Monday, February 19, 2007

Pink Camoflauge

Where does one wear pink camo to hide? Maybe the beach in Hawaii with all the impatients that bloom there?

Anyways.. Bernat makes this camoflauge yarn..and one of the variations available is Pink. It's really pretty (and durn hard to find.. it sells out as soon as stores get it in).

I managed to find 1 skein at a local store, and then as I was walking down an aisle with totally different stuff on it, non-yarn related.. I found a 2nd skein. Yahoo for lazy folks (Too lazy to take 12 steps to put it back where it belonged..so I found it) !!

I made DD in college a scarf out of it for Valentines. Mailed it last monday (the 12th) but she didn't check her postal box till the 16th (turkey). She says it's been really cold so the scarf was most welcome. She liked the chocolates too!

Here's a picture:




clickable


There's not really a pattern, but I could write it up if there's enough of a demand. In reality it's just the Crosshatch Stitch done lengthwise. Clover Softtouch Hook, size G, slightly more than 1 skein used.

After lots of compliments and questions, I decided to try to write the pattern. And I made another blog for patterns, as I have a couple more I need to get out of my head and onto paper.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

SimplySoft Quick Blankets

I'm getting ready to make a delivery to Project Linus, so I'm getting pictures posted of things I've had made for quite a while.

I'm not super speedy at crochet.. just am really bad (or good?) at procrastinating at making pictures of my work.

Material: Caron Simply Soft Quick





Please click to enlarge


The top one I made first by the pattern provided by Caron on the label of the yarn. They are Tunisian squares, made on a regular (non-tunisian) P hook. It was a tight fit, but as the squares aren't really large, I managed to squeak by. I will probably have to enlarge this one (which will mean frogging the border) and adding more squares. It's a bit on the small side for Project Linus purposes, but I will take it to our coordinator first and see what she says.

The second one is made of the same yarn, same pattern, but a size N Tunisian hook. I just made more of them and joined with black. I realized after I made it how 70's looking it is!!

Fish Purse

Here's a funny fish purse I made back before Christmas.. just for the heck of it.

Shown with mouth closed and then open (drawstring closure).









Please click for more detail


I made this out of some RedHeart that Michaels was clearancing out at 50 cents a skein.. they only had 1 of purple and 1 of green left... what a bargain eh?

Sending it off to my great-niece in Florida care of her Granny (my sister). Hope the little girl will enjoy it.

Oh.. the pattern is available on Crochetville.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Tunisian Baby Blanket

Here's a blanket made with some Joanns Classic Sensation Yarn. Comes in huge 11oz skeins. Very soft and fuzzy.. fun to work with, but a bit difficult to frog.

The stitch is from "Harmony Guide, 220 More Crochet Stitches" that I got free, courtesy of Walmart messing up two of my orders around christmas (see this post). No name to the stitch, but I tried to follow the directions for VI.26

If you have that book, you can see it does NOT look the same (the one in the book has a lattice look). I wonder if what I came up with is in a book or has a name?




please click to see larger


The yarn label says to handwash.. but I ran it through the handwash cycle of my machine and tumbled it on low.. and it came out just fine.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Afghan Along

I've started another afghan (somebody shoot me!!)...

I started Feb. 1st.. here's my progress so far.






Using various colors of Jiffy and Caress.

I've gotten this far by crocheting while my son and I watched the mini-series SHOGUN on dvd. One disk a night. We finished it last night.. now I have to find something else to crochet to, preferrably long and interesting.

Today I will be working on another project.. as it is Super Bowl Sunday and I despise football.

Red Scarves for Orphans

I finally got them all in the mail...and now to pictures. All pictures are clickable if you want to see them in more detail.
















Some are regular crochet and some are Tunisian.. all are 100% acrylic and most are machine washable (important consideration for college kids).

My goal was to get 20 done. I made 21 (somehow I missed getting a photo of the last one). Next years goal is to make 20 AND to get them in the mail before January 31st!!! LOL

Here's the site for those who aren't familiar with this charity.
http://www.orphan.org/carepackages_main.xhtml

Monday, January 29, 2007

Another Baby's Circle

I just finished another Baby's Circle Afghan, probably destined for the Project Linus group, but don't know 100% for sure. (check post on June 11, 2006 for information on where to find the pattern).

~~Begin Minor Rant~~

This pattern is still under US copyright laws and while I am very flattered that people like my work...I cannot "share" or "send" anyone the pattern. Please do not ask me to do so. Whether or not I agree with the copyright laws, until and unless they are changed, I must abide by them. I'm not risking my reputation or family over a pattern for gosh sakes!!

~~End Minor Rant~~

I had this gorgeous variegated yarn, only 8oz of it, but in a babyweight. The baby's circle pattern only calls for 10 oz of yarn and a D hook. I love most of the pattern, except the extreme edges of it are very lacy. I thought I might could get by with the 8oz of yarn if I didn't do the extreme edges.

Well, I was almost right. I started to run low on the variegated.. so I took a leap of faith and stopped using it for a while, hoping I had reserved enough for the flower border, and finished up the spiral/swirl with some other yarn I had lying around. I wish I had had enough of each of the colors in the variegated.. but since I am trying to bust my stash rather than add to it.. I made do.






The pattern calls for repeating until there are 37 dc in each section. I went till there was 27 dc's..

