Crocheting Workbasket

On Saturday evening, on my bed, an afghan flung over my shoulders, I crocheted a little jellyfish. Although I didn't have the exact yarn the pattern suggested, and a smaller hook, I had succeeded in getting ravishing results! The pattern was from a library book, and you know how all those examples are perfect and so when I compared with the picture I was a tiny bit disappointed my one was not as perfect. But what is?

It was fun and who cares if it wasn't exactly like the photo. My goodness but inspiration really gets me!

This April while in California, I had taken up my crochet hook and had come up with a hedgehog, "Hedgie". I wasn't following a pattern, just enjoying myself while a worked, and see? I wish I had written the pattern down for it really does make a very chic impression to my showcase, along with my earlier crocheted apple. I think Crochet is just about the best handiwork you could ever really master! Its is relaxing, not like sewing or embroidery where you have to watch each stitch to make sure your right. With crochet you can experiment, and get enraptured in such a lovely and beautiful creation that perhaps only you could have made. I wish you all the best in the happy world of creativity and imagination! Avi P.S. This is, my awesome followers, my hundredth post! I thank you all for such loyalty in reading such things as this. Love to you all!

Paper Dolls For Hetty

After reading Betsy-Tacy over again for like the hundredth time, I came across the chapter in which Betsy and Tacy play paper dolls. Well, after collecting some paper doll books, cutting things out, and coloring, I had come up with a good- sized folder full of my findings. And after looking over them, me and Hetty found that some of them weren't at all satisfactory. Some were dreadfully ripped, and cut way to close to the head so that they were bald. (They were from a 7-year-old's handling, so I am not surprised.) We had to do something. Last Christmas, Dad had downloaded a few pages of cute 1930 style paper dolls. WE have many girl cousins that would really appreciate a little christmas gift that would last them some hours of enjoyment, at least. We still have the folder saved and so after printing them out, Hetty is now coloring them. I like this idea better than cutting clippings from magazines since you can make the clothes any colors you like. But even better is drawing them yourself. That way you can make their expressions, and design their clothes to satisfaction. Above is a surviving doll from when I was 7. She is supposed to be dear Ma Ingalls in the Little House books, By Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Here is a cutout from a Dover magazine cover. Its really nice, isn't it?

Esther is still finishing her paper dolls. We shall glue it to card stock, let it dry, and then dress her up. She's really cute. Avi P.S. I'm sure you'll have your own ideas! Share some!

on the shelf

This is going to be one of my chatty posts, I am thinking of doing one really chatty post a month, and maybe a few in between. We have been pretty busy this week and the last preparing for Eph's 1st Communion which was on Mother's Day which made it special.(Speaking of, Happy Mother's Day! I should have said it sooner!) Last Thursday we went to Creative Studio For Children© in the Salem area. It was awesome! It was rainy last Thursday, and we were grateful to be inside in a cheery heated place. You first come into a comfortable waiting room, then there is a children's area with easels, salad spinners, a sand box filled with birdseed, board books, and that kind of thing. On the left there is a larger room with long tables for older kids where the drawing and painting is usually done. There is a washroom, and a tiny little refreshment counter with a coffeemaker and a basket of Swiss Maid© cocoa packs. The lady who is the owner, is the assistant as well and the only employee! The salad spinners, are used for spin art. You put a paper plate inside, cover it with dashes of watered down paint, and spin it! It creates a wonderful effect and I made a name banner using five little plates to spell my name, and stringing them together with craft yarn. I have made a caterpillar out of them too, stapling the plates together, gluing on pompoms, and paper antennas(which I really should have used instead with pipe cleaners.)I spelled Abe's name on it to make another banner, used goggly eyes as well, and it looked really cute and nice. I decorated a clothespin with green feathers and cut-out dragon flies. I made a birdhouse out of those chinese restaurant boxes, and used popsicle sticks to make a roof. I painted a canvas, making a Japanese garden and glueing on some beads to have the sparkling and fun effect, I drew a continuous line drawing of myself which made me think that I had Picaso's secret to his disturbing and strange paintings, I made a postcard with paints and beads, and a collage. The rain was still pounding on the roof, but we were cozy and creative so it didn't matter anymore. Clem experimented with origami, I twisted pipe cleaners to make a horribly lop-sided flower. Abe spattered paint everywhere, and birdseed, getting into his naughty spirit again! It was so much fun, and it was one of he first times when I knew I didn't have to hurry, I could let my inspiration go wild! I loved every bit of it! I am going to wish Grandpa W., Mum, Aunt C., myself, and all the others a very Happy, Blessed, Funny, Memorable, Creative, Awesome, Hair-Raising, and Lovely Birthday! Many Happy returns to you all! Love, Avi P.S. Please pray for me on my birthday, May 15th. (I am going to redo my profile then as well so stay tuned!)