Cross Stitch, Knitting and Making a Hyperlink

Not a good picture, as this old cross stitch (stamped not counted), is now hanging in the basement.  Had this upstairs above an old children's roll top desk for years.  I must have tired of it, or decided during one of the paint color changes in the house (in 36 years there's been a few), it no longer matched or looked nice.  But, I always liked the saying, Choose Thy Love, Love Thy Choice.  Good words to live by.  I think perhaps I need to bring this up from the basement and see if I can clean up the frame, if not; maybe re-frame it.  This was one of my earliest cross stitch projects...in fact, it might be the very first.  I think it is.

This, I think was my 2nd project.  With the reflection it might be hard to read.  It says, God Gave us our Memories, so that we might have roses in December.  This too is a stamp not counted cross stitch project.  I made this for my Grandmother who who a wonderful rose garden when I was a kid.  Back when roses smelled good, you know before "they" had been hybrided to death.  In seeing these pictures togther on my blog, I see no reason why they couldn't reside together

Bringing out Coffee Latte.  Haven't worked on this since mid April, according to the date of my last picture.  Have a few more of the solid brown to do, and then the large variegated section is next.  So making headway.  The largest variegated section is towards the bottom of the picture to give you a feel for where I am.  I think, if I guessed right on the amount of yarn I have, this will be larger than a lapghan when done, and maybe a bit smaller than a regular ghan.......time will tell.

Making a hyper-link.  Some time back.  I blogged about making a hyper-link.  But, couldn't type exactly how to make one for you all, or it would in fact be a hyper-link and you wouldn't see the code.  Then one day when I was visiting one of your blogs and using said hyper-link, it occurred to me to take a picture.  Then you could see the code, but it would be a picture and wouldn't therefore be a link.  Many of the bloggers on my blog list only use google as an option when leaving a comment, instead of the name and url option.  When you only use google, a person clicks on your name and is then taken to the bloggers profile page...NOT their blog.  If that person has only one blog, you then click the name of the blog from the profile page...thus 2 clicks to get to the blog of the person you want to visit.  If however, the person you're visiting has several blogs (like I do, and many bloggers do), without using name and url you again go to their profile page, then you have to click trough how ever many blogs are listed to find the one you typically visit.  In some cases many of the blogs still listed on the person's profile page are blogs they no longer use.  For those with out dated blogs, or inactive blogs, you can edit your settings and hide those blogs from your profile page to simply things.  But, if a person only has google listed and not name and url as an option when you leave a comment, you can save and should leave your actual blog url by making a hyperlink in the actual comment area...as the above picture shows.  You start with <a href=".....after the " you add the copy and paste of your actual blog post...end that with"> then add the name of your blog where you see Sandy's Space above, followed by </a>

Bloody Mary's, Cross Stitch, Knitted Shawls, and Pontoon Boats

 Hubby and I are always in search of a really good brunch with a good Bloody Mary!!  Several week ends ago, we tried out a new place in town called Drunch.  One option there, which we both tried, was the Bloody Mary Bar.  Mine has bacon, a dill pickle, several olives, and I think a hot pepper.  

Last weekend, we thought we'd venture again, the line for Drunch looked long, so we ventured just around the corner, but still in Italian Village and found this Bloody Mary...Black Olive, different type of pickle and Italian Bacon....quite tasty.  This Bloody Mary can be found at, The Market Italian Village.  Both were good, not sure which I thought was better, but might give a nudge to Drunch, as it had horseradish in it.  

This vase is another of the items I kept from my Dad's house.  I remember it being on the mantel at his parents house when I was a kid.  I always liked it and so have it in my China Cabinet.  On the bottom it says Czechoslovakia 220/20.  No name of a company, and perhaps an initial S with something after it, just an initial...presumably of the person who made it?  This was #20 and they made 220?  Is that what that means?  I don't know.  I don't know if it was something Grandma and Grandpa purchased, or something one of them got from someone in their families.  Sure wish I knew something about this piece.  Any thoughts about how to find out without a company name?

