My Favorite Books

Saturday, July 5, 2025

She's Back!

 
Yep, I'm back being a quilter...well, for the time being!  HA  After I finished knitting my last top I needed something to work on!  I looked through some of my fabrics and found these blocks I stenciled a few years back! 

I had to finish quilting this one.  It felt so good to be quilting again!!!!










These were all the similar in width, but lengths were different, which was ok!


This one was also finished when I found it!













I had to quilt this one as well.  I'm not positive but I think I used either NeoColor crayons or Gelato's to stencil the leaves...I don't remember but it had to be one or the other.  DUH!















This was also quilted .  Next up I trimmed each block to
 8 1/2 width..then I squared the length to at least make even.  

One green block was about an inch longer from the other but I left it that way.  I thought it would look better than being so square!














 I then went in my stash hunting for some type of fabric to use for borders/strips.  I found this cool fabric my daughter gave me many, many years ago.  It's not quilting fabric..more like a light weight upholstery fabric.  But perfect for the borders.  So, next up was to QAYG (quilt as you go method) because blocks are already quilted!  

I use QAYG to make all the T-Shirt Quilts.  SOOOOO much easier than trying to quilt a huge quilt of T shirts.  

This fabric is wild but I love it!  






I just sewed the middle strip pieces on.  I'll finish quilting them later.  These strips finished at 2".

 Next, I have to sew in the center strip.  From there, I'll add the  borders, still using QAYG method but I'm going to make the borders larger...3-4 inches..depending on how much fabric I have left!   

It does feel SO good to be back quilting.  I think this will make a nice table topper for fall!  Now to make sure I don't start knitting before I finish this!  HA













Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Wavelets Finished

 


Yes, I finished my latest knitting project...I've even worn it already to dinner last Sunday!  Woohoo.  I'm happy with the color but did notice it sure can snag!  At dinner the chair I sat in was  wicker and my shoulder/arm kept getting stuck on it!  Yikes!  

The necklace I purchased at our local craft sale matches perfectly!  



I didn't realize you can't see the sleeve on my right side.  Darn. Looks like it was fold under my arm.  

 I'll have to take another picture.  It has a 4" slit on it and just looks so different instead of a tight sleeve!  You can see a little more of the sleeve on the left arm.

I wore a white tank top under the top.  And,  yes, I'm in my bare feet!  HA
















I have some more of the Cotton Air yarn in Ecru & Gary (you use two stands to knit the pattern).  So,  I may make  this top again using those colors.  I think the color would be perfect for fall.  All of Yumiko's designs can be worn with tank tops or turtle necks or even blouses under them.  That's what I like.  I wear my tops all year long.






Now that my top is finished and I'm heading to Ohio the weekend of the 11th of July, I've been playing around with quilting again!  Easy to pick up and put down.  I don't lose count of where I'm at .  HA HA Feels so good to be back!  Woohoo!

Saturday, June 21, 2025

A post in June! WooHoo

 I know I have been REALLY defunct in updating my blog!!  I've been busy but doing what, I can't think of what I have been doing!  HA


I started a new lace knitting project!  It's another pattern by DanDoh/Yumiko Alexander.  Yes, I am hooked on her patterns. 

 This is called Wavelets and it's really an easy pattern...no form fitting..just a relaxed lace top for summer!  I'm using her Cotton Air yarn, which is as thin as embroidery yarn!  And the pattern uses two strands but...I am shocked how easy it is to knit with.  







I don't remember when I started this top but this was taken on June 14th.  I had both front and back knitted.  Blocking in the summer sun!  Bob was afraid the birds would leave a 'present' for me on top!  HA  









I'm using Yumilo's ICE color, which is almost a pale blue.  It's a pretty color and I'm making progress.  I took this pic the other day after being out the humid Michigan weather!!! UGH...no, I don't like summer heat. So excuse the fuzzy hair!  HA









And check out the necklace I found at our little craft sale this weekend!!!  I was looking to see if I had any type of blue necklace but only had white.  I think this is really cool and the color matches perfectly! The stone is wrapped in copper.

