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.