April Knitting - 4/26/17

I enjoy knitting in general but the part I like best is learning something new.  Stranded knitting is my latest adventure and this is the second hat I've made.  You can see the first one here.

Knitted with Berroco Ultra Alpoaca

Since the strands of color are carried across the back of the knitting (inside the hat) it nearly doubles the thickness of the knitted object. It makes for a very warm hat. It will be a gift for someone in snow country.

I have quite a bit of yarn left over from the two hats.  I may attempt a pair of mittens.  That would be another first for me.

Any knitters out there doing this kind of work?

t stands for Tuesday - 4/25/17

Good Morning friends.  I am indeed drinking coffee but I must admit I don't look quite as classy as this dame.  My cup isn't that pretty either. 

I'm in the right spirit though.  I'm thinking "Paris".  My 14 yo GGD is redoing her bedroom and she wants a Paris theme.  I said I'd help. So what did I do?  I went thrift shopping.

First I found this which I thought was very pretty.  It is a good size, about 18 inches high. It was $3.

Then I came across this.  Can you believe it?

(click to enlarge)

A large folding screen with a photo of an iconic Paris street scene. It was in mint condition.  I was nearly speechless.  It was just one of those things that was meant to be.  It was $25 - way over my usual thrift store budget - but I knew it would anchor the room and set the theme.  I was so excited and the young decorator was over the moon about it.

Now won't you join me in visiting Elizabeth's blog where all good Tea Tuesday things appear?

Wisteria

It is "on again, off again" with blog posts as I travel back and forth between the Bay (internet access) and the River (no access).

Our wisteria is blossoming, the vine goes over our front gate.  It was a wonderful greeting as we returned home.

Here is a closer look.  This plant always amazes me because DH grew it from a seed pod he found years ago when we were on vacation.  It grew is a pot for quite awhile and then became part of the permanent garden.  It delights me every time it blooms.

I'm off to catch up with my blogger friends.

Neighborhood Walk - 4/12/17

My early morning walks continue.  Rarely do I miss a day.  
Regulars here know I enjoy a little window shopping when I walk the route that takes me to 4th Street.

I like the colors in this display.  The turquoise necklace is similar to one I own.  The cuffs at the top of the photo are fabric with a variety of charms/buttons attached.  DYI project anyone?

There is lots of greenery and some color but our unusually wet year continues.

Some of the sidewalk containers look quite pretty even without blossoms.

Have you taken a walk lately?

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 4/11/17

This Tuesday finds me back by the Bay.  It seems like I've been on the go for a few weeks now.  Perhaps I need to pick a spot and settle down.

I managed to visit a couple of thrift shops between running errands. The River House is basically furnished so my thrift shop visits have slowed considerably.  At one shop I spotted this teapot which fits in with my colorful mismatched china so well.  I didn't have a teapot there. Perfect condition - $3.50.  Sold!

I vaguely associated the name Debbie Mumm with decorative china or maybe interior decor.  I looked her items up online and while I didn't find this exact teapot I did find lots of colorful pieces of china.  Anyone collect Debbie Mumm china? 

Do you use a teapot or do you make your tea one cup at a time? We use a teapot quite often as we generally use loose tea not tea bags. 

Please take your drink of choice and join me in visiting Elizabeth's blog.  She hosts Tea Stands for Tuesday every week and newcomers are always welcome.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 4/4/17

Good Morning friends.  This Tuesday finds me at the river house.  I will be asking Elizabeth to link me up.  Be sure to visit her to see what everyone is doing this week.

I had a big cup of coffee and a cannoli to get ready for the road trip.  

I was quite excited to get to the river.  Once a year they test the draw bridge adjacent to our property.  Our house is behind those trees in the center of the picture (against the left portion of the bridge).  This is our first year at the property so we were all waiting for this event.

If you want to see the bridge in action here's a video.

https://www.facebook.com/dailydemocrat/videos/10154443713400905/

The bridge was built in 1933.  Back then there was a lot of shipping along this part of the river.  That is no longer the case but the bridge still works.

That's the excitement here.  What is happening at your place?

Second on the Second - 4/2/17

Each month I Elizabeth at Altered Book Lover invites us to go back through our old posts and bring one back for a second look.  

I think it is time to get out my stamp carving supplies.  I imagine I will need to restock my stamp pads if I want to use any of the stamps though.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013

Stamp carving - Round flower

Here is my latest effort in stamp carving. This time I was aiming for a stylized flower. 

The stamp is fairly large, I didn't measure it so I can't tell you exactly how large.  I created this stamp to use in a particular project I am working on but meanwhile I tried it out on a couple of cards.

4"x 5 1/2" cards

The stamp seemed too large to look right centered on the card so offset the image.  I think it is more interesting that way and leaves a bit of room if I happen to want to write a message on the front of the card.

None of the stamps I have carved are mounted on blocks.  That makes getting a clear, precise image difficult I think.  That and the fact that some stamps, like this one, are larger than the stamp pads I own.  I end up having to sort of dab the ink pad around on the stamp.   Any stampers have suggestions?

At this rate I am going to have lots of cards for my Postal Project (mail something every week).