6:30 per usual with Ned and relieved the ankle is a little sore but totally walkable. That's the good news.

And that aside, what bothered me is this... it didn't occur to me to get up and take a Tylenol. That link between ...

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July 11, 2022
Three Free Patterns, Hand Embroidery, Summer Baskets, Poppy Love, Great Banana Muffins from Canadian Needle Nana

The Icelandic Poppies were in bloom. They bring very striking colour to the garden but my little complaint is they do not stay long. This particular orange is so glowing, you can't see details on the petals. If there is such a thing as electric colour this would be it.

The centers are equally wonderful. I have a small bank of reds too but they are not as interesting as these.

I bought a huge bag of bananas for $1 at Walmart  There were nineteen bananas and I ate most of them. But I also made a batch of ...

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June 22, 2022
Thursdays' Three Free Patterns, Blooming Times, Lemon Cake, In My Genes from Canadian Needle Nana

The view out my kitchen window now the rose bushes on either side of the walkway are in bloom.  They will rebloom till frost gets at them in late October.

That box is one we keep there for deliveries. We started doing that during the pandemic and found it worked well. I think the drivers probably like it too with not having to come up all our steps. 

Another cake from daughter...a lemon one that I really loved. She made the lemon curd and combined it with a mousse cream topping.  It was just the treat with a cup ...

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June 13, 2022
Three Freebies on a Thursday, Hubby's New Toy, Tumbling Blocks, Rabbit in White Socks from Canadian Needle Nana

Hubby with his latest purchase.  Something called a Spyder which is three wheeled and has power steering.  I'm filing this under...you only live once! He rides mid week with a group of similarly vintage drivers who ride the back roads and take all the precautions. I really don't worry about him...that much.

In the tall woods, I spied this little fellow. The ears gave him away.
His close up! His paws were still winter white when this photo was taken.
A new feature on this blog...I'll try to corral the free patterns to Thursday ...

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May 1, 2022
Weekly Wonders at the Wooden House from Canadian Needle Nana

The Eastern Phoebes are nest building on the back of the house. I'd cleared out last years nests and two pairs are using the exact spots again. Location, location, location, I guess. LOL

It was Anzac Day, April 25, recently. Newfoundlanders were the only North Americans to fight along side the Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli in World War I. This event is marked by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment each year. In 2021, the bands of both forces, while continents apart, linked up to make this video.  The piece is called Invercargill, named after a city in ...

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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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