|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 12, 2022 10:46:02 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!!
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 12, 2022 11:00:20 GMT
Another Monday! A friend of mine remarked yesterday that we have only two Sundays left in 2022. Yikes, its true. Where has this year gone?
Ruth, so I just searched for a picture of a mosaic hat….what a pretty pattern! But it sure looks as though there are many many yarn changes in each row. Bless you for taking that hat pattern on. You like to take on challenges, and I am sure that the challenge of making a hat like this was part of your inspiration. Such a pretty pattern!! I do hope that you are making simpler patterns for the dear great grands….they grow so quickly and would out grow a hat in only a year or two.
Got to work on the pin cushion a bit more last night. Lots of hand sewing is next, but the pattern works up cute so far. And the directions seem to be fairly good.
We got a lovely snow last night. Not too much snow, but the schools are on a 2 hour delay so the roads can be cleared. Good news for me as it allows me to sit and enjoy my tea…at least for another 2 hours. Think I might get some housework done this am too before babysitting. Its going to be a long week for me as DD’s in-laws are sick and I am babysitting all week. Yikes.
BBL
G
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 12, 2022 19:52:14 GMT
Got both little ones down for a nap and therefore got to work on the pin cushion. I have found that I like the whip stitch better than the blanket stitch to applique these tiny pieces. So I have a bit of ripping out to do, not much. The applique pieces are so small that blanket stitch is cumbersome.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ruth on Dec 12, 2022 19:59:24 GMT
I just got home from doing my Christmas shopping which is really just a joke because I just go to the dollar store and pick out some little things as dh has suggested to me. These are kind of joke gifts for him but many are useful little things.I also went for a Walmart curbside pickup. Dh found a fantastic bargain on Butterfinger candy bars. It's the nearly 20oz bag for $1.29. I can't imagine why they're selling them for that price but we got 12 bags...yes we're weird.
I'm sorry to hear, Ginny, that your dd's inlaws are sick which means that you are babysitting every day. I'm glad you were able to work on the pincushion and that the directions are fairly good. On the mosaic, yes it looks like a lot of color changes but actually there aren't. You use only one color per row and if doing something flat you cut the yarn at the end of each row and start new every row. To get those parts that look like color changes you just do drop down stitches into previous rows. In a hat you crochet in round and at each row you just drop the yarn you were using and pick up the next one and carry the yarn up your seam. It really is very easy.I've found that following the chart is easier than following the written instructions.The charts take some getting used to but it works well.
The reason I went out today is because today is not horribly cold but starting tomorrow is going to be horrible. There is to be 6 inches of snow tomorrow and 7 on Wed and very, very cold every day for all this week and all of next week also. I hope to not have to go out until after Christmas. Dh has a doctor app't on the 22nd but I'm rescheduling that to January and hoping for a January thaw. Oh and the wind is to be very strong for at least the next 5 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Dec 12, 2022 23:44:13 GMT
Hello  Ginny - I'm glad you've been able to work on the pin cushion, hope you can get it finished soon. Hope the week of babysitting goes well. Ruth - That was a good deal on the candy. I'm happy for you that your Christmas shopping is done  Hope you don't have to go out in the bad weather the next few weeks. It was cloudy and cold here today. Looks like we'll get the rain later this week from the big storm going across the county. The quilt top I finished yesterday morning had blues and silvers in the fabrics, and it finished at 48x61 - this one used the 10 inch squares. I made the pattern again this morning using a charm pack and it finished at 24x28 and used 5 inch squares. It's really interesting the difference in size. It's a really quick and easy pattern but the problem is that you really need more contrast between the larger blocks and the smaller rows. I started a new quilt this morning too using another layer cake. Here's the pattern I'm using: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i__0UfjaEngThis is the fabric line: www.diaryofaquilter.com/notting-hill-amy-smart-riley-blake-designs/I'm making my four patch squares in a dark blue and white, and I hope they will stand out against the fabric. Take care! |
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Dec 13, 2022 1:28:46 GMT
It's started snowing so the weather forecasters were right about snow coming. It will be interesting to see how much we get.
CJ, I think your dark blues will go great with that fabric.
Ginny, I'm glad you were able to get the boys in for a nap and had time to work on the pincushion and determine which stitch was best.Sorry you have to do some ripping out.
I may have to take a little vacation from crocheting because it's made my hand really ache.
Oh and interesting thing I saw today in the the dollar stores was that they sell fat quarters and jelly rolls.Considering the quality of most of their products I can't imagine using them. And they really aren't that cheap either.
