Finally Feeling Better

Wow, it has taken me two weeks to get over this cold. It really knocked me down. But I had heard from several people that it would be like this. Thanks so much for all the well wishes. It made me feel that much better.  So, glad it's over and I can finish up some projects and get started on some new ones.

  One of the things I finished  last week was this pillow. I added lots of floss quilting and an embroidered flower.  I have one more pillow to make for the kitchen sofa. I'm thinking a simple nine patch for that one.

I also picked out the yarn colors for a new afgan. I love these little hexagons and they are so easy and fast to make up. Which is good because I will need a lot of them!

I started sewing them together over the weekend and I realized how many I would need to make a good sized blanket. Lots! So a trip to Joann's is in order. It will end up being very warm and heavy. But it will get used for sure, we like to keep our house temps pretty low.

I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy during this weird winter weather. But the groundhog said spring is just around the corner and I have faith in him:)

Sick Weekend

This will be my world today. Comfy jammies, hot tea, cough drops, tissues, and a book or some embroidery.  I had the weekend off and asked for today off since Rick would be home. So many plans for these three days. I was going to sweep the basement in anticipation for turning on the plant lights. Working on a granny square quilt, and making some soap. Oh well, those things will get done eventually.
Rick is painting cabinets, baking herb bread, and running some errands for me. (He can't sweep the basement. He's very allergic to the dust and mold down there.) He doesn't mind taking care of me, I do it for him when he's sick.

Before this cold hit me, I was trying to make a crocheted heart from an online tutorial. Actually tried several pretty patterns, but just could not follow them. I got so frustrated, it couldn't be this hard! So I just made my own pattern, which was a first for me.

I was very happy with how they turned out. Rick suggested starching them. So here is my little heart banner ready for Valentine's Day.
Stay well and warm!

Color Change and a Birthday

I love how this spice cabinet turned out after changing the color from rustic gold to this "farmhouse" green. I  used craft paint and had to mix a couple colors to get the one I wanted. It looks just like the green on vintage cooking utensils, which I now plan to collect! And it looks great with the old cookbooks. So happy when things work out like that! (Rick did the distressing. Great job.)

On Sunday we celebrated the 22nd birthday of our youngest son, Eric. He is such a wonderful young man, so smart, caring, and funny. And he is the one Tad raises his arms to pick him up and read a story. We can't compete when Eric is around.

And look at Tad. His parents cut his curls off! He looks like a big boy now, but I'll miss his long red curls. (By the way, we love Eric's long hair. We're just old hippies :)

Small Dresden Quilt

I finished this quilt before the Christmas rush and then forgot to show it. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. The colors are so bright and happy. As usual I did a crazy amount of hand quilting :)

I'm thinking of opening up my etsy shop again and featuring quilts and small sewn items. This might be my first offering, though I'm not sure about pricing. Need to do some research and see what other hand quilted items go for. Any advice would be appreciated!

We are planning on working on the kitchen cabinets this weekend, sanding and repainting. Yesterday I cleaned out the hall closet (which is a big, walk-in) and also weeded out old papers and files. Aren't we productive? It's just the New Year thing and will fizzle out, I'm sure! But we will run with it and get as much done as we can before that happens:) Oh, also yesterday, I went to the garden center and bought some seeds to start. Just perennial flowers for now. I'll start annuals in February and March. Really can't wait!

I hope you all have great and productive weekend too!
 

Our Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas with our boys and some extended family. Three days of celebrating and eating. I need to get back to a reasonable diet, there have been too many goodies here!

Son Justin and wife Lizzie

Grandson Tad and his daddy, Andrew.

Son Eric reading one of many books Tad received.

Christmas was so fun with a little one around. Even though he had a cold, Tad was a trooper with all the celebrating and excitement. And yes, he loved playing with the boxes, especially the bows!

Now that the presents have been opened, I can show the quilt I made for Lizzie and Justin. Really a late wedding gift. 

This pattern was from a BHG magazine and is really a departure from my usual work. Different kind of pattern and colors for me. But I needed to make something just right for them and I think I did OK.

So now I'm thinking ahead to a new year. Feeling the need to organize, plant seeds for the garden, and start some fun new projects. What are you planning for the new year?

Merry Christmas!

A few of the ornaments carved by my husband.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, full of fun times with family and friends.

Less Than a Week

Finished snowflake afgan.

Pillow inspired by NanaCo.

Thimbleberries pattern.

The gifts are bought and wrapped, the house decorated, the cookies baked, and all (well, most) crafts are completed, and all that's left to do is some house cleaning. Then it's time for relaxing with family and friends, enjoying good food, and feeling very grateful for all we have.

Why does Loyal look so exhausted? He hasn't done a thing to help me get ready.  Though he does keep the mice under control, so I guess he deserves his nap:)