This part of my blog is all about the things I collect or the things I make myself. I love so many things, I paint and draw and want to learn oils and pastels. I knit and crochet but want to learn tatting. I embroider and can turn my hand to most things given a chance. So much still to learn and do. I live in hope of some day reading all my books, learning all I want to learn and now I am learning to blog. You will often find my original poems, poor as they are I offer them here. I also appreciate other people art and will feature things I find that I have enjoyed. That includes pictures of fairies and fantasy or maybe just anything beautiful.
I try to use my own photo's as much as possible, sometimes I borrow from the web. If I inadvertently use your picture without giving credit, please do let me know and I will either credit or remove it, I hope you will do the same with mine.
If you wish to leave comments on my blog you can do that by joining google if you do not have a blog yourself, please comment if you can I appreciate that.


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Tuesday afternoons finds.....................

Today we stopped at the Samaratan's closet and I found a few things. I spent a bit more than I normally do but you will see why. The first thing I saw as I walked in and could not resist is this one cup tea pot. It's so pretty I really didn't need anymore teapots but, well look at it. Two dollars.
Isn't it sweet? I then picked up a glass bowl to collect Petoskey stones in. I will some day sort all the really good ones out. Just one dollar for that.
I picked up a book because it looked interesting
Then I spy with my little eye.......for 11 dollars this Purse
I like it because it's silver and I know it's worth more than 11 dollars but even so, It is something I would buy in any case. In fact I had sent for something simular on line and it has yet to arrive (its pink) so meanwhile this will be good.
The little stool I bought for 5 dollars and it will go on the front porch as a foot rest for the rocking chair. SO in all I spent 19.00 a lot more than I normally would but I think I got a good deal.

Friday, April 16, 2021

A few finished projects..............

I finally finished Gerry's scarf. It's soft and warm and I made it from the yarn I got at Samaritan's Closet (2 dollars). I have began another and should have enough yarn to make a matching hat I hope. I love the colour.
I finally sewed together the hat I made with matching scarf. I had the yarn in my own stash. I really like the colours on that set.
I don't make a good model but I am not sure what to call these items. THey are a scarf but can pull up into a hood. I thought they would be great next winter when we go to the beaches etc. I can just have it around my neck and pull it up when its windy and pull close around the face. Great for under the hood on my coat as well.
I didn't have as much yarn for the yellow one but it will work for me. I would put it on the other way though so it fits better......I want to make more of these because I really liked them. I think they will be useful.
The other things I am finishing off are a couple of crochet pouches that I will show later I think I will line them and put closures on them for holding items in a purse.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Samaritan's Closet..................

On our adventures yesterday we made our usual stop at Samaritan's Closet in lake leelanau. I really didn't need anything, I never do. I see it as a donation (sort of). Well I found a few things as I usually do. I guess I am looking now for things and ideas for the garden. I found this small pitcher and basin that I will put an Ivy in for the front porch maybe (or back)
Tell me why I can't resist "stuffies"? I bought a couple of puppies that were just so cute and a bear that jumped in my cart. Honest it did.
They have all found homes around the house (Till Tristen discovers them, even at his age he loves his stuffies). I also found a bird house that was signed and was rather nice.
I will spray that with some Krylene or whatever it's called, so the paint stays on. The Pansies are hand painted and it was just 2 dollars. The last thing is a very pretty mirror for a ladies purse. I have no use for it but will tuck it in with someones Christmas gift maybe.
In all it came to 10 dollars. I didn't linger at the books because a lady was working her way through the stash and I have books I am still working on so......next time maybe........I did put back a crystal sugar bowl.........I think if it's still there next time I won't resist. I use the pretty bowls to put my stones in. The Petoskey's and blues I find on the beach. I forgot to show the scarf I knitted for Gerry from the yarn I got at Samaritan's Closet. It turned out soft and quite nice

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Todays treasures............

