Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Jan 2018~A time for Cozy if ever there was one~







Some things..you know are made for you..

like when I tried and tried to learn crochet when we went to The Cape..and it worked..with help and inspiration from super stitching girls like Marie and Susan and Linda and inspiration from Tanna too..
and..it was meant to be..

my first efforts were..well quite bad and my poor girls got a few for Christmas..including  ones that had started turning out quite..cute..cute enough that I felt I could offer them..I may have offered some too soon..:(

You just get such a good feeling when something finally works..

So ..I thought try a blankie!
LOL..Linda was making them..and Tanna..and Marie..

See that large napkin above..? That was supposed to be a blanket..either I didn't use the right hook or wool or most probably both but it is ..awful.
Love the colors love the feel..too small for a baby blanket..doll crib..or small lap..so it's on my small lap cause it's freezing..

so NEVER again..Never.

Hate it..hated stitching it all together..hated it...it's folded there..so believe me  ..there are a lot of  hated squares there..

And there's been a lot of tea drank..drunk? Both..:)

I love Brambly Hedge so sweet to me..lucky lucky girl..I have the 4 seasons and a plate..second hand..perfect condition.
I fell in love with BH later in Life..

I have become smitten w/ tea cozies..

little dresses for your tea pots..my girls would never want one..but hey..that's what being granny lets you do..:)
Pinterest is packed with TC adorableness..I have one I am saving for Easter that Kathleen stitched.

I have been using that beautiful tea cozy I showed you..made by that same wonderful Kathleen:)


I thought ..try..try..

I had Pinned quite a few patterns and found 2 that were quite similar to each other..crochet..not knit like Kathleen's..

I started with the first one..and that Bernat Cotton..then the second..they are both very similar and such nice girls to share~

So I got to use a stitch counter for the first time:) I learned to work 2 sides.. and decrease for around the lid..and things were going ok..
that cotton doesn't stretch like wool that Kathleen uses..  so this needs a button..and I wasn't excited by the rough edge by the spout so I added a frill.

Not one leaf is the same..I just have not found a pattern I have down pat:(They are all turning out differently and there was supposed to be a few more roses..mine turned out HUGE..
Nevertheless..

I thought..it's your first..your mistakes will become less..like the granny squares..and you will get this..

so I went to Michael's and bought red WOOL..

I stitched and stitched and it became big enough for 2 tea pots..so..all the wool is wrapped up.
I may never make another.

See that little stitched pillow w/ my blanket? I made that perhaps 30 yrs ago..it's been following us from house to house..well  I may have noticed 10 yrs ago too and thought I would get around to it..but didn't..I still have straight pins in it at the bottom for the hand finishing:(

Thank Goodness no one has been harmed. 

That's my only New Year's Resolution.
Stitch the thing.


Christmas is still up and the fires are burning..more polar weather expected to continue~
Still have Christmas baking..so I've only made soups that you have seen..I may bake some wonderful savoury cheese shortbreads  I saw at Sol's @memoriesinthebaking https://www.instagram.com/memoriesinthebaking/,shared on IG:) I need Gruyère.


And oh dear I forgot to mention that the ice ornaments are a breeze..muffin tins..I have made wreaths and lanterns..never an ornament..idea was gleaned @redtealeaves on IG.

Extreme Cold Warning
Quebec
4 hours ago – Environment Canada
The combination of very cold air and brisk winds will keep wind chill values between minus 35 and minus 44 over Western and Central Quebec until later this morning ...

64 comments:

  1. Good morning Monique!!! brrrrr...
    First of all...that tea cosy you made is adorable...the colours...everything! Why are you so hard on yourself???
    And the blanket??? Lovely colours...and for the record...I have NEVER made a Granny Square blanket...only one BIG Granny square...around and around!!!
    I would not have the patience to sew them all together...I love yours!! Perfect for your lap :o)
    Still nipply here...and gonna be a dull one too...time to put the tree to rest....UGH!!! And...perhaps start a new crochet project!
    Enjoy your week Monique...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I haven't the gumption to take it down yet lol..I still miss the old tree trying to get to like this one.. lots of ornaments to pack..I would like to keep the tree up..in 3 pieces..Jacques is meticulous and I think repacking our big beautiful tree damaged the lights.. putting all the branches up squsihes everything..anyway this tree will prob be our last tree here I better get to liking it..Our old tree found a new home outside..at Caroline's it look fabulous..

      Have read so much about real trees lately I am not missing one..mites..spiders..ticks..oyoyoy..now's the time to throw pillows and stuff outside..everything will freeze to death if anything..my friend freaked me out a bit..I told her I bought two second hand art books(online Amazon) and she said there are stories going around about bedbugs in books..OMGEE I threw those books in our sub zero screened in porch;)

      I have seen your work..and others in person..just being honest..lol not hard:)

      xox

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    2. After taking the tree apart, Greg got the central vac out...
      Guess what?
      B R O K E N!
      He brought the shop vac up from the basement! Got the mess cleaned up!
      OY!

