It Is Taking Shape

I have been working on my present that my sister sent, and it is beginning to really look like something. It is lots of fun to do, and even though I save it for my "to do" while I'm doing my medical treatment (every 4 hours), I often extend the time and just keep right on working on it.
My neuropathy in my fingers means that I cannot feel the yarn. This makes life interesting, to say the least. This particular yarn is thin and light like a feather. Sometimes I spend more time figuring out if I have a hold on the yarn, or if I have a hand full of air. Once it is threaded on the needle though, I'm good to go. There is one small area that I am going to take out and do over. I'm just not satisfied with the way it looks.
I have the first crewel embroidery I ever did, and the first needlepoint I ever did, and they both are framed and hang in my bathroom. This will never go in my bathroom!! It is just too beautiful, and will get a prominent spot where people can ooooh and aaaah when they enter the room.
I will post another picture when it is fully finished.

Wordless Wednesday

A Book for Crocheters

Recently, I received a wonderful book from my friend, Dottie, in Florida. This isn't "just a friend", we have been friends since 2nd grade. We went through grade school and high school together, double dated, had sleep-overs, and all the things young ones do. We lost track of each other for several years until someone decided to have a "Grade School Reunion". We picked up where we left off just like we had seen each other yesterday. Dottie is also crafty, like I am, however, she doesn't knit... she crochets. She thought I would like this book, since I also crochet.

"Hooked For Life, Adventures of a Crochet Zealot" is a marvelous book, with somemthing for the crocheter and knitter alike. The author writes of her stash, which her daughter named "Mount Yarn", and UFO's (unfinished objects) and WIP's (works in progress). She writes of different types of yarn, and all the styles of crocheting. She even goes into the history of crocheting. All this with a wonderful sense of humor that keeps you smiling and nodding in agreeement throughout the book.

She writes on crochet in public.. "I am rarely without a hook and a ball of yarn within grabbing distance. It's as if I have a wooly umbilical cord that will only let me get so far away from the possibility of needlework, and I don't want to get too far lest it snap and cut off some vital nuitrients. Crochet, for me, is an ambulatory mood-altering substance that is both completely legal and unlikely to spill and make a mess." Author: Mary Beth Temple

I know there are several crocheters, and also knitters out there with the same feeling.

I loved this book so much, that I went out and purchased one for a dear crocheting friend that needs a smile about now, and my copy will be passed along to other crocheters so that they might also enjoy the smiles and giggles that I had.

If you are into yarn at all for any reason I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Back Again with a completed project (almost)

I must admit I have been sick. Some kind of stomach thing going around. I won't bore you with details.

I did, however, finish embroidering this wonderful Queen Anne's Lace. A few hundred french knots and ta da!! .. done. Actually this was fun to do. Now, all I need is the inspiration to do something with it. I am totally undecided. Should I put it on a pillow cover??, or should I just frame it??. Putting it on a pillow cover is a lot more work than framing it. In fact, I might just put it in a hoop, put a backing on it and wha la... done. I do know that the simpler the better with this one. Anything fancy would take away from the embroidery. I do intend to put a white bow where the little leaf is that holds the stems together. Just a small one.

Any more ideas?

My B-Day Gift

Well, I opened my gift and here it is. An unusual gift, but a very special one indeed. I saw this kit quite some time ago, and called my sister and told her I was absolutely in love with this style of stitching, (it's called "long stitch") and I loved the theme, however the price of the kit was beyond me. I said maybe some day I would splurge. She remembered!! Now, I can't wait to finish up my current project and do this one. It looks like fun, looks pretty easy, and I do like the look of the finished product.

A big thank you out there for my little sister!!!

It's My Birthday

Above is the gift I received from my sister in St. Louis. I am showing the package before unwrapping because it is done so beautifully, I almost don't want to open it. The ribbon is two different styles of yellow.. one yellow and white print, and one gold. The wrapping paper is not paper... it is yellow organza. How unique, and so vey beautiful. Tomorrow is my birthday, so I will open it tomorrow and reveal the contents.

