Learning & Loving Crochet

Another Few Inches....

2012-01-09T19:48:00.000-07:00

Oh, this is soooooo slooooooow...but at least I am not feeling pressured into getting it done. That's generally when I quit something as it becomes "funless" for sure.

Not a lot finished, but more in one day that I have finished previously. Makes me feel sunshiny inside thinking of my darling granddaughter wearing it. That reminds me - I did do a sweater for the older one that she called her Sunshine sweater.

I loved that I found the perfect buttons for it, even if they did catch!

I had forgotten about all the little people sweaters I have finished. Will have to check them all out again. Each one has a different memory attached to it.

Oh - back to the sweater I am making. I did a little more after I took the top photo. Not much, but almost ready to start the sleeves! Yay!

Was sitting next to the new doggie bed - so took the opportunity to use it as a background as it is in some of the same colors.

This shows the pattern very nicely. I'm liking it the more I crochet!

It's a beginning…..

2012-01-06T15:49:00.002-07:00

I just started the sweater, but I think it is going to be even larger than I thought. Might have to give it to an adult instead of my granddaughter! Hah!

I find that using the tweedy type coloration is hard to see the stitches. I have had a slow go of it until I finally have gotten to where I recognize the stitch configuration. I think if I do this one again I will use just a plain colored yarn, nothing with striations or variegations.

The yarn is very soft - even softer than the "normal" Vanna's Choice, so that makes me hope it will actually fit the 3 year old, and if not, then the soon to be 6 year old!

New Project for 2012

2012-01-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

While I still have an afghan that I have been working on intermittently for a dear friend (keep having to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts as have not finished it in 1 1/2 years!!!), I felt that a SMALL project would be just the ticket to stir up my creative juices. I think it has been six months since I have put hook to yarn.

In Ravelry they are doing a CAL/KAL for a baby sweater in the Vanna's Choice Fan Club Group. I am thinking about this hoodie to use up some of my VC. This calls for an H hook and cotton yarn, so figure if I use an I hook and the VC it will come out about right for my three year old granddaughter.

Step one - get the yarn. Don't want to purchase any more, so this is what I could find all in one color. Not "girlie" but will go with lots of goodies and the sweater is more like a coat any way. ;o)

So - off I go to get started - a little each day. Cheers!

IMG_0458

2012 as a New Year

2012-01-03T08:35:00.003-07:00

ByHook

Just don't want to write it twice.

May you have a very new and blessed 2012

Hanging Hearts

2011-11-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

I was reading in a magazine that had a bit of advertising for vintage handmade items. One of those were hanging hearts made from old fabric - the big flowered type - and hung with that thin rope....what do you call it? Oh - TWINE.

So the old fabric and the twine gave it a vintage feel. How much, you say? $45.00 BIG ONES! I about died. They looked to be about four inches tall, maybe six. But $45.00???? I say not. I was trying to find things to recommend for Christmas gifts, but in THIS case, I think I would have to recommend that you make your own. And if you don't believe me, I also looked it up here. View at your own risk!

Now this little dove heart is one is from information linked below. The site is called Live, Laugh Love and I think you WILL love it!

This site is what I found while embarking on a search for some handmade hearts that were not so darn expensive...and I found some rather lovely ones if I do say so myself. Are you up for hanging one from your tree this Christmas? Or are you going to give your heart away?

These are not here is the US, but they live with our brethren in the UK. :o) Now these little gems are just perfect - perfectly priced, and perfectly beautiful!

Happy Hunting!

Gifts, etc.

2011-11-16T19:18:00.001-07:00

Well - today I saw a beautiful pattern by Lily Go. It is called Blue Lagoon. They are doing a CAL on it in Ravelry so I think I might join just as a relaxation exercise. Something for me. She has both crocheted and knitted shawls...other things, too I think. All her work is simply beautiful! And she is so young!!!!

Come join the fun! I'll post my ever so s-l-o-w progress. I am working faster, instead, on my nephews afghan which will be, unfortunately, late for Christmas. I'll get some photos of that, also.

I am also thinking of some items to purchase for Christmas. I was introduced last year to a place called Solitude Wool by a friend. I think you can tell by the name that they sell wool. Located in the east. The two ladies have their own sheep, but also buy wool from small farms, and you can buy just the most wonderful yarn. Pricey, but beautiful. It's fun to check out the web page to just look at the sheep!

AWWWWWWW!

American Made Gifts

2011-11-12T09:43:00.001-07:00

I was thinking about our economy this week, and about how as a consumer I could help a little. People are cutting back, but not stopping, on their Christmas shopping.

I began to think about all the wonderful craft type places here in the states and our close neighbors, that produce items from scratch....none from China! ;o)

So, today I present you with History Lives which is a small company in New England, and is a division of Cooper Fife Drum Company.

Here you will find some objects replicated from historical facts, including Tops, Whirly-gigs, and Table Top Nine Pins. I plan on buying Jacob's Ladder for a nephew named Jacob! ;o)

There are many other wonderful companies in America that are suffering. I am sure that there are others in our neighboring countries, as well as in Europe. Should you find one that sells specialty items we can afford, let me know. I think we can all save a little money and do our part to help the "little man" afford their turkey for this Christmas.

Blessings to you all.

Halloween......(and then Thanksgiving-time flies!)

2011-10-29T20:50:00.001-06:00

So much to be happy about...beautiful weather, great friends, a wonderful family, and having hubby around to share it all. If only we could hold onto these moments.

Photos are really a great way to do that....grabbing those moments in time with a loved one. Videos are great, too. I wish I had more of both of my own mother, but right now it isn't too late for you. Ask your mom a question that you have always wondered about...her first date, how she met your dad, was she afraid when she found out she was pregnant? All sorts of personal questions abound...and you can take a short video of her answer. These will be moments for you to cherish as the years go by, and when you chance to do such a thing is no longer available.

We live too far away from the road, and in too remote a location, to have little kids come by for candy. The only thing I think that is good about that (other than not having the expenditure) is that we don't have the BIG kids coming by. I would hope that more families would make room for their teens who want to celebrate, and join together with the school or church or neighborhood so they can celebrate in peace (not necessarily quiet) and safety. Leave the trick or treating to the children of lesser years.

Last year the granddaughters were some sort of ghouls for Halloween, but my favorite was when the oldest was Darth Vader and the youngest was Eeyore! This is 3 years ago.

This year one is going to be Tinkerbell and youngest is going to be Jack Skelton (I think the same as last year), her most favorite person in all the world.

I asked The Daughter what she was going to be for Halloween.

She said a tired mama.

Christmas is Coming! Heh, heh, heh.....

2011-10-23T10:07:00.001-06:00

So, we are past the middle of October, slowly closing in on November when all the sales start. We are approaching the snow season for some areas of the country, and there are those of us who want to get our shopping done prior to being snowed in.

There are others of us who want to get our shopping done and have someone else mail it out for us! Personally, I think that is why God made the internet. ;o)

I have purchased a few little goodies for my family so far to include in the packages I mail out. I also am going to make one small item for each package (and in some cases that is ALL that will be in the package). So I wanted to share with you a couple of the items that I have ready. These come from Mitchell-Larsen Studio in St. Croix. I may have shared the clock that she sent to me in another post, or the doggie plate.

The top one is like one of the White House ornaments that I believe will be hanging on the White House Christmas tree. They are really really cute! There are two more that I'll photograph later.

This second one is a cat eating a fish....I love cats and have several 'cat friends' who collect such things. There are also several dogs, as well as all sorts of birds or butterflies or whatever!

These can be hung on a tree or in the window dangling from a clear acrylic wire (like fishing line) attached at the top of a window casing.

More to come.....happy shopping!

Pumpkins Galore!

2011-10-19T15:29:00.000-06:00

The annual Pumpkin Hunt and Claim your Prize!

Hmm...this one is mine now. I'll sit & relax here until Dad comes for it.

What a find! I'll just carry this over myself!

Okay, I'm tired....this one's good and I'm not moving another muscle.

Did we do good, or what! ;o)

Elephants and other cutie pies........

2011-09-27T12:09:00.001-06:00

Do you like Elephants? Do you like Amigurumi? (I know, Bev, you don't. Heh, heh!). Well, I think there is at least one convert out there, Ms. Tavish herself.

I have posted this on Ravelry, but think it is worth posting here. I do so love these Tooterphants! Talk about CUTE!

These are from LucyRavenscar - Crochet Creatures. She had all sorts of little creatures and all sorts of patterns on her Etsy shop.

If you truly love little creatures to make that are unusual, and that children would love, you should definitely try something that she designs. Awesome!

Too cute! - The Baby Porcupine

2011-09-26T08:46:00.001-06:00

Want to make a REALLY CUTE potholder? Try this Tutorial. It is for this potholder below!

Now this little fellow directly below is beyond cute!

The bottom photos are of the Cat House….my once feral cat that can't come into the house due to the dogs who are not friendly, and the hubby who is not terribly cat friendly himself. ;o)

It is finished…one room, two windows in the room and a little observation room with a deck, two little windows, and a cat door so he can get out and sit on the roof…or even on top of the observation house. So cute - and he seems to like being in there quite a lot. Has toys, food, blankets, rugs, cat scratching post, and ramps going up and down, plus a little "attic" with a fuzzy blanket where he sleeps and can look out the big front window. The insulated steel door has a little cat door on the bottom. When he finally gets use to it he will come and go as he pleases…well he does now, but he goes OUT but doesn't come back IN so I have taped it open for the time being.

Talk about spoiled!

2011-09-25T16:17:00.003-06:00

THE TINY CABIN

A social worker from a big City (Houston) recently transferred to Tatum, Tx... a small community. This was on the first tour of her new territory when she came upon the tiniest cabin she had ever seen in her life..

