Chapter 45, finishing things

After finishing the second sock, I decided it was time to finish up a few other WIP's/UFO's. So my knew resolve for the next 6 months is that I have to finish one old project before i can start a new one. In theory that means I should cut my new project starts in half, and my WIP's/UFO's in half. We shall see. So after finishing the socks, I decided to finish up the granny square baby blanket. I found I had 30 squares done, which is enough to make a baby blanket, so I am slowly sewing them into rows and hopefully will have them finished soon. Once it is done I am going to start on my "year of the wiener" embroidery (and to be honest, I will probably cast on another pair of socks. LOL)

Chapter 44, A pair of socks!

I finished the other sock! I now have a pair. I am so stupid proud of myself. LOL it is early and the only ones up are me and the dogs. (Who are not that impressed with the socks, and would rather know more about what I am eating) I am ready to start another pair. I know it sounds silly, but I feel so smart. I can knit socks and baby sweaters, I can crochet granny squares and simple things, I can make quilt top, I can embroider, I can create a crazy quilt square, and I can almost tat! I am woman, hear me roar!!!! I can all the things that are considered old fashioned, or at least some of the things! Now if I could just find the perfect recipes for mac-n-cheese and rice pudding.

Chapter 43 What makes you a mom?

If anyone asked me if I was a mom, I would probably say no. and yet, the events of the past few weeks has really made me stop and think. I have the two step-children that I love to pieces, worry over, and at times argue with. But for whatever reason I was sure I wasn't a mom cuz no one calls me mom. Oh i think of myself of mom to my furrbabies, but that was it. Then Saturday, Nicholas was up all night with an earache. I sat up with him, not because I had to, but because it felt right, if that makes any sense. I sat at the desk, making sure the hot water compress stayed warm, that he was okay, and watching him sleep. I am the one who washes sheets when some one has an accident, cleans up throw-up when someone is sick, worries about fevers, and stresses about to much junk food. I am the one the kids want to sit next to and they tend to curl up with me and offer hugs. I am the one who takes pride in what they do, and gets on them to do better, the whole time trying to support what their mom and dad are telling them, yet making them realize that they can talk to me if they need someone to talk to. So I wonder, does all this make me a mom? How do I define a mother?

Chapter 42, jellyrolls and "real" quilting

Vickie is having a give-away on her blog Mid-Ohio Quilter (http://midohioknitter.blogspot.com/), but she is drawing the name tomorrow. She is giving away a scrap bag which has a moda jellyroll. It has all of Amanda's favorite colors in it. It would be nice tow in, but even if not, I might just going searching for jellyrolls next payday. Amanda and Nicholas both have asked for quilts, and I really should make them one. I have always wanted to make a star sampler quilt, and a basket sampler. I have thought about making myself a sampler quilt when I finish Aunt Marie's year of the wiener. mmmm Both kids love the crazy quilt stuff. They have both offered opinions while I was working on the last block (Blue RR) I really have to start grandma's crazy quilt this summer. I plan to do one for her that is full of peacocks and flowers. It is easy to get flower things to embroidery, but peacocks is harder. I am still looking.

Chapter 41, PIF and The Gift

I love checking out blogs. Seeing other's art inspires me, and often encourages (read "makes") me try new things. Today I discovered a new blog that I love. moonchild has some wonderful things. She is also doing a PIF (*pay it forward) give-away on her blog. I think this is a wonderful idea. So I am going to try it. taking out my family (okay, Aunt Bonnie you can still count) I will send something small and home made to the first 4 people who leave a comment for me. (and an e-mail address to please, so I can get a hold of you to get your snail mail address) Right now I am tatting. so most likely you will get something tatted (okay so I only know how to do butterflies, but it is a start) but I also do a little crochet, so it might be a small doily or basket motif for CQing. I am not sure what it will be, but it will be home made. it might take me until mid May to have it ready to go, so please be patient. Also, please pay it forward. if not on your blog, then send a "thinking of you" card, small gift, or e-mail to someone, just to make them feel special. We all have so many gifts we could be sharing with others, it is time to pay our gifts forward. (yes I know, I am on my soapbox, LOL) This idea has really been on my mind the last month. I have been given so many wonderful gifts. I have received CQ newbie baggies from others to help me get started, packed full of beautiful things, not just fabric. charms, beads, fabric, threads, laces. I have learned that many of the people who populate the the fabric/thread/yarn/CQ world are warm and giving people. My goal is to be the same. (stepping down off my soapbox now)
okay, now about "The Gift." Yesterday my Prince Charming bought me a present. He took me for a drive (over an hour away) and bought me a Singer Featherweight!!!! Oh she is beautiful, and sews like a dream! She has her case, attachments, some bobbins and is soooo pretty. The only thing I need to find is a book/ sewing manual. According to her number on the bottom, she was made in 1956 or 57 (from what I have learned on the Internet this morning) I can hardly wait to get her set up and start using her. That will give me two singers. to use for my crazy quilting. I don't know why, but there is just something about sewing my patches on the old machines that makes it feel so special. Silly maybe, but I am learning that it is not just what is created but the process of how I create it that I truly enjoy. When I am working on things, I spend a lot of time in prayer for the person I am creating for, or when it is just something that had to be created (and you know how that happens) I spend a lot of time just talking to God and listening to what He has to tell me. So the process is very important. I truly feel very blessed this morning. and am looking forward to the time I will spend creating for others, both with the new machine, and with my needles and thread. Take time to count your blessings today, and look around, for no matter how dark things seem, there is always someone around that you can bless or help, and that will make your life a little lighter too.

Chapter 40, stitches, thread and the second sock

Well, I cast on the second sock today. I couldn't put it off any longer. I thought about it, and as I do not know any one footed people, if i want to wear my socks, I must knit two. So I got it cast on and started after only three tries. Which is better than the first sock which took 7 tries. This one is already two whole inches long. Last time it took me two days to get that far. If all goes well, I will have a pair of socks by this time next week. I got the blue block ready to mail, and will get it out tomorrow. I added a few cast on stitch flowers to the one side. That was my new stitch yesterday. I really enjoyed making it. I added the cast on stitch to my blue block too. ( I am making myself a blue block to practice and play with.) The cast on stitch looks good in both the DC embroidery floss, and the pearl Cotton I tried it with. I really think I need to make a band sampler, but then, if I make enough blocks, I will accomplish the same thing. I got my sewing machine back yesterday. I am going to set it up tonight to make sure it is sewing. So many things to create, so little time. so many ideas and patterns floating around in my head.

Chapter 39, I forgot to post pictures of the block!

I forgot to post pics of my work on the block for the Cobalt RR group! here they are.