A wee finish

 Here is the little knitted project I was telling you about last time....

My friend is expecting a new grand baby so I want to make a couple things to welcome the new addition.  This is the toy I often make for babies and the pattern can be found HERE.  I used sock yarn for this one but I have made it in other weights of yarn as well.  It measures about 12" from the tip of the hat to his/her toes.

- THIS is a cute project for summer use.

- Depending on the colourway you choose, THIS would be a nice addition to your decor (and would use up scraps too).

- You could use THIS pattern to make all sorts of things.

- THIS would be a fun project and wouldn't it make nice gifts too?

Today's quote..."If Plan 'A' didn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters"

Back to regular scheduling - sort of

 POSTING THIS EARLY BECAUSE ONCE MORE WE'RE BEING INUNDATED WITH A SERIOUS ICE STORM.  HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE LIKE THE LAST ONE WHEN WE LOST POWER FOR DAYS.  IT'S TO BE HOPED THE WIND THEY'RE PREDICTING DOESN'T HAPPEN.

***************************

UPDATED TO ADD:  Overnight the temperature rose and some of the ice melted away.  So far the power has stayed on.  Still treacherous out there but not as bad as what they were predicting...phew!!

********************************

Well, I guess we can put the Christmas festivities behind us for another year, a relief for many I'm sure. 

I spent my off time adding to the birthday gift for our wee grandie (who is turning 4 the end of January).  Some of you may remember me making this doll and outfits...

She will also be getting THIS doll bed from Ikea.

Now what self-respecting doll with such a nice bed doesn't deserve some bedding to go along with it?  Grandma to the rescue, and it will have a mattress, sheets, a quilt and a pillow.  It's such fun having a granddaughter to spoil!

#2 son got a 3-D printer for Christmas and he made us these for our Christmas tree...

I've asked him if he can make us some more in various sizes because they look so pretty on the tree.  Added bonus is that they store flat so don't take up much space in the container we use for Christmas decorations.

- THIS is something that you might like to make for yourself now that the holiday hype is over.

- I haven't shared an awwwww-thing for awhile, so how about THIS that made me smile.

- If you're a fan of buffalo plaid perhaps you'd like to make THIS.

- THIS is something you might like to make for yourself.

A finish - and finished

 Trunk show - done and dusted.  Possibility though of a couple more for other local guilds depending on the timing.  Workshop I was supposed to teach yesterday was postponed due to a winter storm and hopefully will happen next week, provided the weather cooperates.

Over the past week or so I completed a wee little dollie for our wee little girl whose birthday is the end of this month.  I used scraps from my stash (primarily Paton's Canadiana) and THIS pattern.  

And, just for a bit of pretty on yet another dull morning here, how about a picture of this...

- THIS looks like a nice tote bag.

- If you're thinking about making any projects for Valentine's Day (or even if you just like hearts) check THESE out for some ideas.

- THIS is really pretty!  I know it was first done in 2021 but it certainly will still work now (scroll down to get all the patterns and to see the completed project).  And if you read THIS post there are some great tips about doing something similar only as a 'diary' of sorts accompanied by a temperature aspect.  Fun way to practice embroidery!

Today's quote..."If you don't separate yourself from your distractions, your distraction will separate you from your goals"

Another thing checked off my list

 One of our grandies loves Catboy from PJ Masks so of course what is a grandma to do but try to make him one for Christmas.  This is the result...

Pattern is THIS one, yarn from my stash (mostly Paton's Canadiana I think). 

I also made one of these - again using scrap yarn I had on hand.  Pattern for that is HERE.  I liked that this one has a bottom which many of them don't.

- Perhaps you'll find an idea HERE for some gift-giving this year (thanks to Jocelyn for this one!).

- Although THIS is a to-purchase pattern, it made me laugh so I had to share.

- I've been curious how THESE are made and this tutorial spells it out.

- Scroll down HERE to see just what caught my eye!

Today's quote is one of those things about words that I find interesting...

Having fun

 I'm having fun playing with yarn and a crochet hook and working on a couple of wee toys for the grandies.  This is the first one...

Pattern is THIS one.  Jury is out whether or not it actually looks like the Creeper from Minecraft and I'm trying to figure a way to make the head appear 'square-er'.  Had I thought ahead (hah, pun not intended there!) I should have put something like plastic canvas inside to help it hold the shape.  Thinking hat is on....

- THIS is a rather cute little Santa cross stitch design.  And there are more cute ones HERE.  

- THIS was an awww moment (alas no instructions or even who made it).

- THIS would make a nice little gift if it were accompanied by a new mug and perhaps filled with hot chocolate packets.

When I came across this I had to share it - there are some good ones!

Done!

 Many of you guessed correctly that what I showed you in my last post is a doll - the Topsy-Turvy Dolly design by Jean Greenhowe.  I've often wanted to make a topsy-turvy doll and having a wee granddaughter means that I can indulge myself.  Hope she likes it!

Just a simple little dolly for a wee little

girl!

- THIS is a pretty bag that could be made using scraps.

- And if you have any charm packs in your stash, perhaps one of THESE designs might intrigue you.

- I know I shouldn't mention anything to do with THAT date in December but sometimes I stumble across something that catches my eye as THIS did.  (ducking and running from all the rotten eggs being thrown my way).

- THIS is one of those things that just made me smile.

I think Kermit has this one right...

Zip, bop and whirr....

 What goes zip when it moves, bop when it stops, and whirr when it stands still?  Why, a robot of course!

Pattern is the Remy Robot and can be found HERE-

 Sometimes I stumble across something that is interesting, but I can't quite figure out whether I like it or not.  What do you think of the wall HERE?

- THIS is a really pretty afghan design that wouldn't get boring to create.

