Tuesday's Temptation!

I love all the accoutrements that go along with my chosen crafts.  The multitude of bejeweled or comical stitchmarkers, and the other inventive implements that can assist in the creative process are frequent purchases of mine for my own pleasure and for gifts.

If you too like to collect these little pleasures in your totes, please proceed immediately to the Wine Makers Sister.   There you will find fabulous stitch markers, hand carved stamps for knitters, plus knitting themed mugs and note cards. There are even things that have nothing to do with knitting.  Imagine that! (I ♥ the mitten stamp.)

Super Quick Project

This Bobble Necklace pattern is free from Lion Brand.  It is a very quick crochet project.  I sewed on glass beads as an after thought and I think that if I make it again, I will add them as I work.  I think that the necklace needs a little weight at the bottom.

This is a great beginner project and wonderful for kids.  It doesn't take much yarn so it is a wonderful way to use up those leftovers in your stash.  Make them in several colors!  Have them on hand for the little ones "dress-up"

Rehab Socks

While I was incarcerated in the nursing home for rehab from my hip replacement, knitting occurred.  It was not easy at first because I was heavily medicated, so there was a lot of frogging too.

I love wearing these socks.   Coquette by Melissa Morgan-Oakes was a very easy toe up sock, with a repeat that was easy to remember, even in a Vicodin haze. 

The pattern can be found in her book "2-at-a-Time Socks " which has become one of my go to books for socks.  I highly recommend that you get copy if you don't have one already.  Knitting both socks at the same time was a revelation to me.  No more 2nd sock syndrome!  The binding is spiral, which is THE ONLY BINDING that any craft book should have.  How are we supposed to hold a book open while our hands are busy crafting?  Plus, once you are hooked knitting 2-at-a-time, you can get her sequel to do them toe up.  I did!

Tuesday's Temptation!

Yes, the weekly installment of Tuesday's Temptation is back.  Today I would like to direct your attention to Plover Designs. 

I am enamored with the unique shawl pins that are offered there.  I love to adorn my shawls, scarves and sweaters with bejeweled loveliness and if it is so unique that is starts a conversation, all the better!  Please take a few minutes to click on over to the Etsy shop and check out all their designs.

Julie's Tat Covers

 Recently, I had to spend some time in a nursing home rehabbing from hip replacement surgery. I can't say enough about the amazing, caring staff who got me through my recovery. I was there for 3 weeks after the first surgery and 4 weeks after the 2nd surgery and I was just a bit cranky towards the end.

One of the staff members, has a gorgeous butterfly tattoo on her forearm and the facility policy is that she has to cover it at all times. This just seemed so wrong to me, so I decided to make her some pretty covers for her tattoo.

1. The upper left corner picture is Pine Forest Wrist Warmers by Maria Thorgren-Hansson.   
2. The upper right corner picture is  Sparkle Flower Wristlets by Carrie
3. The lower left corner picture is  Spokes Cuff Bracelet by Mercedes
4. The lower right 2 pictures are Julie Cuff by Robyn Chachula

Spiral Bead Crochet

I recently received a wonderful new book in the mail, Tapestry Bead Crochet by Ann Benson.  It is full of incredibly lovely projects and I chose what I perceived to be the most simple to do, spiral bead crochet.

If you look closely at the full picture of the bracelet you can see the difficulty that I had in the beginning, but once I established a rhythm, the project was easy and very fulfilling when completed.  I have also made a necklace to match but I need to get a clasp for it. 

I look forward to wearing this set on many occasions.  I can see how this will not only make beautiful jewelry, but I will be using this technique in the future to make purse handles.  

I'm Back!

Hello...hello...hello!  Is there anyone still out there?

In my distant last post, I briefly explained that I was ill so I couldn't post that week.  What I neglected to mention was that I was trying to get well in time to have hip replacement surgery.  The surgery on my left hip was done on March 1st and after 4 days in the hospital I went to a nursing home to rehab.  3 months after the left hip, I had the right hip done and spent another month in a nursing home.  I have just completed all of my out patient physical therapy and it is time to get myself back to what is important.  YARN!  Yes, projects were completed in the interim, but I miss sharing my yarny experiences with all of you.  (you are there aren't you?)

Now, I would like some feedback on a subject, please.  I am considering starting a WordPress blog.  I would appreciate any advice from other bloggers.  Is this advisable?  Should I try to move the content of this blog there or leave it here and just link to it?  Should I just leave this as it is and forget about WordPress?  Is there anything else that I really need to know that I don't know enough to know that I don't know?  Any thing you can constructively or amusingly share with my will be greatly appreciated!