Throwback Thursday - Knitting

 

My maternal grandmother and my mom were both avid knitters when I was growing up, and my grandmother is the one who taught me the basics.  The first thing I ever made when I was about 10 was a hat and booties for a new baby cousin.  Obviously it was a very easy pattern and it was fun to work on it in a weekend when I stayed with my grandparents. 

When I first married in 1971 my grandmother knitted Christmas stockings for my husband, me, and our dog.  I think she might have gotten them as a kit, but she always transferred instructions to graph paper, using one page to write the basic instructions, one to write the directions line by line, and then another to chart the design.  I never had the original instructions, but she gave me her handwritten pages for the stockings and I've used the pattern many times. 

I also shared the handwritten pages with my friend Margherita when I worked in New York City, and over the years she made over 200 of them!!  She was from a large family, as is her husband, and whenever anyone married into the family, a brand new hand-knitted stocking was one of their gifts.  I loved that idea!!

My mother never made any stockings, but she used to knit a lot of afghans and baby blankets, sweaters, mittens, and slippers and socks.  In the photos you'll see the instructions for the stockings, some of my grandmother's knitting needles which were passed down to me, and an old very basic book to knit socks and winter accessories using just 2 needles.  While the photos on the front cover look very outdated, the actual instructions and patterns make very nice items which are quite easy.  For several years when we still lived in New Jersey I used to knit mittens in assorted sizes to donate to the Catholic Charities at one of the local hospitals.  It was always a lot of fun to work on those in between other projects I worked on, such as sweaters, vests (when they were popular), afghans, and slippers.

I came across these patterns and book earlier today so decided this would be perfect for Throwback Thursday.  I have a lot of yarn in my stash and am thinking that it might be fun to make some mittens again, and I can donate them to one of the downtown charities that takes in cold-weather items for the homeless.  Or, I might just finally knit a new stocking for my husband, Dennis.  I made his back in 1982 and over the years it's been shredding a bit from being overly stuffed with lots of snacks :)  I did a much better job when I made Jacquelyn's in 1985 for her first Christmas.  Or, perhaps I just don't buy things quite as bulky for her stocking stuffers.

 

Wordless Wednesday - The Horrors of Halloween, 1989 :)

Old Friends and Letters

My friend Denise and I have been sending each other long, long handwritten letters for over 25 years.  Other friends I keep in touch with have all moved on to emails, which I love since it's so quick.  But there's something wonderful about setting aside some special time, making a cup of tea, deciding on pretty stationery and a favorite pen, and spending an afternoon writing a long, newsy letter to an old friend.  I think taking the time for that makes it all the more meaningful -- a gift, in fact -- especially in our rushed everyday lives.
 

No Little Events In Life

"There are no little events in life;

those we think of no consequence may be full of fate, 

and it is at our own risk if we neglect the acquaintances and opportunities that seem to be casually offered, and of small importance."

~ Ameilia Barr

"Every encounter we have, even if brief and seemingly unimportant,

may have more significance than we know. 

A brief encounter may begin a greater ripple that reaches its intended purpose years later. 

Everyone who comes into our lives may be part of our mission, and we, a part of theirs... 

By being positive and helpful towards others, even in casual moments, 

we can make the most of our time on earth."

~ Author Unknown 

I love these two quotes and wrote them in one of my notebooks years ago so I'd always have them.

They really give you much to think about as you go about everyday life.  You never know if that casual acquaintance in something as simple as talking to someone in a grocery line, or letting someone else go ahead of you as you're at a traffic stop, or just a simple smile, can be something important to another person as they go about their day.  It's something worth thinking about, isn't it??

Of course, there are more significant meetings, too.  Someone you meet at one point in your life, and then years later that person is back again in a completely different way and still a friend and willing to help you.

I've always thought about these types of encounters, but as I get older and realize I've experienced many of these moments in my own life, it makes me pay even more attention to little moments in a day and the people I encounter.

