Teddy Bears, Snowmen, and Coatimundi, Oh MY!

Embroidery Projects

I finished another top!  I am so happy with the outcome on this Redwork quilt.  I did not realize how much I missed embroidery until I started this project.  I did get a little tired of using "just red".  At the same time, on evenings when I just wanted to veg-out and keep my hands busy, it was nice to have the color decision already done.  Now I have two tops ready to be quilted.  Gosh, that feels so good!

Okay, call me crazy..I wanted to start on the "Snowman Collector" Redwork pack that I bought in Branson, MO. (posted Aug2011)  Like I don't have enough projects going at this moment.  

There's something like 24 blocks to embroider in this project, so I decided to start small with a pattern that was published in "Quiltmaker" magazine by the same designer.  I'm using different colors for this one block since I have a small tub filled with DMC threads.  Might as well use them, right?  After I finish this first block, I will decide with the pattern pack if I want to use just red or blue or different colors for the whole project .

I used a mechanical pencil to transfer the pattern

New Light Box

I ordered up a light box so I can take better photos of my items for sale.  I was amazed to find this kit on Amazon for under $30 by ACM Global.  Of course, it was almost $44 by the time I paid for shipping, but it is still a great deal when others are selling just the folded light tent for $70.

My kit included a tent with 4 colored inserts (red, blue, black,white), 2 standing lights, and a small tripod.  The tent folds up into a very nice carrying case that holds all the above and it is easy to store in my closet.

With some practice and test runs, I hope to get the lighting right.  Then I can re-post some better photos in my Etsy shop.  I sort of like using the black background.  It doesn't wash out the colors.  The white background seems to give off a glare.  I'll have to work with the white background some more.

A Family of Coatimundi
Yesterday, Dan followed some Coatimundi and deer into the woods.  I stayed on the trail.  I don't like walking through the thickets here.  While waiting for Dan to come back, I heard a lot of crashing in the woods on the other side of the old cottonwood.  

The next thing I knew, I was looking at a family of eight Coatimundi looking at me from the old tree.  Some were making a 'chugging" sound as they sat in the tree staring at me.  Yea, they seemed a little upset with us humans.  

I stayed on the path and tried to get photos through the tree branches.  Most of the photos did not come out too well.  It was interesting to watch them run up and head first down the tree. 

Check out those toe nails.   Good for digging, climbing,
and hmm, I think I'll keep my distance.

Dan got some more photos and video of the Coati while he was in the woods. We will post them on 2toomanycats blog soon.  They are so fascinating to watch.

Oh no, here comes another human!

What is an Osage-Orange? (Patagonia, AZ)

I saw these deformed looking tennis balls (or are they deformed aliens?) once in Texas along the road and I promptly forgot about them until they showed up on the preserve about a month ago.  Dan was curious enough to look up the strange looking ...well, at the time we were not sure.  Anyway, he found out these green balls are fruits from the Osage-Orange tree a.k.a Hedge tree.  The Hedge tree has very long and thick thorns.  The tree was planted as a hedge because cattle would not go through them.  If they were kept trim, they would not bare fruit.

 Yes, this is a fruit, but only deer and squirrels eat them.  For awhile, we saw no evidence of anything eating the fruit then Dan found a half Osage-orange propped in a tree. hmm  Did someone put it there or did an animal leave it?  We were thinking a visitor put it there until...

We saw this squirrel moving around the fallen Osage-oranges.  He finally found one he liked and picked it up.  

What a mouth full!

 He found himself a comfortable spot and had lunch while we watched him.

Nom!Nom!Nom!

Burp!

Well, I learned something new! :0)

More information about this fruit from IAStateEdu.

Oh No! Short on Supplies (Patagonia, AZ)

Must be my week to be short on supplies.  First, I goofed on cutting strips, so I had to use some of my green border material.  Here's the result....

Not too bad.  I haven't decided if I'm going to make more blocks or stop with what I have now.  In honor of the Delighted! fabric, I think I'm going to call this quilt "Delightfully Dizzy".

I accepted a challenge from a Facebook group called "Crafty Mavens" to finish one project a month.  I figured it would be a good incentive to get some of these UFOs done.  I started with this crochet blanket that was halfway done.  I can't believe I miscalculated how much yarn I needed and I ran out!  

The nearest Joann's Fabric Store is an hour away.  It does not make sense to drive to Tucson for one skein of yarn, so I went to Joann's website with hope of finding the same yarn.  Not only did I find the same yarn, it was on sale!  Yes, I know the dye lot will not be the same.  Hopefully, it will not be too glaring of a difference.  It seemed silly to buy one skein for under $4 and pay $6 shipping....so I bought 7 skeins instead for the same shipping cost.  Now I have enough yarn for a second blanket.  The reason for finishing this project was to get it out of my closet so I can have a little more space.   Okay, did that make sense?