I have been remiss in posting to my blog for a bit. I have been knitting hats and mittens for the pregnant ones at my dental office, and knitting hats with left over yarn to send to the church in downtown Albany. I remember when I went to school in Albany how bitter cold it was. Hopefully the hats will find good homes. Also, my Etsy stores have been very busy. I am looking forward to taking my receipts and purchasing more yarn for more wonderful thing to put in my stores. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling that my items will be enjoyed in many areas of the USA, A baby will get mittens in Minnesota, a pregnant woman in Oklahoma will lift her spirits with one of my colorful neckwarmers.........etc. The joy of my knitting felt throughout all the lower 48.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. So much to give thanks for this year!!! How lucky I am.

Many Blessings to all

UGH!!

Well, after getting my computer fixed, my printer decided to hiccup. In order to get to the back of the printer, I had to practically tear my computer room apart from the seams. Everything had to be moved. And, of course, "everything" was small items, that now need to be put away, put back or just thrown away.
So, for a bit, I will not be doing pictures. A shame, because I love showing off, but I really need to get my shique (sic) back together so I can think.
Meantime, I will be knitting, and I have decided that from now until Christmas I will be knitting for friends, family and charity. First on the list is a watchcap for my son, who had the last one I made stollen. (or lost, or whatever). Then, I have some friends having babies, and then there are the homeless men in Albany who need hats, and the kids struggling in School who need warm scarves and hats. I can't save the world, but maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference in one person's life.

Featured Etsy Artist - Lise Winne

Lise Winne is a wonderful new artist in the Etsy community. As soon as I saw her paintings on the cards on display in her store I was in awe, and smiling from their beauty and marvelous use of color.

Lise's store, lisewinne, is just full of her beautiful cards, not just for Christmas but for all occasions, and wonderful enough for framing after their use as a card.

Lise has a Masters Degree in Art Education, and a BA in Fine Art, and has taught art in the school system for K - 12. She is a juried artist with art in many Art Centers and Museums throughout the USA. It is so great to see such talent coming to the Etsy site which is devoted to handmade and art of the finest degree.

Lise also has a "love interest" in pottery because of it's versatility and challenge. Though she doesn't have any pottery in her store yet, I'm sure she will soon, and I'm very anxious to see it. Pottery was her original art interest, and she branched out to painting, and other mediums for teaching purposes.

She is also a professional musician -- a member of 2 bands, and has performed professionally since 1990. I have listened to snippets of her CD's at her website, and immediately ordered one of them. She has a magnificent soprano voice - the voice of an angel. Her harmony is done by her life partner, and he is also in her back up band.

I found Lise when I had to have my computer fixed, and her better half showed up. He is now my "go to" guy for my computer, having done a superb job efficiently and at a reasonable rate.

How lucky I am to know these people!!

Nick on Halloween

My wonderful Great Grandson, Nick, who is just 3 years old came trick-or-treating to Nana's house as a train engineer. He was so very proud of his outfit!! And, of course, his Mommy, Melissa, (my granddaughter) was so proud of him also. He got 2 nice candy bars for his great costume, and his absolute politeness. He offered bites for his Mom and his Nana before eating any himself. Now how great is that!!??!!

He is an adorable child with a love of cars, trucks, trains or anything with wheels. Any time he visits, he plays quietly with his cars (I keep a supply on hand) while the old folks visit. When it is time to go he quietly asks for a piece of candy, which I keep in a dish on the coffee table. Of course he has to have one for everybody, and hands them out before taking one for himself.

What a proud great Grandma I am!!

Computer Vacation

Well, I don't know if my computer was sick or just wanted some time off, but it has been "down" since Monday morning. I called the computer Doctor, and he came out and -- guess what-- it decided to work all of a sudden. Then, the next day, same thing, --not working. So, here comes the computer Dr. again. He put in a new power supply, and we were up and running, however, he forgot to tell the computer there was something new, and I couldn't get on line. Back came the Dr., and informed the computer that it was ok to be on line. So, now I think I'm set to go. What an ordeal!!
Normally, I have "Wordless Wednesday", where I show off some of my photographs from when I was well enough to go out and take them. Today, we'll call it "wordy" Wednesday. Since I had to tell everyone of my sick computer. We will do a "wordless" day soon, with a new photo for all to dream with.

My Sister's Birthday

My sister, Taffy, in St. Louis is my bestest friend as well as my sister. We have been by each other's side through thick and thin for as long as I can remember (well, almost). I was almost 17 when she was born (along with her twin Betty). So, the two girls have been like my children, as well as my sisters. They are both very, very special.

