Friday, March 20, 2015

A little of this. A little of that.

Hello my friends and happy Friday!

I just got an order from Amazon yesterday and this was in it.  I'm looking forward to trying one or more of these doilies.  Aren't they beautiful?
The front cover:
The back cover:
I've been working on this crocheted blanket since Monday, but honestly, I haven't had hardly any crochet or knitting time all week.  This is the result of about 5 hours work.  Almost done.  It's just a simple sc, hdc, dc stitch I made up a few years ago for a class I taught in beginning crochet.
This one is FUN!!!  Very, very time consuming, but fun.  This I started over a week ago and is probably 20-25 hours of knitting.  It's called the log cabin blanket and you just make it the size you want and then stop.  It's all garter, (knit) stitch and almost brainless knitting.  When you have 9 garter ridges of a color, you cast off all but one stitch on the needles and then pick up a stitch in each ridge on the next side.  You continue in this way, going round and round and round until you want to stop.  It's a great way to use up all of my small balls of yarn from old projects.
Here is the non-slip sole for Mandy's slippers that I also received in my Amazon order.  It comes in an 18x26 piece of cloth that you cut to fit and then sew on.  The slippers are in a box that just arrived at Mandy's a few minutes ago.  She's waiting until Piper wakes up and then they'll face time with me so I can watch her open it.  Inside are a bunch of summer clothes that I bought for her a couple of days ago.  Our local thrift store had an amazing sale and I got tons of shirts, shorts, skorts and dresses for her for only about 25.00 and they are all in very nice condition.
Also inside is Timothy of Thomas the Train fame.  See little Timothy?  Piper loves trains and Thomas and his friends in particular.  I found Timothy and popped him in the box for her.  She knows he's on his way to her house, I sent her this picture just before I went to the post office.  She'll be excited when she opens the box and I can't wait to see her face.
Mandy sent this picture the other day when they were walking by the bay.  Piper had her stuffed kitty in the stroller.  The kitty was a birthday gift from Larry and Nita.  Kitty is covered by a little rainbow blanket that I made for her dolls.  It's basically the center part of the rainblow blankets that I make for babies.  Isn't she cute?
I'm almost embarrassed to tell you all that I have yet ANOTHER trip planned in April.  I have always wanted to take a cruise, but it's not something that Dennis really wants to do.  You all know that Nita is the cruise queen!  We usually keep Sophie for her and Larry while they cruise, which was twice this winter in November and January.  She cruises on Princess lines exclusively and is an Elite member which means she gets a lot of perks when she travels.  Almost 30 cruises in the last 7 years!  

So, with the 50th anniversary of Princess the prices are really cheap this year and I'm going to the Western Carribean with Nita April 11-19.  I'm getting very excited and if I really, really like it, Dennis says maybe we can take an Alaskan cruise someday.  That's where I REALLY want to go.  But most likely, this will be the one and only cruise I ever take, so I really want to enjoy every minute of it.

By the time we get back from the cruise it will be lake time!  Yippee! 

I have mailed Grammy Braxton's blog gift but I haven't heard from Sam I Am.  Sam if you're reading this, you are one of the winners!  Could you please send me an email with your name and address?  I'll get your gift out right away.

Thank you all for reading.  I am SO grateful for each and every one of you.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  Psalm 27:14

Blessings,
Betsy


13 comments:

  1. Sweet that you are mailing Piper things. My mom did that for my kids and they were always excited to get a, "Nana Box".

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  2. There is nothing like sending and receiving things in the mail. The log cabin blanket is not one that I have come across before, not knitted anyway it beautiful, a real delight.

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  3. Your new pattern book looks like it is full of amazing projects, Betsy, and I can imagine you enjoying creating more wonderful doilies. I can also imagine the delight Mandy and Piper [precious pushing the stroller :-) ] will have opening the box of goodies you sent. Your current stitching is lovely...and the log cabin is a pattern I would like to try someday. While being on a boat is not something I want to do for more than an hour or two, I am glad that you are looking forward to your voyage with Nita, and hope you have a fabulous time! xx

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  4. I always love seeing your special work... You are so talented.. Wish 'this' Betsy had a bit of that talent. Do you quilt also? I have a log-cabin quilt given to me by a friend. Love it...

    I would love to see Piper's face when she opens her 'goodies'... I know she will enjoy everything..... That little Timothy is adorable.

    Neat that you are going on a cruise with Nita. You will love. George and I went to the South Caribbean area in 2001... It was our Honeymoon Cruise. Loved it.... So will you!!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. I like your log cabin knitting project! That would be a fun thing to do sometime! Right now I just want to crawl under a warm blanket and knit slippers. It's still early enough. I've been chilly lately as I've not been up to par lately and it's raining now...was so pretty yesterday and warm. First day of spring and the tulip festival began as well! Megan worked out there today and will be for the season. Now I'm gonna get some tea as well! A cruise...how fun! Enjoy! We'd like to go to Alaska on one eventually! Have a good weekend, my friend!

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  6. Betsy, you make the most wonderful things! And you're so fast! I can't wait to see what you make from the doily book. And I've really been intrigued by the log cabin knits and crochets I've seen. Can't wait to see more of that one. I know you'll have fun on that cruise.. I'd love to do that some day. I've never gone on one either. Imagine the photos you'll get! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. You both would love the Alaskan cruises. My parents went years ago and loved it. Ah, little Piper--as cute as always:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: A cruise in the Caribbean sounds delightful too...

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  8. Wow Betsy I love the log cabin knit, I may try that after I finish with my knitted socks that I've been working on for over 9 months! Lol. Piper is going to be thrilled with all her goodies!
    The cruise to Alaska is on my bucket list as well. Some day it may happen but I've got so much traveling here in the states I'm close too, even Spokane is on my list!
    Love the oval doily on the second row it's so pretty! Let me know if you sip it up!

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  9. I am so gonna make one of those log cabin knitted blankets. It would be perfect to use up all my Super Saver stash, at least to make a decent dent in using it up. :) I bet its super soft, too. :) I look forward to hearing all about your cruise..it sounds really fun. Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

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  10. My goodness you have been busy. I love that Piper loves trains, I have a little one over here that does too. I am so excited about your cruise. I have been on several, Alaska was the very best. I would go again in a heartbeat.
    Sending you a hugs,
    Meredith

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  11. You have so many crafty things going on. My two looooved Thomas when they were younger, we even went to one of those events where they have a Thomas engine pulling a real train. They were in heaven. Your cruise sounds wonderful, I am sure you'll have a great time. I would really like to go on an Alaskan cruise someday myself. My in-laws did one and they loved it. I hope you're having a good weekend.

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  12. I am just learning how to crochet. Yep 55 and just learning. You are awesome in your craft. Have a great time on your cruise! I hope to go someday soon myself.

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