Hollow's Edge

I am cross stitching again, and with that new interest (as all things in my life) it has made it's way into my writing as well. So today as I was taking a little rest from my daily brain/walking exercises, I just sat down and wrote the following.  Not sure where this one will lead...but for now I give you

Hollow's Edge

The sun was in my eyes making me squint. The next thing I knew I was no longer in my comfortable lounge chair on the deck staring out at the blue waters of the lake, instead I was in a small cottage down past the lane near the waters edge.

I am not sure how I got there, I have stopped asking those type of questions lately. I always seem to be moving about in a different way than most people, so I just go with it anymore.

Houston we have a problem......

I am more than sure that you, dear readers of this blog,  already know what I am about to tell you. I am crazy. There, it's out in the open, let's not walk around the edges of it anymore. Crazy! Yep.

Why do I say I am crazy.

I was doing my 10 walks around the room thing (part of my daily exercises to get my brain to understand that the left inner ear is gone and it needs to pick up the slack) so I got bored with the living room, the computer room and then I thought I'd head to the craft studio for something different to look at while I walk.

Thank You

I wanted to say thank you to all of you for your kind comments and e-mails. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you so much for your love and support and prayers. You all Rock!

I am doing a little better each day. I marvel at the way the brain is able to adapt...oh and I have a glory report for you. I still have my hearing in my left ear. Yeah, it's only at 85%, (correction...it's 25%) but that's ok. I also still have the tinnitus, too. But it's all good. I am so blessed. Praise God forever for His tender mercies and grace.

Well, I barely had my feet shoved into my bunny slippers this morning when Mo appeared with a look of disgust on his face and demanding an answer to this note:

Headed to Trader's to get a PB&J.  See you on the flip side.  Jo

He's back............

Jo appeared at the breakfast table today with dark shades and what I can only imagine must be a doozie of a hang over. I myself have never had a hangover, but he pretty much looks like they do in the movies when they've had "one too many".

He says he's through with Vegas, but I know better. Say's he's turned a new leaf, again, I know better.
But I'll bask in the rays of sunshine that only Jo can emanate. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, Mo is a little mad. Say's he's tired of always being the responsible one. That he just might pack up and see what Vegas has to offer. I know better. Say's he's not getting any younger and who knows what adventures the road might hold for him, again, I know better.  I just smile and keep stitching.

So I am getting better daily. Praise be to God and His wondrous blessings.

My brain still hasn't quite understood the concept that nothing is on the left side so I keep stumbling around a little and have to walk very slow, but you know what...it's all good. I am so blessed in my life I have nothing to complain about. All I can do is Praise Him for his mercy and grace.

I have been watching the news and saw the horrible devastation out in Oklahoma. My heart goes out to everyone there. Living in Kentucky we have our share of tornadoes so I am always sensitive to when I hear about them elsewhere. I pray for everyone,  for their families....it's so sad to see the devastation, it's truly heart breaking.

I am working on the Barbara Ana SAL and the Doily CAL, too. I am working slowly, so bare with me, I will have photos soon.

Wishing you all a lovely day.

The reports of my death.......

I have always found the saying of Mark Twain wise and witty, so these past few days I kept thinking my next blog post will be titled:

The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated

Which was one of Mark Twain's famous sayings. Except I must admit I have been closer to death these past few days than I have ever been in my entire life.

It has only been through the grace of God that I am here and the love and support of my dear Husband and all your prayers dear friends.

I think I lost 10 pounds yesterday

When I got up at the crack of five something yesterday morning I had vertigo and could not walk straight, I kept walking towards the left. I felt hot and then I threw up. I could not eat or drink anything yesterday that I did not throw up. The "magic pill" that I was given and told to put under my tongue if I got vertigo and it would stop the dizziness within twenty seconds, did not stop the dizziness. So all day yesterday I spun out of control, threw up and in general felt the worst I have ever felt in my entire life.

Greetings from Mo but not Jo

I would like to thank you all for the condolence cards that were sent in my passing of my dear friend. As you have heard, the announcement for his passing was a bit premature. You just can't keep a good stitching MoJo down.

Update

Just so I can keep all this together, because I can't remember if I am coming or going anymore. Yesterday, I was at the doctor's office. 

My Cat scan results showed that I do not have a tumor and that my right ear is good. It has some hearing loss, but it's good. 

My left ear however has lost 85% of it's hearing. I have been diagnosed with Meniere's disease and I am in the middle stages of the disease, which explains the vertigo attacks I had last year and the three I had this year, and the tinnitus that I've had since 2010 and that has never went away.  I have also had a few balance issues, but nothing I could not handle. 

So yesterday at the doctor's office I had this done to my left ear. It burned really bad when he injected it into my ear and for hours yesterday and last night I had a head ache and then incredible itching and burning in my ear and down the side of my neck, but this morning, all that has gone away.

The bad news is that since this shot will kill the function of my ear (and therefore stop the vertigo, which is good news) my right ear will now have to take over to give me balance. So starting Monday I have exercises to teach my brain to compensate for the loss of my left ear. 

It will take four days for the shot to take effect on my ear and then I will feel "wobbly and unsteady" for a month the doctor says, but no vertigo. So I guess it's a pretty good trade off. Yeah, today I am gonna hit the road and have a little adventure by visiting some yarn and floss ....you know stock up before the wobbly takes over. 

Hubby went with me into the room when the doctor gave me the shot...I think it almost freaked him out. He started to tell me how big the needle was and how the doctor put it in at an angle and I stopped him. I just do not want to know all the gory details, you know! 

When the medicine was first injected into my ear I started to get vertigo, but the doctor explained it was only because the medicine was cold and that the spinning would stop in 20 seconds, and it did, so I was cool with that. 

I've had so many fears over having this, but the doctor explained things to me and I felt confident after listening to him that this was the right thing to do for me. I have to go back in a month and then I should be good to go. Sometimes you have to get another treatment if the vertigo comes back, but those are rare and usually it works after just the one treatment. 

I wanted to thank you all who have been praying for me and sending me such kind and loving e-mails. You are all so wonderful and I hope you know that I honestly felt your love and support yesterday.

I am a strong believer in prayer and it truly did feel like a blanket of love was spread across my shoulders yesterday as some of you were praying for me. Thank you dear friends. 

It's 6:12 am and I am up and ready to make this a wonderful day filled with all the glory and wonders that God has bestowed upon us. 

The sun has slowly made it over the tree line and has now spilled it's warming rays into my backyard. I can see a little movement in the bushes at the edge of our property and I am guessing it's little Uno making his way towards something yummy to eat. I love that rabbit.

Oh, and did you ever stop and think that it was by design that Uno came to live in my backyard. Out of all the yards in our subdivision he picked ours. He's got one ear, and I have one ear...Hmmmm. God certainly does work in mysterious and wondrous ways, doesn't He.!   I praise Him forever. 

Gotta go,  I have a few carrots that I think Mr. Uno might enjoy. He's a nibbler,  he'll eat a few and then come back later. I can't tell you how much it cracks me up to go out there and see a carrot with little teeth marks on it, he really does bring joy to my heart, just by being his sweet little self. 

Blessings to each of you dear friends. Get out there and enjoy the day, for it's a glorious day indeed!

