Show and Tell Friday: A Case for Crochet

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday. To participate, head over to Kelli's House.


A fabric store that is local to us sells sheets and pillowcases by the pound. Some are more expensive than others. It all depends on the thread count. On an outing several months ago, I picked up several interesting pillowcases. Not for the sake of the pillowcases, but because I liked the fabrics, and thought I could transform them.

UFO's or WIP's. No matter what you call them, I have lots! This week, I decided I was going to start AND finish this project that had been formulated in my brain for some time now. I wanted to make a case for my crochet hooks and knitting needles. The pillowcase that I found looked like it had been knitted, but it's just a very high thread count cotton!

I started by ripping out all of the seams to this pillowcase. Then I cut the pillowcase in half. I used fleece to line it, and interfaced some coordinating fabric for the pockets, making it very sturdy.

The case folds in thirds...

I machine quilted a flap that folds over the inside contents, insuring that they won't fall out the top. The quilting makes the flap less bulky so that it will lay flatter.

I made sure there were a few larger compartments for holding scissors, a stitch gauge, and a ring full of stitch markers.

I was unsure of how to hold it all together, but decided to sew these buttons on the cover. They had a similar look to the knitting pattern on the cotton. I then used a silky brown ribbon to wrap around the buttons and tie in a bow.

all opened up...the outside view

...the inside view

I even had time to learn how to make flowers and granny squares. Woo hoo!


I'm really enjoying crochet, but learning from a book is HARD! Autumn's friend let her borrow this book and it really helped with the granny squares. If you're wanting to learn crochet, I'd highly recommend that you start with this book. It's written more clearly than anything else I've seen and has excellent illustrations.

And guess what? I still have another half of the pillowcase. I may make a separate case just for knitting.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Show and Tell Friday

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli. Join in the fun if you feel inclined to do so!

Since Valentine's Day is next week, my daughter Autumn thought I should show you the gift that my husband gave me five years ago. Normally, when he asks me what I want for Valentine's Day, I say, "Kisses and hugs." (Real ones, not Hershey's.) That particular year, I told him I wanted something pink. He did very well at buying me just the right thing!

On Valentine's Day 2003, he came home with this:

When I opened it, I found this:

a beautiful Kunzite ring!

It is indeed pink! BUT, when the light hits it a certain way, it can look very pale lavender, or almost clear. This isn't a ring that I wear everyday, but I cherish it!

You may click on the images to enlarge them.

Show and Tell Friday:Little Bits of Wisdom

I'm an avid reader, but I grew up in a home with few books. We had a set of encyclopedias, dictionaries, and just a few picture books. I still have one of them. This book is near and dear to my heart. It was given to be my grandma, who now lives with me!

I don't think that it was purchased for me, as its copyright is 1967, and I wasn't born until 1970. I do know that Grandma is a big fan of Hallmark, and that's where this book came from.


I remember sitting up against a wall, gazing at the pictures, and reading the short poems and sayings for hours on end until I had them memorized. The pictures transported me to a faraway place, where girls wore dresses, and manners were used.


The sayings in this book have stuck with me for years, and I quote them often to my children.


Of a little take a little, you're kindly welcome, too. Of a little leave a little, 'tis manners so to do.

Patience is a virtue, Virtue is a grace; Both put together make a very pretty face.

What you would seem to be, be really.

He that would live in peace and at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.

I even wrote my name inside the front cover. I'm guessing it was written when I was in second or third grade.

Thanks for stopping by! For more Show and Tell, be sure to visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home.

Show and Tell Friday: Library Book Sale

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday at Kelli's house. This week our library was having the big annual book sale. I spent a whopping $10.25, and brought home several bags full. My treasures included stacks of Victoria and Country Living magazines, books on decorating, soapmaking, gifts to make, a tape series by R.C. Sproul, three little gift books, and three DVDs! Not a bad deal!

Show and Tell Friday: My New Sewing Machine

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home. I'm full of excitement this morning because yesterday afternoon I got a new "toy". I've been polishing my sewing skills for a few years now, and I'm really enjoying it. Except of course for the occasional time when I have to rip out a seam.

I've been sewing on the same machine for 25 years, and I won't turn 37 until the middle of the month. My dad bought me a Kenmore when I took Home Ec in seventh grade. It still runs fine for the most part, but lately I've been noticing little glitches here and there. The Kenmore does 12 stitches if you include the button holes. Nothing fancy.

Recently, my friend Jennifer told my husband that I needed a new machine, unbeknownst to me. He took it to heart, and has been suggesting that I buy a new one ever since. Especially since I opened my Etsy Shop, and I'm selling things. Since Jennifer recently researched all of the models, I took her advice and bought what she suggested. Wow!

