The Ball Has Started Rolling

Please keep us in your prayers through the time coming up for us. We are listing our house this week, it's just too much house and too much moolah and stress for us two. The realtor came to look it over this morning, and she's off doing whatever they do to help us sell.

BLESSINGS: The house has given us the opportunity to realize a dream of building something we had always wanted, the opportunity to entertain with room to spare, and the blessings of the best neighbors we've ever had. But the time has come where a stove, shower and bed are all we want to handle OR need. DH has even admitted that caring for the yard and koi pond looked like chores instead of fun this spring. And it's time to take care of us, something we've neglected for a few years, and get back on track with less stress involved. Trying to run the business is enough for both of us. There are days we look in the mirror and ask, "Who is that?" :)

Where will we end up if it sells? Only God can answer that one. But He has always allowed us a roof. Just asking Him for a teenie roof for just the two of us.

Rainy Monday Morning

OK, just to let everyone know we're "still kicking" especially after a phone call last night to see if we were still alive because there was no new blog entries - here's to all of you who read this on this rainy Monday morning.

Weekends like this when Tyler's old friends come to town usually leave me in state of disrepair. One of these years, it hopefully won't get to me as much. But I really love the fact that they call and want to come and see us when they make the trip to our fair city. For crying out loud, we're old, but they still come around, still calling me 'mom'. Listening to them banter around a poker table and laugh (I don't play, just sit and listen) and giving DH the business as Tyler used to is still bittersweet. So good to see them getting married, settling down and growing up.

I finished the white shawl Saturday but haven't blocked it out yet, so no photos at this time. I had DH put it on so I could see the pre-blocked size and I think it's going to be a-okay. :)

Check out Casto Creations blog and watch for her April birthday specials! Some of her give-aways this month will include something from me. She makes such elegant jewelry and her sale this month is incredible - she's celebrating a milestone birthday with celebration!

And then you must check out LilyKathrynDesigns to see her market bags. They are adorable and she'll take special orders! GO GREEN!

Check out where my brother is at here! Three whole weeks in Thailand checking out old friends and traveling. Hopefully he'll keep us all posted as to his adventures.

My Bible-through-the-year reading this morning was great as usual. God always seems to give me something, every time I sit and read.

Proverbs 12:9 - Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process.

Therefore, I shall work! :) And work some more.

A Cutie on Easter

I just had to share this adorable picture of our grand-nephew (is that right?). His dad left us pictures in our e-mail box yesterday and what a treat they were. This little guy is a mini-me of his daddy. What a cutie - even from behind.

And then I had to post the new business cards I get to have done. I'm pretty excited about these. What do you think?

The Shawls are Coming, The Shawls are Coming!

I've started two shawls for gifts, yes, hopefully this year!!!!
This blue one is the pattern picture, I don't have shots yet of what I'm doing. This one is called Blue Jeans Lace Diamond Shawl I found on Ravelry for free. Working it up in a handspun purple and blue hued yarn. It's actually coming out pretty cool.

Then there is this Diamond Lace Shawl I found the pattern for on the Lion Brand site. Doing this out of a discontinued yarn I have a ton of called Moda Dea Tutu in white and is it ever springy and fresh looking. About half way done with it so this gift should hit the right recipient THIS year. :)

I'm kind of liking the shawl deal. They are so pretty and even a little challenging. Like I always say, it keeps me out of trouble and off the street corner! LOL

Tyler's Birthday

Today is Tyler's birthday. He would have been 27 years old. We miss him terribly, but also know that he's in a much better place where there is nothing but joy.

This is one of the photos I keep on my desk at work and thought I'd just share it.

Pay It Forward

What a great idea I found on Jenn's blog - "Pay It Forward"!! If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it along with a large box of Kleenex. Beautiful story. Anyway, here's how this works........

This is "based on the concept of the movie Pay it Forward where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return... just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness continue to pass it along as well. Here’s how it works: I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

I am making that promise! To the first three people who leave a comment requesting to join the exchange on this post, I will make and send a handmade gift. Then email me at: the DOT tyger DOT lily AT hotmail DOT com. Let's keep the PIF going!

