Gems in a Plastic Jar

Earlier, I wrote about common placed things.  There is that plastic mixed nuts jar that is filled with 'gems'!

These "gems' filled that jar!  These are spun silk singles--although, there are a few that have been plied.  These yarns have been common place for several years--I stored these tiny balls in one place--last week, when I decided to look in the jar, I was flooded with memories from friends past.

I spun these on my spindles--some I wound off onto cardboard but others were wound into balls- easier to take off the spindle when full.

This is one of my favorite spindles--it's not the only favorite--I have many, many spindles that I've left to become common placed--they sit prettily in a glass jar on a studio shelf.  Oh, how I've missed them!

THis is the top of the spindle--when the gal went out of business, we decided to make our own--not so pretty but useful anyway.  One day down the road, I'll give you directions to create these lovely little lollipop spindles!  For now, I just want to cherish the little perious balls of silk!

Mostly, I like to spindle spin silk roving (I prefer Bombyx silk), but these have been spun on the wheel  I like to use these fibers for embroidery-- Sure, the wheel does spin

faster, but I like to drop that spindle with the silk thread dangling from the spindle!  Such joy!  Look at this lucious fiber!  I'm afraid it has become common place in my fiber closet--so glad I noticed it again!!

The lighter silk balls were dyed with Easter egg dyes.  I buy the dyekits after Easter when they go on sale.  Easy to dye with--I use silk roving/sliver, wetted good, soaked in vinegar; dissolve the dye tables in vinegar and pour over the silk--you can also use cake dyes or food coloring dyes--just rinse well.  Most often, the fiber soaks up the dye and the water runs clear.  Set the dye in the dyepot for 30-45 minutes on low heat

One spinning instructor said single thin silks can be plied 3 or 4 to make a larger yarn.  That is what I did with these--no rhyme or reason to colors--it somehow comes out just fine.

You can see how the yarns will knit or weave faster when plied with three or more singles,

NOw, I'm on a journey to study how to use these little gems.  I could use them on the loom--too tedious!  I do use some for embroidery; can't knit into hats or gloves--not giving enough.  I've done several scarves so that could be one outlet to show off these silks.

Research here I come!

 

BABY STUFF!

 Oh WOW!  Sunday was definitely a day for Baby stuff!  Our granddaughter was honored by her friends with a beautiful baby shower!  A little aside here:  our friend, Mike, who is oldest of nine!  asked his mom if she had a baby shower--her reply, " I was always pregnant and had no need for a shower--just passed along the clothes to the next baby"!  I though so true in those times--now, we have these elaborate parties--which is great for first time Mother's.  I understand for the second baby it's a 'sprinkle!  wonder what it's called for a third or fourth?  Probably--Ignored!

We had a lovely day--good weather and lots of friends and delicious food to boot.  Baby's due date as been set as February 20.

My gifts always include these receiver blankets.  Mom said baby's room would be decorated with dinosaurs -I made one for dad's favorite hobby--cars! I did make one with 🦕 

At least, these are looking friendly and loveable.

Mom's favorite is giraffes 🦒 --and by chance, baby JD will be rooming in the giraffe NICU nursery!  Oh how cool is that.

I ordered a package of onesies and my friends volunteered to tie dye them as they were doing some dinner napkins

I think they turned out terrific!  We also gave baby a "Go With Me" seat.  It is one we gave first great grand baby and he loves it so do the parents--goes everywhere with them.

Go With Me

And instead of greeting cards, a book was requested from each gift giver--and as always, I give this book to mothers of boys--it is so appropriate!  "Love you Forever!"  Definitely!

Two of my other favorites are 

All the books in this series are super reading books!

and this one is a hoot!

I Heart You!

 February is Heart Month! in more ways than one!  Valentine's Day is special appreciation day for those we love or HEART!  So, in order to honor those we love, let's make it special every day!

Moda Fabrics is offering a special designer series throughout the month of February--Handmade Heart A Day!  How great is that?!  Even if you don't keep up with each day's offering--maybe, save those instructions for next year or another special occassion. 

I Heart You!  I need a home!   This project is awesome!  I finally made some Hearts to be place radomly around my traveling area.  When I see a note on FB about someone finding a Heart--it is always someone who was in need of finding that heart at that moment!  What better way to use my talents to make someone feel better?!

