Kirby Heyborne concert, knitting and more

Not a lot of time to write on this glorious Sabbath. Church was so uplifting this afternoon as the Primary did their Sacrament Presentation. The Spirit is always so strongly present when little ones sing praises to the Lord.

I did want to post what a wonderful time my family had last night at a Kirby Heyborne concert at our High School. They were raising money for the drama/media depts there. For some reason, totally beyond my comprehension, the dang football/baseball/basketball teams get tons of $$$$$, but try to get funding for the arts, or for media and that's where the buck stops.

It's shameful how there is such an unbalance in that system-- Unbalance-- is that a word?? Maybe it's imbalance in this case-- whatever, where is the money for our kids creativity! The drama/media dept have a mascot 'Petey' who is an adorable character to bears a striking resemblance to Grover, but hey! We all have our doubles out there, so they say! Petey has been kidnapped and they are raising money to pay his ransom and thus support the drama/media depts.

Kirby is an actor who has appeared in many LDS Movies, like the RM, Singles Ward, and a wonderful WWII movie called 'Saints and Soldiers'. He was talented, gracious and just terrific! He even made up a song for poor Petey! =) Charming guy... we really enjoyed him. If you want to read more about him he has a very professional website right HERE! Well worth a look and a listen, and he has several CDs - we bought 2 of them last night, and they are so relaxing to listen to.

Also found out Kirby knits! He is learning for a part in an upcoming movie! Can't wait to see that one. =) You have to love a guy who knits! Time for a couple of photos.

He was so gracious to stay late and take photos or sign things for everyone. I know he must have been tired out. He really puts a lot of energy into his concerts...

My girls were so thrilled to have their photo taken with him:













Well, keep the needles clicking and HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE TODAY!

Bev

Reflecting on peace.... hats for the needy and more

I was just sitting here thinking how very quiet it is in my home today. I love the peace, and calm and quiet times of my life. Being the mom of 5 children doesn't exactly create a bounty of quiet times, even now, when 2 have moved out, so I cherish each moment of quiet. Like a few minutes ago when I could hear Canadian Geese fly over my roof, their gentle, rhythmic honking creating natures music... so beautiful.

The birds of the desert love my garden, as we have many fruit trees, grapes on the vines, and much shade, a treasure and oasis in the Mojave desert. They flock to my trees for shade, and for nourishment., and as I take our dogs outside, I love to hear them walking amongst the branches of the fan palm trees.

Cookie, our puppy, is snuggled on the blankets on the doggy bed, softly breathing, and evidently dreaming of bugs and bunnies, and glorious blowing items to chase. She was awake and barking that shrill puppy bark, at 4:29 this morning! The whole house woke up to it. So it is good to see her sleeping now. I keep telling her she has to learn to sleep in or she won't grow, yet, she ignores me, and grows anyway, and still wakes up very early.

We change our clocks back this weekend so that should be interesting. Hopefully it won't completely baffle her inner-puppy clock so she awakens at 3:30 instead! YIKES! I think we need to tire her out an hour or so before bed!!



HATS!
A reader wrote to me yesterday with a question about this pattern, the first one on the page:
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/sandras-winter-hats.html

Now normally, when someone asks about someone else's patterns I simply don't know the answers but this one looked intriguing, so I decided to make a hat of my own! It turned out to be so much fun to make that I want to do more. It took about 2 oz of ww yarn, and will fit an elementary school aged kid. It does fit me with a stretch, but I have a small head mind you!

I am now making the other pattern on that page so I can get a photo posted of that one too. Sandra designed some wonderful hats for me. We have since lost contact but I would love to have her design some more for my site. They have warmed many heads around the world I am sure.

If any of you have been thinking of doing some humanitarian crafting, I have several places/charities who can use your handmade warmth listed on this page:

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/charity-links.html

Well, have a wonderful day and HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

Be sure to check out more of my warm, winter patterns on this page and let's brighten the world with warmth and light this winter!!
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/winter.html

and don't forget about Christmas gifts...
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/christmas/

HUGS
Bev

Philippians 4:3
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Crafting Angels, Cross stitch, embroidery and so on....

Hi
Crafting Angels went well this morning, although I was incredibly stressed due to exhaustion. I didn't sleep well last night, woke up in a nightmare after only a couple of hours of sleep, and then had to run CA. We got another picture book done-- 20 pages of cut out mag pictures for little kids in orphanages etc. And we got 2 quilts tied =) including a twin sized one.

I also have been feeling lately, as I am running more and more directions, trying to be mom, dad, cook, dishwasher, laundress, seamstress, spiritual teacher, etc etc etc... I laid in bed today crying, really missing my mom who died in 1983, just needing someone to take care of me. And as I laid there I was strongly impressed to take care of myself by doing things for 'BEV' instead of constantly doing everything for everyone else. I am totally out of steam.

The other day I was digging through old boxes and found an embroidery I started in college, for my someday married home.... well, I have been in that someday-married-home for 27+ years now, and that embroidery is still not finished. I have decided I want to get it done. =)

As I looked at it, it reminded me that there are so many other fun things to craft, other than preemie hats and booties. You can embroider, cross stitch, plastic canvas etc. It's time.

I thought I would share one of my charts with you since Halloween in coming up! It's kind of fun and not too hard.
Pump-kitty
copyright Bev Qualheim 2002, 2006

Grid Size: 30 W x 46 H
Cloth Count: 14
Design Area: 2.14" W x 3.29" H ( 28 x 45 stitches )

Symbol DMC
310 black
971 pumpkin (pumpkin)
970 pumpkin - lt (part of pumkin eyes)
712 cream (ear edge)
353 peach flesh - lt (inside ear)
703 chartreuse (eyes)
760 salmon (nose)
318 steel grey - lt
307 lemon (yellow part of pumpkin eyes & mouth)

Hope you enjoy it. =) There are lots more patterns and charts on this part of my website:

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/x-stitch/

Most were designed by my friend Sandy Riggs who is brilliant at it.

Well I am off to go look for thread to match the colors on that embroidery, as my daughter needs to do her homework on here.

HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!!

Bev Q

Cookie is growing, storms, Osmonds, and another dishcloth pattern!

Hi there!
I am so busy creating new patterns for my book, one in paricular, that I have not done much for my website patterns lately. But a couple of terrific readers made up 2 of my dishcloth patterns and sent me photos to post! I am going to actually place them on their own pages now that I have 2 sets of photos, but for now I will post one on here.
----------------------

Bathroom Knit Washcloth
copyright Bev Qualheim 1989
Photo by Michelle Bowden

If you know basic knitting--you can make this washcloth in a jiffy! Great for presents too just add some pretty soaps and bath salts in a little basket! Size 8 knitting needles Crochet cotton--your choice of color

• Cast on 3 stitches.
• Row 1: Knit across row.
• Row 2 Increase one stitch and then finish knitting across row. Repeat this row till you have 48 sts on needle.
• Row 3: K to last 2 sts; k 2 together to decrease.

Repeat Row 3 till you are back down to 3 sts again. Cast off. Use a small crochet hook or a needle to weave in loose ends.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cookie is gettng bigger every day! I am a bit worried about her EYES though! She has so much hair hanging in front of them. My daughter says from what she has read, you never clip that, but you let it grow long and comb it down along the nose? Or you put it up in a barrette.

Hmm... anyone know out there?

I mean you really cannot see her eyes, and I am afraid they are not going to develop sight properly.

Any of you Shi Tzu doggy lovers have any advice?

It's really storming outside right now, and the doggies do not want to go out to potty! Could be a problem. I am hoping it blows over quickly and I am so glad I got my laundry off the line - especially since I had some handmade socks on the line! Out here in the desert we get winds that could put Chicago to shame, let me tell you! We often have other people's belongings in our yarn after storms like this one.

We needed the rain though so that's good. =)
----------------------------

A few years ago I worked for Donny Osmond as his assistant on his BELIEFS PAGE and his brother Alan (for thefamily.com) on their websites. While I was working with them I had photos taken and they bring back such great memories. They were great guys to work for, very real and good people.

The one with Donny was taken at the Brick Foundation event in Milwaukee.

