Bags and stylin' dog

I did finish the 15 bags late last night; but in my rush to pair some with a project bag, forget to take a pic of the 15 together. Meh.

Here are some of the sets I have put away for Christmas...

 

 

 

Faith and I just had to tool around town today as the weather was fantastic.  One of the credit union managers said that I keep wishing that Faith could be a therapy dog----but that she already is, because if I take her in on a Friday when the tellers are more apt to feel a bit frazzled and they get to hold her, even for 1-2 minutes, they say they can feel their blood pressure dropping.  Go, Faith!

She is here sporting her new harness. I wanted something easy to be able to throw on her (or say, throw her into?) if we have to bug out due to a tornado warning.  Sounds dumb, but this is after all the Midwest...... you can see she is enjoying herself immensely.  No, it was not hot out today----about 50 degrees....but her tongue comes out when she is excited, too.

 





Snow, sewing, and the BBC

Well it did snow a bit, still is----not sticking on the ground (yay!) but chilly chilly chilly.
I've been working on the (now 15) triangle bags, have five finished.  My thumbs are really hurting so I need a break. Knitting or crocheting are definitely out-----that's why I'm sewing.
I'm watching YouTube BBC documentaries.  I declare I probably know more of England's history than many Brits.  It isn't so much that I love their history-----I just find it pleasant to listen to. Barring the blood and gore, however......ahem.

Second seam set-up for triangle bag...this picture really helps me not make mistakes.

I've already thrown out 3-4 bags in the last month.  No more! Hurrah!

 

 

Five down, ten to go for the weekend.  Many of these will be paired

with projectbags.  They are really small and oddly enough make me giggle.



Zippers galore and more bags!

When I turned 55 a friend sent me 55 small zippers----I am enjoying them with the triangle bags. 

I'm posting a pic of the zipper collection I now have....the 14" ones come from
www.wawak.com, a sewing company. 

Until Feb. 28 if you buy two sets (25 various colors each) you get a third set free.
On the 14" zippers that works out to 26 cents each.  Added to fabric I already have, these bags (the larger project bags) make good and inexpensive gifts.

Who says it's too early to start on Christmas??????

The 7" zippers work out to 20 cents each.  I got the Wawak catalog from my hair stylist who is a quilter/seamstress.  She says the sale happens 3-4 times a year.

If you are a fiendish zipper fan or user, make sure to get in on the sale.

Probably 150+ zippers.....oh, the things I can make!!

 

 

Some recent project bags

 

 

Triangle bags prepped and ready.....after all, it's supposed to snow this weekend.



tea dyeing merino sock yarn

I've dyed homespun wool before using coffee as well as KoolAid.  I don't think I've used tea...
This is a "doll blank" I knitted with KnitPicks Bare Merino sock yarn.  I used the magic cast on and a 40" circular size 1 needle.  I started with 8 sts. on each needle end and worked up to 16 sts on each needle end.
I knitted in the round until the entire piece measured 5".  I then cast off, leaving a 36" tail (to be used as the nose, and for closing the doll body).

It is a bit hard to see the difference---but the Constant Comment tea (one bag in 2-2 1/2 C hot water) left the yarn a delightful light tan/flesh color.
Now, on to doll designing!

Bare Merino, knitted up

 

Bare Merino, soaking for 30 min. in hot water-----no agitation!

 

In rinse water, after soaking in tea for about 15 minutes.

 

Finished Constant Comment tea-dyed doll blank......happy.

 

 

This is Constance. She is inspired by Maidolls, which can be found on Etsy.

I made a crocheted cap for her wig then added mohair for the braiding.

I also made her arms and legs double-yarned.  She will join the other smalls that I have in my collection.

 



My Love

I never knew that love could just keep growing and growing when it comes to a dog....

Book Recommendation

Those of you who know me well know I rarely recommend a book.  My level of expectation is over-the-top---so I do especially apreciate books that speak to me when I find them.

This book was given to me yesterday by a local.  She said "I have something I think you might like" then pulled the book out of her tote box.

