Placemats

Hello Friends,
     We are visiting friends in North Carolina.  I always like to bring a little something to thank them for their hospitality.  They live in a community attached to Pinehurst golf course.  I'm not a golfer but I understand that Pinehurst is quite a famous golf course.  Anyways,  here is what I came up with.

4 placemats with a golf theme.  I originally thought I would make the entire mat with this fabulous golf balls and tees fabric but decided it would be quite jarring on the eyes.  A strip was plenty don't you think?

4 matching cloth napkins to go with.

Here is a look at the placemats that are currently in use at my table.

I made these a few years back.  Fun and functional.

Lazy Girl bag

Hello Friends,

One of the many ongoing project on my list is now complete, Yea!  I wanted a hands free bag I could sling across my body but I didn't want anything huge like a messenger bag.  I found this Lazy Girl pattern at my LQS.

Cute huh? 

My version only has 1 button instead of 3 and I didn't round the bottom.

Could I have made up a similar pattern myself?  With better features? No doubt, but I was being a "lazy girl" myself and just wanted something quick.  I did change one thing.  The pattern wanted you to cut a slit on the underside of the flap to turn it right side out, then whip stitch the slash shut.  Well, nix that stupid idea.  I turned it at a seam.

This size bag is just the right size for taking to the grocery store for hands free shopping (I can't believe how many women leave their purses in the shopping cart while they are looking at produce etc.)  I plan to take this on vacation.  It will be nice to not have to worry about keeping track of my purse.

That's all for today.  Talk at you later.  Rumi

Swap reveal

Hello Friends,
    Remember the sneaky peeky post a little while back.  Well, let me show you pictures of that. Mare of Mare's Nest and I decided on an impromtu swap.  Here is the fabulous tote bag she sent me.

How great is this!  It's quite roomy and just perfect for keeping my knitting projects in.  Cute pink balls of yarn adorn the outside and...

Very cute "bubbles" for the lining.  I couldn't have been more pleased with my swap gift. Thanks so much Mare!

Now to show you my half of the swap...knitted cotton dishcloths.

Don't you think this looks like a brick wall?  It has alot of texture.  Now, it is obvious that I am a much better knitter than I am a crocheter.  Look at that wobbly job of edging the sides with single crochet.  In my defense, it is a rather "bumpy" pattern.

I loved the way this white one turned out.  Worked with 5 double pointed needles from the center out.

Center detail.

I also threw in a couple of Messy Karen's wavy wipers.  Sorry, I didn't take any pics of those but you know what they look like.  They are fabulous!  You won't regret buying a few from Karen's etsy site.

Finally, how about that tiny project with pink crochet thread?

A lace bookmark.  Needed good lighting and my glasses to knit this one!

That's it for today.  Next post is from my sewing room.  Talk at you later.  Rumi

Samoan Love and Lovely Bees

Hello friends,
Yesterday was a very good day. We started the day with a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attack in New York.  Years have gone by but there is still pain in our hearts.

The entire day was not somber though.  This wonderful package arrived in the mail from Samoa.
Barb of Bejeweled quilts has an Artfire site and I ordered these wonderful Samoan goodies.

A big fat jellyroll of assorted Samoan fabrics and some yardage to go along with it.

Barb very kindly threw in a lovely charm pack and some additional orange yumminess!  Thanks so very much Barb!  I want to jump in and start sewing with these but I already have a huge "to do" craft list so alas, this will probably have to wait till the first of the year. 

Yesterday was also the 4th annual Honey Festival at nearby Lithopolis.  We had meant to go in years past but this year Daughter Lucky and I finally made it there. 

We watched beeswax being scraped with a heated knife prior to the frame of honey combs being put into the honey extractor (that big steel drum pictured on the left side of the picture.)

We also saw this brave (or crazy!) man with a bee beard.  Yes, all that brown stuff hanging off his face and shoulders are hundreds and hundreds of bees!  He was sitting in a mesh enclosure so the picture is not all that clear but it made things safer for us observers!

We walked around and sampled different kinds of honey, had honey glazed salmon burgers for lunch, followed by a scoop of honey ice cream.  Vendors were selling all manner of items from tee shirts to lawn ornaments to jewelry etc, etc.  I'm not much of a "stuff" person (unless, of course, it involves fabric or yarn LOL!)  so this is what we came home with.  Things we can enjoy but won't add any clutter.

Two types of honey, lemongrass and CHOCOLATE soap made with honey (yes, they really smell strongly of lemon and chocolate!)  and honey infused lip balm.

I hope your Saturday was fun as well.  Talk at you later!  Rumi

Sneaky Peeky and a win

Hello Friends,

     I have been very lucky lately and wonderful bloggers have picked me for fantastic giveaways.  Yesterday, I received this from the lovely Jenny of Elefantz.

Wonderful cotton labels.  Oh, now I need to think of a creative way to use these!  Thanks so much Jenny!

OK, how about an update on my lace shawl.

Disappointing huh.  Did you think I would be farther along than this?  Well, you know me, I always seem to have several different projects on needles at any given time.

Like this tiny lace project using size 1 needles and crochet thread.

I also have been knitting for a little swap I am doing with Mary at  Mare's Nest.

Here is a little sneaky peeky of that (don't look Mary!)

and this

As for all my non knitting sewing friends, stay with me, I promise to have some sewing projects to show you soon.

Talk at you later,  Rumi