Charity & Generosity

I vascilate between ignoring and being totally obsessed with recent economic news. I am concerned, just like everyone else, but having survived my own economic downturn several years ago, I believe that we are prepared to ride out the storm. I also happen to live in a part of the country that is more stable than others though not immune.

But aside from all of that, the thing that really struck me most, was the report that people planned on donating more to charity this year. After the elections and having to listen to all the finger pointing and blaming, it is nice to see that the average person has a heart. It gives me hope.

They're Here!

I am very excited about the new items I have for my etsy shop. Here is a peek at the fanciful yarn flowers that I have been creating.

I have several more so please visit http://www.stitchplay.etsy.com to see the rest.

Keep checking throughout the week as I have other goodies that I will be posting.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We are about six weeks away from Christmas and I have started to work on gifts, both personal and for my etsy store. In the next couple of days I will have some fabulous fantasy flower pins available. The great thing is how versatile they are - use them to dress up a jacket, scarf, tote or hat. They will also dress up another gift if you use them as package decorations.

For my personal gift list, I pulled these fabrics out of my stash to make a lap quilt for a senior that I "adopted" for Christmas. Her favorite colors are blue and pink and she loves roses. I am doing a variation of the log cabin pattern.

Chalk it up for another one

I am moving at a steady pace, using up some of my stash and putting together a stylish, comfy wardrobe. And as I said before, I have committed NOT to buy any clothes for the next 2 months.

Here is my latest completed project. I knit this from a 1976 pattern with some minor changes. Used a seed stitch for the bands and collar instead of garter stitch and I eliminated the pockets. Pockets would have been nice but considering that this is what I had left, I think I leaving out the pockets was a good choice.

I still need to add buttons. I went shopping today but the selection was mediocre and if I bought the ones I found, they would have cost me more than I paid for all the yarn!

Speaking of yarn, I made this by unravelling 2 Gap sweaters. I didn't even realize I had bought two identical sweaters because I got then on two separate shopping trips at two differnt thrift stores (total cost about $5). The yarn is part wool, part acrylic and is incredibly soft.

I've learned that the best defense against the weather here in Texas is to layer. Summers are hot but indoors are arctic. And winters can be chilly, especially when the sun goes down.

Sums it up nicely

I have come across this website http://www.relfe.com/life_purpose.html and suggest that everyone read it. I think it does a great job of summing up the recipe for a successful, happy life. It's given me a couple of "aha" moments and I hope it helps you too.