The one with 4 of us is: Suzanne and Alan Osmond, then me (the short one-- I am 5' 7"!), and Dave Brewer.

Oh my-- I just found this one too!! It was taken in Toronto, and we were having a singalong with me on guitar at the Get Together. There was no music stand, so Donny became my music stand! Is that fun or what?! Can we all sing 'Memories'??






and one more from waaaaay back in 1975 (in Black and White) when I went with friends to the MN Stake Fair and saw them in concert. We were only 10 rows back and had SOOOOOOOOO much fun. The 70's were a great time for girls to be growing up!










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Till next time! HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!

Bev Q

Another dishcloth and knitted socks

Good morning!!
I was trying on a couple of pairs of my hand-knitted socks this morning and they both had holes! That's one great thing about handmade socks-- you cna use another piece of sock yarn and fix them up just fine. I have made a 1/2 dozen pairs or so and had a couple of them for 3 years now! Just mend the little holes and the mending adds some extra color and character I figure.

I wanted to post another dishcloth pattern here, as they make such great Christmas gifts. Time to start making them

----------------------------------------------------
Bev's Scrappy Cotton Cloth

Close up of details

Scraps of Crochet cotton (Sugar and Cream etc)
(you need about 3/4 oz total)
I make lots of these as they work up quickly! Great to keep in your purse for a car trip! Fantastic for gifts!
Size K hook

Ch 28
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from the hook-counts as 1 dc, 2 dc in same ch, (skip 1 ch, sc in next ch, skip 1, ch 3 dc in next ch) across to last ch, 1 dc, ch 3 and turn.
Row 2: Dc in 3rd st from the hook-counts as 1 dc, 2 dc in same st, (skip 1 st, sc in next st, skip 1 st, 3 dc in next st) across to last st, 3 dc, ch 3 and turn.
Row 3: Dc in 3rd st from the hook-counts as 1 dc, 2 dc in same st, (skip 1 st, sc in next st, skip 1 st, 3 dc in next st) across to last st, sc, ch 3 and turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until cloth is desired length, adding new colors as you use up your scraps.


More HOUSEHOLD PATTERNS
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Have an amazing day today and HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

BevQ

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Turkey! and Crocheting a bear

My family and a few friends, celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving on Saturday since it was the only day Mike could come home this week, and our son Chris and his wife, Danielle were down from Salt Lake City! (You gotta click on that link as there are some great pages linked from it!)

We invited a couple of dear friends (Grandma Bingham and her daughter Marline-- you may have heard of Grandma!!) It was a long day of cooking some great foods and as normal, I forgot a couple of things, like the stuffing and cranberry sauce!! But at least this year I did remember the green bean casserole. My daughter decided next big dinner... (USA Thanksgiving!) we need to make a list. I agree!!

I have spent all day so far crocheting a little bear for one of our Seminary Teacher's new baby-to-be! My friend Bobbi made and afghan and then gave me some of her leftover yarn to make a little matching teddy bear. I will take photos later, although you can see the original in the link -- as the blanket and bear are in the wash right now.

The photo was taken this morning, right after a thunder storm as the sun was rising in the east. It sure looks like fire in the sky doesn't it?

Added some more blog links to my column. =) Some of them have great patterns. The more patterns the better right?

Here is one of my own recipes to create a really soul-warming treats for yourself from my out-of-print booklet: Herbs © 1995 Bev Qualheim

Face Lift
We have all seen those expensive 'face-lift' products that help tighten your skin and make you look a bit more youthful. Here is my own version of that and it works great!

• 1 egg white from a fresh egg
• 1 tsp cornstarch

(this is good for tightening the pores and absorbing excess oil. Do NOT get too close to the eyes as the skin there doesn't like to be stretched.) Mix these 2 ingredients with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Smooth onto a clean face and allow to dry completely. Lie down on the couch or your bed and listen to soothing music like Donny Osmond's Christmas at Home for about 15-20 minutes and relax, you deserve it. (You can make the time!!!)

Removing: Gently rinse face with warm water, splash it on or use a wash cloth and blot it off, then rinse.
Do not store this, just mix it up as needed.

