Thursday Treasures!!!

Treasures came in the mail yesterday and today!  I treat myself on Holidays to things I have on my wish list and also foods I'm supposed to steer clear of.  I am getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend here on my little homestead in the middle of town! LOL!  
First some charm packs and a fat quarter...............

Do I already have plenty of fabric?  Of course I do but that's not the point! LOL!
A cute pattern for a summertime mini.............

  Some books I have wanted for a long, long time.....................

 This book is by 2 gals that own a quilt shop in Pearl City, Illinois and not too far from my hometown.  You can bet I will be visiting them when I move back North!

Yarn!  I gave up on the Lorna's Laces yarn for the Falling Leaves scarf.  The yarn Debbie used in the class is no longer available so I went to Yarn Sub where you can put in the yarn the pattern calls for and it will come up with the closest to that yarn in other brands.  This yarn popped up and it is not expensive and available at Hobby Lobby!  Boy did I ever waste money on the Lorna's Laces yarn.  I will be using Yarn Sub a lot!  I will use the Lorna's Laces probably for a hat or a cowl maybe but not this lace scarf!  I hope this yarn works well.  It was highly rated so maybe you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for good yarn.  It's 85% bamboo and 15% silk.....worsted weight.  It will have a nice drape and show off the leaf pattern better than a variegated.  It will also show my mistakes too....so I cannot make any....lol!

 I got a few sundries that I needed too..........I am going to look so cute in this little number! LOL!
I've been using the cheap, 10 to a package ones from the dollar store....now I will be a 'fashionista'!

I also got tired of using cheap pens that skip and won't write even though they have ink......I used to be able to get these pens around here but not any more so Amazon to the rescue!  They're great for arthritic hands too.

Last but not least.........a new mattress protector......for my bed and I will use the old one on the guest bed........my daughter suggested it for when the grand boys come...just in case!
I love mine because I drink coffee in bed in the morning and tea or water at night plus it keeps dust mites from coming through and allergens....although sleeping with a cat sort of cancels the allergens out.  The elastic on mine is a bit stretched out so since I don't make up the guest bed that often I thought I would use the new one and put the old one on the guest bed.

There are a few more items coming but they're not here yet.  I'm boning up for YOP 2018-19.  I am really wanting to quilt some things for MOI after I finish the grand boy's quilts. 
Tomorrow is grocery shopping and prepping for a 'crafty' long weekend!  Have any of you watched any of the Floss Tube videos?  I've been watching Priscilla and Chelsea and Vonda, The Twisted Stitcher...such talent and they are a hoot!  Also, I can't stop watching the live feed of the volcano in Hawaii.......it's like watching a fire...it's mesmerizing!
BTW, I did get my stuffed pepper casserole made last night and it was quick, easy, and cheap to make.  I should revisit more of my old recipes!  Tasty too!  It had a few things that aren't real healthy....cheese and hamburger meat but I'm also trying to use up what's in my freezer so that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

  Have a great rest of your day!
Happy Trails!!!

Supposed to be Witchy Wednesday in Stitch Maynia land but for me it is yardwork!

I tried hiring someone but no luck so far.  I can't get a hold of the guy I wanted to hire but I have someone working on it for me!  I've also got the roof guys coming sometime to dry wall and also to build a ramp for Nitty in the back by the porch.  So, progress is being made!  I've moved on from the bathroom to the living room cleaning.  I'm filling boxes in the garage to either have a sale or take to the thrift store but either way none of it is coming back in this house!
I need to mow today as it is supposed to rain in the next couple days and it is plenty long enough!
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 I made this Pad Thai dinner from this kit and it was really good!  I don't usually buy items like this but I love Thai food and thought I would give it a try.  You supply either chicken or shrimp...I used chicken.

 Today I need to make a dinner after I mow the lawn and bathe to get the bug spray off of me! LOL!
I always come in and take a bath right away to get off the spray and any bugs that might have slipped past the spray!  I hope I have enough energy left to make stuffed peppers with out stuffing them.  I just chop up the green pepper and make a casserole  with lots of cheese on top.  The recipe I use is from the first cookbook I ever had besides a children's cookbook.
This cookbook is at least 20 some years younger than me and it is in bad shape....not sure what that says about me but it's falling apart at the seams!

