Goals, again...

I know I promised more pictures but I left the camera in Tulsa and I have been a little busy. Packing a house for a move is a huge job. Thankfully, I have had lots of willing helpers (the kids) and we have had quite a few laughs, some new family jokes and some down time watching old tv shows. I have somehow made my kids Agatha Christie fans.  I think it is a great thing and we have watched some old Hercule Poirot mysteries. It has been a lot of fun since they have read quite a few of her books and we keep trying to remember who the murderer is.

It has been a busy couple of weeks and I will get back with my goals in a week or two or maybe even in September. The bad part of moving is getting all internet turned back on and figuring out where everything goes.

See you later,

Karen

Christmas Sneak peak

Here is a sneak peak at a Christmas ornament that I have been working on the past several weeks. I have been making several so this is just one. I love the non-traditional colors in this one. It is hand sewn with embroidery floss.



I would love to say that I came up with the idea on my own but the truth is that I used a vintage Vogue pattern for this lovely ornament.

See you later,

Karen

 

Goals rewritten!

Sometimes, life sends you a storm and you just have bend! Sometimes, you wake up and realize that SOMETHING needs to change. We did that mid June. We woke up June 17 and realized that a deadline set had passed. That deadline was the realization that if our house had not sold we would need to move back to it. Then you top that off with a very special family member being seriously ill and so we took some time off and re-evaluated our lives. It was a very clear simple decision to make. There were no other options we have looked at it several times since then and the end result is the same. Move! MOVE written in neon capital letters all over our lives. Moving seems to take so much of life in time, energy and money. I have an incredibly peace about the move. Well, about being there, the process stresses me out incredibly. It is terribly disrupting and uncomfortable to have two houses with one state between them and your home scattered everywhere in between. That is how it feels. We actually have most of the items with us and the rest at the other house, but what you NEED NOW is  never with you!

I never thought I could be unhappy moving back, but I am. I never expected to have my heart torn as it is. 9 months is a very short time to make friends, put down roots and share lives with people but we did. How can I be sad about moving to what was our home for 12 years? What could be wrong with that? I have flight paths, friends, family and the whole network of people and places that make up our lives already in place. I was just starting to make this here

 

Stuck in the Middle

I wish I could just pouf myself to the beginning of September, but if I did I would miss many good times and blessings. So I don't wish too hard for that. We just have so much work between now and then. You see, we are in the middle of the packing part of a move. It is so much work and things are so boxed up. It is a bit discouraging to look at all that is left to do. In my heart I know that we are about 75% complete. It is that the last 25% requires more thought as it is the kitchen, and odd shaped items.

So, I am not going to do that. I will instead tell you all the little things that are being finished. I have not packed all the hand crafting items that I take with me when I am waiting at the dentist, lessons or whatever is happening. At this point I have finished

1. a candlewicking pillow cover for the den


2. an embroidered pillow front for my daughter's room or the Etsy shop


3. 25 + felt Christmas ornaments


4. I am working an an afghan and have another in the thought processes


5. 30 + crocheted Christmas stars

That is quite a bit for this really unproductive time spent packing. I need take some photos but the camera is packed or in Tulsa. I am not sure which. I am feeling some pressure which is a natural part of packing and moving. I know that it will all work out for the best and that this new chapter in our lives will be laughable in September. Our house will be down to two children instead of four and I am not sure how I will handle it. I have some home school concerns about curriculum and classes for the Junior in our house. I hope that everything works out well on that front. I am switching back and forth between state requirements, again. I have a driver that needs driving instruction and time behind the wheel. I have a girl to pack up for college. So, I will do what I always do; which is forge ahead to the path chosen and pray all the while. Here are some pictures of candle wicking so that you know what it is.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/97581326/vintage-1983-unicorn-candlewick-lace[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/103997773/country-cat-pillow-candlewicking[/caption]

