Camp Barakel

I went on a fall retreat to Camp Barakel, up North, with my friend Jan. It was an absolutely beautiful weekend. The speaker was from Moody Bible College and she was ok. The fellowship was wonderful, the food was good and the activities were terrific.  On Sat. right after breakfast, and before chapel, we did the zip line (twice)!!

We got prepared ......

Made the climb up 51 steps............ 

and off we went (I'm in the red swetshirt). The first time was so much fun, we did it again.

After lunch we went on a 10 mile canoe trip which turned out to be a disaster of sorts.  A mile into the trip down the Asable River we were trying to avoid some rocks and ended up on top of a large one. The river was high and the rocks were covered. Attempting to get free of the rock, we tipped into a VERY cold river!!  We lost one of our life saver cushions and our 2 bottles of water. Plus my camera, cell phone and hearing aids got drenched! It was a challenge getting the water out of the canoe and turning it right side up, but we did conquer it (and I have the bruises to prove it).  Luckily we were not seriously hurt (except for our pride--which was a bit inflated at the beginning, which is probably why we tipped).  The sun was shining and despite the breeze, we paddled the 9 miles to the end.  Our backs got dry, but not our feet or lower legs.  The hot shower sure did feel great.  My hearing aid dried out and was ok. It took 24 hours for the cell phone to dry out and function normally. The camera still is not working, but I did rescue the memory card and the pictures were ok. So on Tues. I bought an inexpensive replacement camera that seems to be fine (the pumpkin photo is from that one).  The rest of the trip was uneventful.... 

Pumpkin Patch Crochet Along

I have had this finished for awhile, but didn't get the picture up. This is my pumpkin and it is now part of my fall decorations. It was fun to do

Fall

Baseball season is about to end. Bright spot:  Phillies are in the playoffs and SHOULD (WILL) make it to the World Series and WIN!! Go Phillies
Dark spot:  The St. Louis Cardinals fizzled at the end and are not in the playoffs.  Can't wait for spring!!
I am going for a short weekend retreat at Camp Barakel up North with my friend Jan.  We have gone before and really enjoyed it.
In a few weeks I will be going to the mountains of Georgia to visit a friend who moved there.  The leaves should be at their peak then!
I am also getting ready for a craft show and loading up my Etsy store(see link at the top of the page) with lots of items. My fingers have been busy knitting, crocheting and sewing!!

Where did the summer go?

This summer sure did fly by. It was VERY hot here in MI.  We used our air conditioner more than any other summer since we moved here in 1995! I took some short trips. I went to Ludington for a few days for some "ladies time" with Jan.  We shopped, ate, walked, sat on the beach and watched some girl flix--great time!!  I also spent a week in PA going to a show (Wizard of Oz) at a local dinner theater. My brother was the Wizard--great show!  Plus, I got to spend the evening with my cousins and their wives. I also spent time with friends from high school, college, the internet and family.  It was a very enjoyable trip --especially the hoagie!!
From my hooks and needles:  Haley went off to college in Aug. (SEMO).  I made her a set of washcloths for each day of the week.  I attempted to add "study" on the band on 6 of them and "party" on the 7th, but I couldn't get the duplicate stitch to look right. So I told her the pink one was for partying and she could only use it one day a week! (yeah--right!!)

I aso made her an afghan for her dorm bed in her school colors, which aslo happen to be her high school colors!

One last "off to college item--a new pillowcase.  The very first pillowcase I made was for Haley many years ago.  Now all the grandkids have several and I am selling them.  I still love making them.  Her room is decorated in her favorite colors--pink and black.  Have fun Haley and don't forget to study!!

computer woes

My laptop is being fixed.  I think I got a virus because somehow all of my pictures and some documents have disappeared!  I don't understand why people do this.  Why can't they do something to HELP society instead of creating headaches for us.  I do hope my computer guy can find my photos--graduation, Christmas, birthday parties, spring training and stuff I have made.....

New blog

I have started a new blog that will focus on the items I am selling in my Etsy store. I will keep them separate from all the stuff I make for the grandkids and for donations.  I don't have any posts on the new blog because I have been busy setting up my Etsy stuff.
This will take you to my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/Addicted2Stitching
As soon as I get something on my blog, I will post about it.  It is called Addicted2Stitching, just like my shop.
Hope you stop by!

Busy, busy

I haven't really neglected my blog, I've just been extremely busy. I was on a sewing, knitting and crocheting frenzy getting ready for the Women's Expo at our church.  It was a huge success and I sold lots and got even more special orders. I was quite happy about that.

Then we went to St. Louis for Haley's graduation.  She even got a small scholarship that will pay for her books at SEMO!!

It was also Norah's 4th birthday so we has a party on Sat.  The girls were lots of fun and Nadia (almost 1) loves her Grandpa!

I made this hat for Nadia but she had more fun wearing the headband I bought for her!

Remember the book If You Give a Pig a Pancake?

I made the pig and pancake for Norah (she already has the book).  It was fun to do!

After we got home I had surgery on my hand to correct my trigger finger (nothing to do with a gun) on my right hand.  I am still going to therapy, but it was almost a whole week of trying to type with one hand and no crocheting or knitting--withdrawal!!

sewing frenzy

I feel like I was glued to my sewing machine for awhile!  I made aprons for Elise's birthday party, then more aprons to sell at the Expo. These are all child size aprons.  I didn't get pictures of all of the adult ones I made--will do that!

 I also made some pillowcases to sell.  Have to get some pictures of them also.  I did sell several, so no pictures of them.

Then there were pillowcase dresses for Haiti, to sell and for birthday gifts! The dresses were in lots of different sizes.  I like the smaller ones the best.

This is not technically a pillowcase dress, but I did make it for Nina's 6th birthday.  I need to fix the straps--they are too long.

From my hooks and needles

I have been very busy making stuff for birthdays and a craft show I was in last weekend.  I made this prayer bear for church for a child that needed a special hug.

I made a total of 6 or these penguins for a kindergarten teacher to use when doing her penguin unit.  This got me "hooked" on making amigurmis which I now love doing!

So i joing an ami exchange on one of my many Yahoo groups and sent my partner this blue owl!!  The first owl I made turned out huge and ugly so I found another pattern.  The recipient's young child won't put it down!!

This is another prayer bear, but for a boy.

My dear friend got a new puppy and her name is Gabby. She is a rat terrier and I made her this doggy blanket to fit in her crate!! Wish I could do this for my "puppy" but he would chew it up!

Pig and Her Pancake

I made this for Norah to go with the book IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE. She has the book. It is part of her birthday gift. She will be 4 on Sunday, the day Haley graduates ffrom high school (doesn't seem possible). We are going to St. Louis for the events. Here is the back of the pig--I love her tail!!

I also made her a pillowcase dress. I have been making lots of these to send to Haiti (even sold some at a craft Expo last week!). This is a close up of the fabric for a princess!!