Scavenger Hunt @ Made With Love

It's been awhile since I took part in this fun scavenger hunt.  It's hosted by Greenthumb over at Made With Love.  If you have a chance, please stop over to Made With Love and meet some new friends.  I enjoyed putting this collage of photos together.

Walk...here's a photo of a fruit seller walking his horse and cart down a street in Istanbul.  I was surprised to see this out of my bedroom window as I hadn't seen this horse drawn cart except during my travels in Egypt.

Horizontal...here's the big fish my little grandson caught at our local lake.  He was so excited that day and in fact he caught two large fish.

Square...a photo of my easy tomato tart using puff pastry. I took a square of puff pastry, added some sliced tomatos, sprinkled with salt and pepper and crumbled goat cheese on top. I baked it in a 400 F degree oven until pastry was puffed and golden.  It's a simple dinner or lunch entree.

Diversity...a large selection of spices at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.  This was my first time visiting the Grand Bazaar as last year in Istanbul I visted the Spice Bazaar.  The Grand Bazaar is grand in all ways.  It was a most enjoyable afternoon.

Rough...the imposing rock wall at our property (do you spy the little cat?)  It's a huge rock retaining wall that has beautiful bouganvilla plants growing on it. 

Bow...My new little granddaughter's outfit with all the bows.  She came home in this outfit and was so tiny compared to this dress.

Joy...my little grandson as Spiderman..grandma's joy! We visited with him one afternoon and he quietly disappeared upstairs. He came down wearing this costume.  It was 90+ degree outside that day.  He loves Spiderman and Transformers.

Forgotten...a doorway from long ago in Turkey.

Crowd...a lovely evening at the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, CA.  We attended this performance for the first time this year and I must say it's probably the most favorite thing I've done in a long time.  This is the common area where the music and art show takes place. But, the actual pagent takes place in an outdoor theatre with the audience sitting under the moon and the stars.  It was an amazing evening.

Colorless...little feet of my grandchildren at the beach.  Last week it was 20+ degrees cooler at the beach.  They didn't stay long but just long enough to enjoy the water and cool off.

Friendly...I can't forget Lilly my sweet cat!  She is my constant companion.  I feel bad for her as she's had to be in the house this week due to the hot temps outside.  I guess as long as she's is fed, she is a happy cat.

Whatever...needlepoint is my new obsession.  Here's a picture of my current needlepoint project.  I hope to make it into a handbag after it's completed.  I completed the pastoral scene and need to block it and find a frame.  I really enjoy this new hobby but I find I need to work on it during the natural daylight hours since the colors fad into one during the evening.

I'd love to hear from you wherever you are.  I hope you have enjoyed this little glimpse into my eclectic life.  Lilly sends you all her best wishes for a wonderful week.

take care,

Pat

Patons Royal Baby Dress

Hello my dear friends.  First I want to thank everyone for your kind comments and advice from my last post regarding old friends.  It helped me a lot.  Wow, it's been a busy week here.  My little granddaughter, Sadie, was born on Monday, August 17th.  She is so precious and we are so excited to have a new member to our family.  I was busy babysitting (mansitting as he likes to say), my six year old grandson.  Grandma is tired after being on duty for these past few days...

The house is empty now as my son left too.  We've had guests these past two weeks as my son's acquaintances spent time with us here.  Guys who like to eat and splash in the pool.  The house is cleaned and is all in order now until next time.

I wanted to share with you the special gift I made for my granddaughter.  It's a pattern I found from Deramores and it's called Patons Royal Baby Dress. 

The yarn called for in this pattern is Patons Fairytale Soft 4ply which is an acrylic yarn.  I purchased this yarn from Wool Warehouse.  I see that right now they don't offer it in white, but it does come in white color.

 

I purchased three skeins of this yarn ...

The pattern was a bit of a challenge for me.  In order to keep track of the stitches, I used some markers to notate the location of the pattern section ...

I was so pleased when I finished the crown design for the front panel...

 

Here is the front view of the dress.  I really like the way the yoke turned out ...

And, here is the back view of the dress.  The pattern called for knitting the button placket and sewing it into place.  I picked up stitches and knitted it directly on the dress ...

This pattern has a fitted yoke but a wide skirt.  I'm hoping that Sadie will wear this as her christening dress.  It was a fun project to make and I learned a lot.  I used a size 3 cable needle.  You can find my Ravelry notes here. 

I'm almost done with my first needlepoint project.  It's been very enjoyable but the backside of the canvas looks so bad.  I've order another needlepoint kit and I'm hoping that what I've learn this time can be put to use and that my next project looks much better.  Do you have any suggestions to help me?  I found out that I should not "knot" any yarn; instead thread it through the existing stitches. 