Drum Roll...........finally done with this gray shaded shawl.  Just have to tuck in ends.  Hoping to start a new one later today.

For my cross stitch friends.  I made this pontoon boat back in 1982 for my parents.  I also made the frame at one of those do it yourself frame places.  They had a pontoon boat that looked just like this that they used to spend lots of time on, back in the day.  Their den was very nautical. So the boat picture fit right in.

My cross stitch picture was around the corner which was the entrance to the room from the hallway.  As some of you might know we recently had a tag sale, and cleaned out my folks house after selling it.  Thus the surge lately of me sharing with you some of the family pieces I kept.  The cross stitch pontoon boat doesn't go with anything in my house, but it brings back fond memories of my folks and since I made it...well, kept it.

Cross Stitch, Table Cloths and Family

This is another cross stitch table cloth I found when cleaning out my Dad's house.  I like this one a bit more then the blue one in the previous post.  I assume it's done by the same person, but am not 100% certain of that.  These colors work in my decor, but the size doesn't work for my table....so

Currently, it's on the rocker in the living room.  The chair is one I've had for a long time, it was from my Great Aunt Irene, and I think she's possibly the stitcher.  I think that because we know she once made a cross stitch framed piece that was the serenity prayer.  She was my Dad's Dad's Sister.  So, if my logic is right, it seems fitting that her stitchery is being displayed on her chair.  But, you can't see the whole thing........anyone have thoughts about what else I might do with this cross stitched tabled cloth/family heirloom?

This is my Great Aunt Irene Mader.  She was the only sister who didn't marry.  She worked at the Post Office, had a really fun laugh.  She was my Dad's favorite aunt.  He'd stop and see her coming and going from dates back in the day.  I remember them both talking about that in years past.  Which is another reason I think the heirloom stitching pieces are hers.  He would have been more inclined I think, to keep stuff from her.

A cropped photo from her grade school picture.

For my knitting and crochet friends.......here's an idea.  I really like this idea, particularly for when you're using up ends of skeins.  If you roll a ball it gets away from you on the floor, or you end up sitting on it if you try to keep it in your chair.  I often keep it in a zip lock bag in a tote on the floor, but sometimes it doesn't unwind well.  Sometimes I use my yarn bowl, but I like that this is right with you at the same height almost vs being on the floor.  This would also be a huge plus for people with pets.

This is the most recent movie I watched.  I'm not sure I would recommend it...it wasn't bad, but it wasn't real memorable either.  It was a bit odd, sorta the odd that when you start you think maybe you won't finish it, but it's odd enough you wonder what will happen next so play through.  Anyone seen it?  What did you think?  If anyone watches it, let me know what you think.  It was on Amazon Prime.

No new pictures of my shawl, cause it doesn't look much different.  I thought I would be done by now, but life has gotten in the way.  Dad isn't doing well, so have been busier doing things connected to him and his care at the Assisted Living Center, and frankly getting some things in line, as we believe his time with us won't be very long.  Trying to take care of details, dotting i's and crossing t's where we can to make things a bit easier on all when the time comes.  Hospice is seeing him more often now, which is helpful.

Family Heirlooms Tell Stories

Another family heirloom I couldn't part with.  Once again, like the Mader Doily, I wish I knew for certain who in the family made this and how old it is.  I don't have any memories of being with a relative and seeing them stitching beyond my Mother and I know she didn't make this, or the Mader Doily.  

It's pretty, 2 shades of blue, which I hope shows up against my gray comforter.  I don't have blue in my house, so it really doesn't go with anything, but I remember blue china, whose?  Unknown.  Once upon a time, Mom said she was going to put stickers on the back of the family china pieces with names, but sadly she never did.  There were 2 or 3 of these plates around the large living room bay window.  Dishes from several generations ago.  Some were decorative pieces and some were what was left from someone's china set.

Thought I had a picture looking at the bay window, but this is all I could find.  You can see how large the window is with shelves all around.  This is after we purged for the house staging.  But these blue dishes were on one of the shelves.  Looked great with the blue wall behind it. Would so love to know the stories of whom and where for the dishes, the doily, and cross stitch table cloth.