I made mine from hand-dyed, hand printed fabric that I've collected for years.  Instead of leaving to 'age' for another 10 years, I cut that fabric into heart shapes!  It was the most gratifing experience!  It only took a few minutes to complete a heart--added some trinkets that I have in my stash.

Now, to find the perfect spot to place them.

Do you need a home for your heart?  Then this is the location for you.  It was uplifting to make just these few hearts and now the fun begins to place the hearts in public view.

Three D's!

It was one of those January days--I'm bored!  I'm tired of sewing!  I'm bored with housework (of course!), I'm down right bored!  Got to perk up!  

It's a dark, dreary day!

There sat that spun ball of single brown cotton--it's been there how many days?  Just waiting for me to pay attention to it!  But, since it sat so long in one place, it became common place and ignored!

Wake up boredom!  Here is a chance to get your wheel out and ply those singles so you can use it down the line.

So Ply away I did--got out the wheel, put on a good movie and got my feet to treadling -- but now, it sat on the bobbin for several days--where is my gumption to completely finish with this yarn.  Finally!! I wound the bobbin off and now I just stare at it--maybe, this will be used to weave those handtowels that are on the loom. 

When I walked into the "junk" closet to place this brown cotton, I spied another 'common place' item--it was a plastic jar (leftover from mixed nuts).  How long has that jar been there?  weeks, months, years?  

Funny how some things can be so common place, right in our sight all the time, but ignored.  How many times have I walked into that closet and overlooked that jar?  How many times did I walk by that ball of brown cotton and just ignore it?  too many times to count for sure.

That empty mixed nuts jar is filled with such goodies; although, not eatable but gems in their own right.  This stopped me in my tracks--how many times have I passed by someone who is so common Place but ignored?  My life would be richer if I acknowledged that common place person and I think their life would be happier too.  

Kindness is so easy to give--doesn't cost money--it's easy to say hello to a neighbor, wave to a stranger, hug a friend even when they aren't having a bad day;  

The other day we went to an estate sale--the couple was downsizing their house to live and travel in a RV--everyone walking through the house, studying their 'treasures', were quiet and walking their own path through the rooms.  THEN, I smiled at one lady who was in the same room--guess what?? She smiled back and we had a nice conversation!  That one smile led to more conversations--outside the back door, more smiles and more happy faces-  I nodded to the gentleman waiting outside for his wife; he nodded back, then I smiled!  Conversation began and another person joined in.  

-Just a smile or a nod--this is truly needed during these dark, dreary January days!  Actually, a smile is good anytime!!

Just one smile---.  I was filled with uplifted spirit--just from the start of a smile.  That smile perked me up--I'm not bored anymore!  It jerked me out of the dark dreary day feelings!  I'm off to look in my junk closet to see what else  has become common placed! 

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” - William Arthur Ward 😁

 

Updates!

Something about that feeling when you complete a item on your list!  Checking off those list items is a great feeling!  Always, that list is MY list!  Those things that I want to do--not always important in someone's else life or on their list--just my personal accomplishment!

New Year, January brings many chances to begin another project, hoping it won't become UFO--but, remember I'm in Control of my List!

I found this sew along one day and thought, I'd love a red and white quilt--2023 Sew With Me

This will be easy to keep up with--sure! It's just once a month.

Block for Pat Sloan's Sweet Childhood memories  These blocks are posted every Wednesday

The first block from Sweet Childhood Memories==I'm thinking this will be the center block

Sewcialites2 will host red, white and blue fabrics to create patriotic top

A Quilting Life presents 2023 quilt along.  I'm trying to use colors I normally wouldn't try--there might be some purples in this batch for the year!

Another patriotism block for Quilts of Valor top--love making these blocks!

My friend and I finally got to the long arm this month.  She had finished this quilt top; of course, I have about 10 tops that need that finishing touch!  

She quilted with yellow thread which really makes the top pop!  it's not easy to see her flower motif in her design but she has good rhythm with her quilting.

I chose to do this log cabin top--it's from strips that I've saved--just sewed strips together in log cabin fashion--didn't care if the strip was thin or wide;  Once I thought there was enough for 12" block, stopped adding strips and trimmed it.

