My August Reading List...........

It's time to give you my August reading list--little late

Reading takes me places I'll never travel too;

it also gives me time to reflect on those places I've visited before

I've decided to read an oldie but goodie author--Robert B. Parker

I've read "Resolution"--western theme by Robert also--fast paced

and entertaining so I picked up two of his first Spenser books--

"Godwulf Manuscript" and "God Save The Child"--we'll see

how Spenser solves his cases--of course, I'm quite familiar with the

televised mysteries with Jesse Stone.

"The Shepherd's Life" by James Rebanks, a memoir, as well as family

portrait of his family and their lives as shepherds--interesting read

about Lake District of England--one place we loved to visit.

I've finished reading Alexander McCall Smith--"My Italian Bulldozer"

"The Department of Sensitive Crimes"--both delightful reads

Another visit to Big Bend, Texas through third book in series by Elizabeth

A Garcia's "Darker Than Black"--love, love this read!  

Two new books that were recommended:  "The Escape Room" by

Megan Goldin and "Girls Like Us" by Cristina Alger--both

are reported as page turners--can't wait to indulge it that fancy!

Tartans

I've been pursuing my book stash--do I keep or give away? There are many quilt books; knitting books; dyeing books; some sewing books; many weaving books and stitching books. I love my books!

 Sorting through them, I might place one on the give away pile and 15 minutes later,
 I'll put it back on the shelf.  The books I treasure the most are my tartan books--

These are books I researched when I was working on the family tartan--

I poured over every one I could get my hands on--

How does a tartan look?  What is the right tartan for the clan name?

How to weave a tartan?

I loved loved this book!  So warm and interesting to read!

I was weaving our family tartan for gifts--after some research,

I decided on Gunn Clan to weave--after all our name doesn't have

a specific tartan for their name--

that was--20 years ago--

this is now--just plug in Tartan authority for Handweavers and you get

all the information you want at your fingertips--you can even get

a full copy of Mary Black's tartan book online---too bad I'm not

weaving tartans anymore!

But, such a joy to look at the books and all the history available

now.  I could write a 'book' about my tartan adventures!

Enjoy a brief look at tartans!

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Crochet A Rinske Square.........................

Felted Button is offering this free crochet pattern for

Rinske Square-- Susan Carlson is outstanding colorist when it

comes to crocheting--just take a look at this

This is pattern you can purchase on her Etsy site.

Each week, Julie Yeager offers a different pattern from

unique designers--with instructions to complete a crochet

square--what a great learning experience.

Pool Noodle Sandwich

Pool Noodle Sandwiches--sounds interesting, doesn't it? No, I'm not eating those pool noodles but using them to sandwich my quilt tops with the backing and batting-- Never would have thought of this on my own--thank goodness, for youtube!! You can find everything on youtube--next, I'm looking up how to machine quilt my tops--not just stitch in the ditch either!!

There are several other videos that offer the same technique--each one is little different in how they use the noodles--one uses spray adhesive while the above one uses pins--straight and curved safety pins--give this a try and see how you like it!

Linen

As I am now on holiday, visiting the brown headed daughter in Colorado--it's her birthday week,  I won't be able to post while I'm traveling, I'm leaving you with some interesting information I found on Youtube--

This one is on linen. My chosen fabric to wear--whenever I shop I'm looking for linen garments--I know it wrinkles and needs to be ironed after washing and drying--but, it wears comfortably and will last for many seasons--always fashionable. Hope you will enjoy this video on how linen is processed. 

:Port Pillow

I've never thought about the use of a port pillow before--hopefully, I'll never need one--but so many people go through chemo or other infusion processes where a port is inserted to make it easier to administer meds.

Recently, we shopped for items that were needed at a local residents home for those who were going through treatment at the cancer hospital.  They live in these residences as long as they need--the community supplies food and other sundry items.

My hubby and I took our purchases over one morning and were greeted by one of the residents--she held the door for us as we brought in the supplies--she said she couldn't get over how generous the community was--I placed the items on the floor and turned around to see her in tears--she was so thankfully for our touch of assistance--with one big hug, we were one in her journey.

Our small show of help was a happiness to her. 

Just think, we take it for granted when we buckle up our seat belt--

no problem!  But, for those we have ports, that crossed belt can cause 

discomfort.

Here is a couple recipes that you can use to make a few pillows--I've even

thought it would be good for my comfort too, even though I don't have a port.

It takes just a few scraps of fabric, some stuffing, velcro, a stitch here and

there--

If you would like to knit or crochet one--here is another pattern.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss--but sometimes, it will open your eyes!

Calling All Crocheters!

It's Granny Square Day 2019!!  Break out those hooks

and yarns to participate in Granny Square Day!

Granny Square Day begin in 2014 by Susan Regalia, who uses Instagram's

iconic grid format to replicate patchwork arrangement of classic granny square

blanket online.  Others followed and granny square day was born!

This brought worldwide crochet community together in

celebration of design and color!

Here's how to be involved:  On or before August 15, take a photo of your

granny square and crop the photo into square shape--so it fills the entire

space.  On the day, upload onto your instagram account and

be sure to hash tag it #grannysquareday2019--

your square will be added to the virtual blanket!

To see the blanket, search #grannysquareday2019 and you

will be viewing in Instagrams' standard three wide format

to get the full effect.

Not a Crocheter--check out the finished blanket at the same

hashtag and pick your favorite granny square.