Welcome to DreamChallenge

Having a dream to share my knitting creations, cooking adventures and caregiving stories with others is now a reality. I bet you know someone right now who is at home taking care of someone they love. A phone call, e-mail, note card or some food would all be appreciated. Sometimes an offer to stand in for that person is a wonderful gift. Think about getting a hair cut, what if there is no time or person to sit with your loved one? What can you do to help someone else, or if you are that caregiver, how can you get people to understand you would like to see them or have their help? Knitting helps me stay calm. Knitting helps my blood pressure stay normal. What helps you? Cooking is an adventure for me. My husband is a dedicated 'clean-up' person. Join us on this part of our life's journey.

Choosing to send out cards is one way I stay in touch with others. I address cards on Sunday and my husband puts them in the mail on Monday. There is always someone who needs a card.

After several months of blogging there is a reality that lots of people really enjoy this activity. Positively delightful people, living life to the best of their ability. There is such fun in hearing from others who have ideas, stories, crafts all to share with those who choose to read. Thank you my new friends in this unknown world/way of communicating.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Mini-Stroke

Here they are cooking.  Everything looks normal right.  Right. 
Yesterday Mom (94 years young) was fine until after nap.  She got up unable to walk or move her feet.  Boy was she MAD.  Her mind was great.  Her speech was right on target.  The only indication of a MINI-STROKE was the fact that she could not stand up and move her feet. 
Of course, those of you who know me, know that healthy food is the answer to much of our problems according to me.  Well after my beloved husband and I got her seated by the Greenbrier Golf Classic on TV, I boiled eggs and made stuffed deviled eggs.  Protein for the body gone funky.  Bob was the look out incase Mom needed anything.  She watched the golf and talked.  Then it was time to get up and go to the table.  NO.  Her body was struggling.  We made a plate of deviled egg and blueberries.  She ate every bite but no improvement. 
We both knew what had happened, but neither of us would say the words, then I texted my nurse friend.  She knew instantly what had happened.  We decided to stay and watch Mom for a few hours.  Each little bit was better than the last.  By the time a couple of hours passed and the golf tournment was over for the day Mom was able to move her feet with help. 
Each person responds differently to body happenings.  Mom responded to nutrients and tender care and lots of prayers.  If she had not we would have been off to the ER.  If her face had dropped or her speech had been slired, we would have gone the minute we discovered the happenings.  That was not her case and today she is once again walking on her own and enjoying the last day of the Greenbrier Golf Tournment.
We thank God for the blessing of life.  Keep us all in your prayers. 

Monday, July 2, 2012

This is a test.  Trying a new browser.  Hope to be back on line with you all VERY soon.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Hi Friends, my blog has not cooperated for a month or so.  Hopefully in the next few weeks, I can figure out what is happening and get back to sharing my knitting projects with you.  Happy Spring where ever you are.  Janet

Monday, February 20, 2012

Really the sweater

Well, I have no idea what happened, but here is the totally beautiful little sweater.  The buttons are flowers.


And here is my dollie from when I was a little girls being a model.  She looks adorable in this little knitted and crochet hat.  Come back and hopefully you can see the little one who was blessed with these creations made with love and prayers.

Sweater Project

This adorable sweater was a dual project between the Nona of a little two year old and me.  Nona started this sweater two years ago before the child was born.  Yes, that's right.  It was going to be a gift for the new born.  Well for the child's second birthday, Nona gave me the started project and I had the honor to finish it prior to the party.  I was hoping to have a picture to show all of you, but it's not here yet.  So come back to see how cute she is in her new sweater and hat.  Of course, she needed a hat to go with the sweater.  Right?


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Scalp Warmer


The pink yarn keeps coming my way.  I think it is a sign that the breast cancer awareness kitting items are really blessing those who recieve the gifts.  Here is another hat and more of the scarf I started a few days ago.  It blesses me to knit for others.   Would love for you to share with me why you knit.  Just leave me a comment.   

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Cancer Fighting Chemo Hat

This little hat is so soft and beautiful.  After finishing the scarf and hat for the friend of a friend, I decided to see how this pattern would work up with some scrap yarn.  It turned out so lovely.  There must be a person who need this hat because I had no intention of making another hat so soon and yet, here it is and the finished project is ready for who ever God has in mind. 
When I came home from work the only thing on my mind was fixing dinner and going to bed.  Well, my friend sent me some carrier yarn and so I just had to start this new project.  My husband is a cancer survivor and when I left for work this morning he was fine.  When I returned home, he has a sore throat and feels not well.  Life is such a mystery.  Some Cancer survivors have immune systems that are very sensitive to germs.  Those of us blessed with excellent health may not have gotten this sore throat.  Of course, my thought process goes like this:  "Now if I had stayed home, he may not be in bed with this sore throat, or If only I had gone to the store instead of him".  Believe me, we can not change what is, we can only deal with what we have now.  Loving him as I do, I know the best thing for me to do is help him rest.  The spare bed will be used tonight.
So after all that explanation, this scarf was going to be started tomorrow, but here it is tonight and as I knit, I pray for the person who will receive this lovely gift and my beloved husband.   This project should take a week because a hat will follow to match the scarf.  The person receiving this gift knitted with prayers lives in another state.  It is a blessing to knit for others.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Fighting Cancer with Knitting

