Thursday, March 27, 2014

Redecorating Tidbits

It's almost the weekend!  Yippee!  I thought I would give those of you who haven"t seen it yet, a peek at the doily I made Teresa.  She has much better photos on her blog on my sidebar.  Her pictures show where she's placed it on her baby grand piano.  I'm glad she likes it.  It's about 30 inches across.
Here's a closer picture.  I'm not very good at blocking and I pressed it after I took these pictures but it gives you a idea of how it looks.  The doily used size 80 thread.  That was the first time I used thread that small to crochet with.
When in Portland last week, Mandy & I ran into Michaels while the guys waited with Piper in the truck.  These were my finds.  I had a 40% off coupon for the yarn.  It's a HUGE one pound ball of baby yarn.  The tin was 70% off and will hold tape, paper, pens, etc. in the trailer.  It's much easier to find things if they are all organized and in one place.  I love tins for things like this.
While visiting Portland we made a trip to IKEA.  I bought two pillow inserts and then there are several dozen pillow covers to choose from for only $5.00 each.  These were my choice.
And here they are on the pillow inserts.  A total of $11.99 per pillow.  That's not bad at all and when I get tired of the covers I can always get two more for a very inexpensive price.  I needed new throw pillows for the sofa and loveseat.  I think I'll get a couple of more on the next visit.
Then, as we passed through the kitchenware section, this grill pan caught my eye.  I get so tired of lugging the electric grill upstairs from the big pantry in the basement where I keep the small electric appliances and big pots,  I use it several times a week all winter long.  This will work well at the trailer this summer too.
The handle folds in for storage and out for cooking.  I've used it twice already and I really like it.
And this was the main objective in going to IKEA.  The curtains I had up were about 20 years old.  They had come from our old house when we built this one.  Last fall when I washed them, I had to sew up several hems and I was afraid they wouldn't survive another washing.  The new drapes are of a heavy canvas or similar cloth.  There are rings in the tops that thread onto the new curtain rod, also from IKEA.  I washed and dried them in hot water and a hot dryer to try to shrink them a bit.  I still had to hem them about 4 inches.  IKEA drapes are all very long-I think these were 95 inches.  If you need curtains and have access to an IKEA I highly recommend them for cost.  I bought all of my goodies, pillows, covers, grill pan, curtain rod, drapes and an insulated lunch bag for Piper for right around $100.00.  For a window this size, 108 inches wide, just the drapes would normally be more than that at most stores.

Drapes closed.
Drapes open!  I do like these curtains so far.  They keep the drafts out much better than the old curtains did.
Gracie gave me the most lovely book of baby knitting patterns while we visited.  Isn't this a sweet picture?  The patterns are also complete cuteness.
Spring is here!  Even if it is snowing all around us in the mountains tonight.  (NOOOOOOO!  I wanted to start camping soon.)  So I cut a branch off of our flowering pear tree outside and hung my tiny little Easter eggs on it.  The branch kept tipping the vase over so I filled it with birdseed and it worked very well.
A closer view of the little eggs.
Real organic eggs from Teresa's chickens.  Look at that cute little 1/2 dozen egg carton.  Perfect for egg gifting.  I have had one of these eggs for breakfast every morning this week.  Yum!
Knitted eggs on the coffee table.  Don't try eating these.  :-)
Sophie's Daddy had his second brain surgery in less than a week today, so she came to stay with me for the day.  We had a great time cuddling and knitting together.  I had a touch of the stomach flu today so I didn't get too much accomplished.  Larry is doing very well tonight and may go home tomorrow!  He had a device much like a pacemaker inserted into his chest with wires to his brain to control his essential tremors.  They had gotten so bad that he had a hard time holding a fork to eat along with many other aspects of daily living  The tremors are gone already!  That is such a miracle and will improve his quality of life so much.

Sophie is so used to visiting Chloe and I that she jumped up onto my lap and went right to sleep.
Okay, I'm off to bed and praying that I'll feel better tomorrow morning when I wake up..  I don't know why I always seem to catch these annoying bugs.  Ick!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend my friends.

Many Blessings to you all,
Betsy

14 comments:

  1. Hullo there Betsy.. wonderful work that doily I can't believe you made it out of no 80 thread, that is true dedication. The best I have dine is no 60. That should become an heirloom.

