Still Here

I know it's been a while...actually it's been a lot of whiles.  April was not a terrific month for us, and I have gotten almost NO stitching done.

In the beginning of April DH was in the hospital...fortunately he is totally alright now (except for a tooth ache he developed this past weekend), but spending time in the ER is not condusive to stitching on a complicated piece as "Antique Sampler" is.

After he was pronounced healthy, we had a bit of travelling to do (again, not easy to stitch on that piece while flying.) 

And then the major zonker...last week we found out that one of our closest friends, and DH's former business partner, passed away very suddenly from a massive heart attack.  Apparently it was exactly how he wanted to go -- fast and with little or no suffering, but the rest of us had to deal with the shock of it all.
Of course we attended the funeral and then drove out to our Indiana home so DH can help the widow deal with finances and whatever papers need to be put in order. It will be a very short visit here as we have other obligations to deal with next weekend.

What I DID find time to do was to work on an afghan for one of my GD's American Girl Dolls. I have crocheted 11 of the 30 squares needed...of course they are not yet joined together. The colors did not come out right...what looks like blue is actually purple.  What I like about doint the squares is that they don't really take much concentration and I can do them while watching TV, or talking to someone or whatever.

Well, since I only wanted to check in with you guys and let you know that all was well with us, I'll close by saying I hope May will bring me more actual stitching time, and as a result, more pics of the "Antique Sampler."

Be well.........................................
                                                      Grandma

Brief Update

Just a quick update...I've been traveling and a bit under the weather (fighting with my bronchial tubes) lately, and there has not been a lot of stitching. I've fallen a bit behind on my Antique Sampler and the next part is due out on Saturday. I don't think I'll have too much trouble catching up if I just make up my mind to sit my butt down and stitch!
Here is the blue floweres (above) and the finished basket of fruit (below).

And the whole piece so far.

I do have another announcement to make. While we were visiting my ds and his family, (And the American Girl Doll Cafe for Dinner in Washington, DC) I taught my 8 year old granddaughter how to crochet. We started with the chain stitch (with orders that I am to teach her single and double crochet when I see her next time) and I think I maght have created a small monster.

Here she is crocheting away at her brother's boy scout meeting. She doesn't stop! She asked me to sew her 3 yard + chain into a Kipah (skull cap) for her Dad. Here it is below.

Before we left, she had at least two other chains at least as long. I had better brush up on MY crochet stitches.

Enjoy the Spring weather.....till next time

Grandma

Update

Here are parts 1 and 2 of "Antique Sampler". The next part won't be available until next Thursday, March 1. This is the first time I have started a SAL without having most of the charts in my hot little hands.

Since we'll be on the road this weekend for one of our granddaughters' 8th Birthday, I guess I will switch back to knitting the scarf I was working on at the hospital.

I'm also relearing how to crochet granny squares so I can make a blanket for some of the other GD's American Girl Dolls. I'll let you know how that turns out in a week or so. I know that I know ow to do them...I've done them before, but for some reason it is taking me a bit to get back into the rhythm of the crochet. I don't know why I am having the trouble, but I'm sure I will work it out soon.

Take care all.............Grandma

Moving Along

I'm about 3/4 of the way finished with part 2 of my BAP sampler from Ellen Maurer-Stroh's monthly stitch along. I need to get a skein of the dark brown for the basket before I can finish it.

DH had a surgical procedure last week, and I found stitching impossible in the waiting room, but I did get many inches done on the latest scarf for the Seamen's Church Institute project done.

I don't have much else to tell you at this point, but I will soon begin to crochet some doll clothes and blankets for dgd's American Girl Dolls.

Grandma (((((((((((you))))))))))))

Time for an Update

Since I am not involved in the TUSAL this year, it seems that I forget to post as often as I should

Be that as it may, below is the finished part one of Ellen Maurer-Stroh's "Antique Sampler" (the one with NO ALPHABET, remember?I am waiting patiently (NOT) for the next set of charts to be released.

In the meantime, I have gone back to Isabelle Haccourt-Vautier's BAP, "Grand Marquoir", and it IS BIG! Anyway, I have run into a problem with it and if I may, I would like to pick your brains.

The above is the chart of the next square in the Grand Marquoir. I DO NOT like it at all. I'm not sure what it reminds me of, but it bugs me.

I found a few things that I think would fit in both size (40x40 or so), and theme, feeling, whatever, and I like some feedback if you would be so kind.

Thank you so much for your input. Sometimes I need all the help I can get.

Love ya...........Grandma