lamplight designs

Flowers on Parade

2010-04-27T17:06:00.000-05:00

The spring show continues around here...the azaleas have already come and gone.

The irisis are just barely starting to fade at this point. But the roses are coming on strong.

Spring is beautiful reminder of God's creativity.

I finished up a couple of cross stitch projects. The first is a small needlecase, just right for carrying in my bag with a small project. The second is Forget Me Not by Blackbird Designs. I started on this last year and then put it aside for a good while. It's framed and hanging now, so I'll have to get a picture of that.

Sorry for the dark pictures, it was a rainy weekend!

Needles

2010-04-09T14:09:00.001-05:00

So, my knitting needles have given way to tapestry needles all of the sudden. I guess the blast of warm air we got around Easter turned my attention away from hand knits and onto samplers. I've been working on a Blackbird Designs sampler "Forget Me Not."

But, not before I got Bianca's Jacket finished and wore it to Easter services. It's my new favorite sweater, and I will definitely be knitting another one in wool for cooler weather (after the stitching bug fades, that is). Hopefully, I'll get some modeled shots before too long.

And I'm about ready to start on another quilt. Don't know what pattern yet, but I'm browsing...I even bought a new quilt magazine. I haven't done that in a while since I have quite a stack, but it has a Jo Morton pattern in it, and I love her patterns.

Stitch on....

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T11:15:00.003-05:00

Celebrate the Risen Savior.

Spring!

2010-03-19T08:36:00.005-05:00

They took a little longer to arrive than in year's past, but the daffodils are in full bloom right now. Just in time for Spring to officially arrive. It's a chilly morning here, but should warm up a good bit this afternoon. Happy Spring!

Wavy Brown Socks

2010-03-01T07:51:00.004-06:00

I finished the Wavy Brown Socks yesterday. They are my new favorites, but I say that about every new pair of socks. But they are brown. and cabley. and soft.

I'm trying to complete a pair of socks every 2 months this year. 3 pair for me, 3 pair for the husband. Not counting all the other things I would like to knit this year: a sweater vest for Jimmy, a couple more shawls, a bag (fair isle) and a couple of sweaters for me. That may not seem like much of a list to some folks. But I' m not one of those people who can knock out a sweater in two weeks!

Pattern: Wavy Socks by Amy King (from The Book of Yarn, by Clara Parkes)
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Kettle Dyed in Timber colorway
Needles: Boye DPNs US 1
Start to Finish: January 9 - February 28

Mods: I opted for my standard heel flap heel, instead of a short row heel. I like me a good heel flap. This is a well-written pattern. And a very straightforward knit. You cable on rows 3 and 9, and the rest of the time it's stockinette. I'm surprised more people haven't knit these socks (only 14 projects on Ravelry). They look great and the cables make for a nice, leg-hugging sock. And the KnitPicks yarn is very soft and smooth.

Now, to cast on for another pair of socks!

Icarus

2010-02-23T16:26:00.006-06:00

I finished Icarus, and I love it. It's the perfect size, it's soft, warm, smooshy and practically perfect in every way.

Pattern: Icarus, by Miriam Felton

Yarn: KnitPicks Shadow, in the Oregon Coast colorway

Needles: KnitPicks Circs US 3

Start to Finish: October 2009 -February 2010

Modifications: I used the mods Miriam posted on her blog for Chart 4 and the last 4 rows. Other than that, knit as written.

Before blocking: Shoulder span 59", Center drop 32"

After blocking: Shoulder span 81", Center drop 41"

I think this will actually be a very practical knit for me. I foresee spending a lot of time with this shawl. And now, of course, I have shawl fever. I'm eyeing this one for my next project.

A Capital Idea

2010-02-04T18:45:00.007-06:00

We got a great chance to try out our handknits on a vacation to Washington DC a couple of weeks ago. It was cold without being frigid, so we had a great time walking around DC (and walking, and walking!)

We visited all the usual sights and had an absolutely fabulous stay at the Omni Shoreham. I couldn't recommend it more. The room was beautiful, quiet and spacious. We opted for the Bed & Breakfast package, and we enjoyed the best breakfast ever!

I found a lovely yarn shop in Alexandria and picked up a few goodies. I fell in love with the silk laceweight (the gold skein) and about had the vapors. It's by The Neighborhood Fiber Co in the Lincoln Park colorway. Yummy!

This was our second trip, so we had a good game plan. I love the fact that you can eat lunch at the Supreme Court (which was delicious). You can wander around the National Gallery of Art a few feet from paintings by Monet, Degas, Renoir and hundreds of others. We spent a lot of time there. And they have the best cafeteria in the land, as far as I'm concerned! The Cascade Cafe. Love it.

I took Icarus and my Wavy Socks with me, and I did get some knitting done. I finished the Together Beret and then promptly wore it! But didn't get any pictures of it...still to come.

I'm through the 2nd chart on Icarus, so the end is sort of in sight. I'm enjoying the knitting, but I feel like I've been working on it forever.

Anti-Freeze

2010-01-07T16:35:00.006-06:00

Brrrrr!! Like most of the country, we are in a deep freeze. Cold, cold, cold and windy!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Day...we certainly did.

Here's my first finish for 2010...and none too soon with these single digit temperatures!

This is my Meret, and I love it. This was probably one of the most fun things I've ever knit. I couldn't wait to work on it, and then woosh it was done. This is my first beret type of hat, and I think I've finally found a hat type that doesn't make me look like a complete dork. Yah for berets!

Hopefully I'll get some modelled shots this weekend, cause I'm definitely going to need a hat!

Details:

Pattern: Meret by Woolly Wormhead
Yarn: Cascade 220, Colorway 9401
Needles: US7 Knit Picks Options 20" circs
Mods: I did 3 repeats of the lace pattern for a moderately slouchy effect

I've got Selbu Modern in my sights now.

Scenes of Christmas

2009-12-13T15:21:00.004-06:00

Christmas is in full swing around here....

Christmas decorations....

Dog on the bed.... (well, that's pretty much a year round sight)

Knitting.... (almost finished, one sleeve to go!)

And food too....but no pictures of that just yet.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Buttery

2009-11-20T09:19:00.007-06:00

I finally finished the butter cardigan a couple of months ago, but never blogged about it. It fits great and it is soooo soft. It'll be too light to wear pretty soon (I'm very cold natured), but it made for a great fall sweater.

I'm working on Drift now and hoping to have it done by Christmas. It's been kinda slow going, but I'm working on it along with Icarus (pictured below and quite a bit further along now) and I've knit several small things in between (the mittens from the last post, for instance.)

I've only got a couple of Christmas gift knits I'm doing, so I won't have too many distractions between now and Christmas. Yah for cold weather!

Hand Knits

2009-11-06T08:53:00.007-06:00

Well, I haven't been blogging, but I have been knitting...

The Clun Forest Mittens above are from a Spin Off issue. I made them in Ultra Alpaca Light by Berocco. They are lovely and warm. Below, are some Cascade 220 mittens for Jimmy, and a good wool hat made from Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport.

I've got a few other small projects done, but blogger is being very tempermental with the photo uploads, so those will have to wait for another day. Knitting on....

Virginia Sojourn

2009-09-30T17:11:00.007-05:00

We took a little trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I want to live in Colonial Williamsburg.

I also bought a little yarn.

I did a little knitting.

And a whole lot of walking, eating, and picture taking. Some other shopping as well. Jimmy got some great CD's; I got a cookbook, lanterns, candle, etc. We're already planning for next year!

