Good Afternoon, all!
Sorry, I sort of went lagging here to post. I've been a busy woman of late.. I couldn't resist putting this picture up..its beautiful with all that lavender.
I came across a pattern today that I want to share with you. Its not mine as this is coming from another link. The person who designed this is really talented.. Ever make a pot of tea and then realize that your teapot let it get cold? Its happened to me many times. I find it sort of frustrating. On a cold winter day I would love to sit at my table with a cup and a teapot of tea with my bible out to study. I get thinking on something and when I go to drink some tea its cold.. The teapot is as well..ah well..so this crafter designed the prettiest little teapot cover..I absolutely fell in love with it.. Would make a great item to give as a Christmas/birthday gift or a housewarming present.
Here's the link.. http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/spring-explosion-tea-cozy/
I've been a bit slow in donations lately. I realized that my vision is suffering greatly. After seeing the eye doctor I found out why. I seem to have fluid leaking in both my eyes..it gives one blurry vision. I also have the beginning of cataracts..oh fun! I'm hoping that a rectinologist will be able to fix the leaking problem..the other will have to be dealt with in time. I will try to post here often. the type is small for me..I will enlarge it for reading..I have no idea if anyone else is challenged like this so larger type will help.
I hope you are all having a great summer. Our temps are triple digits right now..not my favorite..So warm things that are large are going to wait..
Warm Hugs,
Leslee
A Happy Summer Day to you all!
With the hot weather now upon us, I find that I sort of get what I call melted brain.. I sort of get an idea about a new project..the rest melts away. The days are hot and the night's are almost too warm to sleep.
Days are sort of a kind of tossing and turning only I'm up moving around. Taking this thought and frustration over "melted brain"...
the other evening I attended my oldest grand son's high school graduation.
It was rather an interesting affair. If you've been to one graduation it seems like you know what to expect. I should never have thought that this would be true for this specific graduation. First, the high school he attends is a charter school in the district and had it also accreditation. Its sandwiched between the city high school and a state university. He attended this unusual school called , Inspire. Great name for a school that was concentrating on the arts and sciences that are vanishing in schools in this country. My grand son loves music and especially loves the school sound room. Its state of the art and the kids in this particular area are delighted to be able to experiment and try some of their budding ideas in a state of the art lab.
A few days ago before the graduation ceremony, the high school students from the city high school vandalized an enormous mural that was painted on one of the walls of Inspire high school. The mural was designed by a reputable artist and the kids in Inspire painted this mural under the instruction of the artist/and instructor. It was beautifully done. The vandalizing of this painting was saddening. Inspire high students went back to the school on the weekend and repainted the entire mural once more. They said, "we do not want everything to end like this but give hope and beauty to the new students coming in and returning".
Then came the graduation ceremony. It was held in one of the college's auditorium's and in itself gave a nod toward the endeavors of these young students. It was old and quaint and gave a feeling of approval from the past. The students chose special music in which they danced, ran, or playfully acted coming into the auditorium while spots of colored lights moved around the room/and stage. It was fun and light. They had the usual speakers come up. But then they showed a video created by the students, a quartet sang beautifully, they gave honor to a specific instructor and their faculty advisories. One of the faculty advisors who spoke gave me a spark of an idea..She spoke about the name of the school, Inspire. Most people typically use the dictionary meaning. ..She said, "looking up this word she realized that the usual meanings that most think of when they think of the word, Inspire is; to affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. To stimulate into action; motivate, and to stimulate energies, ideals. The advisor went on to say that what the students did in Inspire was another meaning to this word that most do not think of when they use this word. This meaning is to breathe life into. They are an inspiration to other students, to faculty, and to everyone who reads this.
Spark!
This was all I needed to realize that I could be the breathe in an old pattern I'm using. It becomes our own when we change it. We change it by using the talents that He has blessed us with. He gave them for His purposes.What we doe with what He gives us is important. He meant for us to use them in life. He then guides us to use them as He wishes. Granted, some probably use them for reasons and ways in which He did not want but He uses that too.
If nothing else I hope the story of these students helps inspire you all. Get out that yarn, the tools you use, an old pattern to start with and see what you can create. What we create goes to those who need His outstretched hands. Have fun with this, He wants you to enjoy this blessing. And then share it with others.
warm hugs,
Leslee
Hello Everyone!
Well, we are already into the Memorial Day weekend. I hope you all take some time this
weekend to remember those who gave their lives so that we could be free. In every war,
there are those that did not support the war efforts, they did not agree, but they were called
to serve and did so. In the end, they gave their lives willingly.
