Week 60 Challenge

#60 Cluster Square

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

This didn't come out looking very much like the picture and I'm not sure why. The directions were a little off, or maybe I was having a day where I was a little off, and I had a hard time getting everything lined up like it should. I very seldom have problems with Leisure Arts directions, but I just could not get this one. Three more to go! And I have picked my next "challenge".

Projects in Progress

99 Snowflakes

Leisure Arts

I don't know what happened to the color on this picture. It should be white snowflakes on a blue background. However, this is the last of the snowflakes. I'm not sure how many their are; I didn't do the snowflakes with beads or any of the 3D snowflakes. I may save those for later.

Other than the snowflakes, I've just been working on chemo caps. That's another one I'm not sure how many I have, but am getting ready to wrap up that project.

What I Am Reading

I've been trying to read George Orwell's 1984, but can't seem to get into it. This is a dark and depressing novel. I'm under a lot of stress, so I don't need dark and depressing. Instead, I've been reading my Bible. I do try not to get political or religious on this blog, but I would like to share with you a line from a Psalm. This is from Psalm 19, verse 14:

May the words of my mouth and the

meditation of my heart

be pleasing to your sight

O Lord, my Rock and my

Redeemer.

What wonderful words to live by; may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight. If only more people would live by those words.

Other Stuff

Like I said, I've been under a lot of stress this past week, so there isn't much in the way of other stuff. Working on the chemo caps is a great stress reliever and so is riding my bike. I've been doing a lot of both this past week.

Have a good weekend!

Week 59 Challenge

#31 Check Stitch

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

This is an interesting stitch and very easy to do. I can see it in just about anything depending on the type of yarn used. A soft cotton would make a nice face cloth; wool would make a nice lacy cardigan or shrug; and a sock yarn would make a nice scarf.

Four more to go! I still haven't decided which challenge to take up. It could be my challenge will be to just get some projects complete. That could take some time.

Projects in Progress

99 Snowflakes

Leisure Arts

After struggling with commercial made fabric stiffener, I came up with an old standby--a bottle of starch. Using a glass measuring cup, measure around 1-1/2 cups of starch with 1/2 cup of water. Put the snowflake (or doily) in the cup and let it soak for a few minutes. When taking it out, don't squeeze out all the liquid. The more liquid, the stiffer the snowflake will be. Lay the snowflake out on a blocking board and pin. I use a clear plastic ruler to make sure all points are the same length. When finished, the ruler just needs a wipe with a cloth. It may take longer for the snowflake to dry, but the results are worth it and money saving.

Floral Wrap

Designed by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby

I also made the shawl to wear to a crochet conference I am going to this summer. I've never been to a conference that's just about crochet, but I have been to other conferences for work. It seems those meeting rooms are always just a little bit more than chilly. I'll be ready with my pretty wrap. This picture isn't very good; I'll try to get a better one up soon.

I'm still working on chemo caps. Next up must be something for my Etsy shop. It's time to get some fall and winter things up.

What I am Reading

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is finished. Is there going to be a sequel? How about a prequel? There's room for both the way the book ended.

I'm not sure what I am going to read next. Maybe it's time to give my eyes a little break and listen to a book for a little change.

Other Stuff

Not much else to report this week. Yesterday, in the United States, was Father's Day. Like Mother's Day, this is when we remember our fathers in a special way. My father died in 1987 and a day doesn't go by that I don't miss him. After all, I was Daddy's Little Girl. Ask my brothers--they'll agree.

We have had some heavy rain here today. The driving was very scary. I found myself in the middle of a flooded intersection. My little car got me through just fine, but it's not something I want to do again.

Have a good week!

Week 58 Challenge

#4 Treble Crochet

63 East to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

Yes, I know that's not a crochet block. This week's block is just too ugly and boring to print, so here's a picture of Truvy, the lazy dog.

Treble crochet has its place, but as a block for a afghan, weeeelllll, it just doesn't fit. Treble Crochet clusters would have been nice.

Projects in Progress

Yes, I know that's not a knitted or crocheted project. I've been very busy with a big project that has a due date, so nothing was worked on this week except for the project. Instead, you have a picture of my hydrangea bush, which just started blooming.

What I Am Reading

I have managed to get a little reading done this week. We also watched the the movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 1. The movie covered the part of the book that I have read so far. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the movie, but that is what happens when I read the book first then watch the movie. I know it's hard to cover everything in a short time span, but it seemed like some things were left out that could have been done without any extra movie time. Like the wedding. In the book Harry was disguised as a cousin of the Weasleys so that no one would know that Harry was there. Harry was not disguised in the movie. To me, that took away from the danger Harry was in if anyone reported a sighting of Harry Potter. Anywho, so much for that.

Other Stuff

I don't have any other stuff this week since I've been working exclusively on the project. So here is a picture of my hollyhocks, which have also just started to bloom.

My Etsy shop will have a little updating this week.

Have a good week!

Week 57 Challenge

#45 Crossed Ripple Stitch

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

This stitch has an interesting texture. It's a little lacy, but it's not lace. I can think of lots of ways to use this including and little cardi in cotton.

Projects in Progress

99 Snowflakes

Leisure Arts

I made lots of snowflakes this week, but got behind in the starching. Above is a photo of the starched snowflakes. Below is the stack waiting to be starched.

I've run into a little problem with the starching. I ran out of what I was using and am now using a different brand. The first was a clear liquid; the starching was good except for the larger snowflakes. The stiffener I'm using now is like glue and I think it gets the snowflakes too stiff. Also my t-pins are starting to rust. Guess it's time to bite the bullet and buy more. I think I bought these well over 25 years ago and they cost $1.12. I wonder what they are now?

What I Am Reading

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is about half-way finished. I haven't seen the movie, so I'm having a hard time keeping people from telling me what is going to happen. The themes in this book are interesting. Purebloods and Muggleborns--sound familiar?

I've also found an interesting book: The Impossible Will Take a Little While: a Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, edited by Paul Rogat Loeb. This is a collection of essays all about, well, being good citizens. One essay started an good discussion at the dinner table. Marian Wright Edelman's essay, "Standing Up for Children", is about taking care of all our children as they are our future. Here is the quote that really got the discussion going and how it relates to the current cuts in education.

"...we have the responsibility to ensure all children what we now provide for some children. God did not make two classes of children and will hold us accountable for every one of them" (37).

Think about that.

Other Stuff

Now that summer is here, there isn't much time for everything I would like to do. One would think that with the longer days, there would be more time.

Don't forget to visit my Esty store. I'll be making some updates soon.

Have a good week!