The Mailman Has Been Good to Me

Last week I did a little on-line shopping and this week the packages have started to arrive. Email marketing does wonders for my bank balance! Barnes & Noble sent a 50% off coupon on one item and couldn't refuse. I had seen the Hello, Cupcake book in the store, but didn't buy it and when I was ready to buy it, it was gone. Of course, I had to buy it. And then, to avoid paying shipping, I had to order enough to get free shipping. Therefore four bargain books jumped into my cart.

Last week I grew tired of winding my yarn into balls. Another e-mail coupon, this one for 40% off from Jo-Ann's came to my rescue. This cute ball winder showed up in my mail box. I can't wait to try it.

Unfortunately, the yarn winder will have to wait. I dropped a ceramic mug on my toe last night. Today by foot is black and blue and sore! I did work today and was able to walk, but slowly and carefully. Tonight, I'm keeping the foot elevated and iced. Tomorrow may see me at the doctor's office, but I'm hoping not.

Sweet P

If It's Tuesday . . .

Mr. E was here. He had a lot of fun playing all afternoon, wouldn't you agree?

Needless to say I didn't get any time for me to play with fabric, fiber, floss or food.  Oh well, I love Tuesdays!

Sweet P

Makes Me Happy Monday #5

This is what made me happy today:

Wednesday Wonders

Banangrams - I won this round!

DIL's words

S'mores Rice Krispies bars - tonight's dessert

Mochi Plus yarn - it just kind of jumped into my hands at my LYS.

What are your Wednesday wonders?

Sweet P

The Finished Block

I finished my first Crochenit block. I love it. It has good texture. There are some loose stitches, but I think they add to the charm of the block. I don't know how many blocks I'll make. The pattern calls for 12 blocks, but I may make a smaller afghan. The block worked up fast. It probably took me about 6 hours to make the block once I figured out the pattern.
Tomorrow Mr. E will be here. The weather will be sunny and warm so I'm hoping to get some outside play time in with him.

What are you up to this week?

Sweet P

Learning How To Crochenit

Before I got sick I ordered a set of double ended crochet hooks from eKnittingNeedles.com. I've wanted to try other forms of crochet for quite a while. I had a set of Tunisian crochet hooks on my Christmas list, but no one bought them for me.

Over the last three nights I have crochenitted and frogged the first six rows three times. On my fourth try tonight I finally got it right. Here's a close-up of my progress so far.
Here's a view of the whole work so far. I'm making Crochenit Patches by Winifred Carnley. The pattern is in the April issue of Crochet World magazine. The afghan has 12 - 12X12 inch blocks.

I'm going to use this yarn I bought last month to make the afghan.

Tomorrow is the first day off I've had in a while when I haven't been sick or somewhere to go. What am I going to do? I'm going to clean my studio and reorganize my projects. Then I can spend time creating and not feel guilty about the growing piles.

Sweet P

Coming Up For Air

Well, after dealing with a nasty virus for nearly three weeks, a week of celebrating Mr. E's first birthday and a surprise four day visit from my son who lives in NYC, I can finally get caught up on life. My house is a disaster. My studio is even worse.

There have been several highlights in the last few days. I learned my sons can cook. DS, the daddy, made breakfast burritos for us on Sunday. Too bad I was so busy trying to get a project done I didn't get to enjoy a complete burrito. Perhaps he'll make me another one soon.
My youngest son cooked dinner three nights in a row. On Monday night he made chicken, roasted potatoes and green beans. The whole meal was yummy, especially the green beans that he boiled and then sauteed in garlic olive oil. On Tuesday night daddy DS made fish for him and his brother. I don't eat fish so youngest DS made me steak. On Wednesday night he made home made pizzas. It was the first time my pizza stone and pizza peel were used. He makes awesome pizza.

Yesterday morning youngest DS left for home. Mommy, daddy and Mr. E stayed home. Last night I was home alone and relaxed. I spent time playing with a new crochet toy (more about that tomorrow).

Tonight DH is out with friends and I'm home alone again. That's OK. I'm catching up on my DVR'd shows, writing blog posts and will be playing with my new toy. I used my pizza stone for the first time by myself tonight. I made a Prosciutto, Pear and Gorgonzola pizza on Ciabatta bread for dinner. It was yummy and I can't wait to make it again.
So, what's everyone else been up to lately?

Sweet P

Not Quite Wordless Wednesday

My new French Press Coffee Maker - $5

Chocolate doughnut holes for his 52-week birthday breakfast - $1

Discovering the back deck - lots of fun

Relaxing in his birthday present, a Red Sox upholstered rocking chair - Priceless!

Happy 52-week birthday Mr. E!

Sweet P

Makes Me Happy Monday #4

What will make me happy today?

Feeling better! I've had a cold for 10 days and it doesn't show a lot of promise for going away soon.

I have very little energy, can hardly breathe and I'm way behind on some sewing deadlines.

I need to get better soon. Mr. E has his first birthday later this week and I need help him enjoy it!

Sweet P

Happy Blogiversary - Winners!

Good morning!

The rain has finally stopped here and the sun is shining. What a lovely morning to draw the winners for my 500 Posts - 4 Year Blogiversary drawings.

Giveaway #1 - Fantastic Fabric - The winner is Ruthie of Threads of Mine.
Ruthie said, "Well, I won a table runner book a while back, so that's what I would probably make with the charm packs. The patterns look oh-so cute also."

Giveaway #2 - Fabulous Floss - The winner is Mary Grace McNamara of Hooked on Needles.
Mary Grace said, "Oh my, I almost missed this one! I love Natalie over at Cinderberry Stitches. Her patterns are so darn cute! I'd probably make this for a gift since I already have a needle wallet I use for myself. The fabrics and floss colors are just lovely!"

Giveaway #3 - Frolicking Fiber - The winner is Tudy of Tudy's Craft Cupboard.
She said, "I love to knit or crochet scarfs."

Giveaway #4 - Fine Food - The winner is Rhonda in OK of If You Do Stuff, Stuff Gets Done.
Rhonda said, "my favorite beverage is big mug of Liptons tea, hot with a little sweetener and skim milk in it. My favorite thing to cook is just about anything baked, I really like baking bread and cookies."

Giveaway #5 - Family Fun - The winner is Nancy from ...with thread in hand...
Nancy said, "I have had my youngest granddaughter since Sunday and she goes home tomorrow. I can't say that I am sad she is going...I am TIRED!! I would have to pick a bit of each as I have both boy and girl grandbabies..."

Congrats to all the winners. I've sent an email to all the winners. If, by chance, I don't hear from them I will choose alternate winners.

Thanks again to everyone who entered the drawings. I hope all of you keep stopping by and checking in on Coffee Time Stitches.

Sweet P