Girl Time, Mother and Daughter Special

Girls times almost always involve pedicures.  Darling Daughter and I love to have a nice pedicure.  I had a wonderful 3 night 4 day visit this past weekend in St. Louis with my daughter.  We don't get to see each other often enough; but when we do..........we really know how to have a good time.  Over the course of the weekend we had a pedicure and manicure, we painted pottery, we attended a Pub Craw, we had fabulous food at a variety of restaurants, we shopped, and we had a massage.

I arrived mid day on Friday and DD picked me up at the airport.  We started off our weekend with lunch at Dressel's  Public House in The Central West End
Sorry, I don't have pictures, as I wasn't unpacked and didn't have my camera.  After spending an interesting afternoon with her at work, De La Salle Middle School we got dressed up for dinner at our favorite restaurant, LoRusso's.  Again no pictures.  We've eaten a wonderful meal at LoRusso's more times then I can count.  It's located in The Hill (The Italian neighborhood in St. Louis.)

Saturday was about The Pub Crawl.  We started early with coffee in the hotel.

Followed by necessary shopping for animal prints at Kohl's.  I was able to nab a blouse for $10.00 and Darling Daughter got several.  All were on sale, 30% off AND on top of that I had a 30% off coupon!  We had a good hearty breakfast at Chris's.  Falling down on pictures, sorry to say.  We've had a good number of good pancakes, french toast and the like at Chris's during our visits to St. Louis.  I highly recommend it.

Once back at the hotel, we reviewed our shopping and put together our outfits.  Darling Daughters

And mine.  The pub crawl's theme was animal prints.  The idea...is to get noticed.  Many of us had fun clashing prints!  We meet up at Handlebar (do click, I posted lots of pictures and info).  Before the night was over we managed to hit 5 establishments.

A bit hard to get pictures at Rehab Lounge (corner of Manchester and Chouteau Avenue), as it was dark with strob lighting.  There was some dancing

next up was Just Johns

where we noticed even the lady doing the weather on tv was wearing animal prints!  Awesome old building with tile ceiling.  Since we started out in the afternoon earlier pictures were easier to get...the lack of light as the night wore on decreased the ability to do that.

Funny thing, Jimmy here with his animal hat wasn't actually in our group; but we felt compelled to get a photo.

We had dinner at Atomic Cowboy's

And called it a successful and fun night after visiting Novak's .

Wanted you to get the feel for animalprint fun.......random pictures here from the group participating in The Pub Crawl.

We had dinner at Pi after painting pottery, and several awesome brunches at Cafe Osage and SqWires.  What a fun visit.

I managed to do some knitted on the plane coming and going, and a little bit while we were at hotel in between all of our activity.  I love Girl Time with my Darling Daughter.  Be sure and check out Traveling Suitcase for Menu Mondays, as there will be posts regarding those brunches mentioned above.

Mother and Daughter Style

 This past weekend I spent a fabulous fun filled "Girls Time" with my Darling Daughter Christine.  We live about 500 miles apart and love love love our time together.  She has some serious talent when it comes to painting pottery.  I dabble at it.  But, with dabble I am getting a wee bit better.  These are 2 small shallow bowls (shallow easier for me) that can be used as salad bowls and or snacky type bowls.  They weren't met to match, but possibly to coordinate color wise?  This is before firing.  The one with the dots and waves, and birds/arrow things should be a deep gold background with brown and dark gray-blackish design.  The 2nd one should be shades of brown and dark dark green with black dots.  Not sure when I'll see the finished results, as she will need to pick them up later this week after firing and at some point get them to me...via mail or something.  Here's my last dabble, wasn't girls wkend, but she and I were painting pottery while on vacation.

 This is more my style.  Finally got the awesome green sweater for my Darling Daughter started.  I cast on the plane trip there and worked just a bit on it during the wkend.  Was able to do a little on the return flight as well.  Several more inches of the basic garter stitch remain which is the trim section of the kimono style sweater.  Then I'll switch needle sizes and get into the pattern stitch.  Believe this will be a traveling companion on my up coming trip to CA.

I told she, DD had mad skills with painting pottery!  She drew this free hand in a deep curved bowl.  I couldn't draw that on a flat piece of paper.  Again this is pre-firing and the colors afterwards will be navy blue background, and a bright gold and yellow flower with shading and leaves.  She made 2 of these.  Both bowls are navy on the outside.  Really anxious to see this done.  All the things she's made have turned out so well.  Here's our projects On a previous Girls Time(this was my first, something happened we never got our pieces after they were fired.  No loss probably on my piece, but here's was really nice.

