Wordy Wednesday – A Final Christmas Card Count

Hi everyone! It’s Millie & Walter here. Christmas was a few weeks ago but we waited until after New Year’s Day to see if we had any late arriving cards before we did our final tally.

These are all the cards we received.

The last card to arrive was from our uncle Paul who lives in Connecticut which is about 350 miles away. It took 4 weeks for it to make it to our house!

Check the postmark! This was mailed on December 11th and arrived on January 7th.

The card enclosed in this late arriving envelope was so appropriate for this year. You can see it on the far right ribbon. It’s a dark gray color and on the cover it just says “WTF”! BOL! Our uncle has a great sense of humor.

We haven’t been very happy with the postal service in this country lately. Our mom mailed a package to her mom on December 14th and it finally arrived yesterday over 4 weeks since it was mailed. She mailed another package to the same town on the same day and it arrived 2 weeks ago! 

Here’s what I have to say about our postal service lately. A great big raspberry!

We’re very thankful to all our friends and family that sent us cards, both snail mail and email.

Hey Millie, aren’t all our cards pretty?
I love seeing so many cards on our wall.

As usual we crushed our parents in the card count again this year.

The final card count is:

Millie & Walter

19 Snail Mail cards

14 e-cards

Total Card Count – 33

Mom & Dad

13 cards

Thanks for helping us beat our parents again this year.

We want to finish this post with a picture of just our cards so everyone that sent us one can try to find theirs (we even printed out all the email cards). Just click on the image to biggify it so you can see your card.

Look at all those beautiful cards.

We also want to thank our readers and friends that sent cards to The Ladiez of Beaglebratz Manor and their mom. All reports are that you helped to make their Christmas a little happier. 

We’re joining Comedy Plus for their Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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Fruit Garden CAL Update

Hi everyone! It’s Cindy here. I’m thankful that I have crochet to help distract me from scenes like what we saw in our nations capitol yesterday. This was going to be a Hooking on Hump day post but I couldn’t concentrate on writing it yesterday.

I’ve completed three more types of squares since I first showed you this project.

Columbine Square

My previous post showed the beginnings of this flower but not the completed columbine square. Each square has gotten a bit more difficult and requires a lot of work behind the flower part to create leaves and the background.

Clementine Square

The clementine also required you to do some surface crochet to add a little dimension and color to the flower. It doesn’t show very well but it’s there (the burgundy on the outside of the orange circle is one).

Purple Aster Square

I think the purple aster square is my favorite so far and probably because it has plenty of purple in it. Those of you that crochet might notice that almost every round until you get out to the background is a different color. That results in plenty of yarn tails that have to be sewn in! I’ve been doing the sewing after every few rounds because if not they can get tangled in your work.

Hollyhock Flower

I’m currently working on the hollyhock square and have completed the main flower and I’m now working on the outer leaves. I addition to working on the squares the designer has us working on a larger motif in sections. 

Acanthus motif

The acanthus will eventually be a rectangular shape with a few more leaves and some background to it. Except for the clementine we only need to make four of each of the squares but we have to make eight of these acanthus. I’m glad the designer spaced out the work for this one as it’s very a intimidating design. Her instructions are very clear and there are videos included to help you understand the process.

Completed Squares

I’m enjoying working on this project (except maybe for all those ends we have to weave in) and can’t wait to complete it. When I finish the hollyhock squares I can join all the motifs for the inner section and then add the inner border. I expect to show you that next time. If you are interested in finding more information on this blanket you can find it on the Janie Crow website.

Crochet is a wonderful stress relieving hobby and I’m glad I have it to help me on days like yesterday. I also am thankful for the ladies that join me on Zoom meetings weekly to craft together. Since we can’t meet in person like we used to do we now gather on Zoom and I’m thankful to have them join me.

I’m are joining Brian for the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

 

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Thankful Thursday – Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! It’s Millie & Walter here. Today we are thankful for all our friends from near and far who send us cards each year.

Thanks for all our cards!

That picture was taken a few days ago so here is a picture of our cards as of today.

Christmas Card collection as of Christmas Eve

We printed out all our e-cards too so they could hang with our paper cards. This year as usual we beat our pawrents in the card count.

