baby basics

Two flannel blankets and one little knit hat for the precious newborn grandson.
Just practical stuff, but usually the stuff you need and use the most!

This blanket I bought with the holes punched for crocheting from The Fabric Mill in Provo, Utah.  I'm so happy I didn't cut into the stitches when I snipped the final thread like I did with the last one I made.  Ouch!

This blanket's edge is non-flannel.  Next time I will square the corners since I hate cutting fabric on the bias (didn't) but also hate fighting the curve when its not a bias cut (did).
All items have been shipped and are hanging out with baby.
I sure wish I were!

doggie days

Last Friday I left town for Utah to visit two of my children and someone who's been my dearest friend for 30+ years.
Sadly, I didn't have any hand work to take with me.  But then I was driving, so it wasn't a problem...until the evening came.  At that point, I really wanted something to busy my hands.  Fortunately, right next door to the restaurant where we were eating on Saturday night, I spied a beautiful sight - a business with the title The Fabric Mill.  And even more glorious was the neon sign in the window shining that great word of happiness, "OPEN".

Inside I found just what I needed - hemstitched flannel blankets, crochet cotton, crochet edging patterns, and hooks!  And so here's what I bought and did...

I love the story of the Poky Little Puppy.  During storytime in kindergarten, when it was my day to choose, I ALWAYS chose this book and thrilled at the chance to turn the pages when the record played it's signaling "ding".  In spite of his naughtiness, how could you not love that little face?

Each kit came with a blanket and burp cloth.  I only crocheted the blanket, but here's a look at the burp cloth so that you can see the hemstitching holes.

I bought pattern Packet #2 of four.  It was so hard to choose just one!

 And here's what I will be working on next....

Soon I will post the Christmas quilt I'll be making for my daughter.  Today I begin cutting out the pieces that American Quilting in Orem so kindly sold to me.  Another lovely Utah find.

Natalie's Afghan

My daughter, Natalie, is off to college to spend another long winter in Logan, Utah. I had already started an afghan for her brothers similar to this one but decided to put theirs on hold and get going on one for her. She can always use another layer during those times when the temperatures are below freezing, and hopefully the warmth of my love for her that is in each stitch will be an added bonus! ♥

Boys' Afghan

Now I'm not quite sure just how four boys are going to share this afghan (sign-up chart?), but it's what I decided to make with some leftover yarn that I had stashed away. Of course, I will have to supplement the project with more skeins to have enough to finish it; but at least I got a good start!



The idea for color combining and sequencing is found in the book Vanna's Choice, Color it Beautiful Afghans.

Blankets....All Sorts

Square crib blanket knit from Cotton Tots by Bernat. This yarn is 100% cotton and very soft to the touch (unlike the coarser Sugar 'n Cream by Lily used for dishcloths). The pattern is started at the center and worked outward. It is modified slightly from the Crochet Baby Granny Square Afghan pattern by Vanna White .



Play mat blanket knit on the diagonal with bulky yarn. This pattern is started in the corner (3-5 st) with a stitch added on each row until you get to the half-way mark. Then a stitch is decreased on each row until you get to the number of stitches you began with. Autopilot pattern!


Stroller Blankets knit with Cotton Ease. A great yarn weight and fiber (50% cotton, 50% acrylic) for baby blankets - dense but lightweight. Easy care, too! Both patterns are from Designer Sport Baby (booklet) by Candi Jensen.

Current Charity Projects

I feel that it is important to use the abilities that God has given me to bless others. I only write this post to give those with the same opportunity an idea or two. There is great joy being in the service of your fellow men, just as the scriptures promise.

These are a sampling of some of my crocheted caps for preemies. It is a simple pattern and easy to work up anywhere! There is a free pattern at Lion Brand Yarn website linked here: preemie cap.

The design of these dolls came about by merging a couple of doll patterns that I had seen and are easily assembly-line produced. They are made from all or part flannel and are so soft and cuddly. Originally I was going to send them to to my church's humanitarian organization, but they weren't needed. Instead I will take them to a shop on my local military base who's proceeds benefit our dear Marine families.

This is a bundle of 4 flannel blankets to be sewn and donated to the hospital on Camp Pendleton. Although I do not belong to the Fallbrook Quilt Guild, they were kind enough to supply me with the materials and give me the opportunity to again help our Marine families. This is a project I must finish soon as there is a deadline!