2013 REFLECTIONS

We are on the eve of entering a new year.

I am like many that make resolutions for the new year.

But as I sit and ponder on what 2013 has been for me,

I realize that I have been blessed beyond measure.

 

This year my youngest son graduated with his

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.  He is

an intern for Campus Crusade for Christ at Ball State University.

 

My daughter-in-law received her Master's in Student Affairs.

Her husband, my oldest son, received his Master's in Computers.

They will be living in North Carolina as he will be working there.

This change makes me happy and sad at the same time.

 

My husband and I celebrated 30 years of marriage!

Wow, I can't believe we've been married that long.

We did celebrate by going to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

 

I did not put out a vegetable garden out this year.

That makes me sad because I miss my fresh veggies.

I did make several changes in my other flower gardens.

 

I'm so grateful that I can still teach Spanish to homeschool students.

Each year is different and fun.  They have made me laugh.

 

Quilting still takes a lot of my time and I love it.

I just wish I had more time to do all the projects

that are in my head and not have to deal with the

responsibilities I have, like cooking and cleaning.

 

What do I want to accomplish in the 2014?

My list is endless.

My first and foremost goal is to have

a better relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ.

I know that I can do better this coming year than

what I have been this year.

 

I want to be a better wife for my husband.

I want to be a better mother for my sons.

I want to be a better mother-in-law for my daughter-in-law.

I want to be a better friend.

 

So as I say goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014,

I look for opportunities to be a better person

and be open to the possibilities that will come my way.

 



CHRISTMAS MINI QUILT DAY THREE

This is the block that will be made today.

You will use three fabrics.

Take a 4-inch square and cut once on the diagonal.

 

 With your other two fabric choices, cut them to three inch squares.

Cut them once on the diagonal.

I make my squares a little larger to give me 

enough room to square them off.

 

Sew your pieces as pictured below.

 

Square the block to 3 1/2 inches.

INFINITY SCARF

One of the things that I love to do is knit and crochet.

If any of you would come to my craft room,

you will see I have a eight drawer dresser.

In six of the drawers I have it filled with yarn.

Most of the yarn has been given to me

and the rest I have bought.

I had forgotten that I had two skeins of alpaca yarn in my drawer.

With the latest craze of infinity scarves, I decided to make one.

I chose the alpaca yarn.  I'm so glad I did because it's nice and soft.

It's a really fast and easy scarf you'll finish in no time.

The stockinette stitch keeps the fabric thin which is the best 

to roll it several times around your neck without being uncomfortable.

DIRECTIONS:

Using your favorite cast-on, cast-on 30 stitches.  Work the pattern as follows:

Row 1:  Slip one stitch purlwise, kfb, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, knit 1

Row 2:  Slip one stitch purlwise, purl to last stitches.

When you have about 30" yarn left on your last skein, or when your scarf is the length you want for the scarf, take your tapestry needle and sew the ends together with the kitchener stitch for an invisible join.  That scarf is long enough to be rolled 2, 3 or 4 times around your neck.

Stitch Guide:

kbf= knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1 stitch)

k2tog= knit two stitches together (decrease 1 stitch)

Needles= US 6 

Tips= Regularly count the number of stitches onto your needle because it's really easy to forget an increase or decrease.

CHRISTMAS MINI QUILT DAY TWO

Here is the next block we'll be making for this mini quilt.

Cut two pieces of fabric that measures 4 inches.

On the wrong side of either one of the squares, draw a line in the center.

Draw another line either to the right or left of the center line.

The second line should be 1/4" from the center line.

Sew on the second line that was drawn.

Cut the square on the center line.

Iron toward the dark side.

Square off the block to 3 1/2".

CHRISTMAS MINI QUILT

For the next several weeks, I'll be posting

on a project that is easy to do.

There is a catch to it.

This quilt is based on a Christmas carol.

The person that figures out what the carol is,

I will give them a packet of fat quarters.

There will be twelve Christmas fat quarters in the packet.

So here's the first block:

Cut one block at 3 1/2"

MUG COASTER COZY

I've been battling a cold that has been hanging on for a while.

Needless to say, I don't have much energy to do anything.

So I rest on my sofa, I crocheted this cozy.

The coaster portion is worked in continuous rounds; 

do not sl st to join.  At row 7, you begin working

back and forth in rows.  The coaster cozy will

fit your standard 10-11 oz. mug.

SUPPLIES:

• worsted weight yarn, approximately 40 yards
• US H hook
• yarn needle
• button
• thread and needle for attaching button

INSTRUCTIONS:

Round 1: 6 Sc in a magic circle. (6)
Round 2: 2 Sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: ✽ Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st ✽ repeat around. (18)
Round 4: ✽ Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st ✽ repeat around. (24)
Round 5: ✽ Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st ✽ repeat around. (30)
Round 6: ✽ Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st ✽ repeat around. (36)
Row 7: Sl st in next st, ch 1, sc in same st, ✽ sk next st, 2 sc in next st ✽ 16 times; ch 1, turn. (33)
Row 8-16: Sc in first st, ✽ sk next st, 2 sc in next st ✽ repeat across; ch 1, turn. (33)
Row 17: (Sc, ch 1, sc) in first st, sc across to last st in the row, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last st; sc evenly down the edge, across the 3 base sts and up the other edge. Sl st to join in the first sc, ch 14, sl st in same st; fasten off and weave in loose end.

Finishing
Sew your button on the corner opposite the ch-14 loop you made in row 17. Fit a mug
into your cozy, slip the loop over the button, and pour yourself a nice hot cup of coffee or
tea. Enjoy!

To make the magic circle, click video for a youtube tutorial:  VIDEO