new to me

Well, I have been making some serious progress on the ol' crocheted stash basket. It's such a great pattern, and it's free...does it get any better than that? Anyway, I ran out of yarn so I had to get one more skein yesterday...my third one.(Lily Sugar n Cream 2.5oz skeins in cornflower blue) I, being quite new to crochet, have found this pattern easy to follow and very helpful when it comes to mastering counting stitches. I must say this project has helped me gain confidence in my crocheting abilities...that's new to me! Yes, it's a simple pattern but it's looking just like the picture...on the first try...without ripping out lots of rows to do them over...seriously! My Grandma is going to be so proud! :o) All I've got left to do at this point are the handles and then it'll be done. Yippee! As you can see from the picture it's already stuffed and ready for my next project. This basket is going on my Christmas project list, for sure.
Saturday morning my street had several yard sales. I've really been practicing restraint lately when it comes to yard sales. Ya know, I don't want to buy something unless I really need it so if I go to yard sales it's with something specific in mind. Well, today was different. With eight yard sales with in sight of my front yard I grabbed my girls and my wallet and we went to each one. I some some fabric at one...cute fabric, but overpriced so I walked away. I've got fabric and I'm really working hard at using what I've got before I spend money on anything new. I also saw a really cool javelin type spear with leather and feathers wrapped around it and a carved stone arrow. Hmmm...small children, long, sharp weapon...not a good combination so I passed on that one. The girls each got a new book for a whopping 25 cents and were absolutely thrilled so we walked back home. Well, a few hours later as our street was alive with activity we saw a good friend at the yard sale across the street. Our friend, Mrs. H., is like another grandma to my girls. When we go for walks in the afternoon we often stop by her house to say hello. She spoils the girls with hugs and ice cream. Well, now was our chance to have her come and sit on our porch for once. So as the girls jumped up and down with excitement I went to our neighbors yard to say hello to her and invite her over. She saw the girls and said she'd be right over...as soon as she finished her shopping. And that's when I saw it. A sewing machine. That wasn't there when the girls and I stopped by a few hours earlier. So I said to my neighbor in my very calm, nonchalant voice "Oh, I see you have a sewing machine...how much are you asking?" She said she didn't know how much it was worth, but she was pretty sure it worked, and for me she'd sell it for $10...I could test it and if it didn't work I could bring it back. Deal! By this time Mrs. H was done shopping and walked back across the street with me to shower my girls with hugs and kisses. We chatted for a moment and then she was on her way to the next yard sale. I quickly ran in and got some cash and headed back across the street. I handed her the money and took my machine...and she gave me some change! I only paid $7!! I quickly got out some fabric and gave it a try. It works! It's quiet! It was only $7. Oh, it's a Kenmore..a few years old, but certainly new to me. It's barely been used and it has all of the little tools and extras to go with it. It looked dusty and dingy when I got it, but with a little Mr. Clean and elbow grease it looks brand new! I can hardly wait to get sewing! I think my first project made on this machine will be a cover for it. So there you have it...things that are new to me. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed Sunday. Be sure to stop back in tomorrow for giveaway! xo ANG