AND yet another vacation where we painted pottery together

A Day Late and Dollar Short

A day late, a dollar short, AND I lied!  Day late...yesterday was Wednesday, Work in Progress Day and here I am on Thursday making my post.  I lied, apparently.  See an additional variegated section is done on this feather and fan style knitted afghan, Sea and Sand?  When I posted the previous post I was going to stop at the gray, but it away awhile and go work on something else.  Nope....I lied, I didn't put it away.  I keep thinking about how close I was getting to the end and well....here we are a few days later after finishing another section and ready to add the next.

Actually...that only 3 sections to do, the tan/gold you see followed by the last variegated section and the final dark gray section.  Took this photo yesterday in order to make the post, and last night was working with the tan/gold section.  Can't finish a section a night, there are too many stitches in a row.

A dollar short...hum..nothing to post really about that; but the saying popped into my head.  Anyone wonder where or how that saying, "A day late and a dollar short", came from?  A quick google search and this is what I found.

Noun

a day late and a dollar short

1. (US, idiomatic) Action that was taken too late and is too feeble to be of any use.

My other work in progress is my NEW BLOG, which is need of visitors, comments, and followers...please and thanks!

I return you now to your folks, all work in progress wednesday meme's and links in tabs across the top of the blog.

Counting rows and Stitches, but...

 More sections done.  I have 4 left to do on this feather and fan afghan.  You're probably tired of seeing it, I'm getting a bit tired of working on it too.  Below is the next variegated sections, then tan, another variegated and the final dark gray and it will be done!  However,

there are still the tails to work in, launder and block it before it's really done.  I'm probably going to lay Sea and Sand aside again for awhile and continue working on Iris and Lillies Ghan.  Plus I have a friend who's mother isn't well and I need to make something green for her.  I'm thinking a shall.  I need something I can get done and in the mail to France quickly, as we don't know how much time she has left.

And I promised some squares for another friend who's making a comfort ghan for someone in need.  It's a secret so can't say more about it or show you anything.

Making progress with the ghans on my list for YOP, but not much on the other items.  Links in the tab across the top of the blog, join us.  We blog and share on Sunday's. AND my first Let's Get Social on Sunday Blog Post.  Badge and links in meme tab across the top of the blog.

AND because I'm pretty sure I'm boring you with looking at this same ghan over and over...will offer a LINK HERE of my newest blog...it's very new and desperately in need of visitors, comments, and followers.   Perhaps that will break up the boredom. 

Stuffed Chicken and Wine Pairings

 Wine pairings, a work in progress.  What...no yarn?  One of the cool Christmas gifts we got from our Darling Daughter was a box of wine pairings for each of us.  My box was all Pinot Noir while hubby's wine tasting pairings were mixed reds.  You get 6 cute little bottles like this in each box.  We've been selecting one from each box that by description seems to go with what we're having for dinner.  We have special wine tasting glasses that are appropriately small and fun to use.  We get a card that tells about each of the wines in our boxes.  As we taste them we pick a favorite each time from the 2.  So far 2 from my box and 1 from his have been selected.

It's fun, and nice way to try wines you're un-familiar with.  Sorry this picture is on a bit of an angle.  The night we had stuffed chicken our pairs were suppose to go well with Duck.  That was as close as I could get.  A fabulous spinach salad, fresh green beans season with almond slices, and experimental stuffed chicken. 

Experimental?  Well, I hadn't made it before, and it was not made from a recipe per sey. 
I had 2 chicken breasts thawing, when I also took out a bag of ham to thaw (intending the ham to be for lunch sandwiches....from my Honey Baked Christmas Ham).  Nosing around in the fridge and noticed I had some swiss cheese.  So.....placed sliced ham, cheese and spicy brown mustard between the 2 chicken breasts.  Couldn't find appropriate string to tie, and all my toothpicks were plastic.  Hum......how to keep together to cook it as stuffed chicken?  More nosing around in the fridge and came up with a pastry shell.  Pillsbury intended for baked brie.  Sooooooo, wrapped the pastry the chicken and sealed it.  Was gorgeous.  Cooked covered wtih foil and meat probe.  Chicken tasted wonderful, and the pastry got nicely golden brown.  It was a big hit!  Should have taken a picture before we sliced and placed on our plates.

Soooo my wip continues with wine pairings, though the stuffed chicken is now a FO, lol.
AND work continues on Sea and Sand. *posting a bit early, will hop over for linky's tomorrow

Looking for more yarn news? (check out my pay it forward post on a new blog), cause as some point.....that will be a work in progress.