I also used an E hook. Would I have been able to get to 37 if I had used a D? I doubt it, I don't think 1 hook size would make that much difference.

I also reduced the number of dtr's in the flower petals. There's supposed to be 4 dtr in each petal. I tried it and it looked too puffy. So I ripped the whole flower section out last night and redid it with 3. MUCH better. When all was said and done,I was lucky and guessed right on where to stop using the variegated. There's only about a yard of the variegated yarn leftover.

I'm pleased with it and hope the PL folks will be also. I just need to weave in the ends and wash it once to make sure all is well.. and voila.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Riders on the Storm

Today was an awful day. Not the worst one I've ever had, but it ranks right up there.

Spent the night in Troy Alabama... that part was fine, the hotel we patronize there is brand-new and well staffed. Even the dinner at Ruby Tuesdays was not too bad (had a bad experience at that same RT a year ago.. I got served dirty brocoli.. yeach).

When we got up this morning, I looked out the window to check the weather and noticed there was some wind. and it was a bit rainy. OK.. so we don't drive extremely fast today... little did I know.

It took us 6 hours to make a 3 hour drive. We fought wind and rain all the way ... having to pull off the interstate 3 times to wait out the rain. The third time was the worst as the radio gave us the information that there was a Tornado Warning south of where we were and to get to shelter as soon as we could. Unfortunately, there was not an exit for 10 miles from the time they gave the alert. I know the area, so I kinda knew where the Tornado was sighted and the likelihood that it would come directly to where we were was pretty remote, but still it was nervewracking.

There were times on the interstate that it was all I could do to drive 50mph.. and fighting the wheel the whole time because of water standing in the ruts...

We did finally make it in. We got to the bookstore and picked up two of dd's books for the spring semester, the other one should be ready by Monday at the latest. We also dropped by her dormroom and none of her roomies were back yet, so she's spending one more night with me (YEAH!!).

Tried to do dinner at Olive Garden or Chilis.. but the parking situation was just incredibly awful. Chili's was even doing free valet parking (but I saw where those valets were putting some cars.. and decided that wasn't for me). We ended up going to Barnhills. Not a great place, but it's good and was easy to get in and out of.

My hometown has gotten way too big. Barnhills used to be the Bowling Alley. Where Rosss "Dress for Less" is .. was the old Sears Store. Cabo's (a good mexican restaurant) was the Barber College. Where Gold's Gym, used to be WinnDixie. MusicalMoon was the A&P. sigh... there's nothing like Nostalgia.

Currently Reading: Can't wait to get to Heaven by Fanny Flagg. A continuation of the stories started in "Standing in the Rainbow" and "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl". HIGHLY HIGHLY reccommended. (all 3.. tho so far my fav is Rainbow)

ttfn

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Oprah's Dream

When the childen in Africa tell Oprah that they want uniforms so they can go to school (versus American kids who want Nike's or Ipods)... Why doesn't Oprah talk to the schools about abandoning their Draconian attitudes and actions about Uniforms??

A well written Dress CODE (saying what cannot be worn) works!! Uniforms are not necessary.

What can I say, this is a pet peave of mine. I see uniforms as another way of stifling a students soul and suppressing critical thought.

Plantation Crochet

I was browsing the internet... trying to find out why the state of Georgia has two towns named Thomasville..and ran across this site, describing a southern plantation that features crochet.

Actually, I'm sure they mean CROQUET... but I can just see people going there for a weekend of hooking and frogging. >grin<

I found the name of the place that is having the great yarn sale... it's called SewPurlatives. The sale ends Tomorrow, so I need to decide tonight whether or not to swing by. I think I'll ask my daughter how she feels about it since she's my passenger. She's anxious to meet her new roommate (one of them went psycho and moved out with almost no notice.. DD found out by the new one coming over and saying "Hi, I'm going to be your new roommate next semester") so it might not be the kindest thing to ask her to tolerate a stop at a yarn store.

Temptation rears it's Ugly Head

My sister emailed me (and then called on my cell this morning) to tempt me.

She found out about a fabric/yarn store in Thomasville, GA that is going out of biz and has yarn that regularly sells at 8.00/skein going for about 1.50/skein. I think that it sounds like Wool and other itchy/scratchy/sneezy fibers.... but I might go check it out.

Funny thing is.. she didn't give me the name of the store...so I'm off to try to find it on the web.

I'll post if I find it and find anything.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

KA-BLOOEY!!!!

I am posting from a hotel room in Vicksburg, MS tonight.

No, I'm not on vacation, nor have I left my husband or ran away from home.

I am ferrying my oldest offspring back to college, which is about 14 hours of nonstop driving, or 2 days of a push or 3 days taking it easy. We're doing the 3 day plan (reward nights at hotels are a GOOD thing).

We started out today about 9:30 central time and did make our goal, but we were 2 hours later arriving than I had hoped. Why?

We had a BLOWOUT on the interstate.

We were driving along in the fast lane, passing a slower car, when we suddenly heard a really loud noise, as if we had hit a piece of sheet metal. There had been nothing in the road to runover...it took me a few seconds to realize that it was probably a tire.

