Shades of Summer, past....

A very quick 'pop in' post this morning. I have a sunny day opportunity to go shopping with Betsy. They has sold their last store, and she needs to bo some account closing in a mid-size city 40 miles east of here. She promised some fabric store shopping and lunch *VBS*And since a post just isn't much without a picture...enjoy last years patio while I'm gone.... I'll be back soon! *VBS* Hugs for all!

Tuesday Tidbits....

a little of this and a little of that...what used to be refered to as "a Duke's mizture"...that's what I have for you on this wild and windy Tuesday. And a smile *VBS*, of course... Part of my Mother's Day loot, a thoughtful gift from DD#1 who love the "All you need is love" fabrics from Moda. This will be a nice addition to my Moda JellyRoll from JulieQ.
 Another piece of the Orange Crush Mystery...a revised square using a different red.
 Here's the first attempt for comparison.
 And a little show stopper for sure. DGS#10 is now officially 3 months old and growing nicely. A picture for Gram on the quilt she made him. He'll be visiting the end of the month...hurray for that!
My bruises are healing and the scrapes are closed over. The stiffness is past and I feel almost human again. Thank you for your good wishes, thoughts and hugs. AND suggestions...I will be speaking to the village clerk about that unmarked end of the foundation slab.
This village is tiny, just over a thousand people. An attendant is something that will never happen, but I think the bright spray paint to indicate the edges would be a very good idea all around, and an inexpensive 'fix'.
My corner of the world is finally turning green, I see tiny 'squirrel ear' sized leaves. On the old river road, the faint green 'mist' now hangs on the hill sides, soon to be full fledged woods. The growing season is upon us, at last.

Speaking of Jack....

who fell down and broke something, *S*, it was Finn who came tumbling after. A few days ago, after cleaning the garage, I took the recycling into the village as my last act of the afternoon. Turned out to be a real show stopper. To make a long story short, I didn't notice the recycle bins were shoved back further than usual and that the pavement ended before the last of the bins. The drop is about 2"... plenty for me to turn an ankle. I did and went head long. My bags of newpaper and plastic broke the fall, but I've been a pretty banged up, bruised, aching MESS these past few days. I tore up my palm, elbow and knee on the left and hit my right shoulder hard. I'm feeling much better,but have a ways to go. Luckily I didn't break ANYTHING. I'm very grateful for that1 *VBS* I got borders cut and sewn on my little Prairie Children Broken Dishes. Now to get it basted and quilted.
 This great red is what I felt would work beautifully for my Orange Crush Mystery. I was pleased as punch to have 2 yards of this old RJR to put with black. Should be great, right???
 But cut, and sewn into Step 4, of the Quiltville mystery, this is what happens to my gorgeous red.....
 I could hardly believe my eyes. I thought it was the lighting in the sewing area. But full spectrum, natural or plain old lightbulb....it just DOESN'T work. Luckily I've only cut a part of what is needed, and only made two blocks. I'm now in search mode for a brighter red. I don't want it to JUMP off the quilt, but being able to see it in the block would be nice *VBS*

Back to the rug...and other stuff

Remember this? The first 3 rows of the newly begun crocheted rug...from last Wednesday. At the time, I had 3 tennis ball size rag balls sewn for this rug. The size you make the balls is up to you. I find it hard to hold and wind a ball much bigger than a tennis ball. Friend Jean makes them bigger than grapefruit, but that size makes my hands and wrists hurt. Make yours according to what works for you. The 3 balls took the rug out to about 10". I didn't think to measure. More sewing of strips was needed, but I didn't get around to that until yesterday.
 An hour of sewing will result in a nice pile of "stuff". I watched a movie last evening and did the snipping apart and excess trimming. Got the balls wrapped and even managed a bit of crocheting before bedtime. The little rug is now out to 14". Progress begins to slow down as the rug gets larger.INCREASES change as it gets larger. I find I only need to increase(2 sc in same stitch) about every 4th to 9th stitches as it grows. That's a big spread I know, but you will learn to keep an eye on the stitch you are doing and when it is laying as if PULLED to the right, it's time for a 2nd one in that same stitch. This is NOT an exact science. Way too many variables...the weight of your fabric, the width you made the strips, how tight or loosely you crochet, etc. I think it is as variable as we are individual. That seems to be true in cooking also. You can follow an exact recipe and still get a different result. Just don't get discouraged. *VBS*
 I think most of you know that I also make "mug rugs" from the same basic beginning of the bigger rug. Just quit when you have the desired size. I used to make them about 4-4.5", but I now go out to a full 5". That way if the mug or glass is larger, the rim of the rug doesn't 'throw' the balance off. I also do what I call fabric baskets(altho I suppose they are more 'bowl' like).Determine the size you want them to be by the BASE size. Once you have the(i.e.) 6" base, you STOP increasing...period. Within a round or two the piece will begin to curl up and continue to curl up into straight sides as you go. The heighth you make them is up to you. I've made tiny 2" and 3" baskets, using a smaller hook and narrower strips, and I've made big 10+" base ones. I've made one just the perfect size to hold 8 of the 5" mug rugs *VBS* It was a gift for Betsy. With the one in this picture, I decided to see if I could make a COVER for an odd plastic container. It sits next to my sewing chair and holds spools of thread, seam ripper, safety pins, a small scissor, an emory board and a few other odds and ends. I measuredthe crocheted base against the container and once I had it big enough, I stopped increasing. This is the result. It was crocheted from odd bits left over balls. It's NOT gorgeous, but the idea works. You could crochet a handle for it, if you wanted a true basket.
 
