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Post by choney2 on Jan 25, 2017 17:55:45 GMT
Good afternoon!!
CJ- glad you made it through all the wind. Sounds like you had a lovely evening out to dinner with your brother and sister in law. DC is a lovely city- so pretty to drive around at night (think it's on the beltway that goes on the perimeter of the city and you can see all the memorials lit for the evening). I do not know how I just got your post under my name.....I must have hit the wrong key and it copied it in. Anyway, hope you get some crafting time in today!
Ruth, just an idea- how much do you want to spend on DDIL? I LOVE my diffuser- you put essential oils in it and it scents the home. Some use it for healing- lavender for relaxation, eyycalyptus to unstuff a nose, etc.....so a diffuser or even a set of essential oils would be appreciated. Or what about an assortment of herbal teas? (Celestial seasonings is great and will ship for you too!). I dunno, just some ideas. Also, as you are so crafty- there are some gorgeous patterns of infinity scarves- and who could not use anothe one of those? Good luck deciding what to do for her.
Meg, your simple crochet baby blanket sounds lovely. My DSIL made one, using up extra yarn and it's adorable. I am sure yours will be too. And I do not so much mind shopping for groceries, but putting them away is not fun. Glad you got that done!
I have 16 inches done on the baby afghan- so am almost half way! ( think the pattern says to stop at 40 inches). I am aiming to be done by mid February- which is when I am guessing the baby shower will be. DD and the grandkids came over yesterday- so while my morning was peaceful, the afternoon was not.
Hi to Phyl and Gail and anyone else who stop by! Hope I did not forget anyone. Ginny
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Post by gramma15 on Jan 25, 2017 21:00:21 GMT
Ginny, thank you for the suggestions. I know she already has a diffuser and she hates teas. Otherwise those would be prefect. And I know she has a lot of essential oils because she used those for making her homemade soaps, lotions, lip balms, etc. I made her an infinity scarf last year but, as you said, who wouldn't like one of those. I'm sure she can use more than one. They attend and participate in a lot of church functions and then they have the home school coop too and I'm sure have meetings for setting up programs and things for that so she could use it going to any of those places. So I'm going to make one of those and also some little things. As I mentioned I made her that notepad wall hanging thing last year so I'm thinking a notepad and pen holder for her purse or maybe to go on her Bible. I saw a pattern for one of those and there are a couple other little things I saw too and I can always pick up some little thing at WAlmart...like the notepads maybe and a nice pen.Oh maybe wind chimes for the deck. They do have a lot of bird feeders...that's something I would like. I could also make her some Bible bookmarks. WEll now that I've started to think some things did come to mind. I don't send big things because I don't know what they already have.
Ok today is wrap and pack day. We won't be going out till next week but I do want it done so that I can just work on the things I mentioned above and dgd's shawl which I thought was a simple pattern but it's more involved than I thought but not real complicated. I thought it was just a mindless triangle pattern but it's not.
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Post by megk31 on Jan 25, 2017 21:57:24 GMT
Hello everyone,
I haven't done much today. I did some crocheting in the wee small hours in the morning because I wasn't ready to seep because I was so tired earlier that I had a nap in my recliner. I got up later this morning. So I got a bit more of my b/blanket done. cj, that was great that you were able to go out to dinner with your DB & DSIL it is always good to get out and do something different. If you have to wait several hours while your car is you occupied. I usually don't mind waiting if I have a good book to read.
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Post by megk31 on Jan 25, 2017 22:03:18 GMT
My computer was acting up and I had to start a new post.
cj, the b/blanket I am working on is very basic crochet stitch and I am not using a pattern.
Ruth, you seem to manage to get a lot done good luck with all your projects.
I need to think about picking Devin up from school.
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Post by cj59 on Jan 25, 2017 22:48:30 GMT
Hello Crafters - Hope you are all doing well today
Ruth - I think the Infinity Scarf is a good idea too. I'm bad, I just buy gift cards for everyone
Ginny - Glad to hear your blanket is half way done, hopefully you'll get the rest done soon.
