I is for...

INSPIRATION (Ironically enough, the word also chosen by the bloggers at a-to-zchallenge.com!)

I've always been a sucker for beautiful, inspirational sayings and quotes. I have a Pinterest board full of them, and I like to include them here when I can. If I know where the image came from, I put the credit under it. I hope that, in the time you've been reading my little blog, you've found something to inspire you. All of you inspire me every day :-)

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Thanks for reading and looking.

Blessings :-)

Updated April 13, 2015:
I is for...

I Never Finish Anything

Start #89

Started March 30, 2015

Progress as of April 13, 2015

 

  

Monday Musings: Some Crochet and Starts #85-88

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Saturday, I spent the morning teaching our ladies group at church how to make mini cards. 

These are terrific for donating to hospitals and nursing homes to brighten someone's day.

We also had our Easter egg hunt Saturday. Our church is very small, so we only had about a dozen kids, but they all had a great time. Alex got her own little section of eggs to play with and put in the bucket.

Sunday after church, we went down to Lake Waxahachie for a picnic. It was very windy, so we didn't stay long. They have a tiny playground with a slide, monkey bars and a merry go round.

Alex wasn't too sure about spinning in circles, but we still had fun.

I finally picked up my crochet hook and have a couple of finishes.

I made a preemie cocoon and hat using Red Heart Super Saver in Purple Tones. The cocoon pattern is from Dly's Hooks and Yarns and the hat pattern is from The Dainty Daisy.

Today, Sharon of Sharon's Eclectic Retreat posted a link for a really cute beret. I don't wear hats much, but it was so cute I grabbed a skein of Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Poinsettia and a P hook and whipped one up in about half an hour.

This yarn has red tinsel woven through it, so it's perfect for Christmas time. I have another skein in the same color so I might make another one to give away.

I'm linking these up with the March Stashbuster Link Party at Linda's Crafty Corner.

Here are four more starts for Debbie's Insane Super Duper Ultimate Crazy January February Challenge. I only have two more to go!

#85: Hootie's 12 Days of Christmas

Source: PinoyStitch on Etsy

#86: Christmas Owl

Source: Free chart from Holly's Hobbies

#87: Santa's 12 Days of Christmas Day 3

Source: Prairie Schooler

#88: Santa's 12 Days of Christmas Day 4

Source: Prairie Schooler

I just realized as I'm posting that all four are Christmas related. Too funny! That was not planned.

I'll be back tomorrow with my last two starts, and then Wednesday starts the A to Z Blog Challenge.

Thanks for reading and looking.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Photo Credit

Currently

I saw this on Pinterest (my not so secret addiction) and thought it was neat. It's listed as a journal prompt, but I think it can be used anytime as an exercise to stop, be still, and pay attention to the small details that make up our lives.

CURRENTLY

It's Sunday, July 6, 2014, at 10:10 a.m.

LISTENING
To the air conditioner, the cat scratching in the litter box, and Tim talking to Alex in the bedroom. Birds singing outside and a fly buzzing around my head.

EATING
Nothing right now, but I just finished a bowl of cereal about 10 minutes ago.

DRINKING
Nothing right now. I had my two cups of coffee at 6 and 8.

WEARING
Blue jeans, a sleeveless tank with layers of lace (brown, cream and rose colored), a brown sweater/shrug,  and brown loafers. Also, a silver bracelet, a long pearl necklace tripled, pearl and silver chandelier earring, my watch and wedding ring.

FEELING
Content, peaceful, and relaxed. Except for mild irritation whenever the fly comes too close.

WEATHER
Warm and sunny. 86 degrees, blue skies, no clouds.

WANTING
To finish this post before we go to church.

NEEDING
Nothing right now :-)

THINKING
About what else I'd like to do today: crochet and cross stitch, go to JC Penney to buy some clothes for Alex and Hope.

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into my morning :-)
Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://aplaceforart.tumblr.com/post/20738929141/proverb-3

Challenge #18: Crochet on TV and in Movies

This week's challenge for the 52 Week Crochet Challenge hosted by Red Berry Crochet is to name movies or TV shows that show someone crocheting or show a crocheted item.

After racking my brain, I could only think of one time I've seen crochet in a movie or on TV. I've seen several afghans and crocheted clothing items on That 70's Show.

But, of course, I knew that couldn't be it, so I went to good old Google. Then I spent the next 10 minutes saying, "Oh, yeah! I forgot about that!" or "Really? I've seen that a thousand times. How'd I miss that?" 

So, here are a couple of crochet things I've seen on TV and in movies and apparently forgotten:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- Molly Weasley's sweater sleeves

The Smurfs- granny square afghan on the couch

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- the grandmother is crocheting

Roseanne- afghan on the couch and some sweaters

I also found a good forum discussion on Crochetville; this lists dozens of references to crochet in movies and on TV. 

And here's a section of posts from CrocheTime titled As Seen On TV.

And another good list from Crochet Concupiscence.

Crochet is everywhere :-)

What's your favorite crocheted item you've seen on TV or in a movie?

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://www.theboldabode.com/free-updates

WIP Wednesday

Woo hoo! Empty boxes! That's a wonderful sight.

This week's work in progress is all about cleaning and unpacking and organizing. I can't believe we've lived here seven months and we still have so much stuff in boxes. Why do we have so much junk?

In between going through household items, I've been doing some online organizing, too. I've been cleaning out my Blogs I Follow list, unsubscribing to those who no longer blog. And I've been organizing my Pinterest boards a bit better so I can find things I pin more easily. 

Of course, there has to be crafty time, too. 

