Here it is in stage 2, I've edged the squares to even up sizes, and tied the squares together to begin joining them.
Here it is before anything was done. It changed quite a bit, and I did move a few squares around after edging.
Waiting in the wings is Falling Leaves. This is most unusual in that I had enough donated squares to make a pattern. The green squares aren't quite the same size of the orange and variegated, and the yellow aren't granny squares; but this one should require less work to size things up to join.
February was a pretty good month in terms of activity. My mileage went from 115.48 miles in January to 127.83. I went for 10 actual purposeful walks in January and 15 in February. Hubby fixed up the bike from Goodwill so I managed to get 6 bike rides in afterwards. Planks are both up and down. They're up in that I increased from 45 seconds x 4 to 50 seconds x 4 partway through the month; but my total repeats are less. I did planks 17 days in January and 15 days in February. Sadly I neglected to document 2 days in February...so don't know what I did those days.
Help Me to Find My People. I returned this to the library only partially read. I tried several times to get into it; but found it bland, and very repetitive. Lots of stats and references to other books and authors exploring how slaves felt being sold, being separated from the families. They felt bad.......I don't think you need stats to know that. They felt fearful, they felt useless. It's not rocket science. Everything about slavery was horrible. Most people know that, except for White Supremists.
Hush Harbor was frightening, thought provoking and difficult. An uprising because cops killed a Black American who was un-armed. Sadly, we've witness this is the news far too often. This book shows a group of people fed up and fighting back. I found it chilling, but highly recommend this book.
Kinfolk........small town life in Alabama, a dysfunctional family. An un-educated girl finds a family can be more than blood. It's a heartwarming story with some dark undertones of what people live with. It's read by the author which made it even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this book.
Hush Harbor was frightening, thought provoking and difficult. An uprising because cops killed a Black American who was un-armed. Sadly, we've witness this is the news far too often. This book shows a group of people fed up and fighting back. I found it chilling, but highly recommend this book.
Kinfolk........small town life in Alabama, a dysfunctional family. An un-educated girl finds a family can be more than blood. It's a heartwarming story with some dark undertones of what people live with. It's read by the author which made it even more enjoyable. Highly recommend this book.
Perfect names for your two blankets. I'm particularly drawn to the Jimmy Hendrix, purple haze one :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet comments. I liked Purple Haze as well, the brighter edging and border seemed to make the whole thing pop, I thought.
DeleteJust returning your visit:-)
ReplyDeleteI like both your blankets - very cosy.
It's annoying when authors hammer home their message - I like a little subtlety in the books I read (or listen to.)
That's a good description of the author, hammer home their message. It really turned me off, and thus I didn't finish the book. Thanks so much for the visit and kind comments. I'll add you to my blog list.
DeleteAwesome blankets! You have great talent, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for your physical practice (mileage, cycling, planks).
Slavery, a most terrible man-made condition! I must admit I don't feel strong enough to read books on the subject.
I read several heavier type books, then need a light fun fluffy one to counter the tougher subject matter. Thanks for the encouragement on the exercise and kind words regarding my blankets/afghans.
DeleteYou are certainly finishing off those blankets. I think this purple one is my favourite so far.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you Jackie. Each one has it's own personality, doesn't it.
DeleteI love the purple one too - it could also have been 'Purple rain' - I am sure Prince (or 'the artist formally known as Prince' or 'the symbol' - whatever he called himself) would have approved! I think the Falling Leaves one will be lovely when it is done too - quite a different feel to that one, as you mentioned. I'm not so good with the tough books - I like some escapism in my reading as I find the world a tough place at the best of times.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week
Best wishes
Ellie
Must remember purple rain in case I have another with lots of purple to put together. I go back and forth between tough books and some to escape. I find it important to read some of these tough books with as much going on in the world as there is.
DeleteI enlarged the pictures of both blankets so I could see them more clearly. The Purple Haze is beautiful and I'm sure the Falling Leaves will be as well, once its done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, much appreciated. I often enlarge pictures on blogs in order to see better also.
DeletePurple Haze is a perfect name for gorgeous afghan.
ReplyDeleteIs it for y'all or is a gift..Whomever uses either Purple haze or Autumn will be very lucky
Hugs Cecilia
Thank you Cecilia, the afghan will be donated to a homeless shelter, as will Falling Leaves when it's finished. That's what I do with all my afghans.