Her grandson, 11, was killed in July on a farming accident.  We talked about that a bit and she said, "Keep the book-----I hope it speaks to you."

I read it last night then read it over the phone to a friend who has recently been widowed.

If you know of anyone who has experienced loss or grief then I recommend this book highly.  The printing lends itself to being read to a child; but the story is age-less and I feel touches the soul deeply.

 

 



Sam I Am! Green eggs and ham

 

These are the crocheted green eggs and ham I've done for Michele's second grade class---littles celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2.....

 

 

The extra (small) sets go to Michele's girls....and Michele coveted a triangle bag for herself.

 

 

 

 

A Love Story

For the Love of dolls---and Love

This had to have taken  place in the 60s….I was between 6-8 yrs. old.

I had the two Flintstone dolls, Pebbles and Bambam…..among a plethora of other dolls but these two had taken center stage at this time.

One Sunday I decided to take the dolls to church with me.  When we started to walk into the church (always as a family, back then) my mother turned and said surely you don’t plan to take those in????  Put them back in the car!

She and the family promptly went in to the church.

I went to the parking lot which was full by now.  I put the dolls in our car and went into church.

When the services were over and we came out to go home, I started to panic.  Why were we getting into the station wagon?  Didn’t we take my father’s VW Bug to church?

Somehow I was able to communicate to my mother that I had placed my dolls----my babies!!----in the VW.  She kept saying “but we came in the station wagon”…..by the time we drove the 4 miles home I was in hysterics.  My dolls were gone, kidnapped by some foreign VW Bug!

I couldn’t be consoled; I must have cried myself to sleep, because the next morning I awoke with my dolls in my arms.  How on EARTH???

I discovered my dad had decided to look into matters and found that the church friends who owned the VW had left for Wisconsin immediately following the church services for a summer vacation camp (we lived near Chicago)….so he drove the three hours to the camp to retrieve the dolls, then the three hours home.  Dolls placed under my arms; done.

Some of my siblings told me for years that he did that because he was sick of hearing me rant on and on about my missing dolls.  (I think the family would have returned home in a week’s time.)

Two years before my dad died----which would be over 45 years after the doll incident-----I mentioned how grateful I was that he retrieved the dolls for me. (I had mentioned this numerous times throughout the years.) This time  I added, “Of course, the kids say it was because you were sick of hearing me cry on and on about it.”

The look on his face haunts me still.  He looked like he’d been unsuspectingly punched in the stomach….he sucked in his breath and said,

“No...I went and got them because I love you.”

I no longer have the dolls; but this picture is seared into my brain and I hope it remains clear until I go to the grave.

Worthy of Note

I came across this website many weeks back and recently checked it out again.
Lindsey Wheeler runs the site and small business; she is the quintessential "lemons to lemonade" woman in my book....
Check out her site and be encouraged.

www.bottleoftears.com

Everests, smoking kitchens

.

Everest Three

 

 

Everest Four, hot off the needles this morning...

 

My KoolAid dyeing attempt

 

 I dyed wool with KoolAid in the early 90s....and set my kitchen on fire (okay, it went "WHOOSH" then extinguished itself).  Long story that still makes me shiver. So I bypass it. :)

Suffice it to say, this time I was more careful.  The KoolAid is safe; but last time I used nailpolish remover to clean the counter----while water was boiling....ahem......

Hanging my dyed mini hanks

 

One sock done.....the other will be started tonight.

 

 

I must put in a disclaimer here:  It takes me upward of two weeks to get one pair knitted.  The small work, needles, and yarn really do a number on the arthritis in my thumbs.  I have combined my pics here to try to keep my posts from being boring....I'd hate it to look as though I am cranking out socks each day!

 

 

Thirty years later....Brook's Cap--my Valentine's gift to you

Brook and I are old friends; we go back to the late 80s.  She is also a fiber fanatic; she crocheted this cranberry cap when she was in her 30s (before we met) and didn't have a pattern.  She has mentioned it over the years and I finally pinned her down and made her send the cap to me.

