It's A New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year! It started snowing here a little before midnight. We got dumped on again. Sixteen inches. Then to top it off we lost power from 9 AM until almost 7 PM! We postponed our family dinner until later in the week. We did some shoveling. Played with Rosie, who loves sitting in the snow waiting for something interesting to come by. And, went a little stir crazy without the computer or TV. It's amazing how many things we do that require electricity! But it's so pretty to look at. We got some more lake effect snow this morning. Big fluffy flakes. I hope we don't loose to many more limbs off the trees. It's really heavy wet snow. The evergreens look like they have a thick layer of white frosting covering their boughs while they nod their heads at each other. Smaller trees and bushes are bent all the way to the ground. Beautiful, but hard on them. Still don't have the driveway cleared. Ron's spent today working on it going between using the snow blower and the little tractor with a blade.



While I spent the last couple weeks working on finishing my projects that were to be Christmas presents, (Unfortunately I lost the pictures I took when my mac mini crashed the day after Christmas!) Ron's been busy making more wooden bowls and things. I really love some of the new ones. The pictures don't do them justice. The grains are beautiful and they feel wonderful!










Visit Ron's Etsy shop via the link in the right column to see more of what he's been working on.

Projects For Christmas & Blizzard

I finish knitting this great sweater for my grandson this week. I'm working on sweater two for the other grandson. I used Hearts Symphony for both. The pattern can be found at: http://www.coatsandclark.com You may have to do a search under baby/child for pattern lw1329.

For the second sweater I'm actually knitting the front and back at the same time and will do the same with the sleeves, when I get to them. This one is child's size 6. I'm a little concerned about the size of the neck opening being big enough, but I think it will be OK. The second one is a size 4, shouldn't take to long. Especially now that I have the pattern down and don't have to think about it quite so much.

Today I should be working on some things for my granddaughters. Making doll clothes for one and puppets for the other plus the grandsons. Want to make some more tote/book bags too. Among other things. Only 9 days left. Have to get busy! ;)

We're under blizzard conditions here along the shores of Lake Huron. A great day to stay home and indoors! Ron's been going out periodically to sweep off the top of our greenhouse. He's worried about snow loads. He even went out in the middle of the night! Now the wind seems to be blowing most of it off. We're supposed to get 12"-16" with lots of drifting. But, since this is Michigan, tomorrow and the day after are supposed to be sunny.

Sewing For the Holidays

It's snowy and cold outside here, good time to stay inside and make things. I needed a present to exchange and found some nice upholstery fabric on sale. I only bought a yard, but got 4 bags out of it. 3 book size bags and one a little larger. They're lined with a nice, heavy duck cloth and should be really durable. For this one I made a hammered copper piece with jasper and quartz and hung it on a loop to keep the bag closed.

I'm thinking about a design for a clasp to close the largest bag out of copper. Something that hinges on a piece of copper and folds over the front. Not sure if I can make it work yet. Will have to just make it and see.

This is the first time I've had the sewing machine out in a very long time. I want to make some doll clothes for one of my granddaughters. Will have to go though my old stash of fabric and get busy. I'm enjoying sewing again. May make some more bags too. If I can find some more interesting material to use.

I'm also doing some knitting for the holidays, and making jewelry again. So many projects. Hope I can get it all done in time. Better get busy....