Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Scavenger Hunt Q&A

I joined the Scavenger Hunt Swap on Ravelry. Here are my answers for the Q&A.
  • Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft? I have been crocheting off and on for over 40 years.

  • Do you spin? What type of spinning do you do? I do not spin.

  • Are there any other crafts that you participate in? I sew, cross stitch, embroider and some paper crafting

  • What are your favorite yarns/fibers? I like all fibers except 100% acrylic.

  • What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers? See above answer.

  • Are there any types/brands of yarn that you are dying to work with but haven’t gotten a chance? Any yarn with some silk in it.

  • What are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet? I like all projects except afghans.

  • What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to start this autumn? I am working on a pumpkin sweater for my grandson. I want to start a sweater for my hubby.

  • Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn? There are no techniques I want to learn at this time.

  • Do you have a yarn winder and/or a swift? I have a yarn winder, but no swift.

  • Where/how to you keep you needles/hooks? I sew my own hook cases.

  • Do you collect anything? I love small containers. The more unique, the better.

  • What is your favorite type of music? Are you MP3 ready? Billy Joel, Sting, Rod Stewart. I have an Ipod Nano if I can get it away from my hubby.

  • Do you like sweets? What are your favorites? I like jelly beans and spice drops.

  • What is your living situation like? Any pets? Children? I live with husband. My son, DIL and grandson live across the street. I get to spend lots of time with my grandson.

  • Are you allergic to anything? No allergies, but I don't like the smell of cigarette smoke.

  • Do you have an online wish list (Amazon, Etsy, Loopy Ewe, etc.)? Please include links for your swap pal. I have a wish list on Amazon.

  • Is there anything else that you would like your pal to know? Surprise me. I like everything except country themed items.

Sweet P

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Is If Fall?

Have you signed up for the 3-2-1 Winter Tote Bag Swap?
_________________________________________

The last few days have been cool, wet and windy. Yesterday while running errands with Mr. E I noticed the leaves are starting to change colors. These leaves are outside my patio doors.
And in the front of the house the leaves that have blown off the trees from the wind are accumulating in the garden hose.
Mr. E and I even saw geese starting to gather getting ready for their trip south.

Soon the NFL Season will start and all will be right with the world.

Sweet P

Monday, August 23, 2010

3-2-1 Winter Tote Bag Swap

I love tote bags. I love Christmas and Winter. I love swaps? Do you like these too? Then I am hosting a swap for you.

Introducing the 3-2-1 Winter Tote Bag Swap

We will be swapping Christmas or Winter-Themes tote bags filled with goodies. Here are the details:

Based on your partner's preference make one Christmas or Winter-Themed tote bag at least 12 x 12 inches in size. Then fill the tote bag with:
  • Three items for your partner to use in her crafting endeavors, i.e. fabric fat quarters, yarn, fancy papers, floss, threads, etc.
  • Two Christmas or winter-themed goodies, i.e., gloves, an ornament, chap stick, seasonal treats, etc.
  • One of your favorite holiday recipes
Please include items that would make you jump up and down if you found them in your bag.

This swap to open any of my blog readers who have a blog. When matching partners I will try to keep partners on the same continent, unless you let me know you are willing to ship internationally. It is not a secret swap. You will know your partner so I'm hoping some new friendships develop from the swap.

If you'd like to join, email me (coffeetimestitches at comcast dot net) the following information:
  • Your name
  • Mailing Address
  • Email Address
  • Blog Address
  • Preferred Tote Bag Theme: Christmas or Winter
  • Favorite Craft Activity
  • Any food or pet allergies
  • Are you willing to ship internationally
  • Are you willing to be an Angel (hopefully I won't need any)
Sign ups are open now and end September 15, 2010. I will send out partners by September 17, 2010. Mailing date is November 15, 2010 so the new bags can be enjoyed during the season.

Let the fun begin!

Sweet P

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Coffee Time Food

I can't believe I haven't posted in two weeks. Oh wait, yes I can. DH and I have been invited to a Black Tie Optional wedding next month. I have a long gown to wear, but wanted a shawl to wear over it. I ordered two balls of hand painted yarn from NH Knitting Mama and started this shawl for me. Needless to say the shawl has been occupying all of free time. The pattern is fun, but also a little tedious. The repeat is nine rows and it will take 22 repeats to make the shawl. I'm up to repeat #8 and I have a little less than three weeks to finish it.
I'm not starving even though I'm busy. I made Salisbury Steaks in French Onion Sauce from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice. This was one yummy dinner. I used sourdough bread for the cheese toasts and found a treat better than garlic bread. I made the cheese toasts the following night to have with our spaghetti.
I'm wondering what you eat when you busy sewing. When I was in my sewing room I didn't want to stop to make a meal. Instead I whipped up a banana smoothie and bag of trail mix with a few pretzel M&Ms thrown in. It was the perfect snack to keep me going through the afternoon at the sewing machine.
Mr E is growing bigger and smarter every day. When he was here on Tuesday he discovered he can almost get up on the love seat. In fact, it's become our "cuddle spot." I sat on the love seat all afternoon and he discovered he can climb up, sit next to me, cuddle for a while and get down when he wants to play. When mommy came home I told her about it and they enjoyed some cuddle time too.
If you've made it this far, I wonder if you are interested in a Christmas/Winter Tote Bag swap. If so, stay tuned, I'll be announcing one in a day or two.

Sweet P

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Sewing, Sewing and More Sewing

Get yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a few photos. I've been busy as a beaver in my studio and have several finished projects to share.

Last summer while on vacation Hotel Man picked out three fabrics for me with the caveat I make something for me out of them. I finally finished that task. Most of the fabric went into this project bag. I followed the pattern from em ay kay ee.
Here is the inside of the bag. Isn't the polka dot fabric wild?
Inside the pockets there is room for a zipper pouch (from the same website), my needle case and my modified crochet hook case.
Here is the crochet hook case open and full of hooks.
Next up . . . what do you get when you mix these 4" squares
With this alphabet panel and inspiration from here?
You get 30 bean bags and a play mat.
I sent this home with my nephew today.
Mr. E will have a set of his own soon too.
One more sewing project: I finished this cupcake apron for my niece.
She used it today while we made cupcakes.
Mr. E helped us make cupcakes too.
He liked licking the spoon!
Whew! My sewing machine has enjoyed being used. I hope it doesn't take me too long to get back to it.

Sweet P