Saturday, July 5, 2014

Sue's shawl pattern and a little giveaway from Vicki

Thank you all so much for your wonderful Birthday wishes, each and every comment meant so much to me.  So how is your weekend going?  Mine feels slow and a bit dragged out, both my older boys are away, so my house seems so quiet.  I am used to Mr. 20 being away, but when my teenager goes to I almost can't stand it.  We have been home just doing this and that, nothing major or all that important.  

One thing I just have to share with you is my friend Sue of Mr Micaber's Recipe for Happiness has published two amazing patterns in the current issue of Love of Crochet.

  
Sue is an amazing designer, gosh I wish I had an ounce of her talent.  She designed this gorgeous shawl, The Olive Twist Shawl, it is brilliantly constructed.  


I am a firm believer of being honest, it took me a bit to get this one going.  Actually I am also a bit daft as I crocheted the shawl up and it looked like a piece of pizza, I forgot to do the increases on the odd rows after row seven, oops! I frogged the whole darn thing on my birthday, wow,  Happy Birthday to me and got started again.  Reading patterns (or directions for that matter) has never been my strong point, especially crochet patterns that is.  So my suggestion is to pay close attention to the middle (corner) and put a slit ring there to remind yourself where you need to increase just like Sue suggests, see she really knows what she is talking about.

I am just amazed by those of you out there who can design something so fabulous, or frankly design anything at all.  Based on my 20 or so starts on this shawl I can not even follow a pattern.  This shawl will be worth all the false starts because the twisted stitch is a beauty.  You can find more about this pattern on Sue's blog here, she also has another pattern in this very same issue called the Honeydew Scarf, it is also stunning.  Great job Sue.  Be sure to visit Sue on her blog and congratulate her for her beautiful designs.  Sue is also biking to raise money for MS, she is a lovely, lovey person, go and check her out.


I also received this little surprise in the mail this week, a giveaway from Vick at 2 Bags Full.  It arrived earlier this week but I waited until today to open it.  I have been a bit frazzled this week with some parental stuff, I just wanted to wait until I was calm and ready to see the beautiful items inside.


Vicki is the famed Grow Your Blog genius, she is so wonderful and caring making nests and  raising money for Breast Cancer research.  She also collects pink scarves for the very same reason, she is giving, loving and lets us travel with her on amazing vacations.   Vicki's friend Marsha hand painted these nest tags, aren't they gorgeous?  So thank you Vicki and Marsha for your wonderful giveaway.


On the home front besides making my shawl and knitting two pink sweaters, I have started a table runner for my two SIL's on my loom.  They have just returned from Africa, a trip to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, those two are amazing.  I wanted to send them positive thoughts while they were gone, so I started this table runner made from Berroco Boboli Lace yarn.  They like more jewel tones so I thought it would look good on their oak table.

So that is where I am at today, a bit of this and that.

I have to get my house ready as we are having friends over for dinner to celebrate my husband's birthday today.  He turns 60!  He is an amazing man, ready to take on a 3 year old at this stage of his life, I think he gets all of that from his Mom.  Thankfully I am not cooking, he is, which he truly loves to do.  I am just on clean up duty.

Have a great day.

34 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

Happy birthday to your husband. The yarn you are weaving with is a delight the colour is just beautiful, what an amazing table runner.

Teresa Kasner said...

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to your husband! That is so cool that Sue is a published designer. I like the look of both of those shawl/scarves. Your weaving is absolutely eye candy.. those colors speak to me. Have a fun party. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

cockney blonde said...

Happy Birthday to your special hubby. Love the table runner, look forward to seeing it finished, x

Christina said...

Happy Birthday to you and your husband.I just stumbled over your blog and wonder why I haven't found it sooner. I have been reading a few posts and enjoyed them very much. I am mum with two birth children and two adopted children and I am deeply moved by your family's decision to give little buddy a forever home. It is just wonderful. I'll be back. Have a lovely weekend. Christina

kathy b said...

Sues talent is amazing!!!! I Love the shawl/kerchiefs You will succeed.

My you and your husband have nearby birhtdays ! May you have a great meal with fiends and son #3.

I LOVE the tags from Vicki and the bird card most of all.

Joy said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful hubby, Meredith, and I hope the dinner party goes beautifully. I also hope he is not a messy cook …. you could be up all night cleaning up after him!
I follow Sue, and love the work she does - what wonderful talent and energy for the things she does - definitely to be admired.
Your weaving is so beautiful Meredith and your SsIL are sure to be delighted.
Wishing you a relaxing and peaceful week, xoJoy

Judy S. said...

Have a great day/celebration! Two in a row, no less. And I just read that you lived in Oconomowoc! So did my cousin! And I grew up in WI...

Acorn to Oak said...

What a fun post! I love that shawl your friend designed! I'll have to go look for that magazine! I want to make one too! :-) I love the give-away prize you won from Vicki. The bird is cute and those nest cards are adorable! Your table runner is turning out very pretty! Have a great weekend!

Chris said...

Happy Birthday to you both! Meredith you look awesome, can't believe your fifty! I am so amazed at all your creative endeavours, knitting, crocheting sewing, weaving and two young men and a little guy and a job. Whew! Love your blog Chris

Unknown said...

Those shawls are beautiful!!! I bet you will have one made in no time at all.
Your SIL's are going to love the table runner!!! Such pretty colors!
It is so funny to hear you say your oldest two boys are gone away for the weekend. Still not use to you saying 3 boys.
Tell your husband happy birthday from me. I can't imagine taking on a 3 year old at his age!!! He must be an angel! I am almost 59 and know that I would not have the energy.
I hope you had a wonderful get together. It is so nice that you didn't have to do the cooking. But then again the cleanup isn't fun either. But at least you only had to do one.
I hope the rest of the weekend is restful and you can recharge. Hugs, Teresa

Betsy said...