Haven't started a new series, now that I'm done with McLeod's Daughters, but did watch this movie the other night.

It was a good "chick" flick, and perfect for a night when I was here solo, as hubby was out of town on business.  Did you watch it?  Did you like it?  I did not read the book it references...50 Shades of, not my cup of tea, I'm sure.

One of the boutiques I was able to make from the large bunches of flowers my Darling Daughter sent me for Mothers Day.   I love the white and green!!  The light from the window didn't make for the best picture.  I have a boutique on the mantle in the living room, and a smaller one in the bedroom on my dresser.  Truly gorgeous.  AND my Darling Daughter flew in Sat night to spend Mothers Day with me.  She made a fantastic brunch for me.  Was a very short visit, but still very precious.  Thank you!  Love her to pieces.

Making progress, but had hoped to have this shawl finished by now.  It's grown 2 more pattern repeats which is 2 more points, thus 20 rows.  Probably 3 more to go.  Looks like I may be able to get at least one more section where the dark gray/black yarn will appear, which I like.  I like the contrast.

Cute idea for someone you want to gift yarn to.  Though I'm not sure how you keep the second tier of yarn attached.  Thoughts????

Knitting Afghans and Watching McCleod's Daughters

Chocolate Latte is growing quickly.  Believe it currently measures about 17 inches.  Need to take another look at how much yarn I have and decide if I need to introduce a 4th color or if I'll enough with the colors you see thus far.  That's always the problem with winging it, not using a pattern and trying to use what's available in your stash.  

Perhaps I should switch gears again and get back to working on Blue Ocean.  It was only at 10 inches when I laid it aside to start Chocolate Latte.

I also have a shawl started that I've not done anything with in months!

This is the last quilt I made.  No real quilt pattern, just fabric I liked.  It's hand quilted, outlining some of the designs and or zig zagging through smaller prints.  Made this years ago for my Mom who loved Poinsettia's.  Dad gave it back to me a few years ago and I always put it out as part of my Christmas Decorations.

Not a good picture, but for my x-stitch friends thought I'd share.  I made this for a friend's wedding present long ago.  I love the saying.  She did too at the time.  Sadly, there must not have been that oneness between them.  It was a short lived marriage.

Another quote I kept from Facebook sometime back that, that might make you smile.  Though I think sometimes the things that have happened under this administration leave little reason to smile, we must keep our since of humor or go nuts!

I've now watched through episode 39 of season 3 of McLeod's Daughters, this show is about  strong women; the relationships between the characters and the scenery of the "bush", and Love stories.  But, 2 of the characters are now gone from the show...actually 3, but 2 that were primary characters and because of that, I've not decided if I'll bother to continue watching.  Very disappointed.  People often come and go in a long series, but NOT the primary character.  

Seriously, this couple has been the focus, and she's gone.  Assumed while finishing up episode 39, that would be the end of the show with the primary character gone.  But, google tells me the show actually continued for 8 seasons....write ups all include unhappiness at the loss of main characters, the writing of the series going down hill and dislike of replacement characters.

It's like watching NCIS without Gibs in the show, what's the point!

PLEASE let me know if you watched, if you liked it, if you would recommend it.  Until episode 39 in season 3, I did recommend it......now........not so much.  As I said, not sure I'll bother to finish watching it.

Been watching and knitting, have been sick for a week, so not up to do much of anything else.

Knitting Continues on Cardiac Collage, Vote !!

I'm a bit delayed in posting the next stage of this knitted afghan, Cardiac Collage.  It's named (for those who may not have been to this blog before), Cardiac Collage, because I started it while sitting in the ER while my husband was having a cardiac event.  The first square made is the middle top.  You can see each square is different in what colors are used, how many colors were used, as well as how big each section is.  Truly no pattern...much like an unpredictable cardiac event.  Since this photograph was taken, the 9th and final square has been started.  As I'm working on it, am trying to decide what color I want to use to edge and join the squares with........AND whether I want to stitch them together, or crochet them together.  Leaning towards blue...the medium blue you see in the middle square bottom row closest to you.

