RainyDayFun

Spring Break and a rainy day. Grandson decided to stitch a long with me -- and this is his idea and his creation. I did the form on the sewing machine -- the rest, stuffing, sewing on eyes, braiding the tail and sewing it on along with the ears were done by DGS. A fun way to spend a rainy, cold day.

Happy Easter

Hand crocheted basket with Easter eggs

How fortunate can one be????????

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends -- look at what the mailman brought today A gorgeous bracelet made by Jeanne. Isn't it just gorgeous? I love it. Thank you so much Jeannie. I will treasure it always. You know how to make a person feel special.

Check Out BEADING DAILY.....

How exciting to open my mail and find Beading Daily there.

Even more exciting was Robin Atkins article -- and what a thrill to
find a photo of my "Waiting Bird" included in the article. I feel like it is Christmas and I just received the very best gift.

2 Days until April .........

This is a picture of the birds filling up the day before the snow storm
The calendar says only 2 days until April -- and we have been enjoying lovely springlike weather --- but, look what we woke up to this morning.

Puppy Tail....

Couldn't resist posting these photos of my daughter's new puppy, Flynn.

Isn't he just the cutest?

Next Week It Is Back to Beading......

There's nothing like a sweet note from Robin A. to get the beading juices flowing again.

Next week it is back to beading my little birds for the BJP project.  

Thanks, Robin, your note is just what I needed :-)

CQ Block for Laurie......

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It has been a very long time since I made a CQ block --I took a break from my knitting/crocheting and made this block for friend Laurie in Hawaii.Hope she likes it.

Beading Review....

It's been a while since I have worked on any beaded items -- so here is a review of some of the pieces I have done in the past. I'm looking forward to getting back to my beading soon.

Another Day Brightener ....

Here is the lovely pin cushion made for me by my niece, Cindy. I love all things "sewing" and this beautiful pincushion is especially loved because it was made for me by Cindy.

Day Brighteners.... :-)

I have been a bit "under the weather" for a while -- so you can imagine how my spirits were uplifted when the mail man brought these wonderful, thoughtful gifts ---

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE








A beautiful little doll from Lynn -- doesn't she look like she is running to give a hug? And if you look closely at her head, you will see all the ideas just waiting to be done. What a charmer -- she stands next to my computer where I smile at her very often thru each day.


these fantastic wrist warmer/cuffs. Linda created these and they look so charming coming out the sleeves of a coat -- they make you feel feminine even during the cold dreary days of winter.


This little sewing bag with charming doll scissor fob came from Cynthia -- it was from the Pay it Forward that was going around last year. I did not remember it was coming -- so was all the more of a surprise. Thanks, Cynthia -- I use it every day and love it.

Thank you Lynn, Linda and Cynthia -- very much.

Little Steps For February.....

Life has had me rather tied up the last few seeks -- and for a couple more weeks to come -- but I did get to knit a couple more dishcloths -- it is nice because the project is easily portable, reasonable quick to finish and very satisfying.

Early February brings a couple more dishcloths. The "Kiss Me" one is part of the monthly dishcloth group knit a long.  The multi colored one is just because the vibrant colors bring rays of light on glum, dreary, winter days -- and it was fun to do.

Keeping Hands Busy....

Though I was pretty much glued to the TV yesterday (Inauguration Day), I did manage to get a little knitting in at the same time.
I did the daily rows for the Mystery Pattern and also started this heart (Valentine) dish cloth.

Here it is finished a few days later

I Knew It, I Knew It, Thank You

Oh boy, oh boy, I just knew there was a teddy friend in there somewhere.

Thank you, thank you, Mom 

Now I have someone to play with you can go back to your beading for a while :-)

HINT, HINT ~~~~

Hint, hint, Mom ~~~

I'm so lonely --- and I am just sure there is 

another bear in here somewhere.

Tiny Thread Teddy "Goldie" Finished

Another view of "Goldie" my first thread crocheted tiny teddy.

Holiday Dishcloths....

January 8th, 2009

Above is another I  one made last night.  They are such fun to do.

Above made in December 2008

Three little dishcloths I crocheted as hostess gifts over the holidays.

The Week Between Christmas & New Year's.....

Shari, a friend from Canada, is nick named "Ms. Vortex" -- she has so many wonderful ideas and wants to share all the fun with others ---- and "Ms. V" has a way of sucking us all in -- and we love it.

The newest  are Thread Teddies --- miniature jointed teddy bears. Now, when she got us in to knitting socks I never thought I would be able to do it -- or enjoy it -- somehow knitting with multiple double pointed needles didn't seem like something I could do -- but with this delightful group, I not only did it but thoroughly enjoyed it.  And now we are on to the teeny, tiny, teddies --- and I'm loving this too.

Here's  a teaser picture -- you can see how little the blue one will be -- maximum of 3 inches tall standing -- and I am working on another that will be even smaller.  Will post photos when I have several Teds done so you can see what a difference the thread and/or crochet needle size make.

Since the boys had no school, they were able to spend a few days with us.