When Taffy called and said she wanted a purple ipod holder for her daily walks, I got real busy and put one together. I missed getting it in the mail in time, so it was late for her birthday this last Tuesday, but only by two days.

I have been waiting for her to say she received it so I could put it on my blog. She called this afternoon, her usual bubbly self, to thank me.

So, here is Taffy's ipod holder. I'm really glad she likes it.

New Item for Peppers2

Here is a new item for my 2nd store -Peppers2. It is the cutest cell phone/ipod holder I've made yet.

It slips over the head so you don't have to carry it (great for ipods), and makes finding a phone easy while holding a baby, or doing a balancing act in the grocery store. The cute little flowers attached to "strings" are actually buttons, and match the button closure.

A great stocking stuffer, or a gift for teachers, or others on your list who you need to give just a little something to.

Finished Pillow Cover

The pillow cover that I was working on in the hospital is now finished and for sale in my store. I love the way it turned out, and the colors are just yummy!!

Of course, the knitting I did in the hospital was the front, and the fun part to knit. The finishing that I did here at home was the mindless knitting of the back, and I thought it would never end, even though it didn't take as long as I thought it would.

This pillow cover is so bright and cheerul, and it would look beautiful on any chair or sofa. I like it well enough, that I will probably make one for myself. If ever I do make anything for myself.

What a Week!!

Things are finally back to normal (whatever that is). This previous Sunday morning I had severe chest pains with vomiting. Yuck!! I called 911, and was taken to the hospital. They treated me for a heart attack, which was the wrong thing to do. They almost lost me because treating me for a heart attack lowered my blood pressure to almost nothing. They scrambled around to take away the nitro patch, and washed my skin like crazy. I was in the hospital until Tuesday afternoon, with a final diagnosis of spasms of the esophagus. Not very fashionable, but not terminal either.

While I was at the hospital, I was knitting. That is, in between tests and needle pricks. Yup, I had my son bring me my knitting so I wouldn't go absolutely crazy.

I am making another pillow cover. This one looks like a stained glass window, and I love the colors of lemon yellow, and lime green with chocolate brown. It is very close to being finished, so I should be able to put it in my store very soon. The pillow form is 12" x 12".

Meantime, as soon as I got home, I started the ipod holder that my sister requested. Her birthday is coming up on Tuesday, and I had hoped that it would be done in time, however, since I was rudely interupted, it will be a few days late. All I will say for now is that it is purple.

Wordless Wednesday

Crochet Project

In between my knitting, and other little crafty things, I have been crocheting this "pillowghan".

A pillowghan is an afghan that can be folded up, and turned inside out, and it becomes a pillow. I chose some really bright colors, put them with a soft grey, and this is what the top of the pillow will look like when the pillowghan is all folded into a pillow.

The top of the pillow has a three dimensional rose. The rest of the afghan part does not have the rose, and is just a flat granny square. I chose the granny square format because this is my very first pillowghan, and I'm still figuring out how to do this. The granny square is a familiar format, and thus less stress.

The pillowghan is almost done!!, and will be posted here when it is finalized.

Stay tuned..........

Wordless Wednesday

Surprise!!

I knit this hat in a hurry, thinking it was just left-over yarn, and I might get a hat to give away. Well, surprise!! It turned out to be one of my favorite items. The grey is silvery, the white reminds me of a dusting of snow, and the little bits of color throughout the yarn make it special.

The fit is perfect, as the pattern stretches (or not) according to the head size.

I couldn't help but share this one. It is now in my store if you want to see more.

Christening Layette

I recently decided I wanted to do a baby set that would be suitable for a christening. I didn't realize I would be going on a journey.

I first did a white sweater, then a white hat. Next, I had to find a blanket that would fit the sweater and hat. I made a little filigree in the sweater and hat to put ribbon through, and wanted that for my "theme". I found this beautiful blanket pattern that has yarn running through it that looks like ribbon. So, I started knitting. The blanket takes a double strand of yarn throughout, which makes it super soft, and nice and thick. I was not accustomed to knitting with two strands of yarn, and this became my journey. It tangled, got caught on my knitting basket (only at the worst times), and was generally a pain in the tookus. However, the more I knitted on this blanket the more beautiful it became.

