Happy Saturday Everyone,
The sun is out, and a beautiful weekend is in store for us in the North East corner of our country. Lots of activity in our small town today. There is a giant book sale, which our library does every year, and I cannot wait to get to it, always lots of fun. In addition to the book sale, local churches are having dinners and a plant sale.
I had a lovely letter from a reader yesterday, which is always a day brightener.
Sue sent me pictures of some projects that she completed from HOOKED BAGS. Sue thanked me for the easy to follow patterns. I love seeing the projects, thanks for sending them
Sue.
For the Victorian Pouch, Sue used Silky Kidd rather
than the Silk Purse from Alchemy that I used, and
it looks terrific.
Sue made the hobo bag and added her own
touch of a flower that was featured in Hooked Hats.
The Hobo bag is made with Lion Cotton.
The Shoppers Tote was made with Sugar and
Cream by Lily.
Great job Sue. thanks for sharing.
Happy Mothers day to all the wonderful mother's out there.
Margaret
Good Morning Everyone,
Quite a few years ago I discovered that I had the ability to look at a piece of crochet work and immediately know what stitches were used to create it. About 10 years ago, my local yarn shop asked me if I was interested in restoring heirloom pieces that were brought into the shop in great need of repair. I agreed to give it a try, and since then have restored many pieces. Lately, I have been so busy that I wanted to give up this phase of "things that I do", but the thought of these lovely pieces disappearing forever, keeps me doing it. My other problem is time (not enough of it). As long as the person wanting the work done, is willing to wait, sometimes months, I will take on the job.
My biggest challenge to date, was a huge bedspread, that had over 20 very large holes and several smaller ones, scattered throughout. I am sorry that I did not think to record my progress as I worked on it, but you can see the finished product below.
It is very large and very heavy, fits amply on a
king size bed.
I found it difficult to photograph the white, but
I think that you can see how beautiful it is.
Close-up of pattern.
The photograph below is of a bedspread that I
rescued from a flea market. It was tossed over
the back door of a van. The young man who was
selling it, had no idea of what he had. It was dirty
and torn, and he could not believe that any one was
even interested in buying it from him. I took it
home and worked on it for a long time. After all
the repairs, I worked on getting out the stains.
It was worth all the work. It is magnificent!
My flea market find, all repaired and clean and
gracing the bed in my guest room.
By restoring these pieces I feel that,
somehow, I am honoring the women,
who so long ago put so many hours of
love into each tiny stitch.
Have a great day!
Margaret
Hi Everyone,
It has been a busy week for me, and aol is driving me slightly mad with my blog. Days go by, and I cannot add an entry.
Two days ago, I received a copy of a new book by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss, NEW IDEAS FOR TODAY'S KNITTING.
Jean and Rita asked a group of designers to create knitted clothes that are glamorous and sometimes daring, for this book.
I have several designs in the book, and the cover is my little black dress, called "A Little Night Music". There are over twenty designs in the book, from bikinis, shells, accessories, dresses and jackets. Even a bridal dress. Something for
everyone.
As usual, Jean and Rita have put together a great book. Each item has lots of photos, showing back and side views. Readers will love to be able to see closeups from every angle.
The instructions are not cramped on the page, lots of white space for easy reading.
If you want to add a little excitement to your knitting, this is the
book for you.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Margaret
Hi Everyone,
I have not been able to add to my journal for 3 days, not because I did not want to, but aol would not allow me to. My "add entry" tab, just disappeared.
I had a great weekend. The yarn and Craft Box in Pawling, my favorite yarn shop, has had great sales going on since Thursday, and while the sale was going on, we were doing some workshops. I love teaching so it was fun for me.
The highlight of my weekend was a visit from a long lost friend. Val and I worked together years ago in Bloomingdale's, but as sometimes happens, we lost track of each other. She recently found me on the Internet, wrote and we re-connected. Yesterday, along with a friend, Rina, Val took a ride up to visit me while I was teaching in the shop. Well, she said it was to visit me, but she took the opportunity of the great sales to enhance her stash :-). We were able to grab a quick lunch together and were able to catch up on each other's lives a little. We vowed to do it again soon, and I might have even convinced Val that she should attend the knit/crochet conference in NH in July.
Paula, me, Danielle, Frances, Marie, Rina and Val
Val, me and Rina
Paula, me, Danielle, Frances, Rena and Val
I did not want to see Val leave, what a great day.
Enjoy the rest of the evening.
Margaret
PS: I forgot to mention that Val was a young college girl and I was already the mother 4, one heading for college, when we met.
PPS: The sale at the Yarn and Craft Box is still going on, continues through Monday, April 28th.
Good Morning Everone
I started Spring Cleaning last week
and as usual was dragging my feet.
It is, by far, more fun to play. I had
just turned in all the projects for my
newest book, finished some repairs
that I had taken on to do (One was
a restoration of an antique
bedspread), and decided to freshen
up my house.
Every once in a while I decide to use a bedspread, that I made in 1975. Well, I initially started it in 1975
and it was made for a double bed. Quite a few years
later, I got a queen size bed, so I added to the spread.
More years after that, I got a king size bed, so more squares and additional rows were required.
As I took it out of my blanket chest this morning, and put it on my bed, I realized that I really love this bed spread. It is made using traditional granny squares and rows of double crochet, more like one giant granny. I used Galler Parisian Cotton to make it, and it has held up well through the years.
To get a rectangle shape, rather than a square,
I started the center with smaller grannies, having more length wise and fewer width wise.
Close up of the center
Close up of the edging.
Granny Squares are timeless and versatile, and I still
love them.
Have a great day.
Margaret
Hi Everyone
Finally getting caught up from traveling etc. Just found out yesterday, that Knits for Men, my newest book will be ready for shipping in May. Hopefully, I will have them while teaching in NH in July. I have not seen the finished book yet, but the proof pages look terrific.
Some more pictures from Dallas/Fort Worth Fiber Fest.
Ding, ding, ding went the trolley - me riding the trolley
in Dallas.
Jan and Gaylia, my charming guides around the city
Some of the sights from the trolley
we went to lunch, checked out the clothes in some
neat little boutiques, then checked out some gorgeous
homes on Swiss St (or Ave). A part of the city that is
being restored. Really magnificent.
It was 32 the day I left for Texas so I enjoyed the green grass and flowering trees a lot.
Still more pictures in the camera, no more time to play.
Have a great day.
Margaret
Good Morning Everyone,
Here are some more photos from Fiber Fest.
Jerry and Gaylia admiring Tim's yarn covered chest.
Sharon, Molly, Jill, Tim and Me at lunch (look at the size of those portions!).
The Board (wearing hats that were donated for charity, Jerry is such a good sport) and the teachers. Mary Kay, Karen, Melissa, Molly (hiding in back) Margo Lynn, Joan, Jerry,
and me.
Happy winners displaying their prizes.
Molly wearing my hat (I made it the night before to add to the
basket of donations).
That's all for now, more to come. Sorry that I cannot identify everyone in the photos, if any one wants to write and give me names, I will be happy to add them.
Have a great weekend.
Margaret
