NANA SAYS HANDMADE BLANKETS ARE BEST

In every family there are crafters. People who like to make things for their loved ones. My mother and mother-in-law were two from the previous generation. I am one for my immediate family. My sister-in-law Edna creates all the time and sells Christmas stockings. All my grandchildren were given at least three baby blankets by me when born. So recently when my little Allie girl told her Mom her blanket was too small but her favourite the race was on. Knitting as fast as I could, a bigger girl blanket was finished.

As requested, pink and purple with some white bands and the blanket was done. Always creating and making craft items to have a handy stash, I find when my hands are busy for a specific person the time spent has some love attached. There are handmade blankets everywhere in my house. To see my grandchildren wrapped up in one on a visit or sleepover melts my heart. Now they are realizing Nana made this. So any grandparents out there remember your loving hands can create loving projects for your family.
#Nana#blankets#handmade#love

BLANKETS-AN UNIVERSAL MEANING

A blanket can be soft or rough. Handmade or from a factory. Blankets keep us warm, shade us from the sun and can make a tent in the dining room with chairs. A baby is wrapped in a blanket shortly after birth. We make love under blankets or on top!

Any colour and a variety of textures. Crocheting, knitting, sewing- by hand or machine!

Trips to the yarn and quilt store are opportunities to add supplies to a stash.

Christmas blankets or the colours of the Italian flag!

Of course quilts from across Canada or the United States can be reflective of the culture or background of a region. Pictured is  a log cabin quilt- my favourite design. This one seems a little rustic, doesn't it! Quilts can go on a bed or be hung on the wall as art!

For all of us, what is more loving or meaningful then a loved one covering us with a blanket. To keep us warm, to keep us safe! It is such a symbolic gesture- here let me cover you up, let's get those feet under wraps. A blanket is such a symbol of love and family. How many of us have one or two passed down from another generation?

#blankets#quilts#afghans#homemadeblankets#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#yarntomakeblankets#babyblanketsmadewithlove#blanketskeepuswarm

MY CHRISTMAS BLANKET-CANADIAN STYLE

As many of you know, I love hand crafts. Crocheting is one of them. I made this Christmas blanket or afghan as some would call it a few years ago. It comes out for a month or so in the Christmas season to keep me warm or have a snuggle on the couch beside my Christmas Tree. The red, white and green are the season's colours. They also could be Italian or Mexican as they have those colours in their flags! So you could make a Christmas blanket but pull it out for Italian and Mexican visitors as well! This blanket used many small balls of scrap yarn. There was no pattern- just did each row with a stitich that suited the texture of the wool!  I find myself this year working on another afghan with the same theme in mind- to use up some scraps but this time in fall colours. A purple knitted scarf is also on the go. Sometimes I feel like crocheting and sometimes knitting. The handcrafting activity allows me to sit with busy hands and watch those sappy Christmas movies without the feeling I should be busier! It is very relaxing to sit and enjoy! Since the project has no deadline, there is a sense of contentment. Should Christmas be just about being busy? Can you find some activities in your day to find the peace and contentment of the season? If not come to my house, I'll teach you to knit or crochet or you can just enjoy my company as we have a good gab or watch one a movie or two!

BLANKETS

Blankets keep us warm. We have blankets in many areas of our lives. On our bed. In the car. By our favourite chair, on the couch. Babies are wrapped in a blanket- swaddled by some that say swaddling comforts them. If it is a stressful day, we pull the covers up and hide under our blankets. Little children may drag their blankets around the house. Security blanket! Don't take it away!

I started making blankets years ago. Liked quilts so made a few of those. Crocheted or knitted afghans over the years for every room except the kitchen and dining room- not the bathroom, of course. Made many more and gave them away to family and friends as gifts. Lately baby blankets have been my passion- for my own grandchildren and my girls' friends who have started to have babies. I like the way the blanket conjures up many happy thoughts. Were you ever tucked in bed with your blanket by someone you love? Have you started to drift off to sleep and someone covers you with a blanket to keep you warm? Of course couples do many wonderful things under the covers! And sometimes over them! Duvets, bedspreads, can be very costly and elegant. The blanket has status if bought at the right trendy store. The electric blanket- a typical wedding gift in the 1970's. What about the traditional Canadian blanket- the Hudson Bay one. Are any of your relatives a wet blanket? Do you have a favourite blanket? Have I blanketed you with enough ideas.

#blankets#crochetedblankets#blanketskeepuswarm#knittedafghans#crochetedblankets#crochetedafghans#securityblanket#duvets#bedspreads#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro