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Two Baby-sized toques

I made these two smaller toques as a challenge to myself to see if I could. I think they turned out okay, but maybe ear protectors with cords or ribbons for tying on would have been a good idea. The bow on the orange and yellow toque is actually dark green which for some reason always scans as brown. I promise – no more toque posts for a long while. Spring is coming…I hope.

Homemade Valentine’s Cards

We had a Cupid’s Crafting Workshop at our church today and these are four of the cards I made for distribution at our local nursing home.

Cosy Toque #3

I seem to be in a knitting obsession right now. Here is my latest effort sporting a turned brim and a tassel. I made a nice warm scarf to match.

Another Button Toque

Here is my second version of a toque. I cast on 30 stitches this time so that I could turn up the hem. It is made the same way as Button Toque #1 but I stitched one row and perled another. I sewed the button on top this time.

Knitted Toque

A very good friend gave a huge amount of yarn because she no long is able to knit. I have made a number of afghans, a baby blanket and scarves. Here is a very easy knit toque I made today to keep out the winter cold. I used angorel yarn, 20 stitches on size 12 needles and knit enough rows to fit around my head. I then joined the two narrow ends together, gathered one side for the top and turned the hat right side out. I added a large button and a tassel. I plan to make some more to keep a few heads warmer this winter.

A Winter Sport Poem

Here’s something for the hockey fans:

Hockey Fans

O the clacking of sticks

And the scraping of blades,

The shower of ice as

The forward evades

The defenceman.

****

O the grunting and groaning,

The thwacking of puck,

The audience moaning

As the goalie’s pad’s struck.

The fans are hoarse screeching;

From the seats they arise

Like angry whales breeching

From water to skies.

As the black rubber disc

Slides toward the net

To bounce off the post,

Meaning – no goal yet!

The home crowd subsides

With a corporate sigh

Like the outgoing tides.

****

There is a whacking of bodies

Against the arena boards

And a fist fight erupts

While the organist chords

Bars from “Rocky”.

The referee seizes

The combatants before

Blood flows freely

On the rink’s icy floor.

******

The face-off is intense,

But the home team prevails

With a hard slamming shot

And into the net sails

The elusive puck.

There’s a brief pause of surprise,

Then thunder resounds

From the cheers that arise

And quickly compounds.

The other team’s not dismayed,

It’s only first period –

There’s more to be played.

So grab a team jersey

And break out the beer,

The fans are all thirsty

And hockey is here

At last!

Pearl Wristlet

I saw something similar on Pinterest and decided to try my hand. I used a length of écru cotton lace backed with bias tape. I then sewed on the glass pearl beads and covered the sewing side with more bias tape. I think perhaps, in hindsight, a brass finding to close it might have been nicer than the silver tone one. It has a sort of Victorian look and if done really well would be an excellent piece to wear with an ivory wedding gown or velvet formal dress.

Edited Hymn

In an effort to improve in 2015, I re-visited this hymn I wrote in 2014 and made some changes, one being that I chopped the fourth verse. I think this version is better. Any opinions?

Without Rain

8 7 8 7

Without rain this world’s a desert;

Without sun this world is cold;

Without God this world’s barren

And our hearts will turn to stone

***

Without hope this world’s desperate;

Without love this world is cold;

Without God this world is chaos

And our souls would have no home.

***

Turn your eyes towards Lord Jesus;

Tune your ears to hear God’s Word;

Use your hands to do His service

And God’s grace will overflow.

Winter Doggerel!

Skating Practice

Thump, bump- I’m on my rump.

O what a place to be,

While all around me spin the ones

So gracefully at ease.

***

Thump, bump- I’m down again.

Alack and oh, alas.

Doing figure eights on their skates,

I watch those athletes pass.

***

Thump, bump – I’m such a lump

Of misery on the rink.

If only the ice would crack or melt,

From sight I’d gladly sink.

***

Thump, bump – it’s such a pain

To be the only one

Who can’t stand up on her skates

And join in all the fun.

***

Slide, glide – so that’s the trick

To staying on your feet.

Persistence pays in many ways

To make one’s life complete.

***

Oh whee! Look at me

Sailing cross the ice.

I’m speeding by so very fast

That stopping won’t be nice.

A Christmas Hymn

Sing Quietly Angels

Sing quietly angels;

Shine softly bright stars;

The baby King’s sleeping

In Mary’s warm arms.

Chorus:

O hear the sweet carols

To Jesus we bring.

The universe welcomes

Our Saviour and King.

Please tiptoe you shepherds

Through the stable door.

Good Josesph is praising

God’s blessing out poured.

O cattle moo gently;

Dear donkey don’t bray;

As close to the manger

We watch and we pray.

Creation’s proclaiming

This true King of Kings

While Jesus is dreaming

Of heavenly things.

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