Accomplishments for 2008

I didn't start keeping track of this until mid-year, but I made more items than I thought. LOL

Baptism Napkins - 3
Knit coasters - 4
Knit dishcloths - 22
My Dishcloth Patterns - 2

Zach & Lauren

Our nephew Zach, and girlfriend Lauren, were engaged yesterday in NYC. They were a part of The Early Show.

Free Pumpkin Dishcloth Pattern!

Needed: 1 skein of orange or golden yellow cotton yarn and size 7 needles.

CO 42 stitches.

Rows 1-4: Knit
Row 5: K3, P36, K3
Row 6: Knit (also all even rows)
Row 7: K3, P9, K6, P6, K6, P9, K3
Row 9: K3, P8, K20, P8, K3
Row 11: K3, P6, K3, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K3, P6, K3
Row 13: K3, P4, K3, P3, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P3, K3, P4, K3
Row 15: K3, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K3
Row 17: K3, P3, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P3, K3
Row 19: K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3
Row 21: K3, P2, K1, P5, K2, P3, K2, P6, K2, P3, K2, P5, K1, P2, K3
Rows 23 & 25: K3, P1, K2, P4, K2, P4, K1, P8, K1, P4, K2, P4, K2, P1, K3
Rows 27-33: K3, P1, K1, P5, K2, P4, K1, P8, K1, P4, K2, P5, K1, P1, K3
Rows 35 & 37: K3, P1, K2, P4, K2, P4, K1, P8, K1, P4, K2, P4, K2, P1, K3
Row 39: K3, P2, K1, P5, K2, P3, K1, P8, K1, P3, K2, P5, K1, P2, K3
Row 41: K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P6, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3
Row 43: K3, P3, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P3, K3
Row 45: K3, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P3, K3
Row 47: K3, P4, K3, P3, K2, P3, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P3, K3, P4, K3
Row 49: K3, P6, K3, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K3, P6, K3
Row 51: K3, P8, K20, P8, K3
Row 53: K3, P9, K8, P3, K7, P9, K3
Row 55: K3, P15, K1, P4, K1, P15, K3
Row 57: K3, P15, K1, P3, K2, P15, K3
Row 59: K3, P15, K1, P3, K1, P16, K3
Row 61: K3, 14, K2, P3, K1, P16, K3
Row 63: K3, P14, K1, P3, K2, P16, K3
Row 65: K3, P15, K4, P17, K3
Row 67: K3, P36, K3
Rows 69-71: Knit
BO; weave in ends

Saying Goodbye!

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. My mother passed away on Sunday, September 7th, following a fall down the steps at the front of her home. I haven't had time to do anything as of late. I'll be back eventually, so we can visit. See you soon!

FREE Shell Dishcloth Patterm

Here's a free pattern for you to make. Enjoy!

I used one skein of Peaches & Creme Khaki cotton yarn, and size 7 needles.

CO 38 stitches

1-4: (and all even rows) Knit
5: K 3, P 32, K 3
7: K 3, P 32, K 3
9: K 3, P 11, K 10, P 11, K 3
11: K 3, P 12, K 8, P 12, K 3
13: K 3, P 12, K 8, P 12, K 3
15: K 3, P 11, K 10, P 11, K 3
17: K 3, P 10, K 12, P 10, K 3
19: K 3, P 8, K 16, P 8, K 3
21: K 3, P 7, K 5, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 5, P 7, K 3
23: K 3, P 6, K 5, P 1, K 8, P 1, K 5, P 6, K 3
25: K 3, P 5, K 5, P 1, K 10, P 1, K 5, P 5, K 3
27: K 3, P 4, K 5, P 1, K 12, P 1, K 5, P 4, K 3
29: K 3, P 3, K 5, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 5, P 3, K 3
31: K 3, P 2, K 5, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 8, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 5, P 2, K 3
33: K 3, P 2, K 4, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 10, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 4, P 2, K 3
35: K 3, P 2, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 12, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 2, K 3
37: K 3, P 2, K 2, P 1, K 4, P 1, K 2, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 2, P 1, K 4, P 1, K 2, P 2, K 3
39: K 3, P 3, K 1, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 1, P 3, K 3
41: K 3, P 3, K 5, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 5, P 3, K 3
43: K 3, P 3, K 5, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 5, P 3, K 3
45: K 3, P 4, K 4, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 4, P 4, K 3
47: K 3, P 5, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 3, P 1, K 3, P 5, K 3
49: K 3, P 8, K 4, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, P 8, K 3
51: K 3, P 9, K 2, P 1, K 8, P 1, K 2, P 9, K 3
53: K 3, P 13, K 6, P 13, K 3
55: K 3, P 14, K 4, P 14, K 3
57: K 3, P 32, K 3
59: K 3, P 32, K 3
61-65: Knit
Bind off

Baptism Napkins

I made these for a triple baptism that is occuring at our church tomorrow. I've made one for every baptized child since the beginning of 2007 (plus a few before that, including my grand-daughter, Alora's). I offered to take over this project when the woman who did this previous passed away. Joy was a sweet lady with 10 kids, and 20+ grandchildren.