Knitting and Crocheting Here There and Everywhere

 Sea and Sand is still in the works, coming along but seems like it's taken forever.  Not a good picture here at all, couldn't spread it out as I was in the middle of a row when I decided to stop and take a picture.  The row closest to you is the last row of variegated yarn before starting the darker gray so I think I'm about 3/4's done?  Probably going to take a little break from knitting this in order to work some on 

this afghan.  Sea and Sand is too big to tote around, so started on this one the other day.  Had a hair appointment to get un-gray and took the yellow squares with me to begin edging with purple.  You see the yarn off to the right.  Though in my picture it looks blue, it's bright purple.  I had several names for this afghan when I designed it months ago.  One was Iris and Lillies and one was Easter Basket.  The purple (which is what the really dark is even though it too isn't showing up true here) makes me think of Iris and the yellow Lillies.  Then both of those colors make me think of Easter Baskets.  Which name do you prefer?

You can see the variety of sizes of squares here.  And in this close up you can sorta tell the variegated is in fact purple and yellow.  These afghans like 99% of those I make and or assemble will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation through, Bridge and Beyond.

On my Year of Project List Iris and Lillies/Easter Basket is ghan #9 of 10...so doing well on that particular potion of the list.  I've not made any headway with the skirt I wanted to myself, or sweater I wanted to make for my DD, or worked any on the longest ever project, Candy Corn Ghan.  Well....we shall see what happens.  Happy Sunday, one and all.  YOP badge and link in tab across the top of the blog.  Do join us, it's fun.

*inviting you all to a new blog, a little of this and that

Teavana Tea Time

My special tea corner, thanks to my fabulous Darling Daughter, Christine.  One of the cool, really cool Christmas Gifts she got me was this Teavana Tea Set.  There are the foil bags of loose tea which are pretty heavy duty foil packs for freshness and can sealed...like a zip lock.  You get cute tea canisters, a special tea measuring spoon, a cool pouch of raw sugar cube.  The bags and the canisters have the information you need to know about much tea to use and how long to steep it.  You can write the name of the tea right on your canister, wash it off later if you store a different type of tea in it.  This nice wire basket was from another Christmas gift from Stacie and Megan.  Wanted you to know, all the goodies from it may now be gone; but the basket is being used.

In addition, you get these awesome tea pot.  It holds a nice large mug size amount, and or two nice tea cups worth of tea.  The diffuser is in the bottom of the pot.  Notice the little legs holding the pot up about 1/4 inch?  The bottom of the pot is pressure sensitive....so, after it's steeped, all you do

 

is sit it on your cup/mug and it starts to drain,

leaving you with a nice cup of hot yummy tea.   I generally leave the loose tea in the pot in case I want another cup.  Sometimes you can get a 2nd round...depending on the tea and how long you let it steep.  Sometimes I add just a pinch of fresh loose tea to make the 2nd cup.  Awesome gift.  I've used it almost everyday since Christmas.  Even took it to Hilton Head with us several weeks ago for vacation.  Enjoyed a cup after being out and about on the bike tooting around.  Thank You Darling Daughter.

Start, finish and Continue Crocheting and Knitting.

 

Arapaho Afghan here right after finishing it.  It's being displayed on the sofa in the condo while we were vacationing in Hilton Head.  It traveled from Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina into South Carolina and was worked on all along the way.  This picture is before it was laundered and blocked.  Made from donated stripes through Bridge and Beyond.  Once it's laundered (being done as we speak), it will require blocking and then will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation through my charity, Bridge and Beyond. 

 This afghan also made from donated strips also made the same journey; though it wasn't assembled in the car throughout the states as Arapaho was.  I started working on this one after we arrived and completed the previous one.  It's in the works here before adding necessary width and prior to being named.

 Here it is again, back home in Ohio after the additional inches were added to the width by way of border using the 3 colors shown above.  This has now been named Desert Rose after some voting over on Bridge and Beyond.  This also is in the works of being laundered and blocked.  Believe this one will require pinning even when it's being blocked.  They don't always, but with the wider border on it's edge you note some curling.  I do think the size is better after adding the border and belief it will lay appropriately after some major blocking. 

And still in the works, though farther along is Sea and Sand.  You've not seen this one since November.  It now has 2 additional sections done.  Am currently working on the last of the light gray sections.  The light gray sections are the largest sections so I feel like I'm making some reasonable headway.

