COZY CRAZY

 The crazy patch pillows are completed!  These go on the couch in front of the fireplace.  Just in time for this cold snap because the fire won't be going out anytime soon! 

KEEPING WARM

It's like this in my yard--trying to protect sensitive plants as best we can when we have such low temps!

I made two crazy patch tops for my pillows that needed a perk.  I hope to turn them into the actual pillow covers today!

I am playing with a skein of Simply Cotton by KnitPicks.  It is a nice cotton to work with!

 

FRANKINCENSE EXPERIMENT

You know how you get these ideas....since I have joint pain all the time and most of the 'rubs' stink, I thought I would give this a try.  I bought a package of frankincense  resin chips.

First I had to grind them into a powder.

And then add a good oil to them and stir it up.

Now its simmer in a hot water bath for 24 hours.  I did have to add water to the crockpot to replace the evaporating water.  (that is a dishcloth in the bottom so the jar isn't in direct contact with the heat)

I will let you know how it turns out when I continue this experiment this afternoon!

 

DOING A LOT OF STITCHING

The Navy Blues quilt is loaded on the frame! 

 No stitching yet but it's ready for me!

I also added the borders to the 4-patches quilt.  I have the backing for this, too, so as soon as the one is done, I can load this one!

 

IN THE WOOD SHOP

I hollowed out the bowl

 and then moved right into the sanding and finishing!

I am happy to see it now completed!

7 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Bradford Pear, half log

SOME PAINTING PROJECTS

The wooden layered light house is completed.

It is about 3/4" thick overall.  

Anyone want to sit in front of this view with me?!

I've been going too many days in a row and could use a slow morning BUT I am off to a routine doctor appt instead!

 

PIECING CONTNUES

All of the four-patches are united into a top but the borders are just  pinned in place.  I hope to attach them today.

I've also cut all of the borders for the Navy Blues quilt top. 

 I don't think I will get them all sewn in place because I am heading to my QOV leader's home to cut up 'kits' for the Nat'l Quilts of Valor Sew Day which is in the beginning of February.

And look!  I have blooms on my baby Bougainvillea plant!

 

FELINES AND FINISHES

The queen on her throne! 

 I don't use that pillow except to cover up the one I use each night, for obvious reasons! She sleeps next to me or at my feet each night,so I think she wanted to try it out when she could! lol

The Navy Blues quilt is now a top.  I will be getting the backing this Saturday so I will soon have it on the frame. First is the border.

Fresh out of the washer--the Shadow blocks 

are now a completed quilt!

I am thrilled with it except for one little problem...

a bit of bleeding on any of the blocks with this fabric!  I will try washing it again with a Color Catcher and see if it helps! 

 If not, it is subtle and doesn't ruin the quilt.

And I began the four-patches--row one is done! 

 

FABRIC FUN

The Shadow Blocks quilt is off the frame 

and will get its binding today!!

This was the assigned project for our Fat Quarter Club from my local quilt shop; an armchair sewing caddy. 

 I decided to join in, for a change,

 and it turned out beautifully!

I put it right to good use! 

 It will more likely be a yarn station for me--a place to put my crochet hook and darning needle with a pair of little scissors for sewing in all of those yarn ends on my dishcloths, 

afghan blocks or socks!

 

WOOD ON WEDNESDAY

Another Bradford Pear bowl.  No drama on this one!

I leave some of the bark on the bowl--I love the texture it gives it;  if I wanted a perfect wooden bowl, I could buy one at WalMart!

Today, I will hollow out the bowl.  

 I will be making a beautiful mess!

 

WHERE SHIPS GO TO DIE

The other day we stopped to look at an old marina where repairs are made but mostly where they take the ships apart for scrap metal.  My imagination was working on overtime---it would be so cool to own one....not to sail but to fix up and live in! lol

We have a friend who works there and he said most of the boats/yachts, old-time paddle boats like those that traveled the Mississippi and tons of sailboats are all abandoned. 

What a shame.

So now you can see just a glimpse of the thousands of boats that reminded me of the Velveteen Rabbit and the limbo that abandoned toys are left in when they are no longer loved!

 

DISHCLOTHS

Just a simple pattern of single crochet and a half double crochet to give some texture and a relaxing way to use up a ball of dishcloth cotton from Peaches & Creme in Evening Sea. 

I've gotta go for some routine blood work this morning and this evening, I will teach our Ladies' Bible Study.  In between, I hope to apply the last of the finishing oil on the cypress bowl stitch a bit at the quilting frame and then take a nap 

so I will be fresh for the evening!

How is your Monday looking?

 

FIRST SOCKS FOR SUNDAY

 The first pair of socks for the year are finished! 

 These are man-sized socks for #1 grandson! 

 I used Stroll yarn from KnitPicks in the Guppy colorway, 

 size 2.5mm needles over 64 stitches,

 toe-up knit with a gusset heel.

PARTING IS SWEET (SORROW)

We have enjoyed the care of these two furbabies for almost two weeks.  Today they go home!  Lena has done better with her enforced confinement while her home has been invaded.  

Back to normal will be a good thing.  

 

A GOOD START

I had a pretty slow day; a new p-b-n was started which was beach in stark contrast to the weather here right now!  The new year greeted us with 29*F!

Bill has picked the Glorybower berries (cleredendrum) for me before the frost got them!  I am picking each of those berries from the stalk so that I can make a dye bath.

It is slow going, I might add!

I finished piecing the four-patches and gave up on the diagonal layout because there were too many directional fabrics that looked silly sitting sideways!  I arranged them so that the  diagonal lines show up in the fabrics and not the blocks.  Much better.  I have two borders to apply after I piece the blocks to each other.

 

GOOD TO TOSS THE 2025 CALENDAR

I enjoyed the peace of my living room; I finished the one large man-sock for my grandson and began sock #2.

Son's kitty is curled up in front of the fireplace.  The dog didn't hold still but you can see the things he has chewed on and left all over the floor!  It's like cleaning up after a toddler again!

After lunch the other day, my friend gave me two 'kits' to piece and it was just what I needed!  I started the four-patches in reds and blues.  it's nice to see color on the design wall!

And the larger 8 1/2" squares are arranged with the 3 star blocks she requested for a bit of pop!  It is just what it needed!  I will be working on both of these projects today.  I love to work a little while on all of the different projects I love!  

AND I can begin to write in this beautiful Journal from my daughter and family!  

It is just waiting for my opinions and thoughts, joys, tears, fears and faith to be put to paper!  Do you like to journal?  Does it have a theme or is it random as the days unfold?

 

A GOOD DAY

Yesterday, I had a lovely lunch with friends at Corky Bell's!  

At home, I finished stitching the last of the blocks into 3 1/2 rows--more yarn has been ordered!

And for the first time, we had a turkey vulture eating from the crows dish at the top of our feeder cover!  He emptied the bowl over 15 minutes and flew off --sorry crows, he got it all!