Resting Easy

Just a quick post to let you know we are resting easy today. Gabby is away for awhile and the pups and I are enjoying some quiet time. Jose' is nestled down in some pillows on my bed while the two weenies are snuggled up keeping their mommy warm while she relaxes to an audio book with yarn and crochet hook in hand. {I'm still working with the ingredients from my bowl of "yarn soup"}. This is a picture of Phoebe and Sophie keeping my spot warm while I was brewing a cup of tea.

Phoebe is completely over her toxic reaction to the shot. It was 12:30 that night {the shot was administered at 10:00a.m.} before all of her swelling was gone. Her ears were the last thing to go down. She is once again chewing all of our shoes and causing a ruckus with Sophie & Jose'. So all is well with her.

Sophie has finally finished all her antibiotic from having 8 teeth pulled and is now able to eat her dry food again. The brushing starts next week! I'll need prayer coverage for that one too! I'm going to introduce them all to daily toothbrushing!!!

And I just have to show you this picture taken over the weekend of Scott covered in doggies! It's how we relax around here:-)

Many heartfelt thanks again to each and every one of you out there. Your prayers and comments of concern made me feel very much comforted and loved!

Please ~ always feel free to send any prayer requests you may have my way.

"And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." James 5:15

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20

Our God is mighty and He is able to do all that we ask. We just have to remember to ASK. And it ALWAYS helps to have someone agree with us in prayer. And after we ask, we REST... and WAIT... because our answer is coming down from the heavens, sometimes in the form of a miracle.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:28 & 29

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:7a

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint." Psalm 40:31

May you all be blessed today!

Rainy Day Roses

On this rainy day I am staying inside where I am still working on scattering roses with my hooks and needles. I'm enjoying the different color combinations of the Debbie Bliss cotton washcloths and now have 4 roses completed. This yarn is nice to work with because it is so soft and comforting while it glides through my fingers. And before I know it another little rose has blossomed!

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The other project I have going {because I NEVER have just one at a time}, is more rosy slippers. There's a need for more PINK, of course, and then I must make a purple & off white pair. I sold a pink pair at the local yarn shop this week. So now I still need more for gift giving and selling.

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I really enjoy making both of these items because, well ... after all ... there are ROSES involved {and plenty of PINK}!

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Also, today's tea selection is, naturallly ~ Rose Petal ~ in my beautiful china cup and saucer set that Hilary gave me for Mother's Day a few years ago. Gotta love a daughter like that!:)

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~And last, but most certainly not least~ I leave you with a picture of my favorite rose covered Princess ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Help! I'm Crocheting & I Can't Stop!

Here's a sneak peek at the poncho I'm working on. I finished the crocheting and construction of it this afternoon. Instead of adding an elaborate edging I opted for the old standby scallop. Anything else would have fought with the pattern too much. Tomorrows project will be finishing the knitted roses {I have one done}, then making the leaves and some I-cord stems. Once it's all put together I'll take a proper picture of Griselda {my name for my mannequin~ don't ask me why, it's just the first name that came to my mind ~ how weird is that?!} wearing it & show just what embellishments can do! I mean, after all, I DO like to fling flowers on anything that will stand still and take it.

While I was knitting the rose, this is what was going on around me. Gabby and BaPa {that's Grandpa in Gabby~ese} were kicked back in the recliner watching Toy Story, which is Gabby's current favorite and must be watched about 15 times a day right now. Grammy could do a one woman show on it at this point!

And my little Jose was tucked under his mommy's sweater up on the bed. Though Gabby and I are mostly over our sniffles, there's a sick poochie in the house today. When I wasn't looking yesterday he got some of Phoebe's Puppy Chow and since he has to eat only a special hypo~allergenic food from the vet {THE most expensive kind they have}, he's a bit puny today. We're hoping for a better day tomorrow for him.

Nighty ~ Night everybody!

Creativity Blooms Afresh

I spent the weekend fighting a case of the sniffles that Gabby graciously shared with me. Well, actually... I didn't put up too much of a struggle. Mostly I succumbed by snuggling into my warm shawl I just recently crocheted for myself, with my feet {bedecked in my rosy pink slippers!} propped up and dogs {and a sea of tissues & plenty of hot tea} surrounding me while I pored through some pattern books looking for new inspiration. After knitting 5 pairs of slippers, I was ready to move onto something else.
So, I'm starting with the stitch pattern of a crocheted wrap from one book and reconstructing it to look like a knitted wrap from another book. Then I'll either crochet or knit up some roses to sprinkle across the top and possibly finish it off with a crocheted edge from yet another book. Whew! This creativity stuff uses up some of the little gray cells sometimes!

