"Make new friends...

but keep the old....one is silver, the other gold". Remember that old song that we sang as 'round' back in Brownies or Girl Scouts? I wonder if singing is still such a big part of being a scout? Maybe it's just that the times were simpler, back in the late 40's and 1950's. I was a Brownie Scout, and I 'flew-up' to the Girl Scouts..*S* I still have my Brownie pin and my wings. It was a 'good part' of my turbulent growing up years. Something that stayed constant.
Along that same line, is my friendship with Jean. I thought it was time you met this person who plays a big role in my day to day happiness...*VBS* Jean and I have sons that were friends all through school. And altho Josh(her oldest) played at my house, or Justin(my youngest) played at hers, we never got acquainted until 2000. She is quite abit younger than me, but it doesn't seem to matter. I offer wisdom, well seasoned ways of looking at things, and a place to lean.In return I have found loyality, companionship, and someone to laugh with....and much more. I think she and I are kindred spirits. I taught Jean to quilt in 2001, and she was an excellent student. She's a scrapper and believes in 'use it up'. I couldn't be prouder.

Of course I had to show her my crocheted rugs, and before I knew it, she was off and running. She makes the rectangle shaped ones, and has sold several. I knew it wouldn't be long before she'd HAVE to try a basket...LOL. Sure enough, by Sunday evening she 'caved'. When I talked to her yesterday, she'd finished 5...*G* I think it's fair to say that her mom will be getting a set of stacking baskets for Mother's Day on Sunday. I snapped these pictures last week while she was visiting. She's activities director at our local nursing home. She works from noon til 8:30, and often stops after work to visit. Her hands are always busy, crocheting, snipping the sewn strips of trimming off the overlap and winding the rag balls. She's sitting on the floor so she can stretch out her tired legs..*S*
And here's that elusive picture of my three baskets,stacked. You can see the smallest one is about a row taller than the other two. Hedgie ask how much fabric it takes? More than you would think! If you know how to crochet Hedgie, take a large hook, and a strip about 3/4" wide of fabric and make a chain. I think 36" of fabric will give you about 10-18 single crochet stitches, depending. I tear my fabric. I prefer tearing to cutting, but I tear down the length of the yardage, instead of across. It gives you a cleaner tear. There are a couple of threads to pull away and discard, but not too bad. Polyster fabric tears poorly to not at all. If you need or want more information on the baskets, give me a hollar...*VBS*