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.