The three books I'm working with are some of my favorites:

"The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet" by Nancy Queen & Mary Ellen O'Connell
"Knitted Flowers " by Nicky Epstein
"Crocheting on the Edge" by Nicky Epstein

* I really like Nicky Epstein. Does it show?

When the project is finished it's going to be a poncho. I'll show it off in a few days. Then put it in my Etsy shop. {No matter how much Chelsea begs for it!}

Happy Monday to all!

Cozy Crocheting

After I finished the teal colored tranquility shawl a few days ago, I decided I really must have one of these warm cozy wraps for myself. So I went to my yarn stash and pulled out the 3 hanks of Lorna's Laces hand~dyed yarn I've been saving for just the right project. It's a beautiful superwash wool of Shepherd Bulky in the color Baltic Sea. Each skein has 140 yards and I used nearly every bit. As many of you know, crocheting uses up more yarn than knitting does.


Although I seldom ever make anything for myself, and I do have two custom orders due by February 1st, I just couldn't resist the tempting thought of snuggling into one of these while crocheting, knitting or reading a good book (a steaming cup of tea within reach at all times). I'm an extra cold person who lives in a house that was built in 1926 which still has the original windows and not enough insulation. Plus all the floors are the original oak (no carpeting anywhere). I love, love, love my old house but it is drafty and cold this time of year. In the summer it's all breezy and shady, but right now I need as many warm, snuggly things to wear as possible! I'm actually sitting here cocooned in it right now ~ and LOVING every warm minute of it!:)

Naturally, while I was working on it, every time I had to put it down Scout made it her number one priority to guard my goods. Her favorite occupation is "wool~gathering"! Even Phoebe enjoyed curling up by an unwound hank for a little nap.

Also, just a quick note to tell you about my new favorite find: "Get a Grip" ~ fiber friendly handbalm. I found it at http://www.knit.etsy.com/

It's a lanolin based balm that's offered in several different fragrances. I chose "romance" and is it ever divine! Those of you who work constantly with fibers are probably having much the same dry hand trouble as me, especially if you live in a cold weather climate like I do. I can't say enough good about this lovely product. It comes in a cute little tin that tells you on the back to "Rub a small amount into hands until slightly tacky. Knit/Crochet like crazy. Repeat". Don't you just love that?!

Hope you're all keeping warm and cozy wherever you are today. And doing the same as me~

knitting and crocheting like crazy!

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Proverbs 31:13

The Warmth of Kindness

The last few days, since my post about New Year's resolutions, I've had kindness on my mind. Several years ago I went through about a two week period when everywhere I looked the word "kindness" was hitting me in the face. Every time I opened my Bible, a book, a magazine or any form of written word it jumped out as if in bold type. At that time I was still working full time at a bank and at the end of a particularly long hectic day, while driving home, I noticed the license plate of the car in front of me. You guessed it ~ it read "Kindness". Just that one word. And do you know, I saw that car everywhere I went for the next week or so! Now one has to finally say, "O.K. I get it. I'm supposed to sit up and take notice here."

During that time, my job entailed training new bank tellers. I began to make that the first order of business to teach each one of them. The importance of good old fashioned kindness. I told them to smile, be as pleasant as they could be and take an extra minute to chat with the customer. Most transactions at a bank don't take too terribly long and sadly enough it very well could be the only kind moment some people encounter on a particular day. It takes such a brief bit of our time and energy to be kind to the people around us. One never knows, maybe he or she just lost a loved one, got an upsetting diagnosis from the doctor, or is just plain lonely.

In any job the details can be taught and learned and performed mechanically day in and day out. But shouldn't there be so much more to us than that? I was thinking today of how those of us who work with yarn are constantly creating things to keep a body warm. I hope that in the meantime we are also cultivating the art of kindness, because nothing else warms the soul, spirit and heart of our fellow man quite like it.

That being said, I did crochet this shawl today, which will hopefully wrap its wearer in warmth!

"A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles."

Washington Irving

"To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life." Samuel Johnson

" I expect to pass through this life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." William Penn

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

Sweet Confections

On these cold winter days my favorite things to do while nestled in the house are knit, crochet, or bake. I think that's what makes these cupcake creations so much fun. It's like doing all three things! This pretty in pink cupcake is a combination of knitting, crocheting and beading. I love the littles sparkles sprinkled all over the top.

