Winter Crafting



You can tell a real artist by how well they do faces. LOL



Suzy Snowflake is a winter favorite around here.  Our little bird is crazy for the old standbys, including Hardrock, Coco and Joe. (If your from the Chicago area, these were a annual favorite of kids young and old.) While enjoying my craft room and all the tools...(she is handy with the paper trimmer and the hole punch!) she came across a small paper doll I cut from a manila folder.  I knew this doll had the potential to be Suzy Snowflake. Using all manner of snowflakes, glitter and glue, Voila! I think she will love her. I hung her on some clear thread and attached it to a dowel, so the little one can make Suzy dance just like the video. 

I am working on the first of my crafty projects for the grandbaby.  I love this pattern, that is actually for a washcloth.  I just increased it 4 times, and am using a yarn from the Hob Lob called I Love This Yarn!.  It had a very soft feel and is a pleasure to crochet.  It is white with the tiniest flecks of blue and rose.  I'm making it toddler sized, they grow so fast and it will be a few months until  baby needs a cozy blanket!

I'm including the pattern here, since I couldn't find the link from Lion Brand Yarn.  It's stitch is so simple but the results are lovely.  More crafts to come.  The Sun is shining, enjoy this beautiful day.

WASHCLOTH
Chain 33.
Row 1: Skip 2 chains (counts as single crochet), work 2 double crochet in next chain, *skip 2 chains, work (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next chain; repeat from * to last 3 chains, skip 2 chains, single crochet in last chain – 10 (single crochet, 2 double crochet) pattern repeats.

Row 2: Chain 1 (counts as single crochet), turn, 2 double crochet in first single crochet, *skip 2 double crochet, (single crochet, 2 double crochet) in next single crochet; repeat from * across, single crochet in turning chain.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 10½ in. [26.5 cm] from beginning. Fasten off.

California Dreaming

Sing along!  A wink to someone special,  who is spending some time on the coast!  Come back tomorrow, I'll have some craft projects, really! 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Have you noticed,
 the geese seem confused
by our change in the weather.

When it snows, ain't it thrillin,

though our nose gets a chillin,

to frolic and play the Eskimo way...

...Walking in a winter wonderland. 

Really enjoying the snow and cold temps. 

 Especially enjoying the warm arms of my dearest. 

 Enjoy this beautiful day.

Channeling Rosemary Clooney

Snow, it won't be long before we'll all be there with snow

Snow, I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

last night

Snow, I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow

Snow, oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing

All winter through

That's where I want to be

Snowball throwing

That's what I'll do

How I'm longing to ski

Through the

Snow, those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow

Snow, oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow

No white Christmas with no snow

Snow

I'll soon be there with snow

I'll wash my hair with snow

And with a spade of snow

I'll build a man that's made of snow

I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye

Go to sleep

And dream

Of snow, snow, snow, snow, snow

I hope you are enjoying the snow as much as I am. 

Living a Beautiful Life

That was the title of the first book I read by Alexandra Stoddard, Living a Beautiful Life.  I picked the book up before a vacation to Galena, Illinois. Galena is the first place I traveled with my young family. We stayed in a rented home which seemed very exotic to me. So beautifully decorated...it seemed like a dream house...one I never thought I'd attain. After reading Living a Beautiful Life, I knew what I wanted my home and the life of my family to be like. I was so influenced by the author and it made sense to me... How I felt about our home, would set the tone for it in the years to come. That started the evolution in my way of thinking and has brought me to the life I now have here at home. (By no means perfect, but perfect for us!) I found these books of Alexandra's at the Goodwill.  Feeling at Home and Creating a Beautiful Home.  Alexandra writes beautifully, she is very wise and insightful, and inspiring.

Alexandra says..."Creating a beautiful home is a attitude and a way to open up to all the possibilities available to us as we move through our lives. Our true home is inside each of us, and it is your love of life that transforms your house into a home. There are phases and stages in our personal growth and enlightment. This cannot be rushed or faked. There is never a point where we've arrived at our ideal.'

If you haven't read any of Alexandra's book's, or you are at a loss for what to do with your home, you will surely be inspired by her ideas and philosophy. Right now in January is a good time to read her books. Especially, if you're like me, and like the clean slate that taking down all the decorations gives you. Time to start the new year with new ideas, and in my case using what I already have in new and interesting ways.  You can visit Alexandra here.

It's just started to snow here in the Valley.  We're expecting up to 6 inches of snow today, our first real snowstorm of the winter.  A perfect time to snuggle in.  You can be sure I will bake something today, and cook something that needs a while on the stove.  This is the kind of day I wait for all year.

Dear friends, enjoy this beautiful SNOWY day!