More Projects Finished

crochet, Reflections, Sewing

Hello and welcome!

Today I’m sharing two more projects that I completed in February.

The first is a crochet project that I started in December. It now adorns the back of my husband’s recliner unless it’s nap time in which case we might find my husband snuggled under it.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you might remember the puppy paw print scarves that I have made. This time using the same basic stitches I made an afghan. The free pattern can be found here.

The finished afghan measures 56 inches wide by 74 inches long. It took about 8 skeins of yarn. I began towards the end of December and worked on it an average of one hour each evening, so I would estimate that it took me about 60 hours to complete. I will admit there were a few times that I discovered I had missed a stitch and had to frog (rip out) a couple rows of stitches to go back a fix my mistake.

The other project that I completed in February was the hoodie I made for Addie.

This one came together a bit quicker than the one I made for Jackson because I had an idea of what I was doing but it was still a long and complicated process because there are a lot of pieces to assemble in this pattern.

After finishing the afghan I started crocheting a baby afghan that I hope to have finished in a couple of weeks. I’m not sure what my next sewing project will be, but I expect that my sewing will slow down as the weather gets nicer and I begin to spend more time outside. Is anyone else looking forward to gardening season? 🙂

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Reflections, spring

Hello and welcome.

Here, in our part of Michigan, March came in like a lamb. The weather has been pleasant and spring like, so for our monthly inspiration I have selected some quotes about spring.

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.”

~Ellis Peters

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

~Margaret Atwood

“Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.”

~Luther Burbank

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!’”

~Robin Williams

Thanks for visiting and Happy Spring!

Recent Craft and Sewing Projects

Crafts, Reflections, Sewing

Hello and welcome. I thought I would share some of the craft projects I have completed in the last couple of months.

For Christmas I made cork boards as Christmas gifts for the girls.

My husband’s father used to own a wine shop where he sold wine making supplies. When he passed away my husband inherited a lot of the wine making supplies. For over a year we had large bags of corks stored in the barn that we had no idea what we would do with. When one of my daughters mentioned wanting a bulletin board, I had an idea. I used a top to a banker’s box for the frame and covered it with some scrap fabric that I had on hand. I ran some jute through the side of the box as a hanger. Then I hot glued the corks in. The picture above is one of three that I made.

I was very pleased with the way they turned out and the girls loved them.

I made this bear with some scrap fabric and a bag of stuffing I had. Since I used buttons for the eyes, she (my husband decided it was a girl bear) was made completely with things I had on hand. Her name is Melody.

When I came across this free pattern/tutorial for a shopping bag/purse I decided to try my hand at making one. For this my sister and I made a trip to the fabric store and selected the fabrics. Selecting fabrics is at least half the fun, especially when you have a sister or two to shop with. 🙂 The inside of the bag is completely lined with the solid blue fabric and has pockets like the ones on the outside done in the flowered fabric. Thus, the bag is reversable.

This hoodie for my grandson, Jackson, is my most recent sewing project and I have just started one for his sister Addie. While hers will be made of different fabrics I am using the same pattern.

I have to say with each of these sewing projects I’ve learned something new.

Thanks for visiting.

A February Walk at the Farm

Chickens, Dogs, Eggs, garlic, Horses, Pond, Reflections, The Farm

Hello and welcome.

We been having some nice weather this week so I thought maybe you might join me for a walk at the farm.

One of the first things you might notice is that our neighbor to the east, who has horses, extended their corral. The fence that my husband put up last spring is their barrier to the west, so they come right up to our property line. For the first couple of weeks Ruby and ranger would go over and bark at them, probably thinking they were doing something they shouldn’t. But Ruby and Ranger have since gotten use to them being so close and while Ruby and Bernard might touch noses through the fence, she no longer has an issue with them being there.

Ruby greets Bernard and Colby Jack

My husband said that every morning when he goes to open up the chicken coop Bernard and Colby Jack greet him at the fence. He likes to have a couple of carrots or other treats for them.

Bernard

They are very friendly horses, especially when there are treats to be had.

Colby Jack

The chickens out enjoying the nice weather. The hens started laying more eggs this week. For several weeks we have only been getting between zero and two eggs a day, but in the last four days we have collected 18 eggs.

Rex, our rooster, is one of the chicks that we got last spring. Unlike roosters we have had in the past he not aggressive toward people or the dogs. It’s nice not to worry about turning my back on him.

Garlic Sprouts

They are a bit difficult to make out in the above picture, but the garlic is about 4 or 5 inches high. I spotted daffodils, lilies and irises sprouting as well.

While things have started to dry out a bit this week the pond is still running over its bank. This is the highest we have ever seen the pond this time of year.

Most of our beach is under water.

As I walked down the west property line I loved this view of the barn.

The thin layer of ice that covered much of the pond early this week has since melted since temperatures reached up into the 50’s and 60’s F on Thursday and Friday.

There is still plenty of time for winter weather to return but we will certainly appreciate these nice days while we have them.

Thanks for joining me.

How’s the weather in your part of the world?

Monthly Inspiration

Inspiration, Love, Reflections

Hello and welcome! February is known as the month of love. Valentines Day is just around the corner and my husband and I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. Thus, our monthly inspiration is dedicated to love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Thanks for visiting.