New Stitches

2009-06-14T11:54:00.008-05:00

Hey! I like to cross stitch. I'd almost forgotten...I've been enjoying looking at several needlework blogs this past week or two, and I finally got out my abandoned cross stitch project and started stitching on it again.
This is one of my own designs, right now I call it "Cream of Star Soup."
It's not far from being finished...a couple of leaves and the wording.

I'm also machine quilting this quilt...finally. The stabilizing part of quilting a big bed quilt is probably my least favorite part of the process. (The part where you stitch a grid to secure it for the decorative quilting.) I love piecing the blocks, making the quilt top, and doing the binding, but manhandling a big quilt while machine quilting takes some muscle!

I've also started a new purse for myself. I keep trying different designs and figure one of these days I'll come up with the perfect bag for holding my essential stuff, as well as a couple of magazines, a needlework or knitting project, and idea notebook. Plus look cute and hold up to daily use...I need a strong bag! I tend to jam a lot into it.

Daisies in the backyard:

Summer Days

2009-06-03T16:20:00.004-05:00

Summer is here! It took a while arriving around these parts, but now it's here in all its glory (and heat)!

I've been busily working on a summery yellow sweater...I'm almost through with the body and ready for the sleeves. I'm using Shine Sport from KnitPicks, and loving it. It's so soft and supple.

I'm slowing getting an urge to do some sewing and quilting again. I have a list of things I'd like to make: a new purse, some clothes, finish up a bed quilt, some new potholders, a needlecase...and on and on.

I've been enjoying looking at some beautiful quilting and stitching blogs to get my motivation.

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T16:52:00.007-05:00

Time for my bi-monthly check in here on the blog! Ha, seriously...there has been knitting, and even some quilting. A simple little baby quilt (sorry for the fuzzy picture, these are the only ones I took before sending it off).

Jaywalkers - my first pair. It's a fun pattern.

Slowly proceeding on the lace stole...it ought to be ready by fall!

I've even been crocheting a few more of these guys.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Spring's already Springing

2009-02-21T08:18:00.006-06:00

The daffodils can't seem to help themselves...every February here they come! I can just see some yellow on the forsythia bushes and the pear tree is in full bloom. Of course, then it will snow...or ice...or sleet...or all of the above.

A new sock in progress for Jimmy. This is Mountain Colors Bearfoot in the Moose Creek colorway. This is some seriously nice yarn. I'm basically a budget gal, and this is the most I've spent on sock yarn to date. Yum.

I'm looking to cast on for another sweater, but first I've got to make myself finish up some quilting that has been laying about for months. The knitting has really taken over my brain, and my "want to." But...no new sweater until the new bed quilt and the baby quilt are done! I think. Maybe 75% done. Maybe.

Hey, I Made a Sweater!

2009-02-09T08:04:00.006-06:00

Name: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne

Yarn: Northampton by Valley Yarns

Color: Ocean Heather

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) Knit Picks Options

Mods: I used kf&b for the eyelet row, otherwise just as written.

I am in love. I've worn it everyday since I finished it. It's just a great sweater. If (and I probably will) I make another one, I'll probably go down a size, just because the garter stitch is so stretchy. But all in all, it's love.

Lace Knitting

2009-02-02T07:59:00.006-06:00

I'm still working away on my February Lady Sweater. I've got most of one sleeve done and only lack finishing it and the other sleeve to be finished! Hopefully next weekend it'll be done. I'd love to be one of those people who whip out a sweater in two weeks flat, but I don't know how you get anything else done in life. I know I'm not the fastest knitter around, but I also know I'm not the slowest. Ah, well, if I only had the hours I spend at my job. Pesky job.

(The color is a little washed out in these pics, it's a very rich teal blue)

I also cast on for a lace scarf for myself. I don't really have a handknit scarf of my own. So I thought I'd go "pretty" as well as soft. Yummy, yummy Kidsilk Haze in the colorway Marmalade. This is the Feathery Lace Stole from Exquisite Little Knits.

I also made myself some stitch markers, as you can see above. These were a pack of 4 charms for .52 cents! How can you go wrong?

It's a Mushroom

2009-01-10T12:24:00.008-06:00

Wow, finished the baby rattle in record time (for me). And I pronounce it...CUTE.

It's a simple little knit, and I skipped the duplicate stitch for the dots and just embroidered some circles.

The only down, and it's a tiny one, is once you put the rattle in the cap, you get to listen to it rattle with every stitch while you're making the gills and the stem. But worth it.

I'm working on my February Lady Sweater, and it's growing. I'm almost to the eyelet increases, so we'll see if I have my stitch count right!

January knitting is good.

New Year Knitting

2008-12-31T13:51:00.007-06:00

2009 is tomorrow, and I've got a bevy of knitting projects underway or about to begin in celebration. We enjoyed a lovely, relaxing Christmas...as well as a stash enhancing one for me!

My sweet husband gave me the basket full of yarn, plus more and books, books, books. (I did knit him two pairs of socks, one in secret...which is not easy.) So I've cast on for the everybody-is-knitting-it February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link) with Valley Yarns Northampton in colorway Ocean Heather. It's yummy.

Also on the needles, a toe-up (first) sock for me in a red & bronzey stripe. I discovered Patons Kroy recently, and it is a great sock yarn. Plump and smooshy at a reasonable price. Yah! The colors are a little limited, but you can't have everything.

I also need to get started on this little baby rattle...which I think it just about the cutest thing I ever did see. It's from The Purl Bee. Using leftover sock yarn, no less. The hardest part was finding the little ball with the bell in it!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T18:47:00.003-06:00

Shepherd wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas! And so do I.

See you in 2009!

Holiday Knits

2008-12-04T17:24:00.002-06:00

It's the gift knitting season and I'm knitting away -baby sweater -done!

And a little crochet: (washcloths - my favorite pattern)

And the sock knitting continues unabated:

Simple Surprise

2008-11-13T07:47:00.004-06:00

We go to the library just about every week. Our library sells old magazines for 10 cents, and I usually check them out to see what they've got. I've managed to snag a couple of old Interweave Knits and several other knitting mags. Several weeks ago they got in a bunch of old Knitter's and I bought a few (I mean, 10 cents, come on...) and I've been buying a few each week. Last week I bought the premier issue and a couple of early issues. I was looking through them, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this -

Apparently, whoever this belonged to went to Elizabeth Zimmerman's and Meg Swanson's Knitters Camp in 1986. And they got Meg Swanson to sign their book. Very cool.
There's also an article about Mary Walker Phillips, and she signed her page too.

The library is a good thing.

Sock-tember?

2008-11-10T07:57:00.005-06:00

I seem to be participating in my own Sock-tember (as opposed to Socktober)...I'm about to finish this pair:

And I've got baby socks to knit (gift knitting), and a pair for myself planned. Love.to.knit.the.socks.

I'm also working on a baby sweater (more gift knitting), and I need to get some other gift knitting a-going.

So has there been any quilting? Nope. Sewing? Nope. Crochet even? Nope. It's all knitting all the time. At least until tomorrow when my new oven arrives! Then I suspect there'll be some baking.

Strippy Striped Bag

2008-10-16T16:39:00.004-05:00

Wow, our morning glories are really putting on a show for us right now. I should've gotten the whole mass of them, but here's a couple in the autumn light.

