The Hands Stay Busy

Before I share the latest happenings I want to apologize to everyone who has left comments recently. As many of you know I haven’t been turning on the computer very often and have been checking email notifications via an app on my phone.  Unfortunately, comments left on the blog are considered “social” and not shown on the email app. I had no idea so many of you left such sweet comments. I appreciate every comment and want you to know how very sorry I am if you felt ignored in any way.

In the last couple of weeks the children have had time off from school and wanted to spend part of it with me. Luckily, I took them one at a time which is easier on me with the lack of a good chair. (Update on the chair, the insurance denied my first request saying we hadn’t proved my need. The process is currently being appealed.)

Let me share with you just one weekend and how we spend time together. Afterwards I’ll show you some of the things I’m working on for myself, and I have a surprise job I can’t wait to share with you today.

My youngest granddaughter had a four-day weekend and asked to spend half of that time with me.  I didn’t hesitate and agreed right off.  She arrived with a whole list of projects she wanted, or rather “needed”, me to make happen.

First up was a pillow and blanket for her baby. But the blanket had to be large enough that her doll could share with her.

Not sure if you can see the pillow very well, it’s under her baby doll’s head.  She did the measuring and stuffing then helped with the sewing machine.

Her doll arrived in the only outfit she owned.

I was told she needed a dress, pants and a shirt to start to build a wardrobe. We ran out of time for the pants and shirt but the dress I was told had to be crocheted.

Next I was told the doll needed a sleeping blanket in pink that was crocheted.  My granddaughter has a sleeping bag for sleeping in the tent with daddy in the summer so her doll needed one too.  I did a quick double crochet with a larger needle because little girls don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to waiting.

Babies take lots of naps which gave us time to do other things.  Autumn in this part of the country comes with one bonus….Leaves to play in.

When she was smaller I’d crocheted her a scarf, it’s way too short for her now so I made her a new one. She brought it with her and wore it every time we went out.

As night came there were other requests. She wanted a crocheted bow for her hair to go with the  fabric ones I recently made her.

And we had to color.  The children all prefer adult coloring books so I keep a few of them on hand.  We each selected one for ourselves and then spent some quality time coloring while we talked about everything on our minds.

Christmas is just around the corner. She wanted to do something for Christmas that involved painting.  I pulled out a piece of scrap wood I found on the property when I first moved in and brought out some red chalk paint and let her paint. Afterwards, we hot glued on this cross stitched holiday piece.

I have a bag of patterns I’ve started to cross stitch because I get bored easily.  I decided to kit up those projects and thought she would have fun helping, she did.  The idea to have all my projects ready to work on has been  helpful and I’ve been getting much more done lately.  Previously, when I got bored with working on one the idea of pulling out all the necessary colors to work on another prevented me from doing any cross stitch for days.

Anyway, as I opened a fabric to put with a new pattern I wanted to make for the girls room this winter my granddaughter spotted patterns on the paper included with the fabric. There was a mermaid pattern and she asked if I could make it for her.  Do I ever say no to making something for family? Hardly.  This is a quick and easy pattern that will only take about a week, this is where I am after three days.

Not sure if I will give it to her for her birthday or as a housewarming present when they move into their new house. Both will happen in March.

Speaking of their new house. I have to share a few pictures because I get to help restore some features of the home.  My kids have been saving to purchase a home and wanted to buy the next house without a mortgage. This house on an acre of land came up for less than $50,000.   Look at those original pocket doors and trim!

And this is what I get to help restore.  My son wants to restore all the wood in the house to the original to preserve this farmhouse.

Can you tell I’m excited?

With the cold temperatures, we’ve been fluctuating between the low 20s and mid 30s for the last week or so, I’ve been finishing up some projects before I start a large one for a friend, you know who you are. 🙂  I thought I would show you a few of them.

This summer cottage will be finished in a couple of days then will be hung in the girls room.

This Native American Alphabet will eventually go into the boys’ room.  It’s a good project to fall back on when I need a break from the large one that I will be starting this week.  I figure if I get one letter done a week it will be hanging up in six months time. That’s a goal I think I can accomplish.

I have to show you one completed piece. I finished this one a couple of months ago then stuck it in a drawer because I didn’t have a frame for it.

This might be my favorite piece out of all I’ve done.  The water calls to me and the boat is just like one I used to go out on in high school.  I found a frame made with reclaimed barn wood and stained a grey that matches the picture nicely. The picture is a bit distorted from the glass when photographing it.

Before I leave you today, I want to send a special thank you to both Elaine and Marlene for the supplies that allowed me to make one little girl’s weekend wishes come true. I have been so fortunate to make such wonderful friends through blogging. Thank you!