Sunday Morn

 

 A warm day on the horizon.  You can hear it in the summer sounds of the morning.  But still lovely.  So pretty the sunlight sprinkling through the trees and across the lawn. 

Slowly moving at the moment, waiting for the coffee to finish, time for morning prayer and thanksgiving for this day.  Then  heading out to MIL's to make early afternoon dinner.  Will have crochet to go bag in tow.  I never leave home without it!

Have a blessed day.

Friday's Fancy ...

Its a working Friday and shortly will be heading out the door to begin the day but had to let you know that I finally finished a blanket.  All it needs now is a spin in the dryer and a sweet little one to wrap itself around.  It was good to be crocheting again after a bit of a break, due in part to my new found cross stitch fascination as well as the heat wave of the past week. The break in weather was just enough to happily spend the past few days with hook moving!

Having said that, the weather break is about to be broken and another heat wave is on the way (so they say).  So looks like my autumn cross stitch  will be reappearing and maybe get completed over the weekend.  This will be my third Fall design.  I would like to have a few more and then start on Christmas and winter charts. 

In true addiction fashion I am building my cross stitch stash.  I pick up a handful of floss each week, the goal to have each color available.  I figure this way I'll have whatever I may need for a new design readily available.

Time to get moving here ...
                          ya all have a great day, ya hear!

Thursday Thoughts

Happiness is inward

and not outward;

and so it does

not depend

on what we have,

but on what we are.

-Henry Van Dyke

(1852-1933)

What's Doing Wednesday

Happy things, that's what.

Finally the hook is flying again.  Nine more rows to go to finish, then I think I will edge in a simple single crochet and one more ready for Dominic.  The round ripple has been frogged out to the 18th row as a mistake was discovered and I just couldn't let it go so that is next on the agenda.  That is a much heavier blanket so I'm not rushing with that one as the fall and cooler weather will be better for that.

Originally Dominic's expected debut was September 6th but then changed to August 28th.  However, last week he took quite a drop and doc says within two weeks, maybe sooner.  We'll see. 

And a winner ...left a comment with Sandy at Sunflowerz Crochet and am one of five who won one of these wonderful stitch markers.  These Sandy made herself.  Aren't they pretty?  I am so very excited.  Thank you Sandy!

Wishing You a Winning

Wednesday of Blessings

Tuesday Treasures

A few weeks ago I joined a potholder swap with Faith at Crochet By The Sea  ( http://crochetbythesea.blogspot.com/).  Sadly I have been most remiss as I have not even started my potholder, as with everything else as of late ... its coming ... its coming ...  I hope to one of these days say its completed.  Anyway, the week before last a package was waiting for me when I got home one evening and what do you suppose was in there ... this darling potholder dress made by Faith.  I cannot begin to express what I felt when I took this from the box.  It is so perfectly made and one of the most beautiful crocheted pieces of work.   It was made with love and I can feel that when I hold this treasure.

Also was this magnet bought on an excursion by Faith and her husband to the Amish Country.  Words cannot not express!


Yes, these are two new treasures and they will certainly be cherished.  These no doubt are go to pieces when days are a little less brighter as they cheer the heart.  But, I have to tell you, the best treasure of all is the heart and soul of the friend I have met at Crochet By The Sea ... Faith.  I have been blessed.

Grab an umbrella ...

I

its raining, its pouring (at times) and thankfully so.  The temperatures the past week have hit the three digit mark (don't even want to say or think the hundred word again) and everything is dry and brittle so a nice summer rain is more then welcome.

Have become lax on the blogging front, much to tend to lately but hope to get back to my stitching, crocheting and blogging and especially visiting your wonderful blogs very soon.  The weekend was full of joy and excitement with a shower for the expected babe, who, by the way, may be putting in appearance in the not too distant future. 

Adjusted work schedule this week leaves this afternoon free, so enjoying the lullaby of the soft falling rain, will brew a cup and get the hook dancing.   How about a cup with me?

 

Setting down the hook ...

but just for a few moments.  An extremely busy week is approaching but I would like to get this done before the weekend.  Going to give it a good try! 

In the meantime, my time out was because I was so excited to see my cross stitch ... Winter Sampler ... which arrived yesterday afternoon.  But I have to admit, initially I was a bit overwhelmed.  I had wanted a piece to work on in cross stitch "over time" that was larger and more intricate.  Talk about asking and receiving!

For me, a novice at best, this is huge!  However, I still do love it.  I can see that it is going to be quite a bit of time just getting ready to stitch.  Will you just look at the chart, and this is only one out of four.  Look at all that floss! 

I have always admired the work of stitchers, but I certainly have a greater respect for the time and effort they put into their master pieces after seeing this and this is not one of the big ones.  I was reading a blog recently where a project being worked on had 12 charts to it.  Can you image?
This piece still does talk to me though, I can picture a chilly winter's eve covered in my toasty afghan adding stitches to this treasure.  That's part of the beauty too ... no time limit, just enjoyment, stitch by stitch.

However, time to get back to my hook, she's awaitin' ...

Have a good evening!



