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!!!

YOP Week #46

Happy Mother's Day to all!!!
FO's - (Finished Objects) - None but oh so close!  But then close only counts in horseshoes!
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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1)  My felted slippers - I didn't get the stitch markers until late in the week so yesterday I was able to get one loafer flap sewn to the slipper and the other one pinned but not felted yet.  It is not only Mother's Day weekend but also Dogwood Days here in my town and there are a lot of tourists in town so I think I will finish up the 2nd slipper today and go to the laundromat tomorrow and felt them.

2)   I Spy quilts - No progress.....maybe today?  This was a busy week...again....girls to the vet one day and Walmart the next and now it's time to  mow again!

3)  I finished the final and 5th square in the Frida Kahlo basket and all ends are woven in.  They are out of shape so blocking will definitely be done prior to sewing it together.

4) I am moving along on the Land of Sweets cowl and have now finished color 11 of 24 and I am 45% done.  I am going to order some mini skeins to finish as I have no time to dye yarn right now.

5)  I was disappointed that the yarn I ordered from Craftsy did not arrive in time for this weekend.  It said it was in transit and would be delivered Friday but it was not and it was not delivered Saturday either so there went my Mother's Day present to me.  I have now realized that these "tracking" notices mean nothing at all.  It will arrive but most of my craft time takes place on the weekends especially if it is something that isn't "potato chippy" as Joanna would say in the Stitching the High Notes podcast.
I have my needles and the pattern printed out in a bag just waiting for the yarn!
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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
*Partly done* 2) sew tops on my slippers and felt them after markers arrive
***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
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YOP Goals for this week:
1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
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
6) start Falling Leaves scarf and class
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Acquisitions:
I finally got some......yarn for family slippers!

removable stitch markers...

sock ruler with another type coming...........this one is on Knit Picks and allows you to translate shoe sizes into sock sizes.  I kept wondering how people were making socks for others without measuring their feet! LOL!

Knit Picks had some mugs on clearance that I really liked...I've had my same coffee mugs for over 30 some years and my daughter indicated she likes them so I am going to give them to her and get some new ones for MOI!  This is a start...........the old diner mug style....love!

and an Adventure mug and yes, I am wild and free!

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   Podcasts:   I watched Stitching the High Notes Episodes and I am  up to episode #35!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here

Now for the 2nd installment of this blog post...............Happy Mother's Day to all of you and to all the women who raised me and were the greatest, strongest, bravest, smartest and most loving women I have ever known!  They have all passed now but they left me with the greatest memories I could ever have.  There isn't a day goes by that I don't think of them and try to be more like them.

I told you how I was '"disappointed" that my yarn didn't show  up for my Mother's Day but God works in mysterious ways..........my son called me last night and has someone very interested in buying my house!  Now THAT is a Mother's Day present!  I have my work cut out for me so if I don't blog as much this summer you will know why!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #45

Only 7 more weeks to go?  I am getting excited to get to YOP 2018-2019!  I am busy making plans and this year I am already ordering materials!  I've even signed up for a class.  I am usually caught off guard and low on funds but this year I was prepared to start off the next YOP year with a bang!
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FO's - (Finished Objects) - none this week but getting close!
I thought for sure I would have my felted slippers done by now but my luck being what it is....it won't be happening this week.  I checked the instructions and to sew the top of the loafer onto the foot part I needed a bunch of removable stitch markers.  I did not have but 2 or 3.  The Knit Picks sale was on until May 2 for the wool I was using so......I ordered removable stitch markers and the wool for 3 more pair of slippers not knowing how mine would turn out.  But I trust Amber of the Yarn Hoarder Podcast so I took a chance.  Then I got the receipt for my order and it was way out of whack so I called them and they corrected it and gave me the sale price even though the sale was over and also gave me free shipping!  Now that's customer service!  It was most probably my fault too as in talking to them I realized I had used the back arrow button to go back and order things and let me tell you people.....that will get you in trouble every time if you are ordering things.  That is what goofed up the amounts although I must have had my eyes closed in reviewing the order or I just didn't see it.....who knows, but I am pretty sure it was my fault.   Anyway, I should receive my order this week with the removable stitch markers so I can finish my slippers and felt them and hopefully they will turn out and I can move ahead with the other pairs for Christmas.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL!   
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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1)  I finished square #4 on my daughters Frida Kahlo basket............I even wove in the ends this time.  Only the base square to go now...........