A Fancy Scarf

I found a pattern through one of the groups I belong to that struck me as so different and so unique I had to try it. You can't see it real well in the photo but the gray is really a shiny silver yarn with a strand of black mohair along with it. It's a very intriguing design so far, and not difficult at all. The straight edge at the bottom is one long side while the shamrock clusters are the other long edge so when you wear it, you get this great lacy look of shamrocks all arond your neck and shoulders.

Hey, it was spring yesterday and I had to try something new (even though there were tons of other things I should have been doing).

POST EDIT: Pattern can be found here and it's free.

Spring Is In The Air!!! YEAH!

Welcome Spring and HAPPY EASTER to you all! Just a little fun for today 'cause it's spring and it's going to be in the 60's today around here. Wooo HOOOOOOO

The picture above is yours truly celebrating her 2nd Easter. I was born on Easter Sunday and as word has it, the nurses thought I should be named Bunny!!! Thank goodness mom was knocked out enough that it didn't stick. :)

Below is a pic of the wonderful fingerless gloves I received from Marsha for my early birthday gift. Aren't these the BEST? And talk about talent, she's got it. Below is an update on that blue cooshy baby blanket. Tyger loves this one, can you tell?


And those who are local and have a little age under their belts will know what great things came in Miller & Paine boxes - good quality clothing and merchandise. M&P is gone now, but their cinnamon rolls (to die for) are still in existance and sold in local eateries. Do you believe I still have one of their boxes? Tyger was impressed. He's going to hang on to this treasure.But look at the treasures mom stashed in this box that I've shelved for over 20 years. This is the sweater set she made for me as a baby. Now I'm not sure if it was white or not in the beginning, but her knitting workmanship was outstanding. Talk about perfectionism, she was the queen, and yes I am the princess. :)

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!

"Celebrate Me Home"

Tomorrow is the first day of spring! So tonight there needs to be some looking back, being a little retrospective, thoughtful, etc. and ready to go forward into something fresh.

In watching American Idol tonight and after getting a little attached to some of those kids, the exit song really got to me for a few reasons.

Number one is that it was originated back in MY day by the incredible Kenny Loggins (on his debut solo album in 1976) and redone by one of the fewer known Idol winners, Ruben Studdard (who does a remarkable remake of it by the way). Kenny Loggins' music holds many memories for me: I'm Alright (Caddyshack), Footloose, to name a few. Check him out, he may have a few you all recognize, too.

And the lyrics are incredible:

Home for the holidays, I believe I've missed each and every face,
Come on and play my music,
Let's turn on the love light in the place
It's time I found myself,
Totally surrounded in your circles
Whoa, my friends
Please, celebrate me home,
Give me a number,
please, celebrate me home
Play me one more song,
That I'll always remember, and I can recall,
whenever I find myself too all alone,
I can sing me home.
Uneasy highway,
Traveling where the Westerly winds can fly,
Somebody tried to tell me,
But the men forgot to tell me why,
I gotta count on being gone,
Come on woman, come on daddy,
Be what you want from me,
I'm this strong, I'll be weak

Please, celebrate me home,
Give me a number, please, celebrate me home
Play me one more song,
That I'll always remember, I can recall,
whenever I find myself too all alone,
I can make believe I've never gone,
I never know where I belong,
Sing me home.
Please, celebrate me home,
Give me a number, please, celebrate me home
Play me one more song,
Celebrate, celebrate
Celebrate, celebrate
Celebrate, celebrate
Celebrate me home
Please, celebrate me home,
Please, celebrate me home,
Well I'm finally here,
But I'm bound to roam,
Come on celebrate me home
Well I'm finally here,
But I'm bound to roam,
Come on celebrate me home
Well I'm finally here,
But I'm bound to roam,
Come on celebrate me home
Please, celebrate me home....


