It's hip to be square.....

Okay...okay...I am dating myself but I have this Huey Lewis and the News song going through my head as I write this blog post. Do you remember Hip to be Square? Way back in 1986?

"You might think I'm crazy, but I don't even care
Because I can tell what's going on

It's hip to be square,
It's hip to be square......"

But then what better music to share my latest update on my printer's tray? *grins*

I love home so I filled these squares with a heart, home sweet home, my sweet kitty Dagi and flowers for my garden.

Now I have a start on the nest four squares with a thimble. I have to decide on the next designs to use. Yep...it IS hip to be square.

Heidi

Warm feet once again.....

There have been two large cones of tshirt yarn sitting in my studio for months. I wanted to try using it but reading other bloggers talk about how difficult is can be to use, I kept putting it off. Recently, I found this pattern for a placemat and decided it was time to get that yarn out and give it a try...

I simply grabbed a 15mm crochet hook and got started. I found it quite easy to use with this large hook and it lays really nicely on the ground. I kept going until the yarn ran out of the one color and then switched over to the next. In the end, my rug came out to be 80cm x 100cm (31-1/2 x 39-1/2 inches). It is now in our bedroom on Jos' side of the bed. He can wake up in the morning to nice warm feet. *grins*

Heidi

Potholder quilt progression.....

This past Wednesday was our quilt evening for May. I have been adding more blocks to our potholder quilt for this year's theme.

I added a fourth saying to the tablerunner...Measure twice, cut once. I stitched a spool of thread with a tape measure holder and tape measure. I have an antique one in my sewing antiques (which you can see in the collage photos) so thought it would be fun to add one to my quilt.

I also added another miniature patchwork block inside one hexagon. It is the Anvil to show my love of ironwork. I have often dreamed of taking a blacksmith course.

I am going to add blocks to the sides now as I think the runner is good at this length for my quilt studio table. You never know...I might make it longer later in the year but for now am going to concentrate on this length. Now to decide on my designs for the 7 hexie blocks.

I am linking to Suzanne's Lets Get Stitched.

Heidi

Meet Annabel and Angus.....

Last week, I was checking mail and decided to look at a few crochet blogs. I found a new pattern that was shared on Annaboo's House blog for a Scottie dog. It was love at first sight!!! I grabbed some yarn from my stash and started at the very minute. But when my little doggie was done, I thought he needed a mommy. So I used a double strand of the same black yarn and went from a size 4.5mm crochet hook to a 8mm. For the red trim, I used a size 6mm hook. Since the batting showed through, I lined the inside of the dog on both sides with some black fabric. A little bit of ribbon found in one of my ribbons jars and my new little friends were born...

I was originally making the large one to send off to my little grand-niece for her birthday in June. She will be 2 years old. But I think my sweet little Angus (yep...I named him) needs his mommy Annabel since he is a wee little thing. I am going to make another dog for Abigail to love and keep all to herself.

Off now to grab that yarn and hook once again. I have been doing a good bit of handquilting but no finish yet to share. Soon I hope...

It has been a while between posts as I have been busy with Jos. He has surgery on his esophogus a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately that operation failed. They did  find out that he problem is mainly his muscles which is used to swallow. The surgeon stretched the muscle which is all he could do to temporarily help until we can discuss the possible next operation which is highly risky. We have a great deal of questions to ask first. And I have told Jos that no matter what he decides we will go through it together but I can change how we eat if needs be should he not want to take the risk of the operation. He is healing slowly from the first operation with good and bad days. His sense of taste is gone and that is bothering him most. He is a man who enjoys a good meal.

Once again, having my handwork to do is a wonderful form of therapy. I sat in the hospital crocheting with him watching me. I am very blessed to have my handwork.

Heidi

Nook Pocket

Last night, I decided I needed to crochet a pocket for my Nook (eReader). I had thrown it in my purse to read last Sunday on the way to a museum but thought it needs some soft protection from now on...

Love how it turned out!

Heidi

March's giving.....

My two RAKs for March have been received and I can now share them with you. These are both projects that were also in my UFO challenge list for this year.

I found Matruska beads at a German Christmas market almost two years ago. This keychain was made for Susan who I thought it would have a special meaning for. She has two adopted boys (well they are actually becoming young men now) who are Russian born. I have enjoyed watching them grow up under her love and care.

Patricia shares my love of old fabrics, trims, laces, etc.. I made these lapkins from remnants I bought in Rebeauvillé, France at the Beauvillé factory. They made beautiful table linens which are very pricey. I bought some factory samples to sew some napkins. Each of the samples has been cut into various shapes. I decided to share some with friends and Patricia's are being called lapkins because of the oblong size fitting just right over your lap. I felt I wanted to do something more with them so I got out some yarn that matched and created simple crocheted napkin rings that are closed with vintage brass buttons.

I am busy making my April RAK gifts right now. It is so much fun to match a blogging friend to a gift each month. I am so happy people are enjoying being surprised with a gift but my tell you that the greatest gift is in the giving!

Heidi

Autumn Infinity scarf.....

My latest finish...autumn infinity scarf crocheted over the Easter weekend. I fell in love with a pattern on Ravelry but found out the yarn indicated for pattern was no where near enough. No problem...I just turned it into an infinity scarf instead.

Heidi