Beside Still Waters

Mary Wigham SAL

2009-06-02T20:47:00.002-04:00

I'm so very excited to be participating in my first-ever SAL (Stitch-A-Long) making this beautiful sampler. It was made by a girl named Mary Wigham back in 1790, while she was a student at the Ackworth School - a Quaker boarding school founded in 1779.

Needleprint has worked together with the school to chart the sampler and offer it as free downloads in sections for this SAL, asking only for donations to further Ackworth School's efforts in conservation of this and many other samplers. Go to this post at Needleprint if you'd like to know more about the decision to release the chart this way. If you are at all interested, I encourage you to check it out and join us.

This will be the first time that I am going to stitch on linen - I've only ever used Aida cloth before. The fabric (Wichelt Lambswool Linen) is on order and should be here soon, and I can hardly wait to start. I'm actually intending to stitch it in monochrome - meaning that I will only use one floss color, which I think I've chosen a blue for it. I may vary it a bit by using lighter shades of the same color, but we'll see how it goes and whether I feel like sticking to the monochrome.

I think there will be an "official" blog dedicated to this SAL that I will link to for my updates once I know what it is and I get started stitching. Until then...happy stitching!

Baby Bib and Burp Cloth

2009-03-06T19:06:00.004-05:00

This started off by my receiving the 2009 Crochet Pattern-A-Day Calendar from a co-worker for Christmas, and another co-worker whose daughter was expecting saw the pattern for these bibs when glancing through it. I was more than happy to try out the pattern and make them, and since we didn't know the gender of the baby yet I picked out this Lily Sugar 'n Cream variegated yarn that would work for any baby.

I had so much of the cream left over, since it was just the trim, that I then had the idea to make a burp cloth with it. I used the same stitch, half double-crochet, as the bibs and just guessed at the size. I was hoping I'd have enough of the variegated left to trim around the burp cloth, and I had just barely enough. They turned out perfect, if I might say so myself! I really enjoyed making these so much more than previous baby blankets and the bunting because they really didn't take much time at all. The hardest part was attaching the buttons! Speaking of buttons, here's a close up of the ultra-cute Bunny Buttons I found for them:

Blue Winter Hat

2009-02-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

I made this blue hat for myself (and I thought it photographed best with my wearing it). It was super easy and quick to make. It has also been nice and warm with this ultra-cold winter this year!

Hand Mitts

2009-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

The receptionist at work always has a hard time in the winter being warm enough in general, but especially her hands. She's had this pair of gloves that she cut off the fingers, but they've frayed over the years and look terrible. When I saw a pattern in my new 2009 Crochet Pattern-a-Day calendar, I knew they'd be perfect for her. Here my mom is serving as my "hand-model", and she likes them so much that now I am making a pair for her.

Speaking of these crochet projects, I recently found this great knit and crochet community website called Ravelry. I signed up and got an invitation to join, and I'm starting to put these projects there. It is really great because it links to various yarn and pattern websites so they can be shared around.

Baby Bunting

2009-01-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

This is a baby bunting I made for my co-worker, Mindy, who had a beautiful baby boy the end of April. When I started it, we didn't know the gender of the baby, so I made it with neutral colors. What is good about that is she can use it for any future babies, as well.

I forgot to take a picture myself before I gave it to her, so she took this pic. I'm bummed that I forgot, because I would've taken a close-up of the buttons - they are little bears and just so cute! It would've been cool, though, if she had taken a picture with him in it, too!

I know this - I really need to find patterns for baby stuff that are not so involved. Every time I make something for a baby, they are small, intricate stitches that take FOREVER to make. Or at least longer than I think they should being such an otherwise small item. :-/

Ravelry!

2009-01-09T10:29:00.003-05:00

I found the coolest website recently - Ravelry. It is a community website for knitters and crocheters. You can post your projects you made or are working on, and they link up with the patterns (and if the pattern isn't in their database yet you can add it), yarn, and a whole bunch of other knitting & crocheting stuff.

I have all of the projects I've completed or are currently working on over there, but the one thing I am disappointed about is that I can't put my cross-stitch projects there, too. In the help section, they say that they have no plans whatsoever to expand it into other needlework. Bummer. Someone needs to make a Ravelry for Needlework - i.e. needlepoint, embroidery, cross-stitch, etc. Anyway, check it out if you are at all interested in crocheting or knitting!

Stocking Ornaments

2009-01-04T18:48:00.006-05:00

I know it has been ages, but here are the stocking ornaments I've made. The one on the left with red and green stripes I made first two years ago for my friend, Cheryl, and then the variegated one last year for my Secret Santa, Cindy, at work. I used a pattern from Lion Brand Yarn's free patterns, but it was for large stockings with regular worsted weight yarn. I guessed that if I used crochet cotton and a small steel hook it would make it small enough for an ornament, and it worked just beautifully.