We lived in the same community for 20 years.  I still feel I can safely say that we have talked daily for over 30 years.  That is not an exaggeration...it seems to average out to that.

We used to even swap furniture---yes, you read that right.  She has been a widow for almost 20 years and we would find some poor unsuspecting soul (male, with muscles) and use her van or his truck and swap mostly couches, if I remember correctly.

When we tired of the furniture, we'd swap it back.  Those days still make me chuckle.

     The cranberry cap came on Thursday this week.  I grabbed what I felt was comparable thread and really went to work.  The ivory cap is the result.
 

I give the pattern to you as a Valentine's gift.  The rights are mine; please don't take credit for the pattern but you are welcome to work it up and do with as you wish.
 

    I sent it out to her with Friday's mail.  I am hopeful that it will fit; she has directives that if not, she is to send it back and I'll make it right.  She can read a pattern so I would change the pattern to fit her perfectly.

(PostScript:  She now has it and  I went back and shortened it to fit her better.  The pattern now represents that.  You can still make it longer (deeper) as the instructions explain.)

 

Brook’s Cap

copyright 2017

All rights reserved.

 

Bernat Handcraft size 5 perle thread, one 400 yd. ball

Size B crochet hook

This cap is worked from the crown down. 

Ch 5; sl st to first ch to form ring; ch 2.

Row 1:  Dc 12 dc in ring.   Sl st to first dc.  Ch 2. 

Row 2:Work 2 dc in next dc (you just sl stitched into this) and in each dc around ; sl st to first dc; (24 dc). Ch 2.

Row 3: *Work 1 dc in next dc; 2 dc in next dc….work from * around. (30 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 4: *Work 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (36 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 5: *Work 1 dc in each of next 3 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (42 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 6: *Work 1 dc in each of next 4 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (48 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 7: *Work 1 dc in each of next 5 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (54 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 8: *Work 1 dc in each of next 6 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (60 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 9: *Work 1 dc in each of next 7 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (66 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 10: *Work 1 dc in each of next 8 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (72 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 11: *Work 1 dc in each of next 9 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (78 dc)  Ch 2.

Row 12: *Work 1 dc in each of next 10 dc; 2 dc in next dc…work from * around. (84 dc)  Ch 2.

This completes the crown; if you have a large head, continue on with the increases for a few more

rows.

Pattern Row 1: Work 1 dc in first dc; ch 3; *skip 3 dc; 2 dc in next dc; ch 3…work from * around.

You now have 2-dc groupings with 3-ch loops inbetween.  Sl st into first 3-ch loop.  Ch 2.

 

Pattern Row 2: Work 5 dc in each loop, skipping 2-dc groups.  Just work in loops.  Sl st to first

dc, sl st to third dc.  Ch 2.

 

Work Pattern Rows  1 and 2, six  more times.  Try cap on.  You have THREE final rows to complete; determine how “long” you want the cap to be making sure to consider the three rows you will work to finish cap.  Work additional Rows 1 and 2 if you need to for a better fit.

Row 1 on Finish: Instead of Ch 2 at end of previous Row 2 of pattern, Ch 3 (after joining round).

*Skip 2 dc; dc in next dc, ch 1; skip next dc; dc in next dc, ch 1; work from * around….join to 2^nd of Ch 3.

Row 2 on Finish: Sl st into first ch-1 loop; ch 2, dc in same loop; *ch 3, skip next loop, 2 dc in next loop…work from * around to last loop, ch 2 and sl st to first dc.  Sl st into first loop and ch 2.

 

Row 3 on Finish: Work 4 dc in loop; *5 dc in next loop….work from * around…Sl st to first dc.  Leave a tail and weave in ends.

UPDATE 3-6-17
Brook says it is a perfect fit IF it is 1" shorter.  I will make note when I make a second one so I can tell her how many pattern rows I used for the perfect fit.

 

Friends at Christmas

Just received this pic of some friends for whom I did a bit of handwork at Christmas time.  The handmade mice were the biggest hit of all!

