Sewing

I love to sew in the summer. So I got out my patterns, fabric and got started (had to make a run to JoAnn's with my discount coupons for more fabric). E is starting kindergarden in Aug., so I am working on some things for her. I finished these shorts for her.














Then I made some pillowcases for 4 of the grandkids. These are so much fun (and FAST) to make. I have since made 1 more, with fabric for 6 more. I like them to have a different pillowcase for each month and with 7 grandkids (but only 4 use pillows--2 are in cribs and 1 is a teenager and she has "outgrown" them) that's plenty to make. I found some school related fabric for 3 cases.
I also have a dress almost finished for E. I will post pictures when I finish. But I am off to upstate NY in the morning--will be gone for 4 days. I'll post some pictures of the Thousand Islands if they turn out....

Finished projects

I have been very busy with my hooks and needles and finally have some pictures to post!

I knit this blanket for Baby Logozzo who is due in July. The parents are waiting for the arrival of the blessing to find out the sex of the child (Hooray for them!!). This is just a basic basketweave pattern.

I made some items for charity donations. I made baby washcloths and bibs. These were fun to make. I found the patterns at a variety of places on the web. I love the bib with the baby chick on it!

The kimono pattern is from the book MASON DIXON KNITTING. I used Cotton Ease yarn.

Baby blanket in progress

I am working on another round baby blanket. It is for a little girl due in the fall. The mother has 2 boys, so this baby is an extra blessing. I am just over halfway finished and the pattern changes 2 times after this. Here is what I have finished. The lighting was off, so the blanket is pink not white. I am using Simply Soft ww yarn that is very soft and pretty.

Newest shawl

I finished another prayer shawl for Creative Hands, a ministry I coordinate at church. It is for Sharon who has several health issues in addition to loosing her brother and a cousin within a week of each other. The yarn is a "ragg" yarn by Bernat in dark green and cream combined. The shawl is 65 x 21 inches.

I am also working on some dishcloths and some squares to be combined into an afhan for families in Kansas that lost everything in the recent tornado.

Baby blanket and some shawls

I made this baby blanket for a shower gift. I loved the way it worked up--very fast--using 2 strands of Bernat Baby Coordinates and a size K hook and creating a gradual change in colors. The pattern was purchased from the Mary Maxim catalog. It is called Peaceful Pastels Afghan. I made it for Crystal who is having her first baby in July-- a girl.







I made this blue prayer shawl for a family member who lost a young adult at the tragic events at Virginia Tech in April.

The pink and white shawl was an exchange item for someone living in Florida. I used cotton yarn for it. It is extra long so she can wrap herself up in it when it gets chilly.

Happy birthday Nina!

Today is Nina's 3rd birthday. Happy day (although she wasn't very happy when I called her--too much birthday and not enough sleep). We got her a Dora doll that you can dress.

Then I made some clothes for Dora. This is a cheerleading outfit. I used the colors of Pattonville High School which big sister Haley attends.

This is a band uniform for Dora. It is similar to the one Haley wears in the band. Dora will be getting more clothes in the future. I got the patterns from the Crochetville site. The pictures are really cute, but the directions are not for beginners. I am glad I have had lots of crocheting years behind me because there were many times I had to figure out what to do next.

Mary is so creative!

I received this beautiful egg from my friend Mary, in Delaware. I have it hanging in my kitchen window where I can see it often. Mary is VERY creative in her packaging. This is what she used to send the egg to me. At first glance it looks like she sent me some cookie dough, but inside was the beautiful egg she crocheted!

She also sent an egg in a butter tub to Sherrie in Colorado. You can see it on her bog here http://crochetpieces.blogspot.com/

More Prayer Shawls

I have been very busy making prayer shawls for church. These are some of my latest creations.

This one is actually a dark purple using Homespun.

All of the shawls were crocheted. I added some Fun Fur to the multi-colored one for fun.

The pattern for the white shawl will be available in the 2008 Crochet Pattern a Day calendar.

My exchange with Mary

This is the lapghan I made for Mary. I used Fun Fur and a dk weight yarn and knitted 42 squares. This was a great way to use up my stash! The only problem I had is that the fun fur kept shedding!! I hope Mary does not have a problem with it.

I also made her this purse (crocheted and felted). It was a kit from JoAnn's, but I changed the handles. I like these much better--and so did Summer. I don't think Mary has a chance getting to use this!!

Mary made me the most gorgeous large pineapple doily/table cover. This picture shows me holding it up while in the parking lot of Longwood Gardens!! I have a stool that I use as a small table in my dining room . I put a really nice vase on it (been in DH's family for years). This will look perfect on top of the stool. I will add a picture soon. Doesn't Mary do beautiful thread work!

My eyes are getting too old for thread crocheting of this dimension (I will still do small angels every once in awhile). Mary also gave me some non=crafted items that I appreciate very much.

I look forward to my trips to PA so I can visit with Mary and Summer.

Longwood Gardens, and my trip to PA

I was in Pennsylvania for a week visiting my Mom.
I spent one morning with my friend Mary, her daughter Summer and grandson DeBe at Longwood Gardens. I had not been there in over 40 years. It was VERY cold that day, but the flowers insider were as gorgeous as ever. They were even planting things for spring and Easter (inside). This is a grapefruit tree and some of the orchids.

If you look very closely at the top of the window in the middle, you will see some bananas hanging from the tree. There weren't very many . This is the only bunch we could see.

The above picture is of Mary, me and DeBe.

This is my Mom. Doesn't she look great for being 89.5 years young!! She is in a nursing home (she had a stroke and needs help walking, dressing, etc.). We had a good visit. The cowboy hat is because of an event at the nursing home. She has lots of friend there.

I also got to connect with 2 college friends and some relatives. My friend Ellen from St. Louis was in Philadelphia the same week (she was there for asome continuing ed. classes) so we were able to have dinner together.