The first 2 afghans are crocheted from donated stripes, the 3rd afghan is one I cast on quite some back.  Knitting a large feather and fan style afghan does take time.

I've not done anything with the traveling scarf, even though it too made the journey (just as 3 afghans did); nor did I work on my belated Christmas Gift for DD which was noted here on the Love Your Library Post.  It is on my YOP list in the form of something for DD.  Though it turned into a sweater from a scarf.........much bigger project.

YOP meme, badge, and list found in tab above.

Brief summary:
8 of the 10 afghans completed from donated squares/strip
no progress on cotton washcloth or cable skirt for self
no progress on blocking cable scarf and blue scarf
Christmas project for DD changed from scarf (almost done) to Green Sweater, not yet cast on.  Probably going to frog scarf.

Library and Green Calling out to my Darling Daughter

This pattern is one I've had in my library for quite a long while.  Kept thinking I'd make one for myself and my DD....fast forward.  Decided when I saw this perfect green that it would be great for my Darling Daughter.  Green is her signature color.  Spotted the yarn a short time before Christmas and decided to wrap it as is...make sure she liked it and then make her the sweater wrap.  Bought the 2nd pair of needles I needed...as the pattern calls for 2 sizes and I only had one on hand.  Now, I need to get going on it.

My DD is an avid reader, has been since she first learn to read the cereal box ....back in the day, and so when I spotted this meme, Love you Library, knew I had to participate.  Late though as I didn't find the meme until after the first of the month, and once I found it....took me awhile to get my post up.

Almost Finished

You're not seeing doubles, this is one afghan, though in this configuration it looks like 2.  Almost all the stripes/strips have edged and attached.  Now need to bring the two together.  Just worked with 2 pieces as it's going traveling with me and I thought it might be easier to finish the last couple of stripes were are held together here with double pointed knitting needles and darning needles.

Wanted to get this post written yesterday, for Sunday's Year of Projects, but didn't make it.  Late this week, counters being early last week?  Maybe, maybe not.  This afghan is made from donated strips through Bridge and Beyond and will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation when completed.  Hopefully, I can unveil the finished ghan for you on Friday for Finished Object Friday.  This one is called Arapaho.

Not much to report, but hope to work more on the knitted feather and fan, Sea and Sand after this one is completed, and plan to unknit the traveling jewel scarf...it's just coming through for me.

YOP link in meme tab above.  Please join us, it's fun.

Pop back in tomorrow for a new meme called Library....sounds interesting to me, if I can get myself rolling on another meme.

Working on Arapahoe

 These are strips that were donated through Bridge and Beyond.  Almost got all the edging done and will start assembling soon. I'm edging them with light gray.  Once it's assembled I'll see if I need to add to the two sides for additional width prior to doing the final border.

Strips vary just a bit in length, and might need a little coaxing here and there; but I think it will come together just fine.  These strips weren't made to come together as 1 afghan; but to me it looks like they were.  I like how it looks and believe the name my Darling Daughter came up with as we designed together over Christmas vacation is perfect.

Like 99% of the afghans you see here, this will be donated for Project Welcome Home, when a family transitions from shelter living to permanent housing.


Work In Progress Badges and Links in Meme Tab on the top of the blog.  Please join us, it's great fun seeing how creative people are with their projects.  This isn't limited to knitting and or crocheting, by the way. (wipw meme experiment, 12+8)

Box of Crayons Heading to Rochester not Sandy Hook

So many sad tragedies of late, it makes you not want to listen to or read the news.  Horribly sad, but especially so this time of the year.  In a previous post, I showed you this afghan, Box of Crayons when it was a work in progress.  The plan was to add green to the trim to pick up on the colors of Sandy Hook Elementary as part of a caring project in a group titled, Hands, Hearts, and Hugs.  However, that group came to a quick halt.  Sandy Hook has been given so much support and gifts, the community has asked that people please stop sending things.

I then posted an edit indicating this afghan would then go for it's original cause through Bridge and Beyond, Project Welcome Home.

In the next few days, Hands, Hearts, and Hugs has regrouped, and changed it's name to Hands, Hearts, and Hugs-Crocheting for a Cause on Facebook.  The plan is to do projects as needs arise.  Sadly, The brave volunteer Fireman, Lt. Mike Chiapperini, and Tomasz Kaczowka lost their lives while responding to a house and car fire in Webster, New York.  They leave behind many who cared.  In addition to these 2 lives lost, 7 neighboring families homes were burned to the ground.

