Tiny Stitches In My Mind

Today is the "official" last day of my 'stacation'. I'm not counting the weekends because I always have them anyway....

I've been working (some) on Lydia's CHRISTmas stocking, and I know that I have promised pictures...

So, here it is:



This is what the finished stocking will look like:


Picture from 1-2-3 Stitch

And this is how far I've come:

As you can see, I have a lot to complete here. But, looking at what I've accomplished so far and what is to come, I know that this will be finished for this year's CHRISTmas. I have a tendency to get bored with working with a particular color and jump around to this area and that area. At some point, I'm just going to have to settle down and work this in the way it is supposed to be done.

Yesterday, I did a complete housecleaning of my bedroom. In doing the closet, I found the material that I bought in July of 2008 to make those satin pillowcases for my daughters!! Now, that is pretty sad....I've had this for over two years....just sitting there....and it's a matter of a few seams and they will be done!! So, this is now out and in my view as an incentive to complete these.

As an added bonus, I found that I had also at that time purchased a pattern which has throw pillows for your bed--in addition to several other bedroom decorating items. Now, all I need is the material for Lindsay's throw pillows for her bed along with the initiative to do this.

Cara and I are going today to pick out a pumpkin for Lydia...perhaps I'll talk her into going to the fabric store and helping me pick out some fabric for Lindsay's pillows. This shouldn't require too much proding on my part....she's always excited to go anywhere!!

I'm looking at the CHRISTmas counter....I'd better get going!!

Beth

On the Move

As you can see, this is a child who is on the move!! She is crawling at the speed of light and pulling herself up.....getting into all kinds of things she shouldn't be....such as in this picture where she is about to awaken Lindsay's sleeping kitty. Oh, I didn't tell you Linday has a kitty? He is fairly new to the household...only about 3 weeks now....his name is Ivan. And he is another one who is into everything.

And in case you're wondering if she is always a happy child, here is a picture of what happens when she has been told the word "no"....

What a sad face!!

As I told her mother--"Make sure your 'no' means 'no' and your 'yes' means 'yes'. Don't say 'no' if you're going to change your mind after seeing this face (and hearing the whining) and then say 'yes'.

Lydia's Starghan has been completed as of yesterday evening....washed, dried and put away until her birthday. This actually turned out a little larger than expected, but I wanted her to be able to have this not just as a small child but later into her life. I, myself, have an afghan that I made for my mother over 30 years ago---washed and dried many times--and it is still in good shape. So, hopefully, this one will hold up as well.

I tried to take some pictures of the completed project...none of them turned out very well. When Andrew comes home this evening, I'll have him take some using his camera (which is way better than mine!)...and post them tomorrow.

Planning on working on Lydia's stocking last night, but my eyes were too tired for the tiny stitches....so this evening this project will take the forefront.....and remain in the forefront until completion.

Beth

And the week begins...

a day later than usual....but still beginning.

The three day weekend is officially over, and I feel like it has just begun!!

Cara brought Lydia over for a visit on Sunday, and she played the piano (in her own fashion, of course). She seemed to enjoy the fact that she could make "music", and kept saying "Ooooohhh!".....I think we have a natural on our hands....

I did a little shopping around for piano instruction books, and finally decided which to order. I've gotten as far as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", using both hands. which I consider to be an accomplishment since I haven't played anything or read music for quite a number of years.

Lydia's Starghan is almost completed, and then I can move on to her stocking. I had every intention of finishing her birthday project this weekend. But, as each "go-around" is longer than the previous, it's taking me a bit longer than anticipated. I have two more rows and then the edging....then completion!!

After I posted my "gratitude list" yesterday, I walked outside for a bit. Almost immediately, two more items to add to my list occurred. I've written them down, and they'll have to wait until next week's posting.

I hope to have a photo of the finished Starghan tomorrow. Never did find those batteries...I wonder where they walked to? Hmmmm.......

