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Sewing, baking, gardening, canning, carpentry, metal work and jewelry making. My maternal grandparents were both amazingly talented and resourceful creators of all things handmade. Living through the great depression and two world wars they both learned early to make and build the things they wanted and needed. From sewing clothing and furniture coverings to building their home (and even a car!) Bobcha and Pop-Pop could do it all, and do it well! Pop-Pop was a foundry worker at Bethlehem Steel, and when he wasn’t at the factory he was in his shop in the basement or tinkering in the garage. If something broke, he fixed it. And if he couldn’t find the part, he’d make it.
One of the most cherished things he ever made was this jewelry box for Bobcha. An anniversary present (sadly I don’t know what year), it held a place of honor on her dressing table. I remember from the time I was a small girl watching Bobcha choose her jewelry for the day and thinking there was magic in that box. Many of her favorites were pieces Pop-Pop made for her. He spent countless hours cutting, shaping and polishing the stones to create unique designs. 
Here are a few examples of Pop-Pop's jewelry.
Bobcha taught me to sew. In their tiny kitchen we cut, pinned and stitched. Stuffed animals and dresses, sometimes with a pattern, but often without she was a wiz with her machine and nothing was ever too hard for her to make.
Teenage angst and the excessive 80s were not lost on me. I reveled in leather and heavy metal and thought the handmade meant poor. But they knew better and loved me still, standing quietly by while teenage rebellion turned to venturing out on my own. Living on a shoestring I began to realize that handmade meant so much more. And I was thankful for all the lessons learned. Now the jewelry box proudly sits atop my dresser. It holds treasures made by Pop-Pop and earrings that John and I made together. It is handmade with love, and has magic inside. Today’s post is part of the Holiday Stashdown with Marie at Underground Crafter, where we’re sharing stories about our most cherished (or not!) handmade gifts. Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
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 Planning ahead for a year of projects is a daunting task for me. Typically, I avoid trying to anticipate today what I will want or be able to do that far in the future. This comes after many years of planning, scheduling and otherwise attempting to manipulate my life into submission with disastrous results! These days I’m much more of a “be here now” kinda gal! Why then have I chosen (yes, this is a choice) to participate in a YoP? The best I can figure is because I like to learn new things and I especially like the community of bloggers and the support they offer each other. After reading through most of the threads in the Ravelry Group Come Blog-A-Long I thought, “What a great group of people. I’d like to hang out with them and give this thing a try!” But how am I going to make a list that I have any hope of sticking to for a whole year? Last year, many people strayed quickly and often from their original lists. This year more folks are leaning towards broader goals (I’ll crochet 10 hats for charity). This, (I think) I can do! Now I have to decide what I want to learn and how I’m going to do it. So I started where I usually do, at the library with a big old pile of books! This is a sample of the roughly two dozen books I’ve looked at over the past few weeks! After oohing and aahing over many, many beautiful projects (and plenty that flops), I knew that I didn’t want to commit to one book for the whole year. I decided to come up with 10 things that I want to learn about or improve upon. The books were so important in helping me choose. Here is my list, in no particular order:
Okay, so that’s 12 things! But it’s exciting, and I’m feeling good about my list. I took my time and really gave a lot of thought to what I want to learn and what’s realistic for me. Many of these things have been flittering about in my head for a while. The difference is now they’re written down. I’m hopeful that a YoP will help motivate me to get busy with my Holiday Stashdown projects. A few months ago I joined up with Marie at Underground Crafter because I wanted to keep ahead of my holiday gift making, instead of having it turn into the last minute nightmare it usually becomes. To date my progress has been less than stellar. Now I’ve gone ahead and made my second public declaration of things I want to accomplish in a finite amount of time! That means it’s time to stop procrastinating and start crocheting!  I had books everywhere!! I hope that you’ll stop in now and again and see how I’m doing. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of new people and having great adventures trying new things! You can pop into the group to see what everyone else is doing. Also, why not stop by Marie’s and see what’s happing in the Stashdown world.