Intrigued, she went up and knocked on the door. 'Anybody home?' she asked.
'Yep,' came a kid's voice through the door.
'Is your father there?' asked the social worker..
'Pa? Nope, he left before Ma came in,' said the kid.
'Well, is your mother there?' persisted the social worker.
'Ma? Nope, she left just before I got here,' said the kid.

'But,' protested the social worker, 'are you never together as a family?'

'Sure, but not here,' said the kid through the door....... 'This is the Outhouse!'

I'm in the middle holding the doors. Betty McClure to the right and Jean to the left. This is an old two holer outhouse that was once part of a complex built in the early '30's for the community. The privy is all that is left. I can't remember the name of the group off hand, but at the time they were a celebrated bunch of educated ladies who were sponsored by a gentleman back east who wanted to make sure women were educated. American something-er-orther.

FOUND IT! This is the American Woman's League Chapter House (the outhouse is off to the left and you can't see it). Interesting group - look them up and see if they were in your area, too!

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

2011-09-22T15:46:00.001-06:00

Well, perhaps no Bears, but other large animals for sure! Here is the "near" completed baby blanket. I am on the final rows for the border, in a darker Purple. Ran out of the Dusty Purple, and don't want to purchase more yarn. I have WAY too much already.

Another web site with Crochet (and some knit, too)

2011-08-16T11:56:00.003-06:00

This is a pic on Doris Chan's Ravelry page, and belongs to Webs, which is new to me. The yarn used is that which belongs to the people who run the web page, Valley Yarns.

I LOVE THE COLOR!!

This Webs page was also listed in the Doris Chan pattern page on Ravelry. I see that the patterns listed on Webs are not expensive, very cute, and some different ones at that.

I thought we all needed another place to check out patterns! Garnstudio and NaturallyCaron are still my favorite places, though, but I need to check this out. Might come in a close 3rd. Both Garnstudio and NaturallyCaron use their own yarn, just like this site. I do buy their yarns just to keep the sites available for free patterns.

I honestly have to say that the Drops yarns are some of the best and least expensive of the better yarns out there. I buy it from a place in California called NordicMart. They are not only full of great yarn and prices, they are also one of the most responsive places for customer service that I have ever used. You can also buy the Drops catalogs for a song if you don't want to go to the web site all the time and print out the patterns. Mostly knit, so I stick to the web pages although have been known to purchase one or two just to see how the other half lives - and to see IF I can every make a knit pattern into a crochet pattern.

Let me know what you think of the Cowl and the pattern. Of course, I thought a Cowl was around the neck......what do I know. Looks like a mobius shawl to me!

Cute Way to Make a Potholder

2011-08-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

This potholder was a gift in a swap. I have made one or two like this, but not as large, and not as intricate a pattern. This is a cool way to make a lovely potholder out of one of your favorite afghan squares.

FRONT

I know that a lot of us fold our afghan squares this way when we ship them in smaller envelopes - but just imagine sewing it together this way.

BACK

The back makes a great geometric design, and the colors are really vivid and lively! Just right to brighten up my kitchen!

Baby Afghan

2011-08-10T19:16:00.004-06:00

A young girl I know is having her second child. The first child she had was born the day after my birthday, and I gave the young couple money to put away ... thinking it would grow to more, but NOT in this economy.

This time I decided to make an afghan for her second which I hear is supposed to be a boy.

I was making a square out of the book called "A Year of Baby Afghans, Book 4" when I remembered the reason I purchased the book for for the August afghan. It should be called "Animal Crackers" as the lower panels have lots of little animals on them...all in 3D.

This is what I have so far!

I'll add a photo of a finished afghan soon.....have to ask Sara if I can use hers! ;o)

ETA: SARA SAID YES!!

Isn't this the cutest blankie ever!!??!!

New Booklet

2011-08-06T15:34:00.001-06:00

The Complete Guide to THREAD CROCHET.....25 designs!!!

I do not need this, but as thread crochet was how I first learned, I thought it would be nice to get back to my roots. Then I'd like to keep what I make rather than swap it ..... what a concept!

The Green Thing

2011-08-03T22:06:00.006-06:00

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. They shared bedrooms, too - you'd get three to five kids in one room, where they kept their clothes and their toys in one box - not all over the house in four rooms, every kid to their own room, including the baby. We slept in the large dresser drawer until our folks could afford a crib.

But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you.

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Used it for Christmas wrap, too, along with brown paper bags.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.

And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

But we did have the brown thing - paper bags which were recycled material that they have practically made us quit using. Funny how now, thinking back, our old brown thing was a good thing, and the new generation made us use the plastic bags with the constant breaking handles and tearing at the bottom, and now they want us to use the green thing that you must PURCHASE and it lasts 3 or 4 times!

Progress - our most important product.

Time to get back to the brown thing.

~Author Unknown~

Grandma's Darling -

2011-06-22T12:32:00.002-06:00

This week was full of special events for my eldest granddaughter. She not only lost a front (lower) tooth, but she also graduated from Pre-School.

Cap and gown, nonetheless. Hopefully parents don't have to pay for these. I have to admit she is absolutely the cutest thing.

Do public schools do this, too? Hopefully not - I can think of better ways for the parents of young children to spend their hard earned money (like food and gas), and certainly don't think schools should be using taxpayer's money to fund this activity (like books and teaching them math).

Summer is right around the corner - or IS it?

2011-06-17T14:43:00.004-06:00

Today it was less than 50 degrees at 7:00 a.m. here in sunny Idaho. That is so amazing to me - and even more amazing is that we had only two days above 80 in May, and since it has been in the 60's until this week. Now we are creeping into the 70's by late in the day.

I have heard that we can expect 90, or near 90, degrees next week - but am hoping they are going to be wrong on that one. I like the 70's thank you.

We have birds galore on our various feeders - Bullock's Oriole, Kingbird, various Finch, various Sparrow, Blackbird, Magpie, Mourning Dove, California Quail, Robin (who only feed on the worms under the feeder!), Hummingbird, and then an occasional Kestrel will fly through, not to mention the Red-tailed Hawk and the Swainson's Hawk.

I kind of have the blues today, carried over from yesterday. Partly due to the various health issues flying around the family and myself, but partly due to Crochet! Magazine. I pitched a fit already once, but feel like doing it again on line. ;o)

I am trying something new here...a Ravelry "button" - hope it works

Leaves of Summer Vest

I started a lovely vest they have in their latest magazine - designed by Doris Chan. I read on her thread in Ravelry that there is an errata because Crochet! did not print the design right. Now mind you, the design is turned in about 9 months BEFORE it is published, so the magazine has at least that long to get it printed out correctly. What happened to proof readers? I hate the excuse they give that "we try" but "we aren't perfect" - WHY NOT! You SHOULD be professionals, at least, who TRY to be perfect.

So there I am on row 9 (further along than above) and I thought I was home free...but went back to read the errata once again and see I wasn't reading it correctly. I need to pull out four rows. Her patterns are not the easiest to follow, so it has taken all my strength and stamina to get this far - now I have to rip it out. Frustrating - very frustrating. I don't know if I have the strength to finish this vest.

Fisherman's Ring Potholder

2011-06-01T12:16:00.001-06:00

I thought I would try my hand at one of Patricia Hewitt's patterns for a potholder. I used the Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton and a G hook. It's amazing that I can use an F or G easily with this cotton, but not with the Lion's Brand or with the other kitchen type cottons.

The square ended up at about 6", but thought it was too small. I then added edging #130 from Edie Eckman's book. If you have her book for crocheted edgings, note that the second round is wrong ... it says to dc in the dc below - but the "below" stitches are all sc.

The photos were taken with my iPod so are a tad fuzzy. ;o)

Happy June!!!

The Other Side

2011-05-26T10:39:00.001-06:00

Bright!!

2011-05-26T10:38:00.001-06:00

Most know that I am not a lover of bright colors like Paula/Tavish. I have been attempting to spread my wings via the potholder medium. This is one side of one I made with a stash of old cotton yarn I found when cleaning out the basement.

Love it! Fun!

This Is It!!!

2011-05-24T20:05:00.001-06:00

No stretch. It is nylon lace weight. Had no idea it would work up like steel wool!

What is it?

2011-05-24T06:49:00.001-06:00

It was to be for me but doesn't stretch. So now I am altering it to fit a doll.

For My SIL

2011-05-16T07:39:00.001-06:00

New Strawberry Potholder! Old Leisure Arts pamphlet. Made this yesterday.

Honduras Sunset

2011-05-07T23:19:00.002-06:00

My friend visited Honduras earlier this year...this is one of her photos. Good one to view right before bedtime. :o)

G'night all-

Progress is Our Most Important Product

2011-05-05T11:46:00.002-06:00

So far, I have finished joining - slip stitch through the back loop only with right sides facing. I have bordered two times in Lamb, and one sc in Sapphire. I am finished with one row of the fancy border - the page with the orange border is what I am using - and have started on the second row (not show yet).

I am using Fern, which is a step up in brightness from the Sweetpea in Vanna's Choice. It isn't as much of a change as the photos seem to indicate...just a tad brighter.

Isn't this border gorgeous! Mine never look this good, though. This is pattern #93, a fav.

I am also posting a shot of the book, in case you see it somewhere you just HAVE to buy it! Once you get the hang of it, then you can apply any pattern sequence to your borders.

While working on this I was thinking about some pattern books I have purchased for Terry Kimbrough afghans. I haven't picked one up in ages, so grabbed one up and found the most scrumptious lacy patterns. They are not what you would want on a cold Winter's day, but nice to cut a slight chill from the air. The thing I loved the most is that she carries her pattern into her orders, and her borders are very large and very beautiful. They look to be about six or seven inches wide.

If I could figure out how to do one of her borders without doing the whole of the afghan, I'd apply it to one of the next ones just to have something REALLY fantastic!

