Thank Yous and Gift Making


Let's start with the awesome, shall we?  On Monday this past week I stopped by our local florist to deliver some prints from the wedding of their bouquets that were beautiful.  The florist has a photo album of weddings they've done and I loved looking at "real" arrangements.  Imagine my surprise to receive a bouquet to thank me, thanking them.  This world is full of good good people.


I finished my sweater last weekend and blocked it willy nilly.  Only to try it on after two days of drying and finding out that the slap dash blocking is NOT flattering to my figure.  Ahem.  So I re-blocked the sweater on Tuesday using a measuring tape -- so far I love my sweater!!  Now to weave in ends and do the photo shoot.


I've been Santa this week cranking out mitts for gifts that need to be done by this weekend (sort of self imposed deadline...).  I am happy to report I think I'll be finished-phew!

Now for the eye update.  I went to the doctor on Wednesday and unfortunately the steroid drops made my eyes feel fantastic and masked how dry they were and I lost some healing ground.  So I'm still on the antibiotic drops and decreasing the steroid drops and doing lots of moisturizing drops...  She said and I quote "these things take time".  Ugh.  I'm done mostly with my ranting and raving and complaining (who me??).  I am diligently following doctor's orders hoping that when I see her in two weeks I'll have good good news.

When I am done with this treatment, I'm slathering on every single eye shadow and mascara I can get my hands on.  I've been using only eye pencil and liner for weeks and my eyes feel naked.  Imagine Boy George in his glory days, yeah, that kind of eye makeup :)

Anyways, I'm off to get stuff done around here.  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Also my friend Tracey has opened up an etsy shop if you're looking for some handmade knitted gifts.  Check her out!


Comments

  1. margeneNovember 20, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    You're gift list is going to be full of happy people. The mitts looks warm and cozy. Hope you have good news on your eyes. I know what you mean about eye makeup and I hope you heal well enough to slather on everything you want. I had to give it up years ago and that's just the way it is. Your bouquet is beautiful and very thoughtfully given!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BonnyNovember 20, 2015 at 8:58 AM

    Your Fetchings are quite fetching, as is your lovely bouquet! I'm hoping that your diligence, patience, and time will give you some good eye news in two weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnkeNovember 20, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    The flowers are so pretty and how nice of your florist to thank you for your thank you. :-) You are going to make some people very happy with your mitts, they all look great! Can't wait to see you model the sweater!

    ReplyDelete
  4. tamknotsNovember 20, 2015 at 9:21 AM

    Karen, I saw on Ravelry that today's your birthday! so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend and treat yourself to knitting, sleep, chocolate! xo Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  5. VickiSCNovember 20, 2015 at 9:33 AM

    Happy Birthday! (saw the previous post) Hope your eyes heal very soon--I went through something similar many years ago due to careless contact lens habits and I was not able to wear them for about 9 months. I also had to do without mascara.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 22, 2015 at 5:19 PM

      I hope I am finished before nine months :) I am trying to be patient and just follow the doctor's orders.

      Delete
  6. mamasmercantileNovember 20, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    The flowers are beautiful, what a wonderful gesture. Good luck with reaching your deadline I am sure the recipients will be thrilled. Here's hoping that you can slap on all the make up you want to in a couple of weeks. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  7. mariNovember 20, 2015 at 10:41 AM

    Oh Karen, these things do take time... don't rush it :0) the flowers are just beautiful!!! and yes, I have visited Tracey's shop. I already thinking of some of her things for my list :D

    mari

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 22, 2015 at 5:14 PM

      you sound like my husband, he says I should be patient (impossible!).

      Delete
  8. apicturebookmindNovember 20, 2015 at 10:45 AM

    Hey Karen, how lovely are those flowers and mitts.
    I'm sorry about your eye condition you have been struggling with so long and it definitely doesn't help if they tell you that it takes time. I hope it really won't take too long anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tracey ~ CloverNovember 20, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    The world really is full of good, good people and I am so happy to say that one of them is my good friend You!
    Happy birthday Karen, enjoy your day, eat lots of fattening food, knit and laugh!
    Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SueNovember 20, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    Happy birthday, Karen! Those flowers are really beautiful--and it is no wonder to me that you received them. Look at all those mitts! What a lot of knitting you've been doing. I can't wait to see your sweater.
    I will keep praying for your eyes.♥

    ReplyDelete
  11. DonnaNovember 20, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    I know how you feel about the eye makeup. I hate to put mascara on but my eyes look horrible without it! I'm so glad you are on the mend. I know you will get those gifts done on time. How do you like that Ella Rae yarn? I used that for my Hiro sweater and it seems to be wearing well. And is super warm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 22, 2015 at 5:15 PM

      I love ella rae very very much! I also like patons wool as well. I used to like cascade 220 but it feels rougher than it used to...not sure if it's me or them.

