I'm back--Blogging without Obligation

Go to this site. I am going to try to blog again, without obligation. This site helped me understand why I blog--and it's given me the confidence to stick to blogging without sticking to it, in a way.

Blog Discovery
I've found a new favorite blog, Resurrection Fern. This talented lady is a doctor and an artist. She crochets lace covers for rocks (among other things) and her blog is a delightful commentary on crafts, nature, and this-and-that. Please visit her! Her art is beautiful.

New Book
Look what I got! It arrived in today's mail from Amazon.com. It's Ana's new amigurumi book. Her designs are delightful and easy to make. I'm also glad to call Ana my friend.


Latest Projects
Here are some projects I've recently completed. First, an amigurumi dog for my friend Vicki. He's named Scooter and you can find directions for him in Amy Gaines' delightful book.


I'm also doing some stitchery. Here's a pillow I made for my aunt from a PatternBee pattern. And one of two Mexican motif towels for my dad.



I've spent a lot of time reading lately. Some of my favorite reads have been "The Making of a Marchioness" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle, and "Postcards from Across the Pond" by Michael Harling. "Postcards" has kept me laughing to tears; I heartily recommend it if you are an Anglophile.

The End

Sometimes we have to admit that we can't do everything.

I realize I haven't posted to this blog in months, and I haven't been up to much worth reporting, either. I am not doing much crafting, simply dabbling. I have health problems that sap my energy, which I have to save for work and home. I have my hands in too many pots, and have to choose only one or two things to focus on outside of work and family.

So, much like Bilbo, I wish to make an announcement. I regret to announce that this is The End. I am going. I am leaving now. Good-bye!

A cozy spot

Here is my new cozy spot. Since I developed sciatica, my hubbly and I had to shop for a firmer (but cozy) chair for me to sit in while I read, knit and embroider. I became inspired and added a new Charleston Ott Light (my eyes really needed this improvement) and a sweet blue table from LLBean.

No chair is complete without a hand-knitted pillow and a blankie (this one was my very own crib blanket from long ago--it is 100% Scotland wool and is lap-blanket size--after 50 years it is still in wonderful, usable condition). You can also see my knitting basket on the floor in in front of the blue table. Behind the chair you can see my red ladder shelf with my collection of Tom Clark alphabet gnomes and some Shelia houses on the top shelf.

Here is a close-up of the LLBean table. This is a great little piece, about 24 inches tall in "porch blue." Wonderful for my newly blue-painted blue living room. Current goodies stashed on the table's shelves include: needlework frame with "work in progress," basket holding embroidery gear, my Bible, my latest Persphone book, my book annotation gear (pouch on 1st shelf), some more books (Writing stories for children, The art of domesticity, Cherry cake and ginger beer), and on the bottom shelf, a pink-lined basket full of knitting, sewing and crochet tools and bits. I can sit in my chair and have everything at hand!

Finally, here is a papercutting I made many years ago. It's a Quaker saying and I take it to heart. I framed this in an inexpensive 8 by 10 inch frame from Walmart. I've hung it in my kitchen where I can see it every day. The cutting is from a kit by Papercuttings by Allison. She's is an amazing paper artist and with her kits and expertise, you can easily learn papercutting, too. It's a lovely vintage art and very inexpensive.

I hope you have a blessed week! More art soon!