This one is beautiful!

My Next Join

2011-05-01T08:22:00.002-06:00

Not a great photo. Too much sun! However I am NOT complaining.
This is from the Caribbean swap and is for my sweet DSIL on San Diego. I normally would not give someone two afghans as I have not made one for all the family yet. But the one I gave her was not near the color scheme she wanted as I misunderstood.

This one is perfect!! May have it done this week and am using a couple of brighter colors for part of the bordering. Should be smashing!

Sunset

2011-04-30T07:39:00.002-06:00

We had a dramatic sunset right before a rain. They took on a look of a dark golden color, when in fact the hills and valleys are quite gorgeous in varying colors of greens.
I bought Hubby a new camera as his is over ten years old, and although still taking good photos, its parts were starting to wear. Also, it is much bulkier than the newer ones that are pocket size. This is one of the test photos. His birthday was in February and too much was going on for me to concentrate on a gift, so when I finally had a day alone I did some shopping. I think he is pleased with his belated gift.
It is harder on us older folks to get use to the new fangled dangled machinery! All digital, touch here, push there...so much more complicated than one of those box Kodak camera you could pick up in the store!! However, I do believe that is one thing that keeps Hubby younger than men of his age. He is willing to try...grudgingly sometimes. I even have him using the new Touch iPod I gave him for Christmas and he is finally beginning to understand and appreciate its possibilities.
Isn't that always the way - we get older and renounce all the new things in life without really trying them out and savoring what they offer. Wasn't that one of our complaints about our parents? Time to put away the "old age card" and pick up that "young at heart" card to carry with us...get out and try things new and different. The tried and true may be where we end up, but we should not let youth have ALL the fun!!

Trying to make friends....

2011-04-24T20:52:00.001-06:00

I'm holding the Border Collie while coaxing the cat out from the underground pipe area - he is actually stretching rather than going after the dog. Then he trusted me enough to come out....I held on tight to the collar, and just seconds after the last shot Maggie tried to grab the cat with a quick snap! Luckily I held on tight and the cat went back to his hiding place.

Hopefully I can get Maggie to see that this is my friendly stray cat rather than another rabbit or grey squirrel! I have never had a problem with introducing dogs and cats before this....Maggie is too intense to actually listen, which is a big problem.

I shall keep trying!

The color looks better in this photo.....

2011-04-24T14:36:00.002-06:00

Afghan For Baby Eva

2011-04-23T20:54:00.001-06:00

Except for a couple of ends, it is finished. Only the border and the joining are my work.....the squares were all made by my friend Jamie.

She's AWESOME!!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away......

2011-04-21T09:49:00.002-06:00

Seems that we are really in the rainy season. Better than snow, I suppose. However, I'd like another sunny day during the week. Hubby needs to burn the fields and that won't happen until it dries up - which doesn't look too soon.

We visited Portland and the grandkids. We saw the tulip fields in the Woodburn area. Stunning! They say not as beautiful as the ones in Washington state, but these were just gorgeous nonetheless!

Fair Isle Crochet

2011-04-15T15:30:00.000-06:00

Well - every time I browse Enthusiastic Crochetaholic's web site I end up spending money on crochet books. I thought I was bad about collecting books, but she surpasses me on all accounts because:

1. She is faster in making items that I am, and
2. She knits, so she has dual interests in books!

Right now she is into Vintage. Take a look.

So when I went looking for one of the books she was touting, I came across this Fair Isle To Crochet book by Karen Ratto-Whooley, our own KRWKnitwear on Ravelry. It was published last year and I have no clue why I just ran across it.

Although the patterns ARE Fair Isle, they are rather big because they are in afghans. This great idea can work, however, in smaller items. You just need a smaller hook and smaller yarn and a smaller project! ;o)

I am particularly fond of the Southwest Warmth, #2 and the last one on the back cover, Baby Hearts.

Whether it is tedious or not, I don't know - I do knot that you only work ONE way, leaving 8" of yarn on both ends and that the right side remains the right side, and you don't strand, you work over the yarn. Sort of like Tapestry.

I'm going to try my hand the Southwest one for a nephew this summer for Fall delivery. You can change up the colors, too, so you may not like her colors, but the patterns are awesome!

Problem Solved.....and the answer is.......

2011-04-13T09:17:00.000-06:00

It's a Goldfish Plant.

Can't go outside.

:o(

Signs of Spring

2011-04-12T16:33:00.003-06:00

I have bulbs coming up, but more than that there are other signs of Spring right now.

My dog Maggie is now able to get out more and chase her ball - because I am able to enjoy the outdoors more.

My Peonies are coming up, but one in particular is already starting to bloom....have no clue the name, or why it is so early. It is also SHORT. ;o)

..and the yard is green while the skies are blue (some of the time).

Now - something different. We received this plant as a thank you. It has the leaves of an azalea, but isn't. The blooms (if you can call them that) look a tad like tiny yellow peppers. I have no clue what type of plant it is, or what type of weather it can take. I was thinking about an azalea the other day and where I could put it, so now I have to figure out this one instead. ;o)

Does anyone have ANY idea???

An Elfin Stocking Cap

2011-04-11T10:19:00.003-06:00

This is for my niece's photographer. I have one more to make for a boy.
I was thinking about Lamb and Chocolate Brown, or something with grey.....what do you think?
I really am at a loss as to what would look good. Blue and Grey? Black and White? Brown and Beige? I know I am not suppose to use greens or yellows as it makes babies look "sickly" in photos (so I am told). It leaves little from which to choose.

HELP!

Link to Ravelry site for pattern by Amanda Dean

Decided to add a photo of a different "boy" cap I already finished for another gift. These look SO much better on a baby!

New Potholders - Fronts and Backs

2011-04-07T19:41:00.001-06:00

More potholders. These are getting to be fun. The round one comes from another book by Edie Eckman. The only reason I used it was I could not find the one by Jean Leinhauser I wanted to use. I made a circular back in the green - nothing fancy. The bobbles were so eye catching I decided not to fancy up the border.

On the square potholder, I used a pattern from a baby book for the center, then added rows. On the back I sort of matched the chartreause row to give it interest.

Although you can't tell, the light color is a peach. Hubby liked the bobble one best, and actually complimented me! Yay!

These may end up as Angel potholders. Don't know yet.....I have a few from which to choose now!

Edging the afghan

2011-04-04T21:32:00.000-06:00

This afghan is the result of the Uptown/Downtown swap in the Vanna's Choice Fan Club group on Ravelry. I am going to edge it in one of the Edie Eckman borders (of course), but thought that I might share the experience.

In the photo you can see that I have bordered the whole afghan in black. I used the double crochet stitch. Then I found the pattern I wanted and proceeded to count the sides. Each side had a different count (also, of course).

The pattern I chose was a repeat of four stitches, plus one extra, plus the corner stitches (not counted). That means the amount of stitches per side had to have something divisible by four, and add one. So lets say as an example it had 16 stitches. I would get four repeats of the pattern...but would need one more stitch to end the pattern. Therefore I would need 17 stitches on the side.

When adding or subtracting a stitch on a border you should use the same color (in this case black) to then go around the border once again and subtract or add however many stitches you need to even out the sides AND to make the sides ready for the pattern.

In this case I had to add and subtract stitches just to get them to the same amount of on opposite sides (two long sides, two short sides).

Then I added one more round of single crochet to be the base round of the pattern. In this case I added that in Lamb. It is often a good idea to add it in the same color, though. I then added yet another round in Cranberry, and am going to proceed with adding the actual pattern in black (maybe with a Cranberry accent for drama).

The long sides have 197 stitches to start - that would be 48 patterns, plus the one stitch (197/4=48+1). The short sides ended up being 157 stitches, i.e., 38 patterns, plus one stitch (157/4=38+1). Perfect! ;o)

Ahhh - but I wanted the border to be wider. No problem. When doing each row after obtaining the correct amount of stitches needed for the division, as long as I add FOUR stitches per side, the pattern remains in tact. Easy peasy.

The great thing about Edie Eckman's book is that she gives you the corners which makes it easier to border an afghan. If you are using another book which gives you the straight side of the pattern, but not the corners, you might want to consider figuring out the pattern repeat and what it takes in each corner to make it work right for the next row. I haven't found any other border book that does it for you...so if you know of one that does, please let me know!!

Double Sided Potholder

2011-04-03T15:03:00.000-06:00

This is one of those potholders where you go around and around a chain, and then flatten it out so the stripes are diagonal.

I wanted to put on a fancy border but forgot to bring my book to church with me, where I work on some of my projects. I just used single crochet for three rows, and then put on a shell border, so this one is none too fancy or special. Functional, however!

Although not fancy, it is a bit prettier than the ones we have sold before at the bazaar, so I am hoping that by the time it is here I will have loaded them down with little lovelies. I keep hearing "Oh, that's too pretty to use for every day" to which I reply, "If ALL your potholders were pretty, they could ALL be used everyday."

Have you started your beautiful collection yet? Get your kitchen cotton out and get started!

The edge makes the difference....

2011-04-01T19:58:00.001-06:00

Backside

2011-03-31T23:00:00.000-06:00

I put on a hidden hanger.........

How TO make a Potholder - My New Design

2011-03-31T19:28:00.001-06:00

This is a Leaning Tower stitch and the border is from the Edie Eckman book I love so much! I think this one is a good looking Potholder.

The back is plain, but still pretty with the border. I haven't figured out yet how to load two photos from my iPod into one message, so that photo will come later.

Today was 72 and the sun delighted us the whole of the day - hope your day was equally warm and bright - even if you had snow, or clouds, or rain.

How not to make a potholder.....

2011-03-27T08:41:00.001-06:00

I had decided to make a potholder for a friend on Ravelry. She makes such beautiful ones that look almost like doilies, so thought I should try my hand at the same.

