PIECES

I made the binding,  backing and cut the batting for the table runner so when the frame is cleared of its present quilt, 

I can load this on and get it on my table!

I also enjoyed arranging and piecing two simple placemats, 

and used the leftover charms and a bit of fabric

 to make a matching table runner!

We also had some rowdy guests at the bird feeding station!  On top over the bird feeders, we have a heavy metal pan we use to feed the crows but today, a committee of turkey vultures moved in and knocked over the pan and had quite a picnic on the spillings!

 

You can see the crow on the trellis to the right of the bird feeders---he was waiting his turn!

SETTLING BACK INTO MY WORLD

Someone (Lena) kept asking me to make a 'lap' for her

 and I finally gave in--we savored an hour together!

 And then I played in the studio with the latest Fat Quarter Club that arrived in the mail! I enjoyed a beautiful time playing with the strips of fabric to make a good fade table runner!  

And then I finished the pair of socks I was knitting on the airplane! It's Stroll Handpaint in 'Left of the Dial' colorway.

Though the second sock ( on the left) pooled very differently from the first sock and I might just rip the leg out and do it again to force the yarn to make a similar pattern to the one on the right!!!!

HOME AGAIN!

A night flight back home--to a wonderful hug from Bill 

and a forehead rub from Lena; it's great to be loved!

 

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK...

Wind.  LOTS of wind. 

 Little sculptures like this one had a workout yesterday! 

The temps were right and we hit the trail picking up branches and piles of leaves on the acreage around the house!  

A good job done.  

Dad came out and watched for a bit--it is hard for him to watch and not join in. 

 We all learned yard work by working right beside him...

I played with yarn to recuperate! 

 I've had quite a workout this week and loved every minute.

(I became a grandma 24 years ago today!  Love you, David)

YARN IS GOOD

Mom has started another afghan for a great-grandchild--she is working to make one for each of them! (15)

The socks for my recovering brother-in-law are finished!  Yippee!

I immediately made a dishcloth to clear my yarn palate! lol

And I pulled out my T-shirt knitting--I completed the body and am now doing the fun lacy ripple accent on the hem area!  Unfortunately, this is in black so it is daytime knitting only!  

The dishcloths will have to satisfy the yarn needs in the evening!

We've done another doctor appointment and some chores and then reward ourselves with some chocolate and then time with our feet up and yarn in our hands!  

 

READY TO SNUGGLE

The Neapolitan Granny blanket is ready to wrap around a new baby--the baby hasn't arrived yet, but this blanket is ready for her!  (a friend from church)  30" x 40"

I finished it off by crocheting several rows of single crochet 

and then a round of slip stitches 

because it gives a nice rounded edge.

The blanket wasn't without a few--I ran out of yarn 2" short of the end!  I  ripped out half of that last row and tried again but still was short.  So I ripped out the last row of granny square stitches and now I have yarn left over! lol  A big thank you to my daughter for the idea of making this!  (Lion Brand Mandala yarn)

 

SOON A PAIR!

I'm starting up the leg of the second sock--it's amazing how much gets done when I stick to just one thing!  A lot of outside time today--it hit 80* but that wind was pretty wild!

 

FINAL ROUNDS!

I'm now framing the granny square blanket 

with a few rounds of single crochet.

It has been a pleasure on every level.

This won't be the last time you see this kind of blanket

 made by me!

 

DOTZ CARDS

The first card is done with the diamond dotz enhancement.

The card is 5 x 5".

I picked a flower,a bird and a butterfly card to work on!  

They require a shorter amount of time 

and just right for what we need!

 

A SOCK ON SUNDAY

One sock completed! 

I need to get serious on working on the second one 

so I can finish them in time to get them on my brother-in-law's feet before I go home!  He is doing well after his knee replacement surgery but it is a tough time in the beginning!  

 

YARD TREASURES

All of the Spring flowers are making an appearance with the rise in temperatures and the glimpses of sunshine! 

 These are Glory of the Snow or White Squill.

Primrose.

Daffodils (no longer under the weight of the snow!)

Another variety of daffodils to welcome the early bluebirds.

The Forsythia bushes are opening their flowers!

We brought a few branches in the house to enjoy their color 

apart from the rain!

The river across the road from my parents' home is to the top of their banks!  The current is fast and still carries too much debris, so there is a 'no water craft' order in effect.

 

DIAMOND DOTS CARDS

Have you seen the new diamond dots accents for cards?  It's a fun way to make a fancy card and enjoy a dots project that is done in a few hours--and it is even more fun when you share it!

 

The granny square blanket is growing!  The color shifts are long so it takes a long time to make it to the next color! lol   

This is so pretty and very relaxing to work on.  

We had a dr appt yesterday for Mom and another one today for Dad.  We are all glad to get home to our chairs afterwards!

A LITTLE WORK AND A LITTLE PLAY

Mom and I cleaned out some storage areas that needed attention and enjoy lightening the load.  We also discover things that are good for a walk down memory lane.

I also volunteered to finish this pbn for Mom who didn't enjoy doing it herself--no sacrifice on my part!

Today is a doctor appointment and then home for a rest.  

 

SPRING?!

The fancy daffodils were a bit bent over with the weight of the snow and it snowed all day yesterday but the sun and a bit of blue sky peeked through just before the close of the day.  

It was cheerful inside where we sat and talked and let our fingers enjoy some yarn time as we warmed in each other's company!

 

A TRIP!

Lena is not impressed with my packing skills...

On the way to NY to see my parents!

And I woke up to this!  It is blizzarding 

every so often and then stops again! 

 Quite a jolt from our 81* yesterday to 29* this morning!

I did have a knitting disaster--when I got to time to turn the heel, the count was off and then I spotted the problem--two dropped stitches and one was all the way down to the toe!  I ripped it all out and I knit it again! I made it back to the heel by the time I got to my parent's and turned it while in bed last night!  

 

KNITTING IN PROGRESS

This pair of man-socks will be flying to NY with me today;  I am heading to my parents' home to stay with them while my bil has knee surgery so my sister can care for him solely!

(She lives next door to my parents and most of their care falls on her shoulders--I hope to be a big help as well as being able to see all of my NY family!)

I am down to the fun part of this t-shirt top--

the bottom has lace work of sorts!

The sleeves were a neat thing to work--they are a set-in sleeve in a top-down construction!  Very cool!

And I only have two 3/4 length sleeves to work on this cardigan and it will be off the needles and onto my shoulders!  I don't know about you, but I always pack my knitting first when taking a trip!

 

SHE'S SLOW

I was able to finish the quilt for the QOV group. 

 It is 70" x 80" after washing/drying.

I had the urge to make a little 'clam' shaped bag for my purse so things don't rattle around.  I drew it to fit the zipper I had 

and to be a good size to fit in the purse!  

It is 10" x 7" high and 3" wide.  Just the quick project I needed!

(I used fusible fleece to give it 'body'!)

A BIT OF LATHE FUN

A small branch of crepe myrtle drew my interest for a quick project to produce a vase.

I always try to leave a bit of bark on for interest--this one was fun because the are is indented so it was very cool.

7" tall and about 3" wide.