"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Crafting Days


Has April ushered in many showers for you in your part of the world? I experienced a number of gray April days in succession that left me feeling a bit grumpy...desperate for sunshine and Daffodils. The leader of our once a month worship art group designed this worship art project that helped me adjust my attitude.  The creative process of working on the project as well as the subject of it helped cheer me. 


One Friday since I last posted my youngest daughter and I made an eleven-hour drive south from Portland, Oregon, to Sonoma, California to pick up some old family albums that my youngest daughter committed to digitizing and storing.


On the eleven hour drive back on Sunday, we were able to see Mt. Shasta in northern California and stop long enough to take a few photos, not only of the majestic mountain but of a miss-guided seagull who checked us out.


My niece and my older sister who live in the Los Angeles, California, area recently texted me these stunning photos of the fields of flowers they were able to admire in a park near where they live.


Aren't they amazing?


Someday I would like to be able to see such fields myself up close and personal!


I am enjoying making more progress on the knit baby blanket that I plan to donate to a local NICU and I have knit and crocheted some small dishcloths.  Years ago a friend with small hands asked me to make a dishcloth half the size of the traditional Grandma's Dishcloth pattern.  My daughters and I found we enjoy using the smaller version as well, even though our hands are not small, so we have made many of the smaller version.


Looking for an old tea cart with a friend a few weeks ago I enjoyed exploring a nearby antique store, and was interested to recognize a number of "antiques" that are familiar objects of my childhood memories!


My all-time favorite practical potholder pattern to make and use is the Double-thick Diagonally Crocheted Potholder pattern that is free via Ravelry.  I made two potholders recently and am tempted to make many more just for the joy of making them.


Since I last posted I met Becky and her husband, and Betsy and her husband for dinner at a nearby restaurant.  We met through our blogs years ago, and it is a special treat when we can actually meet face to face since we live many miles apart.


One of the fun parts of moving to the condo is discovering what bulbs former owners have planted.  There are quite a few clumps of white Calla Lillies but amidst two clumps of them are this flower.  Do you recognize what it is?


These two sunny yellow tulips have been cheering me this week and I hope seeing them will cheer you as well as you craft your days wherever you may be!

Gracie   xxxxxxx





12 comments:

  1. Gracie, you have posted such beautiful photos today. The flowers are gorgeous. We're having quite chilly weather since our return home, but the skies are a beautiful blue and the trees are finally getting their spring dresses of leaves on them.
    I have found many antique stores have items I know and still use. The one in Troutdale has lots of Pyrex bowls just like Dennis and I recieved as wedding gifts. I have a set of three and one of four bowls each that I use almost every day. Little did I know they are so valuable now! I need to take better care of them. :-)
    I love the double thickness potholder too and have made many as gifts. I use them both at home and at the lake. They never wear out! I have filled the potholder drawer in the kitchen at church too. I need to find someone who would like some so I can have the fun of making them. Teresa encouraged me to open an Etsy shop, but I'm not sure anyone would actually want to buy the things I make.
    We had SUCH a lovely time with you last Saturday. Your condo is so warm and inviting. I want to buy the one next door. Wouldn't that be fun? :-)
    Take care my friend. Wishing you lots more suprise flowers in your new garden.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

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    1. Yes, it would be such fun if you bought the condo next door! :-)

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  2. Such fantastic mountain views and beautiful flowers. It must be great meeting up with blogging friends. Many years ago I met up with a pen-pal of mine (twice), it was nice to chat in person. Your potholders and blanket are looking good. Perhaps I should crochet a pot holder as I always grab the tea towel which may be wet from drying cups. Not a good idea! Take care, Cathy x

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  3. The fields of flowers are just beautiful and so are the lovely yellow tulips. Enjoy your crafting week :)

    Diana

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  4. So many lovely photos here today Gracie and thank you for sharing them with us. Antiques....yes I find a LOT from my childhood and teenage days in there lol And hello to you in your lovely pic too xoxoxo

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  5. What a nice post from you today! Your blanket is looking wonderful and I think making a smaller washcloth is a good idea. I also love the doubled crochet hot pads and I've made some bigger ones of those for hot pads on the table for hot dishes. Thank you for sharing the wildflower photos.. I saw a news segment on the big blooms in California and was amazed and wished I was close enough to go see them. You should drive to Rowena Loops.. apparently the wildflowers are in peak bloom there.. I might have to go see them. I hope to see you again soon after we return home tomorrow. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. Good to see your post! A friend made me one of those double crocheted hot pads and I use it all the time. Thanks for the pattern link; now I don't have to worry about mine wearing out as I can make another. That mystery flower might be Dutchman's Breeches which I think is related to Bleeding Heart. (I just looked it up and it says Dutchman's Breeches are white, so maybe it's some type of Bleeding Heart.)

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  7. Hello Gracie such wonderful photos. The mountain and field of flowers are just stunning!
    Yes we have had some rain and it is set to get colder :-( I find my mood very up and down of late.
    I am looking forward to the weekend as we will be joined by both sons and their wives and our grandchildren to celebrate DH's birthday. It was on the 30th April but this weekend was when all could get together. We have another Bank Holiday weekend so it is a long weekend, with Monday a day off for many. Anne X

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  8. I like the blanket your knitting...cool looking yarn. It was good to meet up with you and Betsy. Thanks for sharing the photos you took while in CA. I really like the poppies. They are blooming here too. I'm slowly getting the prayer shawl done. Had to pull out about 6 rows due to a dropped stitch, which is annoying!!! I enjoy your blog and thanks for your friendship. Hugs and blessings my friend!

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  9. You've shared many beautiful photos here. Always nice to see that you were able to get together with blog friends in real life. Such a treat. Those super blooms are amazing but sadly there were too many people who only cared about photos and were trampling all that beauty. We should all have so much respect for all that is wild and wonderful. Your dishcloths are lovely. A smaller size is definitely nice for wiping things down or doing a quick clean-up. Have a good week.

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  10. I love your worship art project! Good message for me today! Beautiful photos from California - I would love to see those wildflower covered hillsides in person as well. Maybe someday as one of my kids live not too far away from there. LOVED your comment about "antiques" from your childhood. I totally get it 😉
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  11. Hi Gracie, I have been missing you. I am so glad you were able to see Becky and Betsy. They are so lovely and you deserve some great friendship time. I love the photos you have posted, simply gorgeous. I am glad your trip went well and ou are home safely. Hugs to you my friend.

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