Anniversary--Of Sorts

Today is an anniversary--it's a day we want to forget, but somehow, even after so many years, we still remember this date--December 16, 1976!  I know it's been 39 years--We Still Remember when this day rolls around.

It was a beautiful day--kids off to school on time; me planning a Christmas luncheon for my friends at our house.  It was going to be a festive beginning to our holiday season--table was set, decorations were in place--there was no tree, as we planned to leave soon to spend days with family in North Missouri.

And then, it happen--I heard a funny noise coming from the living room--put my head in to see what it was--NO way--flames were shooting up from the sofa onto the drapery into the ceiling!  How could this occur!  Run, to do not Walk to the door and yell to my neighbor to call fire department--we are a rural community, so it was volunteer--it seemed like it took hours for them to arrive; although, I know it wasn't that long!  Neighbors came, friends arrived, husband and his fellow workers arrived--nothing could be done--all was lost, even the car.  This was so sudden, there is not time to think--what to grab--just take yourself outside.

But, there is always good that comes from a disaster..........................................we had so many friends and strangers who came to our rescue.  People showed up with food, clothes, hugs and greetings to assist anyway they could.  There is a blessing sometimes that we are not aware of till many years down the road.  Yes, it is an anniversary, one that I always remember as the greatest gift of all--friends helping friends; strangers helping strangers--we may have lost all our personal possessions, we gained so much more in knowing there is a world of good!

Free Gift!

Did you ever want to make mittens like these?  Well, I have!  In fact, there is a free--yes

FREE pattern waiting just for you and me--here................

Makin' Mittens on Le Tissier's website.

Happy stitching!

S L O W S T I T C H I N G.....................................................

There is a Slow Stitching Movement going on!  And Of Course!  I'm

Slow to find it!

I am definitely a slow stitcher, whether it be knitting, quilting, weaving

or stitching--so I'm very much a candidate for this 

movement.

How will this movement help me?  I'm slowly going to find out....................

JOY!

It is said that a picture is worth a 1000 words!

I agree.............

These photos bring me 

Joy!

and a sense of the reason for the season!

Hurry, Hurry, Don't Delay

Yes, hurry and don't delay--downloading this lovely shawl pattern!  It's free, in Beta form, till December 16, 2015.  You can also sign up for another free shawl pattern.

This 'confetti' yarn adds a special touch to this shawl is hand dyed by

fiber artist Rhichard Devrieze

Aroha Knits --Nakahi Shawl is still in Beta testing so sign up

for their newsletter to see if there are any errors.

The paid pattern will be on Ravelry at a future date.

Fire! One of the Four Elements!

Fiddleknits is offering another one of the four elements shawl patterns.

I really do enjoy knitting her patterns.  We have already done Water, Air, Earth.

Fire will begin end of January, but right now you can grab Fire free of charge

through Ravelry.

It will most likely be a humdinger of a shawl!

Basket Balls With Mizuhiki

Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese paper cord that come in many colors and is often tied in elaborate knots as decoration for gifts, especially money wrappers. Cords come in many colors, in shiny mylar foil, wrapped in silk thread, or simply painted. It is said that Samurai used Mizuhiki to tie their topknots. The cords are 36” long and you can discover many ways to use them. Our favorite way to use Mizuhiki is to gather 3 or 5 cords to tie up gift packages. A simple square knot holds the cords in place, and you can even thread the ends back through the center knot to create simple and elegant designs.

Here are my Mizuhiki cords and what I have made with them.

Mizuhiki comes in many colors

Some sparkly

Here is the beginning of a 'basket ball'--I learned this technique

from the master basket maker of all time--sorry she doesn't have a 

website; but, if you are interested in these 'basket balls'

leave me a message and I'll get you to Lynn!

There are many design weavings you can do with these wonderful flexible cords!