Lost in translation

I can't make this stuff up.

"John 13:17-15 Love God more than your cheeseburger."

Apparently (among other things) we need to work on number sequencing.

Camping Project #3 and #4

Next, I had time for another quick headband that got the flowers attached once we got home (I feel like that was just "an angel earned its wings" moment...).

I finished off the weekend with a couple quick washcloth/sponges for my friend.

All in all, it was a pretty productive weekend!

Another camping project

Next up was the cotton yarn for some kitchen projects.

Just a simple potholder and washcloth. Only problem is that I don't know anyone with a pink kitchen...

Camping Project #1

After finishing that baby blanket, I wasn't quite sure what project to work on while camping. So I ended up taking some basic cotton yarns figuring I could always come up with something for them. I also grabbed a skein of fun yarn I had picked up on clearance at Hobby Lobby a couple months ago.

As I started it, I wasn't completely sold on it, but I think I like the finished product.

I thought this butterfly would add a nice touch to it.

Opinion time! Do you think I should make a flower for the butterfly so it stands out a bit more? Maybe something ivory? Or should I just keep it simple and leave the butterfly to be the only embellishment?

Baby Girl Blanket and Headband

Is it because summer is winding down that all of us are so determined to finish off various projects? School is almost starting and craziness will begin again? Back to schedules and calendars and much less free time? Whatever the reason, it's good to accomplish projects that have been waiting around, and I'm determined to put away certain ones to make room for something new.

We were headed out for camping this weekend, and I knew there were certain items I didn't want to drag along with me (more on that later). On Thursday night, I wanted to finish a project I had started with that fantastic yarn deal from earlier this summer.

Here is the Ocean Tranquility Afghan from Anastacia Knits.

I decided on a color changing pattern rather than one solid color. I also made it slightly bigger than the suggested baby blanket size using a Size H hook and beginning with Ch 93 rather than Ch 63.

I really liked this pattern! It was fun, simple, and it came together so quickly even with adding the color change in there.

When I finished, I had just enough yarn leftover to make a matching baby headband.

Here it is not-yet-assembled. Now it's time to find a really great button to put in there to make it perfect for a little girl.

Once I finished that blanket, I had to rush around to figure out what project I did want to work on while camping... oops. Plan ahead! I figured it out though, no worries.

Good reads by Wendy L. Young

A friend of mine has recently published a short story followed by her first novel. Congratulations, Wendy!!! I'm so excited for you!

Her short story, One Final Night, is now available for free download. It is a quick read and definitely worth your time! Her novel, Come the Shadows, is currently available for download to read on Kindle, Nook, or your computer.

Check out her blog, Wendy L. Young, Writer, to keep up with her adventures in writing the next book in the Campbell Creek Mysteries series.

Jewel Afghan progress

I'm forever finding new projects that I want to start or a new method I want to try, but at the same time, I'm a little bit of a perfectionist (hey, friends and family, no comments from the peanut gallery, please!). Leaving something unfinished will start to grate on me.

As we were doing our rearranging and cleaning last week, I unearthed my Jewel Afghan. I'm determined to finish!

A lot of progress was made over the weekend.

Here's the most recent picture.

I really hope it's done soon. I like the way it looks, but I'm not a huge fan of the pattern. It's not mindless enough.

There's another WIP that I'll have to update, then I'll get to fill you in on my big plans for the No-Longer-A-Mystery Stitch! Yay!

Really?

Because sometimes, "Double Stuf" just isn't enough...

Save space

We have very little (I can't emphasize this enough) storage space in our house. Sure, there's a basement, and I'm very thankful for that; however, there are certain things that are easier to have handy than always lugging them downstairs.

One such item would be blankets. Our house is very drafty, and you just can't have too many blankets in the winter. ...maybe. Well, it's August, and I'm tired of moving them back and forth all the time to get them out of my way while we're not using them.

Enter the quick and space saving solution: Plastic garbage bags, vacuum and storage bins.

Take a couple blankets and carefully put them in a bag with plenty of room to tie off the top.

Pull together the opening and twist around a vacuum hose.

Turn on the vacuum, pound the items into the shape you need to fit your storage containers, twist off, and wrap with a rubber band.

Voila! Since Friday when I did this, they have taken a tiny bit of air back in, but it's still SO much better than it was. I was able to get all my blankets into storage bins that never would have fit before. It's perfect!

Broomstick Lace

My first attempt at Broomstick Lace:

There are some obvious hiccups, but I started getting the hang of it around row 3 or 4.

Have any of you tried it? Anything you like or don't like about it? Any tips or hints I should know?

Enjoy your weekend!

Friday night project

Here's what is going on in my little corner of the world:
A new baby blanket is in the works. I had all that yarn and came across a pattern that looked fun; it was meant to be. ;-)
My mom got some large knitting needles, so I had to give a little try to Broomstick Lace.
You loyal lovely ladies have helped me figure out the Mystery Stitch!!!! Yeah!! Pictures of the sample and pattern will be coming.

On Friday, I wanted to do something a little brainless. I threw together a washcloth.

Please don't look too closely, I did it in the dark.

This little guy was next. Without counting stitches, it turned out larger than my favorite little washcloth/sponges but smaller than a potholder.

Perfect for a coaster!

Better with the coffee in it, don't you think?