Stitching Saturday - Single or Double

Today is our 12th year anniversary.  But since I don't get a gift for 12th year, I am not going to make a big deal about it.  Instead I will talk about my finished crochet bed scarf for our guest room.  A couple of years ago, my sister started it for me but she had to leave so I had to finish it.  It was half way so I thought that I could just pick up where she left off.  Well, it sat there for a couple of years because, I couldn't figure it out.  A friend of mine showed me how, then I didn't continue so I forgot again.  Anyway, now that I have used up all my yarns and don't have anymore project, I decided to pick it up again.  After many rows of the type of stitch, I realized it was growing too wide, so I untangled (unravel) it to where my sister left off.  That's when I realized that I was using the wrong crochet hook so it was creating a bigger stitch even though I was doing the right combination.  So after I figured it out, I was able to finish the bed scarf leaving only 6 inches of yarn.  I thought that was perfect.  Now I need an edging. Of course I had to call my sister for direction, ideas and a tutorial.  We did a short video chat and then I continued with crocheting.  Now it's complete and ready to be displayed when we have visitor staying in the guest room.  It will be perfect with our red flowery comforter set.  Thanks to my sister's expertise in crochet, I have a pretty bed scarf.

Triple Tuesday - Crocheting terms

As we go through the stay at home order and social distancing, I find myself even busier doing all types of crafts and hobbies.  During the last few days, I have been sewing some fabric face masks and have been mailing them to family and friends who need it as they can't find any in their area.  When I need to take a break from sewing I switch to crocheting.  I might have shown you already the multi colored baby blanket that I started a couple of weeks ago.  Now that I have finished it, I started a new one and with my sister's suggestion with regards to the design and color, the next blanket is starting to look nice.  Since I am not a real crochet person, I only know very few stitches but enough to be able to make a blanket or a coaster or maybe even a wash cloth. I have no idea on how to read a pattern so most of my crocheting is guessing game.  I like doing it while watching the news which actually I am not watching, just listening. With whatever yarn I have left, I will try to make something whether it's a coaster or hot plate or wash cloth.  By the end of this staying at home order, I won't have any yarn left which means the crocheting hobby will be set aside for a while.  

These are the yards that I will use for the next blanket.

The finished blanket for a little girl or boy.

I am using a single and then a double stitch (I think).

This a bed scarf that my sister started in 2018.  Hopefully I can figure out the stitch and continue.

There are some yarns that can only make these type of coaster or hot plate.

Frame Friday - A hole in one

Now that we are always home, both of us are starting to do a lot of different projects. It could be woodwork, sewing, bottle painting, baking, and of course cleaning.  Last fall when I got my hole in one at my home course, my golf buddy gave me a very special plaque. It was specially made by his best friend who does special wood work and engraving.  Anyway, my hubby thought he would make a special plaque to show this one, plus the golf ball as well as the score card for that big event of my golf career. LOL.  We search for something similar to give us an idea. At first my hubby was going to get a piece of wood, cut it to shape, sand it, stain it, etc.  Then one day we were at Home Sense and on the clearance sale, there was this piece of wood which I think was meant to be a chopping board for bread or cheese.  But the shape was perfect and of course it had a great sale price.  My hubby started playing with it, trying to find the best way to showcase the plaque, golf ball and score card.  After a week, he presented me the completed work of art.  Now I would like to share it with you.  Notice how special he added two pieces of wood to hold the glass frame for the score card.  He also added a small piece of wood to hold the golf tee and golf ball. He placed a magnet on both the tee and the ball, so it does not fall.  He did not want to glue it so that I can the ball easy for show and tell. Now this once in a lifetime event is showcased on this amazing frame. 

Seamstress Saturday - A side job

Every now and then, I get a request to do some repairs or alterations of an item from someone in the neighborhood.  Most of them are quick and easy type of sewing but they are very appreciative of the quick turn around of their item.  And of course they offer to pay whatever is the going rate of my work.  But of course there is always an exception to the rule.  One of them had asked if I can help her fix a dress and what I understood was that I would show her how to do it and she will continue.  It was my mistake maybe, I misunderstood, she just want me to fix it.  In our conversation, there was no offer to pay and I didn't really want to ask in the hopes that she will offer to pay once the job was done.  It took me a few hours to repair the dress as it involves both machine sewing and hand sewing.  When all is said and done, I delivered to their home and I got a thank you.  No offer of payment or maybe a $5 Tim Horton's card. LOL.  Just to compare with other neighbors, they would ask how much and most of the time they would pay more because I am giving them a good rate but they know that the job takes a lot of time.  Or if I didn't mention an amount, they would just get me a Tim Hortons gift card because they know I love Tim's.  A few months later, the same person ask to repair another item of clothing. I was not sure how to respond because again, there was no mention of the offer of payment.  For one reason or another I felt bad refusing but it was uncomfortable situation.  It felt like I was one of her servants and that she needed help again.  So I replied that maybe she should take it to the cleaners as they have seamstress there also.  She said, she already asked and they were going to charge her $60 for the repair, and that is the reason why she is asking for my help.  Truly, I don't mind helping people and don't have to get paid, but for whatever reason it's all about the way you are treated.  I would like to think that I am a generous person when it comes to my time.  What would you do if you were in my position? 