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    3. That's Christmas for ya! Never fails.. a dishwasher..a washing machine..Murphy's law....Sorry for you!I remember I sucked up cloth diapers w/ one:(

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  2. Your tea cozies are lovely! We woke this morning to no hot water, our pipes were frozen. The plumbers just left after adding insulation to the pipes.

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    1. Oh no! This is called getting aquainted with our new home and adjusting..all will be well now:)

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  3. Dearest Monique,
    Well, those tiny squares of different colors have never been my favorite, too much work for sewing them together!
    Love the photo with the tea sieve, such a cozy winter view as we all love to cup our hands around a 'tasse-de-thé'. We got back from balmy warm Florida with temps till 27˚C and have had -7˚C past night and a few more here in Georgia... Time to dress warm and to drink lots of hot tea!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I hear news of Fl regularly..it is such a lovely place..you were fortunate to be there this time of year..of course Georgia is peachy too❤️

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    2. Well, I was talking about the South of Florida... That makes quite a difference as the north is cold too! ❤

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  4. I don't know the C vs. F delineation but all I can say is at least it SOUNDS colder where you are! Bad for the morale, I think! Yes, tea is a plus. And hot cocoa. I think I need a tea cozy. I know I'll never make one. But boy, is that one on your pot ever cute! And the wool would be better than cotton.

    My Christmas is still up too. Although, I did take Santas down today to replace with snow folk. I won't take down the trees till after Twelfth Night and even then reluctantly but one must. I love the lights and colors and I just don't want to see them go. Maybe I'll hang little fairy lights everywhere to get me through the winter!

    What a cozy post. I just love this!

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    1. I grew up with F..and then one day we went C..metric etc..I still am much more familiar with F and inches !You do need a tea cozy..right up your cozy alley😊The cotton is easier for me to work with although I must persevere with that red wool..Next weekend I will think about storing Christmas I guess..😢Have a good week🙂🙏🏻

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  5. Happy New year Monique, be warm, be cozy xoxoxoxo

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  6. I so enjoyed your cozy pictures today since it's roasting hot here in Australia. :-)

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  7. Aww!! I love those tea cozies... they are so adorable.. XOXO

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  8. Sweet post, filled with cozy!
    A post to look at in July when we are in the 90's. LOL
    xoxo

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    1. So true..I hear Alaska is having their warmest weather..forecast here? Stitchn'.. more snow.. and polar air..so many cars in the ditch yesteday..one of tem my eldest daughter and Noah..all is well though.

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  9. We are feeling the chill all the way down here in Austin. I have been staying in front of the fireplace and drinking lots of tea. I am afraid I would never have the patience to make a tea cozy, but I always wanted to learn to knit. It will probably never happen! Your cozy is adorable!✨

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    1. I follow some Austin blogs and thought of you w/ that chill:) I find projects;) Always what else could I do..indoors for 3 months:( Florida is 45F this AM! Brrr..Have a nice day!

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  10. Lovely images. I knit but could never get the hang of chrochet which is a shame because it's pretty and is quicker than knitting. The tea cosy in your last photo is gorgeous.

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    1. That's the one Kathleen made and she knit it:) She bought the pattern for me..I lost it..but I knit even more minimally than crochet..if you knit you could make one:)

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  11. I want to paint your rosey cup. Are you a south paw...handle on the left. I can not knit or crochet to save my life. Yr tea cosy is a beaut!

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  12. No right handed..I guess I placed it there for the photo:) Paint away..I have some of my mom's you might enjoy..Bonne Journée Parisienne Carol.

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  13. And I can see you painting that rosey cup:) Beautifully

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  14. But you MADE it and that's all that matters! I think it looks lovely :) We have to try, try, try to get proficient. I don't know of any art or craft that first results are perfection - LOL. I adore my tea cozy and have it sitting on the counter all the time ♥ Lots of tea drinking here lately and trying to stay warm! Last night was the first night in many that it did not dip below zero. Our kitchen faucet pipes have been freezing :( Now we have 2 small 'work' lamps on all night in the cupboard below the sink. Crazy cold weather! I felt sorry for all of the kids off of school for the Christmas holiday and couldn't play outside. Or, I should say felt sorry for the parents :-)

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    1. I know! Fred's been taking the boys x-country one at a time.. and they have gone indoor skating en famille..but..oy so bad..the roads were awful yesterday..
      I am hoping for a tea cozy like yours one day:) Doesn't match a thing I have but I find it Christmasey and Mary Engelbreighty and Valentiney and MCey:) I just know that one would forever be impossible for me..She is soo good..,,as I wrapped yours up ..I thought..yikes she's good..and as I unwrapped my bag I thought the same.I think I'll always be like a weathervane..trying this trying that loving this loving that..Jack..call me Jack:)
      That cozy has your name on it♥
      Bonne journée Susan!
      Oh and poor pipes..a SuZAN I follow on IG her pipes burst:( Water..mess..poor girl!