A baby blanket for my Half Knits crochet group, pattern found here. This started life as a Granny Stripe but I didn't like the way the colors were lining up. I frogged it and restarted it with only one color (the multi) and the aforementioned pattern.

My July Smalls SAL project; I'm determined to actually finish one! The chart for this can be found here. This is only four days worth of work so I may finish this on time.

And, as always, there's the Bean to take care of, homeschooling to do, summer fun activities (that old saying about all work and no play comes to mind) and I do like to spend some time with my wonderful hubby. 

Can anyone say Time Management? 

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Two Tuesday

Source: hooksandyarns.blogspot.com

Two Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Quiet Time. Whether it's first thing in the morning or not, I appreciate a time to just breathe. I can craft or read devotions or just sit and do nothing. 

2. A Camera With a Battery Pack. With Alex, we're back to buying loads of batteries. I knew I should have bought stock in Energizer 12 years ago :-) The one thing I don't have to worry about constantly replacing the batteries in is the camera. But I do have to remember to charge it.

Two Patterns I Think Are Neat:

1. Crochet Coasters

These are gorgeous! I don't know if it's the thread used or the stitches, but I love them. I have to get better at reading charts before I attempt them.

2. Paperclip Flower Bookmark

This is just cute. I need a little dish with a dozen of these in it on my desk.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Monday Musings

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend :-)

Ours was pretty quiet. Saturday, I met with the other ladies in our church to discuss possible avenues of ministry we can work on together. Wanting to include some fun in our meeting, I taught the ladies how to make a couple of basic cards.

We had our friend's car again this weekend. I did something I haven't done in 7 months: drove somewhere by myself! All I did was go to Hobby Lobby, but it was exciting. Okay, I was scared to death, too. Seven months is a long time to go without driving. But I made it there and back without any problems, so I treated myself to a pack of paper and a skein of I Love This Yarn in Mulberry (it's much prettier than it looks in the picture).

Tim had to work overtime on Sunday, so the girls and I relaxed at home. I'm making a preemie baby cocoon that uses the cross stitch. It gives it a woven look. If I like it when it's done, I'll write up the pattern.

That's it on my end. I'm off to start the washing machine and the school day.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://www.kdelap.com/blog/2014/6/21/garden-season

Challenge #17: Summer Project

This week's challenge for the 52 Week Crochet Challenge hosted by Red Berry Crochet is to celebrate the first day of summer by making a beach or summer project.

I'm not a beach person and now live several hours from any beach, so I made a couple quick summer projects instead.

 Three different sun hats for the Bean. She needs something to shade her face when we take our evening walks.

The Summer Sun Hat from AnnaVirginia Fashion was the simplest to make. I followed the pattern almost exactly, just eliminated round 10 so it wouldn't be too tall. It's a little big so she can wear it all summer. It's made with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in Grape.

The Granny Stitch Sun Hat from My Merry Messy Life took a couple tries. It's not a difficult pattern, but I had trouble with the gauge. It's supposed to be for a 3-6 month infant and calls for a G hook. After working the brim and a couple rounds of the granny stitch with a G, I realized it was way too small for Alex. I pulled it out and started over with an H. Better, but it won't fit her for long. I stopped working the granny stitch at round 11 so it wouldn't be too tall. I also changed the brim pattern a little. I wanted more ruffle so after round 3, I did one round with two half double stitches in each stitch. It's made with Red Heart Super Saver in Sunshine Print and Bright Yellow (that may not be the exact name but it's close).

The Baby Ruffled Sun Hat was a fun pattern; I like the cross stitches. It came out too short, but several people on Ravelry said they had to add a round or two to make it tall enough; that's what I ended up doing. I added one extra round of cross stitches. I probably should have added two, but I still like it. It's made with an unknown pink and white variegated baby weight yarn. 

I'm linking these on the Stashbuster Link Party at Linda's Crafty Corner.

Any plans for a beach or summer crochet project in your future?

Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

My WIP

My work in progress this week?

The Bean! I'm taking advantage of the time I have to constantly take pictures of her. Before I know it, she'll be a preteen who runs every time the camera comes out  (otherwise known as Hope). Although lately, I've been getting this expression when I take her picture. Why are you always putting that thing in my face, Mom?

Her hair is getting long in the back. I love rubbing my face in its soft fuzziness.

But, alas, she remains bald as a billiard ball up front.

She loves her daddy; he fascinates her.

She loves to eat and have stories read to her.

 But she's not crazy about bedtime. I'm awake! Really! 

She prefers taking naps in her vibrating rocker chair.

She thinks baths are interesting.

But she dislikes the whole getting dressed process. 

She's my sweet little Alex.

And this sums her up perfectly :-)

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: https://www.facebook.com/joyofmom

Two Tuesday

Source: hooksandyarns.blogspot.com

Two Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Looking at all the flowers in bloom. I can't smell them, but I love looking at them and touching the petals.

2. Diaper donations. A friend's niece's baby had a large growth spurt and didn't need these size 1 diapers. She brought them to us hoping we could use them. Of course we can :-)

Two Patterns I Think Are Neat:

1.Sunny Flower Mini Mandala

OK, I'm jumping on the Mandala bandwagon. Everyone's making them now. I haven't made one before because I didn't know what to do with it, but I have a project idea for these little ones. She has a couple more mini mandala patterns on her site. As soon as I finish at least one of my larger WIPs, this will be my next project.

2. Springtime Showers Sun Hat

Most of the time I don't like wearing hats because they're meant to be snug. This one looks nice and loose so I can see myself wearing it.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://reallycool-pics.blogspot.com/2012/02/brilliant-positive-quotes.html