Hello blogging friends. I have just enough time to squeeze in a post for August before it is over. My blogging days have been few and far in between. I will do better 🙂 My summer has been a little busy. Lots of little day trips-mostly yarny trips. I went to a Wine and Wool Fest and I participated in the I-75 Yarn Crawl. I visited 10 shops during the yarn crawl and purchased something at each shop. And then last week I visited a new shop that I didn’t get to hit on the Yarn Crawl. It was a lot of fun, but expensive, as I couldn’t resist yarn where ever I went 😉 I have been stitching, too.
First, I finished the Mermaid’s Garden Shawl. It turned out beautiful! Here it is being blocked.
This was such an enjoyable KAL. The pattern is the Mermaid’s Garden Shawl by Lena Mathisson and is available on Ravelry. I will be making this one again for sure.
I recently joined other knitters at my local yarn shop and we are making the Veronika cardigan. Here is my start on this one:
That is not a shadow at the top of the cardigan. It appears that my yarn doesn’t quite match. Ugh. I will continue on. I am using Malabrigo Rios in Tranquilo. I’m not into switching skeins every other row, so I will leave it for now. I am using a size 9 needle as I couldn’t get gauge with an 8. And after using fingering weight yarn for so long, this worsted weight yarn and large needle has really done a number on my right hand. It is aching quite a bit today, so this piece is in time out for now. But I am loving the color. And see that cute bag in the back? It was a special order to CleverGirl Designs Co. It matches my tool bag.
Kristine does a great job making these bags. The smaller one has lots of pockets and holds a lot! You can find her on Instagram @clevergirldesignsco
I started a new cross stitch. I know, don’t say it, LOL. I couldn’t resist Bella Filapina’s “Pearl of the Orient Seas”. She is a beauty!
I am stitching her on 16ct aida, a OOAK from Fantasy Dyed Fabrics. While I love her, I have found out I am not a fan of stitching with red, orange and yellow. Hopefully I will be able to get through it as she is really stunning. I have become a big fan of Bella Filipina designs. He is so talented.
I am still stitching on the Pillow for a friend. It is coming along and my goal is to get it done by the end of summer. Which, as the title of my post says, is coming to an end. I better up my game now. I can’t show all of my progress because I want it to be a surprise for the recipient. But here is a peek: (Don’t look at the back of it!)
I am getting near the bottom! Woo Hoo!
And remember this crochet project?
Well, I finished it!!! A little less than 2 years and not perfect, but it is finished and I just love it!
This blanket will keep me warm while hanging out in the finished basement with hubby. Yep, the basement is all finished and put together. We still have lots of boxes and bins to go through for the storage room. We are hoping to get those unpacked within the next month. So that is what I have been up to these last few weeks of summer. What have you been up to? Did you recently finish a project you are happy to finally finish?
My Time Stitching 
gorgeous shawl and blanket . . . and I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help noticing the dolls in glass cabinet . . . are they Madame Alexander dolls?
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Thank you, Claire93. The dolls…they are all Ginny dolls. Lots and lots of Ginny dolls. Many in need of repair as their rubber bands have broken and heads and arms are found lying at their feet, LOL. One day I will get some elastic and restring them. Are you a doll collector?
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ah ha! I’ve never heard of Ginny dolls before, so that has me googling already & Learning lol. Yes I’ve got a small doll collection in the making, but nothing “vintage”. I started a new blog just for my dolls, if you’re interested, link is on my blog to Claire’s Collections.
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Wow, you have been so busy!!! The shawl and blanket are both lovely. And the new stitching and sweater are coming along great too!
I do have a big finish, also a couple of years in the making, i just posted it.
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I just looked at your finish, that’s so gorgeous! well done
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Thank you!!!
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Thank you, Salpal1. I am so happy to get the crocheted blanket off the hook! And it turned out better than I though it would 😉 I will have to get over to your page and see what you have completed. Doesn’t it feel great to get it off your list?
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It does!!! And just in time! I signed up for a craft fair in November, which means knitting lots if hats and mittens and ornaments for the next month or two. Plus I have three more baby commissions to knit. Yikes!
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that’s heaps of work!
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Thank you, paulainauckland. Now to get busting on the cross stitch projects, too 🙂
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Well done, you have been very busy indeed. Making the very most of summer. 🙂
The shawl is beautiful, and the colour is perfect for it. I love the blanket, and indeed, it will be just what one needs for a cool day, or just chilling in the basement. So glad to hear that huge job is coming along so well, and now just for the unpacking of the last boxes. I bet it is looking very nice already.
