DIARY OF A MESSY, BUT LOVABLE CRAFT LADY

Hi everyone,

How are you all today? I'm doing really well. Yesterday I was suffering the consequences of eating some gluten-filled goodies on Tuesday. I was sick all day Wednesday. Today I'm feeling much better. That experience told me TWO things. One is that no matter how tasty something is, if I know my body can't handle it, I shouldn't eat it. Number Two (and positive aspect) is that the toxicity level in my body is going DOWN. That's why my body had such a strong reaction to the two croissants I ate on Tuesday.

Okay, now to the fun stuff.  It has been awhile since I've picked up my knitting needles.  When my dad went into the hospital, everything stopped. Oh, my dad is doing so well, now. It is a real miracle.  Now I'm feeling ready to start crafting again.  You know you are ADDICTED in love with crafting when you have multiple projects going on at the same time....a.k.a UFO's (unfinished objects).  So here is what I have to share with you today. Oh, and keep in mind, this isn't even HALF of the unfinished craft projects in my room.  This first photo is a pair of socks that I was knitting for my aunt for Christmas. The first sock is almost finished, plus I still need to knit the second. Oh, and the taupe colored yarn? Those are my dad's knee-high socks...can you tell? ha ha ha ha ha ;) :)

The next photo is a close-up of the variegated taupe yarn that I'm going to use for my Dad's knee-high socks.  Hmm...at this rate, they'll be ready just in time for Christmas 2012 :) :) I've never used this particular yarn before. I just remember purchasing it because the price was extremely affordable:

This next photo is a close-up of the socks that I"m knitting for my aunt. I LOVE knitting socks.  It is a fun thing to knit. Plus, it's an extremely affordable project on my "in between jobs" budget:

Maybe I can justify all my unfinished knitting projects if I disguise daintily place them in a lovely, vintage chic basket?:

Now talk about a project taking a long time. I started this quite a fe months ago. I don't even remember when I started this Victorian knitted lace edging, or even why I set the needles down.  Now that I'm back to crafting, this will finally get finished. Isn't the pink so pretty?:

Now, my walk-in closet is an absolute M.E.S.S...messy messy messy messy..and I WON"T show a pic of that till after it's looking neat and sparkly again. However, you know you've got it bad, when your craft supplies start spilling over into the closet in the tv room...like this:

That last photo were some craft items that I was going to use to try and make some stuff for the ladies in my Bible study for Valentine's Day. I was stressing out over that...unnecessarily.  In the end, I decided to actually finish by lesson on Hebrews instead. The craft projects can wait...and these will eventually turn into a work of art. Oh, and it's NEVER too late to give a Valentine's Gift.

I'm really working on embracing the whole idea of being a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 lady...oh, make that "single" lady. You know what?  These are things that are great for any woman, no matter what your station in life might be.  So pray for me, encourage me, and feel free to leave any tips etc here in the comment box ;) :) Also, please check out my sidebar for some links to the various blogs hosting link-ups throughout the week :)

Join me tomorrow for another episode of my "It Makes Cents to Me" Friday :) :)  I am looking into subscribing to the local paper, just so I can get the coupon inserts.

It's a beautiful, bright sunny day today. It's also a little  chilly outside.  Luckily, I'm INSIDE watching episodes of the Canadian tv series "Heartland" on Netflix, and working on this blog post at the same time.  That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

I've Knitted My Very First Samples of Victorian Knitted Lace Edgings & Work Update

Hi everyone...I pray that you all have a really great weekend. I have to to work today (Saturday)...so I'm working on this post early to make sure it gets published on time :) :)  I mentioned awhile back that I'm making some lace edgings for my bookcase. I like lace and all sorts of beautiful vintage things. So in an effort to beautify my home and make it more feminine and romantic, I thought lace edgings would be a good place to start :) :) :)

A couple of years ago, I purchased this book at a local used book store. It's written by Nancie Wiseman and published by Interweave Press. The book might be out of print now. You'll have to check that on-line somewhere. However, I'm sure there's a copy to be found in a used bookstore somewhere. I purchased this copy at Smith Family Bookstore in Eugene, Oregon. It was about $9 and worth EVERY penny.