DeleteYou plank! You must be incredibly fit and healthy! I can barely toddle around anymore! Your Afghan in shades of purple is gorgeous!! I would buy it if I saw it in a store, it is perfect. You are talented!
ReplyDeleteI'm not incredibly fit, but work on trying to get there. Thank you for the kind words about the afghan, much appreciated.
DeleteYour body work is great... I was in AROHA-KAHA yesterday, it's a dance workout with cardio training - a strength endurance training without additional resistance - so coordinated movement against gravity AND with relaxing music... 60 minutes. I love.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of tying the squares together after laying them out is wonderful, so there can be no mistakes when crocheting them together.
Beautiful blankets you make. Excellent. Much joy to you and a hug from Viola
Thanks so much for the exercise encouragement. I haven't tried any of the dance stuff though I know it's good exercise. I have trouble following the footsteps and get frustrated; perhaps I just haven't found one that's the right tempo and need to look further. Keep up the dancing, having fun while getting exercise is a real bonus. Thanks also for the kinds words about my afghans.
Delete...the yellow and orange pop! Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteMy husband pretty much said the same thing! Thanks
DeleteYour crochet looks good, I've done so many rugs or throw overs in my time, just having a bit of rest from crocheting.
ReplyDeleteWe need breaks from time to time for sure. I tend to crochet more in the winter with these larger items, then knit smaller things in the warmer months, so I don't have something heavy or hot laying on me while working on it.
DeleteThe books you read are certainly thought provoking. Kinfolk sounds like something that would appeal to me. Well done on the blankets, it takes a bit of brainpower to put together squares which aren't equal in size but you're doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jo on the kind words for my needle work; much appreciated. The books really are thought provoking. Let me know what you think of Kinfolk if you read or listen to it.
DeleteI like the purple one.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks so much Victor.
DeleteI like the name Purple Haze for your blanket--the pattern does have some psychedelic properties to it! Great miles in February. You are busy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy, appreciate your input and encouragement.
DeleteLovely work! All the best to a wonderful March! Thanks for your comment. What can I say..you gotta have a little drama..❤️🍀💚
ReplyDeleteThanks ellie, appreciate it. Think I need to pick up the pace in March, have had a few days where I didn't do much...exercise wise.
DeleteThank you for your blog visit and the lovely comments that you left. I love your blankets, I'm waiting for three bag fulls of squares that someone has knitted and wants me to join and make into blankets, I'm hoping that they are all the same size. Your activity log is very impressive, I'm afraid I have done very little, my excuse is I'm waiting for some good weather haha any excuse.
ReplyDeleteWaiting on weather is indeed a valid excuse. I agree with you. Thanks for the visit, will add you to my blog log. Good luck on your blankets, got my fingers and toes crossed for you that your squares are all the same size, cause it sure makes a difference when you're working to put them together.
DeleteI love the purple haze... fun colors and idea. I am inspired by your creativity. Very fun!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carla, was pleased with how Purple Haze turned out.
DeleteThe Purple Haze is looking fantastic and congrats on the fabulous February activity wise. Thanks for sharing the books.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, I think Purple Haze might be favorite of the ghans I've worked on so far this year. I keep trying with the activity, some days are better than others.
DeleteCongrats on an improved month of exercise. Respect for your perseverance.
ReplyDeleteLife is too short to read books that don't keep our interest. So good for you for returning Help Me Find My People.
Be well, Sandy.
Thanks for the encouragement on the exercise front, it's appreciated...and needed from time to time. Agree on the books, so many out there no need to read something that doesn't enlighten or teach us, or simply entertain us.
DeleteSandy - thanks for your recent visit to my blog! Coincidently, I just went to Michael's today to arrange custom framing for my circular hexie design. I will get it back in two weeks and will post it then! In the meantime, I have a new post about a 2023 camping trip! Your Purple Haze and Falling Leaves are wonderful, and good job with your exercise regimen! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Angie. I'll get you added to my blog list; and will be anxious to see your framed project. Thanks for the kind words.
DeleteThanks for tackling challenging topics with grace and expertise.
ReplyDeleteYour Purple Haze afghan is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra, I was pleased how it turned out, and think it might be one of my favorites.
DeleteLove Purple Haze. I'm always amazed at your ability to pull squares together and your intuition about the assembly colors. I'm not so creative. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sandie, much appreciated. Sometimes its a bit of quess; but Purple Haze is probably one of my favorites...at least those I've done recently.
Delete