I used to write in all my cookbooks....notes and whether we liked it or not..........as I had children I kept multiplying the recipe to accommodate more mouths.........

If I have any energy left I plan on finishing this pillow I started last year for Memorial Day......it's about time...........I just need to attach the little white stars and sew it together and stuff....I would hope I would be able to finish it before this Memorial Day!

Here's the free pattern from Anita Elmore but that takes you to her blog not to the pattern page.  It might be easier to look on Ravelry as that is probably where I found it originally....only last year and I can't remember....sad.........

I hope to 'catch up' with everyone soon.  The last 2 days I have been working with my financial 'people' getting some heavy duty paperwork filled out for my coming years.  It seems they didn't want me to take out money but then when you're 70 1/2.....1 year from now....you are required to take some out....go figure?!?!  Anyway, that's taken care of finally along with some other designations.  This morning the internet was down but thank goodness it is back! 
Do you have plans for Memorial Day?  I get to eat whatever on holidays and this one will be no exception!  So far the plan is hotdogs or brats, BLT potato salad, baked beans and probably fruit pizza for dessert.........can't wait!  I can remember as my parents got older all they talked about was food and now it seems I am doing the same thing! LOL!
I hope your week is going well and I will be sharing some treasures that are coming in the mail soon...maybe even today!?!  So excited!  Have a great day!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #47

M A K E    M A N I A !!!!
My life is either exciting or crazy or a little of both but I'm not complaining because the good outweighs the bad for sure!  For one thing...I had to ask my daughter not to read my blog at all.  I felt bad but if you notice I have not been blogging except on Sundays and I realized it was because that was the only time she didn't read it.  The rest of the time I felt 'hemmed' in and would go to blog about something and realize I couldn't because it was 'gift' related or something I wanted to surprise her with.  So, now that she won't be reading it I feel freer to share without having to think twice.  Also, the things that I love to share are my crafting adventures.
I am also realizing that I can't 'have it all' so if I want to attain my goals and the ones I enjoy the most right now, I am going to have to make my life easier.  I am hiring a gentleman to mow and weed my yard so I can be free to do a little gardening/landscaping plus not to have to go out in the heat if I don't want to which I don't.  
I was sick this past week but didn't realize it....I thought I had food poisoning and then I thought I had a chronic problem but I never 'rested' because I never get sick.  Sick to me is when you take to your bed so I figure if I'm not in bed I'm not sick.  I had terrible headaches and spent way too much time in my bathroom but I kept going!  By the time I realized I had the flu I was over it.  Meanwhile I got the porch back in shape after the roof and cleaned my bedroom and bathroom.  I am getting my house ready to sell and that is the #1 priority right now.  Well, that and the grand boys coming.  So, not a lot of crafting was done but enough to make me happy and to get excited about some new 'ventures'......so here I go!
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FO's - (Finished Objects) - None
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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1)  My felted slippers - I 'felted' them.  I had to take them to the laundromat as they have the old agitators which 'felt' much better and I put in some towels and a few cotton rugs with them.  They felted nicely but when I tried them on they were too big!  What is up with that?  I did a gauge swatch and also I usually knit 'tightly'.  I chose the 9-10 women's size and I wear a 9 1/2 or a 10 sometimes.....too big?  I was so disappointed as I already bought the yarn to make them for the family for Christmas.  Not sure what to do now.  Should I try felting them some more?  I guess it can't hurt except time and money to take them to the laundromat.  Knitting and I are not getting along!  I mean...I did a gauge swatch!  Hello?  I could take in a good 2 inches at the heel...that's how big they are.