While I will continue to assemble afghans from donated squares and strips through my charity, Bridge and Beyond; I knew the membership of kind and caring people in that group would want to help, and so this cherry brightly colored afghan will make it's way to Webster/Rochester to help comfort one of the families of those 2 firemen who lost their lives.

**I've been on the road and thus this Sunday post for Year of Projects is being posted late in the day.  Links in tab at the top of the blog.  Please join us.**


  This project and afghan does not change the goal or mission of on going support with hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, afghans, squares, etc for the cold homeless people of Central Ohio.  Bridge and Beyond will continue to collect squares.  Help for both of these charities is greatly appreciated.  The afghan is pictures here prior to being laundered and blocked.  Though, as I type it is infact being blocked...that picture turned out to dark, so you're seeing it before hand.

Sandy Hook Families

Here's Box of Crayons in it's next phase.  Only 6 squares left to edge, 3 rows already joined, and other corners tied together at the ready stage for joining.  This afghan should be completed and begin it's journey to a grieving Sandy Hook family very soon.  The idea for assembling comfort ghans comes from a blogging friend (and one who donates regularly to Bridge and Beyond, Marie Anne (check out her group on Facebook Hands, Hearts and Hugs; the squares were donated to Bridge and Beyond. **Edited Dec 28th, squares are on HOLD for Marie Anne's group.  Sandy Hook has asked that people please stop sending gifts etc.  The future of her group is not yet determined.  This afghan will be donated to Project Welcome Home, here on Bridge and Beyond........the original intent of the squares.

When people come together in the benefit of others, the end result is heart-warming.

This post is a day late for our Sunday, Year of Progress.  Links in tab across the top of the page.

Things here have busy, as no doubt things are in your house.  Darling Daughter spent the bulk of yesterday wrapping all the presents, both those she's giving as well as those from Hubby and I.  She's quite good at that and does a nicer job of it then I do.  Thank You Christine.  Hubby and I spent about 3.5- 4.0 hours making egg casseroles for the family.  When we gather tonight for the family Christmas Eve Celebration there will be I think 21 of us...a few less then Thanksgiving.  Everyone takes egg casseroles home for their family breakfast/brunch Christmas Morning.  It's quite a production, 8 pounds of sausage, 3 dozen eggs, 2 sandwich loafs of bread, 3 pounds of cheese, gallon and half of milk,  full container of diced onions, almost full container of Mrs. Dash, lots of foil, and foil pans.  In addition to those in the family, I made a couple of casseroles for neighbors.  I don't bake Christmas cookies.

Peace and Goodwill to all.
Safe Travels to everyone traveling to be with loved ones, and please keep those who can't be with loved ones in your hearts.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Box of Crayons for Sandy Hook Elementary

**Edited on Dec 28th, the squares for Hands, Hearts, and Hugs are now on Hold.  Do not make anymore 6 inch squares, the direction of the group is pending.  Sandy Hook has had such an outpouring of help, they've asked people to please stop sending gifts.**

I don't believe it's possible to not be touched/moved and want to do something for the grieving families in Sandy Hook Elementary.  A friend (Marie Anne), I've gotten to know through my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond has started a group on Facebook to make comfort ghans for the families. 

She's asking for help with 6 inch squares, and help in assembling the ghans.  You can read the details on facebook, Hands, Hearts and Hugs

I'm putting these afghan together, calling it Box of Crayons, with squares donated to Bridge and Beyond.  Have begun edging the squares with off white and will possibly join in green; and do a couple of rows of each color for the border.  The school, Sandy Hook's colors are green and white.

Late to post today for WIPW, will be visiting your blogs over the next couple of days.  Badges and links in meme tab above.

Buckeye Blitz Completed

Days almost over, but am finally getting this post written.  Buckeye Blitz is completed, has been; but I was delayed in getting the post up.  It's Sunday, year of projects post time.  WOW

Like most of you, life's so busy this time of the year.  Work is always extra busy during December; or at least up until now.  Sigh of relief.  Finally got the house all decorated for Christmas and am looking forward to our Daughter coming home for Christmas.  We've got girl stuff planned, like hair appointments and massages.  We both enjoy doing that together.

Buckeye Blitz is another afghan I've assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond and is the 5th of 10 on my list to be made from donated squares.  Haven't worked lately on Sand and Sea (the knitted feather and fan ghan), have knitted quite a bit on my traveling jewel scarf; but........am thinking about frogging it.  All of sudden I'm not in love with it.

YOP badge and link in meme tab on top of the blog.  Join us.

