Tiny Babies (in their beds)

I knit. I knit a lot! I also crochet...not as much as I knit, but lately a little more than usual. Because every once and again I get a bee in my bonnet about something I'd like to make. Last time it was a beaded lizard. This week, it's all about dolls. 

When I was a little girl, my grandmother gave me a little Cradle Purse, complete with a doll, blanket, mattress and pillow. I don't know if she made the purse or bought it, but I remember that it had a plastic bottom, cut from an oblong shaped bottle of bleach. There were holes punched at the edges of where the bottle had been cut, and crochet stitches were worked through the holes to cover the cut edge before the skirt, hood and drawstrings were worked. 

I loved this little Cradle Purse, and I carried treasures in it well into my teens, although I did sometimes hide it from my friends by stashing it in a larger bag. Long after I had lost the doll and accessories, I used the purse/ cradle to care for my high school Family Living class "egg baby." (Bring the egg everywhere for two weeks to learn what having a baby is like...not so realistic, but not a bad lesson.) Long story short, the egg and I survived, with fond memories. :) I'm not sure when I finally misplaced the little purse. 

Fast forward to my 40-something years, and I found a pattern. I made three Cradle Purses using that online pattern which did not use a plastic bottle or butter tub. They were ok, but I wanted a flatter base. Now that I'm in my mid-50s, why not revisit this bit of nostalgia? So I looked up all the patterns I could find, then I decided to rework the pattern as I want it to be. 

Ive made three so far, each a bit different as I go, and I think I'm almost there. If my notes are good, I may write it up...we shall see. And just for fun, I have 12 tiny babies (4" long dolls) to add to these creations...although there may not be 12 purses made. Lolz...

Maybe I'll add little blankets and pillows, but that remains to be seen. (Who am I kiding? I'm probably going to do that...but I have not done it yet. 😉 )

I am thankful that my grandma left me with this memory, and maybe I'll find a girl (or 12!) to share new memories with, too. Regardless, I'm sure enjoying the nostalgia of this project! 

What are you working on this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope that it is bringing you joy! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit (or Crochet?) in Good Health!

Using yarn leftovers for
a riot of colors!

Potpourri...

Because sometimes a week is full of random, here's a little bit of everything... 

...like rain and puddles...

and boys and Pop Pops!

A desire to knit loopy beads, 

then more loops...

and even more loops (143 at my last count)! 

Could I make another lizard, but smaller? Yes, but they don't make as nice a lizard as the original, crocheted beads (made before the Kansas trip)... They do still look pretty cute in a bowl on the coffee table though,

or on the kitchen counter. (Caution: Not breakfast cereal. Do not eat!)

Finally a few walks around our favorite parks and properties have shown us that the butterfly game is strong this summer!

And the bees are doing ok, too. 😜

Even a very recent funeral at the church reminds me this week that everything comes full circle, and this lady was well loved in her 94 years on this earth. (If you're the praying kind, please keep her hubby of 74 of those years in your prayers. His heart is achy, as is to be expected.)

Yes, it's been a good week, and fall is on it's way. For those of you who might wonder, I have put out some pumpkins, but that's it so far. 

I don't mean to rush it...but kids are in school around here, the days are shorter, and the aroma of autumn is all around. Life is short. I will surround myself with things I love. (Yes, mostly yarn.)

Some of my lovelies are splashy young men, coming to visit for dinner very soon, and others are breakable. I'd better stop here and give the house a run-through to move some things out of reach!

Thanks for stopping by, friends! Surround yourself with what YOU love, in this season and in those to come, and Knit in Good Health!

Not in Kansas Anymore...

As promised, a photo dump, which I have time for. Why? Well, because we're not in Kansas anymore. Insert sad face here, but I had a great time with the girls in "Oz," which was technically spelled W-a-m-e-g-o.

Pop Pop wasn't feeling super "Ozzy," and our son was at work, so it was just the girls for this part... We visited the museum, 

including a ride in the Wizard's beautiful balloon,

seeing the keepsakes and figures, big and small, 

and marveling at the fact that Frank L Baum practically predicted the TikTok trend of today...

then we had a snack at Toto's Tacos

before heading to the yellow brick road! 

All along the way, we stopped to see all the commemorative Toto statues we could see on foot. 

Note: if you want a photo of a Toto, do not position your head in front of Toto!

It was a hot day, and the dogs were tired, as were my walking shoes and socks! 

Later in the visit, the girls and I went school-clothes shopping, 

Alleigh got a more grown-up haircut, with curtain bangs (which I now know are a thing, and not nearly as traumatic as regular bangs),

made beaded bracelets, 

and even sucked Pop Pop into the craftiverse with some suncatcher painting!

We went on walks, with and without the new puppy, 

and I was able to grab photos of the girls to share with their cousins (and you), and

It was a full trip, punctuated by knitting 

Christmas socks on the needles...

and quilting,

and stressful travel at both ends. 

And now we rest and get ready for a new week, missing them but forever grateful for the time we spent together.

Now, I'm gonna take a nap. I've made myself sleepy again, just remembering all the Kansas fun! Many thanks to our son and his beautiful family for loving us, hosting us, and showing us a great time! 

Well, that's Kansas, Part II the photo dump. Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

My favorite Toto,
an old-school bridge pic,
selfy on the way to the airport.

Kansas, Part I

Even if one starts the week with knitting and quiet reflection, 

(Test knit. I'll link on my Rav page when I can.) 

 
One can't always foresee a change of direction. 

(Flying from CLE to Granddaughter Central.)

JK, we knew there was travel, but nearly missed our connection! 

("Kansas, she said, is the name of her star...")

Still, travel knitting adds to my handknit sock collection! 

And now we can say that we have visited these lovelies in their new home...

...and their parents...and their new puppy!

It's been a whirlwind (IYKYK) and we are having fun, but there's not a lot of time for blogging. Luckily, there are quiet morning moments for knitting, and since Andi asked for a knitting refresher, I have set her up with some practice...

By the way, the kids are doing ".5 photos" now, and I'm conflicted. These photos are great to show a whole room...

But not super-flattering to the nose and forehead! Oh, Alleigh-girl!

Hahahahaha 🤣 🤣 🤣! 

I hope you're having fun in these last throes of summer. These girls go back to school next Friday (!), and I hope they don't grow too much before we see them in person again! Be watching for a photo dump next week...I just can't help myself. 

(Sun catchers to paint! All the crafts!)

Until then, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!