Meg - The last few times I had to sit around at a car repair shop I brought my Kindle and read and also brought some magazines I was behind in reading, so that's a good idea.
Phyl - Hope you are doing well.
I didn't get any crafting done today, hoping to do some tomorrow. Today is the 6th block for the Solstice quilt and fortunately it's just a bunch of straight piecing. Here's a link to the page if you'd like to see those blocks done so far:
www.ilovetomakequilts.com/ - scroll down to see pictures
I'm doing something today and tomorrow that is probably not smart for someone watching what they eat, but I've wanted to do this for awhile, so I'm trying it. I saw these videos for making No-Knead bread and I bought the ingredients and mixed up my first loaf today. It needs to rise overnight and then I can bake it tomorrow. Here's a link to the video showing the process:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3jt14GSi0g
I'm anxious to see how it turns out and I'll just have to freeze some of it or feed it to the birds so I don't eat the whole thing
Take care everyone!
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Post by choney2 on Jan 25, 2017 23:50:17 GMT
Good evening! I will scroll down to check out the quilt pics CJ sent us the link for. CJ- try freezing individual slices of the bread- instant portion control! (Let us know how it turns out).
Meg- don't ya hate computer problems? That baby blanket will be lovely- even simple rows of single or double crochet is pretty ! (I actually saw a patten that was just that.)
Ruth-glad you got some ideas for gifts....2 more that come to mind are a good bird identification book, or a gift card to CHistian Book Distributors.
Today was long....gonna sit down and crochet a bit and catch up on the news. G'night! G
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Post by gramma15 on Jan 26, 2017 0:47:20 GMT
CJ, I'd buy gift cards too but a few years ago when I was visiting my ddil complained that her father and stepmother just wanted to send money for the kids. She didn't like the idea what they didn't want to pick out things. Well I can see why. I don't know anymore what kids of different ages want or what they already have and I don't know what the parents will allow them to have either.For instance they don't want the girls to have Barbies, they're strict about movies, etc. So I did manage to talk the into letting me just send money for Christmas but we haven't got to the money for birthdays point yet. And for the parents well I'd kinda like to send gift card for a restaurant and I guess I could email dgd and ask her what restaurants her parents like. That might be a good solution actually. And I could still send her an infinity scarf too. Since the older kids are well old enough to babysit the younger ones my ds and ddil actually get to go out on "dates".
So I have all the presents wrapped. Now I just have to find the appropriate size box from my box collection and pack them in there and address it and it will be all ready to go.
I hope you are all having a great evening. I'm going to spend mine working on dgd's shawl. I saw the cutest pattern for tea light holders but it wouldn't load. It was in about six different places and wouldn't load from any of them. I was thinking those for my dil with the battery tea lights. With that many small children around I don't want to send regular candles with a flame.There are other patterns but none of those are as cute.
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Post by gramma15 on Jan 26, 2017 0:59:50 GMT
Ginny, I just saw your message. Yes, fantastic idea. Christian books has a LOT of great stuff and has really good clearance sales. In the summer I bought a bunch of Christmas things for kids from them that were marked down that I sent at Christmas time...just coloring and game books, story books, etc.A bird ID book is a great idea too. They have a lot of really nice birds where they live. That's something I bought my dh for his birthday one year. Now THERE'S a person I have trouble buying for ..my dh.His bday isn't till August so I have time.I might have to buy him a trip to get away at eclipse time.
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Post by choney2 on Jan 26, 2017 16:28:22 GMT
Good mornin! Ruth I wonder what was with that tea light pattern that it would not load. Give it a try today or another day....hope you can get it! I know there are lots of bird web sites, BackyardBird count being one of them- but the nice thing about having a bird book is some have blank pages at the end for notes. We have been feeding birds for years and it's really cool to see that the evening brosbeak that will only be near me when migrating seems to show up within a day or so of itself everyyear! (That is not the only one, but the first example I thought of). So we do keep track in our bird book....a nice thing to have.
Well, I played hooky from Bible study today. Got a little bit of a headache and I have another long day ahead of me. Will sit down and read/ study independently in a little bit.
