Doula stuff

Being a doula in a recession is a difficult place. I really love helping Moms but I also can't drive around without means. That's why the internet is such a great tool. It can even be interactive. The most difficult part is showing genuine interest to a mostly faceless post. It is hard to ask intimate info from a stranger especially discussing your baby and /or intimate funcutions of your body. I laugh sometimes because I am very comfortable relating about mucus plugs and breast changes.I have seen eyes widen and blink rapidly and then a sudden abandon of manners while the strangest questions come tumbling out! I certainly ask for it! There is no question that expectant and new moms have questions. A doula can work wonders in person but also online and on the phone.Just a reassuring tone and understanding person to listen to you can turn a crazy situation around.If you need to ask anything (about pregnancy/childbirth/resources/breastfeeding/bottlefeeding/diapers circumcision/how to talk to Drs/etc please call, write or run to me. I am willing to help in anyway I can. Today we should never risk babies and moms for any reason. Even if you can't pay anything; it's that important.

There is a challange afoot! I think I may just have to play in this one. http://www.sewlavie.com/p/welcome-to-retro-pillow-challenge.html. It is a retro pillow challange and If I can figure out how to grab the button I will show you where. Still learning :).

August doings

Hello, I have been rather busy. I opened an online store at Meylah Marketplace, It is a online handcrafts site and it is free with an option for marketplace that costs. When I start making money I will upgrade to premium,but for now it is what it is. So I have been gathering finished items, taking photos and learning how to open my store Kathy's Crafts. The address for my store is  www.meylah.com/Kathyscrafts/ and is the only way to get to it until I go premium. I am also taking custom orders. If you have an Idea; ask I may now how to make it! I sew, refashion, knit, crochet and quilt.

more items to show

I finally have a moment where I am alone, awake and calm. I have recently seen advise to really be sure what we bloggers are putting on our sites so I am trying to be wise. This stuff takes on a life of its' own even when its just a listing of crafts I have made. There is really no change in my lifestyle when the seasons change,I am either trying to keep the house warm or cool. Realisticly I am the home keeper,yes I meant home keeper. It is my place/job to keep all the systems on go or modify accordingly. Summer time I try to hang laundry, I still use the dryer for tossing/ironing just not for hours at a time. Winter I try to keep the house warmish by having a fire going. Now some will say"Kathy you hate being hot,so why heat your house in the winter?" Because of other people namely grankids. Although the last 2 are heat sinks and will likely like it cool. However not cold. I like the family coming over!

Craft wise I do work on smaller projects during the summer. Hats, smaller scarves, modular items and things that don't need to drape into my lap. I also do a great deal of mending especially for the grankids. A1 wanted me to fix this guy and in secounds he was good as new. Instant gratification!



 In the winter the growing afghan or baby blanket is a great way to layer your warm clothes. Even in heated places I can usually find a cool spot to work on a project.  The blanket and babe above will be another post in detail but ain't he cute?

The one thing I really want to learn is how to make socks. I don't have much sock weight yarn and I seem to have a mental block about it, but with tutorials online I will learn!!! Not that I wear socks...I am a flip flop kinda girl,but they are so pretty and small. Maybe I wll sell or gift them ...we will see. 

Link ups

I really like the link up parties that I have been following. I bop around til I see one that appeals and then leisurely wander thru the posts. I can do this all day but who has that kind of time? I usually find a promising party then leave it open on the computer and when I am eating, or need a break from housework, I check out the ideas there. Some I have seen or done before, some are really original. Some I would do, many others are interesting but not my thing. It is crafting vicariously thru others. I am still learning the computer side of it and below is "the get to know you" survey from Sassy Sites.Check her out too. Now this is my kind of party!

Sassy Sites!: "HeLLo FRieNd" ParTy!

Sassy Sites!: "HeLLo FRieNd" ParTy!: "Why did you decide to start blogging?
I have knowledge that can help people. I am always offering my info and help so I thought why not offer it on a blog.
When you aren't blogging, what are you doing?
Running errands, crafting, playing with the grankids and taking care of the home.
What is your blog about?
My crafting adventures and information on being a mom from pregnancy to empty nest.
When do you find the time to blog?
I have to make time, but once a week or so I just gotta write!
Why do you love blogging?
I need to spout off and this gives me opportunity and it helps me to think about what I am sharing.Read it over, edit, spellcheck etc. It is a dicipline in knowing what I want to share.
What is your favorite post so far that you've written?
"I'm new, I don't yet have a favorite. Come share your commets and we will grow together.

Knit and crochet

I am a knitter and a crocheter(sp?). I learned at 13 to crochet and made granny squares for about a year before I even realized that each colored square was a unit and would need to be assembled. I guess I enjoyed the process more than the final result. Since then, I have come to enjoy the completion of a project but alas; I live in Florida. I am also a person who feels hot all the time. So I don't wear many knit or crochet items. That's why I enjoy baby blankets. There is always a baby coming soon and they all use blankets or hats. This organgie blanket was 45x45 inches. I know it looks rectangular but it is indeed square. This was gifted to Ms Marybeth in 2010. It is knitted in a basketweave pattern in acrylic yarn. I didn't have enough of each color so I used all three.

 
 This crochet square is a receiving blanket size made for Tristyn who was born last December 2010.It is crochet in acrylic and is a sport weight yarn. It was a custom design by his father and I was surprised to find this color way common in baby item packaging. This essentially a granny square with picot trim. I loved how it draped when I washed and dried it. I always try them before I give laundering instructions. I would hate to have them get hard or find out that the colors run after giving it to the baby.