******************************************

Thanksgiving Turkey Fridgie
pattern copyright 1989, 2006 Beverly A. Qualheim

Size F crochet hook
Scraps of colored 4 ply yarn (see photo)
Wiggly eyes and magnet
Tiny piece of orange felt for beak

Body:
Ch 3, join to form a ring
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 12 dc inside the ring (13 dc total)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in joining sts, 2 d in each dc all around; join (26 dc total)
Tail Row:
Row 1: Ch 3, dc in joining st, dc in next st, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 7 times; do NOT join, ch 1, turn; (24 dc)
Row 2: Sc in first dc, (ch 7, skip next dc, sc in next dc) 11 times, sc in last dc; ch 10 turn: (11 loops)
Row 3: Work behind the row 2 tail loops, in each skipped dc, sc in next dc, (ch 10, sc in next dc) 10 times; finish off. (11 loops)
Feet:
Skip 4 dc from tail, join yarn by working sl st in next dc, ch 3, sl st in next 2 dc, ch 3, sc in next dc then finish off.
Head:
Ch 3, join to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 12 dc in ring; join loosely, 13 dc.
finish off.
Wattle:
Join red under chin (sl st in top of dc, 1 triple crochet in next dc) sl st in next dc in sl st to finish off. (You can make 2 if you wish)
Beak:
Cut a small triangle of orange felt and glue in place.

FINISH
Stitch head to body just below the tail, either st around the head, or use a single st in the center of the head. Glue on wiggly eyes, or use white yarn to make 2 french knots for eyes. Glue on magnet strip to back of turkey.

Bev

Sunday musings...

Sundays are my favorite day. This week has been no exception. It's beenkind of a tough week, but as I went to Sacrament meeting and felt the deep compassion my Savior Jesus Christ has for me, my wounds really do feel like they are healed.

I think to the talk that President Gordon B. Hinckley gave at this last General Conference. How he spoke of Brigham Young holding conference at the same time of year 150 years ago when handcarts were stranded or struggling on the plains. Hundreds of faithful Latter-day Saints were freezing to death and dying of starvation. President Young received word that these handcart companies were still on the plains and in dyer straits, and he immediately called for all the men and women to gather provisions together, tons of flour, several teams of strong horses, warm clothing and blankets.

Keep in mind these Saints had fairly recently arrived in the Valley themselves and were not exactly rolling in dough so to speak. They struggled. Many didn't have even roofs on their homes, and certainly some only owned 1 or2 blankets, but they gave freely. They loved these immigrant brothers and sisters they had yet to meet. They loved them as WE should be loving our Heavenly Fathers children all over the world.

Many are in terrible circumstances.
Many are dying of starvation.
Many are freezing to death.

Are we still answering the Lord's call to help them?
The following excerpt is from President Hinckley's talk last week...
The Faith to Move Mountains

"I will tell you all," said he, "that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains, and attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties, otherwise your faith will be in vain; the preaching you have heard will be in vain to you, and you will sink to hell, unless you attend to the things we tell you" (Deseret News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252).

Immediately horses and mules and strong wagons were offered. Flour in abundance was forthcoming. Warm clothing and bedding were quickly assembled. Within a day or two the loaded wagons were moving eastward through the snow.

When the rescuers reached the beleaguered Saints, they were like angels from heaven. People wept tears of gratitude. The handcart people were transferred into wagons so they could travel more quickly to the Salt Lake community.

Some two hundred died, but a thousand were saved."

Are we doing all we can to reach out to those in need, around the world, in our communities, in our neighborhoods. in our own homes? Are we smiling, sometimes even when we feel like crying? Are we trying to be positive and not give in to the negative atmosphere that pervades the world? Are we replacing negative thoughts with kind, good, positive, uplifting, happy thoughts? We can you know... we must... it's a tough one for me to overcome the 'poor me' syndrome any time anything minor happens.

As I worked on a special pattern for my book, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a vision of a little girl who would be wearing that garment soon. I am knitting it in bright pink. =) I thought of her mommy gently dressing this tiny girl, and I had to smile as I thought back to when I had my first baby. He was 7 weeks early and only 4 1/2 lbs, and so skinny, birdlike, and precious.