The end result is shown here. It is just beautiful, and it all goes together so perfectly.

Now available in my Etsy Store

A Salute to A Wonderful Etsy Seller

Her name is Margaret, and she is what Etsy is all about. She is crafty, imaginitive, creative, and knows how to treat her customers.

"Local Gringos" is a "Must See" store for those who knit, crochet, stitch or work with fabric or sewing.

First, there is the hand cream. It is Yummy!!!! In various wonderful flavors and scents, you can get a marvelous selection with the little "sampler" pack, and try one at a time to see which one you will order over and over. My sister picked the lavender & sage, and I picked the citrus and cilantro. This hand cream not only smells wonderful, it keeps your fingers free of all those little cracks that get caught on the thread, yarn or fabric. And,!!! it is all natural. I recommend it highly, expecially if you do any embroidery or cross stictch.

Second, she has these Fabric Care Tags for those of us who knit items for resale. It makes me feel that my items are so very special when I send one out with one of her beautiful "Hand Knit Care Tags". They are beautifully done, and are a special compliment to all the work that goes in to knitting something by hand. She also has postcards, with the knitting theme, stationery, mugs, wall art.......... the list goes on.

It is easy to see that she loves doing this, and upon reading her profile, you get the essence of a person you want to get to know a little better.

From her profile:

I'm an archaeologist-turned-artist, a former resident of Texas and Belize, currently living at 7,000 feet in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico with hubbie + 4 dogs + 4 cats. Now a Knitter, graphic designer, and confirmed fiber-holic!What got me started with Etsy was the huge collection of vintage photographs, postcards and other Fiber Arts images I have amassed over the years that need to see the light of day. Looking for ways to preserve and share these wonderful pictures, I began creating collages ... which have lately turned into a collection of altered art cards I call "kNotes for kNitters". Then came my "Unfortu-Notes" series, in which very strange things happen to presumably good people ...Stay tuned for more cards, and more collections (cooks? archaeologists!) as I dream them up.

Take a look at her store.........you will love it!!

A wedding Request

A little over a week ago I got a "Etsy convo" from a girl who wanted a grey (yes, grey) sweater for her one & 1/2 yr old niece for a wedding. I thought grey???? Then she said the wedding was Oct. 24th. ..... Yikes!! Well, I made the sweater in the style she chose, and it is just toooo sweet.

The girl sent me a picture of the birdesmaid dresses which are also grey, and they are very simple, stunning, and chic.

Well, I knit myself crazy with this one. I really wanted to get it done with time to spare. First, I had to order the darn yarn..... who keeps grey yarn for babies on hand? Then, just as I got going on the sweater, I went to the dentist, had a little episode, and landed in the emergency room for a day. How frustrating, knowing that my knitting was sitting there at home in the basket by my chair, and I was in a hospital bed. Aarrrgh!

Well, I finished the sweater, and off it went today. In plenty of time.

Sometimes you just have to persevere, have faith in God, and keep plugging along.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Just For Me

Well, I finally did something just for me.

A few years ago my Sister came to visit, and we did our "thing", and went to A C Moore. While there, I bought a kit for this little needlepoint card carrier/purse. This kit has sat all this time in the drawer just waiting for me to give it some attention.

A few weeks ago I was cleaning out some dawers and came across this, and had to smile... thinking of my special sister, and the good times we have when together. I grabbed the needlepoint and started working on it, and it is finally done, and I am using it!

The zipper unzips on all 4 sides, which makes it really nice for all those odd cards we get. Rewards cards, discount cards, Rx cards, pharmacy cards, .. they seem to go on and on these days. A regular credit card holder or the area in your wallet for cards is never large enough to hold all this extra stuff.

Now I have a place for these extras yiippppeeeee! Not only that, I made it and it is pretty.

New Pillow Cover

I did finish the pillow cover with the "leaf" design, and it came out sooo much nicer than I could have imagined. The yarn is a soft acrylic, and it is a joy to put this piece up to one's face, I can just imagine it for a nap on a rainy (or snowy) afternoon.
It certainly was fun watching the leaf emerge as I knit row after row. I did put buttons on the back of this one, and I am very please with how this turned out.
The color is a soft powder blue for those that love the shabby chic and cottage style.
This pillow cover is listed in my Etsy store.