Just ponder those words for a minute and what does it make you think of? Makes me think of soldiers, long lost children who find their way home, people who just want to belong.... or just the chorus that makes me think of my future home, where those I love are waiting. My parents, my son, two of my grandchildren, and my God.

Tomorrow is spring and that means new beginnings and new growth. And we can't grow and go forward if we don't know where we've been, and who we love.

Life is short - CELEBRATE SOMEONE HOME!!!!! Give them your number. (I know that's not what he means by "number", but I can clean it up in MY version) giggle

Yarn I Won

Quick peek at the yarn I won from the Skein Queen in the UK yesterday. Now comes the hard part - figuring out what pretty thing I can make out of this 300 yds of plushness. It's a blend of 80% lambswool, 10% cashmere, 10% angora. Any ideas???

Long Day, But Good Stuff

Quick update - photos to follow maybe Sunday :)

1. I won a contest through the EtsyKnitters group - free skein of yarn, handmade right from the UK. I never win ANYTHING! Unreal.
2. Sold 2 patterns on Etsy today - still can't believe that one either.
3. Made plans to have DD#2 spend 24 hours at our house with her kids while her hubby is out of town this weekend. We both need a huge break from stress (business) and this is the perfect diversion.
4. The BIG HUNT is tomorrow at our church. It's huge. Usually attracts about 2,000 little egg hunters and the grandkids love it. So we get to enjoy 3 of the grands tomorrow and watch and photo them 'hunting' for eggs. Yep, we get to enjoy the real #1's in our lives, too. Their lovely moms. The oldest grand is getting into her social life and has a party to attend at the same time her age group hunt happens, so she had to make a decision. She's getting so old. I see her mom in her, and it brings tears of joy to my eyes at her little person dedication to friendships and relationships.
5. Had a bride come in for her invites this afternoon and mentioned that "Lily Kathryn Designs" was becoming a hot topic at her medical clinic where she is a nurse. Yep, LKD is our DD#1. Word is spreading, she is getting her name out there. I hope she is ready for the splash she will make in the world with her bags and diaper bags. As usual, please check out the link to the left to see her beautiful work, with MORE to come!

Let Me Just Put It Out There For You

OK, since there is a birthday coming, numbers need to be excluded, here is another something that would be a kick to get. Wouldn't this be great to put on DH's vehicle? LOL I do drive it occasionally, but do you think I'd get by with it for very long? It just COULD be worth the risk.

An Amazing Day

OK, first of all I can't take a picture of the fantastic early birthday present I got in the mail today because....

a.) computer room is off-limits to me because DH has to fix the light switch and he doesn't want me starting a fire. WHA??? I would NEVER do that! (that's where all MY stuff is at) giggle

b.) laptop that I'm on doesn't have my super software loaded yet for the camera (also in the computer room that I'm banned from) because I had to reload Windows and all the software just to get it rolling again. Yes, again, this week. But much better running now.

SO............. you'll all have to wait until tomorrow! But you're in for a treat. I know I was blessed!

Then I got to have an awesome extended lunch with DD#1 and grandson, got to show off my early present (giggle) and got to hear about her networking on the internet to finally get the exact fabrics SHE needs to get her own creations sewn. It was so good to see her inspired, excited and actually anxious to get going on her designs again. Talk about talent! You know that bag I posted earlier that I wanted? Uh-huh! It may really happen!!

So because I'm banned from my computer/stash/craft/knitting/scrapping/sewing room for the evening, I sat here at the laptop after work and looked at the new Knitty release. And OH MY GOODNESS! Talk about beautiful things. Here's one that may just have to be a summer project for me (while I sit on the dock with the 'guys').... Isn't this rock/ocean scene the best showing off the absolutely GORGEOUS shawl????? I wanna be HER!! :) Oh, well. I maybe can do the shawl part.

And then I found this in the EtsyKnitter group I'm in and could not resist the look on this pups face.

Enjoy the little guy and have a giggle - you know HE is!

