Monday Organizing and Finding Stash Yarn

Hello,

It's that day of the week we all plan out and hope to get some goals achieved. Some people go at Monday morning with much energy and direction, setting goals and organized for usual areas in their life.

Right now, in my journey, I'm still following through with the goals I had set for 2014 at the homestead. It's part of the Keeping it Simple one. I'm amazed at how much FREE help there is online for organizing and de-cluttering tips. You tube has been a great life-saver for me in this area.

We all want to "keep our stuff". But there comes a time to de-clutter and organize because it makes our environment and minds much less stressed, we can find things and not repurchase things, and just sets a better mood in our nests.

Combined with the beautiful sunny and mild day here in the mountains of North Georgia, I am working today on the "Keeping Room" and the Dining Room and Kitchen. I've worked at it in rearranging some furniture, probably against doctor's advice with a herniated disc, and now on a heating pad on my back; however, I already feel a better flow in the house and getting rid of clutter and organizing has helped my mind already. I also feel my sciatic nerve in my left bum too. :(

I have a grand piano in the space and it's not moving. So........that gives me unlimited options for other pieces of furniture to make it more usable for the space, yet homey and calming.

This morning, I worked on 30 minutes of this scarf. It's another Lacy Keyhole Scarf designed by Stephanie Japel on Craftsy.com.

This yarn I found, while in the organizing of my yarn stash basket. I had forgot about it. I got it last year in Washington, DC at LOOPED, a candy yarn shop for all knitters out there. I only have one skein, about 175 yards, so I extended the garter sections of the two pieces to make it a little longer. It's still a very feminine scarfette with lace on the end and I just love these.
This skein is very special because it is high end yarn and I found it when organizing my stash!!!!!!

 

This is absolutely the softest yarn. It's 30% silk and 70% extra fine Peruvian wool

Calls for a needle size between 4-6.

I'm using a 6 so the lacy ends will open up more. I like the curling at the ends so I don't usually block these. I'm kinda girly like that.

The colorway is called Wildflowers.

It's very muted and soft as you can see in the picture.

 

 

This is just making a really special, silk blend, soft scarfette for Spring.

 

 

Half is finished, now on to the other half.

 

 

The kitchen countertop background is probably not the best to show the muted colors but................anyhoo.

 

Back to cleaning up and organizing. Just wanted to take a few minutes and drop a line or two or three...or more.

 

I baked a ham last weekend and then we had ham in all ways known to man all week. The hambone made excellent dried navy bean soup with cornbread.

 

And guess who, finally got the big bone for one day?

 

 

Excuse the floors and surrounding. I'm sure you know how it is when you move furniture.

 

Did you see the last episode of Downton Abbey last night? At least this year it was a good ending! What did you think about it???

You think Edith will bring her daughter back?

I love that movie and will miss it until next January.

 

I hope to hear some comments to let me know you at least are still out there in blog land. I love to read them!!

 

So let's create today on Monday. Right now I've created a mess that I have to clean up........and dust....oh my.

 

I need to go junkin' for a really ultra cheap but good deal of a bookcase about 32 tall and 24 wide. More on that later.

 

I designed a new sampler and will be put on my FB page for a week or so soon so "like" my FB page Feathers in the Nest, and see what extras are out there for you. Love to hear from people all over the world!

 

Stay warm and cozy,

Jennifer

Finished Lacy Keyhole Scarf plus My Token of Affection Knit pocket

 

 

 

 

 

Lacy Keyhole Scarf and My Token of Affection set

in LILAC

 

Lacy Keyhole Scarf designed by Stephanie Japel inspired me to stitch this in Lilac/Lavender as we all know that the color, the scent, anything lavender exudes calmness.

This scarf can be worn year around. It's stitched with 80/20 cotton/ silk Cascade Ultra Pima Silk yarn from a yarn shop. The softness cannot be described here as it stitches like butter and feels delicate to the skin. The scarf can also be worn as a headband with the frill and lacy section to the side or at the top. The quality yarn is excellent.

The second part of the set is designed by myself. I call it My Token of Affection Pocket. It's knit in the same yarn and is very versatile, dainty and embellished with a mother-of-pearl vintage button I had in my stash. It's for that special small something that you treasure.

I finished this set today and just put on Etsy shop. See the sidebar to click for the Etsy shop.
I mailed out orders yesterday and will mail out more on Thursday. Thank you so much for your business!!!! I love needlework and more importantly love to share my creativity with you.

If you have any questions, please comment and I will answer or write me at email jenniferann_fox@yahoo.com.

Your comments are always appreciated on the blog. I read each and every one of them.


Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

On the homefront this week, I also finally got the chance to see the movie Becoming Jane. I think Anne Hathaway did a wonderful job!!! The movie was austen awesome~

Mr. Darcy is quite gifted with woodworking and he has built Abbie a bed. It's finished and she has been sleeping in it at night with no problem. In fact she would like to take her morning nap in it I think. We have not finished it with paint or stain yet but when we finish it, I will show pics.
The wood was entirely wood found to be trashed. He took something that was going to be thrown away and made something beautiful and functional with it.

It's time for me to get busy stitching and watching my favorite channel, the Inspiration channel. We love The Waltons and never tire of every episode. We just finished off some Dutch Apple Pie with whipping cream and tummies are full!

Feathers in the Nest has a facebook page. I have yet to figure out how to get the badge on the blog. I know, I know......it's probably something simple but until then catch up with me on Facebook by simply typing in the search, Feathers in the Nest. I love to connect with stitchers all over the world.

Till later,
Jennifer

Part one of the Lacy Keyhole Scarf is finished!

The Lacy Keyhole Scarf pattern by Stephanie Jafel at Craftsy.com, in her Knit Lab class. I finished the first section and here is the part 1............ta da!

 I have learned alot from her class, much more than one in a yarn shop for sure.

 

The lacy ends to this little scarf are way cool. The yarn is Cascade Yarns Pima Silk, a predominently cotton blend with a little silk in it for softness.

 

 

The project takes 1 skein. I am using number 7 needles Bates.

 

 

 

 

 

I've weaved in the ends and started the next section by casting on for Part 2.

The yarn is like butter to stitch with and I think this short litte lacy keyhole frill will be perfect for Spring.

Wish me luck with part 2 because I will learn how to make a buttonhole. XXXX fingers.

 

This morning it's been one of taking it easy for both of us by the wood stove. It's 80 degrees according to the thermostat inside but to us, it's nice and cozy.

Neither of us have much energy today but the good thing is the sun is bright around the mountains today and sometimes just sunshine alone with Tylenol or aspirin + rest, an hot tea gets us better.

 

Well, off to put the tea kettle on for some afternoon tea.

Mr. Darcy has decided to cook supper tonight on the grill and he is an AWESOME griller!

I plan on resting the remainder of the day to save my energy up for tomorrow and hoping to hurry and get well.

 

Thank you for all the comments. You mean alot to me.

 

In the cross stitching world on Thrifty Thursday, found this at a thrift store ths week.

 

 

A make-do with a scissor holder. This gives me good ideas. I wonder if I could make one???

 

My cotton Hobby Lobby yarn, I'm practicing the waffle stitch pattern.

 

So, no syrup with these waffles. :P

 

 

 

My cotton-knitted washcloths are collecting here in this basket.

This is when I watch TV and need something mindless to do with my fingers that produces something functional later or a small giftie.

I am also working on a couple of cotton washcloths for a baby gift this month. A lot of time and love will be in this giftie for a set of twin boys but in actuality it's less than 4 bucks.

 

Hope your Thursday is winding up (no pun intended) well. 

 

Till later,

Jennifer

 

 

 

Abigail at her finest this morning sends her love all over the globe.

 

Progress on the Lacey Keyhole Scarf and Sunshine

I worked carefully this morning, learning to read a pattern in a class and now purling and making purl ridges on the Lacey Keyhole Scarf!!!

 

My progress is here:

 

This is actually part one, the bottom will be attach to part two later.

 

 

 

I learned to purl.  I know that sounds elementary but it is an achievement for me today and there was something about purling that made me anxious. 

 

 

 

However, when I see the effect of the ridges I'm creating and then following some lace, I really loved it!

 

 

 

 

While this phrase is funny, I actually find little time to clean when I'm into a project. :o

 

 

 

Yesterday afternoon, I did see some nature friends around the homestead. Several blackbirds strutting their stuff and a squirrel that just looked so much like a Easter bunny eating his afternoon nuts. He is getting a little plump.

 

 

Probably wondering when Spring is going to actually get here.

 

 

Looking about, a reminder to me, that if God takes care of our feathered friends, He surely will take care of me.

 

 

 

It was nice to see sunshine, as we have had many cloudy, rainy days but the cold wind reminded me that Winter has a little bit more time to go.

 

 

 

The trees are barren except the evergreens but in a month or so the leaves will start making their presentation.

 

 

But right now, Mr. Darcy and I are enjoying the seasonal view of the mountains, and seems the birds are too.

 

 

I value my garden for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs~~~~Joseph Addison, 1672-1719

 

 

I hope you have a great start to your week, enjoying sunshine somewhere, whether it be nature, or needlework, friendships, or a favorite book or movie. Radiate your sunny energy in ways you love and love will come back to you.

 

Sweet Blessings to You,

Jennifer