Sustainability

     It's 7:15 a.m. and I've been up for hours, knitting.
Faith patiently awaits our next great adventure while sleeping on the daybed.  Patient puppy.

I have been thinking the last while (translation: weeks) about what the loss of hope means.

Despair comes to mind; lost-ness, fear, worry....the great "it's dark and I'm afraid" feeling that can become a fulltime job before you know it has hit you.

I decided to write this post because I know of a few friends who are struggling with the loss of hope.  Wayward family members grieve their hearts; the longing to see the "wanderer return" is ever in their line of vision.

Where is God in all this?  I think He is in a different place than we expect to find Him.
I have found my own past year, by all accounts, "unsustainable"....which means I shouldn't be able to bear up without going looney on a momentary basis.

If you are one of my struggling friends, or someone I don't know----perhaps God glorifies Himself best in the seemingly unsustainable moments.  I plod on not because I am strong-willed...but because I continually cast my longing and pain on the only One who can make sense out of this unsustainability.  He is able to help me sustain, to not only keep going but to dare to believe His plans for my future are "yes and amen."

If you are very, very brave, perhaps you will embrace the pain He has allowed.  We Westerners run so quickly from pain.  It just might have a purpose that He plans to use to glorify Himself.  I know of what I speak.  My pain is something I must resolve to yet conquer every day.

Above all, He loves the wanderer more than we can fathom. 
Take heart, and hope, in that today.

Project bags

Here are a few project bags I've recently done. 

 

This is a small bag that will hold sock knitting.  I love how lightweight the bag is, it is easy to put over my wrist and redeem the time in bank lines!

 

 

Curious George (the older version) is one of my favorite characters. This bag is bigger, holding two worsted weight yarn cakes.  I'm knitting slippers with this yarn.  This bag is not fleece lined but does have deep boxed pleats at the bottom for standing on its own.





Second Socks----Climbing Everest the second time

These sock blockers are made out of wire hangers.  You can find several tutorials on YouTube.  I love how cheap this was!

 

 

I am amazed at the journey to get these socks knitted.  I knitted the first heel SEVEN times...had to use new yarn a few times because ripping out does wear on the fiber.

 

I realize that a bit of knowledge is indeed dangerous; the first pair (2012) went without much of a hitch cuz I was completely new to it.

This pair, however, was the victim of the "oh, I can do that" mentality which was my downfall.

 

The yarn is KnitPicks Stroll Tonal Sock Weight, a superwash merino/nylon blend.

Think flannel (my favorite fabric).

 

I am knitting another pair with a German yarn which is much rougher---but I suspect it will take more foot-abuse than the merino.  I started it and was so distraught over how rough it felt that I ran a waste thread through the stitches then took them off the needle and gave the knitting a wash...it softened up enough that I might be brave enough to finish the socks.  After all, this is all in the name of keeping my tootsies warm!



Faith, outlet frame, circular napkins, second sock

Faith on a rainy day

 

 

I saw this in a local shop's bathroom.

I thought how the plug outlet was framed was ingenious....

 

 

At a local fabric store, I saw (and bought) this pattern for half-circle

folded napkins.  Great to use fabric stashes!

 

 

Stitch marker I made----socks are knitted in circular and

you have to differentiate front from back....

Crazy Day

I had a crazy and fun day yesterday.....
Went in to the Cancer Center to deliver some things and as always enjoyed myself immensely. (Is that too weird to say?  I guess it is the recovered who enjoy cancer centers the most....)

Then went to the LYS (local yarn shop) near the CCenter and took the plunge and spent some Christmas money on sock needles.  I haven't knitted socks in a few years....and then only the one pair......

But I still am cold since surgery and thought that if I committed to knitting a pair a month then next fall/winter I'd have almost a dozen pair.  Oh, happy feet!

Clever, eh?

Go back to my post (Friday, June 22, 2012) to see how my first pair turned out.  Man I hope I can duplicate them.  I am going to a smaller needle due to how the socks feel on my feet...it's a knitted-sock-thing.