Today is Becky's birthday, so this sweet confection was made especially for her. Happy Birthday Miss Becky! She has a real thing for cupcakes (which is why I am referring to this one as a cupcake instead of a "fairy cake"). She even has a pretty silver and pink

cupcake necklace she wears sometimes. So I thought I would add one more cupcake to her collection.
The other confection that is still on the needles today is working its way towards being a belt, or it can also be worn as a skinny scarf. I love the look and feel of this satiny soft Italian nylon ribbon yarn. The pink, brown, and white coloring reminds me of pink roses and chocolates. It has a zig zag of metallic thread running through the center. These belts are very chic and feminine looking when fringed on both ends and tied around the hips. This one will show up on my Etsy shop sometime this week. It would add just the right touch to a Valentine Dinner out!
As you can see, I had plenty of help with these projects last evening. For starters Phoebe felt like she had to condition the yarn with her razor sharp baby teeth. (Please try NOT to notice the fact that Phoebe is now the third one of my babies to model that same scarf!) Then they all three (Sophie, Phoebe, and Jose) snuggled in around me to keep me warm while I finished up.

*Please don't look too closely at my crazy looking outfit of green flannel snowflake pajama pants topped off by a pink and then a black sweater. OH ~ and the lovely rose colored reading glasses (I am after all a Grammy & I really do prefer to look at life through rose colored glasses!). What a get-up. Or as my mother would say, "What kind of GARB have you got on now?". I say --- whatever it takes to be as comfy as possible while we create!

Making Things Blossom

First of all, I must tell you, the lovely knitting done on the poncho Hilary is wearing was the work of someone elses hands. It was made using a gorgeous Japanese hand painted wool by Noro. A few days ago the girls from Ewenique Yarns contacted me with a finishing job. A customer of theirs brought the poncho in and asked if they knew anyone who could crochet. A friend of hers made the garment for her for Christmas and once she put it on they realized it needed some length added to it. They thought a crocheted border would be just the thing and I always agree with that! I've said before how much I LOVE to combine knitting and crocheting. They compliment one another so beautifully. And you know how I love, love, love to make all things blossom!!:) So, I added one of my favorite borders of crocheted violets. It's actually the same stitch in the "Like a French Melody" capelet for sale on my Etsy shop. I'm crazy about these sweet little flowers. Besides giving the item the extra length needed, they pretty the whole thing up so much. As Hans Christian Andersen said:

"Just living is not enough...

One must have sunshine freedom and a little flower."

So I like to scatter them everywhere possible! Blossoms of every kind are especially wonderful on these cold winter days while we wait for Spring, with its promise of freedom and sunny days, to come to us once again.

"May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;

may its fruit be like Lebanon;

and may people blossom in the cities

like the grass of the field!

May His name endure forever,

His fame continue as long as the sun!

May people be blessed in Him,

all nations call Him blessed!

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous things.

Blessed be His glorious name forever;

may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Amen and Amen!" Psalm 72:16-19

Don't you just love the part about people "blossoming in the cities like the grass of the field"?!

My prayer is that God makes me blossom wherever I am so I can be "the fragrance of Christ to those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2Corinthians 2:15)

Cold Weather Knitting

I seem to be in the hat making business these days. Hmmm... maybe these FRIGID days we're having are the reason everyone wants a hat! Christmas is over but the weather outside is still frightful. As long as I can hibernate inside my house and just knit, (well ~ and take care of babies & doggies!) I have to admit that I think the snow is beautiful. However, I do have at least one dream per week that I wake up to find January turned into April over night. Aah! Wouldn't that be a dream come true:). As much as I love to knit and crochet inside, my absolute favorite place to do these things is on my front porch with a warm, gentle breeze blowing. O.K. ~ back to hats ~ I'm getting cabin fever all of a sudden.

The pink hat Gabby is modeling for me is the one I made Chelsea for Christmas. Mommy is so busy with work and night school that I finally stuck it on Gabby's head for a picture. The green one just like it is a birthday present for a friend and the sweet little pink umbrella stitch hat was an order from my sister who has a baby shower to go to tomorrow. Hope she'll be able to drive over from Peoria this evening as planned to collect it. It just keeps snowing and snowing out there!

And now I really must get back to business. Between giving a private crochet lesson on Monday morning, teaching my Monday night class, and trying to keep up with several custom orders, I still haven't been able to finish the crocheted scarf I started a couple of weeks ago (the one Jose was trying to wear!). Plus I got a call from the yarn shop yesterday and have to run out to pick up a shawl someone wants a crocheted border added to. Actually, the plan is to make Chelsea run out to pick it up so I don't have to brave this weather. Those of you who know me well know I'm not that brave!!!

Now, if I could just figure out how to teach Gabby & these doggie babies how to wash dishes and do laundry my life would be a lot easier. Because who has time for housework?!