He is going to be 26 in a few weeks here. =) What a great man he has become too.

I have a few photos to share tonight. Let me find them. Pretty sunset type ones...

Have a wonderful evening!! And a great day tomorrow.

Bev

Charity Book... and other musings

Good morning!
As I drove back home from taking high schoolers off to school this morning, the most glorious site was presented before my eyes. It was a rainbow! The widest one I had ever seen. I meant to run in and grab my camera, but here it is almost an hour later, and I just remembered I wanted to snap that moment! So I went out thinking there is no way there is still a rainbow out there, but there was - it's now a regular skinny one, but I did capture that moment in time for all of you. (See above)

I am dressed and ready to go to the Temple this morning, but my friend Bobbi, who is normally my ride is sick with the flu. Poor Bobbi-- that's just miserable. She has to work today too, filing permits in Vegas. Prayers for Bobbi. Another friend just called to see if I would like to go with them and I WOULD!! =)

Anyhow about the book. I have been writing on and off for 3 years, a book on Humanitarian crafting and service in general, with author Trina Boice. Yesterday she emailed to let me know someone was actually interested in looking at it! YES! So I will be busy with that let me tell you. It needs a ton of tweaking and some of the patterns need photos and all kinds of stuff, but I am excited.

If you have any ideas you would like to see in such a book, please let me know. =)
Will write more when I have time.

HUGS
Bev

Mittens done... hearts knit together...

Hi!

I finished my mittens! Woo hoo!

They turned out to be about 8" long from cuff to tip-top. Now, one teeny problem. I was watching TV and not paying a ton of attention to the directions and I made the first mitten with a rounded top, missed a whole 2 rows in there.

Could also be my dyslexia- I have the kind where you read and skip lines but have no idea you did... Anyhow, I like the 2nd mitten better with the more pointy top. They are nice and warm too! I can't wait to start on another pair tonight. Just need to find some contrasting yarn and I think I will make the thumbs in maybe a 3rd color for fun!! =)

I was thinking when I get really sure of this pattern I could knit in some hearts or something or maybe go back and x-stitch them into the mitts.

I had to share a photo of Cookie from today too! She was in a really playful mood and even ran off with a ball of blue yarn from who knows where! She tends to get things from around the house and stash them on this doggie bed!

I got the yarn away from her and here she is wondering what my problem is not letting her run amuck with that ball of fun!



Sometimes my mind gets off into deep waters, and since I love to write I want to share some of these moments on my blog.




Last night I looked out the back window and saw such a gorgeous site. There were several really dark clouds with white linings and between them the moon kept 'floating' into view. Whispy darkness would crowd out the brightness of the moon for moments, and then would be taken across and over and away to parts of the sky beyond my view. It was breathtaking and beautiful.
I had to capture this dusk magic to remind me that when there are fleeting periods of darkness in my life, all I have to do is hang in there, and the Light that is the Son of God, will illuminate my soul again. Darkness absolutely cannot abide the light, ever. If there is light, darkness flees.
Light will always win the battle if we allow it.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:11 states:
"And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through Him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings."

Until tomorrow... time to feed my hungry kids, and get working on more mittens!

HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

BevQ at Bev's Country Cottage

STASH BUSTIN' TIME!!!

Hi!
Ok- it's that time of year again.... I HAVE to use some of my yarn stash before I allow myself to buy any more yarn! I have tons here right now. I have taken as much as I can to Crafting Angels, and those bins are filled as well. The Lord has been good to all of us here for keeping us supplied in yarn this year.

Anyone want to join me in my STASH BUST! It means no buying yarn till the first of 2007. Tough but I know I have to do it. I have 7 or 8 large plastic bins with yarn in them right now. Yet, I can never find the right color for what I am doing so I end up buying another skein here and there. NO MORE!! At least not till January 1st. =)

Well, I managed to crochet 3 pairs of mittens from Friday through Sunday... basically 1 pair a day, while watching Conference. They take longer to make than I was thinking for some reason. I figured each pair took about 3 hours, since I was taking notes during conference, while knitting on and off!

The knitted ones are off my website too, CLICK HERE FOR PATTERN. And I took a photo (shown above) so you can see what they look like mid-done (is that a word???)

