YOP Week #35

Another slow week.  I had my 2nd Moderna shot and lost another day to sleeping and even yesterday I got under the covers and slept all afternoon.  I finally looked up Covid vaccine reactions and it was definitely the shot.  I had the chills, extreme tiredness where I couldn't stop  yawning and couldn't keep my eyes open.  I also had a headache.  I'm  fine now but I sure didn't get much done this past week.  But I am so grateful for the vaccine!

 I worked on the 3rd of 16 stars but didn't get it finished....I was so tired I couldn't even knit or cross stitch! LOL!

I did manage to get "back in the saddle" with the sock I had frogged and I got the cuff done and I'm just starting on the leg.  This is sock #2.  Sock #1 is up to the heel flap.

Yesterday I worked on the "hand" by Blackbird Designs...............I finished the 2nd heart...

I worked on Betty Glover last Sunday and will today.....it probably doesn't look much different as I am working on the border.........

I can't remember where I left off with the hexies but this is #10 and #11 is the last full hexie and I cut the fabric for the outside row.  After that I will need to cut more fabric for the partial hexies and then there are all the hexies that will connect all the diamonds together.  It's very pleasant to sew them.  The hardest part for me is cutting the fabric as bending over anything for any length of time hurts my back.  It amazes me how these "ailments" just crop up all of a sudden and once they do they don't go away! I call it "Adventures in Aging"! LOL!

My daughter asked me to make her a fox scarf so the yarn and needles are ordered and here is a picture..........I ran out of colored ink in the printer but hers will be orange and white.......this pattern includes child and adult sizes..........I'm looking forward to knitting it.

I also grabbed some other patterns this week as it got me in the mood for making gifts for Birthdays/Christmas or at least gathering the patterns and materials........this is a Tin Can Knits pattern and I have been wanting to try color work.  This pattern looked fairly simple and I have heard Tin Can Knits patterns are very clear and understandable.  Plus they were having a 2 for 1 sale! 

so here's the 2nd pattern.............also, their patterns contain all sizes from infant to adult..........

This picture does not do these socks justice but they are pencil socks and they look like a pencil with the cuff being the eraser and then there's the gray metal part and the yellow wood and then the bare wood where it is sharpened and then the lead.  She used to sell kits with all the appropriately colored yarn needed but no more.  Now she just sells the pattern so I will have to gather the yarns myself.  Of course, these will be for my daughter, the teacher.  There is also notebook paper socks to go with the pencil socks! LOL! 

Several of the next patterns were enabled by fellow YOPers...you know who you are!  This is the Rasta and what I loved about it was the fact that it is 1 skein and 1 hour! Really?  Even 2 hours would be fine with me!  I think this will be THE featured gift this coming Christmas!

Then there were these delightful and gorgeous socks that someone was making!  LOVE!  Was it you Lucy?  Adorable!  You use leftover sock yarn or buy some new mini-skeins. They might be next years Christmas Eve cast on.

I downloaded this pattern for $5 which includes all 3 patterns!  She's on Etsy.

Here's a free pattern from Plum Street Sampler......just visit the website

and one from Needle Bling Designs.....again just visit the website and download..........

Surprise!  I found this when I was going through my "stuff" and it has the material and the floss and everything!  It is linen though which I am hesitant of after the black cat fiasco.  But everyone else manages it so I will forge ahead!

Last but not least.......I am not a cake eater but all of a sudden I am wanting cake...not just any old cake but a really delicious cake....no Cool Whip for this gal! LOL!  

One of the XS designers....was it Brenda Gervais?  She had a birthday and her cake (on IG) was a gorgeous white cake with light pink frosting and it was Raspberry Buttercream frosted almond cake......I found a similar recipe but of course, I don't have the  ingredients...but I think there is going to be a cake in my future!  This recipe is on Sugarspiceslife.com                 

I hope you are safe and well and that you have found things to inspire and delight you this past week!

Happy Trails!!!

I got my 2nd vaccine shot!!!!

