A bit of progress

Here we are close to the end of January. I really don't have much to show, I haven't had the chance to do allot of reading this week. As we have been trying to get back into routine with everyone being out sick at some point. Then throw in some snow days and errands. But this is the one bit of progress for the week. It is coming together nicely.  Except for my mistakes. I suppose one must make a mistake in order to learn. So this has been quite a learning experience!

Lesson 1: Don't try knitting at the end of the day when your concentration is wavering between knitting and sleeping. Have you ever experienced this?

Today I am linking up with Ginny.

January whine and knitting

This is exactly how I feel about January. Thank you Charles Schulz!

Around here it is cold and blustery. There is no desire to leave the house at all unless you are contemplating running away from germs. In that case Good Luck! I think half of our town has been hit with this.

 You see it sounds as if there is a barking dog within the house. But it's just that cold season had officially hit my house, despite all requested shots. This one has sat with his nebulizer for days. Just about the time that he has started to feel better, hubby is home.

I am trying to distract myself with pleasant things, knitting and reading. I've gotten allot further on the reading vs. knitting. Maybe admitting this to you will give me accountability. I am working on a shawl. I haven't even gotten through the first section yet.

So I'll tell you a bit about the books I've read.
1. The Little Book of Talent, by Daniel Coyle
Everyone always says how talented I am for my handcrafts. I really don't feel that way. So when I seen this at the library I thought it would be good to read. What I need to take from it is to say "Thank you" more often and let it at that. The biggest thing that tugged at my heartstrings was to keep a journal. Just to write something, how I felt that day, what I need to do, a quote, etc.

2. Holy Shit, by Gene Logsdon
I have taken allot of ribbing from hubby on this book choice. But being a gardener and living in a rural area it has really made me more aware of something we don't normally consider a resource. If you keep a garden, or backyard chickens or both you are probably allready aware. But ths does show some insight to larger farmers and use of chemicals.

3. The Half-Stiched Amish Quilting Club, by Wanda E. Brunstetter
This book is purely fictional. I really don't see any of the characters and situations realistic.It reads a bit like a group therapy through quilting. Not sure its that simple.  But none the less sometimes one needs to be distracted  in reading (stop laughing) and this is a nice book in terms of there is no violence or porn. Just a simple story.

If you would like to see more of what others are reading and knitting please checkout this Yarn along.

Easy Street Mystery Quilt

First I want to say a huge Thank you to Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville, for without her this mystery and all of the fun with it just wouldn't be possible.

Second I want to say Thank you! to all of the other mystery quilt participants and followers. All of your comments have made my heart swell. Your always so stinking sweet. If you were candy, you would rot my teeth out.

As for the details on this quilt. It really was as easy as the name. The hard part in accomplishing this for me was the cold that got in my way. This quilt completion is like a burst of spring, in the middle of a cold dreary January. Or at least the promise of it's return.

To see all of the wonderful quilts made through this mystery, please visit Easy Street Mystery Quilt Link Up

Old to New Rocking chair

Are you wondering why this wasn't thrown away? Who would bring something like this home? Well the answer is my son brought it home, certain he could make a gem out of it.  

So this rocking chair went into an already crowded wood shop. He went to work tearing it apart  and sanding all of the wood.

Then it got brought into the house and I left it sit for months. Just wasn't high on my priority list.Why do his projects become my projects? Anyway, the longer something sits around here with out a purpose the more it bothers me. With the start of the New Year it was time to finish this one. It also helps that over the holiday break the guys were home so I had them lug the air compressor/nailer indoors for me.

The guys had put in new springs and I started on the upholstery. I got as far as getting the bottom cushion done and then realized that I was out of chair webbing. This sent me on a search. I called texted every creative friend have. Hoping they would have some and that I wouldn't have to leave town. No such luck. So between finishing Christmas celebrations and the celebration of the New Year, we made two trips to two different Jo Ann's to get what I needed to finish. Sometimes it just has to be finished.

I wanted the fabric to go behind the chair handles. So I called for his help once more. Did you notice the safety glasses on his head? He had been in wood shop working on the next project. The next one doesn't require my help. Yes, I can go back to quilting!

It truly is a diamond in the rough, and completely functional for a young man. Although I may wimper and whine during a task at hand. I have to say that I am very proud of my son, and it's not very often that we work creatively together.

In case I don't say it often enough... I am very proud of you and I love you soooo much!!! Now, get that sandwich off the chair, ugh!