HaPpY bIrThDaY to your Hubby and to you too Meredith! Now I know for sure that you are a most amazingly lovely person and I can only imagine your Hubby must be too, as you say, to be so ready to open his heart and home to such a darling little boy.
Thank you for sharing your friends beautiful designs with us. I've been away from the computer for the past week, playing with Miss Piper and letting all other things go. I'm very far behind in blog reading and that's just fine-some things are just more important!
Blessings,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

Happy, happy birthday to both of you and I hope you have a wonderful day... May your less images be too many to count my dear friend :)

Joyful said...

Happy birthday all around! Enjoy. Hugs xx

CJ said...

Wishing your husband a very happy birthday, I hope you had a lovely evening. The weaving is fantastic, you've cracked it! CJ xx

linda said...

Happy Birthday to your lovely hubby Meredith, I hope t all went well and that you had a lovely evening, how nice to have someone to cook for you. Your weaving is beautiful, I just love those colours, you are so thoughtful and kind to be making those for your two SIL'S they are going to love them. I love Sue's blog she is a very clever lady, good luck with your shawl. :) xxx

Suzan said...

Congratulations on winning the bird from Vickie!! She is an amazing person, knitter, traveler, and her list does go on!! Good luck with your new shawls!

Vicki Boster said...

Happy Birthday dear Meredith:)
Keep celebrating all month- you deserve it!

Your weaving is simply gorgeous. I'd love to learn to do that--- the colors are stunning. I think there is nothing you can't do!

You're so sweet to share the little nest tags:)
Xoxo
Vicki

Gracie Saylor said...

So much to celebrate in this post :). I add my Happy Birthday wishes for your husband to those commentng before me. Xx

Jay said...

Wow another big birthday in your house, have a wonderful day.
I love the table runner, the colours are gorgeous. And lovely giveaway, an extra birthday present for you.

RedSetter said...

How lovely to have both of your birthdays so close together. You are clearly very lovely people, very loving and giving and Little Buddy is one lucky little boy to have you as a family. You are also patient beyond measure as the wool and pattern would be down the back of the sofa by now if it was me.

Have a wonderful party and dual celebration and cheer's to both of you!

Lucie said...

Joyeux anniversaire! I'm so happy to find your blog. I remember some souvenirs about my liitle Olivier (now 25) spina bifida. I'm not fluent in English. I hope your can understand me a little bit.
Bonne chance! Lucie xxx

Jennifer Hays said...

It must be really fun to have your birthdays close together. I hope you had a good day and I hope his is good too. I have been following Sue's blog for awhile but I didn't realize until I actually saw her patterns in a magazine I was flipping through at Jo-Ann's just how famous and talented she is. I was so excited to see that it was her, like hey, she's my bloggy friend!

Jo said...

That looks like 'our' kind of shawl Mere,just let me know how it goes and send me any tips! Jo x

Babajeza said...

Hopefully the party has been a success! Happy birthday to your husband. I've done some mindless shawl crocheting on a train ride. :-)

Linda said...

Well done to Sue on all she has achieved, amazing talent.
What a beautiful surprise from Vick with her giveaway, lucky you :-)

I love pictures of your work in progress with the Loom, the variegated yarn looks wonderful woven and I do love those colours. It's going to look fabulous on oak.

Happy Birthday to your amazing man, enjoy :-)

Amy at love made my home said...

Happy Birthday to your husband!!!! Hope that you had a great time with your friends and that you enjoyed the meal! The colours of your runner are lovely and will I am sure look good on your SIL's table! xx

Rose Red said...

Happy birthday to Mr Meredith! Hope he's a neat cook (not like my husband!). We had a fairly quiet weekend, all of us have been a bit sick (nothing serious, just colds), except the baby (small mercies!).

Lynne said...

Wow! Lots of goodies on this post.
You guys all have birthdays one right after the other.
The Boboli yarn is just perfect for the table runner. Very pretty!

Neighborhood Watch said...

Hello--
I have visited your blog from time to time, but haven't ever posted. I have a son who is 20, and one who is 16. I used to feel this wonderful contentment at night when both boys were home in bed and we were all here accounted for. I am learning to live with MY Mr. 20 being away now, and when his brother is out--I know just what you mean about it being so quiet. I am always super literally with crochet patterns. Little by little I am learning that sometimes you just have to go by intuition--very scary!!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Wow, Mere, thanks for the great shout out. I am blushing! :) Hang in there with the shawl - my sister had the same problem but she said that after Row 5 it all fell into place and now she can watch TV while working on it (the sure sign of a mindless pattern). They really ought to have included a chart on this one, I think....

Happy Birthday to Mr. Mere - and how nice that he did all the cooking for his party.

That Boboli Lace looks like some fun yarn - perfect for a table runner. And those birdsnest tags are stunning. Congrats on winning the giveaway!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Meredith, your weaving projects are very beautiful. A belated Birthday wish to you. The photos of you and Buddie are truly lovely. You look so very content and happy. Smile. A belated birthday wishes to your DH too. I wish you all the very best. Hugs Judy

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Happy birthday to you both :)
Beautiful cours going on there in your loom :)
Jillxo

Carla from The River said...

Happy Birthday. A wonderful post regarding turning 50.
I love the items you won. Thank you for sharing.
Carla

Sue Kosec said...

What a nice surprise!!!!! I took a peek at all the winners (Vicki Boster)and saw my little bird she tied onto your package. Aren't those tags absolutely adorable? Enjoy!
SuZeQ