This year my Secret Santa was Jane, and I made this one for her. I cross-stitched the tree, which was an idea from my step-mom Viki.

And now, finally, this one I made for my friend Wendy - also this year. Obviously a variation on the last one.

Playin' the Blues

2008-07-23T09:23:00.005-04:00

I'm taking a course online through Berklee College of Music's Online School - "Blues and Rock Keyboard." I'm having fun with it so far, but most things haven't been all that new to me (in terms of playing). Anyway, what is new and really cool is being exposed to a lot of fantastic musicians who play blues (and jazz) piano. I never really listened to blues much before, though I am a big fan of swing, big band, and some jazz - which comes partially from one of my favorite professors at college, Doc Thornley, who been playin' his trumpet in heaven since 2005. I would absolutely love to talk to him about this class and the great players I'm listening to, and what I'm learning to do on the piano. He would definitely be smiling, and talking about how blues led to swing and big band.

In honor of Doc, here is a YouTube video of Gene Harris, an absolutely jaw-dropping jazz and blues pianist, here playing with the Ray Brown Trio.

iPod and Cellphone holders

2008-06-22T18:49:00.007-04:00

I found the pattern to make these on DMC.com, and they really turned out cute. I had to adjust some to make them fit properly, plus I figured out how to leave a space at the bottom of the iPod case for the cord to plug into it. I kinda like having something that no one can just buy in a store - people have asked me where I got them and it is so cool to say, "I made them myself!"

Heart cross-stitch

2008-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

I made this for my dad and stepmom when they got married, but sadly among those that somehow haven't made it into the frame. The problem is that I discovered from one I had made my mom many years ago that marks from the hoop showed up after awhile. I wanted to figure out how to clean that one and this one before I put this one in a frame. Oxi-clean seems to have worked, but I'm still afraid of putting it in the frame my stepmom got because she has an adhesive backing that if it does show marks down the road I may not be able to fix it.

Cat Home cross-stitch

2008-05-23T08:00:00.003-04:00

It has been entirely too long since I've posted something here. I made this cross stitch for myself just because when I saw it in the store I thought it was so cute and so appropriate for my love of cats. It took FOREVER because it is huge - I had to get a 11x15 frame for it. The picture is a little blurry - I'll try to take a better one with my new camera (a Kodak EasyShare Z812!) soon.

The Hamster Dance!!

2008-04-07T08:47:00.000-04:00

My Monday needs some amusement and energy to get the day going. I saw "Office Space" for the first time in my life this last weekend (yes, I know, where have I been?), and I would say that I definitely have "a case of the Mondays". So without further ado, here is the Hamster Dance just because it is cute and catchy.

Rose, Blue & Cream afghan

2008-03-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

I made this one for myself, too, a few years ago and I really love how the blue and the rose colors go together. What was really fun about it is that each square is a different crochet stitch, so I got to learn a whole bunch of different stitches and make something beautiful at the same time.

Mah-na Mah-na

2008-02-27T17:13:00.000-05:00

I had to put this up here sometime or another, and this is to all the youth from Faith UMC in Twinsburg, I miss you guys.

Lion & Lamb cross-stitch

2008-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

I made this several years ago for a friend who was adopting a girl from Korea. It took me way too long to get it done, that then when I finished the stitching I felt embarassed that it was way after she got her daughter and so never got around to framing it and actually giving it to her. One of these days I need to just get over my feeling ashamed, and just get it framed and give it to her.

Lunar Eclipse 2

2008-02-20T22:40:00.001-05:00

Well, this is the best the camera on my phone could get. I only have a cheap digital camera, so maybe I'll get a real one with the rest of my IRS rebate. The lunar eclipse looked pretty cool with the naked eye, though.

Total Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-20T14:57:00.002-05:00

There is a total lunar eclipse tonight in America. You can start looking at 8:43 as it begins, and then it'll be totally eclipsed, during which time the moon will look red, for about 50 minutes starting at 10:00. If you are a wimp like me and don't like the cold, prime time will be at 10:26 (eastern time, by the way) so that is when I will bundle up and pop outside. I wish I already got the telescope I'm probably going to get with my IRS rebate money.

For info about it, go to NASA's webpage about it here.

A really cool picture of the last total lunar eclipse in March of 2007 is the Astronomy Picture of the Day here. The picture is copyrighted, so I can't put it up here. The guy who photographed it left the lens open for the whole thing, so you see all the phases.

My Valentine's Day present

2008-02-14T10:59:00.004-05:00

Bridget Natocho
Age: 3
Gender: Female
Region: Africa
Country: Uganda

Personal and Family Information:

Bridget lives with her father and her mother. Her father is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. Bridget works at home helping in the kitchen and running errands.

Bridget is not presently attending school. Singing, walking and listening to music are her favorite activities. She also attends church activities regularly.

