Timeless Love (pt 1)

Over twenty-five years ago, my only sister and her husband started their family.  In honor of the birth of their first two children I made baby quilts to show my love for them and their babies.  Recently they became grandparents for the first time, and those quilts resurfaced after years of being carefully stowed away.  When I made them I did not have the foresight to take pictures of them, and my memory of them was vague.  My sister was kind enough to remedy that and sent pictures of each embroidered square and the finished quilts. My stitching was far from perfect, but my heart was in the right place.

Nicholas’ quilt…Vicky (my sister) sent me a piece of the wallpaper used in the nursery, and I sketched the characters.  The backing was a piece of plaid cotton discarded by the factory that made clothing for Levi Strauss.  In the 80’s they took loads of discontinued fabric to the local landfill and it was quickly claimed and repurposed.  (Repurposing is not a new concept at all.)  When the factory found local quilters and sewers salvaged the fabric they began incinerating it instead of sending it to the dump.

Matthew’s quilt coming soon…

Until next time…

Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:14

You Go Girl and Well-Worn Denim

Yesterday I finished the repurposed blue jean apron I’ve been making for my granddaughter.  She has not been back here to receive it and model it.  The body of the apron was made from one blue jean leg cut off just below the crotch.  The inseam was ripped out with my trusty seam ripper, and the leg pressed flat. I turned the sides and bottom under about 1/4 and turned it again and hem stitched the raw edges.   Pockets, yoke trim and ties were added with You Go Girl  Pink Ropes by Dawn of Sun Valley. I think my granddaughter will be pleased.

Until next time…

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.  Proverbs 10:12

Let The Good Times Roll…

but not the scarf.  Thanks to my brilliant, knitting bloggy friends my first completed knitting project is improved.  Many thanks to Kimmie and Heather for their suggestion of adding a row of crochet.  It definitely helped and now there is only the slightest tendency for the edges to curl in.  I appreciate you both.  In the future I will try Christen’s suggestion of opposite stitches on the ends of each row and Kimmie’s of slip stitches on the ends of the rows to see how they work to prevent the problem from the start.  Learning to knit is proving to be quite fun and satisfying…with a little help from my friends.

Here is the improved scarf with added row of crochet…

In closing, a note to Lennie…may your day be every bit as blessed as you have made mine.  Thank you for the lovely card.  Though I am beginning to feel better, your sweet thoughts warmed my heart and made me feel even better.  You are so dear.

Until next time…

Discipline is like broccoli. We may not care for it ourselves, but feel sure it would be good for everybody else.   ~ Bill Vaughan ~

Tuesday Tea and A Movie

Finally I am feeling better (yea!!!), and I’ve actually earned a long tea break.  Energy has been on the slack side for over a week, but this morning I woke up determined to feel better.  Sometimes the mindset is half the battle…I’m hoping this is one of those times, because I am tired of being sick.

Over the past couple days I’ve mulled over in my mind an apron I am making for my horse-loving granddaughter.  This morning I started stitching it.  The body of the apron is a re-purposed blue jean leg and the accent fabric is a sweet remnant of “You Go Girl” by Dawn of Sun Valley I picked up one afternoon when she and I stopped by my favorite sewing shop.  The pocket is not sewn on crooked…but it sure looks that way in the picture.  Somethings are puzzling and that’s one.  I think she’ll be thrilled.

After taking my dear husband his lunch and a thermos of fresh black Irish Breakfast tea, I came home and filled my clotheslines with laundry to dry in the sunny breeze.  Now it’s time to treat myself to a cup of hot Zen tea and a movie.  Bubba and I are going to kick back on the couch and watch “Bright Star”.  It’s a newly released movie I’ve wanted to see.  Thanks to Netflix it was in my mailbox when I got home.  I’ll sit and knit and relax…what a perfect way to spend tea time.

Here is the the stocking stitch scarf I made that curls…the green piece is all knit stitch and so far is behaving itself.  Both Heather and Kimmie suggested adding a crocheted border to see if that helps it lay flat…if not I’ll use it anyway and prize it for my first ever completed knitting project.  First of many, I hope.  (The picture shows the curl and fringe.  I didn’t have a model so it really doesn’t look too scarfy.

For more Tea on Tuesday visit Kimmie at Art In Red Wagons.  I’m going to make my rounds as soon as I finish watching Bright Star. 

Until next time…

You can spend your time, waste your time, or invest your time. It’s your choice.  ~ unknown ~

The Upside Of Being Sick

For about a week now I’ve been under the weather.  I gave in and went to the doctor on Tuesday, and he confirmed what I already knew.  I was sick.  The sinus infection he diagnosed was no surprise, but bronchitis was.  I guess it was good I went.  My energy level has been non-existent so I’ve spent a good bit of time doing things I could do quietly and mostly at rest.  I thought I’d share…

In November or early December Carole from Madness and Mess invited stitchers around blogland to take part in a wee stitchery quilt she will eventually put together.  I’m bringing up the rear getting mine back to her, because the days leading up to death of my father and his passing away threw me way off kilter.  I completed my contribution this evening and will send it on its way to New Zealand tomorrow.  It is stitched on a piece of what looks to be unbleached muslin about five inches square.  It truly is a wee stitchery.

