Another knitting project!

This is Yumiko!  Isn't she the cutest!!!

 

Yep!  I'm at it again!  I think I just like to torture myself or tax my little brain!  I do so love Yumiko Alexander's patterns.  Her tops are so comfy to wear with a T or even a turtle neck.  So far I've made two - Whitecaps and Agave.  So figured I'd do another one....isn't the saying 'all good things come in threes'??  Or did I just make that up!  Regardless, this is the pattern I am working on (and I use the term 'working on' loosely!).  

I knitted Whitecaps in white and Agave in navy (Pacific Blue).  This is lavender in Silk+.  I like the light shade of purple and think it will look good - after I find a nice necklace to go with it!  Which I may have!  Read below what I found!

I started winding my yarn like a good little knitter! Yep, still using my antique thread storage unit.  It works so good.   HA  

I then marked my pattern for the size I wanted.  Yes, I did struggle, as usual, getting the right gauge but I finally decided on size #8 needle.

And I was on a roll!  Until I wasn't!  Yikes!  The pattern is well written, as are all Yumiko's patterns.  My problem was counting the stitches for each of the rows (you go between 188-190 - one row increased and next row decreased).  

The yarn is quite thin and my problem was either not counting all the stitches or ????  I struggled so much.  When I got up to row 22 I had to rip it all out!  I had a mess.

So I cast back on 188 stitches and started over, again!

The lace work is quite nice but I had another struggle with rows 17-56!  Seemed easy enough but going back and forth between previous rows was difficult for me to keep track of...so what to do!

Create a cheat sheet!  Works for me!  I'm on a roll now and up to row 28!

And so far so good!!!  Whew!  It still takes me a long time after finishing each row to count and make sure the row I'm on is either 188 or 190 stitches.  Sometimes I count 193! and other times 184...who knew...stitches get twisted, etc.  But I keep counting until I get it right!  HA

Now about a necklace for this top!  I follow a jewelry maker on FB  named Sheryl Stephens.  Her FB page is called Cool Moon Creation and Beads.  I really like Sheryl's work as each piece is very unique.   She will post pictures of her finished pieces (as well as some in progress!)  on her personal FB page as well as her business site (which I have linked above).   I thought this necklace was so lovely and would look good with my knitted top(s)  so I purchased it!  Woohoo!  And I think it might look good when I finish this top. 

I love the little wings and the necklace chain is gold.  It is so pretty!  You have to check out Sheryl's FB page.  She really does quality work and  her jewelry is unique!  Thanks, Sheryl!!

So back to knitting!!!!!

Nick's 21st BD Book!

 Yep, Nick's 21st book is all finished!  Whew!  And I have time to spare since his BD isn't until 9/26!  I put the pictures in a video file.  At least this way, when I'm in the nursing home, I can look at my blog and see the video!  Let's hope I can remember how to find it!  HA 

Summer Project #3 Finished

I finally finished all the hand embroidery on Dawn's surprise scarf...it's for her BD in September (20th) so I'm quite happy it's finished  and with weeks to spare!  I told Dawn I was making something for her BD that was: 1) not beaded, 2) not knitted and 3) not quilted!  HA

It measures around 15" x 48"

Before I show individual pics, I want to give a shout out to Nancy, a textile bud from Florida, for a great suggestion!  I was drawing the designs I wanted to hand embroider on the linen, which works ok...but the chalk or pencil either fads off or I need to remove the lines to change the design. 

 Nancy sent me an email and asked if I ever used Stick'nStitch by Sulky.  She mentioned you can print any design on the paper then just lay/stick on your project and stitch away!

Of course, I had to order and try this suggestion!  I was quite happy with how easy it was to print out and stitch!  Stitching for the most part wasn't that bad.  I use Chenille needles and #5 Perle Cotton yarn for embroidery, so I did use pliers to pull the thread through a few times, but it really wasn't that bad.  I'd use this transfer paper again for this type of project and I'm sure I'll find other uses for it as well.

  A big THANK YOU, Nancy, for the suggestion.  If you don't know Nancy's blog, do take a few minutes and pop over!  She does so many mixed media & quilting projects.  Nancy always comes up with something new that she shares with her groups and blog readers!  

The black linen doesn't show up very well in the pictures.....nor do the threads...

The blue is a turquoise that is so bright and pretty.  I tried to use it a lot in the piece.

Again, lavender center and the greens are so much brighter in person.  

I need to talk with my daughter, the photographer!, how to adjust on my phone.  I know it has something to do with 'white' something!  HA

I did french knots for flower center

Lots of lavender, bright greens....but you get the idea!

I'm happy with the butterflies...again...color is sad.

