Pin-spiration!!

 

God bless you pinterest!!  You have provided me with so much creative inspiration!  I saw a a very patriotic wreath, which I pinned to my Red, White, and Blue board that I really wanted to totally copy.  Unfortunately I could not find all the "exact" ingredients, but I am happy with my version.  I tea dyed the flags to give them that vintage-y look.  Hobby Lobby had the burlap in all kinds of colors, but the natural burlap looked best.

I am also continuing my love affair with spray paint.  These little framed crewel embroideries have been on my to do list for quite some time.  Given to me by Brad's mom, they were actually two little needleworks done by his Grandmother, probably from the 70s.  I loved them immediately, but they needed a serious makeover.   So I took them apart.  Tossed the glass in the frames.  Gave them a good cleaning and sprayed the frames this mossy green.  She also had the frames portrait style instead of landscaped (I am not sure how else to describe it), and they fit so much better.  Then added a little quilt batting to puff them up and there you have it.  I have been walking around the house holding them up in various places trying to decide where to thang them. 

I also wanted to share this little idea I had about painted frames and crochet.  Yes, I said it...both!  And it has made my little granny square love'n spray painting heart skip a couple of beats!!  I love the idea of the two together.  I am still experimenting with this, but so far this is what I have done.  The oval frames are really appealing to me.  I have been keeping my eyes peeled for them in the thrift stores.  I also think these would be pretty with a layer of quilt batting under the crochet.  There will definitely be more of these coming!

I hope to be back this weekend with another Blankies for Boston afghan, and who knows what else.  I have many little projects around the house that I just cannot seem to get to, so maybe I can attack one or two of those!

Have a great rest of the week!

My Grandma's Crocheted Potholder

Yesterday while digging around a box looking for something I ran across this little potholder my Grandma had given me.  It was kind of forgotten, but not completely.  I am so happy I ran across it.   Now I cannot stop looking at it or thinking about her.

And if any day I needed a red rosé, that was the day.  It seems life has been too hectic these days, and my way of dealing with it has been to stick my head in the sand in hopes everything will fix itself.   That just doesn't happen.  So this morning I pledged to myself that I would handle what comes my way, and not beat myself up over the things that are not in my control!  And I thanked my Grandma a second time for this little crocheted potholder.

Blankies for Boston

After seeing all the Blankies for Boston on Facebook, my mom decided she wanted to make a couple blankies.  But she doesn't crochet much, but what she does do is quilt!!  And look at what she did! 

I think they both have a patriotic "homespun" feel about them.  And who doesn't like the comfort of a quilt on their lap!   Personally when I am not feeling well, the first thing I go to when I lay down is my quilt. 
 

Here is mine.  I call it "B Strong".   I crocheted the letters and the sewed them in the middle.  I think it turned out pretty.  Five point stars just do not come together like granny squares or octagons.  That fifth side won't let the lay flat, which disappointed me, because I definitely wanted to use a star motif in the blanket.  So this is how I worked around it.  Funny how a miscalculation can turn out.  Who would have known!

I am anxious to get these bundled up and on their way to the folks that need them.  If these blankets give one bit of comfort that it gave me to make one then I will be totally thrilled.  I am sure it is a mixed bag of emotions to receive one of these blankets.  I wanted a message on the blanket I made.  When I saw the "B Strong" logo/motto over the internet I knew I wanted to use it.  It is such a powerful message.

Phoebie was in the mood to let me take a couple pictures of her this afternoon.  What a cutie!  She is always there to put a smile on my face.  She did have a much hated bath and blow dry yesterday afternoon.  Also much needed!  She was totally doggy stinky!  But now she spells like shampoo and is so soft.  And after a couple hours, I was her favorite person again.

That look....who can resist it?

So now I have started my second blanket.  Obviously, granny squares.  I will follow this with some red and white stripes, then I am not sure what next.  I am already liking the red centers.   But as most know who follow my blog, I luvs me some red!!

And this is my favorite hook!!  The have all sizes at Hobby Lobby.  After my first try I haven't gone back, and now I have a nice little collection of sizes in my posession. 

This evening my plans are to work on this more and relax!  I tried just sticking to red-white-blue...but the need to add more blues into the blanket is unbelievable and I find it much more satisfying when crocheting. 

Phoebe looks absolutely relaxed here, enjoying her Sunday.  We on the other hand have to much on our plate right now, and now the air conditioning has decided to act up on a Sunday evening.  Great!  There is never a dull moment.  The week started out with my absent-mindedly throwing my iPhone into the washer.  I suppose you can guess the rest of the story.  Yup, it was fried.  I tried the rice thing, didn't help one bit!  So now I have a replacement and this time I got the insurance to go with it!  LOL!

I am off now to work on my second blanket and mentally prepare my self for another Monday!

Busy-ness

 

Sun-shine-y happy grannies!  Much needed sun, too might I add.  I don't believe I can remember a May 5th that has been this cold and this dark and dreary.  It is totally amazing!  Today I had on my boots a sweater, my raincoat and a scarf...things are definitely out of wack.  Now we are to have "a healthy rain event" as the weatherman keeps saying, in other words, it is going to pour for the next couple of days.

Even though I have had a hard time keeping my projects updated, I have stayed busy.  I dug out all that embroidery floss I have packed up and commenced to hooking.  No plan, just bright happy color.

It does remind you of sunshine, doesn't it.  

 

I have also gotten a bit hooked on making these little skulls.  It takes all of 20 minutes to crochet one up.  They are a free pattern I found through ravelry.  Day of the Dead Skulls.   I added some bling to some of these and I like to add a little single crochet edging around the finished skull.  You can bet come time for some fall/halloween crochet time, more of these will be coming!

The little flower just makes it!! 

I have started one of my "Blankies for Boston" contributions.  I hope to get two blankets crocheted.  If you haven't heard of this there is a facebook group that has organized this.  The blankets are going to the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.  They have to be red,white, and blue and there are some size requirements, too.  One of my girlfriends is doing it, and when she was telling me about it I knew I wanted to participate, too.

I  will be putting something in the middle, just not sure what yet.  I knew I wanted to have stars in the blanket.  It was a little challenging on figuring out how I was going to join them.   

This has been so rewarding...especially when you get down in the dumps.  It just puts things into perspective.  I hope to get it done this week and get started on my second blanket.  

Oh...my other love, Spray Paint...I must say, I luvs me some spray paint.  I just finished up a jewelry box that I "restyled".  I just love doing this.  And when I found the box I knew it would be awesome.  

And I always learn something each time I attack one of these.  It was just a basic wood stained box when I started.  After painting it red I modge podged some scrap book paper to the clear plastic it had on the doors.  I finished it off by dry brushing some gold and black to it to make it look kinda aged.

Check out the inside!!!!  This is going to look awesome in by bedroom.  I am now on the hunt for another box to redo.  This one was $12.00 when I bought it at the thrift store....total bargain!

Well...it's time for me to sign off.  I have more housework to finish up and Monday morning to get ready for.  Uggg....rainy Monday morning...I am already dreading it!

Here's a picture of me in my sweater and boots today.  I love these boots...another Goodwill find!  $6!!  Aren't they awesome!