It's About Time

This post is a prequel of sorts to my new hobby #2 which I doubt anyone remembers me writing about, because I have yet to reveal it (click here for a reminder).

When I moved into my house... two years, one month, and 24 days ago, I decided that I wanted a wall dedicated to my grandchildrens pictures. I had the perfect wall and an idea of what I wanted to do. I purchased five black frames at Rod Works (I only had 5 grandchildren then) and a rod to (fake) hang the frames from, as well as some ribbon for the fake hanging (that sounds a bit violent). I came home and put the stuff in my craft room... where it has been ever since.

Here I am; three, almost four more grandchildren later, and I finally put my "wall" together. I had to buy more frames of course, and I have a spot, front and center, all ready for our newest little guy who isn't due for four more weeks (but is trying to come sooner). I don't think I'm pleased with my ribbon choice... but I can change that. What do you think about my grandchildren wall? If you don't like the wall... what do you think of my grandchildren?

Summer Concert and New Hobby #1 Update

Last night was Endless Summer's concert in the park and WOW! what a great turn out. The west end of the park was filled with lawn chairs, blankets and people. I don't think anyone went away disappointed. It was a fabulous performance.



Adam, Zach and Will got in on the performance again with Tambourine Man.

Here is just some of the crowd with a few of our Endless Summer "family" in the foreground.

Alex, Alana and Bob; our cousins.

Tiffany and Mike; our friends.

Andy singing Long, Cool Woman and introducing the band members.

I don't have any pictures of my new hobby yet; but I'm happy to report that I reached my Labor Day goal today... a week early.

New Hobby #1

"When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top." Anonymous

Usually I blog about what's happening in my life. Just the day to day things that go on, things that I want to remember, the occasional "freckle story" or the "I-can't-believe-that-I-did-that-but-you-probably-can-believe-that-I-did-that" in other words... a Lesley story. I don't think that I've really ventured into the TMI department yet (remember how hard it was for me to publish my pet peeves?), so I hope I'm not too close to the TMI line now.

When I did a post on hobbies during my 30 day blog challenge, I was really bugged that I couldn't write about one teeny, tiny hobby that I was currently involved in. I decided that I was certainly the most pathetic (sorry Lilian) and that I needed to change that asap. As I contemplated this I recognized that I've been in a bit of a rut, and so I decided that I needed to make "Me" my new hobby. Although there are some things that I need to improve in my life, there is one in particular that I have had some concern for, and that is my health; and the fact that I want to keep it.

For over twenty years I have been an avid walker, it is my favorite form of exercise, but for the past couple of years I have been a real slacker (not completely; but a slacker nonetheless). I am also a lifetime member of Weight Watchers but I have been a slacker there as well. So I decided to pick up the slack and six weeks ago today I started my new hobby by going back to Weight Watchers, and Mike came along too. I can honestly say that it has been a happy and productive six weeks, and I'm happy to report that a week ago today Mike and I reached our first milestones together.

Last week as Mike and I were having a conversation about our "milestones", I shared with him my personal mission statement about Weight Watchers (or whatever healthy program people are involved in):

"When I follow a healthy lifestyle through daily exercise and eating right, I feel good about me... and losing weight is a bonus." Lesley Leger

My goal for reaching my next milestone is Labor Day weekend and I feel confident that I can accomplish it. And by the way; if you happen to see me eating chocolate, don't worry... I worked it into my plan.

Hobbies

As I mentioned in a previous post (TDBC Day:19), I have been neglectful of my hobbies in recent months. We Also Sing recently held a concert... and I wasn't in the choir this time. My family performed at the City Hall in April, and although I was asked to participate; I declined. I can't even remember the last time I scrapbooked or made cards and I haven't crocheted for months; so I decided to at least remedy that. You may remember this blanket; well I finally decided which baby to make it for, so I picked up my crochet hook and started to stitch, and I discovered that it's just like riding a bike... I can still do it!

FYI I also mentioned in my TDBC Day: 19 post that I would be starting two new hobbies ASAP. I started one of them just a few days ago, and although it is significant and important, I'm not quite ready to share just yet... but I will!

TDBC Day 19: A Hobby

This has been my most difficult post so far in this 30 day blog challenge. When I couldn't come up with one.single.hobby that I am actively involved in right now, it kind of depressed me... I decided that I am the most pathetic and that I need to renew my interests asap.

I have enjoyed many hobbies in the past such as sewing and handiwork. I've lent my voice to singing with Starflite, Echoes of the Heart, and We Also Sing. I've tried painting ceramics and wood. I've done a little gardening (I'm not very good at that but determined to get better). I've scrapbooked and made cards. I've read books. I've done crossword puzzles, and yada, yada, yada...

I have two hobbies that I'm going to start working on within the week. I'll be sure and let you know what they are asap. I'm kinda excited about them both.

There are more than 300 women in We Also Sing; I'm on the top row in the middle, but I'm sure the audience was only seeing these two on the front row.... with their enthusiasm it's hard to tell that we were all singing the same song ;-)

This is a blanket and burp cloth that I crocheted for Miss Avery

I made this purse for my sister "in-law" Marivic

I Need An Opinion!!

I need help!!! I purchased this receiving blanket/burpcloth set today with a certain upcoming grandbaby in mind, when I showed it to Caitlin she thought that it should be for another upcoming grandbaby. What do you think... A girl blanket or a boy blanket? I really would appreciate some opinions. And while we're at it... what do you think of the fabric? I'm discovering that the young moms of today like non-traditional baby fabrics. Please help, I don't want to give it to the wrong grandbaby. Please leave your opinion in the comment section, it is much appreciated.

BTW the colors are teal and brown. The picture doesn't do it justice.

"Purse"onality

A few months ago I was on a "girls night out" with a few friends when I noticed the cute purse my friend Adrienne had. When I commented on it she told us that she had made it herself. I knew right then I had to make a cute purse too. So I made four of them for Christmas gifts. Here are pictures of three of them. They are so much fun to make (and easy too). Now I just need to make one....or two for me.

Craft Tag!!!

1. Post a project that you have been working on lately or something you want to start soon.
2. Include pictures, a few instructions on how to make your fun project/craft idea, or a link to where you found the idea.
3. Then tag a few people to do the same!!

I love to crochet baby blankets and burpies. This is one I finished recently. I have several patterns and I'd be happy to teach anyone how to do it. This pattern is easy but very time consuming.

Large Lace:
For row 1 of this pattern, you do 2 single crochets in each hole. Then when you get all the way around, you do a slip stitch to join the beginning to the end.
For row 2 of this pattern, you *chain 3 then double crochet in the next stitch* this creates a big space. There will be a lot of rippling which is normal. Once you've gone all the way around, you again do a slip stitch to join the two rows.
For row 3 of this pattern, you are going to *chain 2 then single crochet in each space*. Then once you've gone all the way around you slip stitch to join the rows together then finish off. Here's what the finished product looks like.


I'm tagging anyone who has a fun craft to share!!

Baby Blankets And Burp Cloths

When my third son was born over 24 years ago, a neighbor brought me as a gift some burp cloths that she had crocheted around the edges. I loved them! They were always the burp cloths that I used when we went to church and on other special occasions. I wanted to learn how to do it and it was 20 years later that my daughter-in-law Melissa (dating Jeff at the time) showed me how and I've been hooked (excuse the pun) ever since. I love to go to Hemstitched Heirlooms at Colonial Square in Bountiful for all of my supplies. In just over 4 years I've crocheted over 25 sets of baby blankets and burp cloths for friends and family. And I'm still loving it!