I finally (whew!) finished my newest bag. It's a strippy bag with striped pockets. I doodled and dawdled around on the thing until I just wanted to call it done. It's a softer look and I love, love, love the lining with the dragonflies buzzing around inside (so softly).

Knitting continues on the shawl and another pair of socks (for Jimmy). I'm really looking around for some sweater yarn to cast on for a sweater.

Fall is fabulous!

Fall is in the air

2008-10-06T08:01:00.004-05:00

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I always have more energy after the heat of summer. I've gotten a few things finished up, tried a new knitting technique, and oh yeah, taken pictures of the dog:

Finally wove in the ends to the Tweedy Vest. It's been sitting done since May-ish, right about the time it got too hot to wear. I'm pretty happy with my first sweater attempt. The collar is a little floppy, but I know it's because I picked up too many stitches after I shortened the body by a couple of repeats.

Tried my hand at entrelac. It's not perfect, but now I understand what it involves. I'll probably make this into a small pouch and line it with fabric.

One, Two

2008-09-23T07:58:00.005-05:00

I finished the first sock and have cast on the second sock. These have been a fun and fast pattern for me.

I've also started a new shawl for myself. I am very cold-natured and I am always cold when no one else is. So, my plan is to make several shawls and cardigans for myself. I ripped out the crocheted shawl I was using this yarn for, because it was just too heavy and clunky looking. I'm enjoying the feather and fan pattern, and I can knit on it in between other projects.

It's a Knit Thing

2008-09-20T09:09:00.005-05:00

Well, the knitting bug is back. I knew it would happen as soon as some cooler weather came around. I've been working on a couple of things, a feather and fan shawl (no pics yet) and a new pair of socks...for me! Green socks. This pattern is from the book 2-at-a-time Socks, but I knit it on dpns. They're my favorite way to knit socks.

I am still working on the quilt, I'm ready to baste it and start quilting. But it definitely took a back seat once the knitting obsession kicked back in.

Picking Up Speed

2008-08-21T18:21:00.007-05:00

I've gotten a few things done around here lately....it must be the unseasonably (very unseasonably) cool weather we've had around here for the past week. I mean, 60's and 70's in Arkansas...in August!? All I can say is...hallelujah! Especially, since for the last month it's been, oh, about 150 around here. This is what Shepherd usually thinks of August in Arkansas:

But these days, it's more like:

Anyhoo...I finished the four patch. It was completed handpieced and handquilted. And I loved every minute of it. There's probably not a square corner on it, but I don't care. I love it, and I named it "Shepherd's Coat." For obvious reasons.

I also got the stitchery framed and hung in my sewing room. Lovely $1 dollar frame.

And we were given a couple of pounds of fresh figs, so I made fig preserves. Boy, oh boy you talk about making the house smell wonderful, and fall-like. And what beautiful jars they are.

Four Patch

2008-08-07T17:21:00.005-05:00

I've been quilting on my little quilt, and enjoying every minute of it. Don't look too close....it's a little wonky. I have thoroughly enjoyed hand piecing and quilting this little quilt. As a matter of fact, I'm going to work my way through all five little quilts in this article.

The next up is this Antique Baskets, all by Jo Morton.

The bed quilt is coming along nicely...I'm adding the inner border now and then a pieced outer border and it'll be ready to quilt.

Sew Many Memories

2008-07-27T16:25:00.005-05:00

This is a very old UFO that finally got finished about a month ago. The name of it is "Sew Many Memories" by Sue Hillis. I love this piece, but boy oh boy, did I ever get tired of backstitching! Yowser. But, it's finally complete (after about a 3 year wait) and I'd been looking for a frame. It fits into a standard 8 x 10 frame. So, yesterday while we were out and about, I found a great old wood frame at an antique store for $1.00. I love it when that happens.

So, I just gotta mount it and frame it, and then call it "done!"

Quilting Fever

2008-07-25T16:38:00.004-05:00

Hot, hot, hot...it has been too hot around here! 108 degrees earlier this week...blech! For a family that loves fall and winter, that is not good news. It was even too hot to enjoy the kayaking last weekend.

So, indoor pursuits are in order for the next month. Namely, quilting. My quilting fever has returned with a vengeance, and I'm taking advantage of it. The bbbq (blue basket bed quilt) is coming together. I'm piecing the rows together and I hope to layer and baste it soon.

I'm also working on a small doll quilt, which I'm handpiecing. It's a Jo Morton pattern from an old Quilters Newsletter Magazine. Just a simple four patch, but a lot of fun and very quick to do.

I don't post enough photos of the furry one, Shepherd, so I thought I'd throw one out there just 'cuz.

I've added a "quilting blogs" list to my sidebar because I've been discovering so many great quilt blogs...I seem to be adding to the list daily!

Mountain View

2008-07-15T13:29:00.006-05:00

We took a little trip up to Mountain View, Arkansas last weekend. It's always a great time when we head up there... a little music, a little food, a little fabric, a little flea marketing....all good things.

If you haven't ever been to the Ozark Folk Center, it's a great place for traditional crafts and traditional music. And lots of herbs!

Now, I've got to get busy and get this quilt top together.

Morning Glory

2008-07-08T08:10:00.004-05:00

This morning the first flower unfurled...just beautiful!

On the crafty side, I've made a couple of these crocheted washcloths. They are very fast to make and feel great on your skin. It's the washcloth from the Summer 2008 Interweave Crochet by Kim Werker. I know I'll be making many more of these...

Summer Sunset

2008-07-05T16:40:00.003-05:00

A beautiful 4th of July Sunset on DeGray Lake in Arkansas....

And much needed rain today...

Tisket, Tasket

2008-06-27T07:54:00.004-05:00

Wow, three weeks just flew by! I've been in a quilting mood lately....I knew it would kick back in one of these days. I think I'm more of a 'winter knitter' type person, because when warm weather gets here, I lose all interest in knitterly things. But I'm sure as soon as fall peeks out, I'll be picking up the needles again. Or maybe even a pair of socks before then.

But right now is all about the quilting. I've started a new bed quilt using a basket block. It's going pretty quick since they're 12 inch blocks. The handle is appliqued, and I'm just eyeballing it, so they don't all look exactly perfectly alike, but that's just more charming to me. Especially since I know a big ol' furryhead will be laying all over it most of the time!

I'm also working on a new patchwork bag, but don't have any pics of it yet. And while I'm still waiting on the morning glories to start blooming, I'm enjoying the blue hydrangeas.

Blue Heaven

2008-06-04T08:03:00.003-05:00

Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, followed by gardenias, daisies, and morning glory. Blues and whites...love 'em. Last year my hydrangeas were very pink, and while they were still pretty, I really wanted blue hydrangeas. I added a good amount of 'something I can't remember the name of at the moment' to the soil around the hydrangeas and this year, voila...blue!

We've got a good morning glory vine going in the front yard around our old gas lamp. Hopefully, you'll see some beautiful blue blooms from it soon! They make me swoon as well.

Green and Orange

2008-05-16T07:54:00.005-05:00

Well, I finally finished this purse, that I've been working on for a few months off and on (mostly off). I spent a whole lotta time just letting it lay there on my work table. But, now she is done! And I swore I would never make another purse like this again...it was just too 'much.' Too much piping, too much interfacing, too much thinking... I think that last one is the crux of the problem.

I suppose these feeling shall fade as time goes on, and I may consider another version of this bag...but I kinda doubt it right now!