Joanne

Making Plans

I've had so many thoughts on my mind lately that when I woke up I decided to get dressed, drive thru Starbucks for a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, and then take a long ride through country roads, rivers, and small towns.  That's always a sure way to give me time to think and make plans -- much better than when I wake up in the middle of the night thinking of these things, or can't fall asleep because my mind is busy working :)

It's a beautiful, breezy, sunny and blue skies day with some white puffy clouds, and we were just in the low 70s when I was out.  A nice day for a country ride.

The thoughts and plans I had on my mind??

First, Christmas.  Believe it or not, I have most of my shopping done, with the exception of a few people.  I've been doing it throughout the year when I've been traveling, which is always a great way to find just the right thing for someone.  I know what we're giving the other people on our list, so I just need to get those things over the next month and I'm all set to get things mailed.

I'm in an annual handmade Christmas exchange with several friends from an online group (we've been friends since 1999, and doing this exchange since 2005).  I think I'm pretty sure what I'm making, but will visit the crafts store tomorrow.  I'll either buy what I *think* I'm going to make, or I'll get a completely different idea. 

Also for Christmas... I have some needlework projects that are all stitched but need to be finished (framing, made into pillows, ornaments, wall hangings, etc.), and a few of those will be done for Christmas and used as gifts.  I'm also making a list of some baking ideas for friends and family, which will more than likely end up being a variety of shortbreads :)

The other thing I've had on my mind, which has actually been there for a few years, is a publishing project.  I've been making a lot of notes recently and working on plans and goals, contacts, and everything else needed, and after my ride today I've decided on a March 1st goal for this to begin.  Now that the date has been determined, I just need to start working backwards from there to have everything else fall into place, plan some meetings with friends/contacts, do more research, and get going!  This is a project I'm excited about, and will share more as time goes on.  

I'm curious... what does everyone else do when they have things on their mind and need that special time to do the planning?  Taking a ride?  A walk?  A bath?  Talking it out with someone else?

Joanne

Time in Tucson

A couple of weeks ago I took a road trip to Tucson, one of our past hometowns, to visit some favorite spots, play with my camera, and spend time with my dearest friend.   Here's a little photo journal of my trip...

I stayed at a hotel that offered regular rooms as well as "casitas", which were small apartment-like suites.
This is the view from my patio looking north towards the Catalina Mountains
which were covered in clouds with a rain storm coming in.

This is the front of my "casita".  The bay window was the table and chairs in the kitchen area.

Another view from my patio looking at the lush greenery surrounding the area and the mountains in the background.

Back of the courthouse... this is where we got our marriage license 30 years ago.

Steeple of Tumacacori mission amidst a stormy sky.

Colorful building and flowers at Tubac in the Crowe's Nest area.

Wood carving of bear, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Metal turtle sculpture, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Colorful frog sculpture, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Colorful scupltures in Crowe's Nest area of Tubac, with the Santa Rita Mountains in the background.

Closer view of the rooster sculpture seen in photo above.

Mexican Bird of Paradise above water fall, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Butterfly on flowering bushes near waterfall, Tubac, Crowe's Nest area.

Another view of the butterfly.

Primera Iglesia Bautista, Stone Avenue, downtown Tucson

Cathedral of Saint Augustine, Stone Avenue, downtown Tucson

Colorful shopping area downtown Tucson

Looking at the city from the road up "A" Mountain.

One of my favorite spots in the Tucson Mountains, Gates Pass road, which I used to take home from work.

Another view from the Gates Pass road.

San Xavier del Bac Mission, south of the city.

And Eight Tiny Lighthouses

That doesn't have quite the same ring to it as Eight Tiny Reindeer, but this is a project that's kept me very busy over the last several weeks.  Each year I participate in a handmade ornament exchange with several online friends.  This year I decided to use my own design, Christmas Lighthouse, which I released in October.  For me this year has been all about the sea, seabirds, getting my business (Of Generations Past) going, and lots of work - and fun!  I love it all.  So, I decided the perfect ornament to share this year would be this particular design which I think represents me pretty well. 

As you can see from this picture, I stitched them all on a large piece of linen (well, I didn't have enough space on the one so did two others on the other lighter blue fabric)...

