Welcome 2011

Wishing you
a happy, healthy

and prosperous New Year.

*

Be always at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors
and let each New Year
find you a better man.
-Benjamin Franklin

Abundant blessings

 and graces.



Thursday Thoughts

 

The best and most beautiful

things in the world cannot

be seen or even touched. 

They must be felt with the heart. 

-Helen Keller 

What's Doing Wednesday

 

 

web.archive.org/web/20070504161441/http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/Risingsun.html

Two doilies, a finish and a WIP, the finished in blue and the WIP in copper mist.  First time I've used the copper mist, its very nice, texture and color.  The doilies are named the same ... Rising Sun ... similar yet different.

Germans from Russia Heritage Collection

Potentials for the crochet along?  Maybe.

Joining Work In Progress Wednesdays.  Meet you there.

 

Tuesday Treasures

A treasure that I count is the blog of a dear friend, Faith.  I always have found peace and serenity in the words that she so eloquently expresses.  Such beautiful thoughts are always shared.  She certainly has a gift with the written word.  That blog was Crochet By The Sea.  Due to an editing problem  the blog could not be used any longer and so Faith has started a new blog ...   

Simple, Vintage and Crochet.  Simple, Vintage and Crochet

In case you didn't know, wanted to let all know that Faith is still here, just in a new blog.  I know that I would be lost without her and know that you would be too.  Here's to continuing to enjoy the beauty that she brings to each of us.

Have A Good Evening

 Stayed put today, work rescheduled to other days.  After several hours of snowblowing and digging out the driveway is clear and tomorrow will resume normal schedule.  It was hard to tell how much snow we actually got.  With the wind some areas were completely clear with four foot drifts in others.  When I opened my garage door half of it was drifted well over my height ... 5' 7". 

Kept the crochet hook busy this afternoon, my doily almost completed.  Not sure if I will use this pattern for a crochet along as I seem to have had many adjustments to make and not sure that I could convey them properly ...still deciding.  Even though, I do like the results.

I do have to say our snow is such a pretty sight.  However, I can be happy with not too many days like this.  Cold weather I can deal with, the wind chill not so much.  But hey, I can't and shouldn't complain, the soft white blanket covering the orchard is a sight to behold.  As the darkness falls and the wind has died the hush of the snow speaks, such a cozy, comforting "sound".    Blessings of the season for sure.

Peaceful night.

We're Having a Blizzard

 Its been snowing now since just after noon and looks like its going all night into tomorrow.  The wind is howling and the snow is blowing sideways with drifts forming.   A very good night to be in safe and sound, thankfully.  Good thing I filled the bird feeders this morning, the little ones will be around come dawn and will have their fill.

My crochet hook has been busy with the makings of the below 1940 doily, now about half done.  This is one pattern I am trying out for the next crochet along probably sometime next month.  Then I will be trying one with pineapples that was suggested.  I have to make sure I understand the patterns then we'll see which we do.

  

 Off to make some hot chocolate ... think I'll swipe a candy cane off of the Christmas tree.  Mmmmm, sounds good.  Get some of that leftover Christmas dessert too.  Its all calorie free, right?

Keep warm and safe. 

 

Joy To The World

Christmas Blessings.

Christmas Eve

The Lord is close at hand.
Waiting in joyful anticipation. 

Thursday Thoughts

Somehow not only at Christmas,

but all the long year through,

the joy that you give to others

is the joy that comes

back to you.

-John Greenleaf Whittier 

Merry Christmas

 I love saying Merry Christmas, I love hearing it.  And it seems this year people are saying it more.  The young man at the bank yesterday loudly proclaimed it as we were leaving.  It reminded me of years gone by.  It was very comforting, very nice.  Just two words that lifted the heart, that filled the air with the anticipation of the joy that we will celebrate in a few days. 

Tidings of Comfort and Joy ...

Merry Christmas 

Merrily - A Little Doily

Just eleven rows that make up quickly and adds sweetness to your decor, packages or clothing.
A six inch doily, a coaster or don't forget my ever favorite ... an embellishment, be it a package or sweater.     Small enough to use up those leftover crochet threads.

Size 10 Thread
Size 4 Hook

1. Chain 8, join. Chain 3 (counts as 1st double crochet), 7 double crochet in ring, join to top of beginning chain 3.

2. Chain 12 (counts as 1st double crochet and 9 chain) *double crochet in next stitch, chain 9* around, join to 3rd chain of beginning chain.