My thoughts lately have been on all the areas that have been destroyed by tornadoes/storms.
Of course, at this point of time, the one my thoughts are on is Moore, Oklahoma. There is so
much news media coverage. They cover the destruction, who did what, the sensational part of
the disaster. Its important I think to concentrate on the little things. Look closely, you will find
miracles of God's love and mercy in all of this. You will find people who want to help those
in need of help, extending their hands through His love. I saw an older lady who was definitely
in shock still..walking about being interviewed by the media. I felt sad in my heart. I know they
have a job to do..but these people really needed their help..even just talking to each person
that they come across..asking them if they need some assistance and trying to find it. The lady
I mentioned had been sitting in her bathroom holding her dog..When the tornado struck,
she and the house were sent everywhere ..she never lost consciousness but really was still
very dazed. She had no idea where her dog was..She was just wandering around..still
very bruised and bleeding on her arm..the cameraman saw some movement and realized
that it was probably the lady's dog..It was..unearthing this little dog..the lady was made
noises at finding her little companion but truly unable to express her joy at finding this
little dog. She lost all that she had..but not the love and companionship of that little dog.
What a sweet gift of love that He sent her..compassion and comfort. In this the media
was used..but unfortunately that is not the norm.
The evening I first heard this story, we had an earthquake here where I live. I realized
that it was not a bad one but it sure shook everything..rattling the peace in the communities
we live in. This was nothing compared to what the people in those states are going through.
I was thankful of that..but I also realized that I need to get busy on the crafting I've been
working on. We never know when we will be called to help out somewhere..even a
neighbor. I wish each of you a peaceful and blessed weekend.
This next week I will get some things together that I want to share with you. I would
love to hear from any of you crafters who are working to make donations to help
others..
warm hugs, Leslee
Good Morning!
Just a few words this morning. In light of all of the terrible damage that was done yesterday, I was thinking how can we help these people. First, in prayer. Secondly, if you live near to where all this damage was done, and you sew/quilt..these people could probably use some blankets..remember people come in all sizes..so if you make a ghan it also will help keep someone warm at night. If you crochet/knit making hats will help during the hours at night.
If you make toys to cuddle..Those children in that area could use something to cuddle with. I so wish I were closer as I would love to help these people. I live in California so actually offering food or shelter is not an option for me... I can offer to make warm things. They live in an area where people are wearing shorts..keeping warm is probably only needed at night.. If anyone who reads this blog thinks of something that crafters can do to help please share your ideas. Most of us are wanting to offer a hand to reach out and help..
Leslee
Greetings!
I hope you are all having a wonderful late spring day! Since its the
weekend and its warm and sunny outside I really am not in the mood to
sit inside and work on crafts or my handwork. I do feel like getting out
into the beautiful day that our Lord has blessed us with. Soon it will
be too hot to sit outside..
Do any of you have that problem during the hot season of what to do
with your hands when holding yarn is just too warm? I try to make things
that are small. There are not a lot of options. If you want to do hats
they work up both quickly and are not too big or heavy for the times in
our lives when that sun is putting out all that heat..I guess that
coasters are an option. So are doilies..Maybe scarves..any other ideas
out there that we have not considered?
I have the
wonderful pleasure of sharing with all of you something close to my
heart. I have a son, Micah, who lives in Williamsburg, Iowa with his
loving wife Brittany and little son Mikey.
Left to Right: Are Dana Knapp, Sheila Gronewold, Mikey, Brittany Ellsworth and Micah Ellsworth. Dana and Sheila
created these blankets in memory of Abigale Ellsworth who passed before Mikey was born. They were donated by this family to the University of Iowa hospital in Williamsburg, Iowa to the PICU. What a sweet way of extending His love.
Kudos! For using your wonderful talents and love to children in need.
There is a feeling of happiness when we donate items to those in need. No matter what the need is or why..Just to use what He has given us and blessed us with to extend His hand in love is really a sweet gift in itself..
I wish you all a blessed and peaceful weekend!
warm hugs, Leslee
Good Morning!
I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!
Our mothers are so precious. They give of themselves to give us life and then nurture us into adult hood.
My grandmother was a quilter and a crocheter. My mother used to sew and embroider. I learned how to crochet from my mother in law and an older lady who owned property we used to rent a long time ago. Each gave me something to use in life. God gave me the talent to do this. His love is immense! Sharing what I create with others in need just seems the right thing to do.