They seem a bit larger than I remember too although I tried them on my boys at the time, but maybe it's 'cos they have bigger hands than my daughters? Hmmm-- I was thinking, you could make them using size 6 needles for a smaller child-- maybe a preschooler. I will try that with the next pair. I have a whole pound of beige Caron brand yarn which would be perfect for boys or girls depending on the contrasting colors I use. I could make a bunch of mittens, maybe slippers too? I know LDS Humanitarian can use slippers too.

My cold-bug- is getting better today, and for that I am really grateful and happy! This weekend our son Christopher and his wife Danielle will be home for Canadian Thansgiving (more on that later but you may want to check out the fun links on that page!) plus we have company coming to share that celebration with us. We are celebrating on Saturday instead of next Monday the 9th since everyone can come home that day.

You know, since more people are coming to this blog every day I thought I might as well share my GENEALOGY on here with all of you because one of you might be related to me somewhere along the lines! Don't hesitate to write if you are related. Maybe we can help one another out.

Well, I have yummy hamburger soup cooking on the stove, although we didn't have much meat so it's mostly veggies, and I need to make some corn bread to go with it. =)

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/hamb-soup.html

Bev's Cornbread

3/4 c. corn meal
3/4 c. flour
1 TBsp. baking powder
2 Tbsp. honey
3/4 c. milk
1 egg
1/4 c. margarine

Combine dry ingredients
Add egg, milk and margarine Beat until smooth, about 1 minute. DO NOT over beat. Pour batter into small pan and bake at 425 F degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cut and serve warm. Makes 6 servings. Tastes great with homemade pea soup.

Gotta run for now.
HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

Bev Q

The baby shirt-vest pattern link and more

Good Sabbath morning!
As you might be able to tell, I just got back from taking the doggies for a walk - sun was just coming up and it was so lovely!

Our Heavenly Father sure does welcome us in a most beautiful, color-filled way to each new day we are given to serve Him here on this earth.

Cookie is learning really well, to walk with the leash now, and I am able to take them both out and have both leashes in one hand which is most helpful when taking photos! I take my camera with me almost everywhere I go, because you just never know when you will see something breathtakingly beautiful in this world.

As I was walking this morning, breathing in the fresh desert air, and enjoying the cooler temperature, I was amazed at the miriad of sounds that early. There were cows lowing, and roosters galore trying to rouse the sleepy world to activity this gorgeous Sabbath Day.

General Conference will be on again in a couple of hours and I can't wait! If you don't get BYU-TV and would like to watch it anyhow, you can do so here on Explorer. Technology is amazing isn't it?

A couple of people have asked about the baby shirt-vest I have been making. I thought I had posted a link to that pattern on my site but I guess I didn't yet. So HERE IT IS! =) Enjoy

You can also find things on my site by doing a search on my sitemap page at the top. We include those in our Newborn Kits for UMC county hospital in Vegas, along with 4 paper diapers, burp cloth, soft 30" or so blanket, hat and booties. Makes a nice little going home package for these moms, since the hospital can't provide them with anything. Being the county hospital they get all the people with no insurance, many visitors, I imagine homeless people, poor people and there are many in Vegas.

The gambling industry here certainly doesn't make regular people rich. It robs them like a common thief and often leaves them destitute... it's evil influence destroys families, and becomes addictive like alcohol. Well, enough on my views on gambling. I am quite sure you will capture the essence of how I feel from very little comment!

Anyhow, UMC can use all the help it can get from us. They're always so appreciative of anything we can bring in for the babies. These sweet, precious babies deserve more than to be quickly wrapped in dad's old shirt for warmth to go home.

As I watch Conference today, I want to make at least one more pair of mittens for LDS Humanitarian. They need many pairs for cold hands-- all sizes.

Well, I should get some breakfast I guess. I only ate a bowl of cereal and 2 mugs of chicken noodle soup yesterday and I actually feel hungry today. Maybe a good thing. This cold is nasty and I am thankful for it, as I know in a few days I will be more grateful for feeling well again. Funny how illness can do that to us... make us humble and grateful.

