Works in Progress

Some of my ongoing projects to be picked up now and again as the mood strikes...
 

Little granny squares (Caron Simply Soft Yarn)



Like yummy cookies on a tray...



Inspired by Attic24



Knitted scarf in a seed stitch variation (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky)



I have in mind to finish with a crochet edging all around

More granny squares (Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran)

I envision a blanket developing here...

Do what makes you happy today :-)

Lovely Old Things

I love old things.  Like this beautiful little Victorian cylinder desk from one of my favorite antique shops.  It has drawers and cubbies to hold all my knitting and crochet supplies, especially my yarn stash.  Even has a cool pull-out writing surface which accommodates my netbook perfectly.  I wonder where this lovely desk sat before it found its place in my home?  Who owned this before me and what letters have they written here? 

 






Beautiful home for my yarns








        Perfect for blogging :-)

Comfort

This was one of those lazy comfy weekends spent in the kitchen.  And nothing says comfort food more than Mac 'n Cheese.  Here's my easy-peasy recipe:

Easy Mac 'n Cheese
1 pkg macaroni, cooked and drained
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 stick of butter
Shredded cheese of your choice

While your macaroni is draining in the colander, heat the tomato sauce and butter in the same pot you boiled the pasta.  Once the butter is melted, turn off the heat.  Add the mac and toss to coat.  Add the shredded cheese, saving some to sprinkle on top.  Toss again.  Pour into a 13 x 9 baking dish sprayed with Pam or your favorite cooking spray.  Sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.  The cheese should be nice and toasted at this point.

Bon appetit!

Rainy Day Crochet

It's a bit stormy tonight in my part of the world - the whole works with thunder, lightning and rain.  Just finished baking brownies for the kids and now's the perfect time to pick up my hook!  I'm working on Mary Ellen's daisy granny square that I found here.  I found that I had to modify it slightly, adding one chain stitch between each granny cluster in rows 5 and 6.  I've completed two so far and feel I've gotten the hang of it.  I love working a new pattern.  Once you get it, it becomes that much more fun as you cruise along!





I think these will become a pillow someday...to go with the big blanket I've just about completed.



Not quite finished.  Still considering the final edging.  So many options!

A granny blanket in jewel tones, inspired by Attic24

Until next time, happy hooking!

Memory Lane

I've become so fond of crocheting.  Okay, that's an understatement.  The right word is obsessed.  I'm not even sure what the catalyst was for picking up a crochet hook a few months ago.  I was a decent knitter for a number of years - and still enjoy it - but for some unknown reason decided to explore the "other" needle. 

I decided to start with a simple blanket using a sport weight yarn.  It was a simple double crochet throughout using neutral tweedy hues.  Kinda boring, but I found the rhythm of it to be soothing and enjoyable at the end of the day.  I discovered how less constricting - less complicated - crocheting can be.  Right?!

My tweedy blankie with some stripes.

Anyway, this whole obsession made me think back to when I was first exposed to the wonderful art of crochet.  I have my Mom to thank for that!  I remember as a kid, she was always sewing matching dresses for my sister and me, or crocheting.  I watched and learned.  Shawls were her specialty and her favorite stitch was the shell stitch.  I'm going to have to ask Mom if she still has some of those shawls the next time I visit.  I realize now what a gift it was to receive her tutelage.

I gained some basic skills in the home arts when I was 14 years old and a freshman in high school.  This was in the days when they still offered Home Economics in high school (dare I say, 32 years ago - yikes!).  I still have a couple of the projects I made in that class:  a crocheted yellow baby blanket and a quilted pillow sampler.



My rudimentary attempt at quilting and sewing.  Mrs. Beechok was my Home Ec teacher, a wonderful lady, who was ever so patient with her students.




Learning applique and trapunto techniques and some embroidery thrown in.  Remember Holly Hobby?!




Butterfly, pinwheel and crazy quilting...




Another panel with squares and yarn ties...




I forget what this quilting technique is called, but I remember it was the most difficult to complete.  Precision required!





Shell-stitched baby blanket.




All these years I had saved this blankie for my future daughter.  But since I ended up blessed with two boys, it went unused...perhaps I'll hold onto it for those granddaughters I hope to have one day :-)






Until next time... enjoy each precious moment of your day!

Josie

Beginnings

Hello and I'm delighted you stopped by.  This is new to me - this whole idea of blogging and putting myself out there!  It's the start of something new.  Definitely.  Especially if you knew me...I am not at all blog or tech savvy.  Reading blogs, much less creating my own, was somewhat alien to me up until a few weeks ago when I started googling granny square patterns.  I stumbled upon blog after lovely blog of crafters and was "hooked!"

A little about myself...I'm a working Mom with two great teenage sons who seem almost grown up!  It is truly wonderful - a joy - to catch glimpses of the men they are becoming.  I'm awed by it every day.  And while I'm completely enjoying this time in our lives, it's clear they need me less and less these days.  It's okay though (at least for today!), I know they're preparing their wings to fly! 

I figure now is a good time for me to start reclaiming those things I once loved to do.  So here I am, hoping this humble little blog will help me re-discover my life's passions and set out to discover new ones.

I look forward to this journey with you all.