Bring in the Clowns

2013 will be the year of the Baby for this family.  Husband's eldest grand-daughter and husband are expecting #3.  Next grand-daughter and husband expecting #1.  By late summer, we will count 4 Greats in the extended fambly.

When Great #1 arrived I decided a cross stitch crib blanket would be the perfect gift.  I tend not to knit little wearables for little ones -- outgrow before they are even enjoyed.  So I do blankets -- knitted, crocheted, flannel with crochet edgings, and cross stitch blankets quilted after the stitching is completed.

Working on this one for #3 --

He's about 24" tall and wonderfully cute, with
patches on his suit and big floppy shoes.

All clowns have balloons, don't they?  The jolly
guy in the pic above has three of them - a 1 and a 2 and a 3, with
tails and ribbons

And blocks, of course.

And a nap-time wish across the top and the bottom -- Sweet Dreams

The D R E of Dreams -- very colorful

The stamped top and floss (DMC) are from Jack Dempsey Needlearts, a US company.  I like their designs and the quality of the fabric is very nice.  I find I'm preferring this one -- a stamped top only -- to the kits that have pre-quilted stamped quilts.  I will be able to finish this one as I choose, plus it's bigger.

You can see the JDNA pillow slips here.  No pictures of earlier cross stitch quilts.  

Enjoying this project immensely.  The colors are bright and cheerful.  The design is fun.  Best of all, I can think about the baby while I'm working.

Bye for now.

Fiona Shrek (is that her last name?)

One of my favorite characters is Fiona in the Shrek movies.  She's so strong and independent and knows herself and her own mind. And no matter the day or night Fiona is beautiful -- Shrek knows that and so do we.  Women of all ages should look to Fiona as a role model.

I finished some things to mail to the East Coast for the two beautiful GiGi's (greats) there, one of whom has hair even redder than Fiona's.


A fleece blanket, two-sided, with knotted fringe on all four sides.

Both girls are princesses and beautiful.  Don't you agree that the Fiona Shrek ears are an excellent highlight indicating loveliness?








Pillowcases -- complete with lace, matching lace.

And strawberry sox -- an essential accessory in every girl's wardrobe, no matter the age.













I often think that the only thing I tell you about is the latest 14 patterns I've decided to try with the 23 yarns I found in my stash -- or worse, ran out to buy!  Really glad to be able to report some items are complete, though they aren't in the knitting category.

I've had fun with each of these, watching them unfold and become real.  And it was a good break from knitting.

PS Two blankets are also in progress -- one is crocheted and one is knitted.  See I had to be honest about my compulsion to begin new projects.

PSS A closeup of Fiona's castle.

Giving away the Treasures

If you are willing to give it away, you must also be willing to let go.
Like beauty, treasures are often in the eye of the beholder.  In the case of crafty types, we can sometimes assign the word "treasure" to an item (or two) as a self-proclaimed identifier.  In truth -- and as a reminder to each of us who gift our work -- the "treasure" appellation is not ours to ascribe; that privilege belongs to the recipient.


Two GREAT granddaughters celebrate 2 and 1 yr in August and September so I am busy making a birthday package for them.  Keep in mind I'm doing stuff that I hope will be treasures for now and later.   And when I wrap the collection in a box and affix a UPS or FEDEX label, I will remind myself that the "treasure-ness" was in the gifting of my heart to theirs.  It's not about the actual item -- these things will be theirs to use as they please.

Pillowcases -- don't grammas often embroider pillowslips for grandchildren?  I feel like I've become my mother (don't all aging women feel this at one time or another?)  I remember watching Mom embroider stuff -- pillow slips, quilts, towels, etc. -- and then give them as gifts.  I don't remember any of the recipients, only the items and the bits of thread that collected on the arm of her chair.

Tho the edge is nicely finished I will add some frilly lace.
Princesses need lace, I think.

Not quite finished.  "Little Girls"  will be added to
"Thank Heaven For" plus another purple and yellow
butterfly.  Lace, too.

Pillow slip Doll -- actually it's all the pieces, though I found instructions for making the same doll from an actual pillow slip.  In this case, the fabric is printed with pieces to assemble -- arms, head, body, etc.  More lace, of course.

All of the printed embroidery items are from Jack Dempsey Needle Arts and all are made in the USA.  They also sell floss (DMC) and sometimes the kits come complete with floss, sometimes not.

Blanket for fall -- it's hot where these babies live so I expect this one will be put on the shelf till cooler temps arrive.  Pattern is from a book their grandmother sent me -- 50 cents for a Coats and Clark baby crochet book.  Yarn is from my stash.  Patons Astra.  Hook is size G.

Now that you're completely confused about family tree, here's the details. 

• Babies -- 2 girls
• Their mother is my husband's first granddaughter, making the babies his GREAT granddaughters.
• The mother of the mother, the grandmother, is my husband's youngest child.
• Me?  I married into all of this almost 32 years ago, before the mother of the babies was born.
• Hope that helps.

I've got a couple of other things to add to the package and will share pix later this week.  Goal right now is to get everything except the quilt from last week's post "Free to Quilt" in the mail by Friday, 7/20.

Tempus fugits.  Back to the Treasures, none of which can be considered finished -- yet.