I've finished one sleeve and will start on second sleeve this weekend.  I am planning on another trip to Ohio to meet up with my sister and nieces/nephews in July.  I should have finished by then!!!  





This is another distraction we have!  Bird watching.  this is a Red Bellied Woodpecker and a female Oriole!  We have tons of birds on our deck.  I have two jelly feeders, oranges and hummingbird feeders up.  We love watching the birds while we eat or when I'm cooking and doing dishes.  Love the little guys!









And, no, I haven't worked on any of the circle challenges since my last post!  Knitting has taken a priority!  If I have 30 min., I'm  knitting.  I don't sit during the daytime to knit and usually will get some time in after dinner/dishes before World News comes on at 6:30 (only news I watch).  Of course, dog walks are also after dinner too!  Where does the day go!  

Monday, May 12, 2025

Mother's Day 2025

 One of the best Mother’s Days ever! A perfect Mother's Day! It all started with another fantastic brunch made by Dawn. I was so excited to dig in that I completely forgot to take pictures of the spread... but trust me, it was a feast: crispy bacon, sausage, golden hash browns, overnight French toast, a veggie frittata and a ham/veggie frittata, two kinds of scones, fresh blackberries and raspberries.

And the best part? Being surrounded by my kids, all together, sharing stories and laughter. After brunch, we soaked up the sunshine and just enjoyed each other’s company.
Family, Food, and Conversation—the perfect recipe for a perfect day!
My son didn't want me to post pics on social media so I'm posting pics of all the kids here instead! Afterall, this blog is for me! It was the best Mother's Day I can remember. Just a wonderful day with the family!!!! We don't have enough of them now a days!!!






Bob and I
My babies! Darrin & Dawn


Nancy, Kris' mom

My grand babies...Amber and Nick

My son -in law, Jeff  and daughter-in-law, Kris











Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Circle Challenge Week 17 & 18

 Yes, I'm still working on the Circle Project.  From my understanding, this is a weekly challenge for the entire year!  Yep...the entire year.  My squares are all around 6 inches so easy to finish in a week's time.


Week 17: Dogma Rules: 

1. 1 piece of fabric you think looks nice together with week 16. Trace 1 circle. 

2. Make small marks on the fabric, random (I show you a way in the video), make as many as you like, but at least 15. Trace small/smaller circles where the marks are.

 3. Use only satin stitches/ flad syning pÃ¥ dansk and embroider each circle you have marked up.

 4. Thread. Use thicker threads in colors you think looks good on your fabric.




 

Week 18:  Dogma Rules: 1. 

1 piece of watercolor paper or cardstock. Trace 1 circle. Paint it light blue.

 2. Trace 1 smaller circle centered on the blue circle. Pre poke holes in the circumference of both traced lines. Make a smaller one inside the “ring” you already have made and do it exactly the same way.

 3. Use only the herringbone stitch/ pÃ¥ dansk heksesting. 

4. Thread. A color you think looks good on your painted piece.






I finished knitting the top but still have to knit the sleeves on.  To be honest....I am not happy with my workmanship.  I see several 'issues' with my knitting...so what to do...finish and just wear around the house?  Don't finish?  Send to Goodwill for someone else to finish it?  Or just unknit the entire bugger!  which I am seriously thinking of doing.  SIGH...........

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Easter 2025 Weekend





Good Friday was kicked off with Easter ham dinner shared with my kids—we missed Dawn (living it up in Paris!) and Nick (hitting the books at college). The kids continued a sweet tradition and gifted me a gorgeous lily plant.