It is a tone on tone embroidery with pretty hefty thread. It works up really quickly. The pattern I chose was a more contemporary design of roses and leaves worked on a dark linen background. It is beautiful and will work well with our furniture. All the parts were in the kit so nothing is needed except a pillow form.

see you later,

Karen

Scrap Yarn projects

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/62030561/pdf-crochet-pattern-mighty-mug-cozy[/caption]

It seems like my yarn stash has/is growing out of all bounds. I have been searching for scrap yarn projects and found these. I hope that they help you find more room in your house, too.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/89170166/pdf-pattern-pretty-up-your-fruit-bowl[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240"] http://wolfcrochet.wordpress.com/2012/02/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20077.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20081.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="308"] http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/112553.aspx[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"] http://verypink.com/2012/01/26/todays-work/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://elisabethandree.posterous.com/threads-threads-lots-of-threads[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="342"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/38871159/scrap-yarn-afghan-crocheted-stained[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/77038019/knitted-banner-pattern-happy-day-bunting[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://crochet.about.com/od/afghansquaresandblocks/ss/Rainbow_Crochet_Square.htm[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://knitnut.blogspot.com/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://maribelmade.com/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://sheepspace.ca/category/crochet/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="460"] http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/23/how-to-make-crocheted-flowers[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/resurrection_fern/2008/10/crochet-acorns-and-felted-pumpkin-bowls-a-tutorial.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.crochetbug.com/tag/scrap-yarn/page/2/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://valzcorner.blogspot.com/2012/06/4-more-summer-crochet-projects.html[/caption]

 

Well, this is a small list of ideas that are out there on the internet. I hope it sparks some inspiration for you and sends you in new directions. What do you do with all your scrap yarn? How do you use it up?

See you later,

Karen

 

 

Wednesdays Squared: granny #4

This is a fun granny square and is really simple and you can make it any size. I can see this square being used in a contemporary granny square blanket with diagonal stripes or  any quilting patterns that are created with right angles.



I also got this square pattern from the book Beyond the Square Crochet motifs by Edie Eckman. I haven't decided how many squares of this pattern I will need.

I will see you later,

Karen

How to really clean a bathroom: A cleaning check list

I ran across this form when we were packing for this next move. I wrote this in a fit of desperation. We have four kids, we home school, and my husband worked out of our house; so our bathrooms were/are in constant use. Our kids never could remember exactly what I meant when I said clean the bathroom. You have to understand that my kids are extremely forgetful and literal. I wrote up several different lists and got them laminated. Then they could check off the list with a wipe off marker. This one list tells you exactly HOW to clean the bathroom, or rather exactly what I wanted done. I left a blank so you can write the cleaner of the day in.

How to really clean the bathroom

1. Pick up the trash and put it in the trash can


2. Pick up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper


3. Using ________ and paper towels, mist and wipe clean the mirror.


4. Lift the toilet seat and squirt ____________________ toilet cleaner under the rim of the toilet.


5. Wipe down the sink and counter top; put away the things that need it and throw out the trash, be careful not to get cleaner on anyone's toothbrush.


6. Scrub the toilet with the toilet brush and flush the toilet; there should be no stains in the toilet when you are done. Rinse the toilet brush in the toilet after you have flushed it and put it in the toilet brush holder.


7. Dry the sink out with a used towel off the towel rack and put it in the laundry hamper when you are done.


8. Using ______________________________ wipe down the toilet set top and bottom, inner part and seat part, behind the toilet lid and the toilet lid, the tank top and all of the outside of the toilet.


9. Fold or roll up the bath mat. place the bathmat outside the bathroom and using a broom and dust pan; sweep the whole floor in the bathroom, moving the trash can and toilet brush. Empty the dust pan into the trash can.


10.  Using _______________________________and water; scrub the whole tub, sides, bottom and edges. There should be no dark rings, or splotches in the bottom of the tub. Be sure and scrub the faucet and knobs. Rinse the tub with hot water and if the tub is not shiny do it again.