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

- There's an interesting article HERE about slow stitching.

Today's quote..."Being wanted feeds the ego.  Being valued feeds the soul"

Another finish

 It's almost impossible to get a decent picture for you, and this is the best I can do...

This little puffer fish measures about 8" from his mouth to the tip of his tail.  Our 3 year old grandie loves the 'Pout Pout Fish' books which are based on a puffer fish so I thought he needed a stuffie that resembles one.  Pattern is THIS one.  It's an English pattern so I had to convert it to Canadian/US crochet terms.  

And, when I was going back through my blog I came across the first 'idea' I had for The Quilt.  Very glad I didn't go with it as you can see from this...

- Now that we're all pretty much back to carrying our own bags to do our shopping, perhaps one or more of THESE might come in handy.

- Summer is approaching on this side of the world, so one of THESE might be a good addition to your wardrobe.  There are more possibilities HERE. 

- THIS looks like such a fun project that adults and kids alike would have fun doing.

- HERE is another great little project.

Today the quote is by Terry Tempest Williams..."Once upon a time there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy.  The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated"

The pile - it grows...and a sort-of finish

 I think I need at least 17 strips for the mile-a-minute afghan for Resident Chef and as you can see, the pile is growing!

Our wee granddaughter is turning one in a couple of weeks and what self-respecting grandmother doesn't step up and make her a teddy bear?  Once the bear was done it was decided that going on that long trip without any clothes was just too much to contemplate...so....a dress was added AND I'm working on panties too. 

- Rabbit Hole Warning!!!  If you go HERE, be prepared with snacks and beverages of choice because you're going to need 'em!  Found via Canadian Needle Nana (thank you!)

- Many of you choose a 'word of the year' so perhaps you might like to read about a little different approach (that of choosing a monthly word) and can read more HERE.

- THIS might be a fun project that would be easy to do.

- I know I won't do any of THESE but I was intrigued by the creative ideas people have come up with.

Today's quote..."Nothing in nature lives for itself.  The rivers do not drink their own water; the trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.  Living for others is a rule of nature"

The final toy

 This is the last toy I'm making for this year.  I'm not overly thrilled with it, but I guess it looks a little like a cat if you REALLY use your imagination.  

Today's quote... (disclaimer:  This is not my artwork, nor is it my poem...sadly!)

Perhaps a monster - for Halloween?

 

This fellow was cobbled together trying to use up the leftover Bernat Blanket yarn from the previous two (much larger!) monster pillows I made.  I still have some of the green left but not enough to really make anything.  This guy measures about 17" tall.  There's no real pattern - the body and feet were from one, the arms from another, the horn from another and the eye more or less from the eyes used for the other monsters I made.  

Today the quote is from an unknown source..."If the broom fits, ride it!"

The great mystery - revealed!

 Lots of people thought I was making hats.  Nope.  It should come as no surprise that it would be something for the grandies though and so here you have it....

Pattern is called the 'Monster Pillow Buddy' and can be found HERE. Yarn is the Bernat Blanket Bright series and used a 9 mm crochet hook.  Not exactly something I plan to make more of because it's quite hard on my hands but it was sure fun to do!  Oh....and they each measure about 30"  tall.  A good addition to the Christmas box!

Today's quote..."A seed grows with no sound but a tree falls with a huge noise.  Destruction has noise, but creation is quiet.  This is the power of silence"

Hard to see but there's progress - and a little sumthin''

 I know it's very difficult to see but yes there HAS been progress on the landscape....probably about ten hours worth of embroidery so far.  I know - I need to get a life!

Another of my evening projects involved making this little guy...

He will accompany a copy of THIS book that will be gifted at Christmas to #2 grandie.  Pattern is from HERE.  

Today's quote is from John Lennon..."When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down 'happy'.  They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life"

A moment (or maybe two) of awwwwwww

 First of all, how cute is my latest finished project???

This little sweetie measures in at about 12" tall. I used a crochet hook two sizes smaller than the pattern called for because I don't want any chance of any of the stuffing escaping. Pattern is THIS one and I used Bernat Velvet yarn.

And.....the last two of the long oven mitts are finished....

Update on the phone situation (and I know you were waiting to hear, weren't you!!)....nada, but more frustration.  Thanks be to Maureen who shared a link to the Better Business Bureau I have learned that I should run, not walk, away from Virgin Mobile.  I stand to lose the balance I have with them but it appears it will be a cheap price to pay.  Now I'm wondering what will happen when I attempt to cancel my account with them.  By all reports, it appears it might be a whole 'nother battle royal brewing.

Today's quote is a poem from Edgar Albert Guest....

Have You Earned Your Tomorrow

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and it's toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend that came along?
Or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste  the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?

Mumblings?

First of all, the mailman brought a lovely selection of new threads for me to use on the new advent calendar....

If you live in Canada and are searching for all sorts of things needlework (including fabric) have a look at THIS wonderful site.  I emailed them the photo of the colours our little one is going to have in her room and Jennifer very kindly chose all of these for me.  That's going above and beyond what's in her job description I'm sure!  No affiliation - just a happy customer!

And just look at all that fabric goodness piled on my sewing room floor!  A friend invited me to come and 'relieve' her of some of her stash, which I was more than happy to do.  There's lots of inspiration in that wonderful pile.  Thank you Connie!!!

Over the weekend I put together this fabric panel which is going into the box for our #3 'Grand' for his birthday.  It, along with the perfect set of toy 'diggers', should be fun for him.

This is the fabric I found in one of the online shops that is perfect for the backing.

Just a little bit of outline quilting and it was done.

Today your quote is from Amy Weatherly..."Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it.  Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it.  Perception is a key component to gratitude, and gratitude is a key component to joy"