Year of Projects Week 05

Well what can I say? Australian Open Tennis....aaaah perfect for knitting.

I was playing around with the completed 12 blocks for the afghan and I think I need more blocks. So we'll be going shopping me thinks ;-) As is it is 3' x 4' (36" x 48") not quite big enough. I do like the way it looks though.

With the tennis going I've made great strides with the shawl. The needles have not arrived. I checked the shipping info and realized that I've been in too much of a hurry...it should be here next week LOL. I hope...or I may have to squeeeeeeeze all the stitches onto this one. Could get awkward, but I'm undaunted ;-)

And with the tennis finishing this weekend, I hope to start on the Feel Better Friend doll next week.

The afghan I swatched last week will definitely have to wait for the long circular needles though.

Family Wedding

Something I really like about these old pictures I'm working with, is that they are black and white. Really it makes it so easy to combine with any kit, plus the colours emphasize the pictures and vice versa!

Just look what the beautiful colours in this kit does for these wedding pictures! (That was one of my uncles getting married btw) Take a look at that cake! Doesn't it look amazing? That was my paternal grandmother's handiwork. Family Wedding

I used Lonetta Avelar's gorgeous new 'Love Away' Bundle for this page. Love those colours!

Lots of Hearts!

Lots and lots of -conversation- hearts...Valentines Day is coming!

I had fun making this one....

I used Chipboard (the Silhouette brand, which is more like a heavy card stock than chipboard), some patterned paper from the 'Sugar Plum' paper pad by Recollections and a bit of card stock. The smaller red hearts I coloured with a felt tip pen and white chalked the edges. (it looks less splotchy in real life...go figure!)

I like how the box seems to be stuffed full of hearts!

And the 'Only U' heart is the only solid coloured one ;-) designer Mary made her's to be the only blue heart. Very clever!

The cut files used are from SVG Cuts and called 'Hearts Aflame'

Right now you can still get this kit as a free gift with purchase. Go HERE and scroll down to see how!

Post a comment with a link to show me what you made...or better still, post it to the Meisiesdoodles Facebook page.

Valentines Is Coming!

Have you seen the new kit by SVG Cuts?  Gotta love all those hearts! (more later!)

For this card however I used this set : Hugs And Kisses. I thought it a very versatile kit with boxes and cards that are not just Valentines, but can be used all year round. That little house would look great as a gingerbread house, or a cozy cottage in the winter or for Christmas too. The heart shaped boxes can be made without the sentiments and in any colour.

Here is my card : The papers I used are from the Sugar Plum Paper Pad by Recollections. Christmas themed it contains a good selection of multi use papers.

I Like how the colours remind me of chocolate and cherries and cherry liqueur chocolates! YUM

I'm thinking I might use a single white heart shape for writing my sentiment on.

I simplified the outside of my card a little. There is a lovely white lacy heart layer also included, but I opted to omit that. My man is not a 'lacy' fellow. You can see a preview of the card designer Mary made here

That dotted paper almost wants to make it look like I added tiny white dots by hand!

Don't forget to pick up the new box card set  Hearts Aflame recently released. Right now you can still get it for free. Find out how HERE (just scroll down past the video links etc)

I'm off to go cut at least one of these now....I'll be sure to show you when it's done!

There is also another freebie box design available from SVG Cuts You can find it HERE
I think it is really cute! Great for favours or just a small gift. A little clear plastic behind that oval window will allow a peek into the prezzie without it falling out!

You can find all the free cut files from SVG Cuts HERE

Happy paper crafting!

Year of Projects - Week 04

I managed to finish two more blocks for the afghan. I now have 12 completed, and not enough yarn to make more. As soon as the last two are dry (from blocking) I'll decide how to finish it, or whether I need to get more yarn and make 3 more blocks. Seeing as this project does not have a deadline, it's all good still ;-)

The box of yarn arrived! What a nice box of goodies to land on the doorstep! Look at the yummy colours!