      Delete
  12. thecrazysheepladyNovember 20, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    Wheee those are beautiful! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  13. CarolineNovember 20, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    Go you on that Christmas knitting - you are really cranking it out!!! Isn't annoying to hear that phrase, "these things take time......" Argh. Whine away - you deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. LisaNovember 20, 2015 at 12:32 PM

    Sorry about the eyes, again. :( I can imagine Boy George (was thinking of that song, Karma Chameleon just yesterday and thinking how I loved that song...ha!). Birthday? Hope it's a happy one!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Caffeine GirlNovember 20, 2015 at 12:39 PM

    So sorry that your eye problem is going on for so long. Very frustrating!
    I see your Fetchings also curl a bit. Maybe I'm just being OCD about this pattern. I love the way yours look.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DiannaNovember 20, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    I am not surprised that the florist sent you a thank you bouquet, dear Karen. I doubt very seriously that they ever have very many people come back with pictures and thank them for helping to make their daughter's day special...but that is just the way my friend Karen is! :)

    Your knits are absolutely beautiful. Sorry the first blocking wasn't to your liking, but I'm looking forward to seeing the results after the second blocking.

    I really was disappointed to hear that you are still having to deal with the eye issues. However, I will continue to pray. Those steroids can trick out bodies into thinking they are doing much better than they really are sometimes. (((hugs))) and prayers for a super duper speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  17. CorinneNovember 20, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    wow that's a huge pile of mitts. You have been so good to knit them all up. They look really lovely, I am sure everybody is going to love them!

    ReplyDelete
  18. kathy bNovember 20, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    Im sure you already tried this, but I had my ducts in my eyes on the lower lids closed. This made the tears well in my eyes and bathe them....have you tried this?
    I m off to the etsy site

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 22, 2015 at 5:16 PM

      I have not. the doctor thinks that my eyes were damaged by the first medicine and wants to let them heal over time. I'm hoping that eventually I'll be done with all of this sooner than later.

      Delete
  19. JaneNovember 20, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Oh how lovely of the florist, there are so many good people in this world. Hope you have some good news soon about your eyes. I would definitely miss make-up too! Have a great weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. GraceNovember 20, 2015 at 4:50 PM

    Karen, Happy birthday! I totally sympathize with your impatience regarding your eyes. I once went through a similar seemingly endless recovery process a few years ago so my heart is going out to you! xx Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend! xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Amy at love made my homeNovember 20, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    I notice from other comments that it is your birthday - Happy Birthday!!! I am glad that at least you have a good doctor now for your eyes and that even if things are improving slowly at least they are improving! That is good. Beautiful flowers which do indeed show the wonderful kindness of people don't they! xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. EileenNovember 20, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Happy Birthday! Sorry to hear about your eye doctor visit, it’s hard being patient for the body to heal.
    I have going through your blog posts and qeuing books, you are a reader there girl. Started one last night about Yellow Fever. I’m in a mood to get lost in books, thanks for all the recommendations
    Oh and your sweater looks great, I am WAy behind on my sweater.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Judy S.November 20, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    Impressive stuff flying off your needles these days, Karen. Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration and best wishes for the coming year! Sorry about your eyes though and hope they get with the program and heal!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Kim November 20, 2015 at 8:51 PM

    Happy birthday Karen!!!! Beautiful flowers. Sorry about your eye, hang in there. Love those mitts. Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Juliann in WANovember 20, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    Happy birthday! Hope it was a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Melissa November 21, 2015 at 12:28 AM

    When you get better eyewise, you should treat yourself to a new eye look. Happy Birthday. Beautiful bouquet. Like those mittens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenNovember 22, 2015 at 5:18 PM

      I most definitely will treat myself to lots of eye makeup and yarn.

      Delete
  27. Andi GNovember 21, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    Well done you on nearing the finish line with the knitted gifts. Something about a pile of knitting makes me so happy!
    I have been thinking about you and your poor eye this week. I am sorry that it is taking so long to heal. Sending you so much love!

    ReplyDelete
  28. sustainablemumNovember 21, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    I am sorry your eyes are still not healed, I do hope in two weeks time you have better news :). Hope you get that knitting done. It's sewing all the way here at the moment, I have a deadline for next weekend, not sure I'm going to make it.........

    Hope your having a lovely weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. TahneeNovember 21, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    Wishing you a great weekend too! Sad to hear there was no good news about the medication, but at least you have a pile of fantastic knitting to comfort you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mama Gone GreenNovember 23, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    Hope your eye gets better soon. Can't wait to see that sweater on you!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Knitting News

Image
  Good morning to you! How are you? I'm excited about my hat that I've been knitting enjoying the sea of stockinette stitches. When I first started the hat I thought it would be too small, now I wonder if it will be too big. Gah. I will find out soon I guess. I wish the photo about showed how beautiful the colors are in real life, you'll have to trust me on this! Below is my next knitting project, the habitation throw . I will definitely use the pink and gray, I'm still not sure about that purple, I might have a look-see in my stash and do another ponder about that color. I chose this pattern because I can use up some of my stash and I adore Helen Stewart's patterns. What are you working on this week? Also: I will probably not be posting this Friday and the following Monday because of my family visiting. I hope to be back next Wednesday (unless I change my mind).
Read more