Fabulous Friday

My little blanket is finished.  Thanks for the suggestions on outlining the name.  I'm still not sure I like the lettering style but I do think the outlining makes it much better.
The baby shower is quickly approaching (as is his arrival) and I still have two unfinished blankets.  They may not make it for the shower but they will be done for his birth day.

I think of a new little one, a grand and it makes me smile and warms my heart.  Someone said the other day wait until you see your child holding his child.  And when I think of that my eyes fill.  Not sure that there are words to describe that, guess, as everyone has told me, grandparents everywhere understand that.



So for the next few days at least, cross stitch on hold and the hooks are becoming lively again.  Two blankets and some potholders on the horizon.

Haven't mentioned my weight loss mission for a bit but I'm still with it.  Actually, I've made the conscious decision that this really is a way of life and this is how it will be.  Slowly plodding along.  I really think that Weight Watchers is the best.   I have had a few weeks of gains but all in all for the time the average is a loss every week and20.2 to be exact!  Gotta acknowledge that .2 ... every bit counts  ... lol ... and not only a weight drop but cholesteral and A1C (diabetes) levels showed a decline at last check-up.  Its more then a good thing!   

Well, off to get busy with all the home front chores.  We're having amazing weather.  Oddly, there's been a slight coolness to the air that you would normally find in the Fall.  As that's my favorite time I'm not minding.  I always think Fall is too short, a nice long one would be just fine!

Blessings throughout your day,

joy in your heart.

  

Thursday Thoughts

Laugh often, long and loud ...

Laugh until

you gasp for breath.

And if you have friends

who make you laugh,

spend lots of time

with them.

Happy Tuesday

Unusal Tuesday, off for the morning so enjoying a leisurely start to the day.  Thanks for the comments and suggestions on the last post for my baby blanket.  I think outline/backstitch of the letters may be the answer.  A little cooler day or evening though before I pick up the yarn.

We should hit 100 degrees today.  Not a fan here of these summer heat waves, but with what I hear the temperatures are in the middle east I shouldn't and can't complain.  (I'm sure you'll have to remind me later in the day that I said that!)

On the crafting front, did get some stitching in last night.  I really need to get my few completed pieces finished and display ready.   Adhering to my true blue craft addiction ... a Herrschners sale showed a book of Christmas Cross Stitch (originally $24.95 for 97 cents) and a crochet book also for 97 cents.  Now how could I pass that up?  So, as you can see, I'm waiting with anticipation for the mailman.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stay cool and safe.  See you tomorrow!

  Blessings

 

 

Spectacular Sunday

A spectacular start to the day.  The army boy called, sounds very good and doing well, thank God.  Our prayers continue for blessings and protection.  Said temperatures yesterday peaked at 118.  A tad hot I would say.  Water, drinking lots of water is an absolute necessity. 

I'm on my second attempt at adding baby's name to the blanket, having ripped out the first design.  I just can't seem to find the right alphabet design.  I'm wondering maybe I should try to outline this or maybe I should just leave the blanket without the name.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

In the meantime I'm still looking for another alphabet design ...

Haven't gotten to cross stitch in a few days now but I did order a Christmas Sampler.  Enjoying very much the small charts I have found but want to have a larger one to work on over time (like I don't have enough projects!) and fell in love with this.  Since I retired I have come to enjoy winter 

(for the most part) and Christmas has always held a special place in my heart and when I saw this thought it was the perfect piece.  Now that I look at this again, I can see this certainly will be a long "over time" piece ... lol ... but I can also create several smalls from it.  This is my first large piece so I hope I haven't bitten off more then I can chew!    

Hope your day is a spectacular one.

 Joyful Blessings



Fabulous Friday

Ahhhh, a day off and hopefully a clean house!  Time to get the mop going here, much ado.  Baby shower within a few weeks.  The due date has been moved up to August 28th.  Excitement building each day closer to our first grandchild. 

Do you remember the tiny blanket I made a while back with the cross stitched lamb on it?  It has come out of storage and being made ready.  My husband thought it would be nice to have our little one's name on it so after looking through my cross stitch mags I came upon this alphabet ... upper and lower case ... and the needle is moving.

A few of the blue outfits and dog.  Looking for a lamb stuffed animal to no success.  For now the dog will have to do, at least he's the right color blue.

Another project in the works is my next autumnal stitching, very cute, bright and happy!  Key ingredients.  I also really need to get moving on a potholder for an exchange I signed up for.  I can feel once I pick up the hook again I will be back to heavy duty crochet mode.  A rather nice place to be, I must say.  Well, these are what will keep me quiet and busy for the next few days/week.

TGIF and blessings.

Thursday Thoughts

Those who deny freedom to others

deserve it not for themselves.

-Abraham Lincoln

What's Doing Wednesday

A big stretch and yawn and hitting the floor running.  Busy has been the order of the day lately and looks like will be for a while yet.  Haven't even had time to pick up hook or needle, miss that!

Hope your day is a sunny one in all ways!

Joy and Blessings.  

Such an Important Day ...

In the lives of every American.  Happy Birthday America with thanksgiving and praise to those men and women who so proudly served and are serving and stand to defend freedom.  God's abundant blessings on you all.

Our son, one of them, serving in the Army Infantry.

We love you. 

And also a  special day in our household ...

                   Happy Birthday

                      to my husband. 

God Bless America