Sunday, February 26, 2012

I am BEYOND excited!!!!!

I just made my first purchase of Stylecraft Special DK yarn from England. I am on pins and needles, or should I say hooks and needles, waiting for my 36 skeins to arrive. They have the most beautiful selection of colors. Can't wait to show them to you.


I have been having so much fun this week, working on quick little projects. I showed you my Happy Flower decoration, from Lucy at Attic 24
Of course, the 3 little munchkins have all requested one. I am finishing the leaves on the stems and the embellishments on the hangers and then I will stiffen them and they will be done.


I mentioned on my last post that I had joined 2 groups on Ravelry. I don't know if it is knowing that I joined One a Day, that I have become obsessed with getting 2 rows crocheted a day on my afghan, or if it is just relaxing. Haven't figured it out yet. I do know that I don't want to go to bed unless I get the next row of color completed. This "ugly" afghan might actually be done while we still have cold weather.
   
My new addiction, GRANNY SQUARES!  I don't know if it is because you start crocheting a square and in less than an hour you have a mini masterpiece. Well, not always a masterpiece, but, a very sweet little square. For whatever reason, I am hooked. Speaking of hooks, I am trying to find a specific crochet hook. It has a red handle with with polka dots. Anybody have any ideas? STOP!!! Get back on track. Granny Squares. What is so fun with these squares, I am learning new stitches and techniques. When I have a bunch of them, I will make an afghan. If the squares don't work in the afghan, they will be coasters. This is a win win project.
This hexagon is nothing special. Just wanted to see if I could make something fairly even on all sides. 


I started and finished my "itty bitty" baby mittens. OH MY GOSH!  They took me about an hour and a half to make. They will be perfect for taking David for walks on our cold spring mornings. These mittens are on page 33, in the "itty bitty nursery" book, by Susan Anderson. 


Saturday I did one of my favorite things, went to Eastern Market and Srodek's Polish Market. This time of year there aren't too many farmers at Eastern Market. The ones that are there are selling mostly eggs, root vegetables, apples, honey, beans, bakery goods, and firewood. There are a few vendors there from stores selling grocery store produce. This year, the market offered free spaces to new local entrepreneurs in hopes they will become regular vendors in the spring. I am addicted to 2 new items, Maria's Homemade Salsa, from Hamtramck, Michigan and The Brinery's fresh purple sauerkraut, from Ann Arbor, Michigan. OH MY GOSH!!! 
At Srodek's Polish Market, I can't resist the atmosphere. Even if I didn't need anything, I would go there just to chat with the owners and listen to the old and young Polish customers speaking in their native tongue. However, this trip was for shopping. The Srodek family makes the BEST pierogi's. Wait, my ex-husband's wife makes the best, AND, she taught me how to make them last year. Oops, getting off track again. The Srodek's pierogis are wonderful. I bought potato/cheese for Luiza, mushroom/sauerkraut for Sarah, and wild mushroom for me. As I was making them Luiza said she would TRY on of mine. I said "Oh no, you don't have to". Why would I want to share MY wild mushroom pierogis that cost more for fewer of them? So, while we are eating dinner, I cut one of mine into 4 bites, put one piece on Luiza's plate, and guess what? THATS RIGHT! She loves wild mushroom pierogis. Figures. 
The other thing I bought was Morski Polish cheese and horseradish cheese. All I can say, YUM!


Today will be a nice day. After church, 2 gals are coming over to hang out. One is a beautiful card maker. She is working on her Christmas cards for 2012. I can't imagine. I am still putting the finishing touches on my Christmas cards from 2006. Probably time to give up on mine. However, Rebecca is so talented. She got married this past December and made all her own table decorations for the reception. They were gorgeous. The other gal that is coming over, is coming to plan a vacation. Sarah decided to take Luiza to Disney World this summer and while talking to Marci, found out her family is planning on going, too. That will be fun. I have to stay home and daycare my other little ones AND watch all of our animals, so, this will be nice for Sarah. Ten days with a nine year old, need I say more? Marci's children and Luiza are great friends. They will have so much fun. Later today, my son and his family will be coming over for our weekly Sunday dinner and to bring the girls to sleepover. I think tonight's dinner, FAJITAS! Easy dinner for 9 people. 


I will leave you with some pictures of my cute estate sale finds. These are all Boyd's Bears.











5 comments:

Zenitude said...

Well, we can say your mojo came back! You've been doing lots of crochet. I can't wait to see that yarn you ordered!

barb said...

Wooly Knits n Bits,

AHHHHH!!!! JUST WAIT!!!!!!! The yarn is an acrylic, but, so many of the English knitters use it and I love their work. Lucy from Attic 24 uses it in alot of her things.
I also bought 2 new books on crochet motifs and squares. Can't wait until the mail starts arriving.

barb

Judi A. said...

Wish I could have been with you as you made your rounds to Eastern Market, etc. Love your estate sale finds, especially that owl!

Armida said...

Beautiful projects Barb!! You are going to enjoy the stylecraft! It's the softest acrylic I've come across yet :) I'm just working away on the boarder of my Granny Stripes Blanket right now.
If you look back though Lucy (Attic24)'s posts you should find the info on her red polka dot hook - it's from an Etsy seller. Or if you check out her Ravelry group, there is mention of it there too and who sells them :) I hope that helps some!!

barb said...

Armida, THANK YOU!!! When I get obsessed about something, look out. And this hook, I am in love with it. Don't know why.
I am on hooks and needles, waiting for my yarn to arrive. Also, I ordered 2 Grannny Square books. I hope something comes today. Tonight is our scrapbooking/knitting group and Susanne is bringing the dessert. That is a GREAT thing.