Waves of Love

I've spent my whole life on the beautiful East Coast of Massachusetts.  I breathe the ocean air,  swim in the cold Atlantic Ocean and relish the sound of the pounding surf.

I can't imagine being anywhere else. 

 So maybe that's why, when the occasion arises, my “go to” new baby blanket pattern   is 

“Waves-on-Waves-on-Waves" Baby Blanket 

pattern by designer, Lurdys Gordon. 

It captures the essence of the place that I love. 

So, now meet Maverick, the cute little recipient of my latest project. It’s his first car ride home from the hospital where extended family wait to greet him. 

My guess is he will grow up near the ocean too.

  it’s in his blood.

🐟🐟🐟

Summer Babies

 "Hope Springs Eternal......and hopeful I am. Little by little we are finding our way back from the COVID 19 Pandemic and the restraints that came with it.  It will be baby steps but Hope is on the horizon; and speaking of baby steps, within my circle of friends and family it seems we will be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet soon. With the news of several expected new babies coming this year to it’s time to to get crocheting again. I love working with soft 100% cotton and what could be better for our little bundles of joy! inspiration for these adorable and comfy blankets came from. . You can find the free pattern  here and reading the heartwarming tale of how the pattern came to her . I’ve made this pattern my “go to” baby gift. You can to

Avoiding the Devil's Workshop

Growing up, my grand-mother liked to remind me that "idle hands are the devil's workshop". Her words scared me so I did my best to keep the darkness at bay. It wasn't until I grew up that I fully understood the message she was trying to convey.  To be on the safe side though, I do try to stay busy, here is my latest attempt .....you just never know! 

Meet Paytin, she's the newest addition to our BIG extended family.  Her sweet disposition and good nature makes her the perfect model for my latest and all time favorite "go to"  project; Crocheted Baby Sundress Pattern by designer Olga Poltava.

 Crochet Shell Stitch Baby Sundress

It's made with cotton yarn that feels soft and comfortable on her tender skin. By the looks of things, we are just hitting our stride in what's to be a LONG, HOT SUMMER.   

The Covid19 Virus has changed the rules for summer fun for sure, but this little cutie will stay cool whether riding in her carriage or playing in her back yard. 

STAY COOL AND BE WELL.

THIS TOO SHALL PASS  

The Cold Shoulder

I am one of those people who no matter what the season, is always cold.  I can no longer tolerate the rush of cold air shooting out of an air vent above me, nor can I stand a chilly sea breeze blowing off the ocean.  I think my intolerance has worsened with age so I've come to accept the fact that I am now one of those "old" people who keeps a blanket in the car and a shawl or sweater on hand "just in case". 

A couple of years ago while looking through patterns on Ravelry I stumbled across the Quick Knit Lacy Capelet  

by Kelly Mac Designs. 

It was love at first sight; a stylish, shoulder wrap that would surely keep me warm. I bought the pattern and the suggested Malabrigo

 ( Rasta)Yarn and went to work. The pattern was easy to follow and worked up fast. .... until I ran out of yarn that is.

Color photo darker than appears here.

(Apparently I misread the amount needed.) I tried to find one more matching skein but to no avail.   I put the unfinished capelet away with every intention of someday finding the right LOT number and completing the project.That day came last week (two years later. ) While perusing the same shop where I had purchased the original yarn, I spotted it. There it was, one orphaned skein of the Rasta on the discounted rack. While it didn't have the information band wrap on it the yarn appeared to me to be the same, AND it was on sale. Without hesitation I bought the hank and finished the capelet. 

A keen eye will notice the collar of his capelet is a shade off. That makes no difference to me, it is lovely and it actually makes it a "one of a kind".

Here I am wearing my new hand knit Capelet while happily avoiding any chance of getting

 "the cold shoulder".

Cheers!

Stay Warm

Peace and Love

Jackie

☮

Fly High And Enjoy The View

As many of you know, I really love making things for babies and toddlers; be it knit, crochet or sewing I love it. So when  family friends let us know they would be traveling East for Christmas with their 10 month son, I knew exactly what to make to herald his arrival to our chilly climate. A hat, not just any hat, but the Aviator Hat Designed by Sarah Zimmerman. Of course I already had the yarn as it was purchased years ago with plans of making a darling little lion hat for another baby and YES, you guessed it, sadly the hat never materialized. 

So "Here's To You" 

Sweet Jonathan.

Fly high and enjoy the view💓

You can find this pattern and more by clicking on Sarah's website

 Repeat Crafter Me

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Peace and Love,

Jackie

LIVE NOW, PROCRASTINATE LATER

     
A sign on my kitchen wall reads:   LIVE NOW

 PROCRASTINATE LATER  

     I found it very funny when I bought this sign,  but over time I have come to see how true these words really are.  Live Now. I figured I would do just that when I retired. I would have time to do all the things I wanted to do. I was sure I'd have time to "stop and smell the roses" and to read through the mile high stack of books  that were just taking up space.  I imagined catching up  with friends for coffee, lunch or a walk.   The truth of the matter is; I don't have time, and I don't know why.  My unfinished items remain unfinished and my "to do " list gets longer each day!  I am more behind than I was when I worked full time.   So keeping in mind the old saying: 

Time and Tide wait for no man.

 (or woman)

  I am back to treading water and trying to make up for lost time..... LIVE

     Last year I joined my first ever Ravelry Christmas Swap. It was so much fun that I signed up again this year. ( I would highly recommend it if you knit or crochet and want a warm and inviting group of people to share your enthusiasm with. )

     I bought my pattern Willamette online from an independent designer, Jen Wolfe Kaiseer. The scarf/shawl is beautiful. It worked up quickly and the pattern was easy to follow. My swap partner loved it so much that  I decided to make it again this year but in a different color. The yarn of course came from my stash. I finished it today, it will go in the mail tomorrow....Then maybe I will go for a walk.  

Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

    

Im sorry about the picture quality.
The shawl is actually shades of blue and gray and not as dark as it appears. 

Happy Holidays

LOVE and PEACE

Jackie

New Year's Resolution Failures #1 and #2

 Well,  It seems that  my New Years Resolution this year was a bit "hefty". I resolved to read at least two books per month while still attempting to finish projects that I start.  At the time it seemed doable, even for me. What I didn't take into consideration though was the depth and length of  said book. Sure,  I could easily consume a couple of "light" reads but instead I chose; 

Born Survivors , 

 by Wendy Holden

 You will hear no regret here though, I loved every minute of this book even though periodically I had to stop and recover from the horrific things I was taking in. I can't wait to find "more about these " Holocaust surviving"  infants and what they are doing today to ensure that we

 NEVER FORGET!

P.S. Oh, I missed the deadline for my knitted Welcome Blanket Project!

http://www.welcomeblanket.org

I'll keep you posted about this #2 failure soon.

PEACE AND LOVE