What to give-what to give?

I love giving. This is something my hubby knew well, when he met me. He understood it even better, when we married too. It's always part of the budget, crafting and gifting. Trust me, the eyes start rolling in July, when I start talking about Christmas. 

Is it just me? I didn't think so?

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my faves today about great ideas to give those who are housebound or in a nursing home.  Things to think about when giving a gift; what would they like? what do they need? what is a luxury? In the end, what would brighten someone's day or bring them a lasting smile?  Being remembered by someone unexpected is always a good feeling.

I love fingerless gloves which can help keep the person toasty, or a fleece wrap.
Although I think anyone of any age would love these!

Pattern Found here on Etsy

Easy Crochet Fleece

Other ideas include,

treats and fresh fruit which are always nice, a small planter or indoor garden, photos and cards. 

Warm socks, warm packs, and warm hugs. 

Anything bird-watching-related is also popular. And why wouldn't it be, they are so fun to watch! 

A great gift can be  bird feeders or as simple as a bottle of birdseed with a bow on it.

I think making a simple birdseed ornaments, with no cleanup to be a great gift.

It's fun to do with the kids and so pretty.

Below are my two favorites!

Go check out 

Salt Water Kids for a great tutorial.

or

Henry Happened

For some more fun ideas, this is what I found and pinned on Pinterest. I made a board of them.
I absolutely love some of the things I found.

Fun things in the holidays would include, decorating for someone, whether the porch or a window, use clings, lights, a wreath, anything to make it beautiful.  Remember if you decorate for someone who is homebound or elderly, please, please, please remember to set a time to go back and take it down for them. They should not be getting up on anything to take something down, or worried about it. What would be the point of the gift if it caused more worry. Another thought, singing to them, the old wonderful treat of carolers, it's fun and inexpensive and a beautiful way to connect.

Having listed all these things, let me add the all time best thing!

All time best thing to offer is TIME. 

There is nothing like time together, whether it's sharing a pot of tea, watching a show together, making small talk, playing cards, or even better, helping them reminisce about the beautiful moments.  I have found that any amount of time offered including a hug, holding hands and a smile is appreciated more than anything else.

So, go get out there
and
Share the Day!

Sharing with these lovely parties.

French Country Cottage

    Chic on a Shoestring Decorating,

Jennifer Rizzo

All Things Pretty,

Coastal Charm

Lovely Crafty Home
I Should be Mopping the Floor

The Dedicated House

To Infinity and Beyond

Well, thankfully, I guess March is like a Lion and a Lamb.

I was able to finish the Infinity Scarves in time for Valentines. 

But, do you think I actually got them to the post office?

It was during that super busy time recently.

The colors of this scarf actually was really hard to capture, different rich shades of red.

A soft seed stitch creme cowl.

Very luxe.

So glad I can finally share these, 

as I really wanted the recipients,

to be the first to see them.

And how lucky we still needed them?

They were received in time for the last big blizzard and guess what?

They loved them!

So happy.

Share the Day!

Fleece Crochet

Ok, I love fleece , the way it feels, it brings back a child comfort.

Making fleece blankets is so easy, esp. for kids.

We've made scarves, blankets, shawls this winter.

So sometimes we knot, above we knotted it short on one side, to make it look like a bow tie.

Sometimes we weave it, it's like crocheting it.

This here is the other side of shawl.

I learned it here, Lynn you are a genius!

And sometimes I fringe it.

Definitely easy.

Chunky fringe, thin long fringe, depends?

For a family picture this past Christmas, 

I made green scarves for the guys and the patterned one for the girls in the tribe.

Not perfect, but didn't Voltaire say, "Perfect is the enemy of the good."

There's no Nirvana fallacy in this house.

Lots of fun!

I think I'm going to get some Valentine fleece, who couldn't use a heart scarf?

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Not just Purses.

You might remember I recently finished a little project for two important somebodies.  

I'm currently working on a few more for a couple more somebodies special. 

Christmas is coming after all.

I thought I would share with you how to make the sweet little squares,

 to me they look like little byzantine crosses.

It's an old pattern. 

Handed down from our Mom.

So, it is very dear to me and one of my faves.

Love you Mom.

*****

You start with a chain of 6 or 8 (depending on how big your want the center to be)

and join it into a ring.

Chain 4, then triple crochet into the ring.

Repeat three more times.

Chain 5 then start triple crochet , 

join with slip stitch to center and repeat.

When completed fourth set of four triples, 

join last with another slip stitch to the first and then fasten off.

*****

I decided to make more so that my amazing cousin,

 could have something to match her girls.

So I blocked a scarf.

Then stitched them together.

Then added a simple border of single crochet.

I loved the result, mistakes and all.

 I hope she does too!

Here they all are together.

What do you think?

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Happy Completion

What a great feeling when you have been making something and finally finish it!  Not in the way that it feels like it a chore, this doesn't.  When taking care of chores and even work outside the home, it can feel a bit monotonous.  Not to mention, sometimes you can clean something and moments later it's like you never touched it! The wonder of children.  It's a shared joy every mother can appreciate.  I actually don't look forward to the day when everything stays neat.

Anyway, with knitting and crochet, even if I only get a chance to add one line a day, it eventually will be done. It's that wonderful feeling of completion.  I started knitting and crochet for that exact feeling, the feeling of completion, I was hooked! (excuse the pun)

Back to the purses. Yeh, they are done!

You can see that I stitched in a little liner.

Next time I would add a little batting to stabilize it a bit more.

I have wanted to give these to my sweet little nieces for so long.

You might remember some of the progress here.

I'm so excited to have sent these to them!

They are shoulder bags for the early grade school crowd (size-wise).

Share the Day.

Striped Crochet Baby Blanket

This is a past project completed.

For some reason, 

I presently have two baby blankets for friends and family that are in the works, 

and I'm not sure why, but boy are they moving so slow.

The patterns are not difficult, you will recognize this from the project started this summer.

Yes, I did say this summer! 

The one below was a simple single crochet and changing yarn every few rows to create the pattern.

It was really soft and had such a nice weight to it, depends on the kid, but some like that.

I know that they even quilt blankets with weights in them.

I really need to learn to sew.

Share the Day!

I'm working on...

I'm working on these sweet crochet and knitted purses, can't wait to show you them all finished!

New Crochet Project

New Project, on the crochet needle, hook.
I've taught myself how to knit, now simple crochet and soon sewing.
Knitting, Crochet and Sewing, Oh My!