TGIF and then some!

WOW........what a week. Work was tough this week, soooooooooo happy I have today off. Worked some long and late hours this. Heading to the chiropracter soon which is much needed and will make me feel better.

Hasn't been a super productive week, yarn wise. I did get those 4 scarfs done and off to my daughter, I did search for mitten patterns both for knitting and crocheting. Started the knitted one yesterday, and wasn't happy with it; thought it about last night..check size again this am...nope, not gonna work. Just pulled it off the needles to be frogged. Sigh Started a hexagon sweater the other day I think it's next in line to be frogged (it's crocheted)...not liking the feel of it with the yarn I'm using and hook size...might revert to my tested pattern and try this new one again later. I did manage to make an infant sweater using the tried and true pattern I like so much, though I need to tuck ends and sew on a button. It's the blue sweater pictures above. I love the blue varigated and am sad to be at the end of it. Bought a bundle of it a few years back when it was on a super sale. It's nice Caron yarn and I've used in lots of differnt projects, (little boys hats, a ghan for a little one who lost his grandmother, scarfs etc.). Think it was called denim.

One of my goals for this year was to try and learn some new things with knitting and crochet, try new patterns etc. Thus my quest to knit mittens above. Haven't yet thrown in the towel, believe I'll try the pattern again with larger needles then suggested and see if I get the result I need...not right now though. Gotta lower the frustration level by making something I know how to do. lol Might though try the crocheted pattern I found for mittens. I really want to get some mittens done for The Bridge Project.

Been a SUPER DUPER SUPERCALAFRAGALISTIC week for donations for The Bridge Project. Please hop over to the blog and look around at the wonderful items people have made and sent. Some are knitted, some are crocheted, many sizes to cover a variety of people. How truly heart warming to know so many people care about their fellow man. This has indeed been the highlight of my week. HUGS and THANKS to all.

**still searching though for good, fast and easy mitten patterns. Please post them if you got some, or email me at sandycrochet@gmail.com

Darling Daughter x 2

How darling is she? REALLY DARLING... Really. I know parents complain about kids, but she's perfect. Love her to pieces. Friends talk about how glad they are when kids go back to school, move out, get married, go home after a visit. They talk about how kids are lazy. Truly, my daughter is, and has been for many years ...The BUSIEST Person I've ever known. Not at all lazy. When she was in HS she took tough subjects and did well, while doing everything possible in the way of after school projects-clubs-groups, and had a job, and participated in 2 choirs. When she graduated and went off to college about 500 miles away...pretty much the same. She did a double major, she worked, she was active in church activities, sang in the church choir, was active in a sorority. After graduation she did a year of internship with the church, sang in the choir, babysat, and a host of extra activities she continued to do both for The University (Washington Unv. in St. Louis), and for the Sorority.

She's now in Baltimore, teaching full time (5th grade), doing her last symester of grad school, singing in The Handel Choir of Baltimore. Truly a busy person.

When she was home for Christmas, she always a pleasure to have around. She took me to work, she fixed dinner. She always calls when she's out to see if we need her to pick up anything. She really is a DARLING DAUGHTER.

She asked for several scarfs, brought home yarn she liked to have me use. So here are 2 more scarfs I recently finished and popped in the mail for her. Both are knitted. Used double strand Light and Lofty for the brown-orangish one and #19 needles, and #15 needles for single strand for the pink, also a Light and Lofty Yarn.

Got a bit more yarn she brought home, but will take a break and do some of the charity work I want to do and then return to her yarn. Previous post shows a couple of the scarfs she asked for.

***I'm super anxious to make some mittens, been hunting and hunting for a good pattern for The Bridge Project.

Darling Daughter

This is such a softttttttttt scarf. Made with lemonade Lion Brand Homespun. Some of the yarn DD brought home for Christmas to have me make a scarf. I used size 19 knitting needles and regular garter stitch. It's really nice to touch. The texture is good. Made with double strands and just 1 skein. I had my doubts there would be enough yarn; but the pattern was on the inside of the skien so I thought I'd try it out.

This is yes...knitted with size 19 needles...big and double strand Red Heart Light and Lofty Yarn. It's fun to work with. The colors are Paprika Multi and Spice. A fun combination. More yarn DD brought home wanting scarfs.

This is also knitted with double strand; but it's 1 strand of multi-colored homespun (the one I mentioned in previous post as being such a pain), and 1 strand of thin wool, not quick sock weight wool; but close. I used 15 needles for this. I love the funky look of the colors, it's thick; not super soft; but nice.

She's outside alot to and from school, where she teaches 5th grade and on playground duty, then there's the in and out at grad school where she's working on her master, and the in and out for choir practice. She sings for The Handel Choir of Baltimore. So, she likes scarfs plus I think she wanted a few to give as gifts. Delayed gifts; but thats normal I think for the teachers and those in her program.

Got a few more to do, but may take a break and work on some baby goodies for one of my groups.

