Study Blanket Squares Update - 33 out of 192

 Here we are! 33 squares done and attached to each other just a bit bigger than a rug or baby blanket. We aren't  stopping there though folks! :) As the post title reads - this is just part of the beginning. At least 192 in total will be created and stitched together before I go to town on the edging... of which I'm looking forward to! :) I have a book with 150 crochet edges to choose from so it will be fun browsing the options when the time comes! :) 

Study Blanket in Sunburst Flower Granny Square Motif 33 of 192 connected! 

Study Blanket in Sunburst Flower Granny Square Motif 33 of 192 connected! 

 Because I found I really enjoy working with the green on 2nd round I've been working on the first level of brown and have a total of 81 done (what's on the blanket is included). Below you are looking at 48 brown circles :D. I'd say my favorite part of the whole blanket is the green because there isn't a whole lot of it - but there's just enough that it pops and makes the colors dance!

48 brown squares! :) Only 111 more to go! ;)

 I'm hoping to shell out a bunch more brown circles tonight but wanted to share the progress since it's been a lil while since I've given a status on this project.

 I have a custom order for a friend I need to tackle this weekend too - a custom carabiner :) similar to one I've done before but with a different embroidered symbol.

I hope you're having a good week! Any projects brewing in your neck of the woods?

As always thank you for reading! :) ♥ Dawn

Taking Care of Yourself

...can be hard to do!

Doctor and Doll by Norman Rockwell

I came down with the flu over Christmas for the first time in 6 years, needless to say after I got better I was so thankful for my health. Getting well brought new appreciation for the adage, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything." My older sister would tell you anytime I was sick growing up I fought it to the end! She would tell me I was sick and I'd tell her I wasn't. I hated feeling sick, not being able to move with ease and of course due to this denial I often would throw up in places that were not the toilet. :/ lol I will tell you the first time I did throw up in the toilet when I was sick I went upstairs and found my older sister, shared my joy with her having made it to the bathroom in time.. of course as I told her she rightfully kept backing away the closer I got to her not wanting to get sick herself :) LOL ah memories.

This past winters flu I fought too but was quickly knocked out and bed ridden... if I wasn't in the bathroom I was in bed. A few times I'd get up from sleeping, feel a bit better and try to see what the hubs or my younger sister were doing in the house.. I didn't last long... and ended up in the bathroom again... oye.. vey..

Once in full recovery I decided to really "own" being healthy - I started getting up early in the morning and doing the Insanity workout. I was doing pretty well, started the 1st week of level two and then found out my grandpa passed away and I was headed to Iowa. The flights were long and anyones body gets stiff after sitting for a while. I did well to stretch between layovers too. However, I slept on the couch the first night visiting Iowa which was not a good idea... my right knee and hip flared up to the point I couldn't bend without pain until about a week later. I also stopped working out in the mornings to give it a break. Heck if it got bothered from being laid on wrong, it should work itself out right?

:( It's been about 3 weeks now and I'm looking into chiropractors, my knee is making noises as I go to bend it and my ankle is also starting to hurt. I'm so so hopeful I will find a decent, knowledgable doctor in NOVA (Northern Virginia) but admit that I'm very apprehensive about going because of prior experiences out here. The customer service quite frankly sucks. The doctors are rude and are pushing a money agenda (you need many appointments) or seem to find solace in berating people. I'll spare you the stories but I have a bad, somewhat distrusting taste in my mouth from them :p. And I hate being upset so if I don't have to go I won't lol.

Push is definitely coming to shove though... so I'm praying for a good chiropractor who can fix the right side of my body - I'm all out of whack right now and yup... it hurts. :)

I hope you are having a good day and that I'll have a good report before long. Pray for me!? ;)

And take care of yourself! ;)

Newest Center Piece For Our Table!

Something about the  way a sphere looks is so pleasing to me. :) When we were looking at houses years ago I remember seeing a rubberband ball in one of the downstairs bedrooms and thought (even that) was pretty cool! I've seen a few pretty temari balls on Etsy in the past as well and appreciated how they are each a wonderful work of art!

Before Christmas I picked up a bunch of kitchen items from a freecycler. In the mix of items was this amazing aluminum (?) colander. The colander has holes that make up stars adorning the sides, they arent' perfectly placed either adding to its charm! I decided I wasn't going to use it for its original purpose because its so ornate, lets put it on the table! :) 

A few months after receiving the colander I was browsing etsy and stumbled across a shop called BinkyLoveCat that has a wonderful mix of items, home decor, vintage items, knits, etc. Well nestled in her shop I spotted two wooden balls with stud decorating and HAD to have them :). It was such a pleasure working with Liz and I was elated to receive the balls! :) I plan to add a few more treasures as I find them but wanted to share what I have so far! :) 

This is currently our table center piece! I hope you like it! :)