Bright Circle Cloths

Here are some bright circle cloths:

#1 - Green top with pink background

 

#2 - Pink top with green background

These cloths are cool!  I loved how they stitches out!  The pattern was easy to memorize but had several rows per pattern repeat. 

Supplies:
Pattern: Circle Cloth by hakucho
Yarn: Sugar N' Creme #01740 - Hot Pink & #01712 - Hot Green
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

Almost Forever - Deborah Raney

Summary from GoodReads: Unearthing a lost memory may cause her to lose everything she holds dear...but could it also set her free? Bryn Hennesey, a volunteer at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter, was there the night the shelter burned to the ground and five heroic firefighters died at the scene. Among them was her husband, Adam. Like the rest of the surviving spouses, Bryn must find a way to begin again. But Bryn must do so living with a horrible secret.... Garrett Edmonds's wife, Molly, was the only female firefighter to perish in the blaze. As her husband, it was his job to protect the woman he loved.... How can he go on in the face of such unbearable loss and guilt? And what started the fire that destroyed the dreams and futures of so many? Investigators are stumped. But someone knows the answer...

Bryn Hennessey was a firefighter's wife who was volunteering at a homeless shelter. One night a tragic fire destroyed the shelter and took the lives of five local firefighters, including her husband. As time goes on, she builds a friendship with Garrett, whose wife was a firefighter who died in the fire too, but their friendship meets many challenges along the way. Then one night, Bryn has a dream, or better described as a memory, and she becomes aware of something that happened that night that was surpressed. How will this affect her life? How will it affect her friendship with Garrett? Can everyone practice true forgiveness? I really enjoyed this book and the story building between the characters. I am going to continue with his series with Forever After next!

When the Smoke Clears - Lynette Eason

Summary from Good Reads:  In this thrilling novel of romantic suspense, smokejumper Alexia Allen returns home to face her past only to find a long-buried secret that threatens her life.

I thought this was a very action packed, fast paced book! Alexia was hit with so many bad situations in only one week that it amazed me! I would have lost it! I am very curious to continue reading this series since there were still some loose ends left. This is the first book that I have read from Lynette Eason and it will not be my last!

Panorama Crocheted Stash Bag

Here is a rather large crochet bag I made to transport my knitting and crocheting projects in:

This bag worked up quickly and took about 300 yards of cotton yarn.  It is a great and roomy bag for carrying quite a few projects!  I have it filled with yarn for a week's vacation to Ohio.  I don't know how much knitting I will get done but I want to have plenty in case I do!

Supplies:
Pattern: Crocheted Stash Bag / Basket by Purl Soho
Yarn: Peaches N' Cream #W278453 - Panorama
Hook: I (5.5 mm)

Willowing Blue Crochet Hook Pocket

I made this for my mom for Mother's Day:

I also bought her two Knitter's Pride Aluminum crochet hooks in sizes G & H.  I love them and I know she will, especially because she gets hand cramps too.  Then I pre-ordered The Struggle by Wanda E. Brunstetter for her which will be mailed directly to her when it is released in July.  She loves Amish fiction too and since I just read it, I know she is dying to read the end of this series too!

Supplies:
Pattern: Crochet Hook Pocket by Erin Doutre
Yarn: Peaches N' Cream #W268046 - Willowing Blue
Hook: US D (3.25 mm)

Patchwork Dreams - Laura V. Hilton

Summary from GoodReads: Ever since returning from her rumspringa pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own.

Becky's world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family's farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob's sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she's known.

As their relationship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self–doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?

Jacob Miller thought that he was sent to Missouri help out a distant cousin, Daniel. When he arrived, he discovers that he was sent because Missouri was looking for some new Amish men to enter into their community. He was furious since he was planning on marrying Susie this December. Susie is an Amish girl who was still in her running around times that is dabbling in the English ways a little more than Jacob's family would like.

Jacob meets Daniel's daughter, Becky, he is instantly attracted to her dispite what the community thinks and says about her. Becky has a child out of wedlock by an Englisher who left her and her community feels that she will never marry. As their friendship develops, Jacob realizes that Becky has several doubts about herself as well as trust issues with men. Her first reaction is to reject then because it is easier than being hurt again. Will Jacob fall in love with Becky? Will Becky be able to let Jacob love her and trust him? Will she marry?