Got a little bit done on the afghan yesterday. I am already thinking about my next project-whether it will be playing with yarn or fabric, I am unsure. I am enjoying this crochetting phase of things- because it is so portable. My hands do long to play with fabric though.
Hi to Meg, CJ, Gail and Phyl! Have a great day! Ginny
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Post by phyl on Jan 26, 2017 16:45:41 GMT
hi , I did sew some flannel squares together yesterday for our guild's charities give away. hope to do some more today. want to go bumin first
talking about birds ruth do they feed birds? how about a gift card to a bird feeding place?. she like jewelry what about an online card from qvc. give her a day to pamper herself. maybe money for a mani, SPA? SHE like candles? qvc has some beautiful ones she could get with a gift certificate. when is the last time she got flowers? maybe have some flowers sent. I know they don't last.
well I better get moving and grooving phyl
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Post by cj59 on Jan 26, 2017 21:20:17 GMT
Hello Crafters - Hope you are all doing well today.
I made the bread and it was pretty good. I think if I do it again, I need to bake it a bit longer and put in less salt. It was a little "chewy" in the center, which might turn out to be a good thing since I can only eat off both ends of it. I did make the mistake of toasting a small piece of it and putting some Country Crock and Cinnamon Sugar on it, and it was so good. I'll have to limit eating it like that, in case I can't stop Ginny - I hope your head is feeling better Thanks for the idea to freeze the bread in individual portions, I'm going to try that. I love to touch fabric, and yarn too. It's funny how we enjoy that feeling.
Ruth - I hope you can work out gifts for your family. I give restaurant gift cards to my brothers and their wives, since that's the easiest for me and I know they'll use them. I love to feed the birds too.
Phyl - Those are good gift ideas. Glad you are getting some crafting in.
Meg - Hope you are doing well.
I really wanted to work on my quilting today, especially to get that one block done, but I just wasn't in the mood. And I don't see the point in forcing myself to do something that should be enjoyable. I did pick out which fabrics I want to use for the block, so when the mood hits me I'll be ready to work on it.
It's windy here today, but nice and sunny and not too cold.
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Post by gramma15 on Jan 26, 2017 23:06:09 GMT
CJ, I sure agree with that. If your crafting is a chore why do it. It is supposed to be something we really enjoy.
Thank you all for the WONDERFUL gift suggestions.You are all not only creative in your crafts but in gift ideas too. I'm writing all of them down and what I don't use right now I'll have for the future holidays.
Last night I got out the shawl. I forgot what row I was on so took out a couple rows to get back to what I recognized. Now I'm to where I just have to repeat 4 rows until it becomes as long as I want it. My dgd will be 13 but she's pretty short but I still think she must be as tall as I am so I can get a pretty good idea of how long to make it. the problem will be when I make the one the youngest dgd wants because she is only 5 and I have no idea of what length to make but I'll keep after her mother to measure and let me know.
Nice day here again today. Fairly cold but no wind. I'm going to spend the evening crocheting and getting the supplies together for the things I'll make for ddil to go with the suggestion I pick from the list you ladies have given me.I always like to send a couple small things with the main gift. I also send some little thing for everyone else...think I mentioned that before.
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Post by choney2 on Jan 27, 2017 17:35:50 GMT
Good afternoon! Ruth, that is awfully thoughtful of you sending a little something for everyone in that package. Hey, perhaps when we are stumped by gift ideas we should come here to get ideas from each other? I hope you find the perfect gift.....theater tickets are also good- but if DDIL is a Christian, it's tough finding a movie that is worth seeing. Too bad that you had to back track on the shawl- but at least you did not have to take out too much.
CJ- I agree, if the craft is too much like work, then why are you doing it? A break was a good thing for you and you used your time wisely too. I have used that single serving approach a lot- I make my WW banana bread, slice it and freeze it. It makes a wonderful toast- and is SO easy when it's precut and wrapped in single slices! I forget, what kind of bread did you make? Was the recipe good- despite the problem with how long to bake it? Congrats on selecting the fabrics for the block, which is half the battle!!