2)   I Spy quilts - I managed to get the strips of 8 squares each sewn together for quilt #2 of 3 and now I need to sew the strips together to make the 'flimsy'.  A 'flimsy' is a quilt top that has not been attached to the batting or the backing yet.

3)  I'm beginning to think that 3 WIP's at a time are about all  I can work on regardless of what they are.  I worked on my cowl when I took breaks from housework during the week and I am on round 65 color #9 of 24 and according to Helen Stewart, the designer, I am 35% finished at this point.  Not bad for something I only work on sporadically.

4)  I know I am jumping the gun here for the next YOP but there is a reason.  You know how people have mentors in their life either for their career or a hobby or just someone they admire and would like to aspire to be like?  Well, I have decided to have a few mentors of my own.  I have noticed 2 pod casters that started knitting about the same time I did and yet they are way beyond me in skills acquired and not only do they have pod casts but one has been designing her own patterns for awhile now and the other is learning how.  Hello!  So, it dawned on me that maybe if I follow their projects along the way that I might gather the same skill set and become a better knitter.
The 2 pod casters I am referring to are Joanna of Stitching the High Notes and Mena Phillips of The Knitting Expat.  I also adore and will follow Amber of the Yarn Hoarder podcast but I think she has been knitting a lot longer but I will still use her as a knitting mentor regardless as we have lots in common... except for our yarn budget! LOL!     
So, to that point I saw Joanna make a lace work scarf and she mentioned that she learned a lot by taking a class for it on Creative Bug from Debbie Stoller (she wrote the Stitch  n' Bitch knitting books of which I have the first one....in fact, it was the first knitting book I purchased as it was recommended to me when I started knitting).  They have a free trial membership at Creative Bug so I signed up for the class and I have already ordered my supplies.  When I listened to Debbie talk about what we would learn in the class I was 'in'.  Not only lacework stitches but problem solving your knitting mistakes and also how to use a lifeline....yes, I need this class!  I may be starting this ahead of schedule but only because of the free trial.  They have lowered their monthly subscription price.  When they first came out it was $15 a month I think and now it is $8 per month.  I still prefer Craftsy where you pay for  a class and it is there forever for you but I will check Creative Bug classes out.  I want to improve my knitting skills and some others too and I think this is a wonderful way to do it for a visual learner such as myself. 

5)  I got my sewing book in the mail and also my new printer which is such a treat to be able to print out patterns etc. and other crafty plans I have.  Here's the book....it was recommended by Simply Summer Street and I have already read the 58 pages of great information leading up to the 12 projects which are the 'lessons' that progressively teach you sewing skills that build on each other.  I've already learned some things I did not know and some useful tips.  I used to sew when my children were little but it has been so long except for quilting that I thought a  'refresher course' would get me off to a good start and build my confidence and this book is perfect!  I'll be working on the first project this week and maybe have an FO by next week!  Oh, that would be so nice!

6)  As an aside, I think I am going to frog my Christmas Eve cast on socks where I ran out of yarn and plan on doing some toe up socks for that yarn.  In the meantime though, I want to cast on some plain vanilla socks to get back in the sock knitting mode. I have been missing making socks and I only have the 2 circular needles for them.  I will be ordering more needles to cast on lots of socks as my grands are coming the end of this month and plain knitting is the only thing I will be able to manage while they are here! LOL!  I have to do handwork every day or life is just not worth living!

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Some Valentine's Day socks - I'll be dyeing my own for this!
 #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. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -  These will also be going on the YOP2018-19 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.  I'm thinking I can dye my own now!  How exciting!!!!
 #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:
*** Partly*** 1) pin I Spy quilt #2
2) cut binding for my sampler quilt
3) work on Spring cross stitch
4) Cut out tunic pieces
5) order bias tape and Swedish Tracing Paper for patterns
6) Sew tops on slippers and felt
***Done but really ongoing*** 7) order supplies:  yarn , needles etc
***Done*** 8) do block #4 of 5 on Frida basket
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 YOP Goals for this week:
1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
2) sew tops on my slippers and felt them after markers arrive
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
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   Podcasts:   I watched Stitching the High Notes Episode #22, 23, and 24.
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To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here
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 Happy Trails!!!