Will I make another one?  Who knows...I have my first example piece I started so I may finish it or who knows!

Now on to my next knitting project.  Nick's book is all done and I'll post pics of it later.  I'm happy with that project as well.  Only have the Cyano print project #2,  left to finish, which I work on from time to time.  Still making hexes!  

Just being lazy!

Our hostess, Tiffany, my sister & her dog, Piper and
our host, Mitchell (my sisters grandson).

 Honestly, those who know me know I am busy everyday...it's the old 'catholic' guilt that keeps us moving and busy vs sitting around eating bon-bons and watching TV!  HA  Anyway, this post is on my 2nd year of visiting with my sister and her kids (my nieces and nephew!) in Ohio!  I had such a good time again but I did miss my daughter!  She's traveling with her job and really couldn't make that trip and get ready for her job.

I drove the 4+ hours alone listening to my audio book (Found Money by James Grippando).  I like his mystery books...think I've read almost all of them!  Had my water and I made a stop at Culver's to get a chocolate malt shake, which was delicious!  

My nephew, Michael

I arrived Friday afternoon and my sister and the gang were already there.  We got to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, had pizza for dinner and they played out door games!  Volleyball, corn hole and badminton!  I haven't seen Michael, my nephew, in 10 years and probably 10 years before that.  My sister has a home they built on Michael's property so it's nice she can be with Michael months at a time.  He's a great guy and so much fun to be around.

This is Leigh Ann, my sister's middle child, I think!  She and Michael are about 11 months apart!  She lives in Penna.  with her wonderful hubby, David!  He's as delightful as Leigh is.  They are such a loving couple!  Leigh is also the mother of our host, Mitchell!  He was raised well and is such a great guy!  He and his wife opened up their beautiful home to us last July and again this year.  The best host and hostess around!

My sis and I!  It does make it easier for me, at least, to head to Ohio vs Florida or Tennessee!  MaryAnn and Nancy have a home in both states and stay in Tennessee until August timeframe...then they head back to Florida for the winter.  

I do miss being able to see her multiple times as I did for over 13 years when we would winter in Florida.  But at least we get to see each other in person.  and of course, we're always texting or working on knitting projects together!!!

 

this this, Lynn (although I call her Dianna Lynn!)...she was the first grand baby in our family!  Her BD is July 4th and I still remember my mum and I at the hospital waiting for her birth!  Only problem, back in those days, early 60's, no restaurants at the hospital were open...I don't think we even found a vending machine.  I do remember being hungry!  HA

Lynn also lives in Florida a few hours from my sister.  She and her hubby have at least 18 in their family!  Their children and their children's children!!  They are a wonderful family and dedicate their life to Jesus and helping others with missionary work and assisting with vaccines in countries were needed.  Lynn and her hubby, Bob, are both pharmacists.  Bob is also a preacher.  A great family...

This is Nancy, my sister's partner, and Zion!  Zion is Mitchell and Tiff's little boy and he is a delight!  He's not even 3 but can carry on a conversation with you like he's 5!  He's such a pleasant little toddler...goes down for his nap without a fuss and goes to bed the same way!  

And Nancy is fun too!  I have a video of her trying to get out of the little house but I won't show it here.  She's a good sport!

Saturday we went downtown, Dublin, for their open air market!  They had to have over 30 or 40 vendors!  They just kept coming and coming!

Lots of unique foods, crafts, etc.  And I didn't buy anything!  Who knew!

And my nieces, nephew and grand nephew/niece!

Tiffany & Mitchell, David & Leigh, Michael and Lynn!  they are all such wonderful, caring and giving adults!  So proud of them all and look forward to seeing them again next year!  I hope!

We went to The Pearl restaurant in Dublin for dinner on Saturday.  Meal was delicious...and this drink Mitchell ordered had a little army man in it!  

I should have paid attention to the name of the drink.

So, another year has passed and now back to normal Betty Crocker, cleaning lady, quilter, sewer, etc.! 

Summer Project 3!

 The 2nd Project I'm working on is embroidery on black linen.  Judy Coats Perez has been showing her beautiful embroidery work, which she refers to as "Mindful Stitching".  I ordered some black linen and thought I would make a scarf for my daughter's BD in September or Christmas if I can't finish in time!  

I got out some old quilting designs and started tracing on black linen (I washed the linen first).  These pictures are my practice piece!

I may keep this one for myself or give it to a friend...depends on if I every finish it.  I just wanted to play around with stitching and getting the feel of working with linen.

This is the piece I am making for my daughter's September BD (or for Christmas if I don't finish in September!).

