Hitty again...................

After a very long time, my little traveling dolls are out from their trunks and glass doored cases and having fun traveling around in my purse.  The Halloween photos are this year as is the photo of Little Hitty sitting on my knitted sock in progress.   The other two are from a long time ago --  I think it will be fun to share everyday adventures with Little Hitty once again.  

Daisy Being Cute

Daisy laying across my lap for her morning massage.

When I stopped a second to take the photo,

check out the look she gave me (bottom photo)

Think maybe she is spoiled a bit :-)

It has been a long time since I posted -- so here are several "catch-up" photos.

Will try to do better in the future.

Above -- our wonderful Polly

We lost her in July

Colin's 8th grade graduation

Along with Jeff, the younger grandsons and I went to see Andre Rieu on stage.

Here were are dancing to his music.

Polly with snow on her face

Colin 

Amy & Jeff

Christmas eve morning with the boys

Steph & I in Las Vegas in April

With Steph outside Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas in April

Easter in Chicago 2012

Family musical get together

Sweet Daisy came to live with us in August 2012

Such a gentle, calm girl

Daisy and Munchkin taking a nap

Las Fuentes

Christmas 2011

Gram's Craft Nest..... and coat progress

I lovingly call this little corner of my world my Craft Nest.

When I settle into the Lazy Boy and surround myself with whatever project I am working on, this is my own little piece of heaven. There I have my project and all the goodies to go with it, a cuppa whatever sounds pleasing - usually a hot tea, my iPhone and my iPad, the TV remote and/or audiobooks, and sundry other items that I just might need.  

Who could ask for anything more?

My grandson snapped the photo --  kinda different to be on the other side of a camera ;-)

The photo below is from lunch today -- met up with eight other friends -- 

We try to meet each month for brunch and visit.

We have known each other for many, many, years.  Since grade school, all 

thru high school and marriages, births, deaths, happy and sad times. 

That is what true friendship is all about.  We are very fortunate.

Below left progress on Einstein Coat

The collar has been started but after this photo was taken

__________________________________

If you use your imagination and can see beyond the 

threads hanging, no collar, no buttons  you will get an idea of the coat.

I started the collar last night -- and found some buttons

 I think I like --the coat looks short right now, but it actually lengthens at least a couple inches after being worn or hung -- the weight of the yarn will do the trick, I hope.  

Also it will have to be blocked -- but I think I am really going 

to like it when all is finished.  A very simple pattern --- but thousands and thousands of stitches and lots of hours so I better like it LOL.

Einstein coat getting there.....

Shouldn't be too much longer until I get the Einstein Coat finished.

Right now is is a little shorter than I wanted, but the weight of the coat will add 

at least a couple more inches in length to the coat in no time at all.

Now to find buttons, add the collar and seam the sleeves. This is one of those items that 

photos don't do justice to.  It is really pretty nice and I love the tweedy look.

Delightful gift.... crafted tote bag

Click on the photos to enlarge - then you can see the stitching

Just have to share photos of the delightful gift I received today.

This charming tote bag is made from old magazine pages sewn into the tote you see.

Lisa, my niece, made this one for me --- and see how personal she made it.

This side shows a sweater -- with felted pins on it. (I presume this was from an article on 

how to make felted pins from old sweaters).  The lovely matching pin attached to the handle was made by another talented niece, Lisa's sister Cindy.

The reverse of the bag is so appropriate -- socks in progress and part of an article written by Rachael Herron, a knitter and 911 dispatcher entitled:  Life's A Stitch -- it begins like this:

"When you deal with life-or-death situations every day, two needles and a ball of yarn have a way of providing the comfort you you crave".  I would like to read the whole article -- the part I can read is very touching.  Will check it out online or at the library -- Ladie's Home Journal, 

September 2011. The two ends are also "Aunt Jackie" directed. 

Lisa and Cindy -- you made my day. Thank you both so very much. I love it.

Just went on a search for the article and found a wonderful audio of it.

Click this link to hear the article.

Love these

It has been several months since I have regularly posted to this blog.  I just had to share these delightful yarn bowls with you.  They really work very well. Enjoy.


A few weeks ago I purchased a lovely yarn bowl at Sister Arts Studio in Chicago the bowls were potted by  Todd Pletcher Pottery. Love the piece and also how wonderfully it works in gently allowing the yarn to flow from the ball in the bowl to the clicking needles.

My next trip to Chicago I picked one up for a friend as she wants it as a gift for her daughter in law. I think I will keep the bluer one for myself.

Then I came across this beautiful one made by KIM BERGER for sale on Etsy. "Had" to have it. Oh, oh, I feel a new collection starting.

I really am still around............

Long time no post.

It has just been a crazy couple months.

Among other things, I have been busy with two groups creating prayer/comfort shawls.  

If you want to see a few of the shawls I have made, click  here:    SHAWLS I HAVE MADE

Also been having fun playing with the photographic apps -- kinda like the one of Polly (and me) -- the way Polly stands out in the picture is so neat.

Hat Stand arrived

August 16, 2011

My very fun ceramic hat stand arrived today.

Will try for a better photo tomorrow when I have more time, but 

had to share the fun with you:

I picked up Meg's and my hats today...

August 11, 2011

Well, here they are --- and I love them --- Meg's is such a beautiful rich brown and mine a lovely black. What great hats these are --- I must admit my Black Dog tee shirt doesn't exactly match the elegance of the hat, but it was hot today --- and I am anxious to show you how lovely they turned out. Anyone in the Elgin area wanting to take a class with Jill send me an email  

(or email Jill).  I want to do another one it was so much fun.

(Click photos to enlarge)

Rivendell Alpaca farm -- Wet felting hats class

What a wonderful day.

A visit with the alpacas, a delightful gourmet lunch prepared by Gordon, and then down to the business of making our felt hats from the wool of the alpaca.  Anyone wanting to spend a very special day learning to wet felt a hat  contact Jill at Rivendell Alpaca Farm.  Jill is delightful, knowledgeable and an excellent teacher.  One of the best classes I have taken. My niece, Meg, was able to take the class with me and it was wonderful spending the day with her.  Jan was the third student and what a delightful lady.  I will post a few photos -- for the most part, I was having far too good a time "visiting" the Alpaca (and one guardian Llama), eating a wonderful lunch, and up to my elbows in soap suds to do much picture taking -- the hats are drying and as soon as possible, I will post photos of the finished pieces.

I must say, not every one has a hat made with fur of an animal they have "met".  Meg's hat is from Cecile (she is the close up photo of the brown alpaca) and mine from Boris (close up photo of the black alpaca).  What fun.

Thanks to Jill and Gordon, Meg, Jan and Mother Nature for a perfect day.