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Post by choney2 on Jul 25, 2022 10:31:17 GMT
Good morning and Happy Monday!
All crafters are welcome here as we discuss crafting, life and our weight loss journey. Crafting includes actual hands on crafting, such as crochetting, knitting, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, painting, jewelry making, etc.....plus reading craft catalogs, craft blogs, watching craft you tubes or other crafting videos, chatting here about crafting,chatting with another person about crafting, reading craft emails, thinking about crafting, organizing crafting supplies, going into craft stores or the craft aisle in a store , attending craft fairs,or any other activity that inspires or directs your mind toward a crafting activity- even visiting us here to join in our posts!! There are plenty of days in which the closest we get to crafting is a visit here, so even if you have no time to craft, we would love to hear from you. We welcome newcomers to our friendly discussion! So glad you are here!! Please feel free to stop in and say hello!!
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Post by choney2 on Jul 25, 2022 10:48:30 GMT
Ruth, so sorry that the crochet pattern has proven to be so frustrating. Glad you were able to get two skeins of the same color yarn that were actually the same color. Very sad that RH used to be so reliable…..
Cooler here sort of,
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Post by cj59 on Jul 25, 2022 22:26:28 GMT
Hello Everyone - Hope you are all doing well today and having nice weather. It was hot here earlier, but a storm came through and now it's cooler. Of course there is so much heat built up in the house it doesn't really matter if it's cooler outside I pieced together 3 of the purple strip set blocks this morning, and just have 3 more to piece - so I plan to finish those this week sometime. I also made a small quilt top using the block pattern from the Laundry Basket quilt along this past week, but it didn't turn out like I thought it would. I'm hoping that once I quilt it the design will look better. I started a new hand quilting project yesterday too, and my goal is just to quilt one threaded needle a day - so far I'm 2 for 2 I've had this one basted and waiting for a long time, so I'm happy to get to it. I'm really concentrating on making my stitches as even as possible, rather than small. Here's a link to see what the design is, I'm using a dark purple hand quilting thread to quilt it: www.quiltingstencils.com/Celtic-Miniature-Preprinted-White-165_p_1867.htmlI've already done one of these in a different design and I really like them. They are just a nice size to have on your lap. I saw some cute Snowman embroidery patterns yesterday that I might consider doing later this year. Instead of red floss, I thought a bright blue floss would be pretty, here's a link to those blocks that a quilter is making into a quilt: suehoover.blogspot.com/And here's the original person who made the embroidery: pinkernpunkinquilting.blogspot.com/search/label/Frosty%20McChill%20QALHope you are all getting to do some crafting too. Take care
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Post by Ruth on Jul 26, 2022 0:48:14 GMT
Good evening everyone. CJ, I love that Sue Hoover one in that red,white, and blue. And in case anyone is worried about their work not being 100% perfect, this woman who has to be an expert, lost some of the tips on her flying geese and Look...it's still beautiful I didn't feel like working on the shark today so instead I started one of the Japanese Knot bags I intend to give my dd and the adult grandaughters that live here. I'm using Lion Brand ReUp cotton yarn and it's hard to work with. I bought it on a great sale and will be glad to get it all used. I don't know what the actual high temp was here today but it's pretty warm. I thought it was supposed to stay cooler for more days than it did.
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Post by choney2 on Jul 26, 2022 10:53:07 GMT
Good morning!! Ruth, don’t blame you for wanting to take a break from the shark- I would think that a small project like that can be frustrating after awhile. How many knot bags do you want to make? Were you able to finish the one you started in May/June? Never heard of that Lion brand yarn, but so not blame you for wanting to use it up
CJ- the idea of a smaller hand quilting project sounds so restful and also a nice change in your crafting from cutting up pieces of pretty fabric and sewing into lovely quilt blocks! I know its a struggle to cool down a house when there has been so much heat.
Yesterday ended up busier than I had originally planned. I did work in the am (my trainee goes for a road test this am, hope he passes!) and then my friend and her husband came over for the afternoon. I did get to call Joanns about machine repairs and was able to chat with the woman who sold me the machine in early 2020. She is in the store (which is where she now works) tomorrow, so today I will change thread, and needle and rethread the machine and see if I can work my way out of this problem. Unfortunately, if I get the machine serviced there, they actually mail the machine to a central service location with about a 2 week turn around. Bummer…
Got a bit of a quiet day ahead, but I am watching DGS this evening.
Enjoying a cooler morning here. Tomorrow is also supposed to be cooler also (at least on the overnight). So thankful….nice to have the windows open for awhile. Ginny
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Post by Ruth on Jul 26, 2022 22:07:53 GMT
Good afternoon everyone. When I got up this morning it was quite cool. I should have worked in the yard but I didn't.
