Category Archive: Uncategorized

Mostly ramble

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Here are the hat photos that my computer was fighting two nights ago.   There was no post last night due to pain killers throughout the day. The doctor said a major nerve is just above the cut, which makes me feel pain in areas unrelated to the ankle.    I understand very little of all of this.   The body is a marvelous machine.   The more I learn, the more in awe of God I am.

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However, yesterday,  I did start this pair of gloves – at least they are cast on.  They are a real stretch for me, as I am not used to reading the graphics for knitting.   I read the instructions several times, left them and came back and read them again.   Now I believe I understand them.

 Then my attention span jumped to chaining and doing the first row of a baby quilt.     The rest of the day was spent trying to sleep off the Oxycodone

 Today was a trip back into Seattle to see the doctor.   He was pleased with the way the foot looks.

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He had the big splint taken off as well as the stitches removed.

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This is the small opening through which they got soft interior bone to graft to the ankle.

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 Then I got this wonderful boot, which I really like.   It is much more comfortable, feels like it supports my foot,  and is removable.  Also, it gives me clothing options, since I only had two pair of shorts that would go over the splint.   The new guidelines are that the first week, I can use the walker by just putting a little weight on this foot, and each week I can add, so that – as long as there is no pain – in a month I may be able to walk without the walker.   After that, it will be a matter of strength training on this leg.   Anyway, that’s the current plan.

2015
10/23

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Organizing

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Prairie Moon Organization Challenge  for this week.

Clean out a drawer

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I have several of these that need organizing plus several desk tops that need finding.  So I pulled my stack of recipes that I have printed to try (since  2005) and started putting them in categories.   Most of them are now in these notebooks available by category so I can actually use them.   Obviously some have been tried, because I have written on them “really like this one”    This challenge has taken 2 weeks to complete.

2015
04/13

Category:
quilts
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Slugs and a finish

We seem to live an interesting life here on this little farm.   Today, it was the gate that wouldn’t work electronically.  We called the repairman who promptly came out (prompt means the day you call).   A little slug had managed to get up into the box and electrocute himself as well as knock out the power.   And when the repairman called in to order a new mechanism, they said he was the third call today.   Must be slug season, though with the chickens and ducks, we haven’t noticed them like we normally do.   Friday, we will have a working gate again and this time the tiny hole will be sealed.

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I took the morning off and spun hair from these Pyrenees.   It is so relaxing and right now he is producing a good quantity.

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This afternoon I did finish this lap quilt.   It is 41″ square, and made from scraps, except the back and binding.  It felt so good to actually finish something!

 

2014
06/21

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Purple baby hats

blue sky

First I must share the beautiful sky we had today because it’s not often like this.   My husband is crocheting these little purple hats for Mary Bridge Children’s hospital in Tacoma.   The national goal is to send  every new baby home with a purple hat and a 7 minute video on why one should not shake a baby.

If you know how to chain stitch and how to do a double crochet (dc)  this might be a charity project you would consider.   (and if you are interested and don’t know how , you can go to YouTube like I did)   You could even make one for yourself with a larger hook and yarn, using the same number of stitches.   .

bill's purple hats

  1. This is a simple pattern   We use a  G hook and purple baby yarn

  2. chain 5 and close  circle ch2, dc 12 in circle, close circle = 12 stitches ch2,

  3. 2 dc in every stitch, close circle= 24 stitches ch2,

  4. dc in first stitch and 2 dc in next stitch around, close circle = 36 stitches ch2,

  5. dc in every stitch around and close circle.

  6. continue you until you have a total of 10 rounds

2014
02/15

Category:
Life
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An incredible woman

This article is from  “MaryJamesFarm” a  magazine to which I just subscribed.    This magazine is for the woman with a Farm girl mind whether or not she actually lives on a farm or in a city apartment.  This issue has a variety of topics from cooking pasta and baking mini tarts to tool tips, other crafting and even beginning beekeeping.  There is a lot of variety.   I highly recommend you at least take a look at it.  This article is in the Feb-Mar 2014 issue.

 test report_0002

2014
02/08

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February Decorations

I love the happy colors used for most holiday decorations.   And the month of February with Valentine’s day has such bright and happy colors.

P1000776 heart quilt over fireplace

 This pattern for this small quilt is from Accuquilt and goes together very quickly. because I used fusible on my fabric before cutting it out.   Then I just ironed the hearts on.  If you would like to use it as a baby quilt, it would be good to  zigzag around the edges of the hearts to withstand all the laundering.

P1000780 In the hoop mini pillows by GiGi

These little pillows, from Charming Station again are fast, easy and have no calories!

P1000779 placemats

And don’t forget the table.   Placemats are always an easy way to put color in a room.  And they are easy enough to design your own.