It's still a bit warm here in southern California.  The news has been saying that we are in for a super el nino this winter (I wish) but who knows.  And, the wild fires in my home state of Washington are horrendous.  I have lots to be thankful for so for sure I can take a little warm weather - nothing to complain about.

Have a wonderful weekend and I wish everyone the very best.

My best wishes,

Pat xx

Please check out the following link parties:

A Tray of Bliss ...

Handmade Monday ... 

The Art of Homemaking Mondays ... 

Keep Calm Craft On ... 

Yarn Along with Ginny ... 

Discovering Needlepoint

Hello my friends.  All is well here at Lilly My Cat.  We are anxiously awaiting the appearance of my new little granddaughter.  She's expected to arrive in about 9 days.  I have finally put down my knitting needles and crochet hook and discovered a new hobby.  Needlepoint!

I was watching on TV a British show called Cash in the Attic. It's a bit like Antiques Roadshow but with a twist.  There was a clip of a lady doing the most beautiful needlepoint on a frame.  I had never seen a needlepoint frame before.  It turned out the canvas she was working on was by a famous designer.  That's when I discovered Ehrman Tapestry. They carry the most beautiful designs but they are a bit pricey.  I needed a beginner's project so I bought just what I needed on Ebay.

Above is a photo of the canvas I am working on.  It's from Germany and I paid $20.00 for the complete kit! My dear friend Nadia, who is an expert in this field, got me started on how to do the stitches.....

Years ago, my dear aunt gave me this tramme needlepoint canvas.  I think it was meant to be a chair cover.  I just kept it in my craft closet but now I'm thinking of making it into a handbag...

Here's a needlepoint canvas and thread that I bought in Egypt back in 1976.  It's quite a popular hobby there but I never had the patience to learn how to do this.  Nadia worked on it but after all these years the cotton yarn has faded.  So, I'm just going to keep it as a keepsake.  It only has a few stitches completed on the leaves...

I've collected needlepoint pictures for years. This Mona Lisa I won at a church auction....

And here's one that I bought at a church bazaar.....

The piece above is probably my most favorite.  It's from Egypt and was hand made.  I purchased it at the Hanging Church in Old Cairo probably over 20 years ago....

My grandparents were from Denmark and this was a popular hobby there years ago.  My grandma gave me this dog and flower needlepoint.  I had them framed in Egypt many years ago....

 

 When I was in Denmark back in 2004 I purchased this piece from a thrift shop.  It's professionally framed.  It seems as though no one wants these types of art anymore since they are old fashioned...

 

 Lastly, here are two needlepoint pillows from Denmark that I received from my family members there.  I cherish them since they are from the family.....

There's not a lot of info out there in regard to doing needlepoint.  I didn't watch videos since I don't have the patience; I prefer to see the pictures and/or read about how to do something.  If you have any pointers for me, please let me know.  But, I find this hobby so relaxing (no counting which I kind of miss) and it's like seeing a puzzle come together when you make each stitch that fits in it's place.  I think I'm addicted to needlepoint!

Before I sign off, I'd like your opinion on something.  Have you ever met old acquaintances and they don't care to have anything to do with you?  Here's what happened.....Years ago when my son was in the Midwest going to the University he got a job at Starbucks.  It turned out that the manager was related to my family (her mother was my cousin).  Small world....anyway, there was no rapport at all with the manager in regard to being in the same family.  When I say family, my own dear Mother took care of this manager when she was young.  I found this very odd. 

Fast forward a few years and I recently heard from a friend I knew from high school.  I had sent a text message to her and she answered.  Our families knew each from the small town we grew up in.  I had lost track these past few years so I thought I would say "hello".  I was looking forward to catching up on our lives since we were both empty nesters, grandmas, etc.  But, it went flat...nothing.  She said she would call but I know she will never call me. 

Is there something wrong with me or is it just the norm in this day and age?  It doesn't bother me but it puzzles me.  The ironic thing is that both of these people where in my wedding party 40 years ago!  Isn't that funny?  Maybe I wouldn't have anything in common with them but I feel I'm a good listener and would be polite to respond to them.  Anyway, I'm thankful for the close family and dear friends I do have.

I wish you a wonderful week.  Please say hello if you have the time.

My best to you,

Pat

Linking to the following parties:

Handmade Monday..... 

The Art of Homemaking Mondays..... 

Tuesday Afternoons..... 

Keep Calm Craft On.......