Right rear. Thank goodness for AAA and Cell Phones. We called and got someone to come out and change the tire. (I was amused that the lady at AAA in Dallas thought we might need the police to protect us) I had a difficult time telling her where exactly on the interstate we were (very few cross streets ya know..lol.. and approx 37 miles west of Shreveport didn't do it for her). It took about an hour for the AAA wrecker to find us (plus 3 extra cell phone calls).

Unfortunately, this car has special locking lugnuts that if you don't use a particular tool correctly, you can't remove the tire. The guy from the wrecker service didn't know how to use the tool. So he couldn't remove the blown tire. He was in a regular truck, so he had to go back to his shop to get a flatbed wrecker.

Then he took us to a tire store and they took about another hour to get it done.. and my locking lugnut is no more on that tire. I haven't decided if this a good or bad thing.

Turns out somehow I had picked up a nail in that tire and it had worked it way though the side wall and ka-blooey!!!

Here are the good things about this incident today:

1) It happened in the daylight

2) It wasn't raining (rains are supposed to start tomorrow)

3) We were lead to an honest tire store. In our situation (needing transportation), they could've easily sold me 4 new tires intead of just one.


Some things I learned from this experience:

1) SLOW DOWN and/or MOVE OVER when you see someone with car trouble on the interstate.

It's amazing the number of semi's and cars and trucks that just kept on as usual.

I am impressed with the Covenant Transport line.. they moved over from the right to the leftlane to give me peace even though it would've been easier just to stay where they were.

2) LOOK for MILE MARKERS or other IDENTIFYING signs/sights before calling for help. This would've saved us a lot of time and frustration.

3)Try to make sure your AAA respondent is competent.

All in all, we are safe, the car has a new tire and I'm 1/3 of the way to taking the progeny back to college.

Monday, January 01, 2007

How I made out like a bandit.. legally

I recently got 40.00 worth of free (yes, really free) giftcards to use online at Walmart.com or Sams.com. I don't know if this is repeatable.. but might be worth a try for someone next year.

Here's how it went.

I did a pre-order of a highly desired video game back in November (Zelda Twilight Princess for the Game Cube). The game was due out December 10th or 11th, close, but reasonably in time for Christmas. I wasn't terribly worried as I had bought a used GC with two controllers, 2 mem cards and about 7 games, all in one auction (what a deal!).. so the gifts were covered, but really wanted TP also, if I could get it.

December 10th comes along and I get an email from WM... saying that the shipment would be unavoidably delayed. Hmmm.. so I go searching the web and several places that would ordinarily sell it are NOT taking any more pre-orders. Okie Dokie.. I keep on looking.

I finally find a forum where someone posted that a major retailer (maybe it was Circuit City.. I really don't remember) was going to have them available starting the next day at 5pm, but they were not taking pre-orders. Being that we live in the sticks.. CC is a bit of a drive. I decided to check our local WM to see if they might have it.

So, my son and I go to WM the next day and check things out. I do some regular shopping and then meet him over in the game dept. I asked if he found it. He said, no, they don't have it. I asked.. did you ask a clerk? Son: no. I find a clerk and asked if they had gotten TP in. Lo and behold they did have it!! So I bought it, thinking I'd cancel my online order.

Get home, log on, follow the directions in the email that WM had originally sent me on how to cancel the order. Didn't work. There wasn't a link to cancel where they said one would be. Ooops. OK.. so I find WM help dept and email them asking what to do.

Next day, WM emails back and asked that I contact them via an 800 number. Yeck. I hate dealing with computerized phone messages. So I decide to put it off a day...and the day after that I get an email from WM saying that they will NOT be able to fulfill my order and in compensation would I accept a $25.00 gift cert. (online only). Whoopee!!

Of course I accept it and go off to see what I can spend my windfall on. Hmmm... ok, books are good and WM only charges 97 cents for a book delivery. So I choose a book.. and order it and get an estimated delivery date of Dec. 20th (or thereabouts).

A few days later.. WM emails again.. they will not be able to deliver in time.. and would I accept a $15.00 GC? This is too funny... I accept again.

Two days after Christmass...I receive the book I ordered.. and still have 26 dollars and some change to spend.

I've ordered two more books.. we'll see what happens. They are supposed to arrive this week.

I think the moral of the story is.. If you don't have to have something by a particular date.. try ordering it from WM.. you might get it AND some extra spending $$.

Perhaps a secondary moral is Sometimes Procrastination Pays.

Crochet 100

Article in the Longview News Journal..

Only disreprancy is that the Project Linus isn't JUST for newborns.. but maybe Ms Whitehead's blankets are newborn sizes.

I've also posted the article in full here.. incase the link quits working. I'll leave it unless/until the powers that be request that it be removed.

Blankets travel from 100 to zero
Volunteer, 100, crochets for newborn babies



By RACHEL PHELPS
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-JOURNAL

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Margurite Whitehead has been crocheting most of her life — which is longer than most people have been alive. She turned 100 in August.

"I learned to crochet when I was real young and there was nothing to do in the summer," said the centurion.

Now Whitehead, who lives in Buckner Assisted Living, is taking her hobby and helping others with it. She crochets blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides handmade blankets to seriously ill or traumatized children. The organization offers blankets to children from infants to 18-year-olds, but Whitehead specializes in making blankets for premature babies.

She heard about Project Linus in 2004 through her daughter, who went to a meeting about it at her church.

"I said, 'I want to do that,' " she said, "So she got the yarn and I started crocheting."

