crochet — Page 22

Collecting & Crochet

March 10, 2011 at 11:29 am by Claudia

Rain, rain and more rain today. Sounds like the sump pump will be put to use once more. There are flood warnings as the rivers rise due to snow melt and several inches of rain. I’m keeping an eye on the snow – will it be entirely gone by the end of the day? Crossing my fingers.

You all know I have an extensive collection of pottery – predominantly McCoy Pottery, with some Red Wing, Roseville, Hull, Fiesta and Bauer. Then there is the china – oh my. Mockingbird Hill Cottage is a wee little cottage – there is only so much room here. So when I saw my friend Cheryl’s post about her exquisite collection of Shawnee Miniatures, my heart went pitter-patter. Take a moment and visit her – she has displayed them on a charming little vintage shelf. I’ve fallen in love once again (and they’re tiny!) Being the inveterate collector that I am, a little seed was planted in my brain. Fast forward a few weeks and I had a slap-upside-the-head moment. I remembered two treasures I found a few months ago that have been sitting on a shelf in the studio cupboard.

I have no idea whether these are Shawnee miniatures but they certainly are the start of a collection, aren’t they? Now if I could only find my miniature Fiesta pitcher which has mysteriously disappeared.

Don’t you just love it when you start a new collection?

My wonderful and talented sister, Meredith, has once again dangled a little carrot in front of my eyes. She was the one who told me about the Obsession Scarf. This time the carrot is the Japanese Flower crochet pattern that has become very popular of late. She’s having a great time crocheting the flowers. Yesterday, I found myself making some test flowers. The one on the left has 12 petals – the one on the right has 10. I made these using some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I had on hand, since my stash is now next-to-nothing. Baby Cashmerino is expensive, therefore, not practical for anything large.

Mer is making a shawl. I might make a little rectangular throw to place at the end of our bed as we move into Spring. If you visit Mer’s blog, Mereknits, you can see the flowers she has made so far. She’s joining them together as she goes.

I’ll be making more today. It’s the perfect project for a rainy day. – after I eat the pancakes Don is making as I write this post.

What are you up to today?

My Stuff is Everywhere (& Cupcakes)

January 26, 2011 at 10:57 am by Claudia

It’s now official. I have taken over every available surface with my various projects. Yarn for an obsession scarf on a chair…

Dollhouse, paint, brushes, and other supplies in a corner of the den….

Script and all Shakespeare research materials on the kitchen table.

Yes, I have a studio upstairs, but none of these projects can fit in that tiny space. So I guess you could say my studio space has expanded to include the entire house. There is relief in sight: I have one more act to research in The Merchant of Venice and then the books can be removed from the table. Speaking of MOV, as it has been dubbed in all rehearsal correspondence, I officially start rehearsals this coming Monday. My days will be long, but exciting, for about 5 weeks.

Yesterday, I needed to catch an early bus to Manhattan. When I woke up there were 2 additional inches of snow on the ground. If you had driven by MHC, you would have been treated to the sight of me shoveling snow in a parka and pink flannel pajamas. Oh, what blackmail photos could have been taken! Upon seeing me out there, Don yelled out the window and berated me (kindly) for not waking him up to help. Can’t help it…I just get a notion in my head and I start in.

It was a snowy bus ride to Manhattan and as I walked around Greenwich Village with big, fat snowflakes falling, I fell in love with the city all over again. Though there are some taller buildings in the area, the predominant style is a 2 or 3 stories. You aren’t surrounded by skyscrapers. It has much more of a cozy, neighborhood feeling. Very picturesque yesterday and very photo-worthy. Alas, when I am toting a bag full of the books I need for my work, the last thing I need is the additional weight of my camera! Once we get into the rehearsal space, my books can stay there and I will once again have my camera in hand. It will be fun to share some shots of the city with you.

Where did I stop? Do you have to guess?

The Magnolia Bakery, of course. As you gaze upon these lovelies, say a fond farewell. This is the last hurrah – at least for a while. We have been indulging in way too many sweets this winter. After the last cupcake has been consumed (and two of them are already gone) it’s lights out for sugar. This winter is one of the toughest we’ve had in a long time – more snow is due tonight – and since we have at least 2 more months of it, we’ll really be packing on some pounds if we continue at this rate.

I will miss you, pretty and delicious cupcakes. Sob.

Crochet, Weaving, Dollhouse & Snow (Again)

January 21, 2011 at 11:37 am by Claudia

This just about sums up my snowbound life of late. If you added a copy of The Merchant of Venice and some cookies, this vignette would be perfect. And no, I didn’t arrange this photo. I looked up from my laptop and this is what I saw on top of the music cabinet: Monty the cow surrounded by dollhouse furniture and another obsession scarf on the hook. Speaking of scarves, here is #6:

Blocked and ready to send to my Best Friend Since Junior High. It was not called Middle School in those days. I much prefer Junior High. “Middle” sounds like a sort of limbo, but “Junior High” sounds like one is right on the edge of experiencing the wonders of High School. Why did the powers-that-be feel the need to change it? Leave well enough alone, I say.

We had more snow last night. I’m not kidding. We’ve had 5 major snowfalls since December 26th. I did manage to escape the house yesterday. I broke out of our icy prison and ran errands. It sounds mundane but after being stuck here for several days, it was heaven. I hit Michael’s, Lowe’s, the supermarket, the Vet’s and the yarn store. Then I chopped away at more ice on our driveway. This weekend we are supposed to have below zero temps. We’ve changed the name of Mockingbird Hill Cottage – it’s now Ice Station Zebra. (Remember that old movie?) Here’s one positive – in one of those conversations you have while shoveling snow, my neighbor told me that when the snow pack stays around for a long time, it’s bad news for ticks. And that’s good news for us.

You know I adore my sister, Meredith. Besides being a wonderful person, she is a mega-talented knitter, crocheter and now, weaver. She bought a loom a year or so ago and she has been creating such gorgeous stuff. Look at this scarf. (I stole this from her blog.)

She has an extremely busy life, with two teen-age boys, her work as an Occupational Therapist and caring for my parents who live just a few miles away. The loom is set up in her bedroom and gives her the perfect excuse to retreat from the craziness in her house and create. You know I’ve mentioned setting up an Etsy shop….well, Mer and I are thinking seriously of setting one up together. We’d carry handmade items as well as vintage. And you’d have a chance to buy her gorgeous woven creations. And maybe some of my scarves…or whatever else I can dream up.

Collecting & Crochet

My Stuff is Everywhere (& Cupcakes)

Crochet, Weaving, Dollhouse & Snow (Again)

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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