But I do like how it looks. I love all the pockets I put in it, and I love the colors. But mostly, I love that it's done.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T16:05:00.006-05:00

A happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I'm not a mom (except to this sweet fella)...

but I had a great mom who was my best friend until the day she went to be with the Lord. And I am ever thankful to Him for giving me a mom like her. It's an extraordinarily marvelous blessing to have only sweet, sweet memories of her.

I love you, Mom! (...I think she heard me :)

May Days

2008-05-11T15:33:00.007-05:00

May has been a whirlwind month around here! First there were these....

Then there was this...

You'd think we found a money tree in the back yard! Alas, no. We'd been planning on buying the kayaks for over a year and spent last summer paddling in an inflatable kayak we'd had for several years. It got us out on the water and we got around fine in it, but it can't compare to these babies!

The car was definitely not "in the immediate plan," but my car (which I'd had for 12 years, and loved that entire time) decided it was worn out (read- needed new power train and a/c repairs that were more than the value of the car). So, even though the plan had been to hang on to my old car about 3 more years, it didn't work out that way.

Of course, after the sticker shock of a car payment once again, we're in love with it! And it gets better gas mileage that my old one. And it's loaded with stuff I've never had in a car:

CD player

MP3 capability

power windows, locks, mirrors

all kinds of dashboard readouts, like gas mileage, outside temp, etc.

and...get this...remote start

For someone who's pretty plain in her living...I feel very decadent in this car! I didn't even know about the remote start until after we bought it, and I thought "I'll never use that." But now I'm thinking on a hot Arkansas day, start that puppy up and let it be cooling down before I ever get in it...yessir!

Red

2008-04-23T16:24:00.005-05:00

Red seems to be the color of the day. Red impatiens (with a few orange for zest!) and a 'very close to finished' tweedy vest in red.

I think I'm really going to like this vest (when I get to wear it next fall!) I've got to seam the sides, and add the neck and arm bands. I love the color and the texture and I think it'll be very "fallish". But right now, it's a pile of wool on my lap during warm spring days.

I'm feelin' the itch to quilt ... cotton!

April Flowers

2008-04-15T17:05:00.004-05:00

28 days later.... (I can't believe I haven't posted for almost a month, but I really haven't had anything to say). I'm still working on the tweedy vest and the purse, so there you go.

However, spring is springing all over our yard. And it is a beautiful sight to behold. I do not know how anyone can witness the glory of spring and doubt the existance of a creator.

I hope I'll have a new spring purse to show off shortly!

Good Friday

2008-03-21T08:41:00.011-05:00

It's a beautiful day today, Good Friday. I have the day off, which is wonderful.

We've got lots of spring "springing" around here for this very early Easter. The daffodils are pretty much done, and the tulips are about to pop out. The dogwood is very close, and the lilacs are greening out. We've got a couple of irises this year, but nothing like last year...they were everywhere. This year was the daffodils turn. The forsythia (below) was a good show too.

On the knitting front, I finished Jimmy's socks! Yah, my first completed pair of socks...woo hoo! And these were man-sized socks! I've still got to get some action shots on the owner's foot, but here are a couple of prelim pics.

And the tweedy vest is growing a little faster...I'd probably be done with the back by now, if it weren't for the "sickies" that keep invading this house. But today is for knitting...and I plan to finish the back and start on the front today. With a break in between for some cupcake making. Yum.

The pic above is a little washed out, the actual color is slightly deeper in person. You can see where I've just started the armhole shaping.

Happy Easter!

March in the South

2008-03-11T16:31:00.006-05:00

At least for a day or so.....

neither snow lasted more than 1 day, but it was lovely to see it. But now, I'm ready for spring! Especially since I got struck by the flu last week. There was no knitting and not even any consideration about knitting for a few days there...woosh, thankfully that's over, and the knitting has recommenced.

I'm moving rather slowly on my tweedy vest, but I'm picking up speed now that it's going to be too warm to wear it! Love, love the color and the "tweedyness" of the yarn. It's a fun knit so far.

I also started on a new spring bag before the illness struck. I'm making my own, smaller version of Amy Butler's Weekender Bag. At least, that's what it's looking like on the outside. I'm hoping to make this a true knitting / purse hybrid, so I can carry at least one project and all my regular stuff in an organized, neat fashion. I'm thinking I'll be making a couple of matching pouches and maybe even a wallet...we shall see!

February in the South

2008-02-22T17:01:00.004-06:00

Yep, all over the front yard.

Swatch It

2008-02-21T08:02:00.005-06:00

I'm swatching for a vest right now. This would be my first official "swatch-making in hopes of attaining gauge" effort. The first effort, which is this picture, was on US 7's and turned out too ...well, what do you say..."small?" if the needle size was too small and you ended up with too many stitches? Or do you say, "too big", since you have more stitches than you need? Hmmm....I'm not sure. Anyway, it was wrong, so I've gone up a needle size and am trying again.

Got the yarn from Webs. It's Valley Yarns Williamstown, a very soft tweed. On sale, to boot! And since I saved that money, I went ahead and got a few balls of this

for a hat. I'm looking at this one, which I love.

Sock One, Sock Two

2008-02-15T16:27:00.007-06:00

I finished the first sock for Jimmy, and I've cast on for the second one. I'm in love with the color of this yarn. Pictures don't do it's heather-y goodness justice. I see flecks of gold, rust, red, sand, and chocolate in there. And I think this basketweave sort of pattern shows it off great.

I did a much, much prettier job of picking up my stitches along my heel flap this time around. It's a darn good looking sock if I do say so myself. Here's to a repeat.

I'm also making a few washcloths, this being the first one. You know, sometimes I feel like I click along pretty good with my knitting, and then sometimes I feel like the slowest knitter in the world. I guess I see all these people whipping out tons of knitting, and then I work on the same washcloth for a week! Makes a girl feel a mite slow. Admittedly, I only give it a few minutes each night, but it seems like some folks plop 'em out in an hour.

Knitting on....

A New Look

2008-02-04T19:55:00.000-06:00

Time for a new look for the old blog! I was tired of the white background...I wanted something warmer. Plus, I made a few other changes: I now have 2 sidebars instead of just 1, thanks to this great blog. I added a few more goodies to those sidebars as well. It's just fun! Let me know what you think!

Squatty Sidekick

2008-02-04T16:49:00.000-06:00

I finished my Squatty Sidekick bag and got it felted! It's too cute....just the size I was wanting for carrying to church.

I felted it in my machine, with a couple of towels and a pair of jeans. I put it in an old white pillowcase and closed it with a rubber band. I went through 2 agitation cycles for a total of about 15 minutes of felting, give or a take a minute for the times I checked on the progress.

It still needs the perfect button, which apparently, I don't currently possess. So I'll have to buy one. I can't decide....brown or blue?

Details on Ravelry
Amanda's Squatty Sidekick
Needles: KnitPicks Options US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
Yarn: Lion Wool in Cocoa and Dark Teal
Cast on 1/26/08
Cast off 2/3/08 and felted 2/3/08

February One

2008-02-01T08:06:00.001-06:00

Brown is the color of the month around here...I'm wearing a brown sweater as I write this, too.
Not really planned, but I do love brown. Chocolate brown... the color of a Dove bar, yum.

I cast on for a new bag, and I'm up to the top decreases already! And hello...what is that? Why yes, that is colorwork...very clever of you to notice! I've been wanting to give it a try, and since this is to be a felted bag, I figured this would be as good a time as any to see how I do. I just did a very, very basic alternating 1 brown, 1 blue for 3 rounds. But, I did it...and now I know I need to brush up on my English style knitting, so it feels more comfortable.