    I have few fine work in smaller doilies. Have been making teacloth for years and only have two squares to do. I don't know why I don't put it out of its misery.. such a pretty grape like stitch pattern in group of five trebles.
    Happy crafting dear friend. Lord bless you and those you love.
    Shaz in Oz xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Betsy, I hope you are feeling better soon. You created the most very lovely doily for Teresa. All your wee Easter Eggs are very pretty. I have already decorated my home for Easter too. It is my most wonderful holiday.. You bought some wonderful goodies at Ikea.. I wish we had one around us.. How extremely sad for all the victims in the mudslide in your state. My thoughts and prayers are with them.. I never seen anything like it ever. Hugs Judy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Everything looks pretty and fresh at your house, Betsy. The doily came out beautifully, you should be very proud of it. I love all your knitted easter eggs, so sweet! I hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I saw the doily on Teresa's blog and it is absolutely gorgeous! I can't imagine working with such fine thread. Love Ikea especially for candles and frames. Our curtains are from there and I just let them drape on the floor. I kinda like them that way. You got a lot of great stuff. Poor Sophie, she is probably wore out with worry. I sure hope her owner will be okay. And I hope you feel better today. Take care, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there, We are back from ANOTHER trip. This time we were in Georgia checking out yet another waterfall... Thanks for checking out my blog today. I'll post more photos from there next Wed and Fri...

    Love your doily.. I have a few here (made by my mother and/or members of her family).. Special to me.

    Glad to hear that Larry is doing well... AND--that was nice of Sophie to visit you.. She seems to be right at home with you.

    Love the new drapes.. We don't have an IKEA nearby --but when I'm ready to buy drapes, I'll find one!!!!

    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  6. I pray you get to feeling better sweet friend. :) Sending ((hugs)) your way. I also will keep Mr. Larry in my prayers, too. Bless his heart.

    I just loved your post so much...now I can't wait to go to Ikea! Love those knitted eggs....and the doily on the back of your love seat is awesome!

    I think the doily you made for Teresa is so lovely...a true work of art. You are so very talented. :)

    Wishing you a day filled with many blessings and sending prayers your way for healing, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Betsy, I'm reading you from Ohio! We went to Hobby Lobby today and got some yarn for the girls and for Amy too. Jenna is catching on pretty good but I keep pulling it out when I see mistakes and she just got frustrated and put it down for a while. I better stop pulling it out! I loved seeing my lovely doily again.. I miss it! Fun shopping you did.. I want to make some colorful curtains for my trailer.. I don't like all the brown in it. Enjoy your weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. My goodness Betsy you are so busy and have got so much done. Love your drapes, I think it is great the way you have them when they are open, very elegant. The doily for Teresa is amazing, you did a fantastic job. I am so happy your friend is doing well. Major brain surgery is difficult, but withe the essential tremors gone he will be able to resume so much more of his life.
    Hugs to you Betsy,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your doily that you gave Teresa is beautiful! Good job! I've not been to Ikea. I like that grill pan. What brand is it? I'd like something like that as well. One of these years I need to snoop there too. I was at Michael's yesterday but couldn't find the yarn I wanted for knitting wash cloths. Sigh! We are having rain and wind today. I drove in the rain yesterday to go to Keizer Station, 10 min. south of us. Not fun~but I did make it~hope the tulips stand up to this weird weather....mud abounds here! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The doily is elegantly beautiful! Crocheting is something I have admired since I was a little girl. I have tried learning how to crochet with less than desirable results. Thankfully my mother-in-law is good at teaching our daughters that skill.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Betsy! I am hoping you feel better now? Yay! I have a soft spot for little Sophie, she looks a lot like our 4 lb. Henry. Your work is so lovely. Thank you for your kind words on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Betsy! I just showed my sisters your post pic of the doily and they oooed and awed it and think it is amazing as I do! I am looking at the ocean as I am typing to you. It was sunny this morning and rainy this afternoon...both beautiful :) Loved seeing your IKEA finds and especially love how you hung the curtains in 4 sections. Enjoyed the whole post, Betsy. Thanks! xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Betsy, the doily is absolutely stunning! So impressive! Prayers and hugs to you for a very quick recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful doily indeed! The details are spectacular! Nice job!
    Patrick Tan

    ReplyDelete