The cloths are 11" square, made on white 11 ct. Aida cloth, using my own shell design. I've altered this design several times over the last 18 months. I now think I have it the way I want it. In the past I've also done the stitching on the cloths in pastel colors.

Preemie Baby Sweater & Hat

Greetings,

I have to show you what I just finished. This is a crocheted, preemie baby sweater and hat in a variegated pink yarn with sparkle. The width from underarm to underarm is 6". The hat at it's widest is 4 1/2". This was a new pattern for me, but similar to some I'd done before, so it took me an evening, plus a few hours to make both pieces. I'm planning to send this to friends who had a preemie girl named Ruth on April 14th. She was only 2# 12 oz. Now she's about 5# and will probably be going home soon.

Pen / Pencil Storage

We were discussing, on Gingerwood, that Office Depot had a specific cube container with an "x" divider that would be great for pencils. I checked at my Office Depot, and they had only the plain boxes. I considered getting a couple, and realized my way of storing pen/pencils works for me, so why change it.

Several (probably 10) years ago I was at Sam's Club, and they were selling 10 various sized floral hat boxes in a set. I pondered what I would do with them after purchase, but several have been put to good use in my craft room. This one is 8-9" across. I put empty pill bottles (and who doesn't have them) into the box, and added my pens/pencils. They fit nicely in and between the bottles, and is decorative to boot. The items that don't fit in here, are in a lazy-susan type pencil holder.

Hope this gives you some inspiration.

Baby Shower Card

This is another card using a pre-embossed card, STAX, and Miss Elizabeth glitter stickers for baby. My daughter, Heather & I have a baby shower on Saturday. We found out it's a girl.

Confirmation

This is one of the cards I made for the students being confirmed tomorrow. The background paper is an ivory marble, with white & tan Nestie cuts & embossed. I paper pierced and embossed the cross. Each was personalized with a first name.

Sticker Cards!

I was inspired by yesterday's efforts, and thought I'd try some more. The stickers on the baby card are from Sticko (words), and Whipper Stickers (images). Stax used on both, with Miss Elizabeth Stickers used on the floral card. Both are 5" x 7" pre-embossed grid cards from The Card Patch.

New Sticker Cards!

As you know, I don't care to do toooo much stamping on my cards, so these are some easy sticker cards. Both are made with pre-embossed grid cards by The Paper Patch (5" x 7"), stickers by Sticko, and on the blue card I backed the stickers with deco edged Stax squares. They are quick and easy.

Baby Cards!

I was playing with my Cuttlebug again. LOL

Here are a few baby cards I made. The "foot" border was made by running the folder through 3 times.

My First Cuttlebug Cards!

I made these tonight using my new Cuttlebug. I often get nervous trying something for the first time. Once I ran the first piece of paper through the machine I was hooked. I know these are very simple, but I like the way they turned out. Hope you do, too.

Yes, those are stickers, paper flowers, doilies & brads (pearl & gem).

Ribbon Storage!

Some months back we (Gingerwood board) had a discussion on storing ribbon rolls (by the date on these pictures it's been over a year). I was at a loss as to how I wanted to do this for my collection. Sometime after this discussion I ordered corsages for new members at our church, and the florist put them into a clear bouquet box. I got to thinking about how this would be great storage for the ribbon rolls. It snaps shut and also stacks. So here are a couple of pics showing one of my boxes of ribbon (I'm at three right now, with an empty one on hand for expansion). I think there are between 30-40 rolls in this one. Depending upon your area they average 50 cents to $2 each for the boxes at your local florist.

Valentine Mailbox!

I made this mailbox for my grand-daughter, Alora. I know it's not real fancy, but she's only 3 (will be 4 in March), and you know how little kids are. Besides, pink is her favorite color, and I wanted it to show through for her. She loved it, and what was inside: a valentine puppy pin, and candy. What little kid wouldn't like candy?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm so happy today. I finally figured out how to download the pictures from my digital camera to my computer. Now I can take pics of my current projects and you'll be able to see more detail. :) Watch for more pics to come.

Last night I had what some call a light bulb moment or a "duh" moment! "Rubber stamping will never be my primary happiness in paper crafts (although I do enjoy peg stamping). I seem to enjoy paper piercing, and dry embossing (which both work well with stamping) more than creating a card that is primarily stamped. Should I feel bad about this? I'm not sure. It kind of leaves an empty spot, but it is also a relief, in a way. Why am I telling you this? I'm not sure. Just being honest I guess. I've been so frustrated with what I can't achieve, and that makes me feel bad. I suppose I should stay with what I do well, and try to work at what needs help. I'm not giving up stamping, but it definitely won't be # 1 in my paper crafting life."

All day I've had this relieved feeling about my paper crafts, like a creative stone is off my shoulders. Now unto "my" kind of creating!

Valentine!

Here's my 2008 valentine. The background is versamark watermarked with small flowers, although it isn't easy to see. I attached a charm to the center of the heart.

Hello Again!

As I mentioned before I'm not a good journal keeper, or blogger. I am working on some valentines, so hopefully soon I'll have some pictures to show you. See you then.

Welcome!

One thing I've always wanted to do was to keep a diary, and I was never very good at it. I'm hoping I can show you, on this internet diary, what I have been creating! I hope you enjoy your time reading my blog!