 I got it on Wednesday and then Thursday I had an appointment to take my car in.  I sat in the waiting room for 2 1/2 hours with 2 masks on while 7 -10 people walked through with no masks....I then had to pick up my prescriptions at the drive-up where they do not wear masks either.   I think I am the  only one in this town that takes Covid seriously!  There was an older man (older than me) who came in  using a cane but no mask!  I felt like I had to disinfect my entire car and I'm not sure I got it all.  It is exhausting but I got my oil changed, new wiper blades, fluids topped and tires checked and filled.  I got home and went to bed! LOL!  I slept until 4:30 when my daughter called and woke me up.  I watched some t.v., had some supper and it was lights out at 8:00 p.m.  I slept the entire night.  I feel great today but I definitely think that the tiredness was from the shot.  It's too coincidental!  I'm curious if any of you have experienced that reaction?

I am making soup today and doing laundry.  It is raining out and I am cross stitching on my "breaks".  No pictures...but Sunday I'll be back! 

Happy Trails!!!

Floss organizing .....or trying!

 I have finally decided I need to get my cross stitch floss organized and so I brought it from all corners of the house and here it is..............

I did do some organizing about 6 months ago and I purchased floss bags and rings which I like!  I still have boxes of floss on the little cards but it makes the floss wrinkled and hard to work with at times.

I have an old belt hangar that I can hang my separate rings of floss on and I hang the whole thing in my closet.  This works great for me.  I think you can still get them (even though mine is probably 40 years old! LOL!) and it has been really convenient for storing my floss.  I eventually want to get rid of the little cards and the boxes.  I use a separate ring for different types of floss/brands and the DMC I separate so the rings don't get too crowded.  I think it was Lori Holt that organizes her floss by color.  I may do that eventually because I think it makes it easier if you want to substitute colors.

I have grocery pickup at 2:00 p.m. but they just emailed me and said they are running behind.  This is the first day they have had grocery pickup in more than a week!  But I got my order in!

Tomorrow I go for my second vaccine shot and they called this morning and said to come between 10 and 11.  Friday I want to get my car in for an oil change, check the tires and fluids.  I didn't want to go tomorrow in case I have a reaction or I'm tired.

I got some good junk mail today.........Connecting Threads fabric catalog and Knit Picks yarn catalog.  I save them to look at in the evening.  

 My daughter requested a fox scarf so I found a pattern that's knitted and includes Adult and Child sizes in case the grands want one.  I doubt if Sam would...he's a teenager now....when did that happen?  He is taller than his mother and way taller than me! LOL!  I ordered the yarn and needles today.  I got an email that my HAPPY pillow shipped...it will take a bit of time from overseas but I am more than willing to wait for that awesome kit!

There was a lot of snow melting yesterday and it is gone from the roof but there is still some out there!

It was supposed to be in the 60's today but I checked and it is 74!  What a switch as just last week I was worried about the pipes freezing! LOL!

I hope you are all well and that Texas is doing better despite their incompetent state government!

Happy Trails!!! 

YOP Week #34

It has been a cozy week here on the homestead.  I don't get too much done craft wise but I try to touch all the bases...cleaning, organizing, cooking, maintaining and crafting.  Here's what I worked on this week.......

 I had an accident with my sock #2....I was working on the heel flap which is no problem at all until I turned on the radio.  Why do I think I can pay attention to 2 things at once?  I can't so I messed up and then tried to put in an afterthought lifeline and that didn't work so I frogged it.  It's okay.  I'll start again this week.  You would think I would know after all this time that I cannot watch t.v. or  listen to the radio if I am doing any knitting other than just the knit stitch only.  Whatever is loudest gets my attention and even without any diversion sometimes my mind just goes off on it's own!  I really have to be careful and I definitely cannot do anything that requires focus when I am tired.  And to think, years ago I could multi-task with the best of them.  What happened?

On a more positive note let me show you what I was able to move forward on......I finally got my 32 half-square triangles done for Mystery Quilt Step #1 - January.  Now onto February!

I dug out my Irish cross stitch to final finish this week and pressed it............I will finish this week for sure as St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner!

 

I worked on my Blackbird Design piece yesterday........it's my Saturday project

I worked on the Star on Monday, Wednesday and Friday...........2 done 14 more to go.............loving it!

I worked on Turkey Time, a small, on Tuesday and Thursday and it's getting near the end but I am missing one color that I either need to replace with something else or order.....

I worked on Betty Glover last Sunday........and will today again...............