Long days all week this week at work, but will get home in time to watch the football game tonight. The Fiesta Bowl. Go Buckeyes

Isn't this ADORABLE! Came in a Christmas Card from a fellow crafter. Denise you rock!
9 Rectangles for Warm Up America. I'll be making more, trying to use up some odds and ends. This was one of my January focuses, remember. This will be going to James (from one of my groups) to put together. I could save postage by dropping off at a local JoAnne, Michaels, or yarn shop; but like the idea of joining them. They'll get distributed quicker that way to those in need.
When finished this will be mailed to my daughter. It's double strand. A thin purple yarn blended with a multi-colored homespun. I love the feel of homespun, but am always irritated at the quality of the skeins. This 1 had 2 knots, plus one area of badly twisted yarn I had to mess with. They really have some quality assurence issues. This isn't the first time this has happened to me working with this yarn. I quit buying it, but daughter loves it and brought the yarn home for me to make her a scarf.

Almost done with a black, grey, and white scarf (should be by tomorrow), for The Bridge Project.

Finished putting away the rest of the Christmas Decorations today.

I'll pick up the looking back (family story) in my next post.

Day 1 of the year 2009

Hop back to my previous post to see the family picture. My great-great grandfather, Wilhelm Heinrich Mader, unlike many of todays immigrants embraced his new country. Embrased it's language and traditions. He immigrated to Chillicothe as a single man at the age of 20. The year 1850. He married Anna Marquerite Heinlein in 1853 and in 1856 became a proud US Citizen. His orginal citizenship papers were kept and passed down through the family. He became a citizen as soon as he was permitted to. He Americanized his name right after immigrating to this country, and was known thereafter as William Henry.

He and his wife Anna, had 8 children; though one died in infancy. He performed many jobs in order to raise his family. He was a builder of roads, and bridges, a construction worker, a drayman and a business man. He owned and operated a merchantile store. His family lived upstairs and the business was downstairs. Through my genealogy research, I was able to learn several addresses where the family lived and the buildings remain to this day.

Hubby, daughter and I went out to our favorite resturant last night and had a wonderful meal and good time. Home in good time to see the ball drop and drink our champaigne to toast the new year. I finished her hat (pictures later), and plan to make her a scarf to match, though it will need to be mailed to her; as she's heading back to Baltimore tomorrow.

I'll start focusing on 3 things for this month, charity wise. One naturally my bridge project, rectangles for Warm Up America (as thats the Homespun focus of the month), and items appropiate for Caring House a womens shelter in Michigan (the focus for the month for The Attic). I want to finish candy corn ghan because it's been in the works for far tooooooooooooo long, and I have a yarn to make a co-worker a ghan she ask me to do about a month ago...yikes, haven't even started it. And...my plan is to work several days each month on the Christmas Ghan I started this year when I realized how foolish I was being. If I work on it a little hear and there, it can be for next year.

I bought my first set of double pointed knitted needles and want to try my hand using them, and I want to get back to walking at least 3-4 days a week. Guess I sorta have goals/resolutions. I'll keep you posted how I do.

Happy New Year, stayed tuned for the continuation of The Mader story.

2008 flows into 2009, looking back and thinking forward!

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As the close of 2008 is upon us, I thought it appropiate to do some reflection. Looking back, this is my dads side of the family. Can you see the German oozing out all over! lol. Goodness me. To the far right seated with his pocket watch chain showing, the head of the family (no question there...being the head, look at how even seated his authority shows!) is Wilhelm Heinrich Mader. He was born in Germany, immigrated as a single man alone to this country, at the age of 20. The year of his immigration was 1850. Six years later in 1856 he became a US Citizen. Physical descriptions of him indicate he had blue eyes, a large nose, oval face, and was 6 foot 1/2 inches tall. Looking at the picture, it's apparent he was indeed a big man; especially for those times. And thus my story starts to unfold. This picture is a treasure, one I feel lucky to have. One of Wilhelm's son's was a professional photographer and thus...we do have family pictures from that time sooooooooo long ago

As the days unfold in our new year of 2009, I'll tell more of the story...this is the beginning.

Further reflections of the year:
It's been a difficult one regarding my mom's health; both physically and emotionally. I hope the new year brings new hope in that direction

My daughter will start her last symester of grad school and we're planning for her graduation in May and what comes after. Presumably a move from Baltimore back to her beloved St. Louis and a job. Where or when that story can be told is unknown to us currently.

I have tremendous hope for the future of our country under new leadership and look forward to President Obama and his very capable team. I know much hard work is needed to make strides in any direction, and know the changes can't take place over night.

I hope the year 2009 brings us closer to solving some of the problems that face this country, high un-employment, health care for the masses, improved education, and a shot a peace in our life time. War is most certainly NOT the solution.

I hope and pray our men and women abroad come home soon, stay safe and return to their loved ones.

I did not make my charity goal, though I came very close. It's possible if I stay off the computer, and don't do my cleaning, or my laundry I could wip up some squares, or rectangles, or finish a couple of my works in progress; but...I don't think I can let that be my goal today. I've read with appreciation some words from Bunny, and Ghost and a few of you other special blogging friends and am not beating up myself over it. I will do what I can when I can and always strive for more; but not feel badly if I'm unable to do more.

2009's charity goal will probably remain the same number 200 items, it's nice to have a goal to work towards. I'm thrilled to have met so many new people this year here in the blogging world and love seeing how many people are willing and able to help each other. That gives me tremendous hope for our future.

Happy New Year one and all!
Please be safe

Please check out my 2nd blog, a local charity drive, The Bridge Project.