Slow Snowman & Lavender

It's been a busy week. Not as much snowman stitching as I would have liked, but that's okay. At this rate, he'll be lucky if he's done by Christmas. 

Some progress was made on his lower half. As you can see, not all the words are stitched.  Can any guess what the phrase will read? If you are thinking "Let It Snow," you are correct. Although, I certainly don't want to think about the white stuff in July. 

Here are just a few photos from last weekend's lavender outing. I feel fortunate to have such a charming place within an hour's drive from my home. A link to farm, which is only five years old, will be at end of post.  Perhaps you can imagine the pleasant lavender fragrance that sweetly drifts between the many rows.

Indigo Lavender Farms, Imlay City, Michigan

Niece & Great Niece :-)

These plants are only three years old.

Variety is Phenonemal which produces long elegant stems.

There are thousands of lavender plants!

Don't get too close ;-) 

Munstead variety ~ Fragrant

I hope to add a few more stitches to the Slow Snowman,

today on Slow Stitching Sunday with Kathy and her kindred stitchers.

Indigo Lavender Farms

May you enjoy your Sunday and have a good week!

Jill

P.S. My new favorite color is purple!

Cross Stitch Snowman

Cross stitching on the snowman continues.  During the past week, I was able to finish the garland header.  Admittedly, it was fiddly work and a few green and/or white stitches may have been transposed. Oh well and lol!

The pattern was designed by Sugar Stitches which I purchased on etsy. The last I looked the snowman chart was no longer available. She offers many other cute charts.

We had a 10-day stretch of 90 degree + (32+ celsius) weather which made for stitching small hand-held projects quite appealing. Our patio faces west which makes it too sunny for afternoon & early evening stitching. Yet it was lovely for sewing in the morning shade. One hot, muggy morning I sat outside for a couple hours  enjoying the freshness of a new day.  

While nearby neighbors were on vacation, 

I tended to their lone yet cheerful sunflower!

On the last couple posts I had written and showed photos of the lavender in my garden. Today, I will be visiting a u-pick lavender farm with other girls in the family. Yay! We visited the farm last year.  Since it is an outdoor activity, it is still open to the public. With so many things being cancelled this year, I am looking forward to this outing. 

Later in the day I shall be sewing at the Slow Sunday Stitching linky party with Kathy and friends.

Have a good week!

Jill

 

 

Snowman Progress

Good progress was made this week on my snowman cross stitch project.  He's gained personality with the addition of his face and accessories if I say so myself.

  

As the lavender plants did well this year, I cut/harvest some for sachet making and a bouquet to give away.  

In the basket you will see the lavender is separated into two different groups. One are the buds which are best for sachet making as buds have the most fragrance.  The other bunch have opened more to a blossom. They still have a lovely scent, and I shall find a use for them. 

How do I dry my lavender?  As I don't have a fancy peg hook or wood spice drying rack, I do the best I can and use what's on hand. The two bunches are rubber band bound, tied with a ribbon and then clipped on a plain old skirt hanger. It is recommended that lavender be hung in a cool dark spot which is my closet. The hanger works perfectly.

While joining Slow Sunday Stitching with Kathy and friends, I hope to add a few more snowman stitches.  For those living in North America, please stay cool this upcoming week!

Take care,

Jill

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