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 13, 2022 22:45:22 GMT
Oh Ruth! I forgot that you could possibly be impacted by that large storm system that they claim is racing across the country. Sounds like a lot of snow for you. With your good neighbor having health issues how will your driveway be cleared? Sounds like you re in for a nasty few days of weather. Stay safe, I am sure you and Dh are well stocked for supplies. Has Dh started the wood burner? Think its cute that Dh sent you for gag gifts from Dollar tree (where not everything is a dollar anymore). Guess Dh really likes butterfingers! Good for him, he can enjoy my quota, they are not a candy bar that I like. Thanks for the explanation on the mosaic hat. They look awfully pretty, but seem too complicated for me. And I am really glad that you figured out how to use a chart, with all the crocheting you do, its better if you can do what you want easier.
Got a little bit more done on the pin cushion during nap time. This project is cute, hope I can finish it well. I am enjoying its portability and ease to make. I understand why the shop owner spoke so highly about these crafts. Might need more black DMC. Will have to search my stash and see if I need to get more.
|
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Dec 14, 2022 2:43:26 GMT
I was surprised the number of things that they sell at Dollar Tree that are now $5. And, of course the lowest price things are now $1.25.
I don't know how much snow we got but it was snowing all day but just very lightly and very small flakes. It looks like quite a bit from inside. Our driveway won't get cleared. We'll see what happens tomorrow when the wind picks up. It will either blow the snow away or will make giant drifts.I expect large piles of snow across my driveway from the plowing of the street. Good thing we don't have to go out. We're well stocked on things we need. In a medical emergency we'd have to call 911.
We could have made a fire today in the wood stove since there was no wind but I'm sure that dh is concerned about chimney issues.We're happy to stay mostly in our winter quarters. We have food cooked for a few days so are all set. I can get a lot of crocheting done...as long as I don't have to twist m wrist too much.
CJ, I hope you had a good day
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 14, 2022 11:05:12 GMT
CJ- that is such a cute quilt pattern! Don’t you just love Missouri quilting for adorable patterns (mostly free too) that make good use of precuts. Which of the 3 color ways for your fabric did you use? I am kind of thinking that you used the third color way, with a more blue oriented color scheme. Think I like the yellow (middle) fabric. What is neat is that the designer gave an updated look to some very traditional fabric styles. Gosh, I have little desire to travel overseas, but I would enjoy to spend a week or so in London.
Ruth, hope your wrist is not a problem! I do seem to remember it bothering you before, has it gotten worse? Glad you and Dh are nice and comfortable in your winter quarters. And I hope that you are able to crochet a lot, and get the projects done that you want to complete. How is your neighbor? Did you finish the afghan you were making for him? Yes those large piles of snow at the end of the driveway are a royal pain to remove,almost a super human feat at times. Hope you did not get much snow and will not be getting much from this big weather system.
I did check and I have another skein of black DMC so I do not need to go into Joanns for more. Off to watch DGS#2 today but they tell me its a short day, giving me some time to run a few errands.
|
|
|
|
Post by cj59 on Dec 14, 2022 21:09:28 GMT
Hello Ruth - I hope the snow isn't too bad - has it stopped now? Hope you and your DH stay warm. Ginny - Hope you had a good time watching your DGS and that you got your errands done. I finished making the four patch units yesterday and also finished all my Christmas cards. I went out this morning to mail them and run a few other errands. I'm glad I got them mailed, because I really didn't feel like doing them this year. But I enjoy getting them, so I feel like it's important for me to send them. For that fabric line I have a layer cake - so it was 42 squares of 10 inch fabric. I'll only need 37 squares, so I did pull out 8 that I won't use. I mostly pulled the darker blue fabrics since they didn't look good next to the blue/white 4 patch. So I'll be using all the other colors from this fabric line in this quilt. Hopefully I can get back to working on it tomorrow. Take care! |
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 15, 2022 21:08:59 GMT
CJ- congrats on getting all your Christmas cards sent! I did mine in dribs and drabs, got a few done each day for the first day or so and then forced myself to write all the others. I totally agree that its so nice to get those cards in the mail. Are you finding that you get less and less cards? And I mean less and less because people are just not sending them any more? I have a bunch of people who have stopped sending cards, so in most of those cases I have stopped sending to them. If I can vent a little bit- part of my family, on both Dh’s side and mine, do not even acknowledge birthdays. For many years I sent birthday cards to nieces and nephews and get nothing in return. So if I think of it I will text them, but if I neglect to I will not lose sleep over it. I suppose the younger individuals would rather post their birthdays on instagram or something like that. A nice card is old fashioned. Based upon what you are saying you have the darker blue color way for that fabric line. Very pretty indeed. Maybe you can make a small table runner from the darker blue fabrics that you are not using in the quilt. Hope you were able to get back to work on the quilt today.