Jimmy's sock is coming along. I've just finished the heel flap and am about to start turning the heel. This yarn is rather splitty to knit with, but I love how it looks with this basketweave pattern. Very yummy. Like chocolate! (It's all knitting all the time around here.)

Forest Canopy -FO!

2008-01-27T14:57:00.000-06:00

I finally finished the Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl, which I started (wait, let me look that up) in February of 2007. Yeesh, I had no idea I'd had it on the needles that long! However, in my defense, there was NO knitting of anything around here last summer. So it just lay around for a few months waiting for cold weather.

I debated and debated about doing an extra repeat before starting the border (I had plenty of yarn), but I mainly just wanted to get it finished, so I skipped any extra repeats and finished it up.

Blocking:

Casually tossed in a wood bowl (no, really):

Classic draped across the back of the chair shot:

The bowl pic is probably the most true to color. I pulled it off the blocking board this morning and wore it to church! Perfect for our kinda drafty worship service (since we're currently meeting in the gym while our new sanctuary is being built).

Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl by Susan Pierce Lawrence

Needles: Knit Picks Options US 7 (4.5mm)

Yarn: Fearless Fibers Classic Merino Sock Yarn in the Honey colorway

Cast on February 2007, Bound off January 2008.

Full details on ravelry.

Two FO's -Fingerless Mitts

2008-01-22T08:10:00.000-06:00

I love how exciting my blog titles have become...so descriptive, so mesmerizing. Yeah, need to work on that.

But, I do actually have two, count 'em, two finished objects. It's the same object, repeated. Two pairs of fingerless mitts! Really, I kinda like to think that's four finished objects, but whatever.

One pair for me (very soft in Knit Picks Shine Sport) and one pair for Jimmy (still soft-ish in acrylic Vanna's Choice). Actually, the end result of these mitts is that I just want to make me more mitts (in wool, so they hold their shape)!

So, don't be surprised to see more mitts in the future. They're addicting.

And, I've cast on for a pair of socks! It's all knitting all the time around here.

Fingerless Mitts

2008-01-14T16:58:00.000-06:00

I've been knitting up a storm, and I've made good progress on mine and Jimmy's mitts.

Jimmy graciously models his mitt.

I'm working on the second one for both pairs, and should finish them this week. I'm wearing my one finished one right now. It's great for your 'mouse' hand.

I've also been spending a lot of time on Ravelry. I'm racking up lots of faves and joining groups.

Very addicting stuff.

I'd love to cast on for some socks, but my yarn still hasn't arrived. It's amazing how you get spoiled by super fast shipping. I've been waiting over a week now, and I'm impatient!

It's a Sock

2008-01-08T20:42:00.000-06:00

Well, lo and behold...it is a sock. A sock, sadly not to be a pair of socks. I haven't enough yarn left for a mate. But, nonetheless...I made a sock! Me!

I have ordered sock yarn (enough for pairs of socks this time) and plan to make socks henceforth. What a wonderful thing is a knitted sock. I want to carry mine about upon my breast for everyone to see. I don't...but I want to.

I have also cast on for a pair of fingerless mitts. Two pairs, actually. The first 'casting on' was with a worsted yarn which yielded a mitt too big for me. So, it became fingerless mitts for Jimmy. The second 'casting on' is a surprisingly soft and velvety KnitPicks Shine Sport. I am enjoying the feel of it.

Yah! for yarn. I love it.

Knit Knit

2008-01-04T07:53:00.000-06:00

I got my Ravelry invite yesterday (! ..I thought it'd be weeks) and spent a little time familiarizing myself with the goodies it has to offer. I can understand now why so many people say they could spend hours and hours there. It's very...big. I've already added a few projects to my queue (am I spelling that right?)

I've been in a knitterly mood since before our trip to DC. I needed a good travel project and so I cast on for this:

It's a simple 4x4 rib scarf for Jimmy. I'm making it out of some Caron Simply Soft I had lying around. Blue is his favorite color. Great plane knitting.

I also have been back at it with the sock knitting:

I'm on the home stretch now, just about to the toe decreases. I *understand* socks so much better than I thought I would after just one. It really does just take going through the process to understand what it is you're trying to do.

Lot of blue there.... here's a "not blue" thing. I whipped up one of these for Shepherd last year, and he just loved it. So I made this one for him this Christmas. A brown bone....single crocheted with 2 strands of good ol' red heart super saver. I just kinda make it up as I go along.

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T10:22:00.000-06:00

Okay, one more post before 2007 goes. A few more pics of our trip to Washington DC. These were some of our favorite places:

A very cute panda (at the National Zoo)

great architecture (at the National Archives)

a fabulous and very cool cafeteria (at the National Gallery of Art)

and a beautiful waterfall (looking out from the cafeteria)

All in all, we just fell in love with the place!

Oops, almost forgot a picture of the Metro....(yes, we liked the subway! We're from Arkansas, people...these things impress us greatly.)

See you in '08!

Christmas goodies

2007-12-20T08:05:00.000-06:00

Most of the baking and shopping are done. One more trip to the grocery store today, and then hopefully a week of peace and joy and family and good times and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Not necessarily in that order.

I made up some goodies for Jimmy's office. Cookies inside and a 'marvelous maraschino pound cake' on top. I need to remember to start earlier looking for packaging for baked goods. I always have visions of a Martha type custom box of cookies, but I end up with a plastic tub, hmm.

But they are good cookies!

I did manage to get a good picture of our tree (above), which I love. I'm loving the colored lights and the white lights mixed together.

I'll be taking a break from the blog to enjoy the holidays, so see you in 2008! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Washington DC

2007-12-14T08:02:00.000-06:00

We are back from our trip to Washington DC, which was wonderful! The day we arrived it was snowing and we walked down to the White House and got the most beautiful shots of it in the snow. It truly was a winter wonderland!

We got to see the Tree Lighting, which was pretty cool. Timed that just right.

I'll have more pics a bit later, but now we've got to get ready for Christmas! Yikes....11 days away.

It's the Holiday Season

2007-11-23T09:10:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We certainly did. We have so much to be thankful for, it's a very long list!

And now....the Christmas season begins! As you can see, I could hardly wait to get my Christmas banner up! I love this time of year which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

Let the festivities begin!

(the pictures are from last year...we don't have the tree up just yet!)

Tiny Shop Update

2007-11-21T16:53:00.000-06:00

I managed to get a few pincushions up in my shop and one has already been snapped up! Woosh, I wasn't even done rearranging my sections and it was sold. That's a new experience for me, but I certainly enjoyed it!

December Trip

2007-11-21T07:47:00.000-06:00

We've received a secret package....

Not really, but it is pretty cool to get a package from your Senator :)

We're gearing up for a trip to Washington DC. Neither of us has ever been there before, so we're pretty excited! We both love American History (Jimmy got me this book a couple of years ago for my birthday).

Anyway, I'm hoping to find a couple of bookstores that have Japanese craft books and magazines for sale. Does anyone have any recommendations? As well as any recommendations for crafty shopping such as fabric, yarn or thrift stores.

Decorating & Craft Ideas

2007-11-16T08:05:00.000-06:00

I have several old issues of decorating & craft ideas from the 70's. I've always loved old magazines and books about decorating and crafting, even as a kid. I was always inspired by the images in them, including the ads. These are some from the early and mid 70's and I thought you might enjoy a peek in them. They have some really dated looking stuff, but they also have some stuff that's popular again these days. But they're always full of inspiration.