Yesterday by way of my absentee ballot.  I like voting from home, where I'm not rushed, can double and triple check myself and look up issues and people on anything I'm not sure about.  Did you know?

• You might be able to track your vote? Through on line registration in your county.  I was able to see the date my absentee application was accepted, the date the ballot was mailed out, in a few days I should see the date my ballot was received, followed by the date my ballot was accepted
• PLEASE remember if you have any trouble when you try to vote with your name, being listed, address etc.  Ask for a provisional ballot.  They must be law give you one.  Don't leave without voting.
  
  I was surprised to learn this a few days ago.  Time is getting tight; but please check what the situation is where you live and vote.  It's important, even if not a Presidential Election.  Many people have sacrificed for us to have the privileged of voting.  Don't shirk your responsibility.

For my cross stitch friends.  This counted cross stitch was a Christmas gift for older brothers wife many many years ago.  Just came across a picture of it.  It's so appropriate for her, she loves kids, her's and others.

**Hey did you notice, I added a game for you in my right sidebar.  Try your hand at Sudoku

Slow Stitching on Sunday, Progress, Watching Charles Dickens and More

It's growing! Jeweled Lines is growing.  This photo was taken a few days (when I thought I would sit down and write a blog post), it was just a hair short of 52 inches at the time, with one row of the turquoise section started.  Got it stretched out as well as I can without having stitches fall off the needles, so it doesn't look very even in the picture, but truly it is.  Mine concern at this point is whether or not I have enough turquoise to finish the current section and complete the last section....It's going to be close I fear.  Once again the problem with quesstimation and no pattern, but when working with yarn you have on hand and or yarn that's been donated...........well.  You play through and hope for the best.  This ghan will be donated through my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond.
Join us for Slow Stitching Sunday

For my blog friends who cross stitch, a project from long ago.  So long ago, this was a photograph, not a digital picture, lol.  Two quilted placemates basically sewn together to make an apron with a cross stitch area.  This was a Christmas Gift for my Mom.  Over the years the picture has faded...tried to brighten it after scanning, but it's still not a good photo.  Wish I had done more of design.  With today's eyes, it's rather plain.  I wonder whether or not my Dad still has this somewhere in the house.  I should ask him.

This was posted on Facebook as a teaser a few weeks ago when my friends across the pond were anxiously awaiting the next session.  We here in the US...are still waiting.  Just thought it was comical, so thought I'd share.

LOVED this yarn.  Sooooooo soft.  When my Darling Daughter was home for a visit, we naturally went yarn shopping.  She purchased 5 different types of yarn, all at 50% off.  I wasn't as lucky.  This is one of two hanks I purchased, mine were only 15% off.  This is 400 yards of hand dyed fingering weight.  It suggest a needle size of 1............what was I thinking!!!  Loved the colors, and softness, but now am in search of something to make with it that maybe I can use a size 3 for.  

This is yet another of my English viewing while knitting and icing my foot.  This was a very short mini series.  Little Dorrit is a Charles Dickens story that takes place between 1855-1857.  The story of being born and raised in Marshalsea Prison, a debtors prison.  As many of Dickens theme, it's full of many emotions;  but shows a good deal of the dark side......the hard times that people endured.  Central figure is the same as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, Claire Foy...who was also in Upstairs Downstairs, as the very colorful and not very nice sister.  I do recommend this short series.

I don't often post political things on this blog, but felt this was very appropriate given current events.  This Holocaust Memorial by Marie Uchytilova remembers 82 children who were taken from Lidice to Cheimno, an Extermination Camp in July of 1942.  The fact there are large number of people led by extreme groups who say The Holocaust is fake news, never happened.......makes me sick to my stomach.
**Longer than normal post, catching up since it's been a bit since my last post.

Oh Deer, Where are my Classmates, we Have Yarns to Share!

--I'm participating in Slow Stitch Sunday, please come join us.
Jeweled Lines is growing, but it seems to be at a slow point right now for me.  It's 43 ish inches.  I'm a bit over half way through the largest turquoise section and next up will be a small gray strip followed by the amethyst.  I've not been knitting quite as much as I've begun working hard at finding lost classmates.