There's yarn in there for a little something for me, yarn for an afghan and also the yarn for a Feeling Better Friend doll! I can finally make a start on my sample. If the organizers are happy with my prototype I'll be added to the list and be able to make dolls for kids.! Yahoooooo!

I swatched out the afghan yarn, here cozying nicely to my still in the making scarf. It is coming on but the long circular needles have not yet arrived, so I'm not knitting on that one with too much enthusiasm at this time.

This last week zipped by really quickly....here's to another 7 days of clicking needles ;-)

Early Bird?

Well winter has been so mild here...and as a result quite wet and very overcast, grey and foggy that I thought a little spring bird might not be totally out of place!

The cut files are from Heart Birdhouse by Designs on Cloud 9

Another little card for saying 'hello' Here is a little peek into the inside. The sentiment is from the 'Happy Messages'  set by Stampendous.

I added some punched leaves and flowers to the branch as well as punched music notes. 

The front of the card is cut just a little bit shorter so that the stamped polka dot border peeks out.

And now to enjoy the last couple months of cold weather,before spring really comes!

Year of Projects Week 03

Two more squares done on the afghan fr a total of 10. I'm not sure that I will have enough yarn for two more, I'll have to see how far I get with what I have. Then I need to decide whether I want to go to 15 squares, or whether I'll leave it at 12. If I have to buy more yarn, I might as well got for 15. Anyhow the blocks don't look like much on their own, but when laid out with the rest they come more into their own. These two will be blocked tomorrow.

Hmmm that yarn isn't quite as grey as it looks here. It is a sage green...

I tried to get close to this variegated yarn, but wasn't successful, anyhow I did quite a bit more on the scarf. The needles have still not arrived! Yikes and the needle is getting pretty full. I hope I find them in the box when I drop by tomorrow!

I'm also waiting on a yarn order. Funny how long the post can take when you are really looking forward to getting ordered goodies.

Then I made a start on a crocheted gift scarf. Probably won't post pictures until it is done though.

Updating my list too :

My Year Of Projects and 12 Projects in 12 Months To Do list

My list is very flexible I’m ‘afraid’ I’m forever changing my mind mid-stride ;)

• I hope to make at least 6 Feel Better Friend Dolls (when the yarn comes, I'll be making the first one!) 

• I would like to finish the afghan started early in December (that's the one featured above) Coming along with 10 blocks done. 12-15 for the final count with some borders also to be added. This will take  while yet.

• I want to knit 2 pairs of socks 

• I need to knit a blue/aqua scarf for myself Well on the way with this one

• At least 3 pairs of flip-top mittens (2 will be gifts) I changed this to one pair of mittens and one scarf (which is crocheted and I have already started on it)

Brothers

I found this picture in my (digital) photo collection. The boys were uncles of mine. I know who they are, but am not sure of the date on this one. Will have to get a final on that but it will be in the 20's or 30's at the most.

I used Lonetta Avelar's "Soul Perch" Collection for my page.

I'm making good headway on scrapping these old pictures I have. I took several hours last weekend to organize the LO's and sift through them to see what remains to be scrapped. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Snowmen!

Anybody who knows me knows I like snowmen and will not be surprised to know that when I 'stumbled' upon this stamp set it begged me to take it home. (I know I know...the thought of stumbling over a set of clear stamps sounds just ridiculous, maybe saying 'my head just whipped around when I walked past the shelf' may be more accurate!)

I got mine at Michaels, but also found it here at Joann. It really helps that they ship to Canada btw.

Build a Snowman

Beacuse I was building my own snowman, I was able to change the 'men' a little : This one has one taller 'man' as this recipient-friend is taller than me.

While this gal is pretty much my size (only has less 'snow' than me ;-) )

I coloured these with coloured pencils and added bits of glitter glue in places. In the end I think the silver stamped flakes did work better than the dark blue...maybe I'll try a lighter blue next time.