I can see why you started the new mermaid. She is a stunning girl. Just look at that tail. 🙂
I love your bags, so pretty and matching, and of course, with your favourite mermaids. 🙂
Enjoy the upcoming weekend and have a good one, specially if your weather still holds.
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Thank you, Joey. I am happy to get the crocheted blanket finished. I didn’t think I would, but I am glad I stuck with it. The mermaid is so beautiful. Hopefully when I get back to her, the colors will grow on me more. She does have a gorgeous tail. And that hair! So pretty. I am hoping to dig into some boxes today and get some things onto shelves in the storage room, or donated if I find I can actually live without 😉 The basement is pretty much finished. The 2 doors don’t fit since adding the carpet, so we have to get them sanded and rehung. But hubby loves his cave and I have a chair down there to spend time with him while he is working or gaming. I also have an ottoman there that is filled with yarn 🙂 I will have to share some photos next time. Our temps are getting a little cooler. Still nice, but not so much humidity. Leaves are starting to fall from the trees and I have even seen some starting to change colors. Fall is definitely on its way. Are you coming into Spring where you are?
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So happy to hear the weather is still so nice. It is such a lovely time of the year. 🙂 Temps here have been warmer last week, although the weekend turned a bit cool again. Cool in the mornings and evenings, although the days can warm up to mid 20’s already. Lots of green everywhere, with bits of colour showing already. Feels a lot like Spring, but I think Summer will be pretty early.
Your basement sounds pretty nice now. Just the right space to have. 🙂
Enjoy working on the new mermaid, she is going to be stunning. I love the hair and tail.
Enjoy the new week, take care and have a good one.
xxx
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Love that Mermaid shawl, so very pretty!
Great starts, and the crochet throw turned out pretty.
Now I need to check out Bella Filapina, is there an Etsy shop?
I am stitching on Stacy Nash’s Halloween Needleroll.
Have a great Holiday weekend!
Marilyn
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Thank you, Marilyn. I do love the mermaid shawl and can’t wait for cooler weather to wear it. And I am so glad to be done with the crocheted blanket. Bella Filapina designs are so awesome! He just came out with a Fairy. Yes, he does have an Etsy shop where he sells his patterns. He is in the Phillipines, so shipping time is quite lengthy. There are lots of shops around that are carrying his designs also. You have a wonderful holiday weekend also and be safe.
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Mermaid’s Garden is a real beauty, Ginny! And I totally love the blanket ❤ So colorful!
The rest of your progress looks very promising too – looks like you have been busy crafting. 🙂
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Thank you, Anita. I guess I have been busy 😉 Not sure how long the cardigan will take me to get done, as that one really hurts my hand. Not stitching on it for almost a week has really helped the hand heal, so I don’t want to get back to it and have my hand hurt again. I did do some marathon stitching on it trying to get caught up to the other gals. Maybe slow is better.
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Oh definitely, the larger needles are not really friends of our hands. Working on it only when you can is totally understandable.
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Oh my! I love that mermaid shawl! It’s super pretty, and the mermaid models it well lol. The mermaid you’re cross stitching is beautiful too, I didn’t know that artist so I’m now going to check her out…
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Thank you, Robin. My mermaid statue did wear it well, didn’t she? LOL The designer of Bella Filapina is actual a guy and he does amazing work. I do hope that you were able to find his designs on Etsy. He just came out with a Fairy, too. So beautiful!
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The shawl is beautiful. I love the color.
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Thank you, Sheryl ❤ I love the colors, too and cannot wait to wear it.
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Your Mermaid’s Garden Shawl is beautiful.
I look forward to seeing your progress on Veronika cardigan.
Those bags are pretty and so very handy.
Your cross stitch progress is always a joy to see. You do such beautiful work.
Your crochet blanket is so cheerful and will be a comfort to keep you warm.
I’m glad your basement is finally finished. I know you will be relieved when things are unpacked and back in order.
I’m sad summer is ending too. It seems such a long time til Spring. I hope your Autumn is fair and mild.
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Thank you, E.C. Just a few more boxes to go 😉 I have decided to go through my kids old lego sets. Both a joy and frustration! My living room is now a mess with bins and boxes of legos. Hopefully I have a few good sets that will can be put together and sold or traded at the local Bricks and Minifigs store. Veronika is still in a time out. My hand was feeling better, but I am afraid Lego has taken a toll on it. The nights are cool, the days not so bad. I am going to hold onto Autumn as long as I can 😉
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Those are all so beautiful!
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Thank you so much ❤
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