It usually takes Whitehead a week to finish a blanket, and Project Linus Chapter Coordinator Pat Vanderwater collects them a dozen at a time. The last time Vanderwater picked up a set was in November, which brought Whitehead's blanket count up to 149 since she began making them two and a half years ago.

"I don't think anybody has turned in as many as she has," Vanderwater said.

Vanderwater also told of one large blanket that Whitehead crocheted for Project Linus. Project Linus donates blankets to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, and this year Whitehead crocheted a full-size afghan for the fund.

"We like to send patriotic blankets and Mrs. Whitehead made a beautiful red, white and blue blanket for them," Vanderwater said.

It can take Whitehead a while to situate the yarn and position the needle, but she says she hasn't slowed down a stitch since she began making these blankets. She works on one every day and faithfully turns in her dozen every three months.

"It's a blessing that I can do this because my eyesight is getting bad," Whitehead said, "I can't read without a magnifying glass."

She also is blessed by hearing from the families her blankets have gone to.

"Every once in a while I'll get a letter and a picture of the baby, and I do appreciate it," she said.

Vanderwater is thrilled to have Whitehead as a volunteer, and said that people like Whitehead fulfill the second half of Project Linus's mission statement, which is to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity to interested individuals and communities.

"I visit her on and off all the time. We've become really close," Vanderwater said, "She's more than just a volunteer to me, she's a dear friend."

Whitehead has no plans to slow down now that she's made the century mark. She said she didn't know what her secret was for such a long life, but she did know that she would keep crocheting for the rest of it.

"As long as I live, I'll be crocheting," she said, "I'll probably be crocheting when I die."

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Scarves are ready to mail

ALL PICTURES ARE CLICKABLE TO SEE LARGER.






VERY wide scarf.. 2 strands of redheart (don't remember color names.. maybe buff & desert?)



Vertical Waves Scarves, one in Homespun Sierra, the other in SimplySoft Bone and Sage.




Very Long Loopy Tunisian Stitch..made with Bernat Chunkee (it's actually a lot wider, it curls up on itself. The loops are the WRONG side.. lol.. I made a mistake on the stitch (pebble stitch) but liked the effect, so I kept on.)







Striped Star Scarves (or should I call it Stars~and~Stripes Scarves?) Some in Homespun, some in RedHeart, some in SimplySoft, some in Bernat Chunkee




Keyhole Scarf..done in Homespun Sierra.
Pattern for the keyhole scarf found at Dreamweaver yarns.

The rest of them I made up.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Operation Gratitude Scarves

I ran across this group the other day called Operation Gratitude.

It's all about supporting our troups overseas. I don't know how anyone feels about the war (I'm not very happy about it myself) but I worry about our young people over there. Personally, I feel I can support the troops without being in favor of the war... anyhow.....

They are collecting scaves right now to send to the troops. They will take knitted or crocheted scarves (although the site only mentions knit). I've been in contact with the organizer of the scarf drive and she gave responded with this information.


Thank you so much for your interest in sending our troops some nice warm scarves this winter! Here's some suggestions for the dimensions: We're keeping them nice and simple. It's just a straight across knit or crochet with no complications---about 5-6" across and about 38-42" long is fine---and any fiber is fine too. We're not picky at all!

Thicker yarn and bigger needles will allow you to knit/crochet faster, but any size is okay---whatever you'd like. As for colors, I think we will have a variety to send them (and any color is welcome), but if you have a choice take the more masculine colors, since most of the receivers will be males!

And please help spread the word about this wonderful project to anyone who is interested. We started loading boxes for Operation Gratitude this past weekend and will continue through December. If you'd like, put a note on each scarf with your name and address.

I am a Supervisor for Operation Gratitude and am also knitting scarves! Thanks again for your kindness in helping to put a smile on the faces of our soldiers this winter!!!

Sincerely,

Sharon Howard


I think they're taking them until December 15th.

Here's the main website for more information.

http://www.opgratitude.com/index.php

The scarves are mentioned on the "wish-list" page.

http://www.opgratitude.com/wishlist.php

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Sometimes A Girls Gotta Geek

Along with crochet, I love computers. How do the two co-relate? Other than both of them using math, I'm not really sure.

Anyhow, I thought I'd mention some things that I find useful when it comes to computers.

Fred Langa has a newsletter called The LangaList at www.langa.com (blog is at www.langa.com/blog). I only get the free version, but it's chockful of information. Some of it way over my head, but keep reading and it starts making some sense.



Mr. Langa has started something called "flog the blog" (sounds kinky). Reading the list of some of his floggers, I found this site.

www.dailycupoftech.com which is a blog devoted solely to technical issues. Very good reading. I really like the lists of things he keeps on his usb drive.

And just for grins: This has been around a while, but it's still funny. www.subservientchicken.com

And I'm hiding here at the computer while men are painting my house. They've been here at least a month and I'm getting tired of the company.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Afghan Arrives in NH

Ya'll remember this afghan that I was working on, called Sunrise/Sunset from the coats & clark website?

Here's a picture of it in progress:

click to see larger
Well, I finally finished it, got it washed, got the prayershawl for my girlfriend finished, got it washed, got them BOTH boxed up and in the mail last week. She received them today and is so surprised and her Daddy is so surprised and touched. I've never met these folks at all, only talked with K. over the 'puter (and really we haven't had alot of time together recently.. life has gotten busy). But I know what it's like to have a family member ill.. espescially a father.