Buckeye Blitz in the Works

Making some good headway with Buckeye Blitz Afghan.  As you can see, comparing this picture with the one in the previous post.  I like how the black is adding more contrast; but in measuring this in it's current stage....don't believe the additional row of black is going to be enough to get the size needed. 

Have considered adding more gray, but also have a lighter gray.  Have considered adding another row of white ....think that might make things pop even more?  Current supply of black in my stash makes me think I might not have enough to just keep adding black....Am in the pondering stages. 

A lady at work who used to knit and crochet, always likes to see my projects and she thinks black is the way to go.  Might be making a yarn purchase, though that seems crazy given the already bulging shelves I have....stay tuned.

Work in Progress Wednesday badges and links in tab across the top of the blog marked Meme's....join in, it's fun.

Making a List

 My list says make 10 afghans using donated squares from Bridge and Beyond and donate afghans for Project Welcome Home.   This one is in the works and will be called Buckeye Blitz.  The red squares aren't quite large enough to just join so am adding 2 rows of DC, will re-measure and consider adding other colors if necessary.  Stay tuned.

Here's Christmas Time.  I was about to call this finished and get it in the laundry to block, but...wasn't sure I wanted to end on a red row.  Soooooooo,

I didn't.  Am amazed how different I think it looks with adding a green row.  Now, it looks finished to me.  This afghan made from crocheted filet squares is made up of 5 shapes, Christmas Tree, Bell, Candy Cane, Santa Sleigh, and Wreath.  I crocheted the squares together with white, did 4 rows of DC, followed by a row of both red and green in sc for the border.  Now it can be laundered and blocked.  This is ghan #4, so 6 to go.

Haven't knitted any this past week, so no headway with either The Traveling Scarf, or Sea and Sand Ghan.

For a change actually writing my post early, this is Sat and tomorrow will make my rounds for YOP, see list and link in tab across the top of the blog.

It's Black Friday and Finished Object Friday

Happy to share this finished afghan, called "My Granny".  Like 99% of the ghans I make it's to be donated to charity through Bridge and Beyond.  Very happy with the way it turned out.  Once I tuck the final tail, it will be laundered and blocked.  Soooooooooo, it's edged in black, and the borders black....it's Black Friday and that my friends is as close to anything connected to Black Friday as I get.  I NEVER shop on that day, can't figure out why anyone does; such a madhouse.  I'm not a madhouse kinda person.  I enjoy my peace, my quiet, my organization.

AND there's no way in the world I'm getting up at the crack of dawn to go shopping.  Nope, not me.  If you go, be careful, take time and maintain your "cool".  Be safe too!  The negativity and sometimes violence that accompanies this day frustrate and sadden me more then I can say.  Adults fighting over who's gonna buy something, so pathetic when you think of numbers of people who wonder where their next meal is coming from, where they might lay their head for rest; or how they'll fend for their loved ones.

Finished Object Friday badges and url in tab across the top of the blog.  Join us.

Day Before Thanksgiving

No doubt this is big and busy day for all, getting ready for tomorrow.  Some may be shopping for food, others doing food prep, and others traveling to be with their loved ones during this special time.  Here in our house, all the above are taking place.  I've done some food prep, and need to pick up a few items at the grocery, and am awaiting the arrival of our daughter, DD that she is.  She get's in this evening and I'm pretty excited.  It's been way too long since we've been together.  Was back in July.  Soooooooooo, though I have lots to do, hurry nightfall.  For all my friends traveling for the holidays, please be safe.

Now onto work in progress Wednesday (all badges and links in tab across the top of the blog.  My previous post was Sunday's YOP where you saw several afghans...well work continues, please scroll back. 

On Friday, I'll show you the completed My Granny Ghan.  But, today you can see the progress of Buckeye Blitz.  I think even with adding 2 inches of gray to the squares, something else may be needed to make this ghan a bit larger then a lapghan size.  For now, I'm thinking maybe a row (sc) of black around each square followed by a row or two of lighter gray?  The red squares measure 8 inches, but because I like the look of just these squares and am not adding other squares to them....will play through for awhile and let it unfold.  Thoughts?

This is another of ghans being assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond to be donated to Project, "Welcome Home".

Join us for WIPW, it's fun.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.