I did work on the shark. Some people might be good at actual crocheting but when it comes to writing out a pattern they leave a lot to be desired. Even simple things she doesn't do correctly like telling you to decrease one in a row but then when she writes out the number of stitches you should have she used a number that would indicate two decreases. A lot of her rows were like that. The worst part, though is, that I did the pattern exactly as she said and the lower jaw didn't turn out anything like it shows in her picture. Then the red lining of the mouth was nothing that could ever be put into the mouth that was created by following her instructions. I gave up and made my own lower jaw with a red lining that actually fits. Now I'm just waiting for that red part with teeth to dry as I had to block it because the teeth of course curled. Nothing can be done about that except a steam block. I also have the one dorsal fin and the two ventral fins to make and sew on so I'll be busy on that when I get done here.
I hope you all are having a good day and Ginny, I hope your student passes his driving test.I'm sorry to hear that it could take up to two weeks to get your sewing machine working as it should. I hope the hints the woman at the store gave you work so that your machine doesn't have to be sent.
CJ, I hope your house cools enough that you can feel comfortable.
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Post by gramma15 on Jul 27, 2022 2:12:15 GMT
Oh and she said that this pattern is not tested so if you find any errors, contact her.She didn't leave any contact info. She has a youtube channel where comments are turned off.
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Post by choney2 on Jul 27, 2022 11:25:45 GMT
Ruth, that is insanely frustrating that you are unable to reach the pattern designer to comment on the pattern. I would never use a pattern of hers again. That is just plain wrong.
My trainee passed.. very thankful for that. I am doing some classroom teaching later on today to several new drivers.
I did get to play with my machine last night, and changed the needle. Either later on today or tomorrow I am heading up to Joanns and will buy more pricey needles. I put a singer needle in my machine and perhaps it does like that. It seems to have solved the problem on a scrap piece of fabric.
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Post by snowsaint on Jul 27, 2022 18:56:51 GMT
The nights are cool and refreshing, but the days are hot (for here).. summer is progressing and sucking moisture out of the ground. There has been almost no smoke from fires as there was last summer. I like seeing the constellations at night.
My husband died two weeks ago. Hospice was very helpful, technically speaking. Each of the people who came to our house was excellent, but like every other employer, whether it be the supermarkets, construction, restaurants or health care, they were missing employees and were actively looking for people to fill vacancies. In a situation where continuity of care was important, there were nine different RNs in the last three months.
Since hb's death, I have been sitting still and enjoying the beauty and quiet of this beautiful area, alternating with taking care of things. My dogs have been very helpful and a big comfort. My daughters will be here for a visit in late September. The timing is my choice. His daughters were here in May when he was still able to recognize and have some interaction with them.
Concern for my asthma (which is much worse since the begging of covid) and possibly coming in contact with the current highly contagious latest omicron variant is keeping me very close to home or masked. I have an appointment with my PCP on Friday to deal with that and some other issues that I think need addressing before my wellness exam in late September.
I've been reading and crocheting. Of course, in this problematic time of missing employees, our local Goodwill has closed, so I'm putting off cleaning out closets. I may wind up doing a give away yard sale. The idea of throwing almost new or very usable clothing in the dump really offends me.
I'll be back here soon.
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Post by Ruth on Jul 27, 2022 20:04:10 GMT
OH Sue, I'm so sorry that your dear hubby has passed away! These last few months had to be unbearably difficult for you. We've all been wondering about you. As for clothing and other usable items, I feel as you do that there's no way I want to see any of them just thrown away when there are people that would be thrilled to receive those items. I, also have been thinking of a "help yourself, it's free" yard sale. Yes the employment situation is bad and I'm sure glad I'm not working anymore. The patient load for nurses must be horrible.
Ginny, I'm glad your student passed his or her driving test.