Any hoo, here's a picture of the completed afghan.


click to see larger

If I make the afghan again, I will do the border different. It took a whole skein for that solid steel blue around.. and it wouldn't lay flat after all that work. I don't feel like it's my best work, but it's meant for warmth and caring, not for show.. so I sent it on anyways.

I didn't manage to get a picture of the shawl (it would've been another month to mail knowing how disorganized I am), maybe I can get K to make a pic and send it to me. It was(is?) a seraphina pattern made out of Bernat Caress Yarn in Green (one of her fav colors). Bernat Caress is a 100% acrylic imitation mohair.. much like Lionbrand Jiffy.

K & B, I'm so glad you liked what I sent. I hope they will ease your paths through this difficult time.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Original Art by my Brother in Law

My brother in law, who I think is very talented, has started to sell his art on eBay.

Here is his first listing:

320028704033 << href="http://tinyurl.com/qlql9">http://tinyurl.com/qlql9

I'm so excited for him. He also carves.. he hand-carved a Unicorn for me years ago.. it's rearing on its backlegs. I'm trying to talk him into making me some hooks from trees on the family property.. not yet successful though. I can hope he's making me some for xmas.

Anyhow, he may have some other paintings up later, this is his first venture.

Here's to lots of success Bob!!!

P.S. He's since listed a few more.. here's a link to all of his offerings on eBay. http://tinyurl.com/kxwkf

Friday, September 15, 2006

FSU Blanket & Squirrel

I've had these made for a while, but couldn't post because my daughter hadn't received them yet.

Here's two views of the Butterfly Afghan made in FSU colors:








And here's her FSU Squirrel:






The squirrel was made out of scraps left over from the blanket.. plus some funfur (for the tail). The tail really does need a trim, but I'm leaving that decision up to her. It's twice as long as what the pattern said to make.

I got my first real amigurumi pattern book in the mail the other day. I found it by going to www.yesasia.com and then putting amigurumi in the search box. Price MUCH better than ebay.

http://i3.yesasia.com/assets/92/792/p1004179292.jpg <<<< pic of the book

Now to decide what to make.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Butterfly Afghan (in school colors)

I'm in the process of making a butterfly afghan for my daughter. I'm using the pattern from Annie's Attic, Dragonflies, Butterflies & More, To see the afghan I'm attempting, click the "see more pictures" link on that page. I really like the colors Annies chose, but my daughter didn't like their bright colors.. so she chose to have it made in school colors, Garnet & Gold (or as close as we could get to them).

So here's two of the squares for the Girl's afghan, currently being blocked (hoping to reach the specified 11 inches.. mine came out a bit smaller). The one on the left isn't really red, it's more of a rusty orange.. called Persimmon. It's as close as we could get to Gold.





All pictures are clickable to see larger.

I've also almost finished the afghan for my girlfriends dad. Just need to snug up a few loose ends and make a picture and then mail it.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Grammar Police

Someone made this.. I fell in love with it. Too funny.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Monday, July 31, 2006

Sunrise Sunset

Is this the little girl I carried?

Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older,

When did they?


oh, alright.. I love that song. And the name of this afghan is Sunrise, Sunset. And all the time I've been working on it, the song has been going through my head.






It's still in progress, but thought I'd show off what I have so far. This is TLC Essentials in Navy & Steel Blue.

The pattern is free at www.coatsandclark.com You have to search for it, it's not easily found.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Mani di Fata

Some Free patterns at an Italian website.

Main site is

http://www.manidifata.com

to see the site in English, click the british flag at the top.

The free patterns are at these links. ONE Of these days, I will try the cloche.

Circular Motif Slippers

Daises

Ivory Shawl with Flowers

Little Flowers Belt

Trendy Cloche

Bathing Suit

Sleeveless Medallion Top

CD Holder

Flowers for edging sleeves


I've started work on an afghan for a girlfriend's dad. He is having some health issues with cancer. Pictures later.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Pineapple Cap

My own creation:






White ones made with Aunt Lydia's Baby Denim in White and an I hook.




Purple (it's really a dark purple.. looks orchid because of flash) is Red Heart WW and an H hook. I like the look of the Baby Denim better.. I did the RedHeart just to see how it would work up in a commonly used acrylic.

Modeled by my adult daughter. Face not displayed for internet safety and her request.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Back to Earth (broken arm update) & Caps to the Capital

Well, thought it was about time to post an update.

Daughter didn't need surgery, nor a cast, and not even a splint. The doctor only put her in a sling (for protection) and said that the break isn't out of alignment at all. In fact, according to our radiologist, the break is a classic example of a fracture that you can only see by the "fat pads" (whatever that is) and he has put the xray (sans her name of course) in his teaching file.

So, she's been going around the house in her sling and gently exercising her arm (per dr's orders). She can now even type with both hands (I remember what that is like.. having only one hand to type with.. back when I broke my shoulder).

We go back to the Orthopod this friday for followup and probably more xrays.

On the Crochet Front:

My afghan for the CALPALs FiletAlong is FINISHED...










Closeup



Sorry the picture quality is so bad. It wasn't daylight when I made the pictures, so no way to drag them outdoors for really good photos. If weather clears up I'll try to do better.