Meantime, I am getting some dental work done, and the trauma stories I could tell would curl your toes. Not from the dental work, but outside forces seem to be at work here.

Lil Chick Tote is finished

I finished the Lil Chick Tote, and despite the fact that canvas is almost impossible to embroider on, it came out absolutely the cutest!!

I have it for sale at my 2nd Etsy Store. It is always such fun to put things in this store, as it is full of the things that I just have fun doing. No rhyme or reason... just fun things to play with.

I am working on some custom orders at the moment, so my "fun things" are on the back burner. Makes my fingers itch! I have so many fun things I want to play with. Hope it is a long winter (ugh!)

Camera Working--- These are my gifts

When my brother (Butch) and my sister (Taffy) came to visit they brought gifts. My sister said "pick one", and she had a bag just full of goodies. I picked the pillow that says "summer house". I just love it, and it reminds me of my wonderful home town that is full of "summer houses". I love the flagpole right in front of the house.

My brother is making these marvelous and lovely needle threaders. The one in the picture is made just for me. You see, at one time I drove an 18 wheeler cross-country. He made the handle for the threader in the form of a "stick shift". How clever. The end of the gear shift has a magnet embedded so if I drop my needle I can get it with the magnet. Again, how clever. I love the idea of having a needle threader I can actually get a grip on. He has these for sale in many sizes ans styles, and they can be purchased through my sister from her blog.

The third item -- a pin cushion... well, I kinda just took it. My brother made the base. It is made of "bloodwood", which is real special. Then my sister cross stitched the top. I am thrilled to have such a beautiful item in my posession that represents them both. How special.

Thanks to all who have been patient. But, finally I am back

I think I am back!!

It has been a long haul. I have not been feeling up to par, and it has been all I could do to just sit and knit and crochet. I decided today would be the big day to get back to my blog... but there always seems to be an obstacle.

"Obstacles are frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals"

My camera battery is dead. The charger got unplugged, so when I went to take a picture for my blog to show off.... no go. I am blogging anyway, camera or no camera. Yesterday I got my teeth fairly well taken care of, and will soon have nice new back teeth --- the better to eat you--- errr--- steak with.
My sister and brother have been here, and brought me some wonderful things.... if I only had my camera. I have finished some great stuff...... If I only had a camera.

Stay tuned..........

Blessings to all

Update

This is just an update to let you know I am still here. I have another pillow cover almost ready for a picture, and am working on finishing the embroidered tote. They are both just tooooo wonderful, and I am enjoying the whole process.
I got a cortisone shot in my hip, (ouch!), and it seems to have worked. I won't know how much until we have bad weather. Here's to never knowing!!
I have just started a baby layette (sweater, hat and blanket) for my friend and neighbor, Gail. She is going to have a new grand daughter in October. Soon as it is done, I will be doing a neck warmer with some alpacca I bought in the spring. I Haven't decided on exactly which pattern to use for the neck warmer..... or maybe it will be a cowl. I have many patterns to chose from, so it will be a process of elimination.
I am also anxious for the tote to be done so I can start on another embroidery. Maybe one of my own design. They are so much fun.
Meantime.... many blessings to all... stay well

Lacey Little Girl's Hat

This hat was such fun to make. It worked up easy with the angora yarn, and each row, as I built the foundation and it began to take shape was a new delight.

Now, all I can do is look at it and imagine it on a sweet little girl. At the beach, or a wedding this will look wonderful on any little one.

Wordless Wednesday

The Finished Product

The pillow is finished. This time the cables are hard to see, but it sure looks nice on my wildly flowered sofa. The picture on the right shows the "envelope" style closing in the back making it easy to slip on and off for washing. Another time, I will probably add buttons to the back for a more professional look. This was quite easy, and I am anxious to do one that I can put in my store. I have designed (in my spare time) one with a leaf design, and another that will be all different bright colors in a geometric. I love the fact that most of it is mindless knitting, so I can take it with me to Dr.'s offices, watch a good movie or hold a reasonable conversation and still knit. Not too much of the "count every stitch" that doesn't lend itself well to other activities when one is of advanced age.

