Shaping up!

Things are shaping up around here. My brother arrived with Mom's things on Tuesday afternoon. With help from friends and family, we were able to unload the truck in about 45 minutes. After that, the fun began!

Mom is unbelievable! Her bedroom looked like a bedroom before dinner time on Tuesday, and she's been working on sorting, organizing, and discarding with more energy than I can muster ever since! There's nothing photo worthy at this point, but we are both feeling very good about how much we've accomplished.

There has been a little crafting going on. I started a Granny Stripe afghan in an effort to use up some of my yarn stash. It's been a great project for when Mom and I decide to take a break. The pattern is so simple, I really don't have to think while I'm working on it.

Mom has been taking weaving breaks. We thought there was very little warp left on my loom. I think she's woven enough fabric for three bags! The goal is to use up the warp on my loom, and then move my loom upstairs to my new craft area. Then we will set up Mom's loom in the sunroom. I weave, but Mom WEAVES!

Yes, things are slowly shaping up around here. When spaces seem photo worthy, I'll share pics of what we've done. That may take a while!

Life is good!

Mom, Dave, and I are settling into a comfortable routine. Mom and I have been enjoying the beautiful weather and spending time on the porch. We knit, crochet, tat, and chat. The days have been going by at a nice, easy pace.

Mom and I are working in using up my stash of yarn. Mom has warp ready for a blanket for my brother, and I've started crocheting an afghan. Between these two projects, we'll probably use up at least two dozen skeins of yarn. We may have to go shopping for more supplies! ;-)

I'm test tatting another pattern for Lynne Urwin. This one is called Nancy's Surprise, and it's named for Mom!

I've been working on a knit shawl for about two weeks now. The pattern is called Pastoral Lace and can be found on Yarnspirations. I'm growing a little tired of this color. It will be pretty when finished, and I'm using up yarn from my stash!

It was time for a new computer. My old one was nearly seven years old. I've been busy learning the ins and outs of my new one and cleaning up the old one so that it can be passed on to someone else. Dave doesn't seem interested, so I'm guessing it will go to one of my grandchildren.

I'm really enjoying the Poldark series by Winston Graham. Demelza is the second book in the series. I enjoyed the television version except for the last season. The characters didn't seem the same, and after some research I learned that the last season was not based on the books. I'm sure others would agree that our perception of characters differs based on our personal experiences, and I believe that is part of why I enjoy reading so much more than watching!

13 years

13 years ago today, I started blogging. I remember the year, because it was my 55th birthday. Those of you who have been following my blog for a long time may remember that I was encouraged to start blogging by Sherry Pence aka LadyShuttleMaker. I'm so glad I received that encouragement. Blogging has helped me make friendships around the world!

My friend Edna stopped by with a birthday cake for me today. Edna makes the best cakes I've ever tasted!

I'm so glad to have Mom here! She's adjusting to her new life on the farm, and has been busy winding warps so that she can weave a blanket for my brother. The warps are all ready. We'll have to find something else for her to work on until her loom arrives next Tuesday!

I tatted a new Ice Drop today. My sister thinks it looks like a daisy. Maybe I'll tat one in white with a golden center just for her!

Movin' in

Mom has started movin' in! Her bathroom and bedroom are ready, and since her bed and mattress were delivered a couple of weeks ago, she was able to move in Friday. The rest of her belongings will be here by the 23rd, and then she will feel completely at home!

My brother requested a blanket for his camper, so Mom started winding warps with Mandala Ombre. My nephew Andrew has requested an afghan. Mom will have plenty to keep her busy!

I finally took some time for tatting. I really haven't done much of anything for the past couple of weeks, so it really did feel good to have a shuttle in my hand again. This is a new pattern by Lynne Urwin called Doodling Diane. Yes, it is named for me! I am quite flattered. I used size 20 Lizbeth Blue Ice with my shuttle from Elena Kozinenko.

I've fallen behind on my Ice Drops for June. In only have four finished, and I should have 14. I guess I'd better get tatting!

Falling behind?

I'm not really falling behind. I just haven't been accomplishing the same kinds of things!

I had great fun test tatting for Lynne Urwin again. This pattern is called Starburst. I really messed up on the top one. I used the wrong stitch count! The bottom one was much easier, because I used the correct stitch count! The thread is size 20 Lizbeth Blue Ice. The shuttle is from Elena Kozinenko.

My Ice Drop count for May was way down. I think I spent way too much time playing games on my iPad!

I did finish my Reyna shawlette from last summer. I also managed to knit Seashore Kerchief. Both patterns can be found on Ravelry.

I received a surprise early birthday present on Monday. The virus shuttle is a gift from my friend Sue Anna, and the lovely wood shuttle is a gift from my friend Rita. Every tatter needs a new shuttle or two, right? Thank you Sue Anna and Rita!