And I've gotten myself involved in another charity project. Caps to the Capital is the name of it and it's about crocheting (or knitting) little caps to help newborns in developing countries.

Here's what I've gotten done so far:






The little caps whip up really quickly because they want caps between 9 & 11 inches in circumference (tiny babies!!). This is a joint effort of Save the Children and Warm Up America and there is a whole set of instructions, including patterns, on how to get involved on their site. It IS a pdf file to download.. but even those with older computers (like me) need not be afraid of it. I only run 128 of RAM and I was able to download it without trouble.

That's all for now... my show (CHARMED) is about to start.. and then have a busy day planned.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Tripping on Air

My daughter broke her arm at camp today. She's home and in a splint and we go to the Orthopod in the AM to see if surgery or a cast or if she can remain in a splint.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Rose Filet Afghan in Progress

I finally got started on the Filet Afghan for the CALPALs group.

Here's one skeins worth of work






I'm using Caron Simply Soft in the color Soft Yellow. The odd scraps of blue & yellow yarn are what I use for stitch markers. I like using scrap yarn for things like that... makes me feel thrifty and frugal and all conservationy.

Let me tell you how dense I am sometimes. Even thought this CAL officially started on July 1, I didn't go and get my yarn till yesterday. I kept thinking I'd make myself drive 50 miles to where the "real" stores are instead of just doing Wallies here.

I finally realized that aint gonna happen.. so off to Wallies I go. Now, if you look at the picture of the afghan I'm making, it looks as if it is made in squares. Right? sure I'm right.





So, while going into Wallies, I had a brainstorm. Why not make each square in a different Rose color.. there are pink roses, yellow roses, lavendar roses.. etc. Just whatever I want.. then join them. It will be beautifully different!!

So, I bought some Pink, Lavendar, Offwhite and soft Yellow Caron SS.. (only 1 skein of each) and came home.

So, I'm sitting here getting ready to crochet and notice the beginning chain is 185 stitches. Hmm that's a little long for 1 square, but whatever.

It's not until about the 4th row that I realize this afghan is made all in one piece.

Man do I feel DUMB. What's worse is that I've had the pattern for at least a week and have skimmed over it several times .. even LOOKING for the joining instructions and not seeing them. But I read very very fast and sometimes miss important things, so it didn't occur to me that I wasn't seeing the joining instructions because THEY WEREN'T THERE.

I feel like Homer Simpson... really dumb.

Here's what else I did dumb this week. I had a battle with a ?softsided? *could've fooled me* suitcase AND LOST.





Yarn taking a bath.






Looks like I'll be busy awhile today. I got tired of the all black background and also my comments were badly messed up...so I changed templates and lost all my previous comments :( :( and also lost all my buttons on the side. This will be FUN to fix. Glad I know a little html.. otherwise I'd be completely lost.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Humble Pie

Pass the Ketchup.. I have some words to eat.

Back on April 23, I blogged about being turned down for an exclusive Crochet Group and how I understood, but my feelings were still hurt.

I find myself on the other side of the fence now and it's a strange feeling.

A little history... back around mid to late April, I was doing most of my crochet hanging out in two places, Crochetville (a moderated board) and Crochet Partners (a moderated mailing list).

I used to also spend a lot of time at the LiveJournal Crochet site, but it died and altho the moderator has brought back the posts.. the responses are no longer there. I feel I understand why she did what she did, but LJCrochet is STILL greatly missed.

Then suddenly one day, Crochetville was no longer available. It was there, but instead of being able to read and post, there was a sign up that it was down for vacation for the moderators. Yikes!! This happened with no advance notice to most of the members. Well, people panicked .. and made contact lists on Yahoo groups and other places. Some of the yahoo groups ended up morphing into new boards. I got invited to a couple of the new boards and have found one of them to be very friendly and "I'm lovin' it".

The ketchup part? It's invitation only. Open mouth and insert foot (hope I washed it lately). The new group is called CALPALs and we do LOTS of Crochet-a-Longs (the CAL part) and we're all friends (the PAL part). I think this group is a MUCH MUCH MUCH better fit for me than the group that turned me down. Hmmm do I wonder why? nah, I know why.

Crochetville came back in a day (or so.. don't remember how long it took actually) and I'm still active there, but have found a new home away from home. Thanks to the creator and the moderator (ya'll know who you are) of CALPALs for inviting me. I think/hope we will have a long and happy friendship.

and I understand why the C'ville moderator needed a vacation.. it was just a shock to all of the members for it to happen so suddenly.

New favorite Link: (crochet related): http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/free_crochet_patterns.htm

Tons of stuff there...Including advice on how to enlarge patterns!!! BUT, you need to be able to crochet from a diagram.

Almost off my hook: A Honeycomb shawl (my pattern) in White Omega Sinfonia for my niece for graduating from Community College. She did this all on her own.. no financial help from anyone. YEAH ASHLEY!!!!! Onward and Upwards Girl!!! She's now studying fashion design.. still supporting herself. I predict we will see great things from that young lady. All I have to do is fringe the shawl (after weaving in the ends and gently washing it) and then package and mail. Packing and mailing will be my downfall.. I'm horrid at that.