This beautiful scarf was made for a friend of a
friend who is in the battle against cancer.  I do not know the recipent, but feel connected to
her through the prayers said during the knitting.  Believe me when I say this woman is a
definite fighter.  This is my first scarf for someone in this battle that someone paid me to
make as a special order in my Etsy shop.  Actually taking money for this project was really
weird.  It seemed like I knew who this person is and in fact, what I know is how she will feel
when she receives this precious gift from her wonderful friend, whom I do not know.  My friend
called and said "I have a project for you".  Well as usual, she was right.  Since I made this beautiful
creation, I have made two more "chemo hats" and have an order for another set for a friend of a friend's friend.  Now I did not know at the time, but soon I was to begin a scarf for one of my best friends in this world.  She was told her battle would begin soon and well, you know she needed a scarf and I needed to make it for her.  She has it and I will post it soon.  Please keep her in your prayers for total healing. 

 Since I am fairly new to blogging, I have no idea why the script comes up looking funny.  Instead of putting off this post, I decided, well, someone needs to see this, so here it is.  The set was totally beautifully.  It is washable and the only request from the person I made it for was that it NOT have fringe, so I made up this little border to put on both ends.  Since finishing this project, I have made two more scarves with similiar borders.  I just love it for people who are taking chemo and radiation and need something to keep their necks warm.  God bless the person who is now wearing these two items made with love and prayers.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Snow Flake Hat

Happy New Year
So many wonderful memories from 2011 and am ready to begin the new year with hope and lots of plans.
Having said that, it was not in my plan to knit for someone who is about to undergo chemotherapy, but a dear friend called and told me about this friend of hers who wanted to give her friend a nice gift.  Well, you know when it comes to comforting those who are going through chemo therapy, we just can not do enough.  Knitting is my joy and so here is the hat finished for this person I have never met but have prayed for her healing and comfort with the knitting.  This is such a simple pattern and yet with the yarns I used it turned out so soft and lovely.  The eyelash fringe was made in Italy.  If you have read my profile, you know Italy is my Dad's home place and holds a special place in my heart.  We have visited, met family and plan a return visit with our grandchildren.  Now back to the hat, I started the scarf but was so excited about the yarns for the hat I finished that first.  The next post will be the wonderful scarf.  It had a soft pink yarn with a white running yarn behind it with the little sparkles found in the yarn in the hat.  Please join me in praying for the soon to be owner of this creation.  I am sure she will feel the love.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Renaissance Festival NC

Grandchildren are the blessings we did not know were coming in life.  Sydney and Sophia love the Renaissance Festival held each year in North Caroline.  Here are two of the loves of my life having fun.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sorting Mail

After a very nice long trip, here is what our kitchen table looks like. 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Drum Roll ############ And The Winner Is: Teresa


I feel so honored by the visits from many wonderful bloggers living all over this magnificant world.  OWOH has given me a new appreciation for the talented individuals sharing their treasurers.  Although Teresa from http://favoritethings.typepad.com/delightful_whimsy/ ♥ tere
 is the winner of this lovely neck warmer, I am the real winner to have had so many visitors. It was so fun reading the heartfelt notes from each of you.  Thank you Lisa for the opportunity to join in the fun of OWOH.  Blessings and Good Fortune to you all, Janet

Monday, January 31, 2011

Welcome One World One Heart

Hello everyone!  Since I am blessed to still have relatives in Italy and England, here is a picture of our great and wonderful world as seen on my office desk.  This globe is positioned so I can see the 'boot' of Italy.  There are such awesome people all over this world.  The One World One Heart Event gives us an opportunity to broaden our friendships and share ourselves.  Note:  The globe is as aged as I am, now that's impressive.  Look at the color, still lovely.
Welcome to my DreamChallenge and One World One Heart Event.  Here is a heart designed using my very favorite hobby - knitting: (the design is mine and the circle of pearls represents our circle of unity).