And here are the finished ornaments, which were just delivered to the post office :) 

Joanne

Autumn Greetings

It's been a busy autumn so far and I've been spending long days here at the computer working, while enjoying the cool breezes coming in from the front door.  We've been having some lovely fall days here in south central Texas with days in the lower to mid 80s, and nights in the lower 50s.  Colors on the large trees at the golf course in our neighborhood have been changing to golden the last couple of weeks and when you walk or drive past in the mornings you see lots of leaves on the ground. 

Most of our color changes occur later in October and continue throughout November and even into December.  Thanksgiving time is when they seem to be at their brightest colors of orange and red. When I went to the mailbox this morning I noticed 2 red leaves on the walkway - the first I've seen from the two large trees we have in the front of the house.  You don't notice them changing color as much because they start from the very top of the tree and work their way down, so the first signs are the few leaves you spot on the ground. 

I started doing a little of my fall decorating and hope to have that finished this weekend.  Tomorrow would be a good day while I watch football games all day :)  I'll also be stitching on a few models I'm trying to finish up for the Online Needlework Show.  That will take place October 21st through 26th and my company, Of Generations Past, will be one of the vendors this year.  I'm also happy to report that I'm now with Hoffman Distributing Company, and many of my charts can be purchased through them, as well as through my webshop.  You can read more about these business items on my Of Generations Past blog, so I won't repeat it all here.

This year seems to be flying by way too quickly, but it's been a great one.  I've loved working on my business, even though with deadlines I'm often sitting here working 12 to 14 hours a day.  I've always thrived on deadlines and the more pressure, the more I seem to accomplish.  It works well for me.  One negative aspect of having my own business is being responsible for all the tasks I don't like to do, and would normally delegate.  I'm great at procrastinating on some of these things!  However, it's always great to see a finished product and to share good news with friends.

Speaking of friends, I've been blessed in that area, too.  I have a few good online friends I've known for years who I've been working with - one on a few needlework projects, one on a large book project, and another (as well as the other two) who is always there to encourage and celebrate (both business and family things).

Circumstances have also worked out in strange and roundabout ways that have led me to old friends that I worked with over 25 years ago in my magazine/newspaper publishing career.  Strange the way things work out, isn't it??   Actually, I guess it's not so strange.  When I worked at our Lutheran church in Tucson, Arizona, several years ago, one of the pastors I worked with always said that there were no coincidences - that everything happens in time for God's reasons and His purposes.  I like that, and think that's why these people are back in my life now :)

I guess you can tell that autumn time is also nostalgia time for me.  It seems to be that way each year and I've had long talks about that with my friend Linda.  This year it seems to be even stronger.  And on a silly note, it also makes me very homesick for the apple cider donuts I used to be able to get back east!!  Gosh, I miss those this time each year!!  A favorite thing my husband and I always did was to go to our favorite nursery to look at their fall plants, and they'd always offer free hot apple cider and apple cider donuts while you browsed.  I have the apple cider... just miss the donuts!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful autumn, too!

Joanne

A Few Finished Gifts to Tucson

I've been busy stitching the last two weeks to finish up two pieces for gifts. Our daughter and I went to Tucson for a few days to visit friends and I brought the gifts with me.











This one was for my long-time friend, Karen, as part of her birthday gift. It's from a Plum Pudding Needlework design.







This pillow was a gift for Karen's new granddaughter. I shared a picture of it a few months ago as a work in progress, and here it is completed. I didn't like any of the traditional baby designs, so used "For My Daughter" by Blackbird and made a few changes.








Here are a few pictures of the garden and sculptures in Tubac, one of our favorite spots south of Tucson. It's full of wonderful artisan shops and even though it's the desert, you'll find beautiful flowers.





This is a pretty area to sit and enjoy the desert view after some shopping.











I love these moving sculptures that move in the desert breeze. They're lined up along the patio at Shelby's Bistro, a favorite place to eat.










This flower was almost the size of a dinner plate. I wish there were some way I could have shown you just how large it was. It was truly beautiful.












I just love some of the sculptures, too. This one in a pretty patio next to Shelby's Bistro is a little girl reading, and a huge pile of books. It reminded me of our daughter when she was a little girl!