A few days ago I came across a group on Facebook. I was really impressed with this group. The owner's wish is to give Him the glory. Isn't that what we should do? I agree with her in this. He has given so much. I can give back to others in my life to extend His hand and to give Him the glory. The group on Facebook is called, Pray and Crochet Crafts. https://www.facebook.com/PrayAndCrochetCrafts?hc_location=stream
I'm absolutely delighted I can share this with you today!
Over the weekend I decided to use a scrap ball of yarn to make a blanket for a baby. We have in my community a Healthy Mother's group. It helps mothers who have next to nothing to help them and their new babies to get a better start in life. I usually craft for our cancer center here or to a homeless shelter in town. I decided since I have donations made already for them, that I would make some things for this mother's group. I'm using the same granny square pattern I posted in the blog before this, only I'm not stopping at six inches but making it as big as I can ..I'm hoping it will make a 36" square. I'm using an H hook. If it doesn't..I'm sure I have a nice color in a scrap ball that I can add a colorful border. The yarn is a Red Heart yarn. Since the label has long gone, I will try to describe the color. Its white/yellow/blue/green varigated. Its really very nice. A great color if the mother has requested not to know the baby's sex before its birth. I know that some feel they wish to be surprised. This is fun too!
My secret sister in our church gave me some sweet mother's day gifts. In a very large bag she chose many different kinds of things. One of those things was a bag of really nice yarn from a neighboring yarn shop! I was absolutely delighted..Beautiful soft yarn to make a baby's hat! All three skeins are from Cascade yarns. A lavendar
and a yellow skeins are from the Pacific line,
the third one is from the Pluscious line.
All three are really nice and will make nice soft hats.
I have found that using what comes along at the time I think about making something for someone in need, the yarn either comes to me just before I think about it or after I've decided I want to create a specific thing. The yarn is provided by Him for various different projects..Always giving Him the honor and glory in all that we do is the right thing to do.
I wish you all a very happy crafting day!
hugs, Leslee
Hello Again!
Sometimes I find that I get busy and forget I'm writing a blog here.
Mother's Day will soon be here..Its this coming Sunday as a matter of fact. I was thinking about some of the cool things I could make..and realized there is a wonderful pattern where I could make sun hats for my loved ones. Its also a great pattern for a cancer patient or just a senior that could use something to brighten her day! Here's the link to this cute little hat: http://cre8tioncrochet.com/2013/02/adult-spring-or-easter-hat-shell-stitch-cotton-hat-with-spring-blossoms/
Would you like a little peek at it? 
Isn't this sweet?!
They also have a link to make a child's size hat too on the link above. As I said..it would brighten someone's day to wear a pretty hat like this!
I've been playing with good old fashioned granny squares. They are so versatile. I had three balls of yarn, red, yellow and green. The light bulb in my head went on suddenly..I realized I could start making squares and either make more of them for a blanket or a lap ghan..Then that thought went further..I could make them
for Christmas gifts..So now I'm stuck on making these squares for now. I think I like the fact they make up so quickly that it gives satisfaction that I've completed something.. I did not use any specific pattern..Just one I put together in my mind. Remember! Its not necessary to end the square at a small size..you can keep doing rounds until you get it big enough for your purpose or keep them small and later put together for something else. I have been making them when I'm watching a program..I find they work up quickly.
Here's the pattern I use:
I use an "H" hook, and ww 4 ply yarn. Red Heart is nice..Simply Soft will work too.
Ch 4. slip stitch to join.
Ch. 3, dc 11 times in ring. join to the top of the ch 3.
Ch 3, dc 2 times in same stitch as ch 3. Skip 3 dc, make 3dc in next space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space. This makes a corner..skip 3 dc , Repeat 3 dc,ch 3, 3dc in next space. Second corner has now been made. Skip 3 dc, crochet the repeat once again. Third Corner made. Then skip another three dc, make the last repeat in the next space. Join to top of the beginning ch 3. You will now have four corners.
Slip stitch into the first ch 3 corner. Ch 3, make 2 dc in the corner, ch 3, 3 dc in the corner..new corner made. Skip the next three dc, Make 3 dc in next space..skip next 3 to second corner. Repeat all of this until you can join with the top of the beginning ch 3 . Your square is now bigger. I make rows until my square measures 6 inches. I like that size square to make a small blanket.
I hope I wrote the above so you can all understand. If there is an error or it doesn't make sense please comment and let me know. I'll fix it or help you understand what I wrote.
A Happy Mother's Day to all who are one or becoming one..Oh, and fur babies count too!
Hugs, Leslee