We went out today and stopped at the Samaritans Closet. Its been rather empty of late but I found out they had opened up the back area so there's more to look at. Anyway. I picked up two cushions that I saw the last time I was in there. They will replace a couple on my couch so I can put two more outside.
I don't go for this sort of thing but will put it on the front porch for now.
I can always put it in a yard sale when I go off of it. I just had to get these cups and saucers etc. You will see the price for the cup and saucer is 34 dollars and is made in Occupied Japan. I paid one dollar for it. The little milk jug and saucer was also one dollar.
I love that the cup has a tea strainer with it. How cool is that. I did get a jar with a cork stopper in aqua glass, I forgot to take a picture of that. So a successful day I think.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Samaritan's Closet.....................

Gerry seems to think that it's worth a stop because he usually does. He doesn't go in but must think I get bargains. I think I do. So do I need any of it? Nope but I think of it as a donation, I get something for the donation, but as I said I don't need it. I do like it though. SO today's finds. I am not sure where they will go but they always find a home. First thing...........this fish. It is so beautiful the pictures don't do it justice and this will sit in the living room rather than out at the pond where I originally intended.
I claimed some yarn that was new in. 2.00 each. How could I not get it? I will knit them up into scarves for Winter.
I bought the bottles and jars for their colour, not sure if I have room in my kitchen but if not then I can put fresh flowers on the porch.
Then I found a bowl. I love it and will use it as a fruit bowl. It has sunflowers and a rooster on it
The other thing I got was a pair of leggins/pants that will go with a long Navy tunic. So those were my finds for this day. The prices are good and I love the store its so fresh and clean. A new building and all the precautions we live with today.

Monday, March 15, 2021

I am back with projects...............

I know, it's been a very long time. I decided to take a break from blogging for many reasons but now I find I miss it and so here we are I think I will start with this........I spend way too much time on Facebook. I enjoy it but find I have no time for other things. I want to do so much more and so by limiting my time there, I can read...........I have read several books now, actually maybe 8. I am knitting, I am crocheting and sewing. I want to paint too. First I have to paint over some garden stuff I bought and the paint is flaking, so before I put it outside again I need to paint over and spray so that I don't have to do it again next year. I also want to repaint some bird houses I have made in the past. I will show some of my projects here. Some not yet finished. This is my project box of finished things that will make gifts next Christmas.
So far it has in it some bags I made last year, pillow cases and kitchen hot pads and things I have forgotten...........So as to knitting I am making hats and scarves for next Winter......
I had another ball of this yarn and so will make another. It's so soft
I finished a hat and am now making a scarf to match. The hat has to be sewn together yet.
Then I have two quilts that need to be backed and finished and I have to do that myself now Barb is not doing anymore of mine. She is only doing large quilts now she is retired.
My stash is in the dining room now, at least half of it so that it's not so intimidating when all in the same space. I will work my way through it and move more here as I need to. Lots of plans and projects in mind. This also helps me to weed out the books I know I will never use.
I had made several crochet Kitchen pads. Then a couple will be backed onto hot pads.
I knitted two cowls, they are soft and I had wanted to see if they would work better than a scarf. We shall see next year. Hope I don't need them this year. One in Pink and one in Yellow
Maybe a basket? Need to stiffen it first and can use for all sorts of things but maybe yarn odds and ends. The second one is made by Kim a wood working friend. A beautiful gift
So what else have I been doing? Ah who remembers French Knitting, well I used up some cotton yarn and did some. I will sew it together and make a circle for a hot pad. Think I may just do more of that its fun.
It will soon be time to work out in the garden and then I will restart my garden blog. We have to take down our fences so the city can put in sidewalks. There will be a lot to do out there this year. For now things are quiet, no birds or beasts the last few weeks. It's been really windy and cold and I am sure the birds are looking for nests. I think maybe my Possom is busy too. This table runner I made intending it to be a gift but it was not made well enough so I am using it myself
This is one of many bags I made last year and that I have found very useful. I will be making more to give away
I had found some really cool fabrics to make bags out of..........I just hope I can give them away. Laura took a whole bunch so I must find new victims. I better stop for now. I will put some other projects on here later in another post.