3. Slip stitch into space, chain 3, 6 double crochet in same space, 7 double crochet in each space around, join to top of beginning chain 3.

4. Slip stitch to middle stitch of double crochet group, chain 1, single crochet in same stitch, *chain 7, sc in space between groups, chain 7, single crochet in middle stitch*, to join, for the last instead of chain 7, chain 3 and treble crochet in 1st single crochet to join.

5. Chain 1, single crochet in space, *chain 7, single in next space*, around to joining, again, here chain 3 and treble crochet in 1st single crochet to join.

6. Chain 1, single crochet in space, *chain 9, single in next space around*, join to 1st single crochet.

7. Slip stitch in space, chain 3, 6 double crochet in space, 7 double crochet in each space, around, join.

8. Slip stitch to center of double crochet group, chain 3, double crochet in each of next 7 double crochets, *chain 6, skip 6 double crochets, double crochet in each of next 8 double crochet* around to join.

9. Slip stitch in next 2 stitches, chain 3, double crochet in each of next 3 stitches, *[chain 7, single crochet in space] twice, chain 7, skip 2 stitches, double crochet in each of next 4 stitchest* around, join.

NOTE: There will be cupping but will flatten out by end row.

10. Slip stitch to next stitch, chain 3, double crochet in next stitch, *[chain 7, single crochet in sp] twice, chain 7, skip 1 stitch, double crochet in next 2 stitches* around, join to top of beginning chain 3.

11. Slip stitch in space, chain 3, 6 double crochet in space, 7 double crochet in each space around, join to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off.

Christmas is Coming

My Christmas Present arrives tomorrow at noon.  Our son is on leave from the army and will be home for the next few weeks.  It will be so nice to have both our guys around. 

For unto us a child is born ...
there's no finer gift.  

Safe travel and blessings ...

see you soon.

Its a Fabulous Friday

 Just taking a minute to say good Friday morning.  Its a Fabulous Friday ...  I have the day off ... yay!  I am working on a couple of things right now ... per a few requests received, I am thinking about another doily crochet along, probably to start after the holidays.  I am looking for some patterns, but would also be interested in any thoughts and especially in who would like to participate.  I think it was fun and looking forward to doing again.

I have just finished designing a little doily which I think I am going to call Merrily.  I have to test the pattern, which I hope to do today/this weekend.  I wanted to do this little doily as a thank you to all that stop by.  I have found such warm, loving hearts and wanted to give back something.  Until later ...

 

  

Have yourself a merry day!

Thursday Thoughts

 

Blessed is the season

which engages the whole world

in a conspiracy of love.

-Hamilton Wright Mabie

What's Doing Wednesday

 Hitting the floor running this morning.  Just taking a quick second to say good morning, and wherever you are keep warm or cool and safe with abundant blessings to your day.  Tis the season. 

 

We're certainly experiencing bundling weather.  Duhhhh, it is December ... oh yeah, right!  Doesn't mean I have to like this cold.  I do like the Christmas spirit though and it certainly will make it easier on Santa and his Reindeer!

Brrrrrrrrr

Tuesday Treasures

Sometimes it just plain hard to put into words

when your heart has been touched.

When someone takes the time to

not only think of you  but in ways

that are so meaningful in your life.

  

My crocheted angel and gingerbread man, they are so very special that I just wanted to share them and to say thank you to the special angel who made them.

Giving Thanks for Faith



Sunday Staying Put

Such tough weather throughout the country, the midwest being pounded by snow, here in the east we're experiencing heavy rains and thunder storms due to such drastic change from the cold of the past few days.  All in all I think the rain is just fine.  Early morning church then in for the day, an unusual treat to be home on a Sunday.  Hmmm, what will I do ...

Found another sweet little star pattern ....   L.A. Is My Beat: A Garland of Stars  by Ellen Bloom ... adding to my carry along bag, although the hook will be flying this afternoon making these little treasures.  Three rows of crochet happiness!  Thanks to Ellen for sharing such a wonderful pattern!

A few thoughts rolling around in my brain for another doily, might give that a try and see where that goes. WIP's include a scarf, possibly a hooded scarf, and a  few afghans, doilies, table topper ... have to get serious on making two more baby blankets.  Leaning toward the round ripple pattern (again) but not really sure yet.  Might want to try something different, although both blankets will be the same pattern as they are for twins.

Blessings.