And The WINNER Is:

Thank each and everyone of you who visited Dreamchallenge so far during the Grow Your Blog Party.  The notes you are writing lifts my heart and gives me reinforcement in the knowledge that there are so many wonderful people out in our world, if we but give them the opportunity to share our life's journey with us.
I am a private person by nature and sharing with all of you has given me such unexpected joy. Knowing that many of my new followers actually read what is going on in my life was a revealition to me.  I am visiting each of my new followers and it is great fun.

Part of Grow your Blog was a gift, if you wanted to participate.  Of course, Ms. Vicki, makes everything so very fun.  Thank you Vicki.  Here is the WINNER of my lovely knitted scarf:

Derrith, from Ridgefield, WA.  Congratulations new friend. Here is Derrith's blog:
http://tiedupinribbon.blogspot.com/  Derrith, please e-mail your address to me at riverview@zoominternet.net 

If you made the decision to follow along with me, please give me time to come visit you.
Blessings to each of you. 
Jan

Grow My Blog

GROW YOUR BLOG PARTY

WELCOME

 

The love of my Life, dedicated Christian, cancer survivor (10 years and counting), bed partner (most nights), gardner, shopper, geologist, hiker and dry sense of humor husband, Bob.  He and I both love to read and be outdoors.  We live in Ohio on a family owned piece of property that used to be our "camp" and summer retreat. 

This is what we call the Front Entrance.  Bob has collected all those stones from our river bank.

Here I am enjoying two of my favorite activities:  knitting and sitting near the Ohio river in the sunshine with my Vera Bradley bag of knitting accessories.  Our host, Ms. Vicki, gave me the Vera Bradley bag years ago and it has literally accompanied us all around the world holding my project of the day.  

I Appreciate all my followers and will be happy to follow you as we

'Grow our Blogs' together.   

Most of us really enjoy owning items that others make with their 'labor of love", so here is mine.  Its a lovely soft washable neck scarf.  If you want to loop it, I have knitted a button hole on one side so you may loop one side through and keep the scarf in place.  The ladies (girls) may want to add the flower.  It simply ties onto the scarf. 

Now for you guys out their in blog land, you may want to untie the flower and wear the scarf without the flower.  (Then where you get tired of it -because it will not wear out for many years - you may retie the flower and give it away.)

We have a glass factor near our home, Blenko, in Milton WV.  The little orange Blenko vase is holding my treasure of pheseant feathers from North Dakota.  One of our neighbors brings me one feather each year.  They are so soft and comforting.

Another neighbor has an active little two year old.  Another love of my life.  She will be picking the winner for this lovely scarf.  Just leave me a note and you will be entered. 

So how did I get into knitting???? Well, my bed partner was diagonised with lymphonia in 2002.  What????he is a runner.  I cook healthy because nutrition is my professional life work.  Not possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Of course, the biopsy and test don't lie and we began the battle to overcome this dreadful cancer. 

A friend came to the hospital as I sat by Bob's bedside, she sat with me and taught me to knit.  Yes it took a couple of days, so she came back.  This hat and the previous scarf were both for those in the battle.

Items I love include my life long baby dolls.  This little girl has the most beautiful eyes and she is wearing her original dress.  What??????????? That's right.  OH yes, she and I spent many hours together, but she had lots of home made clothes (Thanks Mom) and this little dress was her "Sunday Outfit".  The hat goes with the sweater below.  One of my favorite sweater patterns.  Our host also gave me the pattern.  I love that woman and her gardner and you will too if you do not already.

Bob was enjoying the sunshine and newspaper on Mom's patio.  See "her kitty" (its really the neighbors, but don't tell.  Mom feeds her).  Bob is holding a pull- over sweater I made for our nephews first birthday.  Love the yarn.

I made this little creation for our neiighbor's granddaughter.  The same one who will be drawing one of your names for the lovely scarf.  The ruffle on the bottom is the only difference between this one and the gray sweater.  We are LONG STANDING MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL FANS.  Thus the green and white color.

Red, one of my favorite colors and about half of my closet is filled with red items.  The sweater was made for a friend who waited years for her boy to arrive.  This is the most difficult sweat I have ever made, but worth the hours.  I prayed so much for this child.  He is now a healthy young 'get into everything' two year old.

Our girls!  Love them.  Intelligent, happy and they love us.  Daughter both educated with Master's degrees (yes, as an educator, thats impt. to me).  Granddaughters are such fun.  This picture was taken at the Biltmore in Ashville, NC.  They met Bob and I their for my birthday lunch.

Bob and I both love gardens.  He plants and I cook.  These peas were delicious.  The little girls like to eat them right from the pods.

Going home from the hospital.  Yes, little Sophia was a healthy big baby.  Honoring me in this way was such a blessing.  As you can see, she will be able to wear the sweater as she grows.  The sleeves are rolled up.

Here she is:  Mom.  The woman in my life who taught me that life is not always easy, but sure worth the effort.  She loves life.  Knows more news that I do on an everyday basis.  She loved to garden, cook, can, sew, crochet and play BINGO.  She is wearing a scarf I made from yarn I purchased in Russia.  Our host and I found yarn in Russia.  Are you surprised???  My nephew gave this beautiiful creation to his girlfriend.

Making baby cacoons was a phase.  That's over, but I still have one left in my Etsy shop.  Stop by if you have time or need a lovely hand made item: 

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamChallenge

 

Thank you for traveling with me through my pictures.  I wish for you happy blogging.

 

 

New Knit Item for Man or Woman

WOW!!! This blog is actually working for me.  Thanks to my daughter.  YEA.
Here is a lovely scarf that was designed and knitted by me.  It has a loop on the back side incase the person wearing it wants to loop it.  There is also a flower that may be attached for a lady wearing the scarf or removed for a man who thinks flowers are only for the ladies.

 

Frustration

Testing the ability to post.  Would love to show some of my knitting.  Not able to do so.  Thinking a new blog may be the only answer.

Fighting Cancer with Prayers

Here is my friend's new neck warmer.  My husband and I knew the biopsy was cancer when we did not get a call two minutes after she left the doctor's office.  Instead her daughter called us about three hours later.  We knew not to call because my beloved partner has been in my friend's shoes many times.  It is always better to wait a few hours before running into someones life.  Actually as I write this, maybe just knowing the person is best.  We wanted to run over and cry and hug her, but we knew better.  When I called several hours later in the day to "see if I could bring dinner AND NOT STAY", the answer was "no", "can I have a rain check".  Of course, rain checks are always good, but I really just wanted to hug her.  You see, often our wants have to take a back seat to the person in the battle.  She needed time to digest what had happened that day.  She needed her husband, her kitties and her "old" robe.  Good lesson for us all, remember, it is NOT ALL ABOUT WHAT WE WANT,  it is about the person we love.  Love, listen and respond. 

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. 

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

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

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?

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.   

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sorting Mail

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

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

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

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

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.