At the time I didn't crochet...so this was just perfect and it reminded me so much of Victorian/Edwardian things and Anne of Green Gables...so I just had to HAVE the book :) :) :) In short, this book is a really nice collection of genuine Victorian era knitted lace edgings by Blanche Beau...the woman you see pictured on the front cover.   She kept everything in a really neat notebook, that was eventually inherited by the author of this book!!!  So I thought I'd make up some samples in various patterns and colors to decide what I like best!!!

The first two samples I knitted in dark red...because I LOVE red.  The third sample is knit in pink..which now upon reflection, is much brighter than I originally thought it was ;) :) :)  I do have white crochet cotton...but I decided to start with some color!!! There will definitely be some white samples to choose from as well!!!


I've completed two different styles of lace edging and am working on the third (in pink)..Here is the first one, it's called "Mrs. R's Diamond Lace" on page 41.  This one was the most difficult since it was my first. I literally started and ripped it out about three times, before I finally got the rhythm right.  I haven't "blocked" this yet. I'm not sure if I will.  I'll definitely press it with an iron to make it lay flat...The scalloped edging should be a little pointier...at least according to the photo in the book...so I'm not sure what isn't being done correctly. No matter...I LOVE it..and it's definitely homey/vintage looking :) :) :)

Next is the "Rose Point Lace" on page 46-47. This definitely will need to be blocked or pressed or both...Still, I'm very happy with the result and although I LOVE the red, this might look better in white. The plan is to knit up some samples, display them on my bookcase and then let you decide which style of lace looks best. Then I'll knit a bunch of that!!!

Last but not least....because I'm still knitting is this really nice "Maple Seed Lace" on pages 70-71. So far this has been the best one in terms of the look as it's knitting. There are quite a few YO's (yarn overs)...that is part of what helps create those lacy parts...but the overall affect is really beautiful!!!! Somehow I think I was born in the wrong generation..but then again, no, God's timing is perfect...and how that and my love of vintage stuff fits together...I'm not sure yet, other than to help make my home a haven!!!



Pictured below are all my samples together...with the fabric in the backdrop that I'll use as the shelf liner fabric. This was formerly my fitted sheet on my bed. I did wash it first...but I don't believe in ironing...well, only if I absolutely have to :) :) This is part of a Shabby Chic bed set...called "Cherry Blossom" You won't even see this fabric once I attach the lace edging.  I don't want to use tacks on my bookcase, so I thought this would be a good alternative. It's part of an idea that I dreamed up of how the overall project should look when it's finished. So we'll see if this turns out or not. Oh, I also included that wire/rose ribbon I purchased at a yard sale last weekend.  I'm not sure what I'll use this for...Any ideas?

That's my Victorian knitted lace edging project thus far...I hope you like it. Do you already see a lace edging that you like best? My bookcase has 5 shelves plus the top...so I'll be knitting or crocheting three more styles of lace.

Tales from the Pear Tree
I have some sort of sad news to report. Today was my day off and a coworker called me during her break to tell me "They completely shut down our department today"..WHAT?????  That's so bizarre since management told our supervisors only YESTERDAY that we'd have more work and we were doing a great job. I did receive a call from one of my supervisors today about this...it is very discouraging.

Well, I can't really comment more on it at this point and I WON'T name the company I work for...but I will say that I feel like something smells really rotten here in terms of integrity. Many of my coworkers feel the same way, too. We're going to be split up and some will go into the business division setting up phone appointments. Others will stay in inbound/customer service calls. I am choosing to stay in the latter...doing only inbound calls/customer service.

Arrgghh..I won't complain anymore...Just pray for me to not lose heart in the face of what seems like a lack of integrity.  I still have to do a good job as unto the LORD regardless of what goes on around me!!! So pray for a good attitude. I am grateful to still be working, because it's keeping a roof over my head :) :) :) Okay, enough "pears" today!!!

So I've been busy working on my knitted lace edgings. I do need to get my quilt out and start working on that too. It's been awhile...so I'll be working on some time management skills...to help me towards that end!!! Life has once again thrown me a curve ball...but that's okay...God is good...and somehow He'll use this for His glory...I'm sure of it!!!...the how, I'm not sure about...but I know that HE is faithful!!! That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)