I remember using these roll-on paints in Home Ec!

I love how this model below is posing "so naturally." I know I always stand around with my purse on my arm like that!

This one is a great idea. I think I'm going to make the pear!

Wonder what happened to this magazine? Anyone know?

Crochet Today, Crochet Tomorrow

2007-11-14T08:12:00.000-06:00

The Sweet Scallops shawl is growing, if a little slowly. I've got about 25 inches so far. You're supposed to make two sides, each 45 inches long, then join in the middle. So I'll be at it for a while now. I'm definitely not a speed crocheter!

But I am enjoying it. I'm managing to do a little on it at least 4 or 5 days a week. And with the granny squares (which are slowly growing as well) I seem to be crocheting a little bit every day, which is great.

Fabric Stacks

2007-11-09T16:23:00.000-06:00

I spent last evening pulling fabrics for some patchwork projects. I enjoy rummaging around in my fabric, as I'm sure many do! I've got some ideas rattling around in my head, and I'm trying to not get distracted in making some samples.

One is to make some more pincushions for my etsy shop, like this one. I'd forgotten I even had extra blocks from this quilt:

This is County Fair. It was my first quilt pattern. I still love it :)

I'm also trying to get going on a new bed quilt for our bed. That's what on my design wall right now, along with other odds and ends that get stuck up there. I need some big scale prints in there, I think. It's a little blase' looking so far. I'm going for the blue, brown, orange-rusty, and khaki color scheme, if it's a little hard to tell.

New Pincushion

2007-11-06T08:02:00.000-06:00

I made a new pincushion that coordinates with my sewing room.

This was a quick and easy project. I used a couple of leftover quilt blocks and made a box cushion with them. I weighted the bottom with a packet of lentils and stuffed it to the gills with fiberfil!

2007-11-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

This little guy is the handle to a creamer and there's a sugar bowl to match. I think he is so cute! He's perched in the kitchen and he makes me smile whenever I pass by. I found him at a flea market in Branson, Missouri. I love putting stuff like this out for fall, it just makes the house seem that much cozier.

I think it is so funny how everything that was popular when I was a kid is popular again. It kinda makes me wonder if I'm gonna break out the macrame one of these days. Yes, I admit it, macrame was probably one of the first "crafty" things I tried when I was about 8 or 9. I can remember like it was yesterday, sitting in front of the front closet door, working on a macrame plant hanger for my mom. (You know, you hung the top over the door and worked your way down). We even had a macrame hanging table. Yep.

Handmade Holidays

2007-11-02T08:12:00.001-05:00

I think this is going to be very good. I'm looking forward to a month of great ideas!

November One

2007-11-01T17:22:00.000-05:00

Happy November to everyone! I love November...it's almost a perfect month. Halloween is over. Yes, sorry, I'm not a fan of the halloween craze. Thanksgiving is this month, a joy of a holiday if you ask me. All the yummy food and no pressure! It's prep time for Christmas, which I enjoy. You need a little "in the air is the feeling of Christmas" busyness. Not too much, though. And now Daylight Savings Time ends in November. Which to me equals cozy time.

So a bowl of fake fruit (but nice fake fruit) to celebrate this grand month.

And, a beautiful quilt that was on my calendar when I changed it this morning. I "heart" this quilt. Love the big stitches, love the colors, love the fabrics. Love.

Fall Friday

2007-10-26T16:36:00.001-05:00

We're really enjoying cool (cold!) weather right now...we've been wearing hats and gloves to walk Shepherd in the evening. This is so great! Usually, in Arkansas, October is back and forth, back and forth, cool day then warm day, cool day then really warm day, cool day then plain ol' hot day! But it's been very cool for about a week straight. It feels so...fallish.

I'm hooking away on the granny squares...up to 18 so far. I'm loosely planning on an afghan of at least 8 squares across by 7 squares down. So I need a minimum of 56 (yes! I can still multiply in my head) and I may go for 9 x 8 squares....we'll see when I get into the 40's!

I'm working on some new scissorkeeps, pincushions and such for my etsy shop. It's been rather neglected for several months now. But I'd like to get a good selection in there for the holiday season. I love this fabric with the teacups..brown, orange, and aqua...serious love. Sorry it's a fuzzy picture, the perfectly overcast fall day does not make for great pictures inside. But it sure is cozy.

Crochet Everyday

2007-10-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

Crocheting has the hot spot around here right now. I've been crocheting everyday, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. And reading about crochet. And looking at crochet on the internet. And dreaming up what to crochet next.

I started this shawl over the weekend, and I'm really enjoying it. You have to pay attention to the pattern, so it's a good switch off between the granny squares. I love the granny squares for just zipping along or taking in the car, because they are so easy and fast. I'm up to 16 squares over in the sidebar counter. Sometimes I get a whole square done in a day, sometimes not quite a full square.

The shawl is a free pattern I found on Lion Brand Yarn's website. It's called "Sweet Scallops" and the yarn it uses is Vanna's Choice in honey. I'd planned to buy that very yarn, because it looked great in the photo. But when I got to the yarn section in Hobby Lobby, this yarn was right next to the Vanna's Choice yarn, and this "Autumn Stripe" called out to me. It's a very soft acrylic and I'm pleased with how it's crocheting up.

Autumn Decoration

2007-10-19T07:49:00.000-05:00

We're definitely enjoying some cooler days now around these parts. This week we've had rain, gloriously mild sunshine, wind, and an overcast day. All beautiful days in their own way!

When we got back from the trip, I got out my fall decorations and put them out. I'm not one of those people that decorates for every holiday or even every season, but I do decorate for fall. I just love it...love the colors, the leaves, acorns, pumpkins...everything!

The picture above is a corner of our living room. The taffy is from our trip....candy corn flavor, yum!

Above is a picture of the mushroom needlepoint pillow I found on our vacation. It needs to be reblocked and have a prettier backing put on it, but for now it's happily resting in the rocking chair in the living room.

Road Trip Goodies

2007-10-18T07:56:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of the treasures we found on vacation:

This is an embroidered placemat. I found a set of 4 with 4 napkins at a flea market. I think it is too cute! Very happy mushrooms.

Of course, the stack of fabric. I think I was pretty restrained this year. This is all I got. I'm loving the orange on top. I'm loving orange right now, as a matter of fact.

And some good Pyrex love. I have a few snack plates in this pattern and I found these 3 little bowls to match. I believe it's called "Primrose." I have a pretty good case of Pyrex love.

I found a great needlepoint mushroom pillow, but I haven't gotten a good picture of it yet. We've had a lot of rain and cloudiness around here, which is good...we need the rain. But it doesn't make for great picture taking!

Road Trip

2007-10-14T13:26:00.000-05:00

Whee! We just got back from a great road trip, and came home to a happy dog. We used a pet sitter for the first time, and it worked great. She took care of Shepherd and the house, and we didn't have to put him in a kennel ( I just don't think we could do that anymore, it's just too heartbreaking). He got to stay in his home, on his bed, with his things and his routine. And it certainly made it easier for us to enjoy our trip!

I got a few granny squares made while we were travelling, and read the magazines I'd saved up for a few weeks. The weather was great, we had a few cool days, which were wonderful. I love sweater weather! And managed to bring home plenty of treasure, which I'll give you a peek at later this week.