This shop is Tortuga Books, an all-time favorite. It's a great place to browse and cool off a bit after shopping in the hot desert sun. Now they have a coffee bar inside, too, which makes it even more pleasant. There are some tables and chairs outside for sitting if you prefer to enjoy the breeze, and there's a giant rabbit who's quite interested in that planter.











Here's a close-up of that giant bunny :)

Waiting, waiting

I received a phone call this morning from my closest friend, Karen, with news that her daughter-in-law had gone into labor this morning. I've been anxious all day, waiting to hear the news of the baby's arrival. My daughter and I already had fun shopping for baby clothes, and I'm also making two gifts. One will be the quilt from that fabric I shared with you a few days ago. The other gift is a cross stitch sampler I'm making using the "For My Daughter" chart by Blackbird Designs in their "Thank You Sarah Tobias" book. I'm going to make it into a pillow and use some of the same fabric I'm using for the crib quilt. The picture above is the sampler ~ which is on hold until I have the actual time and date of arrival, as well as the baby's name. I apologize for how washed out it looks. No matter what I've tried the pictures have just not turned out well, but you get the idea :) I'll be adding the birth date under the "Welcome", and will stitch the baby's name across the bottom of the chart.

A Finished Gift and Some Shopping Finds

Almost two years ago I shared a piece I stitched for a wedding gift for some close friends. Would you believe I misplaced it? I finally found it about a week ago when I was going through some "almost finished" pieces and there it was, sitting in that pile along with the pretty blue fabric I bought to make it into a pillow. I sewed it yesterday, and today I stuffed it, sewed the bottom closed, and added the ribbon. It will be going out in the mail today along with a birthday gift for the bride. Of course, they celebrated their one-year anniversary last June, and are expecting their first baby the end of April, but I think she'll be happy to receive the pillow along with her other gift.

Naturally when I went to buy ribbon I had to walk through every aisle in the store, and I bought these buttons to use on future needlework or quilting projects. I just love looking at all the buttons in stores and it's fun to fill my button jar when I get home.




I saw this book and couldn't resist it. I'm really into knitting scarves these days and when I saw that this book featured designs inspired by the sea, I had to add it to my collection. I spent a long time last night looking at all the patterns and can't wait to begin one soon! Last evening I finished the scarf I was knitting for my mother-in-law, so now I have another present for Christmas completed!



Finally, I just loved this Lion Brand cotton yarn. I recently saw a cute pattern on their website (free) for crocheting dishtowels using the standard ripple pattern. I thought these colors are so pretty together (I must have "southwest" on my mind since I'm planning a trip up to Santa Fe soon ~ one of my favorite places!). I worked on this for about an hour last night and it's half finished. I think it's a little heavy to be used for a dishtowel, and I think it would make a pretty runner for a table. I have a friend who lives in Arizona who'll be having a birthday soon and I think I might include this in a basket, along with a book or two, a pretty candle, some of her favorite tea, and some homemade cookies. It would look pretty sitting on her dining room table.

Joanne

Two New Designs - Of Generations Past

I finally completed stitching, and finishing, my first two designs that will be offered for sale at my website Of Generations Past . I hope to have the website updated later tonight with all the ordering information. I thought I'd share the pictures with you here at my blog.

This design is perfect for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just to say "thank you" to a special person. I think it would be perfect tucked in a basket full of cookies or muffins for a sweet gift.









This piece not only represents the great book by Betty Smith (1943), but in my case, I used the date 1878 when my great-grandmother was born in Brooklyn, a very special person on my family tree. I'm including a complete set of numbers so people can personalize their design. I have to thank my online friend Sharon as she and I emailed about being from New York and Brooklyn. Shortly after one of those emails, and after talking to my cousin Cyndie, I was standing in the hot shower (where, for some reason, creative ideas seem to pop into my head), and I could just "see" this design.

Thanksgiving Memories (Revisited)

"Only one more day and then it will be time to eat.
I didn't take but one bowl of hasty pudding this morning,
so I shall have plenty of room when the nice things come..."