First, I found one of my doily books and quickly learned that you cannot translate a thread doily in it's whole into a doily made of kitchen cotton....grrrrrrrrr. What you get instead is the first 3 or 4 rows....so keep that in mind. You also might want to make a choice of a pattern that isn't suppose to look delicate.

The mistake number two.....don't make it huge. It then becomes a hot pad instead of a pot holder. :o)

Mistake number three....if it is going to end up a potholder, don't put a flower in the middle where it can't sit flat. Another grrrrrrr moment.

However, all in all, it was a learning experience and I think the pad is usable and kind of pretty. I will be sure to try my hand at this again with the above thoughts in mind.

Crochet contently!

What a BEAUTIFUL Baby!

2011-03-21T16:23:00.000-06:00

This is Eva Catherine.....beautiful, just like her mom. My new grandniece, and my younger brother's first grandchild.

.....and this is Eva in the Elf Hat I made at the request of her mom......just such a sweet, delicate looking, little pink thing!

Granny Type Pattern

2011-02-24T15:26:00.001-07:00

I have seen several patterns like the one below, but have been disappointed with the way they have turned out. Ever happen to you? Well, I decided to work with the square to see how I could improve it. I was getting an elongated corner and it drove me nuts!!

The original design had a chain one between each shell, and chain two at the corner. I changed that to no chains between shells, but was still ending up with the corner stretching out too much.

The third try produced this square above. I like it best. I went down a size in my hook which helped to make it a little less floppy and 'holey' (also helped by eliminating the chain between shells). Lastly, I ended up doing one chain in the far corner, and one time doing NO chain in the corner, just six dc's. I think it helped quite a bit. It has a tendency to want to "grow" so eliminating just the one chain once helped pull it in.

Now I LOVE this square. I hope the recipient will too - especially as I made her two, but patterned differently....as you can see. ;o) The one below is the 2nd try, and as you can see it is a tad elongated, but I wove in the ends to tighten it a little in order to keep it square. It will be perfect once joined to other squares in an afghan. I did add a "stripe" of sorts in the red just to try something different. I think I like it best with all shells.

Will the REAL beauty please stand up?!!!

2011-02-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

So I finished the slouchy beret for my niece....Ms. Gorgeous if I do say so myself. She was kind enough to model the finished product and I am proud to post it here. Mainly because I'm proud of her. She is about to have her first child.....was due on the 17th I think. I haven't received a call, so I think she is still at home! XXOO She and her dad (my baby bro) are thinking the 21st for some reason. I was hoping for Valentine's Day, but now will settle for born and healthy!

Although it looks like I am outdoing myself in one day posting two times, the other one was from two days ago and I forgot to put 'er up! ;o)

Just so you all know - it is SNOWING here today! Has been all day - it was 40 when the morning arrived, and dropped to 34, back up to 40, and now down to about 32 I think. The snow is sticking and looks to be about 1/2 so far.....I bet it gets a tad deeper. It is snowing BIG flakes and looks like it means it. Not unusual for these parts at this time of year.

Keep my Dearest Dotter in your thoughts and prayers that she and Baby Eva will be safe and healthy.

The Border Square

2011-02-19T14:41:00.002-07:00

Hello and salutations from me - a long-lost blogger.

I have been keeping busy with various health issues with the hubby, traveling to Portland every so often. I am trying to get back into posting, so thought I'd get my footies wet with just a quickie. I have a square that is being tested which I'd like to post for you all when it is done and ready. In the meanwhile, here is another one without a pattern!

This one is made up, in a way, by me, but then again it isn't. Confused?

I took borders out of Edie Eckman's book. They all had to be 2+1 borders, and then I just strung them together, one right after another! I think it turned out rather nicely. I wasn't thrilled with the wierd trebles (in the middle in chocolate) as they didn't turn out nicely like hers did. Might have been a thicker yarn. However, I did like the over all square and how it came together.

You might try the same thing - simple as one, two, three! Just make sure the borders have all the same counts....or if you pick one that might be a 4+1, be sure you use it on a row that then has worked up to that many stitches so you can use it. The trick is how many stitches you add on each row at the corners - it has to mesh with the patterns! ;o)

More to follow! ;o)

Good Foggy Morning!

2011-01-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today have been days for finishing projects. I was able to clear off a place in my bedroom and put away lots of yarn just purchased (shame on this yarn addict!). I have decided to start the deep cleaning process from one corner of the bedroom and work my way out, taking a box with me to collect those things that need to go "elsewhere" and in the trash. It was a bit of a chore just making it out of the corner!

Today is the computer room, but I'm of the mind to trade it for my bathroom! Easier.

Also, yesterday I finished the cutest cap for my niece in Boston. She is having her first baby in February and I thought she might need a pick-me-up for herself. You who have had children know how hard it is on the emotions, and then everyone comes to see baby, but you are set aside. I wanted her to have something to keep her cheery and feeling feminine.

She is a really pretty girl - looks great in all sorts of hats, so I made the Slouchy Beret from the Drew Embrowsky booklet, "In All Caps" - and I think it turned out quite lovely. A tad big, but I guess that is the idea. I think with her really curly hair it will be just the ticket.

What do you think?

Leaning Tower Stitch square

2011-01-22T14:24:00.001-07:00

This is another square with the Tower Stitch used instead of a Granny Stitch. I like the extra twist it gives to the square, as well as the added texture. I do think it looks a tad skiddywhampus, but that would go for a granny square, too.

This is for the Uptown/Downtown swap in VC on Ravelry.

The designer of the stitch is Bill Elmore, and Edie Eckman has it in two of her books.

Morning Photos

2011-01-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

These were taken the 21st of December when the early fog was coming in - could not resist the photo from atop our hill - makes it look like the valley is snowed in completely....well, it WAS covered in snow, but not THAT deep!

The first one is that of the Moon going down and the fog beginning to come in off the Snake River.

The next one is after the moon went down and the sun started coming up - and the fog REALLY rolled in! you can see in the background that the hills are getting covered.

The last photo is of my neighbor's home. I like to take a photo each season and share a few with them - they always look like something you could put on a greeting card.

These are all in COLOR - although Mother Nature seems to have made them look like black and white!

Pam's Western Afghan

2010-12-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

I finally finished joining the squares from the Play Misty For Me swap. I think this swap was in 2009....oh, my. Glad I finally finished it!

The squares made and sent were all in the Misty group of colors in Vanna's Choice. I chose only 3 colors (not unusual for me) in what I thought would look more western - and asked for that type of square .... Indian-ish. I think I was lucky to get the most beautiful squares "evah"!

I finished the border of the afghan with the stitch I mentioned in the previous post - but did not name - that was used in Edie Eckman's books. It is called the Tower Stitch that some person she knew started using and named it such. I really like the way it compliments the afghan without making it girlie (will be shared by Pam's hubby) like an ordinary granny border as it turn sideways a bit.

Can you see the resemblance to the Rick Rack Stitch?

I'm very excited to see how they like it! Nice to start the new year with something finished so nicely.

So...................

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!

May your blessings be many, and your troubles be few - and may only good things happen for you.

Rick Rack Stitch

2010-12-31T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is the pattern to the scarf I started (and did not finish yet). I did not use the different colors of yarn, but instead chose a variegated yarn for that project, and really love it better than what the pattern had. The owner of Knit Wits, a local LYS, gave me the pattern as I was so enthralled with the scarf she had made. The pattern comes from a long ago publication and I searched high and low to see if I could find it on the web. Could not, so here it is for you all to try.

The pattern is quite similar to one that is in both the Around the Corner book by Edie Eckman, and in her Motif book.....similar but different!

Enjoy!

Rick Rack Rainbow Afghan

Sizes:

7 colors of fingering wt. yarn - use E hook

7 colors of sport wt. yarn - use G hook

7 colors of worsted wt. yarn - use I or J hook

Chain 298 - Color A....(make two rows of each color)

Row 1: DC in 4th ch from hook. DC in next 2 chains (These 4 DC will be the flat border ends on both sides). *Ch 3, skip 3 foundation chains, DC in next 4 chains. Repeat from * across to last 4 chs. DC in each of the last 4 chs. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: DC in next 3 DC. *Ch 3, skip next 3 DC. Make 4 fpdc around post of the next DC (this will tilt the stitch to look like Rick Rack). Repeat from * around, ending with 4 DC in last 4 DC. Change to next color. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Row 2 for all colors, two rows each color until desired length.

End with color A, repeating row 2, chain 3, turn. DC in next 3 DC, *sc in next DC, ch 3, 3 DC around post of last DC. Repeat from * around ending ch 1, 4 DC in last 4 DC for edge.

This afghan has a nice stretch to it and bounces back to look like Rick Rack. Good in any weight yarn.

Try making a scarf first to get the feel of it. Use above pattern until you reach the width you need....the increments will be: Repeats x 7 plus 4. The number of stitches depend on your yarn and on your desired width for the scarf.

i.e. - 3 x 7 = 21 + 4 = 25

4 x 7 = 28 + 4 = 32

5 x 7 = 35 + 4 = 39

My First Puzzle

2010-12-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

My BFF in San Diego, Leonora, gave me several puzzles for Christmas. Previously, I have been putting together the 500 piece puzzles by the Utah artist, Dowdle. This one is 3000 pieces.....Hubby had to cut a piece of plywood that is 55x36" so I am able to fit the puzzle on the table (of course we rarely eat dinner there!). The pieces in the box are the ones I have already gone through, the pieces to the right in the bag are the ones I am still sorting - looking for side pieces to put together.

I started this process Sunday morning. As you can see, this will take quite awhile....at least it will keep me off the streets at night, and out of trouble!

Since the photo was taken, I have completed the side except for five or six pieces that must now be in the sorted pile! Ugh.....but am not going back through them again. I also have a few pieces of the Zebra and the lily pads together, and a few other hooked onto the side pieces.