Memories--Jan. 4, 2017

I'm thinking of you, dear daughter, and all the times we dined at the Thai Restaurant on this day.

It'd be such fun to do it again.

New Year Green

I had to change the blog look to match my feelings about the season.  While I like a lovely snow as well as the rest of them, I love it best when the snow melts off the roads and grass------I love green green grass and always feel rejuvenated by it.

Faith and I rang in the New Year by watching howling wolves and barking Pomeranians on YouTube.  She was very interested in one particular male Pom; it was hysterical to watch.  I finally put her down (she fits so easily in my arm) but she came right back up to me with the "you want to pick me up and show me that again, don't you?" look.  I'm such a sucker.  She did this so many times she had me in stitches.

Been knitting scarves for several days; the Sashay ruffled scarves I did a few years ago.  They have changed the fiber a bit and I am making some as gifts.

Not much else new here, hope you had a safe and great end of 2016!

(Caron Yarn) Cakes, anyone?

Michael's had a sale on yarn cakes last week.  I had a great idea to get two as identical as possible (for some double-stranded slippers I want to knit).
In the middle of the night it occurred to me that yes, the strands would "color out" about the same; but each slipper would be different and wouldn't look like a matched pair.

I laughed at that one and don't really know how to remedy it. Sigh.  The perils of the imagination....

 





Around the corner

It's really hard to believe that 2017 is around the corner. If I didn't know that God wastes NOTHING, I would bid 2016 good riddance.

However, I also have seen His faithfulness, especially in some periods this year where I felt very alone and afraid.

How marvelous to face the new year with anticipation (winter can't last forever, right??) and goals!  Only attainable ones, at that...

I had a lovely Christmas with Faith.  Below is the gift I received from a dear staff member at the Cancer Center.  With the very rough beginning of 2016 the sentiment in the mug has very special meaning to me.

 

 

    Many things to do before next week.....some holiday packages did not get sent due to severe temps and icy roads.  Cleaning is in order.  I'd like to embrace the KondoMari method of purging (my abode).  Sigh, all the wonderful possibilities of 2017!

 

A very blessed and fruitful new year to you and all of yours.  :)

 

 

My best to you, Dear Daughter----may this year bring everything good and fine and lovely to you.  love, Mom



Only in Indiana? Maybe not...

I had a really odd encounter today.  Faith and I went out to spread some goodwill. Actually, I was just the driver; Faith does all the spreading.

We had to visit the local Credit Union because the ladies that are tellers adore Faith.
Even the manager loves it when I bring Faith in; she begs to see her.  So even though banking was unnecessary, we went in and she got passed from one teller to another.  Faith is so patient, bless her.

Then we went to the local gas station where I tend to get LARGE unsweetened iced teas.  I haven't had one in weeks due to the weather but wanted one today.  I'd stopped in earlier and Erica said, "Where is that dog?"  So I went back home and got her.
I love living a mile from any place I need to be! (Except the Cancer Center, of course.)

I was waiting for Erica to be finished waiting on customers.  I noticed a man at the ATM.  He had a fiberglass prosthetic arm.  I went up to him and said, "Excuse me sir, but is that supposed to be camo (as in hunting camouflage)?"  He answered that it was but that he'd had it only for a short time and it was fading.
The prostheses went from above the elbow; he had no hand.  He had a claw for picking up things.  I told him it looked like camo to me.
At this time he reached up, took the "arm" off, and then pushed it into Erica's face and said, "Look!  My tissue is bleeding into this thing!  That shouldn't be happening."

All I could do was pray he didn't thrust it into my face; I don't think I would have handled it well.  I assume Erica has seen worse things, working at a gas station???

He then said, "My previous one lasted 10 years----you'd think this one would be good at $17,000!" to which I commented that things aren't made as well now as they used to be.
He then said, "Look, if you'd just bought a car for $17,000 and drove two blocks down the street and it started leaking, you wouldn't be happy, would you??" to which I responded "Certainly not!"
He then turned to the Pepsi guy (who drives the Pepsi truck and delivers to the gas station) and asked the same thing.  The Pepsi Guy didn't miss a beat and said, "Of course not."
The Camo Man then went merrily on his way.  Erica and I looked at each other and shook our heads in amazement.

