Twisted Tuesday--new knitting project and old/new cross stitch pattern

The foot is getting much better, thankfully! Woke up last night with it hurting but wrapping it during the day helps a bunch. Mr. Darcy's sweet love helps too. 

While NOT doing housework and such at the homestead yesterday ((((sigh)))), I knitted up a small journal cover. There is a great pattern in a book called Simple Knitting: A complete how-to-knit workshop with 20 projects  by Erika Knight. This book is from Joanne's Fabrics store.

 I got it back a few months ago when I SO wanted to learn how to knit. Along with U tubes, both have been helpful.

page 75 is number 4 lesson Notebook. 

So this is the end result and should be fairly easy going now. I will get some leather tie and sew a button on. I plan to cut up some rough paper, probably from a grocery bag and punch holes in it to put in the binder.

Then I'll show pics later of it finished out. So far one small notebook done and the next working on it. I have a couple of people I would like to give these to for Valentines Day.

Using # 9 Bates aluminum needles with Lion's Brand Mixed Berries. It's really a pretty yarn but I have to say it's tweedy texture didn't really have any "give" to it and it split quite a bit.

Got to sew a button on it, get some leather string, find a grocery bag to cut up rough papers yet to go. I've also thought about using some lace instead, as this if for Valentines.

And on to the second one.

Knitting really has been enjoyable, productive and anxiety-reducing all in one.

Anybody heard of this sampler maker?    This is a package with DMC floss, and the 26 ct natural linen, and chart for a gorgeous sampler with one of my favorite Bible verses. I think it was put out in the 80's.

It's a band sampler.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

I don't know when I will start this but I just had to show you. I had not heard of this designer before. If you have or know of other patterns, let me know!

This pattern is very little to see. I will have to use magnifier to read it; however,

the address and name on the pattern is:

Words of Praise

2 Alexis Drive

Richmond, Virginia 23231

Whoever is the designer, did a great job and the work is so meaningful.THANK YOU!

The colors are PERFECT for our family room!

The natural, unbleached linen in 26 ct will be perfect for my vision as well.

Well, I guess I've started enough projects for who knows when to finish.

The Downton Abbey episode was so SAD this past Sunday night. Of all people, Sybil. {{{frown}}}

 We can't wait to see the next one though.

I haven't much progress to show on my spot sampler for DA but when the mood strikes I'll pick it up again.

Right now I have a bit of stitcher's ADD.

Seriously.

Is it the Winter time?

the variety of crafts we all have in stash?

Whatever it is, it keeps me going!

As the verse says~~Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Carry-on and stay strong!

Love to all,

Jennifer

Thrifty Thursday~~a random thought

This keychain was in a really pretty box at a thrift store a couple of weeks ago and for 1.00 marked.

At first glance, it looked like a Brighton keychain but I know it's not, but does it ever look like it!

I had no clue what I was going to do as I have alot of keychains but then I remembered a special friend and my hands went to stitching :)

"We were given: Two hands to hold. Two legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else for us to find."

author unknown

Soldier's Angels organization and opportunities for stitchers,quilters

Soldier's Angels

I have thought about joining this group for a very long time for many different reasons. I first found it when Brandon went to Afghanistan and I wanted to help in some way. Our country has been at war for a very long time and our troops need our support. Some have multiple deployments, many actually and Saturday, I decided to commit to a lifetime membership for Soldier's Angels.

I read about this non-profit organization for a while and asked a couple of people about it before making the commitment. I wish I knew how to quilt or knit, as this is the project I would pick to help. However, if you quilt, knit, sew, stitch, or like to write, consider participating in this group. There are soldiers that do appreciate home-made items and letters.  You can read more at their website here.

http://www.soldiersangels.org/

Some of the projects include:

Adopt-a soldier
Angel Bakers
Blankets
Cards Plus Team
Chaplain Support Team
Heroes and Horses
Letter Writing Team
Ladies of Liberty
Hero packs
First Response Backpacks
Eagle Cane Project
Operation It's Me
Operation Birthday Cakes
Scarves
Patriot Pillowcases
SA Germany
S.A.V.E
Operation Top Knot
Memorial Portriats
Living Legends
Wounded TLC
VA Crochet and Craft

and more

The website in the upper right corner will let you know from day to day how many of our heroes need someone to adopt them, support them, write to them, send a package at least once a month.
You don't have to adopt a soldier to write in order to participate in any of the programs. Being an amateur seamstress, I wasn't sure I could quilt a blanket but I do think I am going to make pillowcases. I also received the name/ address and info of the "adopted" soldier and will write to him weekly and send a package once a month. I'm also interested in making the scarves if I can find out more on their site dimensions, etc.

The reason for this posting is for awareness as I know there are alot of stitchers out there---very talented quilters too!

If you like quilting and want to contribute, the website will explain that the quilts are needed at the Germany hospital for wounded soldiers and also they are used at Walter Reed hospital.

I personally decided to make the committment to try to make a difference somewhere. Life is short.

I'm having some vision problems again with my left eye. Soon to have another eye exam. Saturday night went blind in the left peripheral vision for about 30 minutes. It was a scarey time. I'm assuming that was an ocular migraine again. I've only had 2 of these and hope I don't have any more. I'm due for a scan on the optic nerve again soon as well to see if the drops I put in my eyes are working. The drops are the first step in stopping the progression, then surgery if this is not working. I'm very photosensitive from the drops but just try to deal with it. I'm thankful God gave us all two eyes.

Till later,
Jennifer

Need some brighter colors and in a Quaker mood

Today I have heard and been glued to the News channels as the disaster in Japan is getting worse with radiation exposures. Being that Body Guard worked in a nuclear power plant for 10 years, he also has a special interest in this catastropic event.

To lighten the mood, as the news is so dooming....I was reading through some of my fave blogs and Needlepoint is one of them. Did you know that they have freebies that are absolutely gorgeous!
I found one,  a Quaker one that reminds me much of Quaker Christmas but this time even bigger.....what is my mind doing!!!!!

So, sure enough, printed off the 14 pages of it and I had every color in DMC that was listed. All 33 colors.
There was no suggestion for linen so I chose one from my own stash, being economically challenged and this project would definitely use up some old DMC and move the inventory right along. I love this type of BAP because each motif is really like a little one of its own accord.

A general group of colors are:

bagged on purpose as it's about 300 x 300

The material in the picture appears white. I had this on hand which did not have a label but I know is Lakeside Linen of some sort vintegey.

The dark brown in the middle is the main outline colors.

I figured I could work on this during times I need some brighter stitching.

Anyone love it as much as I do?

Click HERE to view the pattern.

It's a monstor but OH SO PRETTY!

I would put this in my guestbedroom.

This is a GREAT blog, Needle print! You must check it out. She has smaller freebies. I believe one could stay busy only stitching freebies :)

The piece for 32 count would need to be about 25 x 25 or soish, allowing 3 inches all around.

Whatcha think?

Anybody interested?

The pattern is free

The floss is DMC or your choice, I would use DCM as their are 33 color changes and I have boocoodles of DMC.

Let me know. This would be a good stitch along for the next 6 months or so or for some of you very lightening fast stitchers alot less.