For the Love of Shopping

Isn’t it great to visit a brand new store?

NewStore

The merchandise is fresh and sparkling, not dog-eared and shopworn. The shelves are organized and there’s plenty of stock, so it’s usually a breeze to find your size, or favorite color, or preferred brand!

Whether it’s a new supermarket, bookshop, or clothing store – there’s something exciting and just plain fun about being among the first shoppers to stroll the aisles.

Now, if the store has items that you are particularly fond of (in my case, craft supplies!), the party factor goes up another notch.

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balloonsRecently, a new craft supplies store opened here. (Up until now, Michael’s was our only choice.)

After hearing about the new store, I started to watch the newspapers for an opening day announcement. When it arrived, I clipped a few coupons and off I went to explore. Sir Beads, sweet guy that he is, patiently came along – even though shopping for craft supplies is not very high on his list of fun things to do. He prefers a hardware store. I guess you could say that craft supplies are to Crystal as building supplies/tools are to Sir Beads.

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Well, I can report that the new store had an interesting selection, including things I hadn’t been able to find anywhere else! Some of them were on sale that day – so I was a happy camper!

Sir Beads, however, seemed much more excited about the lunch we had afterwards. πŸ˜‰

lunch

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

Long Time No Blog

Greetings Kids!

Remember me? πŸ˜‰

I know… It’s been a while.

Things are crazy busy around here – but I’ve missed chatting with you…

Hope all is well and that you’re seeing signs of spring in your world.
Here in New England, we’ve had a slow start to the season with trees only just beginning to bud.

I’ve been trying to fit in little blocks of time to create something – anything!

Many of you know that I firmly believe crafting is a stress-reducer… sort of a “vitamin” for the soul. When life gets very hectic, I cope by finding spare moments in the day to be creative.

For example, I did finally finish the bracelet I showed you a while back…

Z Beaded Bracelet Twin Beads

And currently, I’m quite taken with something that’s popping up all over the internet – shabby chic flowers! Here’s my first one with more to follow in an upcoming post.

click to enlarge

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They’re made from scraps of various fabrics and all sorts of laces. For the decorative centers, you can use re-purposed jewelry, old buttons, or (as I did) you can make your own little beaded embellishments!


Finally, just for fun, I am including a photo of a recent dinner made for me by Sir Beads.

I… am… a… LUCKY… girl!

Who knew that after decades of doing all the cooking myself, I’d eventually be spoiled by a husband who would (after retiring) decide to become our cook.

Pinwheel of Beef, Cheese, and Spinach, Roasted Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables

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Was it good? Oh yeah!


Please tell us your news. πŸ˜€

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

Potholders Anonymous

Hello.
My name is Crystal and I can’t stop making potholders!

In my last post, I mentioned that I couldn’t find quality-made potholders in the stores, so I decided to make my own.

Who knew they’re as addictive as potato chips??? (I sure didn’t!) πŸ˜‰

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It all started out innocently enough . . .

I finished the one you saw “in progress” last time.

Z potholder violets

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And then I made another.

Z Potholder Greens

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Next, I found a pattern for a nice thick one (with a pretty ridged design), and decided to give it a go.

Z potholder multi cranberry

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And before I knew it, I was beginning another – with a rainbow color scheme!

Z potholder Rainbow

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Since then, I’ve bought enough cotton yarn to make several more. They’re so fast and easy – great to work on while watching TV – but I have a question…

Just how many potholders does one kitchen need?

I may have to set some aside as Christmas gifts.

Christmas gifts finished in April?

Now, that will be a first!

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

Anything But Grey

Here in New England, our frosty winter days are usually accompanied by clear blue skies and lots of bright sunshine.

This year, however, has been remarkably cloudy – not rainy, just CLOUDY!
And the combination of grey skies and short winter days gets old pretty quickly.

What to do? Well, I like to grab some colorful yarn and ignore the bleak weather.

Winter Crochet Bright

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Here’s my idea of an afternoon break.

Winter Crochet2

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I’ve just begun this blanket. Generally, I wait until I’m finished making all the squares (or other motifs) before sewing them together. This time though, I’m joining them as I go – which means the blanket will already be in one piece by the time I make the last square! πŸ˜€

Winter Crochet3

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Have you had a cloudy 2014, so far?

What do you like to do on a dreary day? C’mon, please tell us!

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€

A Little Magic with Yarn

Ladies and Gentlemen!
You’ve heard of the Amazing Kreskin?

Well, prepare to be entertained by the Not-Quite-As-Amazing Crystal!

For my first trick . . .

I will begin with a crocheted yarn ring!

ipad pix sept yarn ring

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Next, I make 5 more, overlap them, weave a strip through the centers to hold them in place, and then crochet around the outer edges in contrasting colors.
(You’ll notice I have nothing up my sleeve!! πŸ˜‰ )

Trivet 1

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And now, I wave my magic crochet hook and Presto! Change-o!
A vintage-style trivet/hot pad!!!

trivet sept 2

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Pretty cool. Don’t you agree? πŸ™‚
I think it looks like a Celtic knot, or maybe a brain teaser puzzle?!?

I used left-over yarn for this. It was a delight to make – very easy and very fast! I must get some yarn in my kitchen colors and make a couple more.

The pattern can be found by clicking here.

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! πŸ˜€