The current card count is:

Millie & Walter

13 Snail Mail cards

14 e-cards

Total Card Count – 27

Mom & Dad

12 cards

Two of our pawrents cards came from pet stores and one even had coupons inside. The coupons are probably okay since they will no doubt be used to buy us treats and toys. There might even be more cards coming since our postal service has been pretty slow this year and if so we will do an update.

If you weren’t part of the card exchange and didn’t receive a card from us here is our holiday card to all our readers.

Front

Back

We’re joining the Thankful Thursday blog hop and the Howliday Card blog hop and wish all our readers a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and a Happy New Year. We sure hope 2021 will finish better than this year has.

We are joining Brian for the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

Holiday Card Blog Hop

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Wordy Wednesday – Spreading Cheer

Hi everyone! It’s Millie & Walter here. We heard that today is Christmas Card day. Now we like to wait until closer to Christmas to share ours with all of you but we do want to show you our display.

I don’t have to look at the camera if there aren’t treats!

Millie was the first to show up when Mom wanted to take some pictures but she always does her best to avoid looking at the camera.

I always pose nice for mom.

Don’t worry if you have sent your card and don’t see it yet. We took these pictures a couple of days ago and have received more since.

Are we almost done posing?
I don’t know but I hope we get a cookie for all this effort.

We can’t wait to see those ribbons behind us fill up with all kinds of cards from our friends all over the world. We would also love to see our friends help make a long time Blogville member who hasn’t been able to blog for a while get lots of cards too.

Do you remember Maizie & Shasta?

The Ladiez of Beaglebratz Manor haven’t been able to blog for a while since their mom’s eyesight has not been well enough to manage it. A couple of years ago Kim and her pups moved in with her sister to make life easier.

Maizie, Mom Kim and Shasta

In addition to her failing eyesight Mom Kim was diagnosed with cancer in late August. When our mom was preparing her Christmas card list this year she contacted Kim’s sister, who always posts for her on Facebook, to ask what her address was so we could send them a card. Her sister also said she would love it if we would share her address so we could help make Kim and her girl’s Christmas just a little brighter. If you would like to send them a card here is the address:

Kim Brooks, Shasta & Maizie
1738 SW Stone Crest Dr.
Topeka, KS 66615

If you would prefer to send an email card you can send it to us and we will deliver it to Kim’s sister. Just leave a comment letting us know you have an e-card to deliver and make sure your email address is included in your profile. Our mom will contact you via email to request your e-card for Kim and the girls and then send it along to them.

Let’s all help make Christmas shine for these great friends of Blogville.

We’re joining Comedy Plus for their Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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Hooking on Hump Day – Starting the Fruit Garden CAL

Hi everyone! It’s Cindy here. A couple of weeks ago I started a new crochet-a-long (CAL) to make a beautiful afghan designed by Janie Crow called the Fruit Garden Blanket.

Forget Me Not Block

So far I’ve only completed the eight Forget Me Not squares and am on my way with the next four.

Columbine Flower

The next set of blocks are the Columbine. I’ve made the four flowers and will add the background like the previous one next. The petals look a bit curled up right now but eventually they get attached to the background to hold them down so you can see the flower better.

This afghan is made up of 8 different flower motifs that are all so beautiful. It is actually the second time this CAL is being run. The first time it started was during the time I was doing the Kaleidoscope CAL so I didn’t participate then. Also when the Fruit Garden CAL was run the first time some people had difficulties sourcing the yarn due to shortages caused by the pandemic. The designer and her sponsors, Stylecraft Yarn, decided to run it again and also added a third colorway which is the one I’m doing.

I can’t wait to show you my progress as I work through this CAL.

I’m joining the The Loop Scoop Yarny Link Party (formerly know as Hookin on Hump Day). You should stop by to see some of the other projects people have posted.

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Hooking on Hump Day – The Fade to Light Cardigan

Hi everyone! It’s Cindy here. After I finished the Kaleidoscope Blanket I happened upon a crochet-a-long for the Fade to Light Jacket.

Fade to Light Jacket
(Photo credit Lilla Björn’s Crochet World)

I made a cardigan early in my crochet career and found it difficult to do as the shaping wasn’t very well defined in the pattern. This cardigan is made with two kinds of Scheepjes yarn and is made from the top down so you get to try it on as you make it. I chose to do mine in the black & white version seen above as I felt this would go with more of my wardrobe. That version uses the Minimalism Whirl and Merino Soft in Pollock.