 My husband loves to garden and so this picture of me shelling peas is appropriate to share with all of you.  He does the gardening and I do the cooking/canning, etc.  Of course, he helps me a lot especially with the clean up after the project is completed.  We always send our granddaughters some fresh peas out of the garden when they are first ripe.  They live about five hours away and love getting the packages from Grammy and Papaw.
 Here he is, the love of my life.  Bob is a cancer survivor and has lived through a stem cell transplant.  We are so blessed and Thank God each day for Bob's continued good health.  Can you see that smile?  He is a great person.  This picture shows a sweater I made for his niece (mine too), but little Jack was not even born when this project was completed.
Sharing my love of knitting is a joy.  The item choosen for this event giveaway could be for a man, woman or child.  When you win this lovely item knitted with prayer for the winner, be sure to tell me who will wear it.  If it is a woman or girl, there are flowers to accompany the 'arrowpoint neck wrap'.  The men and boys will probably not want the flowers.  Knitting flowers sometimes makes them a little too big, so these are crochet and will tie onto the wrap.  When you leave a comment, please leave your e-mail or mailing address or some way for me to contact you when you win.  I look forward to meeting you as we travel the world together.  Thank you to our wonderful host, Lisa http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/2010/12/annoucning-the-fifth-and-final-one-world-one-heart-event-.html





Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New Projects

Nothing like sharing with others. Thus a Heart Swap sponsored by Deb @ Mosiac Magpie blog. Her blog is http://mosaicmagpielogspot.com/  stop by and visit, she loves visitors.





After I finished by creation to swap, it was time to start my next project. A lovely sweater for a precious little princess born about nine months ago. The sweater pattern is one of my favorites and was shared with me by my friend Vicki. Vicki is a true friend and travel companion. Stop by and see her. She actually has pictures that are in focus. LOL (unlike mine)  Vicki's blog is http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/





I found some yarn that actually has a little design once it is knitted and after hunting for weeks to find the "perfect" yarn for little princess, this one jumped out at me.  It's called Cuddle Muffin and the color I choose is white/green/pink and yellow.  It is so soft and washable
So please, follow along as the design takes shape and thanks for stopping by. I would love to hear from you if you have time to leave me a comment. Enjoy the moment. Jan

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Designer Bag

The little sweater and hat are ready to deliver and quess what???Not a bag in the house to put the gift. So what is a girls to do? Well, I did have a shopping bag with some writing on the front. Wall paper books are great to help out when a person needs cards or just some pretty paper to craft with. Well, I cut out a heart and a little stamped heart, all from the old wall paper. Used some glue and there you have it - A Designer Bag to put the gift into. It looked a little "pail". I made a head band for the little princess and attached it to the handle of the bag and then made a tie from the yarn by making a nice chain.
There you have it - The lovely bag made from 'around the home stuff'. I think the new Mom will love the bag as well as the gifts inside.
What have you made lately using 'stuff around the house'? Maybe we should have a contest to see what people have made from 'stuff around the house'? Let me ask my friend how to do that and we will start on February 1 if I can figure out how. Happy crafting.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Ruffle collar baby sweater

Now this little sweater is a treasure come true.  The little baby girl is not with us yet, but she is growing nicely and will soon arrive.  Sweaters are so adorable, but I wanted her to have one with a ruffle collar and so made up this little pattern.  The button is also hand made using a crochet hook.  The penny will show the size.  Just so cuddly.  Her Mama and family will have no trouble seeing her in this beautiful creation.  No, not bragging, just thankful God gave me the ability to create something so beautiful for one of His children.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

One World One Heart

Logo2011small
Last year was my first time as a blogger participating in this wonderful world wide event.
Thank you for the opportunity

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Keri Beth's Contest

My friend Vicki has an amazing blog.  Here is the link: 
http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/ 
If you visit her and enter herVera Bradley Contect, Little Keri Beth will choose a winner on December 27.  Please tell her you saw her link on DreamChallenge blog.
Good Luck and while you are their, check out our dinner party.  It was so much fun and Vicki captures the fellowship as no other could.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Jack's Sweater

Well, putting more than one picture at a time seems to be a project I need lots of work to accomplish.  Please stay with me.
As I said on the last post, Jack is growing, eating and generally pleasing his parents and grandparents.  Although his Uncle Bob has not seen him in person, you can see the happy smile on his face just holding the gift made with love for Jack.  (Some of you know, Uncle Bob is my beloved husband.)
Here is the sweater and hat made to help Jack celebrate Christmas:

Sweaters

My goodness, so many babies lately.  Three beautiful sweaters are either on their way or ready to go.
Each one was a joy to knit.  As some of you know, I like to pray for the child and family as I knit.  Two of the little ones are here and one more to come very soon.  Wanted to share the different styles made for these little ones. 
The first picture of this new design was posted before it was completed.  Here it is with the buttons sewn on the side for a little boy.  The bundle was 8 pounds and 10 ounces.  I made a 3 month size because the child has relatively small bones parents.  Surprise, little one came into this world a little larger than expected but extremely healthy.  Praise God.

This next sweater is for our nephew.  I made it using two yarns twisted together.  Great for Christmas Season and Valentine's Day soon after.  Little Jack is doing great and so are his parents.