Crochet Finish

I finished this small baby afghan using the African Flower hexagon pattern.  CLICK HERE to go to craftpassion.com and get the free tutorial - there is a link to a page 2 (almost half way down the page) which has the actual pattern information.
My afghan ended up being 34.5" x 43".  I used a G hook and simply soft yarn instead of baby yarn which made my hexagons about 4.5" wide.
I don't know why I am always drawn to crochet patterns made up of little pieces that have to be put together - they certainly are a lot more work than one big piece.  It's so colorful that it was really fun to work on though - my autumn quilt on the bed probably isn't the best background to show it off but there you have it.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Merry Christmas Contest-Scissors and Gift Certificate

Missy is having a drawing on her blog!
She is giving away the beautiful Gingher CHEETAH and the unique HARDWICK from Kelmscott scissors as well as a gift certificate for your friend for $20 to any online cross stitch shop you choose.. 
 CLICK HERE to find out how you can enter the drawing.  A winner will be chosen on December 20.  Good Luck!

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Holiday Baking

Yesterday I spent about 7 hours in my little kitchen.
I made 2 pumpkin rolls which are in the freezer.
I also made about 12 dozen of my grandmother's Orange Cookies.  I didn't really count them all but each batch makes about 5-6 dozen and I made 2 batches.
Most of the cookies are in the freezer with the pumpkin rolls but I had to leave some out on the counter for us to eat right now (no - I mean there was no more room in the freezer so I had to leave some out - yes, that's right).

Here's the recipe if anyone wants to make some:
 

Grandma’s Orange Cookies

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (I substitute 1 T lemon juice mixed into 1 cup whole milk)
3 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 large navel orange - see note

Mix sugar and shortening until well blended then mix in eggs one at a time.

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Add buttermilk and dry ingredients alternately to the sugar and egg mixture and mix by hand.

Note:
Zest the orange and then juice it.
Reserve 3 T of zest and 3 T juice for the frosting.
Add any leftover grated orange rind and orange juice to the buttermilk (if there is more than 3 T of either from one orange).

Edit:  drop by spoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

FROSTING: Mix all together
1/2 cup soft butter
2 tsp vanilla
3 T orange juice
3 T chopped orange rind
3 cups powdered sugar

These freeze very well.  I usually freeze them on a cookie sheet after they are frosted.  Then I stack them in large containers with wax paper between the frozen layers.

Visit the Stitching Bloggers 2016 Cookie Recipe Exchange hosted by Stitching the Night Away
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Home of a Needlworker Too finish

I am so excited to have finally stitched this LHN chart - Home of a Needleworker TOO.  I must have started it 3 or 4 times but I couldn't find the right floss and/or fabric to get it to feel right.  I set it aside thinking I would either have to order the recommended floss/fabric combination or never stitch it. 

I started thinking about a CCN chart called Liberty Lane that Rita/TX had stitched with her floss conversion - CLICK HERE to see her Liberty Lane finish.    The recommended floss creates a much softer, less patriotic look that you can SEE HERE

I tried RitaD/TX's floss colors for this chart and I couldn't stop stitching because I was so happy with the results.

This is stitched on 18 count White aida (don't ask me why it looks blue in the picture).  The Crescent Colors to DMC floss conversion is as follows:

Bamboo is 3865
Razzleberry is 3777
Old Blue Jeans is 3750
Brandied Pears is 420
Cocoa Bean is 3031
Hickory Sticks is 3371
Weeping Willow is 3052

Now that it is finished I think I should have used a little bit lighter brown instead of the DMC 3031 - there doesn't seem to be quite enough contrast between it and the 3371 but overall I am still very pleased with the end results.

Thank you so much to RitaD/TX for the idea and go HERE to visit her blog and see all of her pretty stitching.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Painted Pasta Angels

Here are a couple of the Pasta Angels after DH spray painted them today.

Now we still have to put faces on them.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Pasta Angels and good treats

I wanted to share a craft my daughter and I did with the grand daughters yesterday - Pasta Angels.  You can find the instructions HERE .
We still have to paint them white. We couldn't find stars but we found little alphabet pasta so the grand daughters spelled out names of family and friends or holiday words to glue down the front of the angels. I am so worn out - my thought is they were more fun to plan than actually make but then glue guns have never been my friend.
My daughter sent me this recipe (click HERE) she found on line (knowing how much we like quinoa). I made 1/2 of a recipe but considering the mess I made for 31 yummy little bites I will definitely make the whole recipe next time. 
Have a great weekend and find time to stitch if you can.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

A finished Stocking

My nativity stocking stitching is finished and just in time, too.  The grandchildren will be visiting later today for an overnight stay. 
This has been one of my favorite stitching projects and I may have a hard time choosing my next one.
Ack!  I just realized I have not backstitched Mary's face so I guess this really is not a finish yet.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Stocking Progress

I need to finish the toe and then backstitch this portion of the stocking and it will be done.
A very dear friend died on 09-12-2013 and it was very sad news for us.  I have discovered that in addition to stitching bringing much joy and relaxation, it also keeps the sadness at bay.

I have been following another stitcher working on a Christmas stocking and she said she is "already beginning to feel a bit melancholy at the thought of not stitching my angel . . ".  I feel that same sense as I near the end of one of my favorite stitching projects.  Visit Riona's blog by CLICKING HERE to see her beautiful Christmas stocking project she is sharing with blog land.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

WIP and a contest for you to enter

I have run out of a couple of floss requirements so I am again doing some backstitching.  I placed my on line order yesterday so it should be here before I need it.
I will have to turn the scroll bars to get to the very bottom of the chart.  I so  am dreading verifying how accurately I have cut the fabric - but I was so very careful surely all will be good.


We did get to visit with family not once but twice.  The grand daughters are growing so fast and they are so nice and very bright.

I found a new to me blog this morning - Stitchey Stuff.  Mary is celebrating her blogaversary by having a drawing for her followers.  Click HERE to find out you can enter and win a $20 gift certificate to 123 Stitch.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

WIP Pic

I have felt a cold coming on this week so I am really impressed with the amount of stitching I accomplished while I ignored any symptoms that might cause discomfort.

The grandchildren might visit for a little while this weekend so we will see how much stitching gets done over the holiday weekend.

Have a very fun and safe Labor Day Weekend.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

Still stitching away

Last Sunday I finished the back stitching for the top half of the Christmas stocking that I am working on.  I am always amazed at how much the back stitching adds to the look of the cross stitching.

Now that most of the top half is rolled up in the scroll bars I can stitch the remainder of the stocking - this is my progress since Sunday.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]

2 weeks of stitching

I missed a weekly update but the back stitching makes time stand still for me so I didn't realize the days were flying by.
I am hoping that a couple (few) more days of back stitching will allow me to turn the scroll bars and return to the cross stitching.
Labor Day will be here before I know it so have a great weekend if you celebrate and in case I get lost in my project again.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]