Monday, January 26, 2015

Monday Warmup

Happy Monday everyone!  I know that the eastern part of the U.S. is having cold and snow, but a January thaw has hit us here.  it is forecast to be 53 today!  Yippee!  Almost all of the snow is gone, gone, gone.  I went and washed my car this morning.  My light blue CRV was almost black.  No exageration.  It is pretty blue again.  I also took advantage of the warm up to clean up Chloe's doggie "gifts" in the backyard if you get my drift.  NOT one of my favorite jobs but when you have a dog it does need to be done.

This is what I found in my rhubarb bed.  Do you see the three little red shoots trying to break through along with one little piece of ice in the upper left side.  It gives me hope that spring will actually arrive eventually.  I know it's only January but in a couple of months it will be LAKE TIME!!!!!  :-)
Some of you asked where I got the book covers that I use for hands free reading.  Here's the label from inside.  It is a retired husband and wife who go to craft shows and sell them, but you can call or email and order that way too.  They had lots of pretty patterns to choose from.
One of the ladies at church asked me yesterday if I could crochet quart size jar covers for her.  She's a teacher and wants to fill the jars with candy and put a lid with a straw on it for her parent volunteers.  I told her sure I could!  I came home yesterday and before I went to bed I had whipped up all ten of them with scraps of dishcloth cotton that I had in a basket.  I have enough cotton to make a hundred of them easily!  Here's a pretty yellow one....
And a multicolored one....
All ten in a row.   :-)
Another project I've been researching is a group called 'KnittedKnockers.org'.  If you are interested in doing any charity knitting projects I highly recommend this group.  They knit, (and crochet), breast prosthesis for cancer patients that have had mastectomies.  They are SO MUCH more comfortable than the silicone ones that are available to the ladies.  They are soft against the scar tissue and lightweight.  I highly recommend watchig the videos on the above website.

I made these two on Saturday for a friend who just had a mastectomy.  I made two different sizes for her to try out to determine which one she likes better.  Then, I'll make her another one in the size she likes, so one can be in the laundry and she'll still have one to wear.  Aren't they cool?  I actually cried when I read some of the testimonial letters on the website.  I don't think I have ever made anything that made me feel so good to give away as these.  I've made about 10 in different sizes for donation .  They are super easy to make.
The back of Dennis' sweater is done.  Lots of rows in plain stockinette.  Good TV or book reading knitting.  :-)
The front has begun....
Little Sophie went home last night.  We picked her Mom & Dad up at the airport about 9 last night.  It was SO foggy we couldn't see to the end of our driveway and we had to drive way up on the plateau to the airport.  I was very happy Dennis was driving and that his truck has fog lights.  It was a slow drive for sure.

I'm missing this little girl on my lap already.  She is a cutie.
I need to take the last load of laundry out of the washer and finish a few other projects before I sit down to knit.  I hope you all have a wonderful Monday and stay warm and dry.

"Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Luke 6:38

Blessings,
Betsy

16 comments:

  1. Betsy, I love the idea of the knitted breast prosthesis. I have heard of people making these for friends, and love the idea. Your crochet jar covers are darling too.
    I was out in the yard today, and am seeing subtle signs of Spring here too. I am not ready.
    I am glad you are beginning to thaw. The snow would make everyday chores so much harder to do.
    I have certainly had the East Coast in my prayers! I hope they don't get it as bad as has been suspected.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  2. You are so talented. and caring. Did not know about the brest prosthesis what a wonderful thing to do.
    Rosezeeta.

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  3. All those jar covers...wow. you really whipped those out fast! And those "stuffies" are a neat idea. I've never seen any hand-made ones before. So nice for you to do for your friend. Your husband's sweater us looking great! Very cool that the RH looks so good. Made the barley stew and it us fantastic! I added sautéed mushrooms because we love them. I'll be making this again and again. Thank you! Pammy Sue

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  4. Had not heard about knitting breast prosthesis. What a wonderful thing to do.

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  5. You are so nice to make those prosthesis for a friend. And I love the jar covers.. I've made a few for old ball jars and put a tea light at the bottom. I'm glad you made it through the fog okay.. you are so good to those friends! Have a fun trip to DC to see Piper! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. Betsy, you are such a kind and giving person. I had never heard of the knitted prostheses before. It's a very nice idea. My grandmother had a mastectomy as a young woman and wore a prosthesis my whole life. She didn't like the medical ones so she made her own - a cloth bag filled with birdseed! She said it felt natural to her so that's what she always used. :)

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  7. We've got a good ways to go before Lake Time in Wisconsin, but it's nice to see that spring is on its way!

    What a wonderful idea the prostheses are. And the jar covers are really cute. :)

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  8. We have a few shoots poking through the soil, a sure sign of spring but no sign of the rhubarb yet. Love the jar covers, such a lovely array of colours. I was amazed by the prostheses I didn't know that you could knit them, you are a very talented and giving woman. God bless.

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  9. It's lovely when you are asked to make something like the jar covers. Especially when you have the yarn ready to get started right away. The knitted prostheses are a great idea.

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  10. Oh Betsy, look at the kindness of you.
    Little Henry is on my lap right now. He looks just like a male version of Sophie. He is 6 pounds.

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  11. The mason jar covers are great. Gosh your fast! But the knitted prosthesis is absolutely incredible. I've never seen anything like it. Very cool!

    I hope your fog has cleared. Our airport closes when it gets as bad as it did yesterday. But that doesn't stop drivers -- there was a big accident with a tour bus and about 4 other trucks/cars that killed 4 people and wounded 56. Very sad. Thankfully the fog did not reappear this morning.

    Blessings, Tammy

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  12. Betsy - What a kind and generous you are. The jar covers are darling and will be a precious gift. But, the knitted prosthesis is unbelievable. What a ministry!

    Thanks for what you do for others.

    Judy

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  13. You totally amaze me Betsy! God has truly blessed you with great creativity and with a very giving spirit! You remind me of my best friend who has these same gifts. Love what you do for others!!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  14. We have been having some fog here, too, but have thankfully not had to drive in it. I'm glad you are safe and sound, Betsy. I am wondering if we will get another blast of winter weather before Spring truly arrives. A huge limb came down on our house after one of the early winter storms and yesterday we had a tree service out to fell three huge trees. It was fascinating to watch them do it and rather exciting since PGE had to come out, turn our power off and take down power lines.

    I enjoyed seeing your current stitching projects! I'm going to email this post to my sister to see if she would be interested in the prosthesis project which I have never heard of, but is such a great idea.

    In your comment to Kris you mentioned your trip to go see Piper soon, and I am so excited for you and Dennis : )

    Thanks for being a Light for the Lord, and for encouraging me to be one, too, Betsy. xx

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  15. Betsy, you are such a blessing to everyone around you. It is chilly here, my hands are cold and I have a scarf on! Since it is Florida it is always damp, damp and chilly right now. At least we don't have snow!
    Sending you a big, big hug.
    Meredith

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  16. We have had some snow here again, but not enough to have fun in - but just enough to cause total traffic chaos.

    Hope the sun is shining where you are today!

    Helenxx

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