A great idea for those of us who make things.....

This evening as the TV is being used by Mr. Pear for NFL playoff games, I am browsing your blogs!

At Colette's[A Bird in the Hand], I came across this charming badge (above) and link to Rebecca who has been helping sell handmade items from Haiti. With the current chaos Haitian artisans cannot produce many items for sale. The idea is that we can "take up the slack", so to speak and donate handmade things to raise money for this cottage industry.

I will be sending some of my ETSY listings to Rebecca and hope this will inspire others to donate to or purchase from the "Haiti by Hand", Etsy shop.

Please stop by and visit Rebecca and perhaps purchase one of the delightful creations donated to help her with the Haitian craft development program!

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Wednesday update: I have been seeing Dr. Allen Roberds, chiropractor. I am amazed at how much better I am feeling, and without the aid of drugs!!!!

I am doing a small bit of knitting and sewing. Also reading. [Dr. Roberds even detected that I was a little bit dyslexic and has helped with that! ---I thought it was just ADD...going to a chiropractic doctor is an interesting journey!]

I've been back at work for short periods and today will be a full day. Our area is bracing for a winter storm, due tomorrow evening. I'm pretty sure I will be home (not at work) on Friday as everything will be shut down awaiting a thaw. We are praying that it is not a severe ice storm like last January when we lost power for a week!

Saturday, I am scheduled to teach a block of the month. I am designing the quilt blocks myself this year! They are whimiscal applique blocks. The first one is a snowman. I will post him later!

Granny Square Mania...or a great project for a road trip!

I hesitate to use the word "mania" as this is very relaxing. For me, the "manic" excitement comes from seeing all the beautiful, scrappy yarn colors coming together! They are very much like the scrappy quilts I love, but more portable while they are being formed!

I love looking at these eclectic granny square creations![The photo with the crochet hook is of my squares.]

Where, besides leftovers and scraps to find small amounts of colorful yarn? Try visiting Pickup Sticks for their "small balls" of worsted weight wool. Yarn candy!

Good granny square directions can be found at purlbee.com and below are basic directions.

Basic Granny Square
1. Chain (ch) 4.2. Close into a ring with 1 slip stitch (sl st) in the first chain.
This is the center ring.
Then follow these instructions to complete the first round.
1. Chain (ch) 3 for your first double crochet (dc) and then work 2 more double crochet stitches into the ring. Chain 2.
This is your first corner
2. Work 3 more double crochets in the ring and chain 2.
3. Repeat step 2 two times.
You now have your four corners.
4. Join the round by working 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain. Don't turn your work.
To go on to the second round, follow these steps:
1. Slip stitch across to the first ch-2 space and then chain (ch) 3 for the first double crochet (dc).
2. Work 2 double crochets in the first ch-2 space, chain 2, then work 3 more double crochets in the same ch-2 space. Chain 1.
3. Work 3 double crochets, chain 2, work 3 more double crochets all in the next chain-2 space. Chain 1.
4. Repeat step 3 twice, which brings you to the last side of the motif. Work 1 slip stitch in the top of the turning chain to hold.

[You can change colors of yarn (usually when you finish a "round") as often as you like!]

We will be traveling to our daughter's for the week of Christmas. Making granny squares is a satisfying, and meditative way to add color to the miles of interstate highway! Maybe, some day, I'll have enough completed squares to make an afghan. The important thing for now is to relax and enjoy the journey!

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Here is a recipe for a favorite Christmas cookie which, once we arrive, the grandchildren may help me to bake. It is from my friend Sally and I have enjoyed it for years!

NUTMEG LOG COOKIES

□ 3 c. flour

□ 1 tsp. nutmeg

□ 2 sticks butter

□ 3/4 c. sugar

□ 1 egg

□ 2 tsp. vanilla

□ 1 tbsp. rum
ICING:
□ 3 tbsp. butter, softened

□ 1/2 tsp. vanilla

□ 1 tsp. rum

□ 2 1/2 c. sifted confectioners' sugar

□ 2-3 tbsp. evaporated milk or cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 large cookie sheets. Sift flour and nutmeg together. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and rum. Gradually add flour, mixing with spoon until well blended. Roll dough into 1/2 inch logs on a floured surface. Place logs 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Prepare icing by creaming butter, vanilla, and rum. Beat in sugar alternately with cream. Spread over cookies, use a fork to make "stripes" or ridges (bark) and sprinkle with nutmeg.

With work and travel, I am not on-line much these days.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Be safe and savor the little things!

Lila

I have a couple of days off...maybe this whole week....I am finding more time to be on-line.
Today, I found this tutorial for making BOO banners. Of course, that meant that I have made two trips to Hobby Lobby for supplies (the hospital is very close to Hobby Lobby). Mom and I have had a successful time making these!

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Mr. Pear update....

My darling (sometimes) husband does not like being called "Mr. Pear". However, I can't resist because it makes writing a post so easy....easier than saying "DH" or "STEVE" or "my husband"......so, with him very much on my mind, as he is still in hospital with the total knee replacement surgery now 36 hours behind him, I wanted to write about it...

Then, I had a sudden urge to "Google" "mr. pear" and then hit "images".

Several VERY UNUSUAL photos came up....a guy with a pear tattoo on top of his shaved head, another guy with a pear-shaped face painted pear green. But the BEST ONE is the debonair pear on the INDIGO BLUE label....with his top hat and cane. AND note the smile and glasses...... *

This photo from my birthday evening shows Mr. Pear in fine form, clowning with the red reading glasses from my friend Lizzzie! I ask you, is he or is he not "Mr. Pear"???????

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In a more serious vein, please remember Steve in your prayers. This is a very painful operation, and he has a couple of hard weeks ahead before the wonderful benefits of the new knee are evident!

* old orange crate artwork by Richard Ankrom

Browsing through a used book shop with my sister yesterday....






Finding an book on traditional American Crafts with this first quilt photo.....(I am in love with the soft colors and the texture of the hand-quilting)

Brought me back to an old project...

My Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt. ( photo above)

I was not a grandmother when I started this one, eight years ago! Each little rosette takes me about 3 hours of hand work and that is not the white or green pieces! I use the English paper piecing method. Hours of fun and meditation!

A few years ago, my little granddaughter, about 31/2 years old, spotted my pink work basket with the blocks in progress. "OOOOOh! Pretty! "she exclaimed picking up the colorful "flowers". I told her that it was a hard quilt to finish...."I'll help you!" she said! (Delighting her grandmother no end because of her interest!)

One day soon, now that she is older and sews a bit, I will take her up on that!