I will leave you with a photo I took this morning of our doggies out walking... look how nicely they walk together already. =) So good!

And with a thought from the Doctrine and Covenants 64:33:

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for you are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things preceedeth that which is great."


Take care and HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!


Bev

Conference Mittens!

GENERAL CONFERENCE MITTENS

Hi!
I'm back! I picked up a nasty little cold-thing from my daughter, and have really not felt much like posting on here. Still don't but decided it was time.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding its semi-annual General Conference this weekend, and the first couple of sessions were on earlier today. It was wonderful, listening to wise counsel and advice and learning how to become more like the Savior, Jesus Christ, while I crocheted some mittens for needy children. I got 2 pairs finished up last night and today. I used one strand of regular worsted weight yarn leftovers, and 1 strand of plain red sock yarn for extra warmth and they turned out really nice and toasty. One pair was made with pink and the red, and the other was sort of maroony colored with the red. These will be given to LDS Humanitarian to send out where they are most needed.

My daughter was digging through my old cedar chest today, and we found THE hat that started it all!! Seriously, this is the hat that someone knitted for my first premature baby, Shaun, back in 1980! It was placed on his little head in the LaCarosse Lutheran Hospital eds ICU. This little hat brought me hope and really pushed me into making items for other preemies. Notice the pompom is totally ragged and mostly gone now, but it brings back amazing memories for me.

That's how the whole newsletter came about, that I did composed and edited back in the 80's and 90's and then the Country Cottage pages, first on osmond.com, and then on my own domain bevscountrycottage.com

One hat can make ALL the difference and lead 1000's of people to do good in this world. This little hat is proof of that. =) Never underestimate how much good one little act of kindness can do.

We have our living room set up for General Conference, which maybe sounds peculiar, but it's the way the Qualheims are! We have air matresses, sleeping bags, pillows and homemade quilts all over the floor- and I mean ALL OVER. You can't move really. The kids lay there to watch Conference. It's quite cozy. I sit in my recliner, taking notes, and crocheting. I might knit tomorrow.

I am still working on my thoughts for next years Charity Challenge. I was thinking of making a certain number of pairs of mittens for kids. I'd love to make 500 but that is really nuts - it would mean doing almost nothing else but making mittens like I did that year when I made 500 pairs of booties. Mittens however take hours to make, not 20 minutes.

Maybe making 100 pairs of mittens is more reasonable???? I am still thinking about it mind you.

As I was watching Conference, I felt this overwhelming feeling that there will be many more people in need of handmade warm items next year, and I need to really get focused. What a great opportunity we have been given to reach out to others by using our talents for something we LOVE to do - knit, crochet, sew etc. It never ceases to amaze me at the doors that are opened for me in this life. When I was totally bedridden expecting babies, I used the time to learn to read crochet directions and practice doing that. It helped the months pass quickly, well, that's how I remember it looking back 20 years now!

Since the cooler weather, and cold season is coming ever closer, I thought I would share my fave soup to make. It's one my mom used to make but I adapted it a bit. Hope you family love it too!!
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Bev's Hamburger Soup
In large pot, brown 1 lb of hamburger meat, drain off any fat.
Add 1 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp salt
a few shakes of ground pepper
1 beef bouillon cube
1 large chopped tomato
3 large peeled, and cut up potatoes
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
Place all the ingredients in the pot with the meat, fill with water to about 1" from the top, and gently cook for a couple of hours. This can also be placed in a crockpot and cooked on medium all day.
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Michael will be home later tonight and I can't wait. Wish we were all a bit more healthy, but, hopefully he won't catch it overnight. Well, I have a sinkful of dishes that are calling my name! What a mess... we have not been cleaning too much today like we usually do on Saturdays! Oh well, I have a bit of time before Mike walks in.

Talk to you later!! HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE! and remember Families really can be together forever.

Bev Q

Bev's YARN SHOP

BLOG-SCARF?

Hi!

Anyone joining me in making my BLOGSCARF? Here is the info? I need some of you to work along with me, so I just keep it sitting here not worked on!!

It's VERY simple if you know how to knit at all.