The "oldest" loves to help out in the kitchen and decided he would make dinner for us -- his favorite, spaghetti -

he did a great job and was assisted by his 10 year old brother.

The two younger boys always love to sew things when the are here -- pictured is a beaded piece done by the 8 year old.  Unfortunately, the 6 and 8 year old both made little felt birds and somehow I didn't get a photo of them.  Anyway, a fun time was had by all.

Christmas Gifts.....

These nine bags were made as Christmas gifts. They are first crocheted or knitted (large) and then "felted" in a hot water wash. They shrink by about 1/3 and have a nice tight finish. Fun to do and I hope fun to receive also.

Days Before Christmas.....

Not much I can show right now -- at least until after the Christmas gifts have been received -- but I can show a fun shawl I made.  

The chilly days require a little extra to keep a body warm -- so I made up (crocheted) a nice soft, warm, cozy shawl.  The top photo shows it finished -- I omitted the fringe the pattern called for -- don't like dangly stuff around my hands/wrists when I am typing, etc. This is a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn -- if you would like the pattern, click HERE. There is also a free pattern for the knitted version.

I like this one so much I already have about 12 inches done on a second.

Pay It Forward (PIF) Gift Arrives -- Thanks, Maggie

Remember all the Pay It Forward sign ups that were going around about a year ago?

We all had a year to send out the hand made gifts for them.

Today the mailman brought a wonderful package - it was a PIF gift I had forgotten all about. 

Thank you so much, Maggie -- I love the pin and I have a very special place to use it but can't show until after the holiday as --- well, you know,  holiday "secrets" LOL.

What a delight.

Wonderful gift.....

I wanted to share with you the beautiful birthday gift I received from Lynn S.

We met each other online several years ago (time flies) and have had a special friendship ever since.

She took an old antique shoe pin cushion and refitted it with her lovely work.

Just look at the beautiful Brazilian embroidery Lynn has done.

Thank you once again, Lynn. I will cherish it always.

Yep, the snow came.....

Well, we did receive 4-5 inches of snow -- the first snow is always so pretty -- OK, we have our snow, next Christmas and then get on to spring.  :-)

I AM beading -- but with the colder weather, am thoroughly enjoying knitting socks - I just learned how to do it and just keep knitting and knitting LOL.  Here is my newest sock along with the start of it's mate -- should soon have this green pair to keep my feet warm. 

Snow is on the way....

The bird feeders have had a frenzy of activity all afternoon.  A sure sign that the weatherman is probably correct in his prediction of 3-5 inches of snow by tomorrow night. Cardinal's, Junco's, Sparrows, Finch, and the darling little Chickadee's shared the seed.  Was able to capture this photo of the Chickadee's.  They have such a happy song and are always a delight to see.  This year we were fortunate to have them nest in the hole in an old Magnolia tree - we were about to take the tree down when we spotted their nest.

The squirrels too were busy.

Blogging Friends Forever Award

Blogging Friends Forever Award

The generosity came from  Maggie R. Be sure to visit her Blog.. Lots to see there. Thanks Maggie for your kindness. I surely appreciate it.  Now I must pass this honor along.....

The Rules of this award are :

1. 5 People are allowed to receive this award

2 4 dedicated followers

3. 1 New follower to your blog who lives in another part of the world.

4. Please link back to the person who gave you this award.

So here are the friends I am passing this award along to...

1.  Linda at    Linda B ~ Threads of Love

2.  Dot at        Dot's Life and Art

3.  Aryd’ell at  Gypsy's Ramblings

4.  Arline  at    Arline-ABeadLady

5.  Hideko at    Hideko Isheda -- Crazy Quilting

Beginning of 4th pair of socks

This is just too much fun -- and practical too -- here is the beginning of my "Thanksgiving Socks" ~~ these are a heavier yarn but feel so good on the feet. 

I highly recommend knitting your own socks -- 

FOURTH PAIR FINISHED

I will learn how...I will learn how... I will.........

Still trying -- here is my latest attempt at 4 DPN sock knitting -- I love the yarn and happy bright colors -- now I just have to learn how to get the ribbing and tension right --- practice makes perfect, right? LOL It is a lot of fun, very relaxing and very portable.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Woke up to 30 degree temperature this morning -- a rude awakening that winter is close at hand. Glad I finished this sock last night (have to stitch toe closed) and today will get it's mate underway. Need to keep the feet warm LOL.

One of the things on my "Bucket List"............

Loved the idea of the "bucket list" from the movie (didn't see the movie) ~~ a list of things you would like to accomplish, etc. before you "kick the bucket".  My list is so very long I hope to be around at least another 100 years to make 

a dent it it.

Anyway, one of the things I have always wanted to do was to learn to knit socks -- great project for a beginner, right?  Well, thanks to the enthusiasm and encouragement of a group of special friends, 

I gave it a try.  

Here are my first 2 socks -- now to get their mates done.  I hope to have the blue mate done tomorrow some time, and then on to the multi colored/stripped sock's mate.  This is really fun and 4 double pointed needles is doable and I am having such fun learning. LOL.

November 10, 2008 ~~~ Finished mate to my bulky weight slipper socks: