Happy Halloween!!!

 

After much coaxing, Grant finally agreed
to put on the Halloween costume that I made him.
Yeahhh!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

DRAGON along

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys.
(lyric, Puff the Magic Dragon)

We all know that I don't have to look far for an excuse not to finish a project. Any one will do. With the holidays fast
approaching I find myself sidetracked once again. You see my 3 year old grandson Grant has requested a green dragon costume with orange spikes for Halloween. How could I say no? I couldn't, even though I had just begun making progress with my latest unfinished project;  the "Tee Shirt Bag".  Yes the "Tee Shirt Bag".( my 2008 grand idea to turn special old tee shirts into pocketbooks. Laugh now but when you see my old Three Dog Night concert tee shirt transformed into a funky messenger bag you too will scour your closet and drawers in search of the perfect tee to do the same. )
     That said, I quickly abandoned the bag and went to work on the costume. I have loved every minute that I have spent sewing that costume. The bright green fleece with orange trim will be colorful and warm for Halloween night. Grant's excitement is uncontainable and so is mine. I can't wait to see it on him.

 Lets face it,  life is too short,  kids grow too fast and

 Three Dog Night

 can wait.

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. I think it was Lewis Carroll, author of Alice In Wonderland  who first penned these words and he may as well have written them about me. As I race along toward my goal of completing all unfinished projects I find myself continually bumping into various obstacles thus re-routing my own projects and therefore putting me behind. My first excuse...ahem.....distraction was my grandson's 3rd birthday. This Toy Story themed extravaganza brought my progress to a screeching halt. I know, I know, it is my fault; I take on too much. I happily put away the old and began the new. I had volunteered to applique a tee shirt for the birthday boy. I had first seen it on ETSY and was eager to try my own.  It was a huge success and a great hit with my boy....... but it did indeed put me behind.

 

 

The next interruption was our long awaited trip to the happiest place on earth... Disney World. This trip with my older grand-son had been planned for almost a year and before we knew it, it was upon us. Again there was planning, shopping, packing and travelling to do so my "catch up" list was put aside.  So here I am behind the 8-ball again. But I fear not.

 

 I still have plenty to do and while my goals may be lofty my commitment stands firm.

Hail To The House Dress



Me on moms lap with neighbor.

You've seen them, our mothers wore them and we abhor them. To what am I referring? The House dress. You know, the frumpy old cotton frocks that our mothers wore around the house all day while they cooked and cleaned for us ungrateful souls. You remember, they were plaid or flowered or even plain but one thing is for sure they were ugly. I used to think it was just the style of the times but I have come to realize that the house dress was more

Dad holding me, grand-
mother in house dress.

than that, and our moms knew it; they were comfortable.  I reluctantly found this out during our recent New England heat wave.  I can't believe how hot and humid it has been thus rendering me useless as far as getting much done. I spent a good part of the past 7 days at the beach, cooling off.  I even filled up the grand kid's kiddie pool and sat in it by myself....hey whatever works right? I also dug out my latest Finally Finishing Project. Another blue batik sack of a dress that I had banished to the back of the closet. Finally I measured, cut and hand hemmed it.  Once completed it I  slipped  the lightweight cotton dress over my head and immediately realized the attractions our mothers had for theses garments.  This dress is the most comfortable thing I own. It is cool and soft. Of course due to the heat I did the bare minimum of chores but when I did,  I did them with comfort and without constriction. Even in 90+ degrees I was able to catch the elusive breeze. No more sweaty tee shirts for me. No shorts riding up or too tight waistbands. No more back sweat...... I am free.

Taaaa Daaa

Happy Blog Anniversary!

Finally Finishing is 1 year Old

and I have finished numerous projects with

many more to go! 

Thanks you readers

 for all your support and kind words

 along the way!!

A Perfect Fit For A Perfect Baby!

Here is baby Kathleen the newest addition to our ever growing family modeling the handmade dress with knitted bodice that I made. I couldn't be happier with the end result. The proud parents were nice enough to snap this pic so we could all enjoy it.  Stay tuned little miss Kathleen there are a few more little dresses where this one came from and you seem to be the perfect size.

The Last Sweater

Thanks to my grandmother and my mother I have learned how to knit, sew and crochet, I think these skills are passed on genetically and I appreciate them. These activities have brought me great pleasure and have come in very handy over the years. Growing up it was a rare occurrence to see either one of them without a project in progress, but it was knitting  that was my mother's first love and she was not only good at it, she finished every single project she ever started. She claimed she just couldn't leave anything undone. I am mystified how this little genetic detail failed to find its way to me. Through the years, my mother kept her 6 children in mittens, hats, and sweaters. She even outfitted our Barbie dolls. She did the same for her 21 grand-children and continued on for her 31 great grand-children and finally her 1 great, great grand-child. Which is why this little white sweater feels so bitter sweet for me to see.

This is and will be the last knitting project my mom will complete. Sadly her fading memory makes it impossible for her to follow a pattern and her worsening macular  degeneration with her eyes makes it hard to see the stitches. The last sweater was a gift to her  31st great, great grand-daughter Kathleen.

At 86 years old my mother is for the most part healthy. She enjoys a wonderful life, full of many family gatherings and activities, just not knitting. She may be finally finishing knitting but she still has a lot more living to do!!

 

Dressed To Kill..

I've heard it said that "if you wait long enough, everything old will be new again". This dress, an oldie but goody is living proof that the old adage is true.  At least 15 ago a friend bought this dress for me as a souvenir from Hawaii. I love the fabric and the floral batik design. The problem though is, it is way too long for me, not to mention the ruffle flounce on the bottom. You see I've never been one to "rock the ruffle" if you know what I mean. Frumpy comes to mind here and I can't deny it looks a bit moo mooish.
Now understand,  I am not opposed to the MIDI  or for that matter the MAXI dress. God knows I've worn my share of them back in the 70's  along with other fashions that went with that era. i.e. hip huggers, bell bottoms, earth shoes, love beads, and granny glasses. Sometimes all at the same time. But that was then and this is now. Good Times for sure but I have grown beyond. I vowed that someday I would chop off the ruffle and hem the dress so that I could wear it "my way". Someday is here.....Away we go!!

Well, I may have chopped off a tad too much, I forgot to take into consideration "knee fat"

 

Peace, Love and Rock n Roll!

 

 

 

 

Sew What

The true color of this dress is really a softer
"peachy"color....not orange at all.

Hi All, Happy Spring! With most of the winter knitting completed and behind me I am cautiously entering my "sewing" phase. I love to sew but as you know by now I hate the pesky details of finishing. Last year in anticipation of this anti- procrastination project I bought a new sewing machine; hence the first obstacle. Things have changed since I first learned to sew on my grandmother's treadle machine, and then later on another of Grammy's "hand me down" machines. My new one, the Project Runway Model is computerized and much more involved. It does everything! The problem is I don't really know how to use it yet. It seems like I will need a PhD just to figure it out and SURPRISE I can't find the instruction manual. I'm sure I will unearth it soon. But I fear not, as I shall start slow and finish projects by degrees from easy to hard. This will give me time to "bone up" on the "ins and outs" of the machine.
The beautiful fabric and tiny infant dress pattern was intended for my second grandchild Grant... until I happily found out he was a boy that is, and put it away. Instead it will joyfully go to my brand new "great" niece. Please join me in welcoming little

Kathleen...aka Kat.

XOXOX

Let's Dish..... (cloth)

It may look like "just a little washcloth" but my oh my...it is so much more! This little knitted square  has been waiting to be made for at least 10 years. WARNING, once you use this type of dishcloth it will spoil you for all others. The 100 % cotton yarn has a sturdy and long lasting texture. It cleans anything and will last forever AND it makes scrubbing a cinch; just ask my husband "Retired Bob", he uses his each and every day with sparkling results. These were a favorite of my grandmother and my mother. After I received a few for Christmas several years back, I vowed that I would make some too. I bought the yarn, found the pattern and  then of course moved on to something else. This week my forgotten project was rediscovered.

One lonely orphaned ball of yarn waiting....waiting....waiting to be finally finished!

 Here it is!  Enjoy it Bob and Oh,
 Happy 39th Anniversary !

I think this might be the last unfinished knit project using STASH. I am now moving on to unfinished sewing projects ughhh (which, by the way there are dozens) . Stay tuned for an array pillows, purses, baby and doll clothes and gasp.....a skirt and Roman Shades? Are they in style anymore?  Yikes!

PILLOW TALK

When I was a young girl of 6 or 7 I guess, my grandmother made my sisters and me darling pillowcases for our beds. They had beautiful hand embroidered faces of  "Southern Belles" holding parasols. They wore long, crocheted gowns that were stitched into the pillowcase. I remember loving those pillowcases and thinking they were the most beautiful things I had ever seen. I guess even back then I had an appreciation for hand crafted items and fancy stitching. These pillowcases were popular for their time, so you know me, loving all things vintage; when I got older and had a family and home of my own I set out to recreate these little gems from the 50s era. Over the years I've seen similar pillowcases at flea markets and antique shops; I even bought one on EBAY.  I've yet to see one as beautiful as the ones made by my grandmother though. In 2002 I found the coveted pattern in a needlework catalog and sent away for it with plans of making them for my guest room.  The pattern is postmarked exactly 11 years ago today.  Unfortunately I never got around to making them as the delicate crochet and intricate stitchery intimidated me and I put it away for another day. A few weeks ago I pulled out the package and once again unearthed  another treasure. I’m happy to report that it is

Finally Finished.

Original Package Postmarked March 19, 2002

Better Late Than Never.....I guess......right?

Well sure, I’m more than a little embarrassed about this one…here goes. My mother gave me the book Knitting for Peace for my birthday in 2007 (so the inscription says). I had expressed a desire to make a hat for Caps For Kids, a deserving organization that sends hats to underprivileged children.  There was a darling if somewhat challenging cap that I wanted to make BUT once again I got busy and the book got displaced a few times until it got packed away and forgotten. Finally unearthed last week I was again reminded of the wonderful work this committed group does for disadvantaged children.  I pulled out a skein of soft, washable wool from my stash and went to work. Here it is!! BUT HERE IS THE RUB. I HATE, HATE, HAT THE YARN AND THE HAT!  (Sigh) Never the less I will pack it up and send it off to Caps For Kids. I ask you loyal readers, does  it make me a bad person to send an ugly hat to charity?

I asked my mom and she said  NO IT DOES NOT  and reminded me that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 Thanks MOM

PEACE!

See You Later Alligator!

Ok, yet another goal. I thought this year I would be proactive and be ready for Christmas 2013. So that I won't be tempted to start any new projects and not finish them, I decided to join an online  group called Christmas Stitching 2013 on my favorite website Ravelry . The point of the group is to commit to one  knitted/crocheted project per month. The moderator gives a monthly suggestion; you don't have to use it you can do your own thing too. 
Everyone helps and encourages each other along the way. By December of this year we will all have 12 gifts made for Christmas gift giving. (I figure I can do this in tandem with my other F.F. projects and use up my stash too....hmmmmm we'll see.)

Sounds like a good idea right?

 Well it would have been if I hadn't been late joining. (no surprise). I missed the January project deadline so I am already lagging behind. The other members are finishing up February and looking toward March. I am already feeling stressed. That's ok I tell myself, I have 10 more months to catch up and as far as I know there are no Knitting Police coming after me if I don't.

So.... here is my January project finally finished.

 This little baby alligator scarf was knitted using a pattern that I have been looking at for years. I am really cheap so I put off buying it hoping to find it free somewhere. Well that didn't happen so I broke down and bought it.

Baby Alligator will go Grandson Grant.

I hope he likes it better than the owl hat.

(no I am not holding a grudge....well maybe a little)

1000 pieces Sports Baseball Puzzle .....Finally Finished

While this certainly wasn't on MY LIST of things to finish my grand-son and son put this together in record time while I plugged away on my next project. Stay tuned it is almost done.

 

 

Too much snow for me!

Think Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

ONLY 31 DAYS TO GO!

Fishtales from Rockport, MA

Thanks to  the Northeast 

blizzard NEMO I was left without electricity; 

therefore, no Facebook, no Pinterest, no Friends With Words or even FaceTime with my grandsons. So desperate times call for disparate measures right? Right. The Dead Fish Hat that I made from "stash" for my grandson for Christmas 2012 has been done except for the final touches to the eyes.  (Yep, it's the pesky details that get me in trouble.) So snowbound yesterday morning with no more excuses and nothing else to do I was able to Finally Finish another NEMO. Here it is ready and waiting for my grandson's next visit.

And by the looks of things here in Rockport, Ma there will be plenty of opportunity for him to wear it.

(if he will that is)

Peace Out!

Stay Warm and Dry....

Sweets For The Sweet!!

Welcome little Charlotte!

This beautiful baby girl was recently born to special friends!

As Cute As A Cupcake................Sweet As The Icing!



My stash pile is getting smaller.



