Tolentreasures

  People are picking words for the year.        They have deep meanings.  Thought was put into them.   So I thought.    My word(s) DECLUTTER DESTASH FINISH!    Not sure which one I want to use.   Finishing would declutter and destash though.    So maybe  FINISH!      I have so many unfinished projects.    So many supplies for projects.   So much stuff!        Did you ever think about how many projects you manage to finish in a year?   Social media for me is somewhat of a record of them for me.    However, I don’t want anyone to ever think i am being showy or bragging,  so I am going to (hopefully) keep track here for the five or less people  that follow me!   This blog has always been more about keeping my records  and memories than followers anyway.    So here goes....

  This happened on Saturday Night.   A modern ballet performed in Armstrong County featuring eleven artists from the county.  I am in the red in the middle.  I seriously dislike being in front of crowds and public speaking.   It was a challenge, but I was honored to be chosen and to sit alongside such amazing talent.  I have been singing, in my head, the song from A Chorus Line,  At the Ballet,  for days.          Back to reality, I am nursing a sore throat and spent much of yesterday resting in my chair and working  on catching up my temperature blanket.   My new years resolution already is to not take on any year long projects next year.  The year before I did a Block of the Month quilt and a sampler afghan.  Too much pressure and seriously over estimating how much time retirement would give me.             Sunday morning was spent decorating...

      In my case, apparently a ton or  seven to be exact!     In my defense, I started a prayer shawl for a friend who is going through a rough time right now.  I felt that it would help me to remember to pray for her daily.  I didn’t like the yarn. (see the mint green) I bought white. (not soft enough) I finally got to a Hobby Lobby and bought the blue variegated. Perfect.   To be fair, at least I prayed through all the ones I didn’t like.  They will still be fine for church donations,  just not quite special enough for my friend.    Then there is this stash above.  I found this great little yarn shop in Punsxutawney Pa.  Autumn House Fiber Works     The owner was so helpful finding me great yarns that were not wool and so many were on sale. I am learning new stitches and trying to expand my skills.   Then there is the Annie’s Kit Club that shows up ...

Getting everything lined up for sitting!    I will be getting my gall bladder out on Friday and trying to have projects close by!   Knowing that I am not the best patient, I am hoping that being prepared will help!  

Since I opened the shop in Smicksburg, I have wanted a work area.  I have filled it with vendors and left no space to work. Honestly, I never thought that the shop would be as busy as it is and thought that there would be time to fill. I guess that was a happy surprise. However, winter is here and things do slow down a little. So, when I had a vendor leaving in a prime spot  for a workspace. I took that opportunity to create a three month work space for all those faithful workers that help me out so much. Yesterday, I took advantage of it. Can't wait to see how each worker uses it!

Ok,  so in my search for another dishcloth pattern this morning, I ran across this potholder pattern.  http://www.crochetkari.com/2012/09/potholder-pattern-and-tutorial.html And, I am really tired of making dishcloths. And truthfully,  I don't even like them or use them.  But some of my family does... so I persevere.  If you go to read the pattern and want to jump right  into making one, here are the changes that I made to the directions.  I did not go into the back of each stitch,  but went into the whole stitch.  I think that they are heavier that way, but you do lose that ridged look.  Also, I used an H crochet hook with  Sugar and Cream cotton yarn and  Lustre Sheen together  And honestly, I made this in the time that it took my  Grape Nuts  to  soften in my yogurt! And....to my sister,  if you are reading thi...

These aprons were a yard sale find. I finally managed to remember to buy some spray starch and press them all neatly. Well, as neatly as I press anyway.    Niagara Spray Starch, wow, the memories that smell brings back! My Mom should have bought stock in that company!     Anyway, they are finally all listed in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested!   Thanks everyone for stopping by there!   https://www.etsy.com/shop/tolentreasures     And some lace.   I happen to have a lot of this.   Auctions, flea markets and yard sales.    I cannot let a box of handwork go by. I think of how much work has gone into that and it is being sold for nothing!     Needless to say, I have drawers full of the stuff. These, I pulled out for my camper.   And.... speaking of that.... wait for it....   My camper was the feature of the week on ...

  The boys and I made these owls. Not only is it the general consensus of those around here that they are just a little weird, but now the picture won't post right side up. How Bizarre! I have to find sticks for the boys' owls to perch on. and drill holes for hanging in the trees outside. They were for them to give to their Mom and other grandmas.   I have a feeling they will all be hanging in my trees. That's OK. I love them!   Prior to the spring warm-up, and the commencement of spring mowing, I was seriously working on stash busting all the yarn I have accumulated. This afghan is finished.    I think it will go in the camper. The rest will be part of the new Yarn Bomb. Watch for it! And for those of you that DRIVE by my house... Watch for Coal Trucks! You know who you are.   This will hopefully be the biggest yarn bomb in Dayton to date! Last Sunday, I finally got a...

Not entirely my own idea, these were adapted from this website. http://moonstitches.typepad.com/moonstitches/2007/11/zakka-style-owl.html I changed a few things to make them a little different. These were the first, I have some different thoughts for the next batch. Put wings on some, feather scallops on the belly, add some burlap... oh, the possibilities. \   Success! And another success. Those of you who follow this craziness on Facebook, will know the condition of the Easter Eggs and the unsuccessful Bunny Rolls. Those of you who don't follow on Facebook, well, I will just leave all that to your imagination. I CAN cook, just don't really LOVE to cook.  My cooking "process" seems to provide people with entertainment. So much that some people think that I need my own cooking show. I might be a little clumsy in the kitchen... anyhow, Artistic Cooking totally escapes me. A beautiful ...

What a weekend! It went this way and that way and basically provided me with blog material for the week. So, we will start with bunnies. Managed to get a few of those painted. Finished this one from Wednesday night painting. And some little magnets for the Spring Section of the Open House The hoarder in me says keep these tubes. But the Reduce the Hoard person says pitch them. They are heavy, but what to do with them? and where to store them?   Skip on down to see what they are from.     Saturday morning was GET ALL THESE T-SHIIRTS CUT UP AND OFF THE SEWING ROOM FLOOR morning! And while I was there (in the sewing room, that is )       I found this box of macrame cord, left from my aunt's craft stash. One rug finished and one rug almost finished.   Another almost empty box!     That looks really crooked...it is just the way it is l...

Pretty fast if you only have a week. Last Saturday, I got the hare-brained idea that I could make afghan for the shower that I went to yesterday. And as fast as my hands could move, I worked all week. All the colors that were in the room that I painted, I wanted it to match. And Friday night... it was done!  All that, with some time leftover!