I just can't get the background black fabric to show up black in a photo!!!  I've looked at different settings but I need to ask my photographer daughter how can I do that!  She doesn't know about this project and I know she doesn't read my blog...so I'm safe!  HA

Here is the finish area at one end of the scarf.  The scarf is around 13"x50".

This was another section I started but I wasn't happen with the stitching...so what to do!  Rip it out...I have to say it's easier to rip out knitting than embroidery work.

I'm using Pearle Cotton #5.  Judy uses 5 strand embroidery floss.  I just wasn't having the success or look with the floss so switched to Pearle cotton.

Whew!  This took awhile to clean up!  That tweezer and pick were a gift from my Q Florida Bud, Susan!  They sure came in handy on this ripping out project!!!  

Susan does the most beautiful workmanship when making her quilts.  You can see some of her work here and here.  I have posted her work on my blog over the years.  I do miss her too!!!

Colors of thread aren't appearing very pretty either.  Tons of stitching yet to do...but it is very pleasant to just sit and stitch.

As long as I don't have to rip out!

Happy with this piece now.  Whew!  Those threads are hard to rip out!

Here are some finished or almost finished add'l areas.

Back to project #1 or should it be #2 or stay with #3!  HA

Summer Project 2!

 Working on three different projects isn't easy...well, it is easy since I get bored easily so I like going from project to project.  HA

Honestly, I don't like projects hanging over my head and I know the 3 I am working on will get finished by Christmas at the latest...  

These are the hex's I am working on for the border on the Cyano Print fabric my friend, Bonnie sent me months ago!

When I have some free time, I work on the hex's.  I'm now working on sewing three rows together for the border.  I need 3 because half of the last row will be in the border.  I have two rows stitched...now to sew a third hex to each border.

This was the piece after I cut it up and added 1/8" strips.

I have to say making hex's is also "mindful" stitching...

I keep changing placement of hex's and deciding how to put this piece together!

Well, at least at this point, I am thinking of  hex's for the border...but ya all know me well enough to know that can change!  If I do change, then I'll have tons of hex's to sew together for a top!  HA

Time for me to go back to project #1 or is it project #3!

Summer Project 1!

 Our grandson, Nick, turns 21 in September!  Hard for me to believe but...for our grand daughter, Amber, I made her a 21st BD memory book.  So, it's now time for me to make Nick his 21st BD book!  Every year on each of Nick & Amber's BD, I would write a BD letter to them talking about what they or we did in the past year.  And, of course, I've saved lots of items/notes/papers for the past 21 years for Nick too.

This is a  link to the post I did on Amber's book I made.  It's filled with lots of notes, pictures and memorabilia I've saved.  I also gave her 21 BD letters I had written each year.  I don't think she's read hardly any of the BD letters...maybe she will when I'm gone!  HA

This is what my art table is filled with!  Fortunately, this is where I dye, paint, etc. fabric and works great so I can leave all the 'stuff' out!

It's been a lot of work going back to obtain pictures from 2003 thru 2024!  I've already had over 120 pictures printed at Walgreen's (with my 50% off coupon!  woohoo!).  I have small envelopes starting with 2003 and as I find papers/notes/pics I put them in their respective envelope(s)!  Easy, right!  Well, it is untill I find a picture that doesn't have a date on it!  Remember we are in the age of digital photos!  And because we copy from members of the family, the original date isn't always retained!  So it's taken time to go through every flash drive I have to find Nick's pictures!  HA

These are some of my notes I've written to verify dates and print outs of emails my son and DIL sent me on something Nick did through the years.  

I also kept notes on little items or funny stories...for example: I bought Nick a model air plane and we were working on it.  It had very small decals and one of the decals dropped on the floor.  We couldn't find it.  Finally, Nick said "maybe it fell in one of your wrinkles, grandma"!  Out of the mouth of babes, right!

This is a picture of Nick when he was a toddler.  He loved taking Mandy for walks and pulling the wagon.  How I loved spending time with the grand kids!  I miss those days so much...

So, summer if busy with projects for sure!  

Cyano Print Project A Go Again!

 

My knitting has taken over my time so the Cyano Print project has been on the back burner for awhile.  Every so often, I would pick up a hex and sew some together....but that has been 10 min. here or 5 min. there!  HA  

This was the beautiful print my friend, Bonnie made and sent me!

I ended up adding 1/4" pieces of red fabric.  They aren't all attached in this picture.  You can see later they are!

I got the crazy idea I would make a border of red/blue hex's!  What was I thinking...but I'm sticking to it.

Yes, I have tons made...

These are some rows of hex's I have sewn together.  About 13 make up for a side.  I'll most likely have two rows or more?? of hex's for the border...or who knows what I'll end up with or what other project (stand by for that one!) will interfere and put this back on the 'back burner'!