I don't know that I am going to like this one.....SO much harder than the Dowdles!

Bordered AND Mailed!

2010-12-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

The border is a pattern from Edie Eckman's book, "Around the Corner; Crochet Borders" which I LOVE! It is a must have for anyone who does afghans. I believe this pattern is #93. It is the second time I have used one from the book, and believe me she makes doing borders a true delight!

Hopefully it will arrive on Friday, but if not it just prolong's the Christmas celebration, so that's just fine.

Not exactly my front yard.......

2010-12-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

.....but close!

This is the neighbor's alfalfa field - sans alfalfa, of course! Yesterday we saw over 80 head of deer out there, but my photos were rotten as it was snowing. They like to paw the snow off the ground and eat what is underneath. Today I saw about 1/3 as many in the field, but there are more in our field to the right, and our other neighbor's apple orchard to the right of that.

I watched as two trucks were stopped in the middle of our road and wondered why ... they were letting a couple of mule deer go across the road, and were watching the others in the apple orchard. We often have people park on the side of the road, sometimes five or six at once, lined up to watch the deer close up.

I like photo with the view of the hills in Oregon, across the Snake River. The Snake River is located along the dark line of trees you see near the middle of the photo which was taken from our front yard. It winds around behind the hills you can see all decorated in white farther in the background, and then travels north to the Columbia River, which then goes west to the Pacific Ocean. So - some day all this snow will end up on some beach in California! ;o)

We are suppose to get more snow later today, and then "clear-ish" skies for the rest of the week. I was really ready for Winter and snow, but am thinking I'm already ready for Spring - even thoughWinter hasn't really arrived "legally"!!!

Tomorrow is the first day of Winter and a Lunar eclipse. Depending on where you live, late night December 20 or early morning December 21, the full moon will be darkened by the shadow of the earth as it passes between the moon and the sun. I think this is suppose to not only be the longest night of the season, but also the darkest ever! From what I understand, this is the first lunar eclipse falling on the winter solstice since 1638! And the next one won't be until 2094.

If you are like me, and are living where there are rain clouds and snow clouds (or just clouds) you should be like me and have an iPad! It has Stargazer which is an app that shows the sky as it actually is, and you can turn it toward the sky, or horizon, or even the floor! It will show you what stars are in "that" place at "that" time, so I can "watch" the eclipse even though I can't watch it. Yay!

I hope you all can see it!

Juliet Afghan for my Grandniece

2010-12-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

My grandniece will be 13, or just turned 13. So hard to keep up these days. I asked my SIL, her grandmother, what sparked her interest in decor for her bedroom and she told me about the Bed, Bath, and Beyond bed ensemble that she loved called Juliet.

I started a swap in the colors so that I would have something to put together for her. Here is the project in all it's brilliant glory, sans the border. I plan on putting a fab border on it similar to the one I did for my older niece here in Idaho that received the Provencal afghan

Anyway, thought I'd share what I have so far!

New Book ....

2010-12-09T08:15:00.002-07:00

I purchased this book on Amazon. It is called "Interlocking Crochet" and has quite the dazzling collection of geometric patterns. So many, that I was wondering why she put all of them in one book when she could have made two, and twice the money! That makes me like her, and her patterns, all the more.

I made one pattern in Vanna's Choice and got "off kilter" on my counts. I learned just how important it is to check EACH row and make sure the pattern is right. I am going to finish the square just because - and use it in my afghan. I don't mind. I would not, however, use it for an afghan that I'm giving away. This will be my own donation to my "Uptown/Downtown" swap on Ravelry.

The second square I started and finished is made with kitchen cotton. It did not turn out as thick as I would have liked, but it will be okay to use. Plus it will shrink and "fatten up" a bit. For my own potholders I have found I'm not hanging them so am not putting on the loop. Might as well make them easier!

What I learned on this second square is that I have a lot to learn. Hmmmmm. Mainly, I did not finish it off or border it well. The pattern got lost on the top and bottom edges on the mainly brown side - so I must have missed something in the instructions. I think I have it in my head now, so will make another attempt, doing another potholder.

I am already considering how to make a large afghan using this book - perhaps bordering in one of the patterns and using something else for the middle. Any suggestions?

I think this is a book I can highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn a new crochet method, and anyone who wants to make something spectacular and different! Come on - you know you want to try this!

Merry Christmas from the Holy Family

2010-11-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

..... and a couple of Noah's Ark animals!

I am grateful for all my friends and family, near and far, on-line and on the street, and in keeping with the tradition of good will, am wishing you all a very wonderful (and thankful) Thanksgiving weekend, as well as the same for the coming Christmas celebration.

Blessings to you and yours from our home and family.

Joseph, of Joseph and Mary fame .........

2010-11-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

This is my last offering to Nancy for her Nativity group. Rather handsome, no?

Now to get back to the scarf and posting the pattern .... I think you will love just how easy it is and how different!!!

2010-11-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

This is the latest of the Nativity amigurumi characters that I have received....and the last. :o( I don't remember posting about her, so if this is a double post please forgive me!

The pattern is from Alan Dart and was made by Sylv in England. Isn't she just beautiful!!!!

In my younger years our family visited my mom's sister and her family at the farm near Tekoa, WA. They had a family cow named Bossy. Although she was not light peach with a white face, she was sweet - even with a not-so-sweet name. I think I'll call this one Bessie to honor that sweet cow that let me milk her one time.

New Scarf ......

2010-11-13T12:59:00.002-07:00

I am working on a new scarf in a lovely cotton rayon yarn. I am finding the color combination to be right up my alley, but it seems to twist quite a lot as I crochet. I am not sure if that is due to the way the LYS wound the yarn, or it it is the yarn itself. Every couple of rows I have to untwist it. This is Olmue, a yarn blend from Chile, 399 yards in a finger weight.

After I experiment a bit more with this one I will post it again with the pattern notes. Not MY pattern, but have never seen it on the web anywhere, and looked in lots of books to no avail. So. I want to try my hand at a couple of variations before divulging the wondrous crochet stitches.

The colors here are "cooler" than in reality. The scarf has more of a lavender/purple hue. The next time I post I'll be sure the coloring is perfect....as perfect as I can get it.

Drool all you want - I'll be back with more!

Fixed .....

2010-11-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

We had plenty of light rain for two days, but just before it hit we were able to have the land slide "fixed" - filled up with dirt. So, having the rain was a nice touch to settle it down and smooth it out. The top photo shows the huge backhoe at the front of our house patting down the dirt which was brought over by another machine. These young men worked FAST.

These are the "before the rain" photos .... remember that from top to bottom is about 100 feet. Thank goodness the trees survived and now have their roots covered.

And along comes the Donkey .....

2010-11-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

So here is the second little animal for the Nativity .... they just are so cute! Same pattern purchased for the whole set from Carolyn Christmas, link in the last post. This is the first time that I put on the little plastic eyes. Liked it so much that I went to a site called 6060 and purchased a whole bunch of cute eyes, and even some noses! ;o)

Now here he is saying goodbye to everyone before his long journey. The rest of the group are those that I have received in the swap. The sheep to the left are from Noah's Ark, but fit right in with the Nativity set! In a larger format it's a bit blurry.

Isn't this a nice family.

Mary had a little Lamb

2010-11-01T09:26:00.001-06:00

Whose fleece isn't really white this time. I used Vanna's Choice Lamb - appropriate, no?

For the nose, ears, and feet I used Beige - black for the eyes, of course. I just think he is just such a cutie! He was almost as easy to make as the Lady Bug. This little guy goes with the Nativity Swap characters I've sent out.

He, like the others, is from the pattern book you can buy at Gourmet Crochet by Carolyn Christmas (isn't that a NEAT name!?!).

Hopefully the link works if you click on the photo of the booklet. She has many wonderful little booklets full of lovely surprises!

Now on to the next Nativity character..........

Little Lady Bug

2010-10-31T14:21:00.002-06:00

This month for the Itsy Bitsy Swap on Ravelry, for Noah's Ark - I decided to do an itsy bitsy bug ... the little Lady Bug to be exact.

I found such a cute character in the book "Super Cute 25 Amigurumi Animals" by Annie Obaachan.

This pattern took just a couple of hours to finish - it was very fast, and is oh so cute! I think that it could be used in many ways - as a pin cushion, to tag luggage, use as a large pull tab on a big zippered purse, or a decoration for a purse.

However you use it, whether as a toy for a child, or a decoration for a gift, it will be astonishingly easy AND cute! And now my giftee has it in had to do with as she pleases!

;o)

My Boy Chuckie

2010-10-27T21:04:00.001-06:00

Just could not resist - have been feeling under the weather for 3 days, and thought about what made me feel good and warm and loved and felt I ought to share one of several reasons I feel that way....

This is Chuckie - he is 13 years old, making him "older" than my husband now. He's my big baby boy - follows me all over the house (unless he is asleep) and whines at me when it is time to go to bed. He won't go unless I go (or if I take him in there and sit a moment while he falls asleep - he is a sound sleeper!).

Dogs - such wonderful creations of love and companionship.

Finished the Potholder

2010-10-23T18:57:00.001-06:00

This is the first time in years that I have made a thread potholder - I think this is only my second one! It really doesn't take a whole lot longer than using the kitchen cotton, and looks so dainty in comparison.

I did not use a pattern for the front - as stated a few posts ago. However, I found a hexagon pattern and used it for the back. The white from the front shows through a bit, and I had cut a piece of fabric to "line" it between the parts - but liked the look less than without - so took it out at the last minute. Although the corners don't look pointy on one side, they are - I just did not smooth it out properly for the photo, trying to rush and get the photo taken and then packaged to ship to Karen (BrooklynIrishGirl on Ravelry - shhhhh don't tell her yet!)