Saturday, I picked up my new Buick Envision Avenir! I love it!!! We're lucky to have Bob's brother sell cars so he always finds just what we want! This is a 2025 and replaces my 3 yr old Envision. They are similar but so many more features on the new car! My last Envision I turned in only had 12,009 miles on it - and it was a 3 yr lease! I don't get out of Goodrich often! HA








On Sunday, Jeff joined us for a ham and scalloped potato dinner & came bearing treats! Kris dropped off the Easter basket filled with her famous sugar cookies—an entire dozen of perfection—and Jeff sweetened the deal with Baskin-Robbins strawberry cheesecake ice cream for Bob and me to try.














Yep, what's left of a delicious cookie with a cup of tea!!!

The weekend was busy, joyful and filled with love, laughter, and plenty of good food... but sadly, not a single family photo. Maybe next time! Where have I said that before!




Monday, April 21, 2025

Circle Challenge 15 & 16

Still keeping up!!!!  


Week 15

Dogma Rules:

1. A piece of heavy watercolor paper or cardstock. Trance 1 circle and paint it in a light wash in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. Mark up 3 slices, If you want to have a center in the middle or off center the slices are up to you.

 2. Punch a bigger hole where the 3 slices meet and punch holes in the outer circle line of all 3 slices.

3. Now it is like mending socks. Make the warp. Come up from behind in the outer circle and go down in the middle hole, and so on. Do the same on the 2 other slices.

 4. Start weaving/mending. Go over and under the threads in the warp, the row. Do it opposite in the next row and so on. 5. Thread:  one in the colors blue, green or turquoise. 




Week 16

Dogma Rules: Inspiration: Abstract landscape.

 1. 1 piece of background fabric. 4 strips of different patterned/colored fabric of your choice. Sew the 4 strips together so you’re able to trace 1 circle where all the 4 fabrics are visible.

 2. Use only straight vertical stitches/ pÃ¥ dansk lige vertikale sting. How big/small and where on your fabric you will embroider the stitches is up to you. Sew only inside the traced circle. 

3. Thread color free. Be inspired by your fabric. 

4. When you’re done with your embroidery, cut the circle out, place it on your background fabric and invisible basting it down.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Until We Bead Again

 I found Beth Murr's we site years ago and purchased her beading patterns.  Because these old eyes find it hard to bead, I haven't been beading lately.  I see where Beth has retired from nursing and is posting  her patterns, YouTubes and Etsy shop again!  

If you wanted to learn peyote stitching (making rings, etc.) check out her blog!  Beth's blog,  

These are some I made back in 2018?  I still use mine but I only have the orange one and needle case next to the orange that I kept.  Others were given as gifts.  They are fun to make and you'll impress your friends with your work!  





Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Circle Work continues!

 Week 12

Dogma Rules: 

1. 1 piece of a light colored fabric and 1 piece of a dark colored fabric, in the same size and in the same color family. You decide the color. Sew them together to 1 square.

 2. Trace 1 circle with something erasable. 3. Only sew the Sheaf stitch / pÃ¥ dansk Knippe sting. Sew them as big/ small /random/in columns/in rows/in circles, or as you wish.

3. Use 2 color threads as the colors of your fabrics and sew with the light color thread on the dark fabric and the other way around.


Week 13:

 1. 1 piece of fabric in your hair color. Trace 1 circle on the fabric. 

2. Use a punch holes thing for ring binders and punch as many dots as you want. Use black or another color you can see on the fabric of card stock or some thick painted paper. 3. Drizzle/ sprinkle the dots on your fabric inside the traced circle. They will land totally random and that's the meaning. Glue the dots with a tiny dot of glue stick or make a small mark where they landed..

 4. Use only the "Star stitch" ( in this case 1 cross stitch and a plus stitch upon each other), as big or small as you like, and sew all your dots down with that stitch. 5. Sew running, double running or back stitches on the traced circle line. 6. Thread color free.

Week 14:

Dogma Rules

: 1. A piece of fabric in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. 