~ Louisa May Alcott, from 'An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving'

Whenever I'm asked about a favorite holiday, I'm always torn between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love Christmas ~ and especially all the preparation for months ahead (I love to make homemade gifts or ornaments when I can)... but I love the simplicity of Thanksgiving, and always think of it as a family and friends day. I send some Thanksgiving cards with personal letters to a handful of family and friends, and really enjoy having this time of year to remember all the special times shared in previous years.

Our Thanksgiving these days has usually just been the three of us, but we still set the table with the pretty china, and have a special meal. Our daughter (23) is a vegetarian (and has been for over 10 years), so we always have several side dishes. My husband would be happy with just the turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy :) All three of us love the leftovers for the next few days, and a favorite thing is to make turkey soup.

When we lived in Tucson we always had a house full of people including family, friends, and some more casual acquaintances from our church. I'd do the turkey and one or two things, and everyone would bring a side, appetizer or dessert. I'm glad that our daughter got to experience these special celebrations when she was growing up so she can have wonderful holiday memories, too.

I still think my favorite Thanksgivings, though, were as a child. I was just going to write about it again, but realize I did last year, so I'll just copy it here (after all... it's time to go make the dressing and peel the potatoes). I hope you don't mind the "rerun" :)

~ Joanne

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. In some ways, it's my favorite, because it brings back wonderful family memories... and traditions that began in the late 1800s. My great-grandmother was from a large family that was very close. After all the children had married, a tradition of Thanksgiving gatherings still continued for well over 70 years.

Thanksgiving Day was spent at my grandparents' home where several of the generations of cousins and friends gathered ~ and I loved sitting at the special "children's" table since my grandmother always ate there, too. There were stories to tell, news to catch up on, and a lot of wonderful food... much more than we could possibly eat, but everyone's favorites were included. I remember all the men going out for a long walk after dinner "to walk off the heavy meal and all the desserts" (there were always three pies ~ pumpkin, apple and mince), and all the women chatting and laughing in the kitchen as they put leftovers away and washed and dried the dishes. I think this was the scene in many homes back in the 1950s and '60s..

But, the holiday celebration didn't end there. One of my great-grandmother's sisters and her family owned a dairy farm on a mountain in "upstate" New York, and that's where we went for the weekend. Those are some of my best memories ~ sleeping in the feather beds, playing with all my cousins, and being pulled around on a sled in the snow by my cousin's pet goat "Herman". Yes ~ it almost always snowed there that weekend, and anyone who knows me knows that snow is one of my favorite things.

We always arrived late that Friday evening since my father and grandfather had to work that day. On our way up we would stop at a "scenic outlook" for our picnic dinner of turkey sandwiches and chicken bouillon to drink. My grandmother had a regular ritual for preparing all those turkey sandwiches each year and placing them in the crisp waxed paper and folding it a certain way. They always looked like little gift packages, and were prepared and wrapped with love (and she always cut the crust off my sandwich *smile*).

The first thing I'd do when I woke up on Saturday morning was run and look out the window to see if there was snow. Then it would be time to run downstairs, stand over the heater to warm up, and have breakfast. The main thing I remember about the breakfasts was the hot cocoa made with some vanilla in it ~ it always tasted so good and special in the great big mugs. My cousins and I would all go out to play, and when we'd come back in ~ wet and cold from the snow ~ we'd hang our mittens and scarves on a line in the kitchen to dry near the stove. Even though we were cold I was always thirsty, and there was an old well-worn tin measuring cup that was used for quick drinks of water. The water was delicious and icy cold, and the cup kept it that way. Isn't it strange, here it is over forty years later and I can still "taste" that hot cocoa and water!

The weekend always came to an end much too soon for me, and as we'd pull away in the car, we'd look back and see everyone standing on the porch waving goodbye with handkerchiefs and dish towels. We could still see them waving as we drove down the mountain, and it was something to remember until we drove back up that mountain the next Thanksgiving weekend... to spend a short time together once again, making more special memories.

Weekly Inspiration, In Memory of Kim

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
~ Author Unknown

This week my homekeeping group at yahoo groups lost Kim, one of our members, after a long battle with cancer. She passed away on Tuesday and was buried yesterday ~ the day I happened to find out. I was addressing a "Thinking of You at Thanksgiving" card to her and looking up the address in my email folder, when I suddenly had this feeling that things were not right. I googled her name, and sadly found her obituary. As our "list mom", I was so sad to send a message to the group telling them the news.