This potholder is substantial enough to use, and dainty enough to display. What could be better!??! Oh.....not expensive to make!! ;o)

Dickie

2010-10-19T17:51:00.001-06:00

I am not the most creative, but decided to make a dickie for the Friendship swap. It is is simple rectangle made with a very nice yarn. Hopefully the spectacular nature of the yarn shows up in the photos. It is actually three yarns in one. One is quite sparkly, one is bumpy, and one is ropey. When you click on it, it should show well.....

Then I found some buttons to match the type of yarn and put them on the side close to the ends so it could be worn flat, just under a blouse or sweater. I really did love the feel of it and the look of it under my blouse. Hopefully the recipient does, too. I think in some ways I like it better than the cowls you see which are overwhelming to me. AND it is oh-so-warm!

Try making one if you haven't already. Quick, easy, and oh, so comfy!

Part of Our day....

2010-10-18T17:11:00.002-06:00

When my BFF from Savannah and I decided we were going to town my hubby wanted to take our photo down by the For Sale sign on our lower property, then one looking up at the house. After he took the photos we took off to go to town.

Backing up here a bit....at lunch I thought the water pressure was low. Went around the whole property and could not see a leak, and none of the water junctions were on. Everything off...did not hear the pump go off a lot, either. Now, fast forward.......

........so after we leave the Hubster looks up at the house and thinks that it looked funny on the slope. He takes the four wheeler up the side of our property instead of the drive and notices that the hillside had actually slid off!!! There was a broken pipe under the Juniper that was connected to the yard water through some unknown, long forgotten pipe. Thank goodness that it did not take out the two trees in front, but did take out a huge chunk of the Juniper. Had he not caught it the house would have been next, I am sure....with us in it!

One of the only reasons I am not fond of living on the point of a hillside mainly made of sand......the thought of sliding off into oblivion. You can see in the second to last photo indentations in the side of the hill where there have been water breaks and parts of the hill have slid off, to the left and right of this water break. I hope this is the last time!

Potholder Beginning

2010-09-22T19:23:00.001-06:00

More work.

I'm in a Potholder Swap - got talked into it by Karen (BrooklynIrishGirl on Ravelry) because so many of the ladies who joined wimped out. You just can't leave a friend hanging mid-air like that, so of course I agreed to join.

This is the beginning of a potholder for someone who didn't get the ones she was suppose to get. I'm an Angel. :o) HAH! Mom would laugh at that one! Well, at least I'm being an angel to Shelby.

The white portion was a small coaster I bought at JoAnn's - 99 cents! I never used it as a coaster - or anything else for that matter - so thought perhaps I could use it as the basis for the potholder I'm to make. I think so far it looks pretty good! I just made up rows as I went...if it didn't work out for the first corner I turned, I'd go back and add or take away stitches. What I didn't do is write down the pattern, so this will be my one and only! Sort of like a one of a kind painting by a famous painter....;o)

I still have to back it, and might go down and buy something made for hot pads or ironing boards, then border the two together. Or, I might just do a pattern from a book or from Ravelry for a hexagon and use it as the back portion. Probably the latter as I don't really like to get out of the house much. Isn't that weird......love staying home.

So, my dear friends, how do you like it so far?

Potholder start

The Seahorse for Noah's Ark

2010-09-20T09:43:00.001-06:00

I think the Dolphin I already sent will be happy with an underwater companion...what do you think? Isn't this the cutest little thing! Well, not toooooo little - about 5" or a tad more. Love, love, love!

Here is the pattern by Jessica Woofter. She has quite a few free patterns for lovely sea creatures, so I plan on making a few more.

Another great surprise today is I was searching the blog of the lovely Curly Girl she had lots of Jessi's patterns posted, as well as others along the Sea Creature theme! Lovely!

Please note - when you print out the Seahorse pattern, Jessi does not leave anything to chance so you will be printing out 10 pages! The photos are in color, which is a great help, and she gives info on all the stitches ahead of time. If you love Amigurumi (my BFF doesn't like the dolls...so sad) then you will love her site as well as Sonya's!

I could not resist the two photos of my dog Sami. She wanted to come closer to

investigate the small blue intruder, but was a good little girl and stayed

on her daddy's pillow instead!

Crocheting knit graphs.....

2010-09-08T18:46:00.001-06:00

I decided to try a pattern I found on Garn Studio's web page. It is for a sweater, and I liked the look of it - but as I was not knitting, nor am I a good knitter, I felt I'd try the snowflake design in Tunisian.

Note that I only did the pattern repeat - just wanted to see how it would turn out - I had it slated for a doggie sweater, but never did get around to finishing it off.

So, as a crocheter, you can pick up patterns that are graphed for knitting. I used a MoEZ Tunisian hook which would probably be about size P or O. Knitting graphs are notoriously elongated when crocheted, but in this instance it didn't look real bad! Sometimes when translating to Tunisian you might want to drop a row here and there to keep from getting the stretched out look - no real formula for it, just do what you can do!

This particular pattern was made with the intarsia technique, carrying the yarn along behind. I think none of the stitches are over four or five in either color, except for the navy where only one row is without white. Looks like more, eh? :o)

I really do have to figure out something to do with this little gem...it's just sitting in a bin. :o(

Warning.....

2010-09-06T17:33:00.001-06:00

.....just in case you didn't notice, I had a complaint to Google that my web page was hijacked. It took all afternoon for me to get on and to (hopefully) fix it.

I would like to suggest to all of you to go into your account and change your passwords asap. I guess this is a common practice, although the first for me. Be sure that your password does NOT match anything else - NO other password should be the same.

Also, don't forget to protect your computer, too. If you get to a site that has malware on it, I'm quite sure it can get to your computer and to your web pages.

Be smart. Be safe.

Noodle The Elephant

2010-09-03T15:37:00.001-06:00

My friend Liz sent me a goodie as an Angel. I told her I'd make her something special and she mentioned an elephant - and I thought that would be perfect...so meet Noodle!

She is made from a pattern by Irina Strange (remember the little hat that wasn't a hat??) ... http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/reeneegurumi.html

So, I'm going to get her mailed out today or tomorrow (hope Liz doesn't look at my blog!!). I honestly hate to give her up!!

Cute Hat.....

2010-08-19T09:06:00.000-06:00

The thing about this cute hat is that it ISN'T a hat or cap at all. I'm making an elephant....that's right....an elephant! ;o) Won't she be cute! This is the body and I will be sewing the bottom together near the middle to make way for the trunk on one end and the feet on the other!

This is a pattern by Reneegurumi, Irina Antonyuk, better known as Irene Strange. The pattern was gifted to me last year on Ravelry and I am just now getting around to making it. I think her patterns are sooooooooooooooooooo darling!

Check her out at Reneegurumi - http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/reeneegurumi.html - and check out the elephants! ;o)

Now We Purl ... TPS

2010-08-18T18:46:00.001-06:00

This is another quick and dirty tutorial on a Tunisian stitch...this one is the Purl stitch, and is a little more work than the knit. You will be putting your hook under the first (actually second, as we all know) vertical bar in front of the fabric - while the yarn is on the front, too.

I generally pull the yarn down in front using my hook to make it loop under the vertical bar. Then put the hook through the bar, and then draw up the yarn to the back. You are actually "hanging" the hook - cheesy but true! You then YO and pull the loop through the vertical bar. It leaves that tell tell bump that you normally see in knitting (but the back does NOT look like the knit stitch as you would see if you were actually knitting.

Let's see if the photos help.....

Yarn is on front of fabric, put hook through the vertical bar....

Pull yarn to back around hook....

Get it behind the hook so you can do a YO....

I generally hold the yarn at the bottom and pinch it (like in the color change) so pulling the yarn through the loop doesn't make it tighten up too much.....

After you pull it thorough you will start on the next stitch....

Pull yarn down to front here I use my hook to do it...

Hold the yarn down and you will move it back behind the hook...

See how it looks......

Now do a YO and pull it through the vertical bar so you have three loops on the hook...

Ta da!

Just keep doing it ... pretty soon you will get a rhythm in throwing the yarn to the front...

See how the stitches look something like the Purl stitches in knit.....

Now you can see the bottom two rows of the TSS, the next two rows of the TKS, and know the last two rows I completed of the TPS.

Easy Peasy as my BFF says!

Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS)

2010-08-16T22:14:00.000-06:00

Now lets 'knit'! Put hook in the middle of the stitch behind the vertical bar of the row below & below return row.

Make sure it goes behind the stitch to the back of the fabric.

YO and pull through a loop.

You can see I pulled the yarn through and it makes the previous stitch look similar to a knit stitch.

Continue by inserting hook through the next stitch and pulling through a loop which you leave on the hook as in TSS.

Five stitches finished...red isn't a great color to see the stitches, but look carefully! The two rows below the TKS row are TSS stitches and you can see the vertical bars.

You can't see the knit row very well above the TSS stitches as we approach the end, but they are there!

Now you will go through the side stitches just as you do in TSS so that the side will have a nice crochet look to it....

YO and pull up the last loop.....

Now you will start the return row after finishing all the TKS stitches.

Return row the same as before.

When you finish a bunch of rows, what do you get???? Very curly!

In Tunisian, the very first row is generally going to be the "simple stitch" (TSS) with the return, and then the next row is what determines if this is a "knit" (TKS) or "purl" (TPS) or another TSS.

In the TKS, after completing a row of TSS, you will have your first loop on the hook. You will be drawing up a loop through the stitch below, not the vertical bar as before. You neet to go behind the vertical bar through the fabric and actually under the return row, YO, and draw up a loop. Each time you do this, once you draw up a loop, the stitch in the row below looks quite like the knit stitch you would recognize in knitting. One thing about it, though, is this is a heavy fabric if you are using a worsted weight yarn, so it won't be the thin fabric that knitting is known for....not even if you have an H hook....however, with in #2 to lace weight it does give a more dramatic, lacy look.