This is the first book that I read from Laura Hilton, as well as her debut novel, and I really enjoyed it! My only complaint is that the story waited until the last few pages to find out the conclusion. I would have liked to have had a chapter fast forwarding several months to learn how things worked out. I guess I will have to continue reading this series to find out more! The characters were well developed and I could easily feel all the emotions from Jacob and Becky. Thanks for a wonderful read Laura!

Three Dishcloths - Purple Waffle

Here is a knitted dishcloth:

 

I love how this pattern works out!  It was easy to memorize too!

Supplies:
Pattern: Three Dishcloths - Waffle Dishcloth by Joan Janes
Yarn: Peaches N' Creme #49 - Deep Purple
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

The Struggle - Wanda E. Brunstetter

Summary from GoodReads: Welcome back to Kentucky, where an Amish couple from Lancaster County seeks a new future in the land of tomorrow. When Timothy Fisher decides to move his wife, Hannah, and daughter Mindy to Christian County, where two of his brothers now reside, Hannah is very reluctant to go. Will the new home Timothy builds for them there do anything to lift her spirits? When a tragic accident occurs, Timothy and Hannah are inconsolable. Is an abrupt separation the beginning of the end of their marriage, or will they rally to seize a God-given second chance?

Timothy Fisher moves his wife and daughter from Pennsylvania to Kentucky for a fresh start away from Hannah's over-bearing mother.  Hannah and her mother are very close, to the point where her mother's needs are put ahead of Timothy's constantly.  Therefore, Hannah is very reluctant to go and has her mind set that she will be miserable.  She becomes very negative toward Timothy and others making her miss her mother even more.  They finally move into their own house and Timothy hopes that this will be a positive beginning for Hannah.  Then one day, tragedy strikes Timothy and Hannah and they wonder if they can make it through it.  Will they survive and move on?

This was a highly awaiting third book of the Kentucky brothers series by Wanda Brunstetter.  I love her writing style and her character development, I felt like I knew everyone personally.  For most the book, I personally wanted to slap Hannah and tell her to get over it.  Timothy had his reasons for uprooting his family to Kentucky and she is just going to have to live with it as his wife.  She is constantly nagging him and telling him that she wished she never left Pennsylvania.  This was causing more stress on their marriage than if they stayed.  Some people just don't a good thing when they have it.  But once they moved out of Samuel's house into their own, Hannah starts to become a little more comfortable until tragedy strikes and makes things even more worse than when they first got there.

A special thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book in advance for an honest review.  I loved this book and it was a great conclusion to a great series!

Murder on the Rocks (Gray Whale Inn Mysteries No. 1) - Karen MacInerney

Summary from GoodReads: Trading Texas heat for Maine's tangy salt air, Natalie Barnes risked it all to buy the Gray Whale Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast on Cranberry Island. She adores whipping up her signature blueberry coffee cake and killer cranberry scones for her guests. But when her guests start turning up dead, the police and most of the townspeople think Natalie has added murder to the mix.

Now, Natalie must get cooking to solve the mystery and find the true killer before she loses the Gray Whale Inn. Or her life...

Natalie runs the Gray Whale Inn for her first season.  Then Bernard Katz comes to the area to purchase the land next to her to build an enormous luxury style resort on Cranberry Island in Maine.  After the town approved the purchase and development on this land, people wind up dead and Natalie is the one to find them.  Can Natalie clear her name and find the real killer?  Will she be able to save her inn?

I really enjoyed this book!  I found it very easy to read and to get into.  I read it in three day!  The characters are believable and totally reflect the small town feel of everyone knowing everyone's business.  I'd love to read more of this series soon!

Deep Purple and Yellow Dishcloths

Here are my first dishcloths that are not made from scraps:

#1 - Primary Color - Yellow

#2 - Primary Color - Purple

#3 - Both Together

I love this pattern!  It is easy to memorize and to work through.  I made these the past few nights while watching the Godfather Collection on Blu-Ray.  I've never seen these movies and we came across the collection in Wal-Mart this weekend and grabbed it.