We were up in Ozark country and it certainly is beautiful. Mountain View and Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Branson, Missouri. Yes, Branson. We love it there. We don't go to many of the "shows", but we always go to Silver Dollar City and historic downtown Branson, and the new Branson Landing is fabulous. We stay at a great B&B in Mountain View called Country Oaks. It is a fabulous place, and the best breakfast in the world!

Granny grows

2007-10-05T12:53:00.000-05:00

Um, no one told me granny squares were this much fun! I love 'em!

I make myself weave in the ends of each square after it's completed to avoid the dreaded "I have 40 million ends to weave in!" syndrome.

I'm having so much fun with these, I've even put a little counter over in my sidebar to keep a tally for me. I'm not sure how many I'm going to make just yet, but it'll be at least 64 squares.

Camera Bag

2007-10-03T07:54:00.001-05:00

We bought a smaller camera to take with us on trips (our main camera is kinda big and clunky) and I whipped up a little camera bag for it.

I put a layer of quilt batting in it, and a little pocket on the inside for an extra memory card.

I threw it together so fast, I forgot to think about a closure until I almost had it all together. So I just used a couple of buttons and a length of (very cute) ribbon and did it like an old string-tie envelope.

I think the camera is happy in it.

Fall Bag Finished!

2007-09-28T07:57:00.001-05:00

Whew! Finally got 'er done! I feel like I really drug my feet on finishing this (maybe because I did), but....she's done in time to take on our trip. Yah!

And, I'm really happy with how it came out. I made a couple of changes from the summer version. I made the sides an inch wider (5 inches instead of 4) and I added a zippered pocket divider in the center. Which I'm loving, not to mention, proud that I was able to make it look right! The pic above is the front of the bag,

this is the back

here's a shot of the inside, you can kinda see the pockets on the left, the zip divider in the center, then a zippered pocket on the other side,

another shot of the front before I sewed the button on,

and here's a clearer shot of the zip divider in the center.

I'm glad that's done! I'm still planning a pattern for this bag, but that'll have to wait a couple of months.

And it's a perfect day to carry this bag because it's a cool, clear morning and the sun has that fall shine to it.

One More Time!

2007-09-26T18:42:00.001-05:00

I've got granny square fever! These are the work (so far) of my own two hands...many more squares to go! In case you're desperate for more pictures of granny squares, go here. It's addicting.

More Granny Love

2007-09-22T09:41:00.000-05:00

I've been enjoying the Grannysquares pool at Flickr. These are some of my favorites. Love all the happy color!

Hooked on Granny

2007-09-21T08:12:00.000-05:00

I've been seeing lots of Granny squares around blogland and it's starting to give me the itch. To stitch, that is. I've been wanting to do a granny square afghan since last fall and just haven't gotten started.

But now, I'm seeing this, and this, and this...plus others here and there...that have me running for my crochet hook.

We're planning a trip in a little bit and I've been thinking about my travel projects to take with me. Crochet is great for a road trip. So, methinks I'll be purchasing a wee bit more yarn and head off to granny-land!

One and One

2007-09-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

I was in need of a small purse to carry to church on Sundays (I always feel silly carrying my big tote bag when all I usually need out of it is lip gloss and a cough drop). So I came up with this little number.

I'd been saving this gorgeous fabric for a small purse since last summer, and it just clicked together. The whole orange-blue thing was really singing to me.

Then, the other one, I'm still working on the fall version of this bag. I'm through quilting it and am ready to assemble it. I think I'm going to add a zippered pocket in the middle of this one.

Then I'll probably need a keychain and wallet to match!

Internet Love

2007-09-12T21:03:00.000-05:00

This little darling is my desktop background right now. It's a free download from http://www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com/. I love the internet! It's amazing to me how much you can discover, and..., how generous people out there can be!

It brightens my day just to look at this little chirper! Thanks for sharing, Jessica!

A Furry Haze

2007-09-06T17:01:00.000-05:00

This beautiful creature, here, has lost what I know must be 100 pounds of fur. And it's all over my house. Why does he wait until almost fall to do this? Good thing he's cute.

So, until the fur flies (as in, away) I've been enjoying some blog surfing. And I've discovered (or re-discovered) some wonderful blogs:

http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/chez_fifi/

http://happylovesrosie.blogspot.com/

http://www.sewsally.blogspot.com/

http://www.mellyandme.typepad.com/

http://oneredrobin.com/

Ah, fall. The crafting desire blooms again!

September

2007-09-01T08:24:00.000-05:00

I love September. I love how the light changes and the temperatures cool and the air gets drier. Course, around here, "cool" means 80's. But that's still better than 100's.

September is also our anniversary month. We were married on September 8. And we're usually gearing up for a vacation this month or in October, so there's lots to look forward to.

The picture above is a recently completed washcloth, using my favorite crocheted washcloth pattern. It's just a simple half-double crochet in the back loop, with a scalloped edge. Simple but pretty. Jimmy said the colors looked just like the cup of tea I was drinking. Tea and milk, good stuff.

Happy September!

8 Random Things

2007-08-28T07:53:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by Karen at Simply June for the 8 Random Things meme. So here goes....

We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.*Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.*People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.*At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and they should read your blog.

1. I'm 100% deaf in my left ear. I lost the hearing in it when I was 14 and got the mumps. It's really hard for me to hear people talking in noisy restaurants and places where there is a lot of background noise. One on one I'm just fine. It comes in handy sometimes, actually.

2. My husband and I have not watched TV for the last 4 years. I mean, we have a television and can watch DVD's and VHS tapes, but we don't have cable, or satellite, or an antenna. It's amazing how much our society revolves around television and "celebrities." There are whole gobs of shows and celebrities we know nothing about, and it's interesting how many people think we're insane because we don't care about that stuff!

3. I do not own a cell phone, nor do I want one.

4. I'm crazy about fall, it's my favorite season. The colors, cooler temperatures, apples, cinnamon, leaves...yum!

5. My husband and I sit down to a hot, cooked breakfast every morning.

6. With hot tea. We are avowed hot tea lovers. Our favorite brand is PG Tips from Great Britain...delightful!

7. I get in painting kicks. I'll paint several rooms in the house over a few months. I'm kinda at the beginning of one now, since I just painted my sewing room closet and new shelves. Now I want to paint the utility room, Jimmy's music room, and the kitchen.

8. My eyesight is terrible, but I'm too cheap to go to an eye doctor and get an exam and get prescription glasses. So I just keep buying stronger and stronger reading glasses at the drugstore. I really need to stop that.

I don't know who to tag since I've seen several folks who've already done this. So, if you haven't done it and would like to, consider this your tag!

Tomato Harvest

2007-08-27T13:29:00.000-05:00

Our tomato plants gave up the ghost in the dry, dry, dry and hot, hot, hot (well, they probably loved the hot, but not the dry part) weather we've been enjoying (not) around here. So we picked what we had and pulled the plants up to get the bed ready for cooler weather and lettuce.

We lost the first crop of tomatoes to the squirrels. Then we made a fortress and saved the tomatoes...until the dry, dry, dry. You get the picture. Gardening is hard work, don't let anybody tell ya any different!

On a different note, I was tagged by Karen and I'm still pondering what to say about myself. It's hard to think of odd facts about yourself, because they don't seem so odd to me. Usually.

Enough Already

2007-08-25T17:07:00.000-05:00

Okay, it's been about a month of 100 + temperatures and NO rain. I mean not a drop.

Enough. I'm thoroughly cooked, and so is our yard.

I am sooooo ready for fall to start showing signs of life. So, maybe a gentle nudge in that direction with my blog header will help things along. I hope!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to fall. It always gets my creative juices flowing, so hopefully (if I can get my act together) you'll be seeing some of my recent and upcoming projects appearing here. I'm still working on the charming bags. Naturally, I'm making a fall version. Plus lots of other stuff: I've gotten the knitting and the crocheting back out; finished a quilt; done some painting around the house, and various and sundry other things.

All shall be revealed forthwith. Now, where is that camera?

Summer Vacation

2007-07-27T07:49:00.000-05:00

I'm taking a summer vacation (a little late, I know) from blogging. We're just having too, too much fun playing outside (kayaking, swimming, gardening, badminton, etc.) and I'm not getting anything accomplished in my sewing room these days.

I'll be back in September with lots of projects to get finished!

But in the meantime....It's a beautiful day!

Charming Bags

2007-07-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a few more of the charm pack bags and trying to get a pattern going. Summer is not helping...since we spend just about every weekend out on the lake! But I persevere!

I've been giving it some thought, and I'm thinking about two versions of the purse, one with no closure (like this one is) and one with a closure. And I'm also giving consideration to a larger tote using 8 charm squares on the sides instead of 6.

I'm basically playing around with it at this point, but it sure is fun!

Happy Independence Day!

2007-07-04T08:17:00.000-05:00

A safe and happy holiday to all!

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

Berry Cobbler

2007-06-29T07:56:00.000-05:00

When I received my latest issue of Cooking Light magazine, it had a yummy cobbler on the cover. My hubby said, "You need to make that!"

So I did. It calls for peaches and blueberries, but I didn't have any peaches on hand, so I used strawberries and blueberries instead. But boy, was it delicious! And topped off with vanilla ice cream...summer livin' at its' best!

Happy Flower

2007-06-23T07:46:00.000-05:00

I bought a plant last year that had the sweetest little blue flower that I enjoyed all summer long. I couldn't remember the name when I bought it, so I wondered if I could find it again.

So this spring, I kept looking and looking for it at our local garden center, but never did find it. Then we were strolling through the Wal-Mart garden center and there it was! It's a Convolvus Blue Daze, and very similiar to morning glory, it closes up it's beautiful little flowers in the evening or when it's going to storm.

I have an out-of-proportion love for this little flower! It makes me so happy to look at it every morning as we sit at our breakfast table. How a little flower can lift my heart so baffles me, but there it is. A sweet, happy little gift of pleasure from the Lord.

I call it my Happy Flower and I hope I'll gaze on it every summer of my life.

Summer Sojourns

2007-06-12T16:20:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't mean to take a blogging break, but that's about what it amounted to. And it's all Summer's fault! We have been enjoying the warm weather in a bunch of ways around here. The garden is in full swing, we've gotten lots of zucchini and beans, cucumbers are now getting plentiful and tomatoes are popping out everywhere. The lettuce is about done for until cooler weather, and we're still waiting for the carrots to stop looking like miniature carrots.

Jimmy got a new lawnmower over Memorial Day weekend and he's in love. It's a Husqvarna...too bad a free sewing machine didn't come with it!

And we've been back in the water doing some kayaking. About 10 years ago I had a couple of kayaks and just loved them. I had to sell them after my mom died so I could pay bills, but I've always wanted to get some again. Right now, we have a nice inflatable kayak for two, but we're drooling over a couple of recreational kayaks to paddle in hopefully by next year.

Not to mention, I'm rearranging my sewing room! Yikes!

And also not to mention...I'm typing this post on our new laptop. It's a Dell Precision M60, and we got a great deal from my husband's employer. Lots of fun, but I haven't transferred any pictures or my photo editing program, so I need to get that done.

The summer is just flyin' by!

Summer Wind

2007-05-24T07:45:00.000-05:00

It's starting to feel a lot like summer around here...and now I have a new summer bag!

I LOVE this bag! It's one of those times when the picture in your head matches the end product exactly. I could not be happier with how this turned out, and I'm thinking about making a couple more and making it into a pattern.

I used 1 charm pack, 1 fat quarter (binding and handles), and 1/2 yd. (lining) and batting remnants to make it. Happy, happy me!

The daisies are starting to bloom as you can see above. Daisies and hydrangeas are two of my favorite flowers and they are both blooming right now. We've really enjoyed our garden this year. We've already had a crop of lettuce, and now we're getting zucchini and beans. Tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots are on the way!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone, and especially to those who have lost service members. We owe a great debt of gratitude and remembrance to those who gave their lives for this wonderful country.

Perky Pincushion

2007-05-19T09:28:00.000-05:00

I whipped up this pincushion for a co-worker who had a bad day and was feeling kinda low. I wanted it to look happy and spring-like. I just remembered to snap a picture of it as I was wrapping it up!

I cut out pieces for two, so I'll whip the other one together and have a new pincushion for myself too!

Peas & Carrots

2007-05-15T07:54:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a new purse/tote using the Peas & Carrots charm pack I bought. I decided to try and make as much of the purse using as many of the 5 inch squares as possible. Seems to be working pretty well so far!

I'm also hand quilting the outside in a squiggly, freehand kinda style.

Happy Mothers' Day!

2007-05-13T14:21:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful to the Lord for the mother He gave me. She has been gone 10 years now, and I have only sweet and wonderful memories of her. She truly was a woman who feared the Lord, and I praise her for the loving, kind, funny, sweet, silly mom and best friend she was to me!

Charming

2007-05-11T07:54:00.000-05:00

I've discovered a few new blogs (which I need to add to my blogroll one of these days!) which are delightful. A couple of them are people I'd heard of before, but didn't know they now had blogs. And a couple are new discoveries.

Barbara Brandeburg

Fresh Figs / Fig Tree Quilts

Bunny Tales

The Late Bloomer

That's the greatest thing about this blog-world. You can always find something new and fresh to get your own creativity flowing, and to suit whatever mood you're in...it's a good thing.

The charm packs above are my newest fabric purchases. I'm thinking of purses and totes right now, and I'm feeling patchwork-y and summer-y. So I thought the 5" squares would be a good fit. Hopefully I'll get to working on them before fall!

Cupcake Country

2007-05-10T16:50:00.000-05:00

We love cupcakes around here. They're the perfect size and so cheerful! It's hard not to like a cupcake, I find. But I found a new and delicious recipe in the newest edition of Midwest Living.

They are Kansas Sunflower Cupcakes (recipe on page 164). I made them yesterday and my husband raved (actually, he said he thought he heard angels singing, such was his delight!). And it makes a perfect dozen. Not too many.

The only substitution I made was for the wheat germ, because I didn't have any. So I put in some graham cracker crumbs. A definite keeper!

Springtime in Arkansas

2007-05-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

A few looks at the color in our yard. Spring in Arkansas means you can almost see it growing. That's especially true for the beans and cucumbers!

Victoria Magazine

2007-05-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

Well, here's interesting news....Victoria magazine is planning a comeback. I'll be taking a wait-and-see attitude since there doesn't seem to be any mention of Nancy Lindemeyer or other longtime Victoria editors. Several magazines have tried to duplicate what Victoria had and they always seem to be just shy of the mark, you know what I mean?

But, if it works...woo hoo! Because I love my old Victoria's!