Also, if I didn't mention it before, if you are making a square, to end it off you after you have finished the last return pass, you can go back across using a regular crochet hook of the same side, or one size smaller, and slip stitch across the top to finish. However, in the TKS stitch, I like to go back across and make a TKS in each stitch, but pull it through the last loop instead of leaving it on the hook. That finishes the fabric into the knit stitch rather than the last row looking like a TSS.

Remember, in Tunisian, even though you are on the row above you are generally finishing the look to the row below.

A Photo Tutorial - sort of - on Tunisian Color Changes

2010-08-15T21:08:00.002-06:00

Chain four in one color - chain on hook is 5th chain

Pull up loop in new color, being sure not to pull last loop too tight

Chain four more - loop on hook is first stitch of next row.

Go back into each chain and pull up four more stitches (5).

When you get to the new color, pull it under and then over the "old" color

Pulling it over to use to do the next loop.

Hold (pinch) the old color up against your fabric...

...and continue pulling up the new chain color.

You should end with having five loops of color A and five loops of color B

Now start working them off the chain in the return pass.

When you get to the next color, be sure you have one loop of EACH color on the hook.

You will now pull up the new color from under (the first row it actually isn't under, but will be on all subsequent rows) and then over top of the last color - this will make the color unwind.

Pull it (not too tight).....

....and then pinch it again to hold that yarn down....

....then draw through the new yarn through the two loops on the hook (one old color loop and one new color loop.

Continue doing the same stitches.....cut yarn to change colors, or use a different color altogether. Stranding in the back is not recommended as it is more than 3 stitches and pulls the fabric too much. Weave in ends as you go.

....................................................

I am doing a tutorial on Tunisian on Ravelry in the Vanna's Choice group and need a place to store my photos! ;o)

Pop on over there and see what's going on!

Cheers!

Caribbean Swap

2010-08-10T12:40:00.002-06:00

I'm running out of ideas for squares - I finally decided to make up a square out of a stitch and wanted to find something that I had not tried before. Then, like magic, I picked up the Winter 2009 Interweave Crochet magazine and there inside was a nice little stitch on display. It is called (according to them) the Wattle Stitch, and is as easy as pie. Basically a sc, ch, dc in the ch space below...an ending sc at each edge on top of the beginning ch only.

So, out came the yarn and in no time I whipped up a little 9" square for the swap. I just LOVE this stitch...the square has some stretch, both ways, and load of texture. It is also quick, easy, and makes for a nice weight in my Vanna's Choice.

Tell me what you think!

I'm working on another 10" square for a Comfortghan that Mugginsquilts on Ravelry is making for a secret recipient. I'll be done with it in an hour or so, and then will post it here, too. Did I say it was quick?

Nativity Swap Begins

2010-08-02T08:20:00.000-06:00

A note to all - I forgot that I was having problems with someone trying to spam me from Asia - so I put it on moderate. I forgot. I forgot. I forgot. So when I went to post this and edit it I saw 55 comments to moderate! YIKES!!!! I shall be better, and am so sorry I didn't get them done. Duh!

I sent this a couple of days ago, but don't think Karen has received it, so should not be posting it. Don't want my Swapee to see it...but can't resist!

This is Mary, the first of the Nativity group I am making for the Itsy Bitsy Nativity swap. The pattern comes from Gourmet Crochet, designed by Carolyn Christmas. Really cute! I did not put a mouth on her as I like that wide eyed look you see on some of the dolls - rather innocent looking. If you make her as a doll, don't put the hands together. They are tooooo cute just like they are not tacked down. I used Vanna's Choice, of course (I have so much I need to use it up).

These little people are not as easy as the cute little animals as they have so many parts, and take longer, but fun to make and absolutely not HARD. After all, they are itsy for the Itsy Bitsy swap! I used an F hook as called for, but think I would have liked it better in a D or E hook I think. Will have to finish the group using the F hook though.

A Little Lesson & A Pretty Sunset

2010-07-29T18:38:00.001-06:00

I was out last night and saw this spectacular sunset so just had to take a photo. This was only part of it as my camera cut out most....but this was the biggest and best part. It was humid, and you can see why as the sky was letting water loose but it wasn't hitting the ground for the most part...too bad as even after all that Spring rain we could use some more. Today was the hottest day of the summer so far.

And now for your history lesson for the day!

Interesting History

They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery, if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor."

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to piss in" & were the lowest of the low.

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Sharing our family photo - first photo sans hubby

2010-07-22T22:03:00.000-06:00

Thought I would share this photo from the 4th of July weekend....this was taken at our ranch which is about 5,200 feet above sea level....too bad there was some smoke in the air as the view is spectacular. The one below, of the girls sitting on the steps, is the same place, different view. Our friend from Texas built those for Sid so he could just step down across the little stream from the natural spring.

I use the word ranch loosely....we had 535 acres and sold 530 of them! We kept five acres in the middle where we have a natural Spring as well as our 28 foot trailer (which has been up there a year and we still haven't been able to use it!) ;-(

Now this photo is of hubby....SIL, and granddaughter #1 on the night of the infamous Shooting Firecracker attack! ;o)

His Sweetness

2010-07-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

I'm making some of Noah's buddies for the Noah's Ark swap...this is my first one which is already sent to Liz. Hopefully she has him by now. Four more to go. I also have a Nativity swap and will be finishing up on the first one soon.

His Sweetness is a baby dolphin made from a pattern by Annie Obaachan. Her book is called "Super Cute 25 Amigurumi Animals" and they are adorable creatures! This one went fast, and I was a bit surprised at just how easy it was to use a D hook (or 3mm) with worsted. Makes a lovely little animal, and easy to stuff.

On to making more!

Grannies Galore

2010-07-12T08:25:00.000-06:00

Here are some of the squares I am putting together from the Granny McPhee Swap. I have bordered them each in Linen, joined four, then bordered in Misty Taupe, and then again in Sea Spray, which is also a Misty color from Vanna's Choice. Two views - and as you can see one in the middle isn't bordered yet as a group, but joined.

I have a sample border in some of the Misty colors....trying out something new. This afghan will really be a bedspread when I am through, so I think the last borders will have to be fairly large. I just did a corner on this one to show someone on Ravelry.
What do you think? Not quite as sharp as Attic24, as she is SOOOOOOOOOO good with colors, but acceptable I think!

Look what an Angel sent to me......

2010-07-01T11:23:00.000-06:00

One of my gifts from overseas never arrived, most likely taken by some poor starving mail person....so a couple of USA gals were kind enough to make some things for me. This is from Dulcy in Alabama....she found a wool sweater in a thrift shop and cut it and felted it and sewed it into a tiny notions bag. Isn't it wonderful! WOW.....so perfect, and just the cutest thing! And she made the stitch markers, too, so the gal is definitely talented!

I'm so lucky!

Catching Up on Life...

2010-06-28T12:58:00.001-06:00

Howdy! I have not been a very good blogger in the last couple of months. Less the excuses go on and on and one, let it suffice to say I shall try to be better.

I finished a few coasters for a swap in Itsy Bitsy, and plan on doing a few more and forwarding them along to Brenda. I ran short of time due to the visitors and only made four. This is a pattern on the Coats and Clark web site and is really easy. Here is the link to Ravelry which will take you there. I used Cotton-Ease as I am so tired of colors fading into one another in plain cotton. I know that soaking itmes in distilled vinegar helps, but it doesn't stop it.

It feels good to finally be getting more of my obligations finished - better late than never! I am going to start on some squares for Bev (hoping she still needs them - might have to send the whole afghan to make up for my tardiness!) and once those are finished I will then get back to my Caribbean swap and the Juliet swap. THEN I can relax and make pretties for my doll baby! ;o)

Of course, we do have company comping this weekend, so that will slow me down a bit!

Preston's Square

2010-06-25T14:42:00.002-06:00

A friend from Ravelry has a nephew who was hurt badly at 6 months old. He was recently put in the hospital and is around the age of 21. Due to the childhood brain injury he is more like a 8 year old. He has had a very hard time getting well, so many in the Vanna's Choice Fan Club group are donating a square or two for his recovery blanket all in Barney colors. This is my hasty donation...they have to be in quickly to give Pat, the putter-together-person time to get it made and off to him. I didn't even know who Barney was/is! ;o)

I am soooooo far behind in all of my projects and promises it is embarrassing. With company here since the 9th of June, it has been touch and go in all things crochet. Just a few more days to hang on! The great part is that I so enjoy their company! REALLY nice people. There is another couple that is in the area, but they decided to stay with relatives in the town near here, so I am not having to deal with yet another group like we had first thought.

This square is in Jan Eaton's 200 Square Blocks to Crochet and is called the Tri-Colored Square. It is really "ho hum" in the book, but changing to bright colors makes it awesome!

My last three Provencal Squares

2010-06-21T22:34:00.001-06:00

These are the last 3 squares I made for the swap. I just was not passionate about the flowers in the middle and these took up more in the middle with the colors, and less background, but I do love them so much better. The others were too boring, I think. Then again, I was not putting a lot of thought into them, although I did want to make good squares. I hope the recipient of these appreciates them as much as I loved making them!

Pattern names to be posted tomorrow (if I remember!).

My Little Catie

2010-05-16T17:22:00.001-06:00

I think you may know that my BFF Bev and I split up a twin set of the 15" American Girl dolls. I have been lazy about doing anything for my little Catie, so when Bev designed an angelic little shrug I just had to have it. The only baby yarn I had available was variegated so it doesn't match her clothes....but it is so cute! Now I feel inspired to start making her some clothes! Isn't she cute! Looks just like me....ahem...well, perhaps when I was a kid!

