Livin' La Needle Loca

...and I'm looking forward to a new year. This last year was very difficult. My mother's decline followed by her passing in July really impacted how I handled my day-to-day and reduced my attention to my crafts. In what's becoming an annual tradition, I tried blasting out one more project for the year. This is Mom's Turquoise Handspun [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started and finished 12/31/2023 Falkland (4.1 oz) from the Yarn Wench in Navajo Turquoise Plied  with Rayon thread in Turquoise and 10/2 Mercerized cotton in Blue Turquoise beads from Mom’s collection 54.2 yds 3 ply, Super-Bulky weight Mom had a bunch of beads in her jewelry collection that were intended to be used in craft projects. I restrung them on thread and incorporated them into this art yarn. Also here are the additional projects that I completed as Christmas Gifts. This is Navy Bankhead Hat [ Ravelry ] that I made for The Husband: Specs: Started ...

 ...and a couple of small finished objects. I can only show 1 of the 3 finished objects. Two of them are gifts. These are Wee Fishies [ Ravelry ] that I knit for Canela and Cassia's stockings: Specs: Started 12/19/2023 Finished 12/20/2023 Pattern Rybka (Wee Fishie) by Kino Knits Yarn: (1) Bernat Satin Sport in Meadow; (2) Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Lemongrass WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Winged Dreams (cross stitch) Still working on the wings. No Work This Week: Hip To Be Square quilt (quilting)  Illusion Cube Blanket (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Mermaid’s Lagoon Socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Sky Lanterns Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cross stitch) Rea...

 ...at last, some progress on a few projects. Heres a first look at the Mermaid Lagoon socks that are currently in rotation: I like the pattern and yarn combination. This is the first pair of socks that I've done in several years, so it's taken me a bit to get into the swing of doing two at a time again. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Bankhead Hat (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Started 12/9/2023. Finished the cuff and started on the body. Mermaid’s Lagoon Socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Knit a few more rows. Winged Dreams (cross stitch) Working on the wings. No Work This Week: Hip To Be Square quilt (quilting)  Illusion Cube Blanket (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Sky Lanterns Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cross stitch) Ready for Finishing: Finishi...

 ...just in time! Our Christmas wreath was falling apart and we dumped it after last season. It did its job for 6+ years and it was time for a new one. I saw a few DIY Mid Century Modern wreaths that looked interesting. I settled on this one because it looked cool and it seemed easy to do. Specs: Started 12/11/2023 Finished 12/12/2023 Blue and silver tinsel garland, styrofoam wreath form, and 2.5-inch ribbon in Peacock blue Instructions from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoQA0R6zMM8 I need to adjust the ribbon a bit, but I'm happy with the results.

 ...and this cold has really kicked my a$$. For the first time in forever, I have not done any crafts for over a week. When I go to mom's, I expect to do minimal on the craft front, given the amount of work I have to do on each trip. This time, I came home  day or two early so I could fight the cold from my own home. I'm on the other end of this thing now and hope to get back to my regular crafting soon. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Not a thing. No Work This Week: Hip To Be Square quilt (quilting)  Illusion Cube Blanket (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Mermaid’s Lagoon Socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Sky Lanterns Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Valley of the Heart's Delight sampler design (cross stitch) Winged Dreams (cross stitch) Ready for Finishing: Finishing work for some old cr...

 ...welcome December! Yeah, it's been a while.  November was a little rough with family things and a touch of ennui. The bright spot was cooking Thanksgiving dinner at home and hosting the Daughter and her sister. Not a lot of craft stuff happening the last two weeks and now the Husband and I have colds. At least, it's not COVID again! I'm at mom's house for the last visit of the year. The last two roses in her yard are gorgeous. Most everything else in her garden has shut down for the winter, except the lemons. I hope to get back to both crafting and blogging soon!

 ...and a finished object. I finished beading the Mermaids of the Deep Blue Sea cross stitch project! Here is the first look at the finished project: Specs: Started 4/1/2023 Finished 11/11/2023 Stitching completed 9/14/2023 Pattern by Mirabilia 32 count Belfast Linen in Blue-Grey I still need to lace it to acid-free foam core and buy a frame for it, but that will have to wait until after the holidays. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Hip To Be Square quilt (quilting) Sandwiched and started machine quilting Mermaid’s Lagoon Socks (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Working on the second pattern repeat. Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Added a couple of rows. Winged Dreams (cross stitch) Still working on the body. No Work This Week: Illusion Cube Blanket (knitting) [ Ravelry ]  Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Mermaids of the Deep Blue Sea (cross stitch) Ocean Ripples Wrap...