11. Clean the soap holder with _______________________and rinse it with hot water.


12. Clean the shampoo rack with ____________________and a scrub brush and rinse it under the tub faucet.


13. Mop the bathroom floor with ________________________________________. The mop should not be dripping but damp enough to do a great job.


14. Put all empty shampoo bottles in the trash


15. Put out new soap, shampoo and toilet paper if needed.


16. Take all towels off the towel racks and put them in the hamper.


17. Empty the trash can into the trash bag and put trash can back in the bathroom where it goes. Take the trash bag out to the large trash can outside.


18. Shake out any bathmats outside. Put it in the laundry hamper to be washed or lay it back down in the bathroom on the floor.


19. Put clean towels out on the towel racks folded so that people know they have clean towels.


20. Refill hand soap dispenser or put out fresh soap.

You have just done an awesome job cleaning the bathroom it is now spotless and totally clean. I am thrilled with how clean it is and you did an incredible job.

**********************************************************

Ok, for some of you neaties this will seem like over kill, but in our house it was needed and it works great. I am sure that there are better or different checklists out there. Feel free to use this one as the beginnings of your own personal checklist. Cut and paste this into any  word processing  program and do your own thing. Slip it into a page protector or laminate it.Then assign a different number every day of the week or they can put initials next to each item when they complete it. The point is, make it yours and then use it!

Yes, you can tell that my kids left leave clothes on the bathroom floor even if there is a hamper to put them in. Yes, they even leave empty shampoo bottles in the shower to play with, to trip over. I ended up writing this out because they felt that I had arbitrary rules for how clean the bathroom should be and this solved any disputes we had. I am posting this because one of my kids mentioned that it was an incredible list. So here you go! Have fun and keep your kids helping you around the house. It blesses everyone and when your kids go to their first job their employer will be excited to see a kid that actually knows how to clean!

Talk to you later,

Karen

Do you have a chore check list? How does it work at your house?

 

The Flower Sampler

I love this embroidery that my Aunt completed. It hung in my Mom's house for years and it is a lovely sampler piece of many different types of embroidery. I am in the process of re-framing it. My Aunt wanted to see some photos of it and sharing it with you seemed the best way.







 



This is just a gorgeous piece of needlework. It is so bright, happy and cheerful.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well at your house.

Karen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesdays squared: granny square #3

Today's granny is quick easy and little. Perfect for the sampler afghan. It only has three rows and measures about 2 inches across.



Here is the first one on the right and the second one on the left.



You can tell that I have improved and will probably frog the square on the right. I rarely read patterns right the first time. It is good to make mistakes and to try again.  This square is also from the book Beyond the Square, Crochet motifs by Edie Eckman.

Today is July Fourth here. It is a big celebration of our Nation's birth. A time to remember our freedoms are bought with a price. A chance to say Thank You to the people who protect our freedoms today and the generations that have protected our freedoms in the past.

Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for the time spent away from your family. Thank you for the pain you have suffered. Thank you for allowing my children the chance to be Americans.

Happy Birthday America!

Karen

Monday's Goal Check Revisted!

Yes, I know that it is Tuesday but all of these goals are going to change as it turns out we are moving soon. I will keep working on some and change some others. Here is the edited list that will expand and grow as the move evolves.

Business goals:

• Finish three two afghans (I have two left to finish this goal. Currently I have three afghans started....

 

The zig zag chevron stripe is finished. The one on top is started....and I have a granny striped started in my new yarns, and a sampler granny square afghan started.

• Start three more afghans


• Sew 50+ cup cozies in new styles ( I prepare for the holiday buying season in advance, because I also home school.)


• Sew the 30+ new items I need him to photograph


• Make the new Christmas items.... I started and finished a bunch of these this past week.


• Blog more consistently (I have been writing ahead and found my blog planning pages...)


• Write a business plan

Family goals:

• Take two summery day trips every week (I will be doing this while driving from the old house to the new house.)