2014
02/04

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Lace Bowl

P1000770 Zundt branches bowl

It is so cold today that I’ve spent most of the day in the sewing room.    I finished the border on the Super Bowl quilt and then made this lace bowl which is made entirely of thread on the embroidery machine.    It is a Zundt pattern.  His lace is absolutely beautiful.  Here is another example from his sales page

Zundt Lace Galloon 4

If you aren’t familiar with this company, you might be interested in knowing that his family made lace in Switzerland for decades which was sold throughout the world.   Among other laces they made religious laces for altars and clergy clothing, end emblems for the Swiss Army uniforms, and .  Their work is soft and lovely.  They are now digitizing for the home embroidery machine.

2014
02/01

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Spring is on its way

P1000609 daffodils

There’s nothing quite like daffodils poking their heads above ground to say spring!

2014
01/31

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Depression and thoughts

Christmas lights, colors, and festivities put many people in a happy mood .   But now those decorations and festivities are gone for another year and depression is setting in.  I’d like to take the time here to discuss this topic.

Depression is often caused from looking inward and most of us aren’t thrilled with what we see.  When I look inside, I see someone with lots of flaws -overweight, inattentive to detail, poor housekeeper, etc. –  who continually makes mistakes and if I kept looking inside the depression cycle would start.   But I am choosing to make those mistakes stepping stones in my learning.

Instead I am choosing to lift my head and look out. And when I do, I see so many local needs and while most are not of my calling,  a few are.    I have skills in the sewing world that can lighten another’s load.  We do a decent garden in the summer to share.   And I can always share a smile, lend an ear, and be friendly.   Some people only need a cheery word while others need more.   In the past I have made items for hospitals, street people,  military vets to name some.   This year, in addition,  I’ll be looking for chances to be of help in a more personal way.

I recently learned of some mothers I know who are in a lot of pain because of their children’s actions.   Been there, done that, so maybe I can help share their pain and ease their burdens.   No one should have to feel alone going through hard times.   Yet because we don’t share, we do suffer alone.

Even in our churches we have a lot of lonely people.   Maybe once a month I could invite half a dozen people over for lunch after church.   Do you think they would care if my house was not spotless, or the meal was a simple plant based one?   Would it matter to them that I don’t do “House Beautiful” or maybe that I have more earthly goods than they do?   In  the past, I have not invited people because of these reasons.  I have been to conscious of what people might think of me.   This year I am choosing to think of their needs.   I am choosing to think they would rather have a friendly visit than critique my housekeeping skills or simple meal.  If that’s not the case, they can turn me down.   I expect nothing in return, but if they accept,  both of us will be blessed.

What about the lonely older people, especially those in nursing homes.  I remember when Dad was in the nursing home, his roommate had no company.  I took Dad a simple fleece blanket and almost as an afterthought decided to bring his roommate one as well.   Simple, but he liked being cared about.   I wonder – would have to ask first – but would nursing homes like a simple decorations for the tables or trays for the holidays – something that could be disposable – that says, someone cares.  And if I brought a few inexpensive fleece blankets in happy colors, would they have patients without someone to love them who would be thrilled to be thought of    And I wonder if they have someone there that just needs to be read to.   Another personal touch which people enjoy.     Life is fast and if you don’t keep up, sometimes you are forgotten.

I remember the Christmas I was in the hospital over the holidays.   When I returned to my room Christmas day, there on my bed was  a bright red hat and mittens.   OK they were the dollar type – nothing fancy.   But the donor will never know how they cheered me and though I didn’t need them and have much nicer items, it mattered that someone cared to include me.   I wore them until they wore out.   They reminded me someone cared.   It may seem silly because I have a large family who cares and gave me nice Christmas gifts.  There were two other gifts that stand out that year and both were because someone said “I care” with  their time.

I’d like to continue another time and would like your thoughts as well

2014
01/29

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Half square triangle leftovers

P1000693 blue half square triangle

Remember those triangles I cut off the flying geese yesterday?   Since they were sewn before cutting, the bias has not been stretched and they are secure.    Here’s what can happen to them in the future.

P1000694 squareing up

First I squared them up.  Size doesn’t matter for this.  Whatever size you cut off, press open and lay a ruler on it, with the diagonal line on the diagonal line of the square.  Trim around it to make a perfect square.  So let’s say yours measures 3.14″, just cut them to be 3″    Whatever the size, down the road, there will be a use.

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P1000699 arrangement 2

P1000695 lay out

Then I played with arrangements.   For my next projects, the pinwheels will be useful, so mine are becoming pinwheels.

P1000697 sewing together

When quilting, very little needs to be thrown away.   If it was just strips, they could also be used in another project.