This and That

Last spring I did some extensive machine embroidery on a friend's hand made bedspread. It turned out beautifully. She decorates beautiful cakes and we agreed upon an exchange: the work on her bedspread for one of her cakes.

Last night was our monthly card group. She brought my birthday cake to the monthly gathering to celebrate my birthday.

Unfortuately, the photo does not do it justice. It was a lovely patchwork quilt hand-painted complete with fabric design in marzipan. The cake was a lemon poppyseed with a raspberry, white chocolate, whip cream filling. Needless to say it was delicious. I have never eaten such a large piece of cake in my entire life. Thank you, PearlAnn.

I love the way this yarn is self-striping. I have never worked with yarn that had such a definite stripe. This one is in shades of purples, blues and tans. Absolutely gorgeous.

I also got some in shades of teals and greens - it is stunning on the skein. I'm trying to decide how to use it.

I have 4 more mug rug gifts to make. Our luncheon is on the 8th. I should be able to be finished and get them wrapped.

One of our LQS is going out of business. I think it may be time for a trip over there to see is anything is left.

Hugs to all - Marie

Non-traditional Thanksgiving

Two days before Thanksgiving and 30 days until Christmas. I probably should be panicking(?) right now, but for some reason that hasn't hit yet. (Maybe it's the medication??) We have once again decided to have a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year (we do this almost every year). Instead of the turkey, etc with all the work and mess, we have 'heavy snacks and hors d'oevres' and play games, work puzzles, sew and watch movies all day. This is what works well for my family and we look forward to it every year. I think it started many years back when the girls decided they wanted 'steamed clams' for the big meal that year. That was when we found out that no one in our house enjoyed the big, traditional dinners.


Big T told me last night he wants 'stuffed cabbage' for thanksgiving, so he and D#1 are going to make them Wednesday afternoon.


Christmas gifts for the Little Miss are already in CA and waiting on her mother to wrap and put under the tree. Now I can concentrate on The Dude and get him under way. He is getting harder to buy for each year and is growing like a weed. Last Christmas I bought 'smalls' this year it will have to be 'large' and maybe 'extra large' for sleeve length.


The gifts are almost done for the book club friends. I had to get on the ball once I realized that I didn't have until the 25th - they had to be ready by the luncheon date of 12/08. I think I have 5 mug rugs left to make. They have been such fun to put together.


My wonderful husband decided that he doesn't like paper napkins at dinner time - so he is getting some hand made napkins as part of his christmas presents. (Big T - act surprised if you read this.) I can't decide whether to make them all one pattern or to mix and match.


The vertigo is still hanging on by a thread. It only kicks in when I lay on my left side or bend over to pick something up. Better but still bothersome. I did lots of sleeping on the ship because Big T was afraid that I'd have an attack and be really sick. I did get lots of rest.

Hugs - Marie

Rocks in my Head

Ok - the general agreement from both Big T and the doctor is that I have loose rocks in my head! (Only Big T says I have always had those.) So the diagnosis is: the little tiny crystalline rocks in my inner ears have become loose and it causes vertigo which can range from minor diziness to severe which is my category this week. When the little rocks move it causes an imbalance which results in the vertigo.

The solution is a set of exercises designed to push the diziness to the limits and let the rocks go back into place. And strong motion sickness medication that is supposed to tell my brain not to throw up just because the world is spinning around me and I can't tell up from down. Enough about me and my rocks.

I had a lot of trouble finding size 19 knitting needles and I could only find the straight, short ones. No circular 19's to be found. I have some great thick and bulky yarn I want to work with on the cruise to see how it works up. The pattern calls for working in the round on 19 circular needles; I'll join the rounds when finished for the initial project. I'll keep you posted.

Big T is planning out his shore excursions in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I'm not sure yet whether I'm getting off or staying on the ship. I won't know until it is time to go and then it will be a last minute decision - but that's okay. Although I was a little worried today when he told the nurse that for my birthday he was taking me on a one-way cruise.

Hugs - Marie

Mug Rugs and Placemats

I've been having fun making 'mug rugs' for Hummingbird Treasures. They take about an hour each and do a great job of cutting into the stash AND they're cute. I may keep a few for myself. The bookclub ladies are going to love them. I like the fact that no two are alike.

I also finished the trees on these placemats. I think the white and gold with the blue turned out rather nicely. I think I paid 79 cents each for the four of these and was quite pleased with myself when I got them out into the daylight. They also had a red but it was too 'brown' for me.

I think the latest attack of vertigo is somewhat better but I still have a lot of problem changing the elevation of my head. I see the Dr. on Monday - but he will just tell me it it the old 'rocks in my head' problem.

I think I'll go play in the studio until time for my next nap. (Oh yeah, the medication knocks me out.)

Hugs - Marie

Fall and Knitting

Seems that knitting and fall go together for me. I have been knitting off and on lately. I think that Gerry and I have been thinking similar thoughts lately since she made the exact same Pimpliesse (in another color). Needless to say that I was speechless when I read her blog.

I also made a turtleneck cowl in a grey and black chunky knit style. What I like about this one is that it could work for either a man or a woman. This needs to be for someone in cold country because I doubled the knit for extra warmth.

Also, love the mug rug that mysteriously appeared out of my growing pile of hexies. I'm playing with the idea of these as holiday gifts for the bookclub - shhhh - don't tell any of them. (Don't you think these would look cute with candles on top?)

Hugs - Marie

Sold!

Isn't that the nicest word to see or hear? I just saw that my Hummingbird Treasures Hummingbird Table Runner sold this morning and I am ecstatic. Thank you!

All kinds of thoughts go through your head:

you weren't crazy with that design - someone else liked it too

that combination of fabrics and colors worked

someone liked the echo quilting that you spent hours on

I just listed these napkins and am trying to decide whether to sell them or keep them. I love the dark rich brown with the slight twill effect. I made the set of 8 with 2 of each fall leaf pattern. I have a second set ready for photos in a delightful khaki green (almost a true moss green) with drifting fall leaves gracing the corner.

The winter kitchen towels were just some cute snow scenarios - I couldn't resist this lovely shade of blue with the black highlights.

I am doing the happy dance!!! (Good thing this isn't video today.)

Hugs - Marie