I didn't have a backing so dyed in light blue Rit dye.  Quilting I use is circles, some swirls and hearts.

Was a fun day!  But, let me tell you--we hadn't been at the long arm since October, I was really muscle sore the next day! 

 

Just For Baby JD

The day has been set for the baby shower—February 5, birth of baby JD is undetermined yet.  There will be a time set soon for granddaughter’s time to deliver. It is best JD stays in his home for now and as long as he can.

 Little JD has a defect: but, it’s so marvelous that doctors already know what that defect is and how they will proceed after his birth.  JD has CDH Disease. We had never heard of this disease; according to our study of CDH, we found that 1 out of 2500 babies are born with this.  

This baby has so many prayer warriors praying for him—his little life has already touched many.  Each doctor visit shows improvement even before he has his first breathe outside the womb! Prayers do work!!

JD’s photos show a cute little face!  

Always excited to see each development of his growth! You may ask—-“what does JD stand for”? The parents haven’t decided the name yet, just that they want to call him JD!!  We have given them many suggestions, of course. In the meantime,  as the parents zero in on a name, We are happy to call this sweet baby JD! 

Now, to my quest—since JD will be in NICU for some time, mom is asking for things he can use while there—blankets, socks, hats, mittens—I’m ready with my yarn and needles!!  Research here I come!  I’ve never knit for NICU babies.  I was excited to think I could use some of my handspun!  NOT!  Babies need acrylic!! Drats! I hate working with that yarn—but, I WILL—just for JD and his fellow NICU friends!  

I found some soft baby yarn, acrylic, of course! 

A green and blue—thinking hats, maybe, socks—I can knit so many for him.  I have found several patterns—this knitting will be quick—so tiny in my hands.

Then—I found Knots for Love—there is a list of approved yarns and a notice—Don’t send hats!!

 It seems hospital NICU units receive plenty of hats.  Makes sense to me—easy to knit and quick to finish!

Ok—regroup! What is suggested--make blankets—more research to find the perfect pattern. 

Why blankets?

Parents sleep with the blankets before placing them on these precious new lives so their scent is on the blanket when it is then provided and lovingly placed onto the baby in the NICU incubator by a Nurse -- and the baby can receive both warm from the blanket and the parents even though they cannot yet be with her or him.

 Ensure the blanket is no smaller than 30” x 24”.

✅ Use yarns on our Required Yarn List to knit or crochet a blanket made from any soft, cozy, lightweight yarn.  

✅ Remember, these tiny preemie babies that sometimes weigh only 1lb will be wrapped in your blankets.

✅ Do not choose a lacy pattern because little fingers, toes, and tubes can get caught in blankets with holes.

So, My fingers are busy with yarn to produce this love blanket for little JD!  And as I knit, I say prayers for his well-being and great healing.

Determination!!

 Gathered around me are all my knitting bags—all seven of them .  I bought the bags when the granddaughter was selling 31 products.  Never can have too many bags—these bags are perfect size to hold yarn, needles, pattern, etc.  one small problem—three of the bags now hold an UFO knitting project! I hate that there are all these unfinished items—for some reason, I began with happy fingers and determination to knit a shawl, a hat, or a scarf; somewhere along the way, I lost interest and the project went to the wayside. 

Now! I have real Determination! To finish these projects! I’ve decided to take one of those bags, open it, pull out the instructions and begin—again! To complete this UFO!

First up—Elizabeth Ravenwood’s 2021 year of International Lace Scarf

Here is one page of pattern.  Most often  I use post a notes to mark the knitting row; but, I really like this one!  Unfortunately, I don’t have many of these sticky long ones.

Spacer between patterns

I love orange! Love knitting this pattern too! Don’t know why I put it aside back in 2021.  

Handspun yarn half knitted with Japanese pattern

More handspun wool/silk blend—this is lace pattern, stopped with September!  Gee whiz—just four months short of finishing!

More handspun (wool/tencel blend). At least, this one does not have a pattern with it! 

I don’t want my determination to complete these UFOs to be derailed—but, sometimes determination goes away and boredom sets in and you look away at the “squirrel” moment!  

I just keep reminding myself—I’m the master of my life!  

I choose what to do when to do it!