It's like 70-ish outside still, and I'm being beckoned by the I-80 hawk and the geese flying around out there to go outside. So many other things I should be doing, but also enjoying God's creations are a top order. :)

Blessings to you all.

PatternMart.com

Check this out! It's been paying off to blog a little more and join some other communities. Even though the registrations were closed at PatternMart, I was still able to get in after getting a return e-mail back from the site management to GO AHEAD! Wooo HOOOOO How about them apples!?! So now I've been able to get my Wishbone pattern up for sale in two spots. Not too shabby. Check it out when you have a minute. Go to PatternMart.com and search for "wishbone" and there it is! It's the only knitting pattern in the bag catagory. Not sure if that's good or bad yet, but time will tell. One has to keep trying, right?

Voila'

I'm pooped. But got a lot accomplished..........

1. 19 things on EBay
2. Popcorn knitted bag put together, lined, and for sale on Etsy
3. Finished written pattern and posted for sale on Etsy
4. Regular housework - NOT done. :)

Photos won't upload right now (darn that Google), but you all know what these things look like! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, what's left of it. :)

Orders, Ebay and Just Stuff

OK, so I pretty much messed around yesterday after meeting a client in the morning and then replacing the Mac at work in the afternoon (which didn't take that long). My bottom hit the recliner and boy, it just didn't want to move any more yesterday. So the laptop and my favorite blankie from DD#1 and I were friends the rest of the day.

So today that means I have to kick it up a gear or three.

Blessings:

1. sold a pattern overnight on Etsy

2. got an order for 5 mini-journal covers on Etsy

3. explored the designers on Indiepublic and found incredible talent out there - that was worth sitting on my behind all evening. Check the site out - you will be amazed at the talent in this world.

4. DD#1 found a store locally that handles the designer fabric she's looking for, well, at least the quilter cottons. It's a great start for her! Keep your eye on her Lily Kathryn Designs blog (in my links to the left).

To-Do List for Sunday:

1. finish Australian proto-type (a must do)

2. finish writing up another pattern and getting it listed for sale

3. minimum of 10 things on eBay

4. try and dig a path through the craft room, it's out of control

5. NOT THINK ABOUT THE LOSS OF AN HOUR LAST NIGHT DUE TO DST!!!! Not a fan of the spring forward effect. :)

6. get the silly candied popcorn bag done and listed :)

I think I'll be busy today. giggle

My Birthday Request from DD#1

What do ya think? She started the trend of making me a bag for my birthday last year, and I expect her to keep it up! :) This is the one I've asked for this year.....

A New Day

Since yesterday is done, tomorrow hasn't happened yet, let's take a look at what's happening TODAY!


1. Finally getting around to exchanging my beautiful Harmony wood circular needles that are coming apart and getting the Options nickel plated set instead.

2. Brought along 'small stuff' knitting to work today. I have 2 people out sick again today and I'll be captive to the office for the whole day. This flu stuff is getting old, isn't it?

3. It's Wednesday already!

4. Time to get eBay-ing again tonight, getting rid of the mountains of stuff in our home in hopes of downsizing our lives this summer or fall. Ooooo, EBAY!!! Gotta love it.

5. And finally, clearing off my desk that all of the sudden (ha) is starting to look like a tornado hit it. :)

No new projects to show, nothing has been touched this week so far. But this is a new day folks, let's get it rolling!

Nothing is For Sure

We just found out that we lost a friend last night in a trucking accident. Not only did he work for us at one time, but his wife and DD#2 still work together at the same daycare.

Just goes to show you, we don't know what tomorrow will hold.

Family

After a long evening of reflection, thinking, re-evaluating life and priorities (I have to do this once in awhile)..... I still come up missing my parents, even though they have been gone for a long time. One thinks about family and who we have left and what we are doing with those relationships right now. It's very bittersweet. No, I don't have parents or grandparents anymore, BUT I have siblings, all who are quite alive and well. I have children who have blessed my life over and over again. And I have grandchildren........ little ones, innocent ones.