• Make some meals for the freezer for THOSE days when I just really need them. I still really need these and will focus on these for this week.


• Help K get her things ready for College.... (two simpler things completed this week)


• Take T for driving practice


• Exercise (walked and/or exercised three times last week.  YAY!) Totally missed out on this one. I did, however, climb up and down a ladder painting the laundry room and inside of the kitchen cabinets, so maybe I am still ahead on this.)


• Pack the house room by room and get it ready to move two states away.


• keep Chocolate Dog Studio open as much as I possibly can since I am paying for some advertising.

Rather lofty goals aren't they. I also have some personal ones that I have not added to this list.

Personal goals:

• Work through my Bible study that I stopped this Spring.


• Keep my kitchen and laundry caught up and ready for action. (I am working on this right now. Having done laundry for 8 days + the before and after camp laundry at a laundromat is enough to make me happy I am blessed with a washer and dryer.)


• Have some friends over for dinner...or coffee or dessert or something.


• Read some books about homeschooling (This is on hold until I get settled somewhere).

It has been a wild 8 or is it ten days. I will write about them when I can think more clearly. Some things in our life worked or didn't work, well at any rate God's plan for our lives has changed our plans. I am sure that his plan is better than mine but it is rather hard to see at this point in time. We are all well and healthy, job is intact and life is speeding along as usual. So, I am making a choice to be content and happy.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

Monday Goal Check 2

All of these goals are going to change as it turns out we are moving soon. I will keep working on some and change some others.

Business goals:

• Finish three two afghans (I have two left to finish this goal. Currently I have three afghans started....

 

The zig zag chevron stripe is finished. The one on top is started....and I have a granny striped started in my new yarns, and a sampler granny square afghan started.

• Start three more afghans


• Sew 50+ cup cozies in new styles ( I prepare for the holiday buying season in advance, because I also home school.)


• Sew the 30+ new items I need him to photograph


• Make the new Christmas items.... I started and finished a bunch of these this past week.


• Blog more consistently (I have been writing ahead and found my blog planning pages...)


• Write a business plan

Family goals:

• Take two summery day trips every week


• Make some meals for the freezer for THOSE days when I just really need them (one lasagna down...)


• Help K get her things ready for College.... (two major things marked off our list.)


• Take T for driving practice


• Exercise (walked and/or exercised three times last week.  YAY!)


• Make the kitchen a better place to be, using things I already have. (It seems small and I really have to work at loving being in there.)


• Make the curtains in the living room fit the windows better and the hems the same length (I put these curtains up super quick when I realized that the bamboo shades are see through at night with the lights on.) 

Rather lofty goals aren't they. I also have some personal ones that I have not added to this list.

Personal goals:

• Work through my Bible study that I stopped this Spring.


• Have us sit at the table for dinners 5 nights a week. (Totally missed out on this one this past week, but we have another week ahead of us!)


• Keep my kitchen and laundry caught up and ready for action. ( Frankly, got clothes washed but not folded or put away. Laundry is my most hated chore. It is never finished)


• Have some friends over for dinner...or coffee or dessert or something.


• Read some books about homeschooling


• Attend the home school curriculum sale this weekend.  (Totally missed out on this. Now, I need to find inspiration in another place...)


• Help with the Youth at church at least 2 times a month.

Well, those are my rather lofty goals. I hope that things get better and I get more organized at meeting my goals.

Things I/we accomplished that weren't on my list of things to do!

I started cleaning and organizing my studio areas.We also moved the furniture around in this area and I need to finish organizing, pitching or donating items.  I have a lot of boxes left to go through but we are happy with the new arrangement of the room and how it is starting to come together.  I re-opened my Amazon.com shop by listing more books for sale. We did a quick check up on our budget and re-affirmed our money goals. I sat down with our calendar and checked dates and times of appointments as we missed some important things last week.

Talk to you later,

Karen