Babysat DGS this morning. Schools closed early because of the snow. Its falling right now, but is supposed to change to rain overnight. I was glad to be home early. DGS was a bit testy today. Think he misses his sister when she is in preschool (which he will be next year). I did repair DGD#2’s stuffed rabbit- she loves it and it developed a hole and was losing stuffing. Its repaired and looking much better now. I wish I had known earlier about the hole, would have fixed it then. After that I did get some more work done on the pin cushion. Its an art to getting my stitches looking well, the stitches are sort of the star and need to be well placed and spaced.
BBL to see if Ruth checks in
G
|
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Dec 15, 2022 23:22:41 GMT
I started to post last evening but was interrupted and never got back.
CJ,congratulations on getting your cards all done and sent.I bought cards the other day to send but now with all this snow I won't be able to get them mailed in time. I didn't send any last year. Most of the people I used to send cards to are now gone. I know you'll find a beautiful way to use the fabric left from making this quilt you're working on now.
Ginny, i know your dgd is going to be so happy that her bunny is repaired.It sounds like next year you will have only one grandchild to babysit with all the children in school or preschool except the youngest. Well maybe your youngest dd will have another for you to babysit.
I found out today that my dd's youngest has moved to Montana to live with his brother who is dd's oldest. So no more grandchild visits for us. DD is a little depressed about having an empty nest after having six children. Three still live here in town and she has 3 grandchildren here also.
I'm still working on hats. Dh thinks I should make hats now for the family in Indiana to put in a box we're sending them after Christmas so it looks like 10 more hats are going onto my list.
I always tell my family members in happy birthday in FB messenger. I don't send cards
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 15, 2022 23:33:33 GMT
Ruth, so sorry that your youngest DGS is heading out to Montana to live with his brother. Yes, sad that you will have no more grandkid visits, did you see this young man often? I hope that this is a good move for him and he is happy in his new state. And yes, its different but having grandkids nearby (for your DD) will be a nice thing, time does go on and kids grow up.
So you will be busy making hats for the Indiana family! Guess Dh wants a little bit of that yarn stash to get used up on your wonderful hat creations. I am really glad your family uses messenger to keep in touch with your for birthdays. The crew I am thinking of does not even do that. I used to go to Walmart and get very basic cards, but personalize them nicely. As they cannot even text or message or send a card, then I do feel I am wasting my time and effort.
Just found out that I do not have to babysit tomorrow. cannot say I am heartbroken
|
|
|
|
Post by gramma15 on Dec 16, 2022 6:56:33 GMT
Well it's usually only me doing the happy birthday message sending. This year my Indiana grandchildren sent me emails saying happy birthday..well some of them but the ones here never have until this year one of the six did.
I'm glad to hear you'll have a day off tomorrow! I'm sure there are many things you will do with the time.
Last evening I started and today finished a hat called Fun Fringe Beanie. It's done flat and the original pattern called for all sc's and a bunch of slip stitches including in the fringe part so it takes forever to make so I used hdc instead of sc, I used sc instead of sl st in the five stitches that taper down the top and still kept the hdc slip stitch on the fringes. I used Red Heart stripes which comes in some VERY colorful colors. Here's the link to see what it looks like. I had some of the colorful yarn left so I started a hounds tooth hat with white and rows of the Red Heart stripe yarn so the second hat is colorful too but a little more muted than the fringe hat.I hope you are both sleeping soundly and restfully. See you tomorrow
|
|
|
|
Post by choney2 on Dec 16, 2022 13:09:55 GMT
Ruth, I checked on the internet to see a link for fun fringe beanie. Not sure if I found the right hat, but this does look cute (from what I saw). Where are you getting your red heart yarn, or is it from your stash? Gosh I miss having AC Moore available for yarn purchases. Good that you were able to substitute some stitches to make the hat more rapid to accomplish. Hope you slept well too Ruth!!!
Schools are delayed opening today because of the snow/ice mix. I am heading out much later today to run some errands, to give the road crews time to work on the roads. Yes I have a list made up of what I want to accomplish today. Gotta move some housework from tomorrow to today. Think DD and DGS are coming over earlier tomorrow, so I will need the time today to get stuff done. My cats are looking at me wondering why I am home!! Ha ha ha
|
|
Hope you don't have to go out in the bad weather the next few weeks. 