Wednesday, May 15, 2013

WIP Wednesday

 Still working on the Blackberry Salad blanket but I'm frustrated with it as the "bobbles" aren't lining up like they're supposed to.  I don't know if it's just a mistake I made in one row or if it's how I started it out.  Some rainy day when I have the time and the patience I'll sit down with it......meanwhile I just look at it and walk on by! LOL!

On a  good note I have made 7 of the 27 feet of the I-cord for my seat cushion.  I highly recommend this for watching t.v.! Ha! Ha!

I saw a group that cross stitches an ornament a month and was inspired to try it.  I'm too late to join this year I think but I'm doing it anyway.  I was going to order some kits and then I remembered I had pattern books so lo and behold I have my favorite Mary Engelbreit patterns for Christmas ornaments and all types of holidays.  I even found some Aida cloth 14 count that was required so maybe next week I'll have another WIP to show you!  Just what I need...another WIP! LOL!  Hopefully, the WIP's will someday lead to FO's.

Poor bunny baby  has been languishing in a bowl while I landscaped and gardened but hopefully I will be attending to her again very soon!

I'm not sure if I told you but I have one more block left to do on my applique folk art quilt and would you believe I couldn't find the pattern for the last block!  Finally, I unearthed it one day while looking for something else and I'm ready to get started on it.  I will still have the borders to do but it's getting there!  This has been the biggest, longest project I've ever worked on!
and last but not least my socks....3rd pair but this pair is the first pair using DPN's as opposed to Magic Loop and I love DPN's!  What was I so scared of?  For socks I love them better than Magic Loop for sure.  I'm almost to the toe but I keep trying them on as the last pair didn't fit.  I have really big feet! LOL!
I have more yarn coming in and last night I was shopping for material for sewing my pillowcases with the crocheted edging.  Now, if I could just get someone to do the yard work and the housework and cooking and laundry, I'd be set! LOL!

Monday, May 13, 2013

I'm a shameless immitator...........

I'm trying to organize my blog and postings and projects and LIFE! LOL!  So, I've picked up some great ideas from other bloggers and blogs I admire.....thanks to them I might be getting somewhere finally! Ha! Ha!
#1 - Since I blog mostly at the end of the day there will be a list of accomplishments which will hopefully keep me on task and accountable for my many projects.
#2 - Each day, and thus posting,  will be devoted to some specific area that I am working on therefore if you know that every Tuesday I will blog about recipes and you're not interested then you can just check in on the days where we share an interest.
#3 - I will also be joining groups that reflect my interests and my goals.

Sundays will continue to be my posting for A Year of Projects on Ravelry
Mondays will be..........(Ruth from In My Spare Moments participates in this group and I thank you, Ruth!)

I finished reading the following books:


I bought Solitude many years ago as I was curious about my role as an only child and also that I  had received unfavorable comments about me "wanting my space" and the comments made me feel like there was something wrong with me.  Of course, now I know it is healthy for everyone to have time to themselves but at the time I was worn down and tired and made to feel that EVERYTHING was my fault! LOL! 
I learned some things from the book but it was pretty dry and I have a feeling it was a thesis paper that the author wrote for his PhD in psychology or psychiatry.  There were extreme examples of depression in famous artists, authors and creative people and I notice that there is still the opinion that if you enjoy your own company more than you do others there is something wrong with you.  Oh well! LOL!  I would not recommend this book unless you're a student of psychology.    
Fleece Navidad was so enjoyable although out of season.  I love Maggie Sefton and I am slowly reading the whole series.  It is based on a real yarn shop in Colorado and a wonderful group of gals and guys that are all connected to it in one way or another.  There is always a crime and a mystery to be solved by one of the shops frequent visitor and novice knitter.  There are recipes and yarn patterns in the back of each book and I plan on challenging myself to make them all....someday! LOL!  These are great books and give you a warm and cozy feeling!
My non-fiction read right now is this.....it's written by 2 best friends who hit mid-life and decided to celebrate it!  I'm a bit past mid-life but the witty and practical advice they give would be great regardless of what stage of life you are at.  Kathy Kinney was the actress that played "Mimi" on the Drew Carey Show if you ever watched that show on t.v.  I got the book after "liking" them on Facebook and getting their daily "photos" and "witticisms"....love them!
 My fiction read is..........
I picked this book up at a library book sale because I read The Bobbsey Twin series as a child.  I guess I'm at a age where I am revisiting my childhood! LOL!  This particular book was published in 1918 and someone wrote inside "Bud Cone 3906 2nd Ave So. Minn" .  No, I'm not that old but my Mother would have been about 3 years old at the time.
I also started reading another fiction book as I wasn't sure The Bobbsey Twins would keep my interest for very long at a time plus I've had a set of "classics" I've drug around with me for years that are on my "bucket list for books"...........


This is one of them, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. 
Another challenge to myself is to read through my magazine collection.  I've stopped subscribing except for a couple but I have plenty to go through!  So now I read a magazine (part of it at least) every evening when I read my books.   I just started this one that came in the mail.


So, if you like books join us and Sheila over at Book Journey

Today's accomplishments were stifled by a 5 hour power outage but I did manage to:
clean up the house
load and unload the dishwasher
take my Enbrel injection
give the dogs their Frontline Plus and Heart Worm medicine
Clean Nitty's ears with the ear wash the vet gave me
watered plants outside
did a load of laundry
emptied all the garbages as tomorrow is Garbage Day
knitted 10 more rows on my I-cord for the chair pads
started a new Granny Square blanket and did 2 squares to test out the pattern (this is really scheduled for my YOP list starting in July but I couldn't wait to try the new yarn and pattern! LOL!)
Blogged and read a few
and the evening is still young!  But of course, Dancing With The Stars is on tonight and Castle!  Toodles!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

YOP Update

My yarn came in, more on the way and I am onto a new project and yes it is on my YOP list for this year!  Amazing huh?  I've started the "situpons" which are really just chair pads and for now just one chair pad.
 I decided to go with just one color as opposed to a "rainbow" effect as  my kitchen is already pretty colorful and busy.  I've never done an I-cord before but it's easy except the first stitch you have to do really tight or you end up with a loop instead of a stitch.  I did a good job but like the Double Down potholders it is a bit hard on my hands.  Great for watching t.v. though as it is pretty mindless after a bit.  I need 9 yards of it before I can wind it into a circle and stitch together for a chair pad and with the needles and yarn it cost about $30.00!  I could have bought one for less but then that's not why we do this.  At least I can order the yarn one chair pad at a time.
Here's the I-cord......this is the same thing I made as a child with one of those spools with the nails...remember those?  I'm wondering if the spool would be easier on my hands? LOL!
I also finished my chicken...one of them anyway and no, it wasn't on my original list (I'm SO bad) but it was FUN!
See the tail in the back?
I also got some other yarn when I ordered the chair pad supplies.  More yarn you say?  Yes, I had to order enough to get free shipping! LOL!  This will be featured in my next YOP list.......I call them "Coming Attractions"......and yes, of course it's for a project, you don't think I just order yarn for no reason do you?  LOL!  I ordered from Deramores as I love getting Royal Mail!  Happy Mother's Day to all and I hope all your fiber dreams came true!  If not, the internet is open 24/7!  You go girls!