As for new items/haul/stash.........there are certain "rules of cross stitch" which are just for fun.  I don't know all of them but Brenda and Laura of Brenda and the Serial Starter came  up with most of them from their years of experience.  1) No pattern shall travel alone ie; never order just one pattern....2 at a minimum!  2) Buy all the Blackbird Design books 3) Always be working on a Blackbird Design 4) always have a red work sampler going.  If there are more I will let you know but these are the ones I am aware of.  There are also times when you should start new projects such as holidays and birthdays and special events.  So, I did not have a red work sampler so I ordered one and since no pattern should travel alone I also ordered some little St.Patrick's Day smalls.............these were pdfs that I was able to download from Pineberry Lane..........

 aren't these cute?

I also came upon a free quilt pattern from Temecula Quilt Co.............I won't be starting this anytime soon but I figured I'd grab it while I had the chance.  Lori Holt (Bee in My Bonnet blog) also has a tutorial on You Tube for her scrappy log cabin which I adore!  I am all about scrappy quilts.

I saved the best for last as I ordered a needlepoint kit.  I did needlepoint years ago before cross stitch.  I think first I learned crochet, then sewing, then needle point.  I saw a project on Instagram (talk about the rabbit hole of all rabbit holes!) and I fell in love with it immediately.....I did not pass go or collect  $200......I thought about it for days but I knew I had to have it.  It is coming from the UK so it might be a few weeks but when it gets here I am dropping everything to work on it!  You betcha!  Here it is..............it is a pillow 36" X 12" and it is on canvas and comes with all the wool yarns.....There is another one similar with the word Lucky but I am more Happy than Lucky so I went with this one.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but it sure is mine!  I can't wait until it gets here!!!  I am so excited!  It will reside on my bed when it is finished.

As for the week ahead and my YOP goals....they are the following:

1.  Cut and sew more strips for crochet rag rug

2.  Cut more material for hexies

3.  Order materials needed for red work sampler and Irish smalls

4.  Start sock #2 

5.  Work on Mystery Quilt Step #2 - February

6.  Order yarn needed for Brill shawl...remember that one!  It got buried!

7.  Final Finish Irish XS

8. Work on XS in rotation

9.  Cut out hat for applique snowman

That should do it for this week.....if I get all that done I will be a happy camper!  I get my 2nd vaccine shot this Wednesday!  Happy Days!!!

I hope you are all safe and well and warm!

Happy Trails!!!

 

 
 
 

Glad I don't live in Texas!

 Those poor people!  I would be ripping my state government if I lived there.  What a bunch of bozos!  Totally did not have to happen.  I enjoyed our snow and no loss of power or water and they even plowed my street!  I didn't even know we had a plow! LOL!  We have a fairly new mayor and he does so much more than any mayor I've ever known since I moved here.  He's a keeper!

The birds have been "flocking" to the feeder........

Here's the red headed woodpecker!  It's the best photo I could get....lol!

After the snow stopped .....2 days worth and about a foot........the sun came out and it was beautiful.  Too cold to melt but today was supposed to be 34 and tomorrow 41 so it won't be long and it will be gone...........

BTW, I made Connie's Chicken That Makes It's Own Gravy and it was delish!!!  It's a keeper for sure and the chicken was so tender.  Go visit Far Side of Fifty and check her blog posts.....it was this past week that she posted it.  Thank you, Connie!

I've been doing quite a bit of organizing and cleaning although it doesn't look like it but the areas I have done are staying done so that's a good feeling.  

I am working on the Mystery Quilt...I'm still on January...........32 half-square triangles.......prepped to sew.  Loving my new pins too!

I ordered a needlepoint kit today.  I have had my eye on it for awhile and I couldn't stop thinking about it so I bit the bullet and ordered it.  It was pricey but it comes with everything.  Needlepoint is expensive because the canvases are hand painted and the yarn is pure wool.  It is so gorgeous and I can't wait to show you!  It is coming from the U.K. so it will probably be a couple weeks.  I'm so excited!  

I hope you are warm and enjoying your Friday.  There is no grocery pickup at my Walmart until Monday now because although there is some melting it refreezes at night and the roads are slick.  I have everything I need so I am in no hurry.  I have 4 -wheel drive for snow but nothing helps on ice.

Stay safe!

Happy Trails!!!
 
 

If Sam can't go North, the North comes to her!