Supplies:
Pattern: Blue Banana Dishcloth by Chrissy Gardiner from Lion Brand Yarn: Just Gifts
Yarn: Peaches N' Creme #49 - Deep Purple & #10 - Yellow
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

A Tailor-Made Bride - Karen Witemeyer

Summary from GoodReads: When a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity, the sparks begin to fly!

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with Coventry, Texas's new dressmaker. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothing, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to uproarious consequences for the whole town--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

 

Hannah Richards receives the deed to a builing in Convetry from a wealthy client and makes the move to this unknown town to start her dream as a dressmaker.  Her work has been seen by some as a little excessive and even too flambouyant for the people here.  She meets JT as she gets off the train and he helps her bring her stuff to the shop and helps her with a few things.  He is a very rough and reserved man with a hard exterior.  She meets his sister Cordelia and they become instant friends.  Cordelia asks Hannah to make her a special dress for the Founder's Day festival to help get noticed by a man.  In the process, Cordelia changes her looks and works out to lose some weight with Hannah's assistance.  Will she win the heart of a man?  Does Hannah start having feelings for JT?  What will become of both relationships?

This is the first book written by Karen Witemeyer.  I never would have guessed that.  I really enjoyed the story and the time period.  I could almost see the people, stores and dresses in my head thanks to her carefully descriptive words.  I felt like I was there too.  I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Witemeyer and even more historical romance books.

Some Scrap HDC Cloths

Okay, I promise that these are my last scrap dishcloths.  Here they are:

and

I did have a few super small balls of left over cotton yarn that may have made one dishcloth but I threw it away.  I could not be bothered with all those yarn changes.

Supplies:
Pattern: HDC Cloth by Theresa L. Jones
Yarn: Leftover Scraps from Prior Projects
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

One Last Scrap Ribbed Dishcloths

Okay, I promise that this is my last scrap ribbed dishcloth!!!  Here it is:

I have just a small amount left that I decided to crochet a couple more scrap dishcloths so I can quickly make something and start using some new yarn!

Supplies:
Pattern: Designer Dishtowel: Blue Dishcloth
Yarn: Assorted Leftovers from Prior Projects
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

More Scrap Ribbed Dishcloths

Here are some more scrap ribbed dishcloths:

#1 - Rainbow & Blue

#2 - Feels Like Water

#3 - Pinks

#4 - Purples

Okay, my stash of scrap cotton yarn is just about gone, I just enough to make a few more scrap ribbed dishcloths and then I can use some full skeins of cotton yarn and make matching sets of dishcloths again.

Supplies:
Pattern: Designer Dishtowel: Blue Dishcloth
Yarn: Assorted Scrap of Cotton Yarn from Prior Projects
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

Into the Free: A Novel - Julie Cantrell

Summary from GoodReads: Just a girl. The only one strong enough to break the cycle. In Depression-era Mississippi, Millie Reynolds longs to escape the madness that marks her world. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she struggles to find a place where she really belongs.  For answers, Millie turns to the Gypsies who caravan through town each spring. The travelers lead Millie to a key which unlocks generations of shocking family secrets. When tragedy strikes, the mysterious contents of the box give Millie the tools she needs to break her family’s longstanding cycle of madness and abuse. Through it all, Millie experiences the thrill of first love while fighting to trust the God she believes has abandoned her. With the power of forgiveness, can Millie finally make her way into the free?

This was a wonderful story about taking your own life into your own hands.  It showed me that you can do or become anything you want no matter what others think of you.  Millie lived a life filled with abuse, loneliness, depression and poverty.  At a young age, she learned how to care for her mother who battled depression and was frequently beaten by her abusive husband.  When she gets beaten so bad that she turns to others for help, she discovers the secrets her mother has been keeping.  When she asks her mother about some of them, she decides to see the rodeo where her father worked and to see how they lived.

Millie was confronted with encounters with the gypsies, learning the rodeo life, dealing with the loss of her parents, being disowned by her grandparents and learning to live with another family.  From all these changes and tragedies in her life, Millie grows up very fast.  Will she eventually learn how to trust or love anyone?  Can she make a better life for herself than what her mother had?  Will the secrets of her mother's past help her to learn more about herself?