Barbara Ana Cross Stitch Design

I am so excited. As you all know I adore Barbara Ana's cross stitch designs. She was kind enough to have a SAL with me and my blog readers a few years back and it was loads of fun.

Barbara Ana lives in Spain and her designs are full of color and whimsy. Did I happen to mention that I love her designs?  I do. They make me smile.  Go here to see more of her awesome designs.

So when I opened my mail box today and pulled out the July 2013 issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine I wasn't expecting anything too exciting...ok, the rooster on the cover kind of sparked my interest but nothing other than that.

There I was quietly sipping my iced tea (I am southern you know) and going through the magazine and then I saw a design that really looked like a similar style of Barbara Ana's and I thought, that looks like something she'd design. I looked for the designer and you guessed it, it was Barbara Ana.

I am just over the top thrilled for her. I want to see more of her awesome designs on the pages of the cross stitch magazines here in the USA.

So if you are a stitcher, please run out and buy a copy of Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine, the July 2013 issue to make the above adorable design.  Also, consider dropping the editor an e-mail to request more of her designs. I think they have a facebook page, too.

Ok, I know I gave up cross stitch...I mean, it no longer had a pulse so of course I thought it was dead,  but I think there might be a smidgen of life left...teeny tiny bit of life left, for now I want to stitch this design.

Does anyone want to do a SAL on this design with me? I might need time to dig through the craft studio to locate my DMC floss and my blue fabric, but I think I just might stitch this design. Maybe if I had someone stitching with me I would be able to breathe some life back into my dearly departed friend. Just saying!

CAL Update

I am still working on our CAL doily. 

I am probably about half way finished, so there will be more pics in the future as I progress. 

There will be a June CAL doily, too...if anyone wants to join. More about that later in the month. 

Wishing you all many blessings.

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to wish each and every single one of you out there who just happens to be a Mother a wonderful day today. I pray you and your families have a glorious day filled with much love and joy.

As for the rest of us who are childless, if you are lucky enough to still have your Mother's then please call her, tell her how you feel and treasure each moment you have with her.

And for those of us who have lost our dear Mothers, I pray that your heart will find comfort in the wonderful memories you have of her and that if you believe as I do, that one day you will see her again in Heaven.

Here's a picture of the Iris's in that grow around my back patio. Hope they bring a smile to your face.

 Blessings always. 

Part 10 Hookers Welcomed Here

The next thing I knew I was waking up in my bed. The sun light was streaming in through the window and I could hear my Husband moving around in the kitchen getting ready for work.

New CAL for May 2013

We all had so much fun doing the last CAL, I thought that perhaps we might do another one.

So here is the latest pattern (it's free) that I thought we might all work on.

Don't forget to post your pictures on your blog and leave a comment here to let me know that you are doing the CAL so I can follow your blog and enjoy your progress on the doily.

I will be using a size 10 thread and a B hook, which I think is 2.25 and not the 2.00 the pattern calls for. Of course you can use any hook or thread to make this doily. You could even use yarn and a larger hook and make it into a blanket. That's what is cool about crochet, it's versatile.  :)

Ok, now don't forget to come back here tomorrow to read the last post of the story I am writing. Hope you have enjoyed it. There will be more stories in the future...you know, I can't seem to stop myself.

Wishing you all many blessings.

Part 9 Hookers Welcomed Here

It was at this point that I, for what ever reason, looked towards my right and saw, three seats up a lady who held the knitting needles but was not knitting. Her face looked so sad, as if she wanted to knit, but for what ever reason could not knit.

Doily updates

Now try real hard not to swoon when you see my awesome photo taking abilities below!  NOT! 

I saw this on Pammy Sue's blog and then realized it was one I had started from Crochet World. I finished it and really love the colors.  I am also thinking about doing this one again in different colors. 

I put this one on top of the last one you see above so it would show in the photo. I really enjoyed doing this. This one is our CAL doily. Thanks to everyone who CAL'd with me. 

Now that my hook is just laying around the craft room trying to sun itself in the rays of light filtering through the blinds, I think I need to get it off it's butt (or would that be handle) and get it busy again. 

Since we had so much fun last time doing the CAL...I think it's time for a new one.  I will announce the new pattern on Thursday (the day before the last post of the story). I can tell you it will be another doily, and why another doily I heard someone moan? Well, I love doilies, they are like potato chips, you can ever have just one...and well, I am on a doily kick lately. 

Wishing you all a day filled with many blessings.  

Part 8 Hookers Welcomed Here

Before I realized it, I was crying, not just a normal tears running down the face, but sobs that made my entire body shake. Everyone looked at me as if I were on drugs. I did not care. My friends were gone, I felt lost without them.

Part 7 Hookers Welcomed Here

Was I dead?

No, dead people did not have thoughts....did they?

Saying goodbye to an old friend......

My heart is heavy today. For I have had to say goodbye to an old friend. As the words, "Dearly departed" rang through out my thoughts, I thought I might share with you a little bit about my old friend.

I had known this friend since I was 19, or was that 18? I can not remember really, that was so long ago. But this friend was always there for me. Everyone said we were miss matched as friends. But I knew we were perfect for each other.

I remember how exciting it was to take trips to the beach with my friend. The sound of the tides and the seagulls mixing with the salty breeze that blew past. There is something about the ocean that seeps into your soul, that no matter where you go in life, you will forever and always hear the roar of the ocean in your heart.

My friend was there when work stressed me out. When matters of the heart seemed so important and devastating, my friend was there to comfort me. All sadness seemed to fade as I spent time with my friend.

So today, when I realized as I tried to cross stitch and the joy that I always got from that was gone. It was as if it never existed. As if I were doing something so foreign until my mind started to drift.

What was the first thing I thought of. How I could make the chart into a filet crochet pattern. I so love the bright colors of floss, but to cross stitch anymore leaves me feeling so empty. So bored.

And then it hit me. I have been trying so hard to hold onto cross stitching, not because I like doing it, for clearly I do not, not because I think it enriches my life, or that it is meaningful to me in some way, but I keep holding onto it, because it was the friend that went to the beach with me. It was the friend that saw me through break ups and heart aches and jobs that were nightmares.

So today, I say goodbye to my old friend. We had a good run. So many memories, so many happy times. But I need to shut that door on my life now. To move forward to the next big adventure.

In lieu of flowers for the dearly department, I ask that instead, you please go out and do something you really love to do today with one of your old friends, in memory of mine.

Blessings to each and every single one of you.  And thank you so much for all the wonderful comments you have left on the story I am writing Hookers Welcomed Here. I hope you realize that this only encourages me to write more.  :) 

Part 6 Hookers Welcomed Here

Faith put her pot holder down and then in a soft tone looked me in the eye and said, "What do you know about the bus?"

I could see that she was searching my facial expressions to see if I knew anything. Which was odd, since they all seemed to be able to read my thoughts, why could they not read my thoughts about the bus?

Please don't tell on me..........

I did something very naughty yesterday. I usually don't do this type of thing.  I usually have more will power (hey, stop that snickering Vikki)  but alas I fell down on this one.

I was minding my own little bee's wax (aren't I always doing this when this type of stuff happens to me!) and then I came across this:

It's from the June issue of Cross Country Stitching Magazine.  It kind of spoke to me. No, not in an audible voice, but it kind of moved my spirit a little.  So I took the magazine and headed to the needlework department (I was in Jo Ann's) and bought the fabric and all the flosses to make this. Now it was only when I got home that I realized it has buttons on it.

Like 26.00 worth of buttons on it. I would never in a million years pay that for buttons. But I am thinking about expanding on the design. Where there are buttons adding more heart motifs, maybe a bird or something.

Would you pay that for buttons? It's buttons people! Buttons.  It's almost insulting to believe that we'd actually buy those buttons. Well, to me it is anyway.

But I do love the design, so I will stop complaining and start stitching and see where it leads me.


Oh, and guess what else is coming out in the near future:

Yep, that's gonna be the new Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine.  I am not sure why I think this Rooster is cute, but I do. I am not saying I am gonna stitch him, but you just never know with me. 

I am so glad everyone seems to be enjoying the story I am writing. All of your comments are so kind and sweet. 

Thank you also for your kind word and prayers. They have meant so much to me. I can truly feel the love from you all and I just wanted to say Thank You. 

Wishing you all a lovely day filled with many blessings. 

Part 5 Hookers Welcomed Here

I started to feel sleepy. Really sleepy. I rubbed my eyes and then the next thing I knew I was standing on the beach.

I could see the ebb of the tides and feel their pull on me as I watched shrimp boats in the distance. I could hear barking and somehow just knew it was Max.

Part 4 Hookers Welcomed Here

I heard a bark. It was loud and then I looked down. Max was looking up at me wagging his tail. I petted him and told him how adorable he was. He barked again. I gave him a belly rub and that seemed to make him happy.

"Max, now don't bother Annabelle." Mere said as she looked at him lovingly.

Part 3 Hookers Welcomed Here

I noticed that the room was filled with yarn, thread and crochet hooks. Not one knitting needle, not one anything that said knitting on it.

And yet, there was sweet Mere knitting away as if it was the most natural thing on Earth to do. No one said anything, no one treated her as they did me on the bus. It was all kind of confusing.

Part 2 of Hookers Welcomed Here....

 .....a large white table with various ladies sitting around it with their crochet hooks moving. There was an empty chair with a cup of tea sitting on the table in front of it, and my pink, daisy handled basket was there. I looked down and it was gone from my arm. I was in shock. I had to blink a few times before I could accept what I saw. At this point, I kept telling myself. Ok, you are dreaming, wake up Silly. But I never did.

Hookers Welcomed Here.......

I dreamed that I was sitting on a city bus and everyone was knitting, even the bus driver. No one seemed to notice me at first, I looked down and even I was knitting. I could not even tell you what, I was just knitting.

Knitting a doily......

I have a CAL going with this doily.   Please feel free to join, too.

Well, I did not want to leave out my knitting friends, so how about lets us do this doily as a KAL?

Both of these are free patterns, so please feel free to jump in at any time and hook/knit along with us.

I plan on using a dark royal size 10 thread and size 2 double pointed needles. I will give a disclaimer here. I can knit just fine, but starting 8 stitches off on 4 tiny double points, is well, not something I am good at. I will try to knit the first row and then turn it into a circle. If you hear a lot of yelling and me questioning the legitimate birth of my knitting needles, you'll know what I am doing!

I am going out tonight and getting an entire 2 liter of diet root beer. I think I might need something to take the edge off when I start this doily. Just sayin'. 

Wishing you all a lovely day, and Happy Weekend, too.    :) 

Crochet Innovations

You know how we hookers are always saying that the knit shops only cater to knitters and why don't we have a shop for crocheters? There is one.

I found this charming shop called Crochet Innovations in Brecksville, OH.

She sells crochet hooks (all kinds, bamboo and ones that have bamboo handles but are for doily  making, I bought a 1.5mm for doilies) and tunisian bamboo hooks. She does sell knitting needles, too. All her hooks and needles are cheaper than I have seen anywhere. So yeah, I bought a few of this and that. You know, I had to get something.

The owner is a very nice lady who has classes, too. Check out her site for classes.

She has yarn and other items that are already made. I really loved her shop.

If you are in the Cleveland OH area, or even in the North East of Ohio, trust me, you will want to head to her shop to check her out. It's a lovely shop.

Drop by and crochet/knit with her one day. She has opened her shop up to anyone who wants to drop by and share in the fun we all have when we get together.

I have been in many, many yarn shops, but this shop really spoke to me.  Maybe because it's called Crochet Innovations, maybe because the owner was so very kind, maybe it was because the items in the shop were all super nice and very, very reasonable in price. I love this shop.

I got two tunisian hooks (I know, I hate tunisian so why am I getting the hooks?) Well, I bought a tunisian lace book..so I logically had to get the hooks, too.

She also had every color that Aunt Lydia makes in crochet thread. I bought an Aunt Lydia Wasabi color. I have never seen that anywhere before, so I had to have it. It's a light spring type green color. I love it. I also bought some bamboo crochet thread in size 10 for more doilies. I am really into doilies lately.

On a side note, I would like to extend a big ole' thank you to my friend Pammy Sue for her most appreciated and thoughtful gift she sent me. I am still in awe at the kindness of crocheters. Hookers, truly are awesome!). Thank you Pammy Sue for making not just my day by your kindness, but my entire year!   :)  Check out Pammy Sue's blog, she's a hoot and trust me, you will love her blog as much as I do.

So if you find yourself anywhere near Crochet Innovations, then please drop by her shop. The only way we can continue to spread the crochet love is by supporting shops that support us as crocheters. If I lived close by, I'd be there every single day just to soak up the atmosphere I am telling you, this shop is awesome.

Now I want to open a crochet shop!

I am on Rnd 17 of the doily. I am using size 20 thread and a 1.00 mm hook. I am really loving this doily. I know that Vikki had to frog hers, the pattern just wasn't doing it for her, and sometimes that happens, but I am pressing on. I also understand that Glor will be joining me, too in the CAl. Yay!

Oh, and Yarn Whisperer, you know who you are...I really think you need to join me in this doily CAL. I know, you have a sweater to knit, but that's knitting....the doily will help relax you....see the logic?

If anyone else wants to jump in on the CAL (see the post below this one), please do and leave a comment and let me know so I can visit your blog and keep up with your progress, too.  We cheer each other along as we hook together.

Wishing you all a lovely day filled with many blessings.

Doily CAL

Does anyone want to do a CAL with this doily with me?

I saw it, fell in love and now I must hook it.  You know, it's the same old story with me.

I never saw a pineapple doily I did not like.

I will be using the size 10 thread and either a 1.25 or 1.75 hook, not sure yet on the hook.

Please drop me a line in the comments if you want to join in my CAL for this doily.  (Vikki, this one is just calling your name)!  :)

Wishing you all a lovely day. 

Once a hooker, always a hooker?

Do you think that if you were a hooker when young, you will be a hooker forever?

I learned to crochet when I was young (ok, not like I need to be burped young, somewhere in my twenties young) and now that I am sliding towards fifty at a velocity of speed that would make the Matrix guy get dizzy, I find myself turning again to that which I learned so long ago.

Yeah, I knit, too. Yet once I learned to knit, it has never held a candle to crochet for me. I think I wanted to learn to knit because it was the idea of the challenge more than anything else. I do that a lot. I know, it's a huge character flaw. Head hung down low in shame...I know, I know.

But once I had knitting under my belt, I found myself wanting to make more crochet doilies and afghans. Crazy right? I know. I mean, I have a lot of doilies...and I have a lot of afghans, too. But I can't for the life of me seem to stop making them.

And it can't be just any doily or afghan. It always has to be one that somehow speaks to me in crochet. What does that mean?  Well, it's just that something that can't be explained, but you know it when you see it.  It might be the color way, or even the design itself that makes you want to grab your hook and start.

Crochet truly does soothe my soul.  I think it might be the motion of the hook, the feel of the yarn/thread. I am not sure what it is that pulls me to it, time and time again.

When I am deeply troubled, I crochet. Happy, I crochet. Sad, I crochet. Bored, I crochet. Hmmm I crochet a lot.

I crochet, therefore I am.

I hope where ever you are today, that you are doing something you love, too.

Crocheters Rock

I am not sure if you know this or not, but crocheters rock...ROCK!   Ok, some knitters do, too...but this is about crocheters today.

I had put a call out for the most awesome pattern listed two blog posts below.  Do you know that someone sent this to me. What a true love gift. Can you believe it? I can't.

I am so amazed at the kindness of crocheters. I am so touched and frankly in awe.

I will be starting this tonight. It appears I will need to chain over 300 chains to begin the set up row.  I am so excited about this.

So if you don't see me post for a while, you will know that I am doing the filet crochet happy dance.

Wishing you all a most joyous day.  

Happy Easter

Rejoice! Rejoice! For He has risen. 

I found the above photo while surfing the net looking for Easter things to crochet. It appears it's a filet crochet pattern by Alice Brooks #7390 from 1939. It was a mail order pattern. I found this link, too. 

I know it's a long shot, but do any of you out there have this?  

I can't explain why I want it, except to say that when I saw it I kind of got a lump in my throat. It is so beautiful because to me it shows the love that God has for us. That without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we would never be able to have salvation. 

I have been doing a lot of filet lately. I know it is one of the most simplest forms of crochet, but it is so exciting to watch as the picture unfolds with each and every stitch. 

Hope you are enjoying your day and that you are getting in a little time to do the things you love. 

Love of Crochet 2013 magazine

I will be standing in line somewhere on March 26 when this magazine hits the stands.  Go here to their web-site. 

While you are there, check out the free bunny pattern that will also be available on their web-site March 26.  I love that his name is "Cheddar". He is made using Simply Soft yarn by Caron, and let's face it, most of us have this yarn in our stash, or can easily get our little mitts on it now can't we! 

The Owl on the front cover really speaks to me. I think it's the bright colors that say, "Hello Spring!".  I have truly missed Spring. I know today is suppose to be the first day of Spring, but in my neck of the woods, down in the "holler" it's butt cold. Tonight we are to enjoy temps down to 22. I know that may not seem cold to everyone up North, but I live below the Mason/Dixon line, so that's cold to me. 

What's on your hooks today? Remember to leave me links in the comments if you are working on something awesome so I can come visit your site, too. 

Sending out blessings to you one and all.   

Happy Crochet Month

As a fellow hooker, I wanted to give you all this link so you can share in the fun.

There are loads of blogs to check out on the list. Look for all kinds of fun things this month for this month is Crochet Month.

Yep, you read that right. We have an entire month dedicated to our craft.

What better way to celebrate than to go out and buy yourself a lovely, fancy wooden crochet hook, some absolutely yummy yarn that you have had your eye on for a while and make something just for yourself.  It's our month and we should party with gusto!

Leave me a comment and tell me what you plan to do to celebrate Crochet Month.

Wishing you all happy hooking.  :)

Buckle up........

I was minding my own business when I opened the door to the craft studio. Of course all the chatter stopped when I turned the knob, but I am use to that. I had put a few things away and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do next.

I opened up the closet and before I could even blink a tube of cross stitch fabric fell upon my feet. I tried to figure out where it had come from, because they have their own little box they live in, so it didn't make a lot of sense for a tube of the fabric to be laying on my feet, and yet it was.

As I bent down to pick it up, I could see the lid was off the box. Everything was disheveled and appeared that it had fallen over and was just shoved back into place in the back of the closet. Hmmmm.

I stood there for a moment looking at the knitting needles who were unusually quiet today. It's a rare day when I go in there and they don't have some sort of smack to share. Usually complaining about their lack of use or that the crochet hooks were calling them names.

I was still holding the tube of fabric in my hands. It was then that I noticed the stack of cross stitching magazines that I had laid on the table to sort through and put up were all thrown across the table, pages open in some and one had even fallen behind the table and was clinging to the wall and the table leg.
Hmmm. Very unsettling I must say.

I laid the fabric down on the table and then I picked up the magazine that had fallen and started to sort through the others. Have I ever told you how much I love cross stitching. I think it's all the pretty colors of floss that speaks to me, that makes my heart jump and my fingers itch to stitch.  I love the feeling that comes over me while I am stitching. Something about the soothing rhythm of the thread being pulled through the fabric...the sound it makes, the feel.

So I left the craft studio with the fabric tube and have also gathered my flosses. I want to cross stitch now. Isn't that funny.

You can only imagine the names I had hurled at me from the knitting needles as they watched in horror while I started to gather my cross stitching supplies. And just to screw with them a little, I turned and said, "Well, if you did not want me to use them, then you should not have brought them to my attention."  And before they could mouth off again, I quickly closed the door behind me. Whew. It gets really crazy in there sometimes!

I hope you all have a wonderful day and weekend, too.    :)

Insane!

Can you be insane and know you are insane?

Every fiber of my being says that I am insane for doing what I do. I never question the crazy, I just go with the flow.

So in order to not leave you scratching your heads and wondering what I am talking about, I'll just say this.

Knitting.  I get tired of it. I pack up all my knitting needles and then I put them in the craft studio,  tell them they are on their own and shut the door behind me. After a bit I get to missing them.

When I do find my way back into the craft studio it looks like the set of Animal House. I hear "Toga, Toga, Toga." from the bookshelf where the knitting needles all live. My tape measure is laying on the floor all twisted and contoured, used for who knows what. And I am pretty sure I don't want to know!

The crochet hooks usually live out in the living room next to my stitchy chair. A few are living in the craft studio. I probably need to make my apologizes to them for leaving them behind.

I mean, what is it about my knitting needles anyway? They get into so much trouble and mischief.  The crochet hooks are far more stable and don't really cause all this instability.

 I did open the package of my Knitter's Pride set...it's so awesome. They are laminated wood,  they come in their own little zip bag with a slot for each numbered set, a place to put your cords, and end stoppers. I love this set. They haven't been "exposed" to the craft studio yet because I have them out so I can admire them in the living room next to my stitchy chair.

I tried to start a knit afghan last night. I worked over 1,000 sts (yes, you read that right) and then looked at it and frogged it.

Hubby came in to the room and said, "What are you doing?" the look on his face was of horror.

"Oh, I did not like it, so I am ripping it out." I smiled back not missing a beat while I continued to rip it out.

He shook his head and walked onto his office. I half expected to hear him close the door and lock it, but he did not. I guess he's getting use to the crazy.  :)

I am going to continue on knitting the shawl...and who knows what else I might find along the way.

So 2013 will be the year that I just accept that I knit and crochet. I am no longer going to apologize for the one while saying the other is my favorite.  Because they are both so different and they both give me joy in different ways.

So I am just going to enjoy the fact that I can knit and crochet and leave it at that. No more feeling that  I have to pick and choose or take sides. Nope.  Not anymore.

I will admit that for the longest of times I have felt torn between the two. I would say, "that's it!" pack up all the needles or hooks and devote myself to the other one. But now I see that they are both a part of who I am.

I am not sure when I turned the corner of feeling comfortable in both. It did take a while. I started out crocheting and them learned to knit and have listened to both sides argue and fuss with each other. I am  here to tell you today, that they are both good and honorable things to do.

Crochet is no less important and knitting is no more "high-brow" than crochet. To me they are just a different skill that allows me to use yarn and create something that would not have otherwise existed. I love that.

Yes, the projects will continue to mount up for me...and no, I probably won't get a lot of them finished. But I will have fun in dreaming about them, searching them out...and working a few of them, too.

Hope you have a lovely day.  :)

Hi

It's been a crazy busy time here lately, but I did just want to pop in and say hello to you all and wish you a lovely week.

Oh, and I did find this.  I really like it.  And this would be perfect for a wedding or even Easter.


I'll try to be back more next week, until then....

keep those hooks and needles moving.

Scandalous!

Number 10 Knitting Needle who is from the Denise Interchangeable Set said in a loud voice, "This is intolerable!" and then he slammed his cord with a loud thump on the table to make his point.

Number 7 Knitting Needle who is also from the Denise Interchangeable Set said in a calm tone, "Now let's all take a deep breath for a moment...."

Before he could finish Number 13 Knitting needle, she's part of the Susan Bates Straight line, said in a shrill voice, "I demand to leave this place. I am never used, never even looked at...and now this! What an outrage!"  and she stood up proudly in the vase she was housed in.

All the others agreed.

Monsieur De Crochet hook H was snickering to himself. All the other hooks were smiling, too. They were enjoying the drama of the craft room.

The sunlight spilled into the room as the morning sun moved across the sky. The yarn skeins were waking up, rubbing the sleep from their labels.  When all of a sudden there was a scream. Everyone turned to see the L Tunisian Hook laying on the floor and Number 13 Knitting Needle smiling in victory.

"Why did you do that?" Number 7 Knitting Needle from the Denise Interchangeable Set asked her.

"I want some attention. And when Miss Goody Toe-Shoes shows up, she'll have to notice me when she puts Big L back in the vase."

Big L was trying to rub his end cap on the carpet to ease the pain of the fall. "What'd I ever do to you?" he winched in pain to Number 13 Straight Knitting Needle from the Susan Bates line.

"Sorry Big L., but you are only a means to an end. It's not personal." she huffed back down to him from the vase on the book shelf.

"If feels "personal". "  he kept rubbing his end cap on the carpet.

"What a douche!"  The 1.65mm Steal Crochet Hook said.

Everyone gasped.

"I know you are not talking to me!" Number 13 Straight Knitting Needles shot back.

"I am."  he said defiantly.

"You just wait until I get over there.  I'll show you what a ......"

"Stop it! We should not be fighting among ourselves. We should concentrate on THEM!" said the usually quiet Number 4 Knit Picks Double Points.

Everyone looked towards the direction that Number 4 was pointing.

And there, as the sun had moved across the sky, the rays of light in the room rest on the Knitter's Pride Interchangeable Knitting needles who were all still asleep in the comfort and safety of their zipped up needle case. They had no clue of the animosity that awaited them.

"Hey, you there, Number 4." Number 8 Susan Bates Straight needle said from another vase next to the one that houses Number 13. "Aren't you related to THEM?" she asked.

"The very fact that we were made in the same factory,  from the same product line, in the same country, does not mean we are "related" in any fashion." Number 4 Knit Picks Double Points said in a huff.

"Hmm yeah, it does, dig bat."  Number 10 Knitting Needles from the Denise Interchangeable Set said loudly.

Everyone laughed, even Big L who had stopped rubbing his end cap and was just enjoying the warmth of the suns rays.

"I take umbrage to that remark!" the Number 4 Knit Picks Double Points said loudly.

"Yeah the truth always gets you stirred up, don't it?" Number 10 Knitting Needle from the Denise Interchangeable Set shot back.

"You sir, are a cad. I refuse to have any further discourse with you!" Number 4 Knit Picks Double Points said with a huff.

"Now, now, don't get your points all in a wad. I am merely stating a fact."  Number 10 Knitting Needle from the Denise Interchangeable Set said.

The Number 4 Knit Picks Double Points refused to even look at Number 10.

"I"d say they are cousins more than anything else. " G Hook from the Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hook Set said

Everyone looked in amazement. The Interchangeable Crochet Hooks never took part in any discussion. Ever.

"I mean, take Number 10 up there, he's a knitting needle and I am a crochet hook, but we were both made in the same factory, by the same company. Only he is a knitting needle and I am crochet hook, so that makes us cousins." She began to explain.

"Yeah, but you're a hooker" Number 10 Knitting Needle said.

 Everyone broke into laughter.  The G Hook from the Denise Interchangeable Crochet Set seemed none to pleased.

"I knit, the mouthy double points up there knits just like THEY do." Number 10 Knitting Needle from the Denise Interchangeable Set said as he pointed towards the Knitter's Pride Knitting Needle Set.

They were still sleeping soundly in their case. They were exhausted from their long journey.

"I heard Miss Goody Two-Shoes brought them all the way up from Tennessee." Number 13 Susan Bates Knitting Needle announced to everyone.

"Yeah, some place called Donner or Comet or Blitzen, one of the reindeer form Santa's sleigh. ." Number 10 said

"I believe you are looking for the word Bliss." Number 7 Knitting Needle said.

"Yeah,  like I said, a reindeer name."  Number 10 shot back.

Everyone laughed again.

**********************

If you want to keep following the antics of the craft room, then you'll just have to keep reading my blog!  I'll write more in the future about them...they are a truly active bunch of tools.  Never a dull moment in the house of Mc Floss.

Wishing you all a lovely day and Happy Weekend, too.   :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just wanted to wish you one and all a very Happy Valentine's Day.   :)

  More to come later on.......

Best Husband in all the world....

I don't want to hurt any one's feelings...but I am blessed with the best Husband in all the world. No really I am.

You all know that I am bat crap crazy and I am more than a handful to have to deal with, right? Well, he does it daily and rarely complains. Usually, he only complains when it's around football season and well, you know...the man loves his football.  I am a chatter box and well, that does leave one with the strong desire to find out the many uses for duct tape...just saying.

He never denies me anything. Honestly. He never nickel and dimes me. Never says no. Never tells me I can't buy yarn, or stuff like that...but he knew I had this whole yarn thing going on when he met me...I know, and he still married me. I told ya, he's the worlds best Husband.

I said something in passing about wanting a new set of interchangeable knitting needles. I do have a set of Dennis needles that he got me a few years back...but I wanted something wooden with sharp ends.

So what does he do...he tells me to get what ever I want. It's one of my Valentine Day presents, yeah, he's always gets me more than one thing...so you see now why I had to make him something special because he is so special!

I am about to be the proud owner of Knitter's Pride knitting needle set. They are awesome needles. I love them. They won't make my hands hurt because they are wood and will not suck the warmth from my hands like metal, which should allow me to knit for longer periods of time.

The Denise needles aren't metal either. And I love them, too. I will keep them because if you aren't working lace, they are perfectly fine. 


I've already set up the process to give them a loving home. They should be ready for their first photo shoot later on in the week. Which I hope to get back to my knitted shawl then as well. 

I feel another exploration into lace knitting coming on....well, after I get the crochet afghan finished.

I saw this and now I want to make this, and this and this. 

Ok, I am headed back again to the afghan to crochet some more. 

Wishing you all a lovely day.   :)

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

I am taking just a few hours off today to rest my arm from all the crocheting...I am now half way through the body of the afghan, need to hook the hearts, the edging and then start on the pig.

I did manage to get a pair of 12 mm eyes for the pig today. So he won't have to go through his little life being eye-less.

 I stumbled upon this. I was on Ravelry, one of my fav places to be,  and then it just kind of stood up and introduced itself to me, so well, I felt obligated at that point to join in.  You can find the Ravelry page here, it's titled Un-Biased Scarf KAL.

I will be using Lion Brands Amazing yarn in the color way of Arcadia....it being Fat Tuesday and all, and that's just the type of sense of humor I have...so I went with it. Laissez les bons temps rouler! That's "let the good times roll" for all you non Cajun speaking folks.  :) 

I know the pattern calls for sock yarn, but I rarely do what a pattern tells me to do...you know, I don't like just being outside of the box, sometimes I am not even in the same room as the box! 

The KAL starts tomorrow, but I might not be able to start until the 14th, due to the whole trying to make an afghan in a few days type of crazy town that I got going on. Never a dull moment a Chez Mc Floss.  :)

Sending you all many stitches of love.  Au revoir my sweeties.  

Houston We have a PROBLEM!

So what it's February 9th at 4:30pm!
So what Valentine's Day is only 5 days away!
 So what I have to finish this by then!
Piece of cake!
Oh, and did I happen to mention that this is also on the same plate?

I just bought the yarn today...and I still have to find the 12 mm eyes for the pig. OMGoodness gracious I think I am going to have a nervous break down. No really. I can almost hear the Dudes in the white coats headed my way.

So why do you ask am I doing this? Well, it appears my cross stitch heart is too, "girly".  You know WHO somehow stumbled upon it and wanted to know, and I quote, "What chick are you giving that to?"  Really? OMGoodness gracious I could have decked him right then and there on the spot...but that kind of seemed out of order, you know it being a heart and love and all that jazz. I just smiled and said I wasn't sure yet.

Then to top all this off,  as he's walking out of the room, he says, "Yeah, Valentine's Day is for chick's anyway."  CALGONE TAKE ME AWAY! Remember those old commercials? If you are too young to remember them, then please be kind and don't say so, I  already feel like a zillion years old...let's not add more to that, OK!  :)

He always loves the blankets I make him. So I thought I'd make this one...it can live for a while in our living room and then when spring comes I'll change it out for the spring color throws. Oh and the pig is just something I think is funny. He loves BBQ and every time we see a pig on a BBQ restaurants sign he makes a comment on how funny he thinks they look, so I thought I'd try to make the pig, too.

So don't be alarmed if I am not around for a few days. I'll try to check in from time to time, but I really need to put my nose to the grind stone (or hooks in this case) if I want to get it finished. I really do think it's do able. I am very fast at crochet (wish I were at knitting, too, but I am not). So there is a chance I can do this.

I have already had a long and hard talk with Mo and Jo and told them both they are not allowed to look at anything new or even think about getting back to the knitted shawl....which I really want to do, but no, I have to stay focused...MUST NOT LOOK AT SHAWL.......

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.   :)

Up date on V-Day heart

I am making good progress on the V-Day heart for Hubs.   I have been working my fingers to the bone trying to get it stitched (ok, not really, but it sounded really dramatic didn't it!).

I have been wanting to knit...my shawl is calling me from across the room. I keep telling it, "soon, very soon."  I don't want to do anything else but the V-Day heart until it's all finished so I can make the Feb 14th dead-line.

Still have no idea what I'll make this into...I thought about a box that Hubs could put stuff in and leave it on our dresser, so it looks pretty and then hides stuff, too. Not sure yet....

I might have to go out there and hunt down a Valentine Candy box that is close in size and then put this on top ( I saw this cool heart shaped box that was made to look like it was made from a football, so I had to get that for him, since he's such a huge football fan.).  He's a little sad right now, too because football season is over. I offered to teach him to knit...the look on his face was priceless!  :)

Hmmmm since I've already got him a box of candy for V-day...if I do find another heart shaped box that fits the stitchery...I guess I'll just have to eat all the candy inside so he can have the empty box. Wow, the things I do for love.  :)

Sending you all many stitches of love.   

SAL and a new blog to follow, too!

Feast your eyes on this new SAL I found today.

I had to run out to Michaels Craft Store to get the 16 count fabric so that I could start this today.

I love the colors.  Reminds me of Holland and the windmills....so lovely. But after thinking about it for a while and reading her awesome blog, I found where she is having this SAL on the15th of each month and it will be in red and white....and get this, the red is DMC color variations 4210, which I just happen to have on hand. Yay!

Any-who, go check out her lovely blog. It's awesome. Also, check out her sister's blog, too. I love the colors she is using. She hand dyed her own fabric. Very nice.

I can't wait to start today!  Yay!

We had a blanket of snow this am, but the sun has already melted it away.  My sweet one eared bunny came out of his rabbit hole today and I caught him jumping and running around the backyard. He just cracks me up with all this funny antics. Love that crazy bunny!

Hope you are all keeping warm and that you are enjoying your day by doing something you love.

I will have pictures soon of the heart cross stitch and the knitted shawl.  So don't give up on me, there are coming.

Hi-de-ho! It's 16 degrees out side!

Last night we enjoyed a balmy 12 degrees accompanied with snow and then a light drizzle which quickly froze and left "black ice" all over the road ways and sidewalks. Fun stuff! NOT.

Did I ever happen to mention that I really hate winter...no really. When I lived in Florida and we had winter, you know down to 40 something degrees and we all thought we were gonna freeze to death, I hated it then, too. I just don't do winter. Spring, Summer and Fall...yeah, Winter. No!

I am of course enjoying the view of my back yard, which just happens to be covered in a "dusting" of snow, the sky is blue, and the few clouds that I see are white and the sun is finally shinning. So we all hold our breath in hopes of seeing the upper 20's today. Yay. A heat wave!  :)

I hope where ever you are today you are warm and dry and get lots of time to do the things you love. Wishing you a lovely day and weekend, too.     :)

Putting the Stitchy back in the Mc Floss!

