It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve been able to post any thing really new beyond an article update. Between school wrap up and home renovations and four – yes, four! – Christmas articles, I’ve been swamped.

I’ve finished a raft of play shorts for the boys but busy as I am haven’t had a single chance to photograph them. I’ve also been working on a smocking experiment (or three!), a correspondence course and various other projects.

In the interim, while I wrestle with concrete block (we’re rebuilding our back porch this month and it’s a mammoth job!), here is a quick and easy picture smocking plate for the Canucks among us, since Canada Day is only a few days away. Click Here for a pdf download.

For those not lucky enough to live here :), this would look lovely in a fall-themed project. Imagine it worked in overdyed flosses, for instance: rich, burnt umber and pumpkin shades, with the veins worked in stem stitch on a bag or maybe it could be a motif on the yoke of a beautiful fall dress. Let your imagination run wild.

Hope everyone has a great Canada Day and eats lots of buttertarts, poutine and pancakes with maple syrup in celebration! (just maybe not at the same time) 🙂