Now, I am off to finish the little flower for the lacey baby hat. Then, on to the next project. Or, maybe I should finish one that remains in my knitting basket as a UFO. We'll see.....

I'm still here........

I really am still here knitting, etc. like crazy. I went to the Dr. and he put me on prednisone. So.. here come the shakes, and bloating, and the humongous hunger that goes with it. I should start feeling better, but it hasn't happened yet.
I have finished the pillow cover, and it is on the pillow. If I do say so myself, it looks pretty nice. I have finished a child's hat (lacy, crocheted, and very sweet), and tomorrow I will do the little flower that goes on it. I started a layette, but didn't like the yarn I was doing it with, so I rippppped and rippppped. The layette will be for my neighbor who is expecting a grand daughter in October. I ordered different yarn.
I made a scarf for "Dress for Success" as a donation, then added one of my purses with a tea tote (filled) in the purse. This is a wonderful cause, and I am delighted to be able to help someone get ahead.
In between all this I made a little gift for my brother-in-law for when he and my sister visit next month. He is so patient with us two sisters, and I love him dearly. It's just a little something - doesn't amount to much, but it says "I love you, and Thank You"
Soon as the sun shines again in this part of the woods I will be taking some pictures. Seems like we may never see the sun again. It is always dark a dreary these days.
Many blessings to everyone.... stay happy

Well, here I am trying very hard to feel better. Not making a lot of progress in that direction. I seem to have been productive though, as I have almost finished my knitting project. This is something entirely different for me... a pillow cover. I really like it, and for the most part it was mindless knitting, which has been just the ticket while I'm not feeling so well.

I'm not crazy about how the cables turned out. They are supposed to mirror each other, .. one slanting left.. the other slanting right..however, they look like entirely different cables.

I am fond of this though, and already have more patterns in mind to do more of these. I think possibly a bolster size might be nice too.

Meantime, I just keep on knitting whenever I am upright.

Still Busy

Even though I have been sick, I am still busy in between laying down and resting. I seem to be taking forever recovering from whatever bug I had.

This is just one project I am working on. a little tote that I am embroidering, and embellishing with a little felt bird. Making the bird was easy. A little felt and the scissors. The embroidery is another matter. Getting the needle to go through canvas is not as easy as it looks. I do, however, love the results so far. Since I took the picture, I have done the bird's legs, the flower stems and some of the leaves. It is going to be lovely. I will be putting this in my "2nd" store (Peppers2), as I consider this play.

The items in my 2nd store are things that I hope would make someone smile. Happy things, and this little tote is certainly going to be a happy thing.

Watch for the finished product sometime soon.

Plant Rescue

Some people rescue whales, or dogs, or children. Last week at the grocery store I saw this pretty pot on sale. I had to have it!! I put it in my cart, and wandered back to the flower department to see if they had anything worthy of this pretty pot. There they were - begonias - on sale. I spotted a yellow blossom, and picked up the plant. The poor thing was on it's last leg. No wonder it was on sale. The leaves were brown and crisp at the bottom, and there were at least three buds that had turned brown. What neglect!!

I, of course, had to buy this poor thing and rescue it if I could. I brought it home and tenderly took care of it - repotting, getting the soil just the right moistness, and giving it a little touch of Miracle Grow. I had to remove the bottom leaves, and the brown buds in order to make it healthy again.

Now I have these absolutely beautiful blossoms coming along (although on skinny bare stems). I couldn't help but take a picture. Actually, the picture doesn't do justice to the sweet blossoms that look like miniature roses.

Just wanted to share .........

No posts

I have been really sick for the last 3 days... sooo no new posts. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel well enough to get back in the groove.

The Pine Cone Project

Browsing through my "Favorite Sellers", I came across The "Pine Cone Project" at the Northernlodge store on Etsy. It seems that the store owner's 17 year old daughter has been out collecting pine cones in the mountains of Colorado to sell to crafters like me to pay for her school clothes for her Senior year of school. I found this all very refreshing. No spoiled little girl with her hand out here. Not only is she resourcefull, but she is very creative with this endeavor.