There you have it friends! The beginning of something wonderful. Until next time, Be blessed and stitch & read with love!  Today for Week 7 of the Holiday Stashdown Challenge we're sharing ideas for projects that can be made with one skein or less. What's the first thing that you think of? For me it's hats. There are so many patterns available that utilize every type of yarn imaginable. There are fancy hats and simple hats. Hats that keep you warm and hats that just look good. There is truly a hat for every head! 
One in worsted and one in bulky. I'm sure this pattern would look good in any yarn.
Along with hats, I think of cowls, scarves, gloves, mittens and wrist warmers. None of these take much yarn, can be whipped up in no time, and would make an excellent gift for anyone on your gift list. Here are a few of my favorites.
Motifs are terrific for using bits and scraps. Last year I found this Snowflake Garland pattern in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Crochet Today! It's so pretty (and I'm so lazy!) that it still graces the doorway between the living room and dining room! I was also inspired to make thread snowflakes from the book 60 Crocheted Snowflakes that I borrowed from the library. (Sorry no pictures, but they're easy and beautiful and can be used to decorate your tree or add flourish to gift wrapping!)
If you've never crocheted with thread, you should go ahead and give it a try. I was nervous at first, but quickly became comfortable with it. I enjoy the variety that working doily and motif patterns offers. Plus it's travels well and is perfect in hot weather! It's also inexpensive and you can make an amazing number of items from one ball of thread! Here are a few things I've made with thread: 
I've given several of these bookmarks as gifts and they always are well received.
This lacy pillow will be a beautiful bedroom accent.
There are so many other projects that come to mind. Do you have a favorite? I'd love to see which pattern is your go to for hats, cowls and fingerless gloves (or anything!). When planning our holiday gifts it's so easy to get in to0 deep with projects that overwhelm us. To big or complicated they end up causing anxiety instead of pleasure. This year I vow to be reasonable in my choices. Whatever I make, I'll do it with love, and hope that the recipient feels it!
In addition to visiting Marie, stop by Frontier Dreams and remember to Keep Calm Craft On. This is a terrific place to meet new crafters and see what beautiful projects they're working on. That's all for today friends, until next time, Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
 It should be simple, but it’s not. Just the fact that you made it with your own hands should be enough, but it isn’t. Choosing the perfect gift is as much an art as creating it! So how do you decide? Each of us has our own method. Some use surveys, some do secret sleuthing throughout the year and others simply pick something they like in hopes that the recipient will share their taste!
Not sure what to do? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re browsing patterns in search of that magic item destined to be cherished for years to come. Consider making something that you’ve seen them wear or use before. For example, Uncle Jim always wears a hat. Making him one in his favorite teams colors or that he can wear while fishing will probably be a hit. Aunt Doris on the other hand has been getting her hair done every Tuesday for as long as you remember. So as much as she might love the floppy brimmed hat you made for her to wear in the garden, chances are it will never settle on her perfectly coiffed curls. A better choice might be a wrap or shawl to keep her shoulders warm when she’s sitting on the porch enjoying her flowers. Color matters as much as design! Unless you’re sure that Aunt Wanda is crazy for fuchsia and lime, stick with colors that are classic and go with anything. That doesn’t mean boring, it means tasteful! Review the offerings in your stash carefully. The goal is to use it as a resource as much as possible, but only when it works! Still stuck on the fuchsia? Use it to make removable accent flowers! Keep their personal style and hobbies in mind. Does your co-worker always read a book at lunch? Make her a bookmark. Your best friend loves to cook, why not make something for the kitchen? How about potholders or adding lace trim to towels that match the décor. Is you sister-in-law the family fashionista? Browse “Hot Right Now” in the Ravelry patterns to see what the trends are and make her something fabulous! The perfect gift doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. The smallest offering, chosen with careful thought and crafted with love is sure to be cherished. Anyone can buy a gift all done and ready to go. Making something with your own two hands, that’s special no matter what it is. And if they don’t appreciate your effort – next year remove them from your “worthy” list and give them a gift card! For more suggestions or to share your strategy for choosing the perfect gift, stop by Underground Crafter for the Holiday Stashdown Challenge. Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! Where I begin to match projects with people...  I have to admit that participating in this challenge has been educational. Why, you ask? What have I learned? Well I already know that I am lazy and procrastinate always. What I didn't know was planning and preparing in advance (months, not weeks like I usually do) is quite a bit of effort! During this week I have been thinking about what I'll be making for whom. So far, all that I've really feel committed to is what I'll be making for my co-workers. Since they may be reading I'm not sharing more than that today. What I can say is that it will be one item made in a slightly different manner to make them each unique and personal for the recipient. As for everyone else well I'm keeping my options open and my eyes peeled for projects that strike my fancy. I don't think there are any blankets or throws in my future, but who knows? On another note, I realize that we're supposed to be reducing our stash, but I couldn't help but add these three yarns to my collection.