Scheepjes – Whirl Fine Art & Merino Soft

I started with a gauge swatch to make sure I was working to the right size and proceeded to work on the yolk (at the top of the sweater). When I completed that section I decided it was too big so I ripped it all out and started again at the next smaller size. I’m glad I did as it still seems a bit large but I can comfortably wear it with a shirt underneath.

Yolk section of Fade to Light Jacket

The next section we worked on were the sleeves. You start the sleeve by continuing to work the whirl yarn and then switch to the solid color. Here the pattern calls for you to make decreases every few rows. If I make this again I will make the decreases closer together to make the sleeve slim down quicker. I also might like to make the sleeves from more of the gradient whirl so that would require buying an additional one.

Fade to Light Jacket – Sleeve

Then it was on to the lower body where you alternate the gradient colored whirl with the solid color yarn to make the mosaic pattern. Since two rows were worked of each color you didn’t have to cut the yarn and just carried it up the side to the next row when needed. I was using two whirls and the solid color so this called for juggling three skeins of yarn to keep from tangling them. When I finished the whirl I did a few rows of the solid color.

Fade to Light Jacket – Lower Body

The cardigan is finished by working the front band and around the neckline with the solid color. When I was all done I tried the cardigan on and was happy with the fit. The instructions call for the cardigan to be blocked. This helps to even out the stitches for you. Since I’d never blocked a garment I asked some yarny friends and consulted YouTube for advise. I hand washed my cardigan and then used the technique of rolling it in towels and then stepping on it to gently squeeze some of the water out.

Fade to Light Jacket – Pinned to Blocking Boards

I pinned the cardigan in place without stretching it and left it on the boards for a few days to make sure it was dry.

Fade to Light Jacket – unpinned

When I unpinned the cardigan and tried it on I was horrified to find that it had stretched a size or two! Oh no! What to do? Charlie used his material science background and felt if I wet the cardigan again with just a spray bottle and then put it in the dryer on low he was confident it would shrink back to the size it was before the hand washing.

It fits!

Thankfully the cardigan regained the shape it was when I finished it.

I’m happy with the way it turned out.

I decided to leave the front of the cardigan without any buttons since I seem to never button any cardigan I have. The pattern was well written and easy to follow. The instructional images on the website helped with the understanding and there were also videos that helped too. I want to thank the designer Tatsiana of “Lilla Björn’s Crochet World” for a great pattern.

I’m joining the The Loop Scoop Yarny Link Party (formerly know as Hookin on Hump Day). You should stop by to see some of the other projects people have posted.

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Black & White Sunday Selfies

Hi everyone. It’s Millie and Walter here. We’ve been enjoying some cool nights around here lately but the days have still been a bit hot.

I’m doing my selfie in profile today.

Here’s a proper, straight on, selfie.

We hope you are enjoying your Sunday too.

We’re joining The Cat on My Head for their Selfie Sunday blog hop. You should check out the hop to see some of the other selfies. Thanks for stopping by.

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The Kaleidoscope Blanket is Finished!

Hi everyone! It’s Cindy here. Well, I’ve finally finished the Kaleidoscope Blanket and I love it.

Completed Kaleidoscope Blanket

The last time I showed you this blanket I only had the border left to do.

I love the stripes on the border.

The border was very easy to make with mostly “V” stitches.

The edge is finished with a picot stitch.

I like how the border has a zig zag look.

The back of the afghan, while not as beautiful as the front, still has a nice look.

Back of blanket

All of the joining was done with single crochet from the back using the main grey color.

Closer look at the back

The joins leave small ridges along the back.

The blanket looks great on our sectional.

Without planning it we chose a colorway that perfectly compliments my Big Leaf quilt.

The perfect pairing of the Big Leaf Quilt and Kaleidoscope Blanket.

I’ve never worked so quickly on such a big project but it was fun working along with thousands of other hookers around the world. I’m so happy with how the blanket turned out and I can’t thank the designer Catherine Bligh enough for such a great pattern.

I’m joining the Hookin on Hump Day blog hop. You should stop by to see some of the other projects people have posted.

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