I'll be back later
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Post by cj59 on Jul 27, 2022 21:55:01 GMT
Hello Everyone Sue - MY deepest sympathies to you at the loss of your husband. I know these years that he has been sick and especially more recently have to have been very difficult for you. I'm glad to hear that Hospice was a help for you, we have found that in our family experience too. I hope memories of your DH will comfort you now and in the future. I hope that your PCP can help with your asthma and other concerns. I hope that family is helping you too. I hope you are enjoying crocheting and reading. Please take care of yourself and I hope you will post here and let us know how you are. (Sorry for so many "hopes" in my post but I do hope all these things for you Ruth - Sorry to hear those problems with the pattern, but I'm glad you were able to fix it. Since I've been doing different quilt alongs, I've found that there is a big difference in how people write their patterns and some are very difficult to understand and have missing parts. Ginny - I hope you can get the new needles for your machine. I'm glad to hear your trainee passed their test. Phyl - Hope you are doing well. It's been warm here but yesterday and today were cooler. I'm not even running my downstairs AC today since the fan is keeping me cool enough. I went out yesterday to get some groceries. All the weekly blocks came out today and I went ahead and did the Laundry Basket ones since they were so easy. Then I figured out the fabric choices for the other three blocks, so I hope to get that cut and pieced over the next few days. It's the picking fabrics and cutting them that seems to take so long. And the Moda and Summer Camp blocks were tough to figure out colors on this week. I pull out some crayons I have to figure out what colors to use - who knew I'd still be coloring at my age Take care everyone
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Post by Ruth on Jul 28, 2022 0:53:16 GMT
Well I finished the shark. I have to say that with my revisions he turned out really nice (if I do say so myself), I didn't like having to sew on parts but surprisingly it wasn't too hard. I'm still not very good at it but it looks better than it has looked so I guess I'm learning something. Now I think that I'll put the little lines in the snake that will make him look like he has snake eyes and then 2 of the 3 toys will be done. Last night I worked on the Japanese knot bag and also on the Christmas blanket CAL. I'll do the same this evening. I think, Ginny, that you asked how many I need to do and the answer is 6. I'm on the first of the 6 because due to false info about what you can take on the plane I left the others in Indiana but that's ok. I'll give them to the girls there when I get back there.
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Post by choney2 on Jul 28, 2022 1:10:32 GMT
Sue, please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your dear husband. You have fought the good fight along side him, advocating for him and providing care as necessary. I am sure you are still thinking for him and his needs and there is always the concern or wonder if you did enough. Knowing the little we know of each other here, it was most obvious that you tried very very hard to assure that his needs were taken care of. I know after a loss like this, it is easy to feel some self doubt and I hope that you are doing as well as can be expected. Please give yourself time to heal and feel and also take very good care of yourself in the next few months. The details of settling an estate can feel overwhelming, as you know from settling your sisters affairs. Take good notes on what you have done, in working on the estate, and handle only one detail a day if that is all you can handle. Its ok. I pray that you have wonderful memories of your time with your husband, memories of when his health was good and you truly enjoyed life together. I am glad to hear that his daughters were able to see him while he still had an awareness of them, and its comforting to know that your daughters will be visting with you in a month. Like you, I enjoy nature….you with your dogs and the beautiful views you see. For me, its time with my cats, and the migration of birds. Its nice to see those seasonal changes….a beautiful reminder that the great beauty of our beautiful earth continues even when our lives have seen great change.
I know I live in a more populated area, but here the Vietnam Veterans pick up from my home and I have donated to them a lot of my husbands clothes. Perhaps they also pick up in your area. With the current economic situation, I can imagine that there is a reputable charity who would take used clothes in good condition.
God bless you during this most difficult time. Ginny
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Post by choney2 on Jul 28, 2022 1:20:35 GMT
So I am a bit scatter brained tonight….
Ruth, glad to hear that the shark is done. And 6 of those bags sounds like a lot of work, but if I remember correctly they are not a ton of work. I do still marvel that you can crochet toys and bet they are adorable.
CJ, that is good to hear that you got some shopping done, best to get those errands done before the weekend gets closer. That is good news that the laundry basket block were easy for you! Its just so darned frustrating when directions are hard to decipher. And I have to laugh over you using crayons to figure out fabric colors to combine.but it sure does sound like a good method to try out different colors together.
My class went late this morning…so I came home and just stayed home. Tomorrow I will head out for some errands and get to Joanns. I am reluctant to sew anymore until I am sure that my needles are the right size.
Have a good night Ginny
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Post by choney2 on Jul 28, 2022 20:35:25 GMT
Just a day here where I got pretty much everything done that I set out to do but it all took longer than I thought. I had to make an amazon return, and Kohls here will take returns fur Amazon. Of course I did not know what I was doing but the young man at the return desk was extremely helpful! Mission accomplished. I also ran some errands in Walmart - had trouble finding what I wanted to but did eventually get what I was looking for. Got into Joanns and my needles were on sale- be proud of me, all I bought was needles! I did also hear back from someone recommended for machine repairs, and hope to finish the panel quilt before I get it in for routine servicing. I feel good that at least my machine will not be mailed to Michigan - which is what Joanns would have done with it.
Hope everyone has a good day.
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