Phyl- I really liked your gift ideas! Never thought of a gift card to QVC- which is a gift anyone can use. I know my DD likes the mani/pedi or spa gift cards. I am not into that, guess I am just too practical.
Got a few more rows done. It's 18 1/2 inches now- almost half way!
Hit a snag with the accountant and my mothers estate...but am working through that. The headache is not as bad today- it's all stress. SO glad it's Friday! GInny
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Post by gramma15 on Jan 27, 2017 20:05:01 GMT
Ginny, I'm glad the headache is mostly gone and I hope it will be completely gone soon. I've never had to deal with anyone's estate so would not have the slightest idea of what to do.
When I had to take out the rows they were very short rows just at the top middle of the shawl. Now last night I was working on it and found that one of the middle "holes" wasn't in line so had to take out a couple rows again but that happens. I can't believe how beautiful this shawl is. I may have to make myself one...sure, like that's going to happen.
Ginny, yes ds and ddil are Christians and don't watch many movies but that's a good idea for a gift for sure for those that do go to movies or plays. They did go to a live performance of Sound of Music last week. The whole "a little thing for everyone" came about when dgs was little. He's the oldest of the seven. The first time i gave his sister her birthday presents tears came to his little eyes...he was two... so I quickly found something and wrapped it fast for him. That tradition stuck. He's almost 18 now but the tradition is still going for his sisters and brother too. Now the grandkids here would have yelled and rudely shouted "where's my present, I want a present" and I would have told them that it wasn't their birthday. But the quiet little tears got me so that was that.
Ginny your getting right along on that afgan. Before you know it, it will be done. Do you have plans for a project when that's done?
I never did get the supplies together for the little things yesterday and probably won't today either. I do like to have another project going.But today will be a cooking day and maybe laundry too.Dh cooked yesterday but we finished that so no leftovers there.He has a couple little things for lunches but no dinner things made up so we'll have to think up some things...that's another thing I'm not good at is figuring out what to cook. The house could use a little dusting and vacuuming also
Ginny, yes, I asked about gifts and all of you had such great suggestions.This is definitely the place to come
I haven't seen Meg. I was concerned about her yesterday so actually had a dream about her. Now I can't remember the details but she was definitely in the dream and someone had emailed me about her.
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Post by cj59 on Jan 27, 2017 22:57:02 GMT
Ruth - I remember you telling us that story about your grandson when he was young, those quiet little tears would have gotten to me too. He's so lucky to have a grandmother like you I'm glad things are coming along with your shawl too. It must bring you a lot of pleasure to make things with your own hands for your loved ones.
Ginny - I hope your headache does get better soon. It's really amazing what stress can do to our health and emotional well being. Glad to hear you are getting some work done on your project.
I had to take care of my father's estate but fortunately it wasn't large and I had made sure before he died that there was someone's name on everything that he owned - property and bank accounts. It made it so much easier not to deal with probate. I wish my own estate (again not much!) would be easy for my family to deal with but I know it will be more difficult since I have property with only my name on it. I have beneficiaries listed on everything and I did make sure to make a will and a medical power of attorney so hopefully those will help if they ever have to take care of those things.
The bread I made was just a plain white bread. I did section it up yesterday and froze some and left out a piece for today and tomorrow. I toasted some and put some Country Crock spread and Black Raspberry preserves on it and it was good! Here's the video showing what I made:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3jt14GSi0g - this guy has a lot of videos of other breads to make this way. I'm going to try the Honey Oatmeal the next time.
I woke up this morning and just felt like working on my quilt block, so before I did anything else I cut out the pieces for the block and pieced them together. This week's block was really easy since it was just straight sewing and no triangles. I'm trying to pull in pieces of fabric I've used in past blocks so once they are all done and ready to put in a quilt, they will hopefully look good together.
I had lunch out today at Red Robin. I'm in a group of ladies (6 of us) and we eat out once a month, so it's nice to get out like that without any other obligation. I had the Tavern Double Cheeseburger and it was good. I substituted cole slaw for the fries, since I didn't trust myself not to eat too many of those.
Take care everyone
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