Our group was started in January, 1999, and Vickie, the owner, decided to keep the list cozy, safe and small. At times we've had more members, but never higher than 50. We decided to close the list to new members a few years ago when Vickie became very busy with life, and I've taken over as the list mom. We have a group of just about 35 members now and many of us have been together since the beginning, with new people joining throughout the years.

I think of these "list sisters" (as we call ourselves) as some of my best friends. We've all been there for each other through good times and bad, happy times, sad times, silly times, to pray for each other in times of need, and for homemaking times (which is how the list began). No matter when I've moved in the last 10 years, I've known that once our computer is hooked up and functioning in a new home, that my friends are ready and waiting to chat. Only a few of us have happened to meet in real life, but when that happens, it's like being with someone you've been "real life" friends with for years.

As I was thinking of things to use for my inspiration post this week, I couldn't help but think of our friendship here at the list, and especially Kim. I remembered that she had sent in a few inspirational posts a few years ago, and I knew I had saved them. I just collected them from my quotes folder, and thought I'd use them for this week. They certainly seem appropriate, too.



Posted by Kim, October 24, 2006:

A Moment for You

Give yourself the gift of time.
No matter how busy you are,
you can always find time for others;
remember that you're worth the "trouble", too!!

Time to relax, replenish and renew can be as
essential as air and water, as healing as a hug,
as uplifting as a prayer.
It restores.
It recharges.
It gives you serenity to spare and share.
So allow --- promise!! ----- yourself a few
just-for-you moments each day.

Do something you enjoy - or do nothing at all.
However you spend it, it's never a waste of time.
Because you are worth the effort.

Kim from PA

~*~*~*~*~

Posted by Kim, October 25, 2006

A MOMENT FOR YOU

You're terrific just the way you are - no makeup required!

So what if you don't always have the perfect outfit to wear
or the perfect thing to say?
So what if your house is a little messier than you'd like?

You're so much more than clothes or small talk or decor.
You have your own unique vision, beauty and path.

Your caring reaches further than you think, and so do your dreams.

You're already somebody. Somebody special.
Why wish you were more like somebody else?

Kim from PA

Monday Inspiration

"Life's simplest things are love, and kindly friends,
Nature's sweet charm of earth and sea and sky;
Gladness of soul that with right living blends ~
Home's dear content, so cheap that all may buy."

~ Ripley D. Saunders

Fabric, Yarn and Gifts

Earlier this week I took a day for myself. My first stop was to Starbucks and when I got to the drive-through window I was so excited to find that they now have the Pumpkin Spice Lattes back on their menu. In fact, the girl at the window told me it was the first day back. I was sooo excited!

I spent most of my day driving around favorite little towns in the Hill country to see what was new in their shop windows. My drive took me along a few rivers that still had tubers and rafters since we're still in the low 90s. That was fine for them, but I was celebrating autumn inside the car with the air conditioner going as I sipped my latte :)

I made a stop at one of my favorite quilt shops. My husband gave me a gift certificate from them for my birthday, along with some extra cash to spend wherever I wished, so I combined the two and selected a yard each of five pretty fabrics. They'll go with some other fabrics I already have on hand from previous trips there, and will become some table runners and small throws to use as Christmas gifts. I just love the one fabric which will become a fall item ~ it has tiny oak leaves and acorns in the prettiest shades of blue, brown and tan.



I'm so anxious to begin a fall stitching project or a quilt, but I'm determined to wait until I have this baby afghan completed. I'm making it for a friend of ours who had a baby girl the end of August, and fortunately it's going very quickly. I began working on it last weekend during all the coverage of Hurricane Gustav, and continued it this week while watching political coverage. Rather than making it a small "baby size", it's a larger crib-size afghan.








I just love crocheting with this particular brand of yarn and have used it for other baby blankets as well as large shawl-like scarves. I'll be finishing it up this weekend and just need to add fringe and it can be wrapped and mailed.

Then, it's on to those autumn projects!!