I am using Size 10 wooden knitting needles. The yarn is well.... whatever I can find in my stash. PLUS, and this is the important part, I am using 1 strand of plain colored sock yarn with a strand of 4 ply worsted weight yarn. I have the same color plain blue sock yarn going through the whole scarf so far, even though the other colors are varied. Makes all the different colored yarns 'tie' together. =)

Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 25 stitches and knit away till it's the length you want, 4-5 feet long should be good and warm.

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All you have to do is grab some of your yarn from your stash and your needles---and you really could use any size, just adjust the number of stitches so it is wide enough.

I have decided I am making it for the Dulaan Project - which you can see in my links to the right too. I finished a pair of crocheted wool mittens the other day, washed them and dried them in the dryer so they 'felted' up a tad and are warm and softer!

So a pair of mitts, a scarf and maybe a hat will all be sent there. Actually maybe even more than that as they look like they could use LOTS of warm clothes for all sizes... I have a sweater on the needles too that needs to be done!

This one was made by one of my Bev's Country Cottage readers, "Karen "KC"" not by me.


Let's see what we, as readers of Bev's Blog, can do to warm the people of Mongolia!

BevQ

Monday Monday... Dishcloths

It's a love Autumn day here so I thought I would post in Autumn colors! This is my favorite time of year I have to admit. We don't really have Fall Colors here or anything, but the weather is cooler and you can go outside safely now.

I have been doing dishes this morning and looking at my ratty looking dishcloths now... I have a bunch of those knitted one that everyone loves... but it is time to make more. I am going to post some patterns...

The 1st one I adapted from an age old pattern to make it the size I want, the other 2 I just kind of made up to have easy cloths to whip up. I gave them away a long time ago and don't have photos, so if anyone wants to try to make the 2 without photos, and then email me a photo of either one or both, I would be thrilled!!

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Bev's FAVE KNIT BAZAAR DISHCLOTH
copyright Bev Qualheim 2003, 2006

Size 6 or 8 needles and 1 1/2 oz Aunt Lydias 'Denim Cotton'
Cast on 4 sts
K2, yo, k to end of row
Repeat until 50 sts on needle
K1, k2 tog, yo, k2 tog, k to end of row. (HINT: When you K2 together, be sure to go into the front of the sts and not the back. Just looks nicer.)
Repeat until 4 sts on needle
Bind off and weave in all ends. This looks pretty if you change colors, use up your scraps too!

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Bathroom Knit Washcloth
copyright Bev Qualheim 1989

If you know basic knitting--you can make this washcloth in a jiffy! Great for presents too just add some pretty soaps and bath salts in a little basket!
Size 8 knitting needles
Crochet cotton--your choice of color

Cast on 3 stitches.

Row 1: Knit across row.

Row 2 Increase one stitch and then finish knitting across row. Repeat this row till you have 48 sts on needle.

Row 3: K to last 2 sts; k 2 together to decrease.

Repeat Row 3 till you are back down to 3 sts again. Cast off. Use a small crochet hook or a needle to weave in loose ends.

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Terrific Dishcloth to knit
copyright Bev Qualheim 1989

2 oz cotton yarn
Size 8 knitting needles

Cast on 34 sts.
Row 1-4: Stockinette stitch--- one row knit, one row purl, one knit, one purl.
Pattern stitch:
Row 1: Knit 5, *k2 tog, yarn over, repeat from * to last 5 sts. K last 5 sts.
Row 2: Purl 5, *p 2 tog, yarn over, repeat from * to last 5 sts, P last 5 sts.
Rows 3 and 5: Knit across
Rows 4 and 6: Purl across

Continue in the Pattern Stitch until cloth is desited length--approx. 9" or so.
End with 4 rows of Stockinette stitch.

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I have seen several blogs lately featuring the Dulaan project - sending warm knitted clothes to Mongolia and I am take in totally by how good this project looks, so I am joining in helping people find the info about it.

I have links off to the right for you to click on! The BLOGSCARF pattern below, is one I will finish up for them. And I started some crocheted wool mitts. I am not certain I like the wool though as it is scratchy. I am going to make one, and then try to felt it and see if it will be wearable.

Till later-- HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE


BevQ