My son is retaking part of his TAKS exam today. Prayers, good wishes, Light a candle, say a MoneyHum (Heinlein fans?) that he will pass it this time. Only missed by 1 point last time. Gotta pass this to graduate HS (what a crock huh?) I wish I could still vote for Kinky Friedman.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

So Much to Say

so much to say, so much to do.

Last Friday was sooo wonderful. My kids (who were away WORKING at camp woke me up at 7:20 am... "Hi Mom, it's our day off"!

They voluntarily took the dog to the vet to have stitches removed and I gladly did their laundry in return!!

The boy left after lunch to go visit his Not-a-girlfriend(uh huh.. riiiight), and dd and I had some alone time which was wonderful.

It was sad when they had to go back, but they'll be home again Saturday. :) :) :)

I'm supposed to start a FILET CAL over at CALPALs (more about CalPals later), and have finally gotten the pattern I want to use. It's called "Yellow Rose of Texas"




I finally have the pattern (got it on eBay.. love it, saved time and gas $$) now I have to decide on yarn. I'm leaning heavily towards Caron SS in Offwhite.. which is a very creamy french vanilla color. Aunt Mary's yarns is going out of business, so I'm thinking about calling them and see if they have enough millends in that color. hmmmm

I've also been tempted into starting ANOTHER Cal for Noreen Crone-Findlay's Butterfly Shawl that's shown in the Summer issue of Knit.1 magazine. Read about the shawl and it's creation at Noreen's blog.

Someone on the 'ville asked how many wips we had. I sat down and counted mine.. at it was a staggering 14 (or 17 if you count the blankies that I still need to weave ends in on). That is depressing. Why do I want to start two more?? I guess there's just something about new beginnings that is irrisistable for me.

I was accepted as an Unknowable Shrone some time back and have not had the time to upload a button or do a bio for the site. I just went and looked and can't find myself on there. Hmmm.. I know I received the email. Maybe I should reply to it??? LOL

Well. time to publish this post and do some other things on the web.. I'm sure I will be back to say more.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Baby's Circle & Giant Pineapple Patterns

I'm often asked where to find the patterns for both of these, so I thought I'd blog a little about where I found these patterns.

Baby's Circle Afghan (picture shows a partially completed one)

click to view larger

The pattern is from a collection called Quick n Easy Crocheting that came in the mail and the patterns were filed in small yellow notebooks. When complete, there was a set of 3 notebooks.

I think this subscription service was available in the 80's.

I have found the pattern for sale on eBay.. sometimes the individual pattern for a few dollars, and sometimes the whole books. I managed to get all 3 binders (with patterns ::grin::) for about 20.00, but I was lucky. I've seen individual binders go for 2x as much.

If the pattern is followed exactly, it comes out very very large..even using baby or sport yarn. I usually just make the pattern until I'm satisfied with the diameter and then do the edging.

Some of the terms to search eBay with would be "Baby's Circle Afghan" or "Quick n Easy Crochet*" (be sure to use the quotes, asterisk and check the box on ebay to search inside the auction..not just the auction title)

If you're looking at buying one of the notebooks instead of a single pattern, I would contact the seller and make sure the pattern you want is in the books. And as always with eBay two things to remember.

1) don't buy from someone whose rating is lower than normal body temperature.
2) Sniping is your friend.

I don't have the inclination to go into sniping in detail right now, but if you're curious go into the community area of eBay => discussion boards => bidding => Sniper's Revival is a good place to start learning.

I know some people think that Sniping is not a "good thing", but as long as eBay permits it, I don't have a problem with it. I personally think it's good for sellers and buyers. If you have an issue with Sniping, complain to eBay, not to me.

btw: The Answer center in Ebay (also found in the community area) is a great place to spend some time reading & learning to avoid problems.


Giant Pineapple Pattern:



squares shown made into afghan.


The pattern is hard to find.. because the page it was on is no longer active. Thank Goodness for the internet archive!!

It's at this link: http://tinyurl.com/253kn

If you prefer the long version:

http://web.archive.org/web/199911032...Pineapple.html

I used an H hook for the off-white squares and a G hook for all the rest. I've listed the amount of yarn I used for the afghan I made, you may need a little more or a little less depending on how you crochet.

You will need about 3 to 4 ounces of Worsted Weight for each square. I used 6 skeins of Dawn Sayelle (by Caron) for the off-white squares. The skeins were 3.5 ounces and most of them had a small amt left after making a square.

Since I couldn't get anymore Dawn Sayelle.. I figured another Caron yarn would be fairly safe to use. What is easily available to me is Simply Soft... so that's what I used for the Turquoise squares and also the Bone for joining.

It took 3 6oz skeins of the Turquoise (they call it Blue Mint) and 1 6oz skein of the Bone.

Since I was going to use Priscilla Hewitt's flat braid method to join the squares, I stopped at Round 14 with 50 dc on each side of the square.

Each square was bordered and joined with the Bone color.
Flat braid method: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/lffunt/flatbraid.htm to join the squares.

And I'm bordering it with a variation of Kim Guzman's (aka CrochetKim) friendship afghan border. http://www.crochetkim.com/patterns/border.html

I didn't want to make the puff stitches, so I just did Half doubles all the way around. The border was just finished tonight and I will try to get final pics up soon.

In discussing the flat braid joining method on the CrochetPartners mailing list yesterday, Wilma Keith, one of the other members, gave me this tip.