Meticulous Monday - Master Quilters

The weather is definitely getting cooler as the women of Vernon are showing off all their hard work at the Quilt Show this past weekend.  I decided to check it out and there were so many amazing works of art.  Hours and hours spent creating each and every square, each and every piece means something.  After spending half an hour going around through the displays, I have realized that quilting is not my thing.  Although I have tried making one which is nothing compared to these pieces.  A couple of years ago, I tried doing a quilt of the map of the USA.  It actually came out OK but nothing intricate or meticulous as some of the pieces that I will share with you.  There were a lot more pieces that were similar in design as well as bigger and smaller pieces.  What I am sharing today are my favorites.

Wedge Wednesday - My very own board

If you can remember a post that I did for one of our very talented neighbor who took woodworking after he retired.  I posted a few wooden trays he has made as well as our memory star.  Anyway, a few months ago I had asked him if he wouldn't mind making me a charcuterie board.  I sent him some photo just to give him an idea of what I wanted.  Of course I told him there was no time frame as to when I needed it.  Being patient is something I could do.  It has to do with being a mother, right.  Anyway this past weekend, I received an email from the wife telling me to check the hose box.  When I opened it, there it was, my very own charcuterie board that was hand made by her husband.  I love the shape, the color of the wood.  It kind reminds me of the sushi boat they have at some of the Japanese restaurant.  Anyway, I should feature it today because it is definitely an amazing wood working.  The best part is that he is just giving it to me to enjoy.  We are so blessed to have such amazing and wonderful neighbor.  

My very own charcuterie board.

A candle holder for a center piece for a dining table.

Serving tray if you want to surprise someone for breakfast in bed. 

Fabric Friday - Deals and more

After returning from our two week vacation, I got a surprise package from my MIL and CIL from California.  Of course I had to open the package immediately.  OMG, they bought me a bunch of really nice fabrics including some cute fabric quarters with interesting combinations.  Two days later we got in our RV and headed out again to Idaho for a 5 day glamping.  While in the US, I like to check out some of their stores for deals.  Although we have to make sure we don't go over our limit for duty allowance, we were still able to buy a few items we needed that we could not get in Canada.  One the deals that I always check are fabrics from Walmart or Joanne's.  This time I was really going to get them for what projects I will doing this winter.   At the same time, if they are very inexpensive, I would get a few more items, like the interfacing I use for making pouches.  Comparing the cost from fabric store in Canada, it is not hard for me to buy more.  For example, I was able to get some nice fabrics for a dollar a yard and some even .50 cents.  It is impossible to get that kind of price in Fabricland (only fabric store we have).  Check out some of my latest addition to the collections.  This year I might have a little open house before Christmas and maybe sell some of the items I will be making. 

I will be making a reversible blanket for a girl.

These are the fabrics I received from my MIL and CIL.

These are the fabric quarters they couldn't resist buying on sale.

These are the fabric quarters I got for .86 cents each.  In Canada it's $2.97 each.

These are the $1.00 and .50 cents per yard. 

My friend Maria gave me a golf towel from a golf tournament many moons ago.

I turned it into a kitchen towel.

Twin Tuesday - Painted wine bottles

It all began when we had a small gathering at our home a couple of weeks after we moved in. Our realtor left us with 3 bottles of champagne in our fridge.  We decided to share with our neighbors so we invited three couples that we have met already.  Not only did we finished the three bottles, there were some other wine bottles that was left in our house.  A few weeks later we find ourselves at another party and there were more bottles of wine that were empty.  That's when I started thinking and being creative.  What if I clean these bottles and paint them.  Luckily the previous owners left four different cans of paint.  That's when it all began.  I would use the house paint as my base color for the bottles and then use acrylic paint for whatever design or art work I am feeling that moment.  Sometime last year, just before my daughter's visit, I decided to design one bottle using my nail tool to create different sizes of dots. The colors I pick were white, silver, gold and yellow.  At one time those where my daughter's choice of color combination for her home.  When it finally finished, I showed it to her and she told me to save it for their visit.  Unfortunately, she could only carry so much on her small luggage that the bottle did not get packed.  Last week I decided to make another one similar to the one last year.  Once I finished, I put them side by side and amazingly enough, they look very similar, except if you really look close, one has a flower at the beginning of the circle and the other had different color dot to begin the circle. I should it again to my daughter to make sure still want me to reserve it for her.  This time she picked the new bottle with the flower in the middle.  Does it look the same to you?