2)   The yarn from Craftsy finally arrived Tuesday......9 days!  I think the pony express could do better.....it was in Memphis for 3 days.....I can go to Memphis and back in 1 day!  Also, the Lorna Laces yarn is a big disappointment!  I spent good money on that yarn and it is really not good quality at all.  The color is pretty but it's more like a cotton Peaches and Creme yarn yet it is wool.  It is very splitty and seems more DK weight than worsted.  Another disappointment!  No more Craftsy products and no more Lorna's Laces yarn.

On the bright side..........the Falling Leaves class on Creative Bug is excellent!  I have already learned a new cast on and how to read a chart.  At least this one anyway! LOL!  I am loving it and maybe taking classes will help me as I can already see I should have been using markers in my Land of Sweets cowl but the designer never told me too.  I would lose my place so now I can see why markers are important!  I did have more to show but I frogged and started over. The only size 9 needles I had were circulars but I did not like using them for this scarf so I changed to straight needles. I only have a size 10 so we shall see!  

3)  Springtime Flowers cross stitch by Alicia Paulson - I worked on this one evening and finished the skirt...big deal.....this is slow going as I have never worked on linen this small over 2 stitches.....Whoa Nellie....I hope I get my cross stitch mojo on soon!  This is not fun right now.  I used to love cross stitch but that was in the old days with 14 count Aida cloth with the big holes! LOL!

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Some Valentine's Day socks -
 #2 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#3 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
#4 - Some leaf book markers

There won't be anything more added to the queue now since it is getting so close to YOP Year 2018-19 that any new projects will go for next year. 
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -  These will also be going on the YOP 2018-19 list if they 'make the cut'! This is way more exciting then the NFL Draft!

#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
#4 - Knitting at the Library Cowl - a pay for pattern on Ravelry.  I'm thinking this may be the year of cowls or slippers....we'll see who wins out! The cowl looks like different shelves of books!  So cool!
#5 - A crochet square blocker either a DIY or to buy.......anyone have any experience with these or recommendations?  I saw this Crochet blocker with instructions to make and it looks pretty simple
You just need wooden shish-kabob skewers and a gardening knee pads

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 YOP Goals from last week:

1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
***DONE*** 2) sew tops on my slippers and felt them
3) work on Land of Sweets cowl as permitted
4) sew first project for Sewing School
5) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
***DONE*** 6) start Falling Leaves scarf and class
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YOP Goals for this week:
1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
2) felt slippers........again
3) sew first project for Sewing School
4) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
5) continue on with Falling Leaves scarf and class
6) who knows as there are treasures coming!!!
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Acquisitions:
1) Only 2 really....the yarn for the Falling Leaves class and another type of sock ruler.  All I need now are blockers and more sock needles.  I am still going to frog my Christmas Eve socks and take Sockmatician's (podcast on You Tube) tutorial for toe up socks.  Joanna of Stitching the High Notes took it and loved it.  She said it was so easy and understandable once you do the math.  Toe up will work as I have evenly divided the skein into 2 and when you do toe-up you can just stop when you are running out of yarn!  Brilliant!  

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   Podcasts:   I watched THE ROYAL WEDDING...over and over and over again.....it was so beautiful!  Finally something uplifting to focus on in the world!  I will never forget it.  I watched Diana get married and watched those 2 boys grow up into wonderful young men.  Their mother would be very proud of who they have become.  I also admired Megan's mother for raising such a wonderful young woman with so much self-confidence.  A great role model....both of them!  Congratulations to all involved! God Save The Queen!
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 To get back to my Make Mania at the beginning of this post.  It refers to Stitch Mania which is going on in You Tube under the label Floss Tube but I cannot stick to just one craft so I am calling my version Make Mania as Joanna did in Stitching the High Notes.  It is similar to Year of Projects except that they pick out their cross stitch projects in May for the whole year and actually "kit them all up" so they can just grab and go throughout the year.  This could be pricey but I like the idea and most of them plan for it  throughout the year before.  So, I have chosen projects with pictures in each area of my crafts (still working on it) and it will help me not get 'confused' and stay focused on my YOP goals during the  year....in theory anyway!
What have you been working on and planning for?  
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To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here
Happy Trails!!!