Please remember Bridget in your prayers. Your love and support will help her to receive the assistance she needs to grow and develop.

I've been following the bloggers who are in Uganda (BooMama, Ragamuffin Soul, Shlog, Flower Dust, Whittaker Woman), and it just kept bringing to my heart all the times that I felt God wanted me to do this. I kept thinking before that others who make more money than I do can handle it, because I live paycheck to paycheck and there isn't a lot left over. I've been feeling bummed about being single, not even dating, and wondering if I ever will get married and have children. Feeling sorry for myself and having a royal pity-party.

It really is just 2 CD's a month that I'd have to discipline myself to not buy. 2 CD's...a life made whole and healthy and happy. It is no comparison. She likes to sing and listen to music just like me. She is so cute in her pretty pink dress, but she needs hope. I may not have my own kids, but I can support one who is already alive and pour out the love given to me by my Father.

How about you? Share love and life today here.

Lord, help me to be faithful to this. Happy Valentine's Day.

Too cute

2008-02-14T09:04:00.002-05:00

This is my cat, Samantha, who has been with me through many rough Valentine's Days. She greets me at the door every day and wants to be picked up for some kitty time. It is great to feel loved and wanted by something, even if she is only a cat.

Blue afghan for my grandma

2008-02-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

I made this afghan for my grandma a long time ago, and her favorite color was blue. She took this picture of it in her house, and I scanned it into my computer. My mom brought it back to Ohio when she moved my grandma down here 3 years ago, so I need to find it in the boxes. My grandma passed away this last summer, and looking at this picture makes me miss her some.

Charlie Brown gets the Coke!

2008-02-06T13:05:00.000-05:00

This was my favorite Super Bowl Commercial, because it was really cute and I have a certain fondness for Charlie Brown. It is about time he gets something cool.

I also liked the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial with Hank training with the dalmation and getting on the team the next year. The best commercial I caught during the pre-game show had to be the new Dale Earnhardt, Jr. commercial where he carries the camel and tells it not to leak fluids on him, I laughed so hard and then I coughed so hard (from my touch of bronchitis).

Phil. 3:5 cross-stitch

2008-02-05T22:37:00.000-05:00

I made this one for my sister. I enjoyed making the flowers the most, seeing how the different shades come together to make it look like a real flower. I bet God enjoyed making flowers the most, too, with all the variety of hues and colors he used. I believe He also enjoys seeing how gardeners cross-breed to make new colors, seeing what they do with the wisdom and talents that He's given them.

Brownies from scratch

2008-01-29T14:03:00.000-05:00

These are my family-famous made-from-scratch brownies. I went to my dad's house last night to bake some for him while he manufactured a support board for the shelf I had to have him cut. My computer desk was not made for a tower, so to have it in an appropriate place without taking away room for my feet on the floor I took out one of the side shelves but hated to loose the shelving space.

Of course, I did get some of the brownies (not letting me take some would be cruel and unusual punishment), and mine are sans-nuts. Any kind of nut gives me sores in my mouth, besides the fact that I'm nutty enough already. So, his has walnuts that I sprinkled on top. Here's the recipe for whoever is interested:

For a single cookie sheet:

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
2/3 cup cocoa
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix the eggs about 3-4 minutes on medium speed (I use a KitchenAid mixer), add the sugar and blend. In a separate bowl (or I use big liquid measuring pitcher) mix the oil and the cocoa. Add to the eggs & sugar mixture and blend. Add the flour (I do one cup at a time so it doesn't make a mess!), and the vanilla.

If you want nuts, we put in walnuts and you can either grind them up to small pieces to mix in with the mixer(about a cup or so, depending on how nutty you want it) or lately my dad has enjoyed having the walnut halves left whole and so then I have to mix them in with a spatula. Don't forget to spray the cookie sheet so they don't stick, and pour out into the cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. With nuts it takes 5 minutes or so longer to be done in the middle.

If you don't have any cookie sheets, I'm pretty sure this batch will fit into 2 9x13 pans and be the right thickness and consistancy. Last night I forgot to mix in my dad's walnuts after pouring out the batter for my stepmom & I's no-nuts pan, so I simply sprinkled them on top of his and kinda pushed them in a little.

We think they are delicious, please comment if you try them out and tell me what you think of them. The recipe is marked "from Grandma Inglenook's Cookbook" on my mom's recipe card that I've used since I was a kid.

Flowers & butterflies cross-stitch

2008-01-28T13:00:00.000-05:00

This is the one I made for my mom over 10 years ago, and hoop marks showed up probably a couple of years after I made it. Thankfully it wasn't permanently attached to anything in the frame, so I was able to take it out and clean it with oxi-clean.

Let the countdown begin...

2008-01-23T23:42:00.001-05:00

actually I have two countdowns, one sooner...

and one later...