a new, happy project

November is here and I welcome its unique light throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset.

This time of year brings a feeling much like turning a new page with blank spaces to fill. Therefore, inspiration has presently taken hold in a new project, a ripple afghan to crochet. The art of crocheting is being revisited and I am once again drawn into its soothing rhythmic pleasures during these shorter daylight hours.

The afternoon was warm and sunny on the day I sat outside , enjoying the warmth, to plan the color arrangement the yarns would take in this afghan.

Of course, the project travels well, and so I knitted during a recent visit to Rose's house. How well the colors coordinated with my dress that day.  That could be a good sign. Right?

After an initial intention of having a consistent color pattern for the afghan, I decided to place the seven colors randomly. The colors I chose have no definite rhyme or reason for being crocheted into this afghan, just happy colors and happy thoughts of being snuggled under its happiness on chilly days.

Colors and moments rippling together, I like that.

hearty yarn-along

Whatever you might think of Valentines Day, or how you choose to acknowledge it, as February 14  approaches I usually find myself thinking of hearts, chocolate too for that matter, but that's another train to venture on at a later time. But I thought I would share some crocheted heart coasters with you just in case you might have an inkling to make some this Valentines Day. The pattern is found here. If your yarn stash is even slightly like mine you probably already have some red or pink yarn, so it might not require a run to the store to purchase the yarn for this project. 

 One day a few weeks back I was perusing the shelves at my local library, and this book caught my eye. I think the word daughter might have grabbed my attention at first.  The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick is based on the true life event of Helga Estby and her daughter Clara who walked across the United States from Spokane, Washington to New York City in 1896. This book is a good read and a truly fascinating story.

Joining with Ginny's Yarnalong this Wednesday in February. 

postcards of my day

In the morning...

In the afternoon...

In the evening...

A.M...Ruby red grapefruit, homemade wheat bread drizzled with our very own harvested honey

Afternoon...Crocheting red and pink hearts while watching Ligonier Connect Teaching Series

P.M....Red dutch oven recently scrubbed after braising chicken for our supper

crocheted edgings

 It is time to step aside of my usual posts "of the days before the wedding"; I'll add more of those posts  later.

Today I wanted to share some of the dainty edgings which I promised (sorta) I would share on a post recently. Both of these soft  flannel receiving blankets were gifts for a special mother-to-be at a baby shower I was delighted to attend this past weekend.

Gray Scalloped Edging:

 Aunt Lydia's Classic 10 crochet thread

#5 crochet hook

Mark every 1/2 inch all around the hem of the blanket; poke holes with your needle, then sew a blanket stitch around the entire edge. It will look like this when it is finished.

Single Crochet(SC) around the blanket.

 Chain(CH) 3, 2 Double Crochet(DC) in next sc. That will make a total of three stitches in the one sc stitch.

Ch 1 *SC in next ch, 3 DC in next chain, Ch 1*

Continue with this Pattern * until you get to the corners. 6 DC in each of the four corners.

Pink Scalloped Edging

SC around entire blanket stitch (after sewing your blanket stitch as in gray edging)

*3 DC in first ch, SC in next chain* Repeat.

At the corners, 5 DC

 In the corner of the pink polka-dotted blanket, you will notice I embroidered a simple chubby bird with a few lazy daisy flowers. I planned to use a sea foam green thread for the lace and bird, but when I found out this baby's colors were pink and gray, I decided to use light gray for the edging and a darker gray for the outline stitch of the bird.

 I hope she likes them...this little girl.

 I found one of Rose's receiving blankets, worn and tattered, tucked under her mattress when I went to move her bed several weeks ago. This blanket was hand sewn by a very special, older woman over eighteen years ago. Isn't that a happy thought, to think someone might find one of these blankets tucked in a comforting place years down the road? What a lovely story to be told!

to crochet, to read, to yarnalong

I took on a crocheting project during the long evenings of winter. Charlotte desired an afghan to put at the foot of her bed to cover herself, for the times when she might be on her bed reading and needed a cozy covering.

A soft acrylic yarn was used to crochet 6x6 inch squares. Five colors were randomly double-crocheted in strips of seven rows joined to five rows. You certainly could crochet any amount of rows, this simply was the size I determined for Charlotte's afghan. I must admit the most undesirable thing about this project was the joining of the squares. I made up my own manner of crocheting them together, which created a distinction between the right side and a wrong side, desiring a definite flattened right side for this afghan. Then a picot trim was added because the addition of picot trim always seems to enhance the beauty of any project.

And speaking of beauty,

 I am reading another book by Leslie Ludy. I have appreciated her heart in appealing to young woman to seek Jesus above all else. She gives parts of her own life story as well as real-life situations of other young women she has met. Leslie handles the Scriptures well as she gives practical actions in order for a  life to be changed, renewed, and shaped into a "set-apart woman".  I would recommend this book to a high school girl and up, but I would be quick to suggest that you read the book first since some of the content would benefit being discussed between parent and young person.

Linking up with Ginny for her weekly yarnalong. Come and join us!

Several projects have been lying around my house all summer; depending on the room you entered or the basket you spotted, a project of some sort would be waiting for a free moment to be sewn or crocheted or smocked.
A crocheted afghan was completed and left at my Smockers Guild meeting this evening to be donated to Victory Junction. Very simple pattern adapted from this Mason Dixon book.

The colors were the organization's choice, I just went with the pattern mindlessly. It worked well for those nights we would sit on the couch and watch episodes of BBC's "Lark Rise to Candleford".

Hoping it will bring warmth of heart and body to a precious child.

Alan's Room

Alan left to head back to college last week after a month long visit at home.Yes, I am aware that appears as an oxymoron, but it seemed like only a visit since he is spending more time away at school than here at home these days.

The instructions for him were to strip his bed the morning of his departure. I finally remade his bed this week and replaced the empty towel racks with clean blue towels in his bathroom. His room will be waiting when he comes for a "visit" in the near future.

Two years ago, in January actually, I started crocheting this afghan. A gift wrapped up and given as a birthday gift to Alan in early April. I was pleased with its log cabin type of pattern and masculine colors.

On one wall are pewter plates the boys received from showing their sheep at the state fair from 1994 to 1998. Fills a blank wall to say the least and what else, may I ask, can one do with these sort of plates?

Boondoggling on the sidelines.

A Baby Gift

Advent in my heart as I prepare for celebrating a baby being born over two thousand years ago.....my Saviour.



Crocheting a baby afghan of the creamiest shade of blue with a touch as soft as kitten's fur. I have entered a new realm with my friends' children now having children. This dear friend is expecting her first grandson in three weeks. Therefore, I crochet by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

Prayer in every stitch in preparation for a Christmas baby.