Beth

Arrival

And so my 'surprise' arrived last evening around 5:30 p.m.!! Andrew and Lindsay were also excited about this 'arrival'!! Andrew picked up Lindsay from work, went to her home so she could change her clothes, and then came to my home to 'play around'. And 'play around' they did!! Cara is also interested in using this item....though she is wondering how she is going to manage her schedule in order to have ample time to fully use her ability.....

And, of course, Lydia will be able to make use of this some day also!!

And here it is!!

Now, you may be wondering how I came to be the owner of this piano--me, who cannot afford a piano in any way, shape or form.

Friends of mine are expecting a baby within the next week or so. They live in a townhouse, and did not have the room to keep this with all the baby items that are clamoring for space.

They put a small blurb on Facebook asking who would be interested in this. Six people were, so they held a silent auction, and I won!! YIPPEE!!

I wanted Andrew and a friend to move this for me, but the more he looked and investigated the possibilities and problems of moving a piano, he opted for professional piano movers. And early last evening, this piano came to my home....a true blessing....something that my heart has desired for over 50+ years.

Yes, you read that right--50+ years!! I first expressed my desire for a piano when I was 5 years old. My parents could not afford one, did not have the room, and did not have the extra income for lessons. I have not been praying for a piano, but God knows the desires of our hearts, and He granted this desire to me in a way I could afford and then enjoy. Thank You, God!! (and the former owners of the piano!!).

Now, off to investigate a little further for instruction books.....I just can't decide which to purchase. I think I'm going to go to the bookstore today....look around at what is available and pricing of these books. Then, back to Amazon to see what prices they have to offer....

I can read music, so I am a step ahead of the game!!

Since the stores aren't open yet, I think I'll go work on Lydia's Star Afghan for a bit....another thank You to God for my elbow not acting up while I am doing this!!

Beth

August 29, 2010

Wow!! It's almost the end of August already!! The summer has passed by quickly, and I'm thinking about CHRISTmas (which if I remember correctly I said I was going to start thinking about in January).

Before I share any CHRISTmas projects with you, I'd like to direct you to my friend Kathy's new blog, Freely You Have Received, Freely You Give. She has based this blog on the premise that our salvation is a gift freely given, and we should be giving to one another also. She has some great prizes to give away. So, why not stop over and give her a visit, follow her, and find out how you can win.

Maybe I should share some pictures from our summer before launching into CHRISTmas. Yes, that's what I'll do:

Here we have Aunt Lindsay with Lydia on her first sliding board experience at our Small Group picnic in July

She seems like she enjoyed herself!!

I love this picture--Lydia looking up with love in her eyes for her Uncle Andrew!!

This is one of the most recent pictures I have of her. Nine months old already, crawling and three teeth. She's keeping her Mom busy, and she is a happy and well loved baby!!

On to CHRISTmas:

I'm kind of at a loss this year. I made both of the girls afghans last year, so they won't be needing another one of those these year. I do have all the necessary items to make them satin pillowcases. I think I said I was making those two years ago, and I never got around to it! So, that may be an idea for starters.

I was looking at a shawl for Lindsay, but I'm not sure if she would use it. She seems to me to be a "shawl-type" person, but I'm just not 100% positive. Perhaps I'll have her sister ask some leading questions regarding this and go from there.

As for Lydia, I ordered yarn to make a sweater for her for the fall. Then, the "terrible tendonitis" struck my left elbow, and I wasn't able to do much of anything until recently. So, this could be an idea for her an early birthday present for her.

Lydia's CHRISTmas stocking is still a work in progress. This is going very slowly, but I'm determined to have this finished by 12/24/10. It needs to be hung with care along with my children's stockings that they have had since they were very young.

I'm going to need to be thinking hard on this. If you have any ideas as to what I can make these girls for CHRISTmas this year, please let me know. After years of doing this, I'm running out of options!!

Beth