The above photo shows the Just Cross Stitch magazine with the lovely heart as a pillow, and below that you can see what I have stitches thus far.   This is a SAL with my dear friend Mary. She's awesome. Go check out her blog. I can't stitch anything as lovely as Mary does, but I am most pleased that she is doing the SAL with me.  So much fun.

I am using the DMC 304 red thread. I had thought about breaking down the pattern and doing some in green, pink and gold...but  I am giving this to Hubs for V-day so I wanted to keep it less girly as possible and just red for love.  He has no clue and since he doesn't read my blog (whew) then I can let you all take a peek as I progress.

I spent days doing Tunisian crochet and I finally came to a conclusion. I really don't like it. I can knit faster than I can do Tunisian knit stitch or purl, so why not just knit? I know, I kept asking myself the entire time I was doing it...why are you doing this again? I couldn't come up with a good  answer so I frogged it all and now am moving on.

I really need to work more on my shawl.

This is what I have knitted so far.  I have a long way to go.  But can you see the cool design element I was talking about in the other post.

Here's an up close picture:

I really adore this pattern. If you'd like to knit this shawl, then go here for the free pattern. I am using the Red Heart yarn called for in the pattern, but not the color way...I am using Petunia.  It's so lovely in read life. All purples and pinks and I just love it to pieces!  :)

Wishing you a lovely day and if I don't catch up with you later, then Happy Weekend, to ya, too.   :)

Ok, so I am knitting again.....

 I started this shawl.

I am using the yarn brand called for but not the color way...I am using the color way petunia. It's really pretty with pink and purples and a gradual transition into each color way.  I am using size 8 knitting needles and I am really enjoying this knit.  Yeah, I know, I am suppose to be doing more crochet, so why am I knitting?  You know I never do what I am "suppose" to do!

I am a very slow knitter, so it will be a while before I can post any pictures...but it's a very enjoyable knit. 

One thing I have loved about this shawl is that the designer used a very clever way of adding texture to this design. This is mostly a stocking-net shawl...knit on one side, purl on the other...which after a while you basically fall into a trance...but this design has a few rows that add a design element that keeps your interest up, at least for me any-who. 

I am also going to start this soon.  It's the red heart in the upper right corner that I am talking about. I bought some DMC Color Variations floss in a deep red that I think will look really nice.

I hope you are all doing the things you love today and that you have a super great weekend, too.  Wishing you all many stitches of love. 

Baby it's cold outside.......

It's so gray and nasty outside today...I just wanted to look at my dogwood blooms from this past Spring. 

It's going to be a high of 38 today. 

But I will be snug as bug in a rug while I knit/crochet the day away. Not sure which I will do, maybe both...it's gonna be that kind of day today.   :)

Wishing you all warmth and bright sunshine and lots of stitches of love. 

My local yarn store sucks!

Ok, let's say I walk into your yarn store, and I tell you I am looking for a non-wool yarn since I am allergic to wool. I need about 400meters of the stuff and it needs to be cream or white. Then let's say that you being the person who is working in said yarn store looks at me in the eye and says, "Oh, I have a wool and acrylic blend." Hmm. I respond, "No, it needs to be non-wool."  You look at me, still blinking as if you were a deer caught in head lights and then without even a smile, "We have cotton for dish clothes."  Where did I go wrong again?  I got a little pissy after that. I mean, really? Are you kidding me? I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs, "Charlatan"...but I had a feeling she'd not even know what that word meant, and well, when you have to start explaining your insults, it kind of takes all the fun out of it...you know!

So I left there feeling as if I wanted to walk out and beat my head on the concrete sidewalk. Yeah, it was that kind of place. Of course I should have known better to go there, since the first time I went in there looking for Interweaves Crochet Magazine, the lady behind the counter said in a rather loud and distasteful voice, "We don't carry those type of magazines here, we are a knit shop."  Hmmm.
Alrighty-then!

So then I went back and tried to look at all the yarn people made the shawl with, most of it was sock yarn. But I want mine to be made with worsted weight yarn. So I am holding out for a trip to "civilization" sometime soon. In the mean time my knitting needles are having a cow, no really, A COW to start this shawl. I woke up last night and found that they had flung themselves on the craft studio floor in protest because they haven't yet cast on for the shawl. I also noticed that they had pulled a skein of Red Heart Love off the shelf. I might try to cast on with that tonight, not sure. I only have one skein, so I am not sure how far I can get.

Oh, the lunch was awesome....Yeah, Hubs got to tag along. I read the pattern all the way through from beginning to end. So when I do get whatever yarn I use I will be ready to cast on.

It's a very simple and straight forward pattern that I think will be most enjoyable to knit. I encourage you if you are thinking about making this, give it a try. It's truly a lovely shawl. Here's the link again, in case you have no clue what shawl I am talking about.

Ok, I'll report back soon...maybe with a picture of a few rows knitted, not sure. In the mean time I am headed to the craft studio I can hear the knitting needles yelling at each other, "No, I am a size 10 she's gonna use me"...."NO I am a size 9, she's gonna use me." and so on and so on. The crochet hooks are snickering in the background...they love the drama of the knitting needles. I have to say, my knitting needles think they are Diva's...so there's always so type of drama filled something going on with them.

Until next time my dear friends...wishing you many stitches of love.

Steamy hot date.......

Yeah, you read that right. I have a steamy hot date for lunch. Oh, it's not who you expect at all.

I plan on getting there a little early, you know what they say about the early bird and the worm, right?

I've already planned what I am wearing....it's gonna be a super special date, trust me.

And just where am I going you ask?

Oh, I am taking my new shawl pattern out on a lunch date. Just me and the pattern, sitting around chilling until my food arrives at the table.  I might let Hubby tag along if he can get off from work, not sure yet...

And then after lunch, I plan on heading to the yarn shop to fondle every single yarn I can get my grubby little paws on. Why do I say fondle you ask? Oh, so glad you did. For you see, I don't just go up to a yarn skein and touch it...I have to pick it up, put it next to my cheek and see if it passes the soft test, if it does (and mind you there can't be a lot of wool in it) then I go a step further. I start checking out it's label. Yeah, I am wild and crazy that way, I know!

Now you see why I leave Hubby in the car? I am not sure he'd understand. But you all do I know!

So my fellow yarnies, if you need me, I will be oc-co-pod-o....don't try to text me...I won't answer, I feel it's my duty to give the yarn my fullest attention.

Of course every time I walk in a yarn shop I have this fantasy of taking all my clothes off and just rolling around in the yarn. Yeah, let's all say EWWWWW together. I can't help it, my twisted mind just works that way. And don't for a moment think I am the only one who wants to do this either.

You know if my hooks and needles talk to me here at home, then when I go into yarn shops all that stuff talks to me, too. I have decided however, to keep the above mentioned nudity romp to myself and not let the yarn know what could be in its future...just saying.

Ok, now that I have totally grossed you all out...I am off to mingle!

Knitting? Oh, here we go again....

I was doing fine, really I was. I was going to just devote myself to crocheting for a while, taking a break from knitting and then I saw this.