I can't think of a nicer family to give this little handmade cupcake hat to.

(complete with sprinkles)

Little glass beads make great sprinkles!

Nine Lives Too Many.......The Cat Comes Back!

I continue rummaging through the past and low and behold what do I find? The stuffed cat that my husband bought my daughter the day she was born.  Honestly I thought that this little kitty had used up all nine lives but I guess it has one more so here goes. On August 3rd, 1980 "said cat" was brought to the hospital by my husband as a gift to  welcome our third child. It was my husband's "thing" to buy each of our children a special stuffed animal to honor the day they were born. Our oldest boy got a huge, and I mean huge, teddy bear, our second boy got a giant gorilla and our daughter got a life size cat. I have to admit when I saw my husband walk through my hospital room door with this furry feline I just about died. (I would have laughed but my stitches were killing me.)  It was as big as my baby girl and it had a scary,  possessed look on it's face. The most disturbing part though was that when you squeezed it, it vibrated and emitted a sickening purr. But never the less the cat came home with us and held it's place of honor in my daughter's bedroom..... until her older brothers got hold of it that is. Of course they played too rough with it and before long the motor broke and the fur became dirty and matted. Even some of the seams gave way spilling out tiny pieces of yellow foam.

Before our very eyes Birthday Kitty became 

Psycho Cat. 

Our own pets would whimper and growl in it's presence. When small children came to visit they too were scared of it forcing me to hide the cat out of sight. Sick and tired but with every intention of repairing it in time, I tossed it behind the cellar stairs and immediately forgot about it.....Yes, until now that is. 

 In the last few days I have spent endless hours cleaning and brushing out the matted fur. I have sewed together all the open seams.  With just a minor wiring adjustment and fresh batteries I even got the motor running again.  Yes, the blasted thing purrs like new. It is still creepy if you ask me but at least it is

Finally Finished!

Is there no end.....?

Honestly, is there no end to the yarn stash that appears to be growing by the minute in my spare room closet. Even though some of the original projects now elude me I'll continue my quest to use up all of the yarn that I have acquired. Here is another headband made with a skein of  (pre-grandson) pink yarn that I bought. This headband is crocheted. It has been a while since I've done any crocheting. It isn't hard; I guess I just prefer knitting.  My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was young. She always crocheted such beautiful things. She even crocheted a gorgeous black and white wool coat to wear to my sister Cheryl's November 14th 1970 wedding.  I wish I had a picture of  my grandmother wearing it but I don't. I do however have the coat (Of course I saved it, that's the reason I'm in the mess I am in, I can't let go of the past. I wonder what Dr. Phil would have to say about that? hmmm....) Anyway she was an amazing woman.

 Enjoy your weekend!

 53 degrees....wow not bad for January 12th right?

Hopefully we'll go all the way to Spring with this kind of weather.

The open weave knit is really
beautiful. There is a velvet
ribbon trim with
silk buttons.

The picture doesn't do it justice.
The round neckline and 1970's
 modern for the day
 flair coat.



Heads Up......Your Hat Is In The Mail!

A year ago last October I went to a Harvest Fair in New Hampshire with my daughter. While perusing the little craft booths we came upon a woman selling knitted winter hats and  headbands. They were unique and quite lovely.  We stopped and tried them on. I quickly settled on a mustard colored headband that I liked. It isn't often I find a hat that looks good on me. My daughter Meagan tried on several and couldn't decide so I confess, in order to hurry her along I told me not to worry that I could easily make one for her within the next few days if she just told me the color. She decided on black. (Ok, I know what you're all thinking. Meagan of all people should know I can't keep a promise when it comes to finishing anything so why did she fall for that line right?  Well she did.)  Once home from New Hampshire I actually bought the yarn and the pattern. My intention was to make the headband for her for Christmas 2011. When that didn't happen I promised it again for 2012.  Nada! I have no excuse that you haven't heard before but if it helps I do feel bad. Every now and then my daughter would ask about my progress and I easily changed the subject. Thankfully she stopped asking. Sometimes when she visits she borrows my headband leaving me hatless; that's OK with me as it helps ease my guilt. Yesterday, Lo and Behold, I found the time and inclination to finally make my daughter the coveted headband. All in all I am happy with the results and just to make sure she gets it before winter is over I packed it up and gave it to my husband. (who by the way finishes everything he starts) He took it to the post office.

 You should get it Thursday or Friday

 my dear, patient daughter.

Enjoy!