Crocheted Scarf and Norwex

I finished the gray scarf.  I still haven't quite got the hang of the ends yet.  I ended up doing a chain stitch on either end to try to hide the crookedness.

 I like it and believe I'll wear it more than the pink one.  It is softer. I like the warm thick weave.  Just a simple single crochet.

I am really enjoying this Saturday. Plenty of leftovers from yesterday's Thanksgiving dinner with my kids.  Cleaning away with my Norwex cloths.  Let me put in a word for those amazing cleaning cloths.  No, I don't sell them but if I didn't already have a job, and more hobbies than I have time for, I would sell them. I like them that much.  I bought the body cloths and you can remove all traces of makeup, even mascara, with nothing but this cloth and water. It exfoliates your skin too.  I haven't used soap on my face in a week and it looks great (for a 56 year old fair skinned, too much sun, girl that is).  I even used it to exfoliate my feet in the shower.  I admit, not as good as a Ped-Egg but I did see a noticeable different in the rough skin around my heels.  With this same cloth I've cleaned my shower and tub, and they look just as good as a thorough cleaning with Dow bathroom cleaner and a good scrubbing.  Again, nothing but water.  I use the kitchen cloth for my stainless steel refrigerator. No cleaner, just water.  Used it on the granite counters, the wood cabinets, and the hard wood floor. Amazing, so easy. Nothing but water.

They are microfiber but better than any microfiber I've ever used.  They also have silver somehow in the fibers so after you clean with them, your rinse in hot water and let air dry. The silver kills any bacteria.  You can use them several times without laundering them.  Launder with good clothes, and no towels or anything that produces lint.  No fabric softener or dryer sheets for these babies.

I've already placed another order for the window cloth and the car mitt.  Can't wait to see how well it does windows with nothing but water.  Oh yeah, they also come with a two year guarantee. I sure sound like a salesman, don't I?

Happy Thanksgiving

Since I wasn't cooking for anyone today, the hubby and I rode over to the Homestead Restaurant at Cumberland Mountain State Park for our Thanksgiving dinner.  The food was so yummy.  I made good use of the time in the truck too.....

Made some progress on my next scarf.  When we got home I went to work doing the quilting on my pillow shams.  Got them finished and on the bed.  I am really happy with how they turned out.

I hope all of you counted your blessings today.  We have beds to sleep in, a roof over our heads, and more food that we could possible eat -- way more than most of the folks in the world.  Focus on that rather than what you don't have.

Pillow Shams

My Edinburgh Square quilt arrived back home today. The McCall's Quick Quilts issue with my quilt in it goes on sale December 29th!  I will be guest blogging on McCall's blog early in January and will run a contest on this blog for a free issue of the magazine.

My son and his family arrived in town today and I got to visit with them a bit before they headed off to the other grandparents house.  I decided to put the quilt on "their" bed since it was named about them and their current home.  So, before they spend a few nights here, I need to finish the matching pillow shams.

This is the fourth set of these I've made to match quilts. I mostly do it on the fly, no pattern.  I did some straight line quilting on my tabletop machine, and will do some free motion quilting to try to mimic what the quilt has.

I am so thankful tonight, especially for technology.  Because of FaceTime and iPhone videos my granddaughter knew me, reached for me, and said, "Mamaw!" I have to share her for the next two weeks but that is ok, we all love her and want to see her and her momma and daddy. Just so thankful they were able to come home for a visit.

Ready for the visit!

The house is clean....

the cabinets and refrigerator are full of groceries.......the tent is up.....

ha ha, yep, a tent.  I think Emma will love it....and the grocery cart....and all the other toys I've borrowed for her for the next couple of weeks (they can't take much back with them for Scotland)

To say I am excited about my granddaughter's visit is an understatement!!!

Emma Grace, Mamaw loves you to the moon!

Busy Saturday

The day started off pretty early at 5:30 am.  I had my last half marathon for the season today.

I finished with no major injuries, which is always good.  Today's race was my fastest yet for a half.  I beat my best time by 3 minutes, so I was very happy about that.  Once I got home, iced the knee, showered and applied Biofreeze, took ibuprofen, I was better.  Tried to nap but the calves wouldn't have it.

I watched a video on crochet slippers about 12 times but still just couldn't get it.  Thought maybe I needed a little more practice first, so I started another scarf.  I found the softest yarn.  It is called Love by Red Heart.  Much softer than the Super Saver kind.

Going to hit the sack early tonight......my legs are telling me to.

First Crocheted Scarf

I say first, because I enjoyed this project so much I know I'll make more.  The ends are very crooked so I'll have to tuck them in like the picture when I wear it.

I think I figured out what I did on the ends that messed them up.    I didn't skip a "hole" when I turned it around to start another row.  Learn from mistakes!  I think I'll wear it to church this morning. It is cold enough.

Tools for quilters

I read somewhere that office tools can be used to help organize quilting tools.  I made a trip to Staples the other day and picked up some things.

The file dividers are great for your rulers.  The pencil holder works to hold scissors and I liked the little notepad/cell phone rest and pencil holder.

I have a question and I'd love to have your input.

Our quilting group at church made this from church members ties and once it is quilted, the plan is to hang it in our new addition.  It will measure about 80" x 80".  One option suggested is to frame it under glass, after it is quilted.  Although expensive, the money is available to do that.  I realize framing it will probably preserve it longer than hanging.  What is your opinion? I have an opinion, but wanted to solicit others.

Crochet!

I've learned to crochet!

For years I've wanted to learn to knit.  Our quilting class at church is in between projects and we decided to take a couple of weeks to learn to crochet.  It is a simple scarf pattern.  It isn't as hard as it looks.  I know I messed up a lot in the first couple of rows but I just kept going and now I think I've got the hang of it. Crochet is like a preliminary skill to knitting, right?

I know, I don't need another hobby.  I think this will be good just in case I want to do a project here and there, or to keep something going for car rides/airplanes/sitting in the living room with my hubby while he watches TV.

Quilting Update:  I haven't done much quilting lately.  Actually I am waiting on a response from Fons and Porter.  I submitted my Checkered Past quilt (no, you readers haven't seen the full thing), and they suggested a change.  They said to redesign it and submit again with fabric suggestions and they would send me the fabric to make it. I'm assuming IF they like the re-design, and IF they want it for a magazine. They are usually so prompt with emails. So, I'm a bit surprised I didn't get an acknowledgment that they received the new design, nor any correspondence, especially since they requested it for a review meeting that was occurring the last week in October. So.....here I wait.  Maybe I'll send another email later this week......

Baby Quilt

I quilted this one for a friend. This friend has been battling cancer for about 19 years. She is what you'd call a lifer. She is such an inspiration. She made this one for her future grandson. She made one in our quilting class at church a couple of years ago for her future granddaughter. As of now only one of her three children is married and no grand babies are on the way.

Now she has something special made for her first grandson and first granddaughter. They will have it whether she gets to meet them this side of heaven or not.

 

Foothills Half Marathon

Just a quick post about my other hobby, running.

I did the Foothills Half Marathon today. It was tough, but mostly because I didn't prepare enough. However, I finished with no major injuries. I'm pretty slow but I try to remember, that I am out there, and be thankful I can do it.  I set a new personal record in this third half. Barely, but I think a couple of minutes.