I went from 12 stitches to 70! I can machine quilt on the new one, and I couldn't on the old one. The children sat around me last night, and oohed and ahhed over each new stitch.

Even Mac was impressed. I thought it was really a hoot when he asked me if it had a built in CD changer this morning. He had been checking it out and noticed the vent on the side. He supposed it to be a speaker. Teenagers!

Oh, and check out my cute little pin hen.

Thanks for visiting!

Show and Tell Friday: Sisters Shoebox Swap Revealed

Today I'm combining two posts into one. For Show and Tell at Kelli's, I 'd like to show you what I received from my Shoebox Swap partner, Paula.

Thanks to Carrie and Monica for hosting the swap!



It was so much fun to get the email about Paula's interests, and likes and dislikes. From there, I started to read her blog, trying to catch a glimpse into her life so that I might "get to know her" a little better. It looks like she did the same for me as my box was filled with wonderful goodies!

Paula was very generous, especially with her time as many of my gifts were handmade by her.

I received three books: The Gentle Ways of the Beautiful Woman, Splashes of Joy in the Cesspool of Life, and Sweet Smarts for Sweethearts.

Many bath goodies were included: Two lovely crocheted washcloths, homemade rose bath salts, soap roses, and lotion. A wonderful smelling rose scented candle and candle holder to burn while relaxing in the tub make the spa experience complete. The best part is, all of these match my bathroom perfectly!


Paula crocheted me a beautiful white headband, and a dress book marker. She also cross-stitched a Noah's ark for me.


Last but not least, some lavender seeds, and a pretty piece of white chenille. The chenille was wrapped around the bath salts to protect the glass jar, but I consider that a gift too! As someone who sews, I'll be finding a use for it!

Many thanks to Paula for blessing me with your generosity. This was alot of fun. I hope that she enjoyed her box as much as I enjoyed mine!

Show and Tell: Cross-Stitch

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday. To read more, please visit Kelli at There is No Place Like home.

Today, I'd like to show you several cross-stitch items that I have made for my home over the years. This is just a sampling of my work, as I have given much more away than I have kept! We have very few traditional pictures hanging in our home. Most of what is on our walls is handmade.

You may click on any of the images to enlarge them.





This first garden sampler hangs in my laundry room.











I originally made this for my kitchen when we lived in another home. It now hangs in my dining room.








As does this,








And this.












And this!












This sampler hangs in my kitchen.










These make their home in the living room, and look like they need to be straightened!











This picture is a real conversation piece. Everyone loves it. It hangs outside the children's bathroom.






I just made this last year. Verne didn't know what I was working on until I had it framed and hung it. He was tickled that after 17 years, I made a marriage sampler for us. Isn't it funny how a small gesture can touch someone?







I'm thankful that my husband blesses me by praising the work of my hands. He's always thrilled to see me working on things that make our house our home. I've taught both of our girls to cross stitch as well. We also have several pieces from them displayed in our home.

I haven't stitched anything since last year, but I have all of the material for a beautiful large sampler. That's a project for the winter. Thanks for visiting me today!

Show & Tell Friday: An Antique Suitcase

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday. To read more stories, please visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home.



Today I'd like to show you an antique suitcase that was given to me a few years ago. No one is exactly sure who the suitcase belonged to, but they know it was someone in my husband, Verne's, family. Some say it was his Great Grandma Love's. Some say it may have been her mother, Grandma Reynold's. And some think that it may have been his grandmother's sister, Aunt Grace's. No matter whom it belonged to in the past, I am happy to have it today.

We live 500 miles from most of our family.
Two years ago, Verne's mom and Aunt Debbie came for a visit. Debbie was carrying this suitcase, and I was silently envying it. Being an antique lover, I thought of the many possibilities
for it if it were my own.

Debbie saw me looking at it, and later told Verne's mom that she was a little embarrassed because I probably thought she was very strange to be carrying this old suitcase around. Verne's mom said that she thought I was probably just admiring it.



As they went to leave a few days later, I commented to Deb that I loved her suitcase. I had no idea that she had been embarrassed. I asked her where she got it. This is where the confusion about who it belonged to came in.

A few months later, we drove back to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. Debbie walked in carrying the suitcase, and said that it should be mine, since I loved it and she felt awkward carrying it. I was thrilled!

The leather on the outside is a little rough, and is loose in places. The inside has one stain, but it is otherwise in very good condition, and has no odor despite its age.







It is a Samsonite. There are ribbons inside to keep your clothing from shifting, and there is a divider that snaps between the top and the bottom.











I even have the original key for it!













The suitcase is proudly displayed in my living room, on top of the entertainment center. I love the way it looks there. I'm glad to have a piece of history from my husband's family!