I tell this story because of the aftermath.  I mentioned it on the phone to a friend in California and she said "Oh, I would have just walked away, and not talked to the man."
I told her it was ME that started the conversation!!  Besides, he seemed like he needed to talk....and Hoosiers (though he had to be from southern Indiana, or from the south) are FRIENDLY folk. 
Daily encounters like this are what make up the spice of life in the Midwest, you know?

Brave on my birthday

My good friend Loretta and I went out on my birthday to celebrate both our birthdays.....and braved a blowing advisory......isn't it a cold looking day?

Fortunately, the weather held off.  I was able to run into the Cancer Care Center as well and saw some of my favorite people.  Even got a birthday card from my doctor!

Now that's public service! (Just kidding, Nikki----I loved the sentiments and did so appreciate the card.)

Finished the trip by going to Staples and buying a computer chair; it has all the bells and whistles and sure has improved the arthritis in my knees.  Thanks, Sis!

 

 

 

 

Speaking of which-----my sister asked for the recipe for the holiday bread we grew up with. (She was driving down to our mom's in FL and wanted to surprise her with the ingredients and make it with her.)

 I distinctly remember having to knead this bread, which is very stiff and dense----my brother David and I were often "blessed" with the job...

It is not really very sweet; in fact I'm not that fond of it but oh, when you cut it into 1/4" slices and slather it with butter, the memories it evokes!

I think I'll do some tomorrow.  The smell will be superb....

 

 

The Seven Cow Wife

In a small, rural town in Africa, a young man decided to get married. It was the custom in that area that when a young man sought a woman in marriage, he would pay the bride’s parents a dowry in cows. If a woman was of average appearance and ability, the dowry might be two or three cows. If less than average, fewer cows. And if a particular young lady was extremely beautiful and talented, a young man might pay as high as four cows. In rare situations, he’d offer as many as five.

How many cows a man was willing to pay for his wife became a bragging point for the women. As the story goes, George found a young lady who struck his fancy but who was rather plain and ordinary. George approached her father and offered to pay him seven cows for her hand in marriage. Seven cows! No one could ever remember anyone paying that much for a wife. The whole town mocked George for being so foolish. Well, the wedding day was set, and everyone in the town was there. The bride’s father put on quite a party, but the conversations all day revolved around how foolish everyone thought George was for having paid seven cows for such an ordinary and plain wife.

Several years later, a traveling missionary came to town and began hearing all the stories about George and his seven-cow wife — how this young man had paid so much for such an ordinary woman and how the whole town had mocked them to the point they had moved away. The traveling missionary decided he must see for himself how this story had played out. When he knocked on the door of George’s house that first evening, he was impressed with the appearance of the entryway. George’s face lit up when the missionary introduced himself at the door and quickly invited the visitor into his home. He introduced the missionary to his four young children. All handsome young boys, and very well behaved, thought the missionary. He was also impressed with the cleanliness and order in the home. After entering the living room, George’s wife carried in a drink from the kitchen, where she was preparing dinner. The missionary was taken aback at her beauty, poise and grace. He thought to himself that George must have gotten another wife, as this woman was anything but plain and ordinary.

George invited the missionary to stay for dinner. After a lovely meal, the two men retired to some chairs on the front porch. The missionary complimented George on his beautiful wife, great family and immaculate house. “But what happened to the woman you had paid seven cows for?” George replied that this was the same woman.

The missionary marveled and said that he had heard the stories from the other village about the plain, ordinary wife George had married. “What changed?” he asked. George replied that he had always wanted a seven-cow wife, that she knew he considered her a seven-cow wife, and that she had risen to the bride price. She believed in her worth.

"The value we put on other people greatly affects the way they value themselves."

Pendants

These pendants are made of copper and antiqued. 
Left-click once on each picture to get a close-up view.