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  15. Your crochet is charming. I can't imagine making a tea cozy. I always made blankets and throws but can't remember how now, nor can I remember how to knit. It is freezing here too and the lake out back is frozen over. Hasn't been this cold in years though thank goodness, no water, ice and snow. It is all I can do to feed the birds, squirrels and water fowl. Plus, the new neighbors are leaving their Boston Terriers outside too long and I want to go over and wring their necks.

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    1. I hate seeing pets outside in the cold..or outside all day..they like company..

      I know you look after all:)
      Donna I have to keep looking at Youtube😒

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  16. Mon they are so cute good job!
    Went out today it's beautiful walked for an hour...We took down our tree and decorations!
    I know J prefers it down after the 6th...right?
    Have a nice day~❄️🌲Di

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    1. Right;) This weekend for sure..I will go out after I think..it is milder a balmy 10F.lol

      You too Dizey..Have a nice day:)

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  17. You are cold! The tea cozies are adorable. We just made it to Florida ahead of freezing rain in Jacksonville. Rain and freezing temps predicted tonight in New Smyrna Beach.

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    1. It's 45F where we visit in Fl..are you spending the winter? We have nice friends from SC that we see when we go to Fl..
      It's hard to get out of your system the pretty parts of Fl..like PROVENCE♥
      Have a great time..Happy New Year!

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  18. Oh, Monique! I love your blanket, and I agree with you on the pain of stitching all the squares together. I've only done one with squares so far... though I do have another in the unfinished pile. LOL! I think the Tea Cozies are so adorable! I hope to see your red one soon. It is SOOOOOO cold here for us. I know you probably scoff at our temperatures being COLD, but 20s is just too cold for me! ;) I don't know how you stand it. I hope we all get a bit warmer temps soon! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

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    1. Well..unfortunately..this Siberian cold keeps us in..I did go out on my own one day for errands..but I look like an eskimo..and I did go out with one of my daughters yesterday..but apart from that..I thank God for hobbies and loving being home winter spring summer or fall..I have missed snowshoeing though..I just can't.. and I have missed talking pics..
      I am very very lucky to have happened upon Kathleen and her work.
      She is a remarkably nice person too.:)♥

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  19. Happy New Year Monique! Hope the weather turns a bit warmer soon. We're getting the bitter temperatures here in Virginia, but not like you. SO cold I don't want to leave the house. Love the tea pot covers - very pretty!

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    1. Little dresses:) MY Barbie teapots♥64 going on 10.;)

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  20. Your tea cozies are cute and you definitely need them. People in Florida are complaining but I know you would be happy with our temps. 42 now and going down to 34 tonight and again tomorrow as well. We have freeze warnings in our area of Florida. I would cover all the small tropical plants but with winds at 45mph the covers would just blow away.

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    1. Stay in..stay cozy:) I am already thinking about our next Fl visit..just for my Gulf..and the dear people we know there:) Ok and Hobby Lobby ad Dick Blick and Cheap Joe's and Amazon.com;)

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  21. I love your blanket too but understand how you feel about the hand stitching of all the squares together. I made my wedding dress and had my mother do all the hemming and hand stitching. I won’t hem Jerry’s pants, just hate it. I think we are both trying new crotchet projects. I started a sweater for Katherine and she maybe 21 before she gets it! Your temps are so so much colder than ours were and will be over the weekend. My girlfriend text she has some snow on the ground in SC! They don’t do snow and ice wellat all down south. Take care and stay warm. Fingers crossed everyone keeps their power.

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    1. I should email my SC friends..! Snow?They left NJ years ago because of all that..such nice people!


      Oh you had me in "stitches" re Katherine being 21:)♥
      I am never doing that again..JAMAIS.

      I am so impressed that you made your wedding dress♥

      I wonder if my mom would have made mine..I know I could never have made a thing.I didn't even clean my room..she did:(


      As it stands..you know I was 20..no mom..a friend at the time Joanne Drysdale..made my cotton eyelet ..a-line wedding dress..♥I loved it..

      I still have it.

      I have not seen or heard of her in 45 yrs for sure..but how I am still grateful to her:)


      A lot of history to that wedding..my dad died that night:(

      Power yes..fingers always crossed for that!!

