STEPPING OUT

Nyki strides down the sidewalk like she has all the time in the world...she hurries to the door for no one.

Friends were over earlier in the week and we made stepping stones.  I have made one very similar to this before but it didn't weather well and I wanted to replace it.

I use tile adhesive to place the tiles where I want them-in this case, in cat prints and daisies.  After drying overnight, I then grout between the tiles which needs another few days to dry completely.  I use the 12"x  12"  cement pavers which are still under $2 each so that's good deal!

 

A Cold Snap

Another morning in the 30's isn't one of my favorite things!  

But I did have a good time yesterday when a friend and her daughter came over to play at making some stepping stones!  

We were set up in the garage but it was still very chilly out! 

 That northern wind snatched any warmth from the sunshine!

It took a few hours in front of the fire with some hot cocoa 

to  get the chill from my bones!

But I did finish the second pair of mittens! 

 Now I can send these off to Seattle to grand daughters there

 who are experiencing some colder cold than I am! 

(do you see how little yarn is left from the skein?

It was a close game of yarn chicken but I won this time!)

Closing Down on the Weekend

Cassandra and I made some stepping stones today. 

 It is so relaxing, if messy, to play with grout!  

This will cure in another 24 hours and I will put it out with the other stones, I almost have a completed path!

 I also did a little bit of painting;  another winter scene card.  

I watched a tutorial about a different style of fir tree

 and had to give it a go!   

 My company has gone home, 

my house is quiet 

and the cats are out of hiding.

  I hope to finish that pair of socks today after church!

What's your plans?

A Day of Adventures!

Cassandra and I worked on step one of making a stepping stone. (applying tile adhesive and placing our tiles) 

Now we must wait to grout it.  Today will see it finished!

The tree crinum is doing it again (this bloom bundle is 18-20" wide).  The smell is delicious!

A lot of this happened today.  (pool temp is 82F)

In the pond out back, 

we saw this pattern in the water and knew this was around!

A water snake. 

 A permanent removal was necessary but it was not wasted-

because we hang it in the tree for a hawk or eagle!

  The camouflage is good-can you see it?!

The evening was perfect 

(except for the mosquitos which is why I am inside the lanai for the bonfire)

for fireworks!

A loud and beautiful end to a perfect day!

Something Different!

Morning Snuggles-what a great way to start the day!  

Before they came yesterday, 

I did get the grout added and cleaned upon the second stepping stone!

And I played with the watercolor on the self-made paper! 

 It is rough so the painting felt very different and boy, did it absorb water! 

 The colors came out much more intense!

  It was interesting to work with and I will try again!

Off to breakfast the troops!

Have a good day!

 

Just Give it a Try!

Several Ohio Cats Stars were made yesterday.  

I have all of the pieces cut but still lack two squares of the background fabric! 

 I can't believe it. 

 It's a good thing the fabric is newer-I was going to use it to make a table runner!

The paw prints are settled in the 'path' with the other blocks.

I have shod Bill and he is thrilled!  

He can't wait for me to add soles to another pair he owns!

And another paw prints stepping stone is in stage one!

Here is a photo watercolor for you to guess about! 

 It is the first time I have tried to paint people!  Yikes!

In Every Room

Ihad quite the day yesterday, I had a project going in every room and even outside!

I did manage to complete the stepping stone--see the cat's paws!?

A Cats' Star block quilt has begun! 

 This is cut from Accuquilt and scraps from the cupboard!

We launched the sailboat! 

 A bit of on board cleaning is all that is left to do. 

 And a bit of flooring to replace which will take place today!

One sole is stitched in place;  the stitching was very straight forward. 

 I used the same yarn and made sure I had both legs of a knit stitch picked up

 to make the grab into the sock.  

The pre-drilled holes in the sole sure made fast work of the stitching in the leather!

Not a new subject but a new rendering-

I want to learn how to draw not just paint so I had to try that truck again!  

 

One Step at a Time

I begin with a 12" cement paving block I purchase from Home Depot; 

 I have several for when the mood strikes me-they are very inexpensive. 

 I cover the top surface with tile adhesive using the sawtooth trowel for applying it to the block,

 that's why you see the lines. 

 Then comes the fun part;  placing the pottery, tiles or ceramic pieces 

to make the design you feel like!

  My youngest son brought me a baggie of these blue tiles in 3 sizes leftover from a job.  

I had such fun placing the 'footprints' all over the surface of this one! 

 I have plenty of tiles left so I will be making another one, I think! 

 Now I have to wait 24 hours for this to dry completely before I can apply the grout. 

 Patience is developed, you know....

Now this project didn't need hours before each step! 

 I finished piecing the last four blocks, 

then stitched all of the blocks together and then cut the borders and attached them! 

 The whole thing is pressed and waiting in the quilting frame pile! 

 Ahhhh, this was a good project!  

It is 42" x  51".

Now this project....it is an experiment to extend the life of Bill's socks.

  He must have bony heels because he wears out socks at there and at the ball of his foot. 

 So this is our plan, I traced his foot, cut the leather from deer hide 

(from one  of the bucks he had shot 20+ years ago!)

 and remembered to reverse the second tracing so he would have a right AND left sole. 

 Then the tedious but not difficult job of piercing the holes every 1/4" around the outside of the piece. 

I do own a punch for making these holes;  

again, having the right tool for the job sure made it easier and professional. 

 I must admit, I gained an appreciation for cobblers! lol 

 No wonder there was a fairy tale for getting the elves to help them get their work done!  

It takes a lot of time to get the job done, one step at a time! 

Today's watercolor is going to be an easy guess-have a go at it!

Lifesaver Cactus Blooming!

Isn't it unusual but beautiful?!  The bloom is about 1 1/2" across ; 

 there is no aroma whether sweet or sour!

There are no prickers on this cactus and it is extremely easy to grow!  

A win-win succulent!

See how it stands out from the lobe with a 3/4" stem.

  What an amazing plant!

Look what I am going to make today! 

 It has been too long since I have made a stepping stone!

And since I spent some time being chauffeured to an eye appointment yesterday,

 I was able to knit quite a bit on the Pimpelliese shawl;  

I've only messed up once but it is easy to rip out to the beginning to the last 'tooth' and begin again!  

 

Stepping Stone

 The latest stepping stone with some brightly colored plate pieces!

This one was a bit less effective using the contact paper placement

because each piece was bigger and heavier 

but it worked well enough that it was easy to place the missing ones.

The grout really shows off the brighter colors!

On to find more single plates at the thrift store!