To make the flat braid easier to work, I usually sc one extra row around with the corner being sc, hdc, sc. That gives the corner a much sharper edge and easier to see. All flat braid starts at the hdc.

Now all I need is another Afghan to join to try out her tip. Hmmm maybe my next Scripture Afghan. :)

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Catching Up

I haven't posted lately because I've been wanting to make pictures. Well, I finally found the camera and had time to struggle with dialup and all that.. So here goes.


Scripture Afghan. Each square is related to a certain bible passage. Made in various shades of purple in good ole indestructable red heart. Squares were crocheted together, purposefully creating small ridge around each, to create a mini-frame.

Lace & Bobble Afghan. Just made from scraps.. ( I have TONS of scrap yarn) started when I got frustrated with the scripture afghan.

A Baby Lace & Bobble in progress. Awaiting more yarn. I'm making this from left-over Wendy Peter Pan yarn. Love this yarn, wish I could find another distributor other than Smiley's Yarns.

Pineapple Squares Afghan. Started as a "keep busy" project one weekend, and fell in love with the look of the square in off-white. Sadly I couldn't get more of the off-white yarn, so I had to improvise on finishing it. I'm really loving how it's turning out.

And lastly a Terry Kimbrough design made in the Wendy Peter Pan yarn. This was intended for one of the ladies that work for my husband (she's due sometime this month), but he didn't know I had something ready.. so he bought her a gift. So this doesn't have a home (yet).

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

THE VILLE IS BACK!!

I can stitch, I can stitch, yes the ville is back..

Ya'll be glad you can't hear me, singing with laryngitis.

Crochetville is back up. Yahoo!!!!

Unpleasant Surprise

I was unpleasantly surprised today to find that Crochetville has closed for vaction, except for the Swaps & Original Designs.

There's been some real unpleasantness going on in the 'ville, which I really hate to see. I've had nothing but good come from there, except for one run-in with someone who didn't appreciate my advice.

That could've been my fault, in fact, it probably was. No one likes advice unless it agrees with them, so I should've kept my mouth shut.

I would make a very poor board administrator, my personality isn't tough enough.

A temporary group has been setup at yahoo, called CrochetAlongPals.

And now Crochetville has a new message saying they'll be back soon. wow. How strange.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Exclusivity Sucks

A while back (2 weeks or so) I applied to join another crochet group. It wasn't an open invitation group like Crochet Partners or Crochetville or the long-mourned Crochet Community at LiveJournal, but you had to tell the owner something about yourself.

I was rejected. Not sure why, the owner didn't tell me. I suspect it was because I was honest and didn't hide my membership in other groups. Or maybe it was just because they don't know me. I really don't know.

I was very polite in responding to the rejection letter. I said something like "Ok, thanks, perhaps another time" (I don't remember the exact wordage). I also think I was polite in my application letter. It would be really stupid to be rude in a letter applying to a group. LOL

Anyhow, two weeks later, I'm still trying to figure out why being rejected bothers me. I KNOW not everyone is going to like everyone.. grief, being different is what keeps the world interesting. Uniformity is dreadful. Do I want the people at the other community to see this post? Maybe. Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't want to be sour grapes, but maybe the invitation only community wouldn't be a good fit for me anyways. But I won't ever know.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Fiberglass Crochet & Crocheted Coral Reef

Couple of quick links:

Fiberglass crochet, also a camoflauge crochet covered cadillac (say that fast 3 times)

http://www.supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=166#gloria

Crocheted Coral Reef (and they are taking contributions..Lord, slow my brain down please.. don't let me start more than I can finish)

http://theiff.org/exhibits/reef.html

On another note: I have messed this blog up sooooooooo bad by tweaking it.. I'm considering starting over. Or at least moving it to a new home temporarily. Probably a project for this summer when I have a little more free time (huh? what's that).

I can always dream can't I?

One more quick link:

http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/what-do-you-do-when-someone-steals-your-content/

100 Things about myself

I was on the Unknowable Shrone's site and filling out an application and one of the questions was something like "Has the candidate ever filled out the 100 things about themselves, if so, link to it".

I was fascinated by that idea, and went off looking for others who had done the 100 things and found them fascinating. Soooooo, I thought I'd do one too.

So.. prepare to be either fascinated or bored out of your mind (or to be convinced I belong in the Looney Bin).. cuz here's my 100 things.


1) I am one of 4 girls in a family
2) I used to think of our family being like the family in "Little Women".
3) I was Beth, and supposed to die young.
4) Instead, my father died.
5) In February of 2007, I will be the same age as my father when he died.
6) I love my husband enormously.
7) The beach is my favorite place.
7a) The redneck riviera is my favorite beach.
8) I could eat seafood every day and not get tired of it.
9) I am homesick for Florida and have been for 25 years.
10) My husband and I have been together for 25 years.
11) I used to collect Beanie Babies.
12) Now I collect yarn.
13) And patterns.
14) I made up the title for this blog out of my own head.
15) I love working with computers.
16) I can fix alot of what is wrong with most computers.
17) I want to build a computer from scratch.
18) I have added harddrives, ram, and various "cards" to my own computers.
19) I used to be a LVN.
20) I once grew my hair down to my waist.
21) I'm growing my hair out again.
22) I learned to knit before