2. Trace as many and what sizes you want of small circles on the square/rectangle piece of fabric. 

3. Only use chain stitches/ pÃ¥ dansk kædesting. Stitch whatever you like with the stitch inside every traced circle. 

4. Threads, the same color family as your fabric. If you have variegated threads/thread with color shifts, use them



Having our spring book sale at the library so lots of work to do this week with setup!  Friday and Saturday are sale days....no knitting this week!  But I did finish my circle project!  

Dogma Rules: 1. A piece of fabric in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. 2. Trace as many and what sizes you want of small circles on the square/rectangle piece of fabric. 3. Only use chain stitches/ pitch whatever you like with the stitch inside every traced circle. 4. Threads, the same color family as your fabric. If you have variegated threads/thread with color shifts, use them.

Dogma Rules: 1. A piece of fabric in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. 2. Trace as many and what sizes you want of small circles on the square/rectangle piece of fabric. 3. Only use chain stitches/ whatever you like with the stitch inside every traced circle. 4. Threads, the same color family as your fabric. If you have variegated threads/thread with color shifts, use them.

Dogma Rules: 1. A piece of fabric in one of these colors: blue, green or turquoise. 2. Trace as many and what sizes you want of small circles on the square/rectangle piece of fabric. 3. Only use chain stitches/ på dansk kædesting. Stitch whatever you like with the stitch inside every traced circle. 4. Threads, the same color family as your fabric. If you have variegated threads/thread with color shifts, use them.

Monday, March 31, 2025

More drawing in my journal!



Yes, I still need to knit my sweater but I'm having fun filling in  my gelli print journal pages!  

I think this pic might be upside down but you'll get what the page looked like before I started!


I used the circles to draw flowers...no particular flower...just my made up one!  HA

I also used my Faber-Castel crayons to color in the edges of the papers.  I love those crayons...forgot I had them!  Who knew!  They are in my dye room on shelves with other pens and crayons.


This was another page printed and in the journal.  It too could be upside down.  HA


Just played with more flowers.  I need more practice for sure..


I used Neocolor pencils to color in some areas and then used a wet brush to blend.  


OK, so I'll get back to knitting for a few days...then back to the journal.  I'm going to have to add more pages...but that's not a problem.  I have an entire Rubbermaid container full of papers I made back in Hilary's online classes!



 

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Christmas Cards for 2025!

 


Crazy, I know...but I finished over 60 Christmas cards for this coming Christmas!  The spring/summer get so busy and if I wait I will be rushed.  I've only been sending out cards every other year for the past few years.  So now all I'll have to do is take my time writing a message to friends and family in the cards.  Print out labels and mail!  Easy!

It is mindless cutting/stitching rows together of different fabrics.  

I had some Christmas fabrics I purchased as well as Charlie Harper fabric.


Love Charlie Harper fabrics!



I also like the mixture of old time Christmas fabrics. They both make up nice cards...


This is a mix of both!  HA
















So now they sit just waiting for Christmas!

Actually, I put them all in a plastic bag on a shelf in my sewing room.  Who knows...some rainy day I might even print out the labels to put on the envelop before Christmas!  HA


Monday, March 24, 2025

Drawing and stencil papers


 Since the 'puzzle' is finished and given to my friend, Donna...Now I have time to work here and there on my journals of hand painted papers.

So I saw my stencil journal with a few pages in it and decided to add some drawings to it.  Not my strong suit but fun to be doing something with the pages.  

original on left and papers added on rt




Added funky leaves...good practice!





This was another page using old printed/stamped/stenciled papers.  Kinda boring! 



I started a little flower....suppose to be Queen Anne's Lace!  I'm learning!




I think it filled in the area pretty good!



















This was a page that I glued down a flower from a coloring book I had.  I used some colored pens to try to enhance the flower and leaves.  


I wasn't getting the flower dark enough so I got out some colored pencils which seemed to work better to add more color.  















Before and (rt) covering with papers








Hard to see the little flower on the side...but it's there!  HA

Just having fun with some drawing.  Now to get back to knitting and practicing drawing more flowers and leaves.  A good start!