      I remember 1998 all too well..thank God I married Davy Crockett.;)

      Amitiés..from the frozen tundra...as tomorrow the tundra returns.

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  22. OMG, it is colder there! Here, just 10 below. This morning we await a blizzard...But I DO love winter, as long as my electricity doesn't crash.
    I am very into COZY and WARM, I need a Rita Cozy, like the tea cozy, LOL! Instead, down comforter...Love that first icy ornament, and the photo of it. my mom crocheted, not moi...Will write soon, Love, Rita

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    1. WE're expecting bad too:( The weather network said severe weather next 3 days..? What? What have we been having? Anyway was going to do a few errands..not:(
      Bonne Journée..I have so many layers..takes forver to get changed..;)

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  23. I have been watching on the television how cold it is there and the snow, also in Eastern Canada. They were preparing today or a bad storm. It is not worth taking a chance and going out in it for sure. This is canoodling inside at home season! Doing some crafty bits, painting, etc. Love LOVE your tea cosy! It is beautiful! Your frozen ornaments are so sweet. I saw the other day someone had frozen bubbles! Amazing! I know what you mean about squares and blankets. I tend to do larger squares and sometimes you can do lap blankets that are long strips that you just sew together. I will try to find some to show you. I think you would enjoy that more! I think you did ever such a great job on your tea cosy. I think it is so very pretty! We are always super critical of ourselves I know. If only we could see what we do with other people's eyes, then we would maybe amaze ourselves! Love all that you share, always. Stay safe and stay warm! xoxo

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    1. I am painting and baking too:) I opened a yoga video..lol..maybe later..
      I have tried those bubbles and they are amazing.Arlene had sent me a link..they were so worth it..maybe I only shared on IG last year..I forget:)
      I have..had 58 stretchy squares..can't even figure out where the stitches are..I have a tea cozy on order..Marie she works like you do..every stitch she stitches is perfect and she is soooo nice.I can never say it enough.My Easter one is my Easter ..Christmas..Birthday gift to me..:) You know we don't exchange here;)
      Anyway she is absolutely genuinely spot on nice.
      Yes storm a comin':( It's gonna be so windy! Not crazy about high winds at all..the havoc..the wind chill..plus I keep seeing 1998 on FB etc..I don't want that again..I was so younk when I think about it:(
      Thank goodness for HOBBIES EH?:)Thank you!

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  24. Hope you be warm dear Monique I heard about weather, so cold , take care!

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    1. Seems we are making the news here and there..right now..I would have cake and tea on your patio:)

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  25. Happy New Year and stay warm. I cannot believe how cold it is back home. Ouch. Perfect for reading and baking and just cuddling. I am so glad you enjoyed Christmas in Paris. Have you read Unbroken? I love your crocheted tea cozies. Have you tried Damman tea from France. The caramel one is quite nice.

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    1. Pretty bad his winter and the next 2 will be abominable:( Thnks for the Unbroken tip..Reading Sourdough..so far so good!

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  26. This made me laugh, Monique. My niece and nephew surprised my by asking me to teach them to knit or crochet. They both take karate and the instructor told them that it is good for coordination. They both finished one line, sighed a big sigh, and run away.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. LOL..that's me running away from blankets..forever;)x

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  27. Dearest Nana, I must confess that in spite of my terrible cold I laughed a lot with your crochet adventure.
    I can assure you it's worth to insist, to persist. It pays such high pleasure levels.
    I adore yourpictures. They are absolutely gorgeous!
    Hugs

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    1. Thank you Nina..I will persevere..but..;) Take care!!

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  28. Thanks for sharing this blog its very informative and useful for use.

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  29. Dear Monique, I love your frozen decorations, they look great hanging from the branches. The birds will be happy with the berries when they thaw (if they thaw!). It is 28 C still here in Auckland and rather humid. I can only dream of snow. Your tea cosies are really pretty, I especially like your last photo. Please don't give up crocheting, it takes time to learn and to get the tension right, and it is even harder when you are increasing and decreasing a 3D shape. Keep warm, hugs Rose x

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement:) Yes at one point the ornaments wil thaw ..just not today..as it is the coldest day yet..roads are dangerous..all frozen..advisory warnings..Oh well:)

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  30. Your tea cozy is darling. I know it takes patience to knit or crochet. Years ago, I did crochet baby blankets. A neighbor taught me. I remember making a duck bathroom tissue holder out of a plastic gallon of milk. I cut the container and punched holes around the rim and crocheted, The lid I also crocheted a hat. of course it was yellow....LOL Stay warm, it looks so cold out there. Hope your new year is a happy one.

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    1. I see the duck in my head:) Coldest day yet today..this too shall pass..;)Thanks Linda..you too!

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  31. I love your tea cozies and your new year resolution! xo

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