Ok, first off Miss Tanna has one of the coolest blogs you'd ever want to read...head on over there now and check her out.

She always makes the coolest project that leave me with my mouth wide open! Honestly, she only knits awesome things.

So when I saw the above shawl, it took my breath away. I really adore the owls. It says it's an easy knit, and I do know that cables are super easy, a pain the butt sometimes, but easy. I know how to cable in knitting so I do believe I could knit this shawl.

Ok, this shawl goes on my "bucket list".    It's a must knit for 2013.

Hope you are all having a blast today...we have gray clouds and rain...but that's ok, it's not snow, so I'll take it!

Blessings and hugs to you all dear friends.  

I'm ok...really.

After writing the poem...and reading so many thoughtful and caring comments and e-mails....I have to say, I really do feel much better.

I write out my sorrows, I write out my joys, I just plain write.

I will hold onto the joys of the happy times and I will keep going. Oh, I will pause and look back from time to time, so bare with me, but for the most part, I have to say I am so blessed, far more than I deserve and very thankful for each and every blessing that I have....and that includes you all dear friends as well.

I still have a filet crochet heart project I am working on and plan to continue to work on it from time to time.  So the hook won't be ignored.  There are also a few doilies I'd like to do as well. I am in crochet thread mood lately.

That's all that's new at the Mc Floss house.

Wishing each and every single one of you many stitches of love.   :) 

Mama

Ten years since your passing

The void will never be filled

not here, not on Earth, not now

but one day face to face

my soul that weeps 

that refuses to find solace

will rejoice at seeing you.

Thank You

Thank you dear friends for all your lovely heartfelt comments, they mean so much to me.

I think I am in "that" place right now, where the sun, even though shinning, appears dull and without joy. It will pass.

I spent most of yesterday knitting, yes you read that right (and thanks Mere, you are so kind and thoughtful and know me so well!).

I sat there for a moment and thought, well, I really don't have a project in mind, so I picked up my knitting needles and what ever yarn was nearby (yes, my house if full of yarn, Hubby is use to it, in fact he has come to believe that all houses have yarn) and I started a 7 x 9 rectangle to send off to the dear lady in Nicholasville,  KY at A Tangled Yarn who is collecting them to make blankets  for the tornadoes victiums of last March in West Liberty KY.  Here's her Ravelry group and Facebook page if you want to learn more.

I just got to thinking that even though I am sad I wanted to reach out and help someone. In a way it's sort of a memorial I want to do in my Mama's name. I have made squares in the past and dropped them off there (which by the way, if you are near her shop, please stop by she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and her shop is awesome. I love her shop and I love Fred her shop cat. He is a rescue cat and he's a cutie.).

So I am going to make a few rectangles and relax. I am also writing like crazy right now, too. I have learned that when my emotions start to get out of whack I write. I write a lot.

I have a poem coming up that I have written about my Mama. It's a deep poem that reached into my soul and left me standing on the page naked. My emotions are always so raw when it comes to Mama.

I know ten years is a lot of time, but for me, time has stood still in a lot of ways.

You are all so very kind of me and such blessings in my life. I value each of your friendships and know that it was not by chance that we found each others blogs and have developed our friendships.

So I think you dear friends for being a source of light that shines through to the dark place where I currently am. But fear not, I won't be here long. This happens every year. Some years I am better at hiding it than others...but this year, being sick and feeling all worn out....there was no way to hide the pain and hurt.....but thank you for the hugs and prayers and kindness. I am so blessed to have such awesome people like yourselves in my life.  :)

It might be the cough syrup talking......

I'm bored! Flat out of my mind bored! I mean, seriously, if I see one more boring project, with one more boring yarn,  I am gonna scream!

I went to You Tube and found a video to show how to do Crochet Entrelac. I made three rows that were about 50 inches long (I was thinking of an afghan) and then it felt so scratchy, so thick...after  a another row, I was at the point of wanting to wrap it around my neck and play wish bone! It was getting pretty boring. Did I happen to mention I am bored?

I can't find anything that is making me want to drop everything and make it. Nothing. I have looked in all my magazines, pattern books, on line....blogs....nothing is speaking my language.

Usually, I don't have to do much...I just go through life minding my own little bees wax and the next thing I know a pattern comes up to me and says, "How you doing?" usually in a thick New York accent. I always giggle and the next thing I know I am making the pattern.

But now I am bored. BORED. Did I happen to mention I am bored? No seriously, b-o-r-e-d.

I walked past the craft studio and the knitting needles were giving me the bird. I heard some whispers and giggles and when I looked back one of them was trying to moon me, but thankfully couldn't get itself out of the holder.

I keep seeing all kinds of cool knitted lace patterns out there....but I don't have any lace yarn. Well, I have a skein but it's pure wool and if I even get in the same room with it I break out in hives and start itching in places I never knew I had. Yeah, no wool for me.

I need  a direction...a focus....

January is always a sad time for me. It should be the month of promise and hope, but for me, it is one of loss.  Of looking back and realizing that even though the years continue to add up, I am no less "over" the passing of my Mama. I never will be. There will never come a time where I can just sit and smile and look back without tears. Mama was not just my Mother, the person who taught me right from wrong, the person who showed me unconditional love and support...she was my best friend.

I had someone say to me once, "My God, how long are you going to morn?" And I looked at them and said, "As long as I breathe." They just shook their head and walked away.  Love doesn't stop with death. It's a bookmark in the story, not an ending.

So I think that is why I am bored right now.....I don't have the heart to start something just yet....my emotions are all wound so tight around my heart right now.

Ok, now that I have depressed everyone. Sorry. If you see a pattern out there that looks cool (yes, it can be a knitted one, too) then let me know. I am up for looking at new patterns and stuff.

I've gotta run...I can hear the knitting needles trying to create a ruckus in the craft studio. I just heard a thud and then a scream....tell me again why do I keep them? 

Ships

I stood for what felt like hours 

the waves crashing up against the pier

wind blowing my hair up, then back 

then across my face again

From a distance I saw you

I thought I knew you once….

you were someone else and so was I

not the people who we are now

I hope you have grown into someone

far better than you once were

I hope the same could be said for myself

but I am not sure

I struggle constantly with worry and doubt

I look into a still pound

and the face I see is not my own

Who is that? I wonder.

Where did all the time go?

We once danced on the beach

on a summers night

to music from your car radio

caring not what others thought

for then it was just you and I

no one else existed in our limited world

Hurts and lies and more hurts

deception and cruelty so unexpected

yet when is it ever?

I am sad that our story ended so poorly

but it was doomed from the start

two ships that pass in the night

sometimes just need to keep going

I see I am but one of many that 

were tangled in your web

had I but known 

so foolish, so young

I look back and smile for I am

grateful that even though the 

bitter taste of hurt once filled

my entire being

I now have been set free

for once I see it was you

that could not find happiness

it was not me who was at fault

The shadows of the past 

circle and dance around our feet

I pass quickly by as if I were

but a ghost from someone else's past

But you know who I am 

and I know who you are

and this time 

our ships keep sailing 

to their separate destinations. 

Ok, apparently, I haven't quite gotten the writing bug out of me yet...this is the first poem I have written for 2013.   Hugs  Vicki