Think about it. Life is short. Some lives are shorter. But we have today to love our families and show them in some way. Don't let one day pass by without a prayer of thanks for who you have been blessed with.

Weekend Explorations!

Here is a take on the yellow blankie I did for Kate, only blue and a different design. This one is pretty cooshy, too. No babies around, but Etsy is always there. Then I found a pattern (hiding behind a bunch of DH's Consumer Reports magazines) that I'd thought I'd lost. It's a christening gown, which no one in our family would ever use, but the pattern is gorgeous. So I started the front out of stuff I had stashed, but now know if I did this for real it would have to be of quality yarn. I think this stuff is too itchy for babies. But what a GREAT pattern!
Then I finished this up, found some scraps to line it and some handles I just couldn't place with any other thing........ and hopefully this week I'll be able to call this candied popcorn thing an FO!
And this pattern has been in my head for way too long, and so glad it finally got on and OFF the needles. It's almost like a Mary Poppins satchel, but smooshier. It's HUGE! Off to Etsy I go........

Couldnt's Resist this Drawing

I came across a website that had numerous vintage drawings and cartoons of knitters. It reminded me of the beautiful work Marsha has been doing. But this one really caught my eye for a number of reasons.

1. There are three of us sisters

2. We all have been taught how to knit

3. Heidi girl is sitting in the background watching if that ball of yarn is going to turn into Big Mean Kitty.

4. And these three girls are just plain enjoying themselves being crafty.

OK, so not all of us have continued on knitting, but we were all taught at one point in our lives. Sister #1 is a quilter and crocheter now, Sister #2 is a paper crafter and once in awhile a seamstress, while Sister #3 (me) is knitting again. I think all three of us are very content in our crafting abilities and maybe some of us (like me) just enjoy it a little too much. giggle

But this little vintage cartoon just made me smile and be so thankful for the sisters I have and reminds me just how much I love them.

Check It OUT!

Someone has honored my latest bag by posting it on her blog..... check it out here. I love the title she gave this entry, too!

And check our her Etsy Store - her jewelry items are fantastic. Yep, I bought myself a pair. I don't own a pair of honest to goodness handcrafted earrings. I think these scream SPRING!

Saturday Knitting JOY!

Even though it was one very tough week with DH being home sick (yes, we work together if you hadn't noticed by now) and me trying to handle it all calmly (HA!) - I've still come up blessed in my TygerLily venture just when I thought 'uninspired' was becoming my middle name. The decision not to enter my design on the contest has already paid off, not only in a couple of pattern sales, but just having the knowledge that there are people out there who honestly want to try my designs! It's gratifying, and yet very humbling. It has sparked new life into my bag ideas, even though it's not winter. One probably shouldn't care what season it is if an idea crosses your brain. I didn't sleep that great because of all these ideas that were running in my head again for new designs, etc., so, true to form, I started a new design in the middle of the night while watching my all time favorite chick flick "Steel Magnolias". (I know, the acting isn't that great and Sally can get on one's nerves after awhile, but the last half hour is why I watch it. I scream in the cemetery right along with Sally Field.)

I went to work anyway this morning, even tho my knitting needles were still screaming to be used, only to find the DSL was down. OK, there's a story here. Yesterday when one of our vendors was backing up their semi, they proceeded to rip the telephone wires completely off the side of our buildng! OK, now you know we are in a very old part of town. :) Our glorious telephone company was out to repair mid-afternoon as I wasn't in emergency mode as we had our fax, internet and roll-over lines working. Only our main number was down. I can live with that. I wasn't around when they finished the repair (was doing my half of the closing on the building) and assumed all was good when I got back to the office to pick up my final round of business related errands. ONE SHOULD NEVER ASSUME! LOL So after 1-1/2 hours trying to get into the repair line this morning (always busy) I gave up, got some groceries, meds for DH, and came home. Could this be God's way of telling me to take a day away from the office? :)

Anyway, I know wordy blog posts are boring........ but just remember, there could be new bags to see in the very near future! Who knows what tomorrow will bring, right?