Week 52 of 2025!

This week I sewed a pair of slippers -

The pattern is the Wayfarer Shoes by Twig +Tale. It is such a good pattern (this is the fourth pair I have made), with clear instructions. I used leftover fabric (from a camel hair coat I made a few years ago) for the outer upper and sole lining, some leftover quilting cotton for the upper lining, and some scraps of moose hide leather for the outer sole.

For the first time I added an extra layer of felted wool padding to the sole (in between the outer leather and sole lining). This worked really well, and makes the seam around the foot less noticeable when wearing the slippers.

I also finished stitching the advent cross stitch from ArtMishka Cross Stitch on Facebook (the pattern is free until December 31st, then it will be for sale on Etsy). It was a fun stitch along, with a very manageable amount of stitching everyday. Now I have to fully finish it (it fits in an embroidery hoop, and that's how I will finish it).

Photos from Around -

All the pets at the end of 2025

Some of the 12 chickens.

Molly

GingerSnap!

And the matriarch Miss Maggie.

All the best!♥︎

Week 51 of 2025

This week I finished weaving a set of tea towels -

This is my own pattern from the Goose Eye draft in the book A Handweaver's Pattern Book by Marguerite Porter Davison (the green one). I chose the draft because there are quite a few tie-ups and treadling patterns. Each towel is a different pattern. The towels were woven with 2/8 unmercerized cotton from Maurice Brassard.

With the warp ends I was able to make a few more paper towel replacement cloths.

More details can be found on my Ravelry page.

This project marks the end of my year of experimenting with weaving (a sample of the weaving projects hanging behind the loom). I learned a lot, gained confidence with weaving, and had lots of fun. More details about this year long project can be found on my Ravelry page.

Photos from Around-

Sunset yesterday after three days of snow.

My son's Christmas bonus (over 20 colours of poinsettias at the greenhouse where he works, and this one is his favourite, I love it).

Hardy young hens spending time outside.

Proud GingerSnap!

There was a big blizzard this week. I was glad to stay inside while some others went to check on the chickens - you can just see them walking down the driveway.

GingerSnap! was happy to watch the storm from inside too.

All the best!♥︎

Week 50 of 2025

Works in progress this week - 

I am really enjoying the advent cross stitch along from Artmishka Cross Stitch.

Almost finished weaving towels.

The sweater I am knitting is still progressing too.

I enjoyed crocheting my last sweater so much, that I started a new crochet project. This is Hot Chili from Carmen Heffernan (free pattern on her website). It is so easy. I am using handspun from a cowl I knit years ago, never wore, and unraveled. It is a lace weight, BFL, gradient yarn, and I am using a 3.5mm hook.

Photos from Around -

The weather has turned bitterly cold this week, but lots of sunshine.

Of course a pet photo to finish off!

All the best!♥︎

Week 49 of 2025

I started a few new projects this week - 

A new set of towels went on the loom - a four shaft Goose-Eye pattern in 2/8 cotton.

An advent stitch along from Artmishka Cross Stitch on Facebook - everyday we get the pattern to stitch a small bit of the design (it's free) - 7 days so far, all with one colour of thread.

The sweater I am knitting is progressing well, the sleeves are on hold now while I knit the body.

Photos from Around -

Frost on the ice on the pond,

And a snowy face, chewing on a stick while we were skating.

All the best!♥︎

Week 48 of 2025

I needed a change of pace this week and made a few small things-

A little cross stitch using some leftover linen - a Christmas decoration tag for an old key (Santa has a magical key for homes that don't have chimneys). It's my own design - the patterns for the S and K are from the book 'Sajou: Passion des Alphabets Anciens' by Veronique Maillard.

Some quick knit projects using scraps of handspun yarn - the pattern is Peapod Marble Fidget Toy by Shana S. Cohen.

My husband made a frame for the cross stitch I finished last week. The oak was from a couple of old drawer fronts from somewhere, and the glass was leftover from the last cross stitch I framed at the beginning of the year from a thrifted frame - it was good to be able to use what we have.

Photos from Around -

The youngest hens experienced snow for the first time this week.

Ten hens laid eggs one day this week - the most ever in one day (the dark ones are from the three youngest) we had been getting about 5 eggs a day before (the older hens were molting and egg production slowed).

All the best!♥︎

Week 47 of 2025

This week was all about cross stitch - 

I finished my cross stitch project for this year. I hadn't worked on it much recently but once I got going again I really enjoyed it. The pattern is Mighty Acorns by Blackbird Designs, from the book Winds of Autumn. I stitched it on 40ct linen that I dyed, using floss that I had over-dyed, stitched one strand over two fabric threads. It is about 6"x9".

Photos from Around-

Best friends playing their favourite game.

The three youngest hens are so curious about everything - here they all followed Molly.

We are so pleased that the Miss Maggie is tolerating GingerSnap! more these days.

Sunrise.

All the best!♥︎

 

Week 46 of 2025

This week I have been knitting a new sweater-

The pattern is the Hanstholm Sweater by PetiteKnit. 

I am knitting it with some wool that I spun years ago.

Photos from Around -

The chickens now have a roof on their run - the roof is permanent but the side panels are just for the winter (made from off-cuts of tinted greenhouse panels that were destined for the garbage).

Egg production is going well because all the young hens have started laying! First time we had 6 eggs in a day in quite a while. The three small, dark red/brown eggs are from the young ones.

Here is Miss Maggie keeping an eye on the young ones - they still stick together and like to stay close.

Molly was a bit worried about GingerSnap! up in the tree (especially when he almost fell down!).

We were treated to another amazing few evenings of northern lights this week (a huge solar storm early in the week).

All the best!♥︎

Week 45 of 2025

This week I finished crocheting a cardigan -

I am so happy with how it turned out (my first crochet garment!).

In the end I can't really say I followed a pattern, but it was supposed to be the Good Vintage Cardigan pattern by Fran Morgan (I learned I can't follow a crochet pattern, but it didn't matter).

The yarn is all handspun from fibre I dyed - different yarn weights, different fibres, scraps, reclaimed yarn....

Photos from Around -

The chicken run has been winterized (remnant tinted green house panels), and it is getting a permanent roof.

The youngest hens have started laying - darker, reddish brown eggs (the smaller one on the bottom).

Waiting for a treat (and why they are so close without Miss Maggie complaining).

Molly is happy to play with GingerSnap!.

We had an amazing display of northern lights this week (full moon too).

Finished preserving the last of the bounty of the garden - garlic! Lots to have fresh in the winter, but lots more freeze dried (some of it roasted before, then powdered after freeze drying), some dehydrated, and some still fermenting.

All the best!♥︎