YOP Week #8

Well, I've missed 6 weeks of this but I am back now.  I most probably will not be moving as soon as I thought but I am still working towards it and my family came down to help me get the yard in shape so that's taken care of and I have done some organizing, packing and even some painting with "miles to go before I sleep".  But I did get the birthday presents finished and have some new projects in the works also.
First up, the birthday giraffe for my namesake, Sam.  This is a Susan B. Anderson Craftsy class I took and I'm so glad I did.  I think I'm a visual learner.  I also bought her book which has this pattern in it plus so much more!  I really enjoy toy making.

Here's the lucky recipient too.........he loves stuffed animals.......
we celebrated 4 birthdays while my kids and grand kids were down here.

Next up was Uriah's quilt and I only got this picture of it with him.  I was so busy trying to get the gifts done that I forgot to take pictures.  That's his dad holding it up.  Uriah really loved it and he slept with it that night!  I hand embroidered a quilt label on linen that was on the back of it which I also forgot to photograph and it turned out pretty good.

I finished the knitted blanket for Grayson and backed it with a dark brown Minky fabric.  It really turned out great considering all the warnings I saw out on the internet about sewing with Minky fabric.  But then I did all hand sewing of it.  I made a hem and then used a blind/hem stitch to attach it.  Not only did it hide the seams of all those squares but it really helped block it and keep it's shape.  I would recommend backing for sure.  It really looks so much more finished when you do.
Unfortunately, this picture is before I backed it or blocked it.

This pattern is a keeper and it would be a great way to use up scraps too.
I also made a crocheted flower pin for my daughter and once again forgot to photograph.  I live alone so having all those people around was very confusing for me...more than my normal confused state! LOL!  I'm not used to it anymore but I loved it!
All my projects this year are WIP's pretty much or projects I need to make for gifts or kits I have had laying around that I never started.  This is a Dottie Angel blanket that I started and I have all the squares done except for weaving in the ends on the gold one there and doing one more square in the gray.  I need to find a joining method.  I've never joined squares before. Any good tutorials out there that you know of?  It's too late for join-as-you-go.  Dottie did not give directions just some pictures and a few tips but it was no tutorial that's for sure!  She has stopped blogging too which is a shame.  They get famous and then forget those who got them there...their loyal followers.
Current Crochet Project:

Current Knitting Project:
This is a Christmas present so I can't divulge what it will be...........

but it is something from this book..............

Current Sock Project:  I will always be making socks.  I am onto the foot of my Canadiana sock which I need to pick back up again..........

 I also need to make the 2nd Spring Garden sock..........

 Some of my projects are "hush-hush" as I have family that reads my blog.
Current Cross Stitch Project:  
This is an old, old WIP that I ran across in my stash called Frost on the Pumpkin which can't come soon enough for me!  Frost that is and Halloween and all things Fall!

Current Sewing Project:  This is my very first quilt which keeps getting ignored.  That's the backing fabric.  The reason I have it under sewing is that all the quilting is done and I just need to bind it now.  You've probably seen this before and once again it got shoved aside but not this time!

Current Quilting Project:
 This is a gift for someone so I'll leave it at that.......I started quilting it and forgot to put my walking foot on my machine...duh!!!!  There's a few puckers at the end of the row which helped me finally catch on! LOL!

Current Embroidery Project:  I bought this for myself last Christmas and I had looked at it for several years before that.....what am I waiting for?  I love this picture as it reminds me of my home town and childhood. I ordered it from Purl Bee and low and behold, Alicia Paulson also got it and blogged about it.  Great minds think alike! I am starting it this afternoon!  A cup of tea and thee.....

Current Holiday Project:  I was going to call it Ornament Project but then realized that it's so much more than ornaments!  In fact, my plan is to make decorative items for each holiday and slowly get rid of the "commercial" and/or hand bought decorations.  Truth be told, the simplifying of my life has a goal of a "handmade" home....from clothes to food to decor...you name it! Maybe I'll even build myself a "tiny house" but then where would I put all this stuff?
These are the supplies from an Alicia Paulson wool felt Christmas Ornament kit but I can't put my hands on the instructions.  Story of my life!  That's what happens when I clean and organize....I can't find a thing! LOL!  But I will! 

Meanwhile, the next holiday coming up is Labor Day so I'm thinking of treating myself to something new.  I deserve it after all those birthday presents, right?  I have little if any patriotic decorations so I think I will do a little internet shopping this afternoon!  Oh, I'm so glad I thought of that! LOL!
Tidbits:
Speaking of shopping..........there are a few things you need to know...
There's a drawing for some great yarn at Susan B. Anderson's blog
also a drawing for a darling coin purse kit over at Nana & Co.
but that's not all............Diane from Lavender Dreamer 
posted about the entire set of Miss Marple ebook mysteries by Agatha Christie on sale at Amazon
for just $5.99........I'm just sayin'! LOL!  Good deals are a girl's best friend!
Happy Trails!

P.S.  I almost forgot.........
Yesterday I:
made Mario Batali's Italian tomato sauce
made his recipe for eggplant parmesan
fed the hummers
watered inside and outside plants