Monday, August 7, 2017

Strawberries and shy garden visitors.

Summer seems to be flying by and I'm trying to make the most of the gorgeous weather and the time we have with our son before he moves away. Stitching has taken a back seat to sharing time and making memories!

Even on the few evenings that I have picked up my stitching, not much has been accomplished....but, it's not a race or a competition, so I'm not bothered about the lack of progress. 

Working on the strawberries design, I changed the q-snaps configuration as I was using a very large square shaped frame, and now that I'm working on the top right hand part of the design, it became rather cumbersome to work with. Oh, my....those cheaper imitation q-snaps from the craft store were a real pain to change! I was terrified that the fabric was going to rip just trying to get the clamp part off. It was so stiff that I had to ask my husband to help.....even he struggled to do it! Anyway, it's now on a smaller rectangular shaped frame which is much easier to work with....



Here's a closer look at the area I have been working on...



We are forecast rain for the next few evenings (I think) so maybe I'll be able to get some more stitches  done this week!

While we have been sitting in the garden, we have had some lovely visitors of the feathered variety...



 ...a rather shy hummingbird.......



...and an even more shy cardinal..... 



The sparrows, on the other hand, are not in the least bit shy!

Wishing you all a wonderful week.

Until next time....happy stitching!

Rhona

P.S. August's stitching log can be found on the previous post :)

13 comments:

Justine said...

I'm so glad you were able to rescue your gorgeous stitching from that naughty frame!

Smily-Света said...

Pretty visitors in your garden!
And what a nice stitching

butterfly said...


Beautiful stitching , and such beautiful birds too.

Helen Philipps said...

Your strawberry stitching is so beautiful...glad you wrangled it safely out of that frame!! Loved seeing the humming bird and the cardinal...so special to have those birds in your garden. Have a happy time with your son Rhona.
xox

StitchyDragon Creates said...

The strawberries are looking lovely but they will still be there when summer days & your son are not so you are quite right to enjoy both of them to the fullest!!! I didn't know you got hummingbirds visiting in NY state, how many months will they stay? Have a lovely week,
Helen

Katie said...

Family is always more important than stitching in my opinion. Enjoy your son while you can. Love your strawberry project though. Looks good enough to eat. I was outside a little bit ago and a hummingbird was right beside me flying around. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

I have a love-hate relationship with Q-snaps. I occasionally use them, but I still prefer my little 5-inch embroidery hoop...even on my poster-sized projects. Your strawberries are looking so delicious. Enjoy your time with your son. Happy stitching! Andrea

MartinaM said...

BEautiful Stitching, i love strawberries, and so nice visitors.
Martina

Mii Stitch said...

Beautiful work on your strawberries!!

Mary said...

Rhona, the strawberries are coming along nicely. I always enjoy beautiful bird photos, nice action shot of the hummer. The first qsaps I tried where from HL and I hated them. I sent them to RJ and she told me they were not like the qsnap brand, so I bought them and I am very happy to use them now.
I agree it's not a race to stitch but minutes, hours of relaxed enjoyment.

Brigitte said...

Nice to see that the strawberries came out again.
Your garden visitors are so beautiful on the pictures.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Family are absolutely your priority, especially if he is moving away soon.
I have never used a Q-snap or a frame. I tried hoops when I started stitching and didn't like them.
The strawberries are looking luscious!
You also have such interesting birds! We mainly have magpies and pigeons this year.

Pull the other thread said...

Hope you have enjoyed making memories. Love the strawberry Stitch, sounds like the clamps were a disaster though.