Well - even today my bangs are STILL crooked!

Yet another swap

2010-05-07T19:47:00.003-06:00

Here are 8 more squares - so hard to make anything but a beautiful square when using Vanna's Choice!

So - now we are doing a new swap called the Granny McPhee afghan swap. I don't know who Granny McPhee is, but from the photo I take it that it has something to do with a movie for kids! Right?

Well, these are just four row granny squares to match the afghan "look" except the ones we are doing seem to be doubly bright compared to the Granny McPhee afghan.

These are my first two...and from someone who never liked granny squares, this is strange. Mainly because I'M LOVING THESE! ;o) The top one is suppose to have a Mint edging, but it looks a bit blue.

Starting a New Swap

2010-05-03T19:04:00.003-06:00

I'm adding photos of the squares as I make them...this swap is based on the pattern by Doris Chan - an afghan based on the famous Italian designs/colors. Here is the link, Provencal and it is a pattern in the Lion Brand: Just Gifts booklet. We aren't using the pattern, but are just basing the colors and "look" on the photo of the afghan.

These are for the Provencal Swap - most people want Scarlet as their background to match the original afghan pattern - I and Mugsy chose Duckie, the bright yellow, as our background.The bottom yellow one is for her - the other two Scarlet ones are for "whomever". The rest of the group all seem to have the same color request!

Boy, these sure are BRIGHT. :o) Quite a few to go. First I have to finish the Hexagon afghan....soon.

Home Again!

2010-05-02T22:26:00.001-06:00

I'm back!

It was an interesting trip down south...seems all the tragedies and bad weather followed me wherever I went...just like the last time I traveled across country. Tornados and thunder storms across Arkansas and Mississippi, some tornado activity in Georgia and a poor young man found drown in Savannah who was missing for two months. That was sad.

My friends in Mississippi moved from the Gulf Coast after the last two hurricanes due to damage on their home there. This year they have been narrowly missed by a tornado, so are now talking about moving back to Idaho! ;o) They won't, but I do understand how they feel.

So have you seen the Savannah area? It's beautiful - this is called Skidaway Island, off the coastal area of Savannah. My dear friend and her hubby live there (18 years) and it is a golf course community. No fences allowed so they have those electric underground security fences to keep their animals inside the yard. There are alligators in the lagoons. (Gives me goose bumps).

Great food, great company, and a very relaxing time. Southern Time. Can't get better than that! Warmer than here, but it wasn't hot. Just right!

Spanish Moss is so beautiful hanging in the trees. I was told that it doesn't act as a parasite and doesn't take from the tree, but eventually it can smother the tree if people don't take it down every so often.

Of course, the houses are gorgeous, too! You really should visit!

EXERCISE

2010-04-10T13:44:00.000-06:00

Speaks for itself!

So, today started out like this: I catch hubby putting real coffee in the coffee machine instead of the 1/2 decaf I am suppose to have (keeps me away, make my blood pressure too high, etc.) and he played dumb.

Then went on my errands and past the post office by mistake as I chatted away with the doggies about Daddy. Grrrrrrr!

Then made it to the LYS to show off my new Patent Pending design and they were closed for another 1/2 hour.

Drove to the local shop to have things wrapped and mailed. They were closed all day on Saturdays.

Drove to JoAnn's to pick up yet ANOTHER skein of yarn as I have picked up the wrong one twice. Want to finish a scarf for my BFF. At this rate she won't get it until December for Christmas. They didn't have it.

Went back to LYS to talk about my invention. Not suitable for knitting unless it is for Fair Isle, and then it is too big as knitters who do that work don't us crappy acrylic yarn that is big and bulky, but nice sweet wonderful, skinny, expensive yarn, and my invention is WAY too big. :-( Pick up some pointers, leave.

Picked up lunch. Yuck.

Pull down visor, which was suppose to be fixed (spent an hour in the shop earlier in week) and it was still broken. Drove to Toyota and they fixed it. Went home.

Home now....try to figure out what to do about the yarn. Pull up Naturally Caron and look at colors in Country. Not there. NOT THERE??????? What?????? No wonder I can't find it. They don't carry it any longer!!!! NOT POSSIBLE!!!! I'm only half way done with the scarf!!!!

Sort though skeins, looking, looking - pulling them all out and have one stray Bamboo Ewe from Red Heart. Notice it is very similar to one of the colors. Pull out stray wrapping from bottom of tote. Hmmmm???? Red Heart. Hmmmm???? Look up colors. Matches scarf.

I have a headache. Now know why the scarf colors are not available any longer in Caron. I am using a different yarn!!!!! I have a really BIG headache. I'm going to take a nap - AFTER I drive back to JoAnn's and pick up the right colors in the right yarn.

Nostalgia

2010-04-06T22:05:00.003-06:00

Andy's gonna cry,

Ann is gonna bawl,

If we can't Make a Deal

With Monty Hall

1965

Dee, as Ann. As her mom made the costume, I (of course) had to be Andy. I think over all I was cuter anyway! ;o)

My BFF, Beverooni, asked that I go ahead and post what happened the day that a group of friends went to Let's Make a Deal right after high school. I hope you laugh as much as I FINALLY did! ;o) I edited it again to make a little more sense when reading.

"As I lived in CA I was able to attend a couple of those game shows. Got some earrings I kept when Bob Barker yelled "Come on Down!" In the show "Let’s Make a Deal" - where everyone wears costumes - I was dressed as Raggedy Andy and a friend was Raggedy Ann. Her mom made the costumes so of course, I had to be the boy.

"When they came to the side of the street where people were lined up the show people walked up and down in front of crowd and those that cheered the loudest and moved around a lot got picked. I was SOOOO shy that it all embarrassed me - especially as I was the one dressed as a boy (I was cute, though). Dee was nuttier than a fruitcake and screaming and jumping and waving the sign that they grabbed her (they do grab you and pull you out of the crowd) and she turned around and grabbed me. She was so determined that I come, too, and she was so loud and spirited, that they let her take me with her! My life. Following Dee around. Then in the audience they sat me next to a lady with a HUGE Mexican hat and blocked my face all the time so I couldn’t see what they were doing or when they were looking my way to pick during the taping. Drove me nuts. By that time I was so frustrated I wanted to bash that lady in the head and throw her hat across the room like a Frisbee! (I was 18 at this time). Wouldn’t have matter, I was still too embarrassed to make a fool of myself any further than wearing the Andy costume!

"The worst part of the trip was that we were on old busses going TO the game shows in LA and I got on before taking a leak….so when they FINALLY stopped, so was I...stopped up! I could not pee for the world. Dee was running up and down flushing all the toilets, running water in the sinks, finally found something to put warm water in and gave it to me to put my fingers in it! :o) OMG, we started laughing so hard and NOTHING was working and EVERYONE was on the bus and the driver kept coming to the door knocking on it!

"It was finally all the laughing that got me started and, as my dear sweet mother would say, I pissed like a race horse! STILL makes me laugh thinking about that part of the trip!"

CUTE!!!

2010-04-05T09:11:00.004-06:00

I was looking at my blog today and see that Sonya signed up recently....so I went to check her out. WOW! That's about all I can say. WOW! She has some of the cutest patterns posted or linked on her site. In the last week sometime she posted some cute little chickie critters, and if you click on this link to "Curly Girl's Crochet Etc...." you will find that she has all sorts of bunnies and chickies and other assorted cutie pies posted by photos and links. Some free, some patterns for sale, but all WONDERFUL!

My BFF Bev had me start a project with her. Her project is a scarf, mine is I don't know what...most likely some sort of afghan or lapghan when I'm done. I'm going to do it sort of log-cabinish in crochet. Unfortunately, I have not been in the great mood that Bev has made part of her life!!! HOWEVER, today is a better day for me and I plan on imortalizing that in my 'thingy' just shortly!

My brother called me yesterday just as the 7.2 quake hit Mexico (Baja California). It was located just short of the mouth of the Colorado River outlet into the bay/inlet there in Baja. As we were talking I was on the USGS site to see about the quake and it's epicenter as he said it felt like it was under his feet (100 miles away actually) and saw that within a minute, or nearly the exact same time a small one hit at the other end of the fault line (they say they aren't related) in northern California. Then one after another little red dots kept popping up for the after shocks. I hear they are still rockin' and rollin' down there!

We might have snow again tomorrow - only a tad last week. I keep hoping it will pile up in the mountains so that we have a good Spring and Summer for the farmers in the area.

I will leave you with the photo of the scarf I finished and mailed off for an Itsy Bitsy swap on Ravelry. It was kind of fun to make, but think that next time I do a skinny scarf I will use a thinner yarn. This one is made from Country, a Bamboo and Wool blend by Naturally Caron. I used a 'C' hook (2.5 mm Clover soft touch) so it's a bit tight....soft though! The pattern is 1/2 of a pattern found in a magazine and I just used the gauge swatch instructions so that it was the right size! I think it was called the Wedding Pattern. (-;

MANY BLESSINGS FOR EASTER

2010-04-04T10:49:00.001-06:00

HAPPY EASTER MORNING! MAY YOU FIND PEACE IN YOUR HEART TODAY, AND ALWAYS.....

Only one more square to go .....

2010-04-01T10:49:00.000-06:00

This is the Play Misty Afghan for my SIL in Denver. She and hubby have a western/Navajo type decor and so I picked these 3 colors in the swap. I am so pleased with the results! Peggy in California knitted a beautiful Kokopelli, the ambassador to the Southwest! He is the most well known Indian symbol and is generally depicted as old, & bent under his heavy load with his flute. So cool!

One more square is on its way, so I will be able to put this baby together! (when I finish the hexagon for my SIL in Michigan first!) I think I'll use all three colors for the outside border and perhaps do something similar to the squares to get them all up to the same measurements.

Beautiful, eh?