Three in the Works

 It's Sunday, time for another Year of Projects Post (badge and links in tab across the top of the blog).  Got 3 afghans going at the moment (well really 4 if you count my on going knitting on Sea and Sand...even though it's been idle this week, so no updated picture to show you).  Pushing forward on my list it says 10 afghans from donated squares, 2 down and 8 to go.  Well...here's the next 3.  Several thoughts on this, it's really red, made me think of candy canes and almost thought of edging with wide white and joining and bordering in white...but, I thought it would limit it's use due to dirt, and how it might not be real versatile.  Sooooooooo, how about Buckeye Blitz?  After all, Buckeye colors are good all year long, and the large percentage of the people in the state do follow the Buckeyes.  Sooooo, current plan is to edge squares in the dark heather gray (2 rows), then re-measure and either add black or lighter gray...depending on how it looks and how it measures.  **Since photographing I've made headway with a handful of squares being edged**

 This will make a wonderful welcome home for a family moving from the shelter into permanent housing as we're in the holiday season.  I don't think there's a need to edge these squares at all, as the size will be appropriate as is.  I will crochet these together with white, and check my stash for perhaps a dark green for the border..or at least that's my current thought.  **Since laying this out, have made some headway, in that it's all tied together ready to go. Hoping to start crocheting it together either tonight or tomorrow**  Christmas Time is this one's name.

This is the same picture I posted previously, My Granny is the name of this one, but it's almost finished as I post this morning.  Only have 2 more rows to join and then will work on the border with black of course.  Might get this finished yet today.

All 3 are being made from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond, and all will be donated to Homeless Families for Project Welcome Home.

Work continues on Sea and Sand (knitted afghan), and the jewel tone traveling scarf.

My Granny

If you've been to my blog before, you know I always name afghans I'm working on.  This afghan is being assembled from donated crocheted squares through Bridge and Beyond for project, "Welcome Home".  I've got it tied together and have started crocheting it together, then it will need a nice border.  Once completed it will be donated.

I'm still knitting Sea and Sand, and the Traveling Scarf, but no headway on the purple whatever scarf.  Purple whatever scarf gave me fits so is in time out and that's all there is to it.  I'll show it who's boss, lol...well probably not, yarn usually gets the upper hand, as no doubt you all know.

I've not gotten to participate in WIPW in quite awhile, things have been busy, so am pleased to be able to play with you all today.  All badged and links for the meme's in tab across the top of the blog.  Join us, the more the merrier.

**WOW just noticed, I'm creeping up on blog post #500, pretty cool.

Columbus, Aruba, Cleveland and back

Isn't it loverly!  Sigh, much more un-knitting got done then knitting, or perhaps that's not true.  The same amount of knitting followed by un-knitting got done.  This awesome yummy yarn is soooooooo soft, so pretty, so shinny.  It's to become something for my DD who LOVES purple.  It's Berroco Bunsai.  Bamboo and Nylon, mostly Bamboo 97%.  Not sure what my problem was, but I couldn't keep count.  Finally after the 2nd try realized the pattern wasn't quite right and tweaked it and figured that would do it.  And it would, if I could have concentrated.  Perhaps getting up at 4am to depart the airport and head for Aruba was the problem.  I was both sleepy and excited.  So....really nothing to show you.  Then I left my bag with my counter, pattern, stitch markers, and scizzors in the seat back in front of me when I disembarked.  ARGH.  I've never done that, left something behind.  Apparently this project was doomed, truly so.  I don't even remember the name of the pattern so...at some point I'll look again and hopefully manage to pull it off.  I also lost a different size needle from my Denise set in the bag.  As I had 2 sizes to work on different projects during the flight.  Sometimes, you just need a change.  After all, the first flight was 4 hours, followed by 1.5 hours in the 2nd leg.  This is named as project for Christmas for DD on the year in progress list.

This was started on the way home from Aruba on the flight.  Something much simplier was in order I thought, plus I needed to go with the size needle I had on hand.  I LOVE LOVE this yarn and the colors.  It's Mochi Plus, Crystal Palace Yarn, 80% Merino Wool and 20% Nylon.  It's lovely to work with, slides so nicely and is soooooooooo soft and light weight; but will be warm with that amount of wool.  Just blocks of different sizes of good olde garter and sections of stockinette stitch....just wanted a bit of texture.  The yarn is so lovely, not sure much detail is required.  This could perhaps become an object for Christmas for DD.  So, am naming this "Traveling Scarf".  It went from Aruba to Columbus via plane, and Cols to Cleveland and back via car.

And while, I've not shown you Sea and Sand in awhile, I have made progress.  When I last posted a picture HERE, I was working on the brown variegated section.  Finished that and the larger light grey section and am now on the next variegated section. 