My sister’s first grandbaby was born today.  He weighed in at 9 pounds 15 ounces and 22 inches long.  He’s a fine looking little guy.  Sadly he’s in Georgia and we’re in Mississippi, so it will be a while before I can get my hands on him.  As a welcome gift to him I made several burp cloths using the pre-fold diaper method.

I’ve been practicing what I’ve learned about knitting and am very comfortable with knitting, purling and binding off.  I made a scarf out of some very forgiving homespun yarn and for some reason it curls from both sides to the center.  I don’t know why or what to do to prevent it or correct it.  Here’s the piece I am working on now.  I’m not sure if it will be a scarf or rewound into a ball when I am finished.

That about does it.

Until next time…

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1

Tea On Tuesday

Tea on Tuesday finds me T for tired this time around. Last night I met with a few of the ladies from my church to fellowship and craft. One of my pastor’s daughters has committed to teach me what she knows about knitting, and last night we began. I came home and settled in on the couch with my knitting needles and yarn and practiced what I learned…until 2:00 A.M. Today my tea has helped me keep my eyes open and my needles clicking. It’s been one of those lazy days spent on the couch in front of the fireplace with an afghan wrapped around my feet and my Great Dane Bubba snuggled by my side.

For more Tea On Tuesday visit Kimmie at Art In Red Wagons.

Until next time…

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.  ~ Albert Einstein ~

Almost Morning

Until next time,

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~ Anthony Brandt ~

T is for…

T is for tardy to the party.  It never occurred to me yesterday was Tuesday until NCIS came on last night.  By then I was settled down with crochet hook in hand and didn’t make it back to my computer.  I figure “better late than never” definitely applies to a tea party.

T is for taking a break.  It’s been a busy and productive morning around my house.  (I wish the results of my labor could be seen.) I’m ready for a break…with tea, of course.  It’s my good fortune my DH had not finished the thermos of coffee he took to work this morning, because I brought a second thermos back home after taking lunch to him.  It’s filled with Tazo Awake…delicious black tea that I sweetened with local honey.  Yum.

T is for terrific deals.  While I was outside tending our critters late this morning the FedEx truck pulled into our driveway with a delivery I’m really excited about.  On Saturday I stumbled across a link to an online fabric supplier and clicked on it.  They offered amazing fabric deals.  I ordered from them on Sunday night, and my purchase was passed to me by the FedEx man this morning.  Quick service!

T is for textiles and tickled pink.  To say I am pleased is an understatement, and sharing this great web find is in order.  I bought the calico bundle.  It’s comprised of 17 6 yard pieces equaling 102 yards of first quality small print calico cotton.  The price averages out to $1.75 a yard.  Shipping was nominal…less than $13.00, so the price for all my beautiful fabric came in under $200.00.  I’ve always had a soft spot for small print calico and will use this fabric for both garment making and crafting.  If you are interested in checking these folks out you can visit them at Marshall Dry Goods.

T is for tying a string around my finger to remember the next tea party and make it on time.

For more Tea on Tuesday visit Kimmie at Art In Red Wagons.

Until next time…

If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable – each segment distinct.  ~ Letty Cottin Pogrebin ~

Daybook – January 4, 2010

For Today…”Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Outside My Window…It is bitter cold for this part of the country.  The sun has not braved an appearance.  “Gloomy” comes to mind.  (I refuse to adopt that outlook…)

I am thinking…of the many things I want to accomplish but know baby steps is the only way to get back into my groove.

From the learning room…I continue to relearn who I am without my dad.  I am learning from those who have walked before me in the same shoes struggled equally with their new reality of deep pain.  Those who “know” have embraced me with their compassionate kindness.  I’m learning to lean even more on my Saviour Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for…second chances and forgiveness.

From the kitchen…I smell the enticing aroma of date-nut pinwheels baking.  They are dangerous, but soon they will be packed tightly in a tin and sent to someone I love.

I am wearing…a comfy long-sleeved, organic tee with an undershirt, a warm camo sweatskirt, silk long-johns, socks and wooly slippers.  It’s cold outside and not quite toasty inside…but I am warm.

I am creating…a wool, triangle-shaped shawl, a wheelchair lap blanket, and little Russian dolls.

I am going…to continue removing the decorations from out Christmas tree, get a couple packages ready to ship, keep the fire in the fireplace going, and do my best to stay inside and warm the rest of the day.

I am reading…still The Christmas Hope and by Bible.

I am hoping…my sweetheart sleeps well today…he worked all night.

I am hearing…First Love, a classic recording of music from the 60’s/70’s hippie Jesus movement.

I’m praying…for my mother, siblings, my children and grands and theirs.  I know the struggle they are in the midst of.

Around the house…things are pretty much in disarray.  I’ve begun organizing.

One of my favorite things…dew sparkling in the sunshine.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  go to the bank and post office, continue to organize and declutter our home.  If we don’t get snowed out I will go to my mother’s house and spend the night with her…just because.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

Until next time…

The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.  ~ Erma Bombeck ~

Family Time pt 3

Leader of the choir…our youngest grandboy.

in total awe…

high stepping…my nephews beautiful baby girl.

reminds me of a forrest imp…

Our Lily Belle…youngest granddaughter

grands light up my life…

in a hurry…

o what eyes…

our Rachel…my baby’s baby.  she cut her hair a while back….all by herself. 

Until next time…

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:2