After all they were free (from my club at the library) - and who can resist free yarn?! Plus I came across them on a day when I had socks on my mind, and I think each of them would make a fine sock. Maybe that's what I'll do. Make socks for everyone. Do you think they'll get suspicious when I ask for foot measurements?
Be sure to check out Marie's great tips and prompts over at Underground Crafter. Honestly it's because of her that I'm even considering my holiday list in May! That's all for today friends. Until next time, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! Analyzing the Stash
Crochet-Worthy, The List
1) Are they a fan of hand-crafted items? ( Do they have them in their home, sing the praises of their latest purchase at the craft fair? Even go to the craft fairs? and so on)
2) Have I ever seen them wear or use a hand-made item? 3) Are they a crafter of any kind (who understands how long it actually takes and how much it really costs to make nice things)? 4) Why did I put them on the list? (Because I truly want to make something for them or because I feel obligated to give them a gift and they might like something I make?) It was an interesting process. Enlightening in fact as I thought about my people a bit more closely. I also had to remind myself of my own limitations. Because my intentions will often be grand, but my reality falls short of being able to create masterpieces for everyone! With all of this information churning about in my brain I allowed adequate time for rumination. After a draft and an edit I give you the final cut!
I'm excited about the Holiday Stashdown Challenge (HSD). It's a great way to stay focused on my projects, and I'm pleased with the way that I'm thinking about things this year. If you're a procrastinator like I am I recommend hopping on the Stashdown Bus with us. My goal is to enjoy making my presents this year and hopefully eliminate the gift giving anxiety that typically surrounds the holidays. Because no one benefits from that! For more fun and a contest too check out Underground Crafters review of "101 Crochet Stitch Patterns & Edgings". That's all for today. Next week it's all about the yarn stash. Now that'll give me something to think about. I might even have to do some organizing! Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love!  Come join the fun! I am lazy. Well, perhaps lazy isn’t exactly right, because I’m always doing something! I think it’s more like I’m prone to procrastination. I definitely put off doing boring tasks like grocery shopping and laundry (I have lots of socks!), and the unpleasant things like those annual trips to the doctor. But I even wait until the last minute to do things that I enjoy, like making gifts for my friends and family! I’m not sure why I do this. It always leads to late nights, too much money spent on ho-hum gifts, and a general feeling of failure.
Not this year! This year things are going to be different! I’m going to be organized. I’ll make lists, start early and I will not be distracted by pretty patterns! Okay, so I can’t guarantee that will happen, but I really am going to try. And here’s the best part: I have help! In fact I wouldn’t even be considering my holiday projects today if it weren’t for The Underground Crafter. Marie has had the foresight and ambition to create the 2012 Holiday Stash Down Challenge. And I for one am thankful! My stash may not be very big, but my desire to create beautiful, hand made gifts for those I love is huge! Please join us on this adventure as we attempt to complete the perfect gifts for those we have deemed “crochet/knit worthy”*. May they be done on time, for a reasonable amount of money and with as little stress as possible! As I set out on my journey I’m fresh and ready for the challenges ahead! I’m not sure exactly where I’ll end up, but I promise that I’ll do my best to have fun along the way! Hope you’ll join us on the road! Until next time, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! *How do you decide who's worthy? That's our prompt for next Tuesday's post. |
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My name is Robin. I am a wife, mother and strong believer in the power of faith. I'm a maker, a crafter and an artist. I love exploring new mediums and sharing my adventures with you. Did you enjoy your visit? Let me know by leaving a comment. I love knowing you dropped by, and hope to see you again soon! Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love! 
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