All Things Andrea

All Things Andrea

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!!



I had soooo much fun making these dear little snowmen cards.  Wish I could take credit for the idea, but I saw it on Pinterest (where else!).  I only had a few white buttons in my collection that had two holes vs. four, so I sifted through the button box at my local thrift shop for the rest (enjoyed that part too!).  






Blessings on your Christmas!!

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Memory Gifts



I made an assortment of these little storage bags for Christmas presents for my family members, made out of my father's old work jeans.  



I simply cut off the legs, stitched across the bottoms, then stitched a box pleat across the side, just like when making these thread catchers.



My father still had a stack of brand new bandannas in his dresser drawer, so they worked perfectly for the linings.  He always carried an old red bandanna in his pocket.  :)  I did interface the bandanna with a medium weight fusible interfacing to give the bags a bit more body.



I love the paint splotches....

Looking forward to giving these gifts to my family!



Friday, December 19, 2014

Mittens!



I just finished stitching this pile of mittens for Christmas gifts!  They are made out of old wool sweaters that had been felted.  

This summer I had stumbled across a garbage bag of felted mitten supplies at the Lancaster Creative Reuse, a thrift shop for crafters.  I could not believe my good fortune!!  Felting wool is mess - I've done enough of it in the past that I had no interest in ever doing it again.  In light of my aversion to felting, this find was quite the treasure!!



The bag was stuffed with sets of mittens, carefully cut out and pinned together, all ready to go.  



Some were even embellished with felted flowers or crystals, like this one.  




Even the patterns were included!
I keep wondering what happened to the person who so carefully prepared all these mittens for stitching, then had to abandon the project....

I was so happy to have the privilege of finishing them up and seeing that they get to good homes.  I still have a number to finish, but I was able to complete enough for Christmas gifts.
They are wonderful -  oh so warm and cozy, lined with fleece!

Maybe I will have to revisit that felting thing....

:)

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Physician, Heal Thyself



My latest holistic medical pursuit....

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Uncle John's Black Walnuts


John H. Hoke

My Uncle John passed away last month at the age of 92.  He led an amazingly fruitful and productive life and reminded me so much of my father, both in looks as well as in approach to life.


After he passed away, his children divvy-ed up his black walnut stash in the freezer.  My cousin Jeff was kind enough to mail me a box crammed full of the little ziplock bags he stored them in.


It's so bittersweet knowing that this is the last of the black walnuts from Uncle John....

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Knit Bombing Descends on Fort Hunter!











I've never seen anything like it....

:)

Meanwhile, I was hard at work demonstrating yo yo's here.

:)



Thursday, October 16, 2014

Myrtle Beach







There's nothing like a vacation at the beach....

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Charleston, SC



It was a perfect day for a visit with my nephew Sean and a ferry ride out to Fort Sumpter.









We ended the day with some fried pig skins and some Southern BBQ at an outdoor restaurant - aaahhhh....

Monday, October 6, 2014

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Monday, September 15, 2014

Nothing Like a Day at the Beach



It only took me until the middle of September to make it to the beach this year, but it was worth the wait!


And, this Meatloaf Tower with garlic mashed potatoes and portabella mushrooms was to die for!!!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Sunday, August 24, 2014