And last but not least today, a wonderful package arrived yesterday from my PIF partner, Dee of Thea Quilts. I received this absolutely gorgeous little quilt, love those tiny buttons Dee!! And such fun Aunt Gracies type fabrics. I also received some scrump-DEE-lishous Dove and Ghirardelli Chocolates. AND, as a special treat, a bag of Dunkin' Donuts coffee beans! I was just astonished at all the goodies you sent me Dee, and I thank you for my wonderful treats!!

Busy, busy, busy.....

and nothing new to show you today, but thought I'd stop by and say "Happy Cinco de Mayo" everyone! Our weather has turned warm and sunny, and it's a pleasure to be outside getting ready for summer. Too soon to plant, but clean up works!A bit of utility quiliting to peek at until I get that tutorial done. And just for fun, the "me-me" going around....**You have to use the first letter of your first name to answer each of the following. One word only. They have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question**

NAME: Sylvia

4 LETTER WORD: sure

VEHICLE: S.U.V.

TV SHOW: Sunset Strip

CITY: Seattle

BOYS NAME: Sam

GIRLS NAME: Susanna

OCCUPATION: Sheriff

FOOD: Salmon

SOMETHING IN THE BATHROOM: Soap

REASON FOR BEING LATE: Sleeping

SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Stop!!!

And I'm going to tag you and you and you!

Time to make a crocheted rug - Part 4

You saw this picture in the last post. There's my pin, telling me I am back to the beginnings. It's not necessary to keep track of that, but as the rug gets larger and larger, it's a guidepost. Can you see the distinct 'rows'? The autumn type chain beginnings? The blue that followed nearly all the way around the first row? The black into yellowish and made up the 2nd row?
 And here we are with 3 rounds just about completed. In this 3rd round, I began to alternate: 1 sc in a stitch, and then 2 in the next one. That will be the way it goes for quite a few of the rounds as the rug grows. Sometimes that's NOT enough...and you'll end up putting (2)sc in several stitches in a row to 'ease' the curve. Sometimes it will take just ONE(1)sc in several stitches or it seems 'too full'. Sorry to tell you that will have to pay SOME attention to this aspect of making the rug. And I'll give you my BEST clues for what is needed. This is a NO FAIL test *VBS* If your rug is curling slightly as you come around the circle, you need to ADD MORE stitches. That eases out the curl. IF...the rug begins to RIPPLE, you've done TOO MANY stitches and need to pull out your crocheting back to where is doesn't ripple. Pulling out goes fast!!!!! Much faster than putting in!
As the rug grows, I lay it on the floor in front of me every round or two and make sure it is laying flat. I've had very good luck using these HINTS. Curl:to few stitches Ripple: too many stitches, and CHECK on the flatness periodically. And don't get discouraged. I figured this ALL out first hand. The directions in the BH&G book say increase every other stitch period after the first round. I found you MUST do that 2 in 1 as a 2nd round also. It's a learning process, but well worth the effort I think.
 Lastly, for today,fruits of my labor. The little "beginnings" is out to 3 1/2"s as I finish up the 3rd round. The red and white one is one I started yesterday(it will go to someone as a 'mug rug', when that begun round is complete it will be 4.5". The nearly all white one is a finished 'rug'. I use it under my coffee mug. It is made from white selvedges, and measures 5.5".
I've made dozens and dozens that size(5.5") for our local nursing home. They put a carafe of ice water on each of the dining room tables at meal time, and since they also use table cloths for the residents, the ice water carafe was making a mess, and dripping. My friend Jean came up with the idea of putting one of these little 'coasters' under the jugs of water and it solved the problem. The nursing home now also uses one of my little 'mug rugs' on each residents night stand to solve the problem in there. It's been a lot of fun and I enjoy making them this size. It goes really fast. I'm working on a bunch now that are all scrappy reds and scrappy greens. They will be for this coming Christmas.
And the nice part is, if a resident wants to take it with them when they leave, they may do so *VBS* There are so many ways to be of service to your community *S*
** Please feel free to email me with questions about your rug.

Time to make a rug - Part 3

The chain 6 gets joined by doing a slip st(sl st)into the first stitch.When you get to here stick the hook through the beginning stitch, yarn over(excuse the use of the word yarn)and pull through the opening AND the stitch on the hook, all in one motion.THEN...put ANOTHER single crochet(sc)in that same first stitch. You've now increased the count by ONE. Continue doing this ALL THE WAY AROUND. Should have roughly 12 sc's when you get back to the beginning again.
 This is first row completed. Ready to slip stitch to the former first stitch.
 I like to know when I've completed a ROUND, so I use a small safety pin, moving it up every few rows. That way I have an idea of where the beginning was when I am ready to be done.
 The second 'go round' will be almost exactly like the previous one. I try to get 2 single crochets in every stitch in this round also. It might be that your little beginning seems to be trying to be a caterpiller and curl up. Don't worry about that. Almost always it takes til the 3rd round before things flatten out. There can be exceptions to the 'getting 2 stitches' in every stitch of that 2nd round. One exception seems to happen if the fabric is too thick or wide. If its an awkward fit, just put in one sc and then put 2 in the next one. Way to go...got you've got it!