Hoping I can get one more row with these current variegated then will do one more section of the light grey, variegated and then the dark grey...soooooo feel like I've really turned the corner on this.

I've been busy and haven't blogged as much, missed lots of WIPW, FOF, and YOP post.  Hopefully, I'll be seeing you all more.  I was out of town for an extended time.  I was enjoying the Aruba weather as the title suggests.  Sadly though, my friend in Cleveland had a huge tree fall on her house, thus the trip there.  Not that I can do much, but hubby and I wanted to provide some moral support for a long time friend.

YOP list, badge and link in tab on blog top.

Friday Fun, Playing in the Sand Box

Woot Woot, it's Friday and that means Finished Object Friday.  I've not had a finished object to share with you all in quite a while, so am please to share with...even as it's drying after being laundered...a bit of blocking here....Sandbox!  Am very happy with the end result.  It's sized nicely for a family, it's good neutral colors and I love the way the variegated (driftwood) yarn used for both the edging and the joining made everything pop.

FOF badges and links in tab across the top of the blog.  This ghan, like so many I put together is from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond and will be donated as a house warming gift to a family leaving shelter living and moving into "their" new home.

Join us for FOF, it's fun.

Happy stitching all.

Love having visitors check out Bridge and Beyond, if you've not done that in the past.  We're always happy to have more helping hands for this very worthy cause.

Want something lighter, come explore with the every popular, Flat Stanley.  After all, it's soon to be spooky Halloween, and Flat Stanley is in a graveyard, how perfect is that!

Playing again in the Sandbox

A really quick picture.  Didn't even take time to smooth it out; but wanted to get my YOP post up actually on Sunday this week.  Geesh...I get getting way laid.  It's no longer tied together, it is now one piece and I'm working on the edge/border.  Currently I think I'll do a couple of rows of single crochet, then measure it and decide if it needs a few more inches, and or needs a special border.  Some afghans really look best simple to me, others need a little help with a special border.  Until all those ends are gone from crocheting everything together it's hard for me to decide.

This is the only project I've worked on this week, so not much change in my list for year of projects.  This is an afghan, like so many made from various sized donated squares through Bridge and Beyond.  It will be donated as a house warming gift for a homeless family moving from shelter living into their permanent housing situation.  It's used as a good luck for the future, congrats on what you've accomplished and a reminder many of us are pulling for them to make it. 

YOP badge and link in tab across the top of the blog, join us; it's a fun meme

progress pictures:
step 1.   Designed and barely started with edging the different sized squares
step 2.  Edged, all squares now the same size, tied and ready to join

Sandbox all Tied Up

(WIPW, badges in above Tab)
Making good progress with above afghan, Sandbox.  All squares have now been edged to even things up, and tied together so the process of crocheting the ghan together can now begin.  Funny when I named this afghan, I hadn't really decided what I was going to use to edge and join.  Found several skeins of this variegated in my stash that had been donated, by Rae I think from memory (over on Bridge and Beyond).  Guess the name on the skein....go ahead, Guess.  Driftwood....how perfect is that!  Seriously this is old yarn from K-Mart (Sayelle).  So few K-Marts still open, it's been YEARS since they sold yarn, lol.  I just like the shades and thought it would work.  Am thrilled how well it goes.  Couldn't have matched it better if I'd planned it.  lol

Better to be lucky then good, hubby says that alot.

Anyone having trouble adjusting to the new format of blogger?  I really dislike the dashboard area, it's not nearly as easy to do things, find things and takes longer to do everything.  Don't know why when something works well, people feel the need to change things up.  Irritating.

Been busy on both Superpoints, and Swag Bucks earning points, and swag bucks and racking up Amazon Gift Cards.  ($110.00 from Superpoints, and $70.00 on SwagBucks...haven't been there as long).  Think what you could do for your family with that amount of money/giftcards.  All mine go to my DD who uses them to buy necessary school text books for kids in need in inner city St. Louis.  I encourage you all to join one or both systems, if you've not yet done so.  They work very similar, but do have some differences.  If you join either, sing out and let me know if you have questions or need help getting started.  Have links for both above, just click on the words.  With both systems you earn by doing surveys, watching videos, playing games, clipping coupons, buying either Groupons or just buying.  With Superpoints you earn by spinning the lucky wheel (best to do it daily), on Swag Bucks you earn by searching the net (something we all do daily anyway).

Happy Wednesday.

It's important to vote, if you've not yet registered...hurry.  If you're voting absentee be sure and check the amount of postage needed...it varies even county to county.  If you have the option to vote early you can safe yourself time waiting in line.