My high school class reunion for 50 years (egads how did I get that old) is next year.  I'm the person that finds people and maintains the database.  It's a job.  With those who've passed on (surprising how many), those that have moved, women who divorced and therefore have a different name etc.  Anyway, because of that, I've been on the computer more and therefore knitting less.

This is a most unusual view from our windows this am.  Seriously you can see we do not live in the country or a wooded area.  We are in a very developed, long standing neighborhood.  These two Deer (one has a reasonable size rack, and the other has one starting), spend a good amount of time cruising around in our yard, (non fenced), then hopped the fence behind us where the blue house is, then came back and jumped the chain length fence to our neighbor to the right of us.  In front of blue house is a major road...one of the most major in our community that connects 2 neighborhoods and 2 freeways.  They need to get across that road to get to safety.  About 1/4 of a mile on the other side of said road and to the right is a golf course......perhaps that's where they came from?  Down the busy road or any of our roads on this side takes them to the river in about a mile.......but then have to cross a 4 lane extremely highway to get to the river. 

Last week I shared a cross stitch I made years ago (scroll back to previous post), so today I thought I'd share one of the quilts I made a good number of years ago.  I do do other stitching besides knitting and crocheting.......just not as much.  I have some lovely blog ladies visiting who do really intricate cross stitch and or make very involved quilts...with real quilting patterns.  I'm a dabbler.  But, this quilt was fun as it's made from flannel nightgowns.  In my younger years we had a group of friends who skiied every year and we  woman would have "team" nightgowns for lounging around at the end of the day.  Nothing warmer or more comfy than a flannel nightgown after skiing in the cold all day.  So, this quilt was made for a very good friend from those nightgowns with cross stitched squares that have memories from our various trips.  I had planned to make one for the other lady in the group and myself........somehow, that never happened.

Still Knitting, Watching Cranford, Memories, and Laughing

Ok, so I wasn't all that hooked on this series, seemed slow and finally with about 1.5 episodes left in the first season things start happening.  Characters develop and then ...just as I'm getting into it.....Season 1 is done.  Season  is Called Return to Cranford, but it's not available on Amazon Prime unless you have a subscription to BritBox.  Good grief, I knew about Hulu, Starz, Master Piece Theater, and Acorn; but I didn't know about BritBox.  You could go broke if you subbed to everything.  But, you do get a 7 day free trial.  So, I signed up today so I can watch season 2 of Return to Cranford.

Only watched a few minutes so far, but LOVE this.  If this is historical accurate how much better is it for the baby to see you, Mommie, or Grandma or whomever is pushing the stroller vs looking away at strangers or unknown things that might be frightening?  This looks like a much better design to me.  Then the pusher of the stroller and the baby can intereact.

I have been knitting, but there's not enough of a different on Jeweled Lines to show up.  New picture next time.  Had to do some unknitting......about 12-13 rows worth......bummer.  But, thought you all might enjoy this funny about yarn.  You could certainly substitute fabric for my quilter friends, or DMC for my cross Stitch folks.

Speaking of Cross Stitch.  I made this over 30 years ago for my Grandmother.  It's stamped, not counted.  I LOVE the saying.  She had a beautiful rose garden that never had weeds in it...or at least as a child it seemed that way to me.  She loved her roses, so long ago...actually the more I think about it, bet it was closer to 45 ish years ago I made this for her.  It's been hanging in my house since she passed.  Always makes me think of her.

Most of my cross-stitch projects were before digital cameras so I don't really have pictures to share, unless there are some in photo albums.....hum, might have to look.

Butterflies

Long ago, I enjoyed cross stitching. I didn't photograph many of my projects; but found this one to share with you. My older brother had a wonderful butterfly collection when we were kids growing up. I made this for him years ago for Christmas. Technically, I think this is a month instead of a butterfly. I'll have to have him look at it and tell me. Just thought I'd share this with you, as a way to make us think of warmer weather.