Can you tell the difference between the left and and right bottle?  Which one do you think  my daughter picked? 

The one on the right was the first bottle I painted which I reserved for my daughter.  The one on the left is the latest one which my daughter now wants me to keep until she gets here.  LOL.  I wonder if I do another very similar, would she picked it.  You will have to wait for the next post about the Dotted Wine Bottle.

Wooden Wednesday - Great woodwork

Do you remember the post I did about the ladies craft night last March?  It was the one where we got each a wooden star and decorated it however we chose to.  One of our neighbor is very much into wood working.  This is his new hobby and he is doing an amazing job.  He mentioned to me a month after our craft night that he is already planning for next year.  It will be a wooden heart and we will get one heart and paint it, decorate it and take it home.  This past weekend, we had our annual golf tournament for the neighborhood.  There were lots of prizes but the most amazing ones are the wood work that AJ made.  He donated 4 prizes and it was such a treat for those who won it. Luckily, I had a chance to see the finished product.  Now I would like to share them with you.

Candle holder for a table center piece

Fruit shish kabob holder

Trio candle holder

Serving tray or could be a Charcuterie Board

Favorite Friday - Craft night

Our neighborhood is definitely the best place for retire couple.  We have great people who loves getting together and doing things specially when winter months are keeping us indoors.  Now that the weather is getting a bit warm we are planning all our upcoming events.  For the month of March, two of our ladies are hosting craft night.  We are so fortunate to have some really creative guys.  The hubby of the host has made a wooden star in two different shade.  Each of the ladies will decorate these stars with whatever they wish but the theme is Memory Star.  If someone had collected some jewelry from their mother or sister, they can decorate the star with it.  Since I did not have anything that I have collected from the loved ones we lost, I am doing a Memory Star by placing their names on a shape and adding a key.  The key symbolizes the key that will open the new door to whatever place they have gone after their life on earth.  Check out how I gathered the items and how my star turned out.  The two ladies hosting this event are providing appetizers and everyone attending will BYOB and all their items to decorate their own star.  It's going to be a fun evening of stories, friendship and imaginations.

Wreaths Wednesday - And more

After a phone conversation with my girl friend from Ontario, I got a little excited because of the latest crafts that she just completed in time for the holidays.  Of course I asked her permission to share her creative works because they were amazing and inexpensive.  She has taken items that you can find in garage sales or thrift store or even in your garage or backyard.  Then her creative mind starts adding all the extras and there it is.  It is perfect for my blog today since Christmas is only 20 more sleeps.  For sure most of you have put up the tree and have decorated the rest of the house.  Some may still be contemplating whether to cut a real tree or just go to Canadian Tire and get one of those tree with lights on. However you decide to decorate your home I am sure it will be wonderful.  It's definitely beginning to look like Christmas.

She made this wreath using the grape vines from her father's garden.

As you can she, this piece won her 1st prize for the best arrangement.

I love this arrangement for your front door, it's very welcoming.

She made this candle using her favorite flowers.

Meticulous Monday - Sometimes you just have to be

Paying attention to details, very careful and precise, that's meticulous.  But does some have to be in their day to day life.  For those you are still working, this particular trait might be very important with their current job.  Now, when you are retired, I believe you still do some things meticulously if you have that type of trait.  Wait a minute, is it a trait or something that is learned through life.  However you got there, it is might be good to practice a little of it and apply to whatever it is your working. One occupation that comes to mind is a Car Detailing.  The word detail is already in their title so they must be really meticulous when it comes to that line of work.  An event planner is the second idea that popped into my head.  Can you imagine if that person was not meticulous? The event will be a disaster.  Here are some of the things I have learned through the years and some are probably already ingrained in your mind so maybe this could be just a reminder.  As we grow old, we know that certain things that are not used tend to be forgotten. Maybe every Monday will be our Meticulous or Memory Monday.  

• Plan your day
• Know where to find what you need when you need it
• Important versus Urgent
• Set routines that fits your lifestyle
• Make use of free time to be creative
• Focus on what matters
• Multi task intelligently
• Write everything down
• Manager energy and time
• My favorite - measure twice, cut once