Thursday - 05/03/2018

Treasures arrived!  My Amazon order arrived yesterday.  I was going to blog but Nitty and I  had both been ill during the night before....it wasn't something we ate because we don't eat the same things...lol!  But she got sick 3 times and it can be quite a mess to clean up when a Rottweiler gets sick!  It was pretty awful and I spent the day cleaning and scrubbing and deodorizing with baking soda and vinegar.  I then took a bath and washed my hair....I felt like I really needed to after all that.  We are both fine today and back to normal, thank goodness!  I'm beginning to feel like I am running an animal nursing facility.
So, I am now ready to share my treasures with you!
My new printer.........I have been without a printer for a l o n g time and I am so happy to have one again!  This is a printer that I researched for 'crafting' and it came highly recommended by The Graphics Fairy if any of you are familiar with her website.  I haven't unpacked or installed it yet but probably tomorrow.

 I also got a bag of lavender............I've been wanting to make sachets and stuff them with lavender so I'm on my way!

 This book was recommended by Simply Summer Street blogger and even though I know how to sew...pretty much self taught, I haven't sewn anything but quilts for years. I thought it would be great to take a 'refresher' course and I have not been disappointed so far.  I read all of the reading part (58 pages) and learned a lot I didn't know and some great tips plus it has a resource list in the back of the book for supplies and further study.    There are 12 projects that teach you and advance your knowledge as you do them.  I am ready to start on project #1!  I can't wait!  Friday is typically craft day and Saturday too in addition to regular chores.   I am hoping to gather the needed supplies and get sewing! 

 I ordered these neat kraft envelopes and look forward to utilizing them for small gifts and decorate the outside with my new stamps!  I love paper supplies and writing utensils and glitter gel pens and colored pens and pencils and stamps and stickers.....I could go on and on!  Some of you have 'enabled' me and you know who you are! LOL!

  That's all for today but just so you know....I have a Knit Picks order coming also!  Woo Hoo!
Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday - 05/01/2018

Happy month of May everyone!  I hope you enjoyed the first day of this delightful month.  I installed the screens I washed yesterday and had the windows open all day.  It was blue skies and a nice breeze and the birds were singing.  The cat girls spent much time at the open windows watching and listening to the birds.  

I finished baking off the cookies I started last night...........

.Pioneer Woman's recipe for Oatmeal Crispies that are Marlboro Man's favorite and one of mine too.
I washed a load of clothes worked on my cowl and took care of some financial matters in the morning and also canceled my Gastroenterologist appointment.  It took 3 months to get the appointment but I am fine now so no sense looking for trouble.   I do have to get the girls in for rabies shots and I have to see the eye doctor.
This afternoon while baking the cookies I did some sewing finally....it felt good and it is so much faster than handwork! LOL!
I love my new sewing machine.  I didn't want to sew because my old one would never work properly.  It's so wonderful to just turn the machine on and start sewing....no fuss, no muss!

Last night I watched the first half of a new podcast out by Yarn Hoarder.  I'll finish watching it tonight.  Enjoy the rest of your day!
Happy Trails!!!

Monday - 04/30/2018

I can't remember where I was with my book updates but I've finished a few.....namely these..........

They were all very good and I enjoyed them.  Little House on Rocky Ridge is the first in the series....

and Aunt Dimity Digs In is the 3rd in that series.......... 

I'm still reading these.........I love the Outlander series but after awhile it can be a bit sad and depressing and it is very violent.....not really my style but the story and writing are so good that I have to finish them but I take a rest every once in awhile and read something more upbeat........

 This is a slow boat to China for sure...it was touted as the best book on Irish History and easily readable............by whom?  It assumes a lot....like you are Irish and already know a lot of this.  It seems very disjointed and no rhyme or reason just a factual account and the terminology must be Irish as I have never heard of many of the terms.  So, we shall see....you know how I hate to give up on any book and I think I might be learning a little but I can't really tell.

I started reading this one and then it disappeared.....I had taken it with me to the doctor and it fell off the seat on the way home and I didn't see it until the other day.....I was just getting into it..........

This is a book from my personal library.  I am trying to read from there as much as possible as I have so many books!  This is a non-fiction..........love Alan Alda....I have a feeling I will be laughing  a lot reading this book!

On my Kindle I am reading these 2 books and they are getting most of my attention lately as they are both hard to put down!

This is the first book in this series and I am loving it!  Good story, funny and yet a very good plot too.

I am a closet history and political nerd.....I watch lots of different news programs to get at the meat of what is going on in our country and across the globe.   So,  I had to read this one for sure and next is the James Comey book.  

That's all for this week folks!  Happy Trails!!!