Crafters December 7 through December 13

Just realized as I sit at the dining room table posting...(this is where I usually post from) that I have a lovely view of the planet Venus in the eastern sky. Pretty sight.

Ruth, when I first took on those 10 minute table runners I had no help other than the internet and youtube. There are great directions available online- super easy to follow. Not sure whose directions you started with- but I think finding other good directions or the original directions you worked from ought to be easy . It might be a nice project for you to work on if you need a quick break from your crochet hooks.

Gonna vent a little bit...we have 2 weeks left of bible study and it has been traditional for study to end in mid December and resume mid January. Taking a hiatus this time of year is normal.
Just last week, CDC recommended mask wearing in even small groups (which we are). Our leader has been wearing a mask since we started back up again in September- as she has two family members living with her - a child and her elderly dad- who are immune suppressed. So I sent the leader a text telling her about CDC’s latest advice. She responded why don’t we finish this year virtually (we have that all set up and have a private Facebook group to do that). I also know that she is feeling very overwhelmed. IMO the handwriting is on the wall and its a nice idea to finish virtually and come back to meet as a group in 2021. One person in the group seems permanently stuck on that (and she is older than I am, absolutely in a demographic who might want to be a bit more careful!) and no matter what our group texts to each other are she seems unable to give up the fact that we will not be meeting in person for 2 weeks. Yikes. I just find it so frustrating. Its only 2 weeks more and this is not the government telling us what to do, its just us showing some respect for our study leader and even ourselves. Mind you, this woman joined our group (she used to attend another local church) because her church has not resumed study groups at all and only started meeting in person a month or so ago. Sorry....had to vent.

Gonna go get the polyurethane up on the wood I stained last night. I will be really happy to have that job done- then I can start painting the room.

If I get to my machine today - I will start looking at the quilted cup holder for Jane.

Have a great day all
Ginny

I don't know how to tell Venus but I know it's beautiful seeing it. I used to be able to see the North Star but haven't been able to now for years. My vision is not good enough I guess. The only thing I recognize besides the sun and moon is the Big Dipper which we see very well here.

Yes Ginny, sometimes we just want to smack someone upside the head as they say. When people don't adhere to suggestions from CDC it puts all of us in danger. It must be that that woman just likes being in groups.

Had to get a new battery for dh's laptop thru the insurance we have via Directv. What a process. I was also checking on Medicare advantage plans available here because I keep seeing Joe Namath talkoing about all the benefits I could have. I must have typed in my name, address, etc, about 25 times today between those two actions.I finally got the battery claim all straightened out and the Medicare plan is like I thought....only two available here in my state but I thought I'd check again...to much time on my hands

Got some wood and brought up to the house so we can reach it easily. One trip and I was already completely worn out and had to stop and sit for awhile. I really need to do a lot more exercising to build myself back up. The only thing at gets exercise on my body is my fingers

Ginny I went to that video again and saw that Aja says her shawl pattern makes one that is 72 inches long. that seems awfully long to me. I was worried that mine might not be long enough and now it looks like they aren't. I've always heard that they should be as long as the person it's being made for is tall. 72 inches would, of course, then be for a person 6 feet tall. I wonder if she was including the fringe.

CJ, it was warmer here today, then, than where you are. It was over 50. I'm glad you got your shopping done and won't have to go out in the crowds. Christmas time shopping is bad enough but now it's even worse with the risk of contacting  coronavirus.

The're saying that there will be a vaccine available soon. Most people think it will be a miracle situation where the virus will be instantly gone. That's really not going to be the situation. It will still take time and I hope that people understand that or there will be a big upsurge in cases again because people will immediately let their guard down and take chances. Personally I don't intend to get the vaccine until I see what happens with it. They haven't even tested it to see what the results are in elderly people. Now I'm definitely NOT advocating not getting one. Each person has to make their own choice based on discussions with your own doctor and any research you may do on reputable sites online

I'm at 78 inches on my shawl but it needs 20 inches for the pocket so I'm at 58 for the actual shawl so have quite a few rows to go yet.

Hello Crafters

Ruth - I feel very conflicted on the vaccine. I want to see if there are side effects before I'd get it. I'd find it ironic if I managed to not get the virus and then the vaccine kills me. I wish the virus would just be gone, but I know you are right and that it won't just go away. I wish there was an easier way for us to get past this, but it really seems there isn't.

I do find weather kind of fascinating, it's really not as predictable as it seems it should be. It's still cold here today, but in the 40s and sunny (heat wave ).

Ginny - Congratulations on your new kitten - I plan to live vicariously as a pet owner through you I hope she will get used to her new home and new mommy soon. I'll be interested to hear what your doctor says about the vaccine.

I finished putting a small border on the Christmas tree quilt block (picture below). I have enough of the green fabric for either binding or backing. I'm leaning towards backing because I want to be able to enjoy this fabric which I've had in my fat quarter drawer for many years. I may just do that fake binding thing where you sew the 3 layers together (sort of inside out) and turn it right side and stitch up the small opening left to turn it.

Now I just need to make the other block with some different fabrics and I hope to have enough fabric to do a different border. I'd like to do one with the squares around it like Pat Sloan's pattern had.

Take care everyone!

Ginny, I hope when Kitty will stop hiding that you'll be able to take a picture and post it!

CJ. I like the tree!

Good evening all-

Phyl, my deepest condolences on the loss of your DSIL. So very sad that the services will be half way across the country and you will not be able to attend. Prayers for all of you- but especially Jimmy, Jodi and Jeff. I hope that the graveside ceremony is a comfort to the family- perhaps they will broadcast the ceremony on facebook. I was able to “attend” my best friend from high schools husbands funeral that way 2 months ago. Better than nothing...and the best we will be able to do until Covid is conquered.

CJ- LOVE the tree block and the green fabric is adorable. Gotta say at first I was disappointed when you said that you were going to use the green on the back, but if you are using the quick turn method to attach everything some of the pretty green fabric might be seen. Funny, just this afternoon Jane and I were chatting about pretty Christmas fabrics- like you used- the red with the swirl. I am looking forward to the next block and how you put that together- and your fabrics.

Sue- how are you doing?? Think you had some household repair issues you wanted taken care of, had you had any luck with that?

Ruth, were you able to finish the pocket shawl ?? How did the biscuits and gravy turn out?? I know you made that the other day...love biscuits.

Well, the kitten (she is an old kitten at a year old) was originally given the name Tulip by the shelter. (She was found, with her litter mates on a farm owned by someone of dutch descent). I knew I would not keep that name....until I went to pick her up yesterday. You would have thought that I was picking up the Queen of England as 4 shelter staff members came out to say goodbye to “Sweet T”! That is when I knew that her name would be Sweet Tea- a cute name for a gentle little cat. She is slowly coming out of her shell. I was able to snap a quick picture this morning of her which I will try to post tomorrow. She is a brownish -grey mix. Again, a smaller cat and her fur is as soft as a rabbits fur. I was out earlier - when I came back in my room (where she is locked in with all her needs until she becomes a bit less scared) I caught her on my bed. All in good time. This am I had an appointment for my annual mammogram- got that done- and then went to Tractor Supply to get a few toys for her and the food that she was on at the shelter. I hope that by this weekend I can have her out in the rest of the house a bit. Guess she has made good progress for being here only 1 day.

Jane had a big crisis and needed more fabric for a quilt she is working on- so we went to the quilt shop to fix the crisis. Ha ha ha

Tomorrow is a quieter day - hope to get some quilting time in myself.

Took the panel quilt to Dd#2 yesterday- which she loved. Will post the pic of that tomorrow also.


Have a good night all
G