Well, back to my projects.  I'll leave you with some photos of a Ladder Back Woodpecker  Red-naped Sapsucker  getting a drink of water from the creek.  I spent two days trying to get pictures of this guy while he was pecking away on his favorite tree across the creek.  On the third day, I guess he felt sorry for me because he landed in the creek right in front of me!  (Oops! I goofed!  Thanks Barbara for letting me know!)

That lady has been watching me for two days..

Okay, lady.  Are you watching me?

Yea?  How about this view?

Heh!Heh! I'm a baaaaad boy..

Mother Deer - We Know the Feeling!

I'm on the trail looking at the tree tops for birds when I hear a lot of splashing coming from the creek.  I turned slowly to see three Coues Deer (pronounced Cow) staring back at me.  It looked like it was Mama with two teenagers.  I stood very still hoping not to scare them off. 

Huh?

They relaxed and I soon found out why I had heard so much splashing earlier. I'll call the spunky one - Junior since he was being such an energetic little fellow compared to his sibling.  There's just something about boys and water that I cannot figure out and apparently neither could Mama Deer. 

Water!  Yipee!!!

While Junior was hopping, running, twisting in the air, and making big splashes, Mama was trying to stay out of his way.  She just wanted to have a peaceful meal.  Sigh, you got to let them run off that extra energy or they will never take their afternoon naps. 

Big SPLASH!  WooHOO!

Junior! How many times have I told you not
to splash me while I'm eating?  Sorry, Ma!

If you don't calm down, I'm going to thump you!  OKAY!

 So, Mama goes back to eating.  Within minutes, Junior is back to running around, but not splashing.

......around..

...and around..

...faster!...

Running in circles and NOT watching where he is going...

Screech!!

 ....he almost runs right into Mama's behind!

Oops! Not fast enough!

Mama's head comes flying up!  Food and water went everywhere!  Her hoof came up and with surprising tenderness she places her hoof squarely in the middle of his head!  (I missed the shot because I was laughing too hard)  The moment was gone before I could get a photo.  Junior took off for the other side of the creek.

Far from Mama's hooves..

 ....but he did not stay away too long...

Can a deer have an exasperated look on her face?  (from one Mom to another: I know that feeling)

She gave up after that.

Heh!Heh!Heh!  Wore her down!

Tree Spirits and Peacocks

Sometimes walking by myself in the woods, I wonder who all is watching me...Mr. Red Robin?

Are the two love birds...um I mean Ravens watching?

Sorry, did I interrupt your little rendezvous? 

Or maybe the flighty and rather nervous Bridle Titmouse....

.....he's says he is not nervous, its just part of his nature.

Mr. Squirrel is certainly keeping his eye on me while having his snack.

All are true keepers and spirits of the forest.

Tuesday's Treasuries

I'm feeling a little whimsical today if you could not tell.  So here's a couple of Treasuries I put together because I found the items to be so enchanting.  Enjoy!

A Cardinal's Courtship (Patagonia, AZ)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

Here's to the NEW YEAR!  To new beginnings and great adventures.  To new friends and new family members.  To happiness and health to you and your family...may it be a good one for all.

~ A Cardinal's Courtship

Have you ever seen the courting between two Cardinals?  We have been honored and entertained with watching two bachelors trying to court/impress Miss Available Cardinal.  

Meet Bachelor #1: a handsome fellow.  We are not sure if he wants to impress the Miss or eat.  He seems a little shy and flies away when Bachelor #2 lands in the same tree.

Meet Bachelor #2: a very serious looking fellow with courtship on his mind.

He looks like he means business, doesn't he?

And here is the lovely little lady - Miss Cardinal.  She's a beauty, heh?

Here she is letting the sun filter through her head feathers giving her such a healthy glow.

I wasn't having much luck with getting the actual courtship dancing.  It is quite a sight to see.  If you happen to catch the Seinfeld episode where Elaine dances...that's what a male's courtship dance looks like - a disjointed, knee-jerking, very spastic, and "Totally Uncool Dude!" movements.  I did catch a few shots of them leaping from limb to limb...

Unimpressed, Miss Cardinal decided to get a snack and come back to see if the show was getting any better.

How about levitation?

I wonder...can birds yawn?  Doesn't she look a little bored?  Actually, I think she is eyeing the feeder.  "Hmm, I wonder if there is time for another snack...."

 Finally, Bachelor #1 decided he had had enough for the moment and flew away.

Well, no decision made today.  Miss Cardinal flew away and soon Bachelor #2 followed after her.    

Will Miss Cardinal choose one of these fine feathered males or is there a third one lurking out there?  Oh, I hate cliff-hangers!