Summer Splendor

My Summer Splendor doily is done!

I crocheted it with a size "H" hook and about 1.25 skeins / 800+ yards of Handicrafter Cotton.

I enlarged it a bit by repeating rounds 18-22 several more times and using some treble crochets

and improvisation on the final rows.  It helped.  However, if I were to make it again,

I'd start enlarging it earlier on in the project to make the larger size I wanted.  

The warm temps this week are perfect for blocking.  I blocked it outside so it would dry quickly.  

Our round patio table helped me to keep it even as I stretched it out to the size I wanted.  However,
I had no way of fastening it down to the table and it dried to a smaller size.  I had wanted it to be big enough to reach the edges of our kitchen table.  Oh well.  I love it anyway.

It looks great over our solid red table cloth.

I've been wanting to make a chunky, cotton, lacy doily for our table for a while now.

I can't believe it's moved from my imagination to my table!

More Fun Finds

I have some fun finds I'd love to share...

I recently saw a blog post about the 100th anniversary of Ball canning jars.

Turns out they're making some limited edition blue jars to celebrate.

I love canning jars and started collecting them when I was in my 20's.

So, this was exciting news.  I quickly went to the Ball website and found them.

However, the cost of shipping is about the same as the price of the set of jars.

I wasn't sure I wanted to spend that much on jars that I don't really need.

I'm glad I waited because I found them today in my local Target store.

What a surprise!  Yay!  I now have the set of jars and didn't have to pay shipping.

They're pint size so they aren't very big.  But, isn't the blue color pretty?

I think it would be great if they'd make them in various sizes and sell them on a regular basis.

And, even better, I think it would be awesome if they made them in green, yellow, pink

and maybe some other colors too.  Wouldn't they be great? 

I could really use some small side tables and I've been searching for some at good prices. 

Last week, I popped into one of my favorite little antique shops and found a little side table

for only $28!  It was freshly painted with Annie Sloan paint and waxed.

It's cute, sturdy and the neutral color should work great in any room.

One down...still looking for more.  

A while ago, I remembered a beautiful metal tray my mom used have and asked her about it.

She recently found it and gave it to me.  It turns out that it was one of their wedding gifts.

That makes it even more special.  I didn't measure it but it looks like it's about 16"x20"

I found this wonderful Santo a couple of years ago...

 After I brought her home, I thought it would be nice to find something tall to set her on.

I thought an antique plant stand would be nice.  I began my search and eventually found

a black, wood stand that I thought would work perfectly.  And, it was less than $20.

I moved it out of the normal place to get a full photo of it.

Here's the base.  I love the chipped paint and worn, old look of it.

I'm not sure what it was originally but it's perfect to hold my Santo.

Now, to find the perfect places in my home to display my new treasures!  :-)