Shells and Picots; Toddler's Poncho

Shells & Picots - Size 18-24 months

Found this crochet booklet on the clearance rack at JoAnn's for only $1.97. These designs are darned cute, so I thought I'd test one out. The little Shells and Picots poncho (pictured) hardly took any time at all to crochet. It's an uncomplicated design, but the yarn I pulled from my bag is just a bit scratchy because of the sparkly thread that runs throughout the yarn. I would use a softer yarn next time, something with a more comfortable feel against the skin. We'll see if the girlies like capes and ponchos and then go from there.  I plan to add a tie string at the neck, with little pompom ends.







Merry Christmas, Chloe!

Chloe in her apron!

Here's Chloe in her Christmas apron.  Those cookies look yummy, Chloe!

Frosty morning at the Casita...

Spicy oregano, green onion and garlic,
with Johnny Jump Ups for a spot of color
 

Rose geranium

Hey!...isn't this that end of the Mayan calendar date, when all things were speculated to end? Apparently not; so far so good, thanks be to God.  8 a.m. at the Casita; I woke up to clear blue skies and oh so cold temperatures outside.  Here are two closeups from the back garden area, which I snapped early this morning.  Outside, the leaves are frosty everywhere. The sun has not hit this area of the garden yet, but it's coming.  I'm hoping there will not be too much frost damage.   Lucky me, my little herb garden is a small area.  Protecting these tender plants from freezing cold night temps should be a manageable project.  We've lived in snow country before, in the Sierra Mountains, at above 5,000 ft.  A little frosty freeze from time to time in Temecula is tolerable here at the Casita, a place where it's normally sunny and warm.  But my poor tender plants; oh how they suffer...brrrr!



Little Christmas Aprons...

Simplicity 2699; Size 3 and Size 1/2 pictured.  View the back of the l'il apron on the right at www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com. It's pretty darn cute.
 



2012 commentary

I wrote the following excerpt at the end of 2009, and here it is now the end of 2012 with a New Year looming ahead.  With recent events that have unfolded, tragically affecting the lives of innocents and horrified bystanders, that certain sadness noted in 2009 prevails once again.  The best I hope to do is to continue to move forward toward the Light, casting aside darkness at every turn.  Compassion, positive interaction, forgiveness, love, prayer; this simple artist sends these thoughts into the Universe to help in the healing, for every one of us makes a difference.

 "There's a certain sadness that weighs heavily upon my heart, especially as I ponder the state of Planet Earth and humanity as a whole as we move forward into the New Year. In 2010 I will be working on numerous arts projects. I am just a simple artist who hopes to make a small difference through creative expression and positive interaction. So much to do, so little time."

Kwik Sew Vest 3705

Kwik Sew #3705 - inside detail

I have a new vest, just finished, which I posted on www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com.  Yipee!  It's done!