Scrapbook-Elements is Closing

It is sad indeed...take the opportunity to stock up on some good stuff! Scrapbook-Elements Store

I cannot recommend everything by Rina Kroes enough. Once this store closes, her stuff will be gone for good. And that is a digi loss.

Kimberly Stewart will be moving to another store. More details on that as soon as I can tell, but her new store opens February 1st, so watch this space for new information!

Also take a look at some collabs that Rina and Kimmi did.

And finally you may want to take a look at Vicky Morrissey's store. She has some great vintage kits and vintage Christmas kits.

While the 'U Build It' category let's you make up your own kit. Of course with designers having moved on, the selection is not that big anymore, but while there is something by Rina and Kimmi, it is worth checking out!

Owl Family!

Well a paper owl family anyway! I quickly whipped up this set of cards to have handy for a quick note. I find I am far more likely to write a note if I have a card and nice stationery ready to go. I know it isn't necessary but that is just what I prefer. I've been known to write on toilet tissue/paper when nothing else was on hand (you have to be careful not to tear it, I might add), but I do prefer 'nicer stuff'

I made the set in matching colours. After all they are likely to go to different homes and that way it is much quicker to make a set.

I used a cut file set by Designs on Cloud 9 called  "Owl Cards"
The cut files can be found here (back to front, left to right)
Owl 1
Owl 2
Owl 3
Owl 4

These come with a card base of 4"x 4" I kept the size of the owls as they were, but added them to a standard size card to allow room for the sentiments. I used the 'Happy Messages' stamp set by Stampendous that I picked up at my local Michaels store.

These work so well for both inside and outside the cards and I really like the fonts/script used for these.

I decided to make green envelopes for these although kraft would be a great choice too. I used the WeRMemory Keepers Envelope Punchboard to make the envelopes.

I guess they were intended to fly the nest, but I think they should stick around here a little longer while I enjoy looking at them! They make me smile!

Year of Projects Week 02

I did manage to finish 2 full squares on the afghan this week. That means a total of 8 done and #9 is almost halfway there already. The old black an white film of 'Anne Of Green Gables' was on TV. Perfect for a Sunday evening's knitting by the wood stove!
I figured I would need at least 15 blocks to get a nice size (these block at 12" square) and with adding a border it should be just right.

I also started on the aqua/blue/green scarf. I tried to use the markers, but they kept getting in my way.

Besides, the pattern is pretty easy so I put those away and continued on. I actually got more done on this. This picture was taken on the 7th. I hope the longer circular needles I ordered come soon or I shall have to put this project on the ice until it does!

I'm really liking the yarn. The colours are gorgeous and it is so deliciously soft. I'm sure it will wear wonderfully warm and comfortable. I'm using Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable and the colour is 'Dragonfly'

Maybe by next week I'll have longer needles and can post updated pictures.

Yearbook December 1994

Yes, you read the date right! I'm constantly looking back at picture from earlier years that still need scrapping. I hope to one day leave most of the pictures scrapped so that our sons will have an annotated visual story of the family. They enjoy looking at the albums...the books will be in good hands.

This one takes us back just over 20 years. We were visiting with friends in The Netherlands and for both sons it was their first experience of falling snow. It did not take them long to figure out what to do with it though,,,hahahaha

December 1994

I used the 'Snowy Days Bundle' by Cathy Krenek for this "retro" page

It will be so nice to have these books all finished and printed up. What fun we will have remembering together!

Leaving A Legacy

Hand work is just one of those things that seems to be in the fiber of the women in my family. Both grandma's did it and we still have items made by my great grandma. Such heirloom treasures!
Small wonder then that you will always find 'needles clicking' at our homes. It is just a part of who we are!

Leaving A Legacy

I used Lonetta Avelar's beautiful "Aught Missed" Collection for my page.

You can also buy just the kit and selected add-ons in Lonetta's Store HERE