 I am so thrilled with the weather!  Mine at least.  We have power so far and yesterday it snowed all day and it was beautiful!  I do feel for those in Texas without power.....the wind power turbines froze?  We have little wind here but usually lots of sunshine so our electric co-op has fields and fields of solar panels.  So far we're good and the sun was shining all day today.  It was -3 F this morning and I think it is 20 F now.  We are getting another storm tonight with maybe 8-10 inches and bitter cold.  As long as we have power I will enjoy it.

yesterday.......

today............

 

I'm still reading the same books so I won't comment on them. I did go out in the snow yesterday and I'm glad I did because I thought we only got about 3 inches but once I got out there it was more like 5 or 6 inches!  While I was outside I collected some snow and came in and made snow ice cream.  I 'd never made it before so I used a recipe online that called for sugar and vanilla and some milk but it made it soupy....it was still cold and good and it is in the freezer.  Next time I think I will leave it plain and just put maple syrup on it. 

The birds were at the feeder all day and they have 2 suet blocks and I am feeding them twice a day now as they are not used to snow or this cold! LOL!  Did I tell you I put in a suet for woodpeckers and it wasn't 5 minutes until a woodpecker showed up....the first one!  How did he know?  He's big too and I tried to get a picture but it seems the big birds scare easy whereas the little ones don't seem bothered  at all.  They even sit on the windowsill and look in the window! LOL!  I should get some of that dark plastic for the window where I can see out but they can't see in.

 

I prepped for Connie's recipe for Chicken in it's Own Gravy yesterday.  I defrosted the chicken and then realized I had no evaporated milk so I made my own!  I Googled a recipe for it and basically you just evaporate regular milk by heating on the stove....duh!  So, I made some and today I made the recipe and used it.  It is all ready to go in the oven.  The rice is cooked and I have canned green beans to go with it.

I did a load of laundry and finished cutting the 32 squares for the Mystery Quilt by Kathleen Tracy Step #1............16 dark/medium and 16 lights

I worked on my Turkey Time small on breaks,,,,,,,,,,,

BTW, Grayson, my grandson, sent me a recipe he wanted me to share with you.  I haven't tried it yet but he said he has, and it is good and healthy......

1.baby carrots

2.baby sweet peppers

3.salt & pepper

4.bouquet garni 

5.time (I think he means thyme)

bacon optional

 there is the recipie

	Mon, Feb 15, 11:24 AM (1 day ago)

There you go!  That' s all for today.....it flew by!  I hope you had a good one and that you are safe, well, and have power!

Happy Trails!!!

 

 

 

 

 

YOP Week #33

BIG snowstorm is coming...2 in fact!  Happy Valentine's Day to me and you!   One storm later this afternoon and then again on Wednesday.  I tried to order groceries from Walmart yesterday but because of the storms coming they are overwhelmed and there is no "pickup" until Thursday!  Lucky me as I always have "backups" of everything so I'm good.

It is very cold here in the single digits and below zero with the wind chill.  It is ordinarily in the 50's this time of year.  I have to leave my faucets dripping as they do not bury pipes very deep here so they can freeze in this cold.   So far, so good!  

I didn't get a lot of crafting done this week between the ice storm and sleeping a whole day away!  But I managed a few things......

I didn't work on my sock or hexies but I did work on the Star........

  and my "small" called Turkey Time......I still have one floss I need for it............

Sunday's I work on Betty Glover............

Saturday I worked on Black Bird Designs but there's not enough progress to warrant a photo. I am going to sew this week for sure!  I thought I would last week but I didn't.  Today I will iron and cut fabric for several projects.

Speaking of Valentine's Day..........I got the most wonderful presents!  I hit the yarn lottery!  My daughter is an art teacher and she gets lots of donations of supplies.  Well, she got a big box of yarns which they use in art projects but this time it was merino and sock yarn and never been touched before!

Amy usually uses worsted and thick yarn for the projects that utilize fiber so.......she decided to gift it to me as they couldn't use it! Am I lucky or what???  Look at all this yarn!!!!

On top of that they sent me a card and some treats and Grayson made me his own card...........I am the luckiest Grandma!

Plus, nowadays, gifts wouldn't be complete without some sanitizing wipes or TP! LOL!

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day and that all your crafting dreams come true!

Happy Trails!!!

P.S.  No more dizziness and thank you for your concern!