Here is a excerpt from the pine cone description:

"We live in the woods in Colorado-so we have an ABUNDANCE of pinecones. Our trees are just starting to drop their cones-so all of these will be FRESH-no overwintered, grayed out, or damaged cones. All of these are beautiful reddish tones, and have a great pine smell. The cones are a mixture of Ponderosa pine, Pinon pine and Douglas fir.

Each cone type is displayed in the pictures posted here.Pinon cones are 1" across x 1.5 inches tall, Ponderosa average 3.5 tall x 2.5 wide-but we can handpick larger ones if you like. Douglas fir cones are 1 inch wide X 2 inches long.They are PERFECT for crafts, potpourri, wreaths, fire starters, or display.

The ponderosa cones also make GREAT bird feeders-we will send you directions if you want to make these with your little ones. This is a kid-friendly project and the birds in your area will LOVE you."

She goes on to give a complete description of each kind of pine cone and all the wonderful qualities of each one.

If you could use some pine cones for your crafty projects, or to decorate your house or some other wonderful thing, this girl deserves your consideration.

I think the world is in good hands with young people like this coming along to take care of it.

northernlodge.etsy.com,

Wordless Wednesday

New -- New -- New -- Peppers2's Tea Totes

I have a neighbor and "knitting buddy" who is English. She sends away for this special tea which she loves, and likes to carry with her. Trouble is.. the tea gets fine and some comes out of the bag into her purse. So.... I made her a "Tea Tote".

It was so easy, and such fun, I decided to put some in my store. Then I discovered they are good for many things. Such as moist towelettes, artificial sweetener (hundred of us carry that) lip balm, "light days" pads......... the list goes on.

So, here are some in my store. They are made of cotton yarn, and I crocheted them in a tight pattern so they would be sturdy without being bulky. I may try to knit some at some time. My next one will be red.. for Christmas. Oh my, I can hardly believe I said that!!

Featuring Another Etsy Artisan

There are so many artists on Etsy that have oodles of talent, and huge amounts of "niceness".

The other day I was shopping for a pot to hold my new begonia plant, and came across Danceswithclay. Her work is stunning!! She loves making pottery, and is inspired by nature ... leaves, shells, butterflies, etc. This shows in the items that she makes. She also likes the patina of the weathered look, which makes her designs very rich looking.. I did fall in love with her pots.

However, she did not offer the little saucer that goes under the pot to catch the drips. I sent her a little conversation saying I wished she had the saucers. She answered me back saying why (weeping of the water through this type of pottery), and offered to make me a saucer at no charge. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen.........This is what Etsy Artists do. They have the most beautiful items in the world, and will go out of their way to make you happy - just like you were in their shop in person.

Well, by that time, I had already purchased another pot from another artist. But because Dancingwithclay was so thoughtful, and her work so delightful, I thought featuring her here would make up a little for the lost sale. (mine)

She also makes porcelain clay birds......just because she enjoys it, and loves doing it. They are absolutely beautiful and do make me smile when I see them.

Her items are reasonably priced, and I'm sure you will get the same personal treatment that I did when you visit her store.

http://danceswithclay.etsy.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Facebook Fan Page

I just created a Facebook Fan Page..... I'm still learning how to set it up and what to do with it.

I have no fans yet..........

Would you please click on the "Facebook" block to the left of this page and become a fan??

Please?

Someone is having a Birthday!!

My Great Grandson - Nick - is having his 3rd birthday tomorrow.

We are having a cookout, and of course, cake and ice cream. The whole family will be there, and I imagine he will be very excited. The last time I was there, we had strawberry shortcake. We he heard the word "cake".... he just automatically burst into song "Happy birthday to you". We had to explain that it was no one's birthday. He was quite confused. "Then... why cake?"

Tomorrow - we can all sing, and I'm sure he will join us.

I get him bonds for every occasion, but I also got him finger puppets. The 2 brightly colored ones I purchased from noelledoodle, and the little brown one from knitwitknits on Etsy. I know he will enjoy them for the quiet times just before bed when his mom reads to him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!

FREE SHIPPING

If you have had yur eye on something in my store...... now may be the time to do a purchase.
From July 17 to the end of the day on July 19, I will be having FREE SHIPPING for anything and everything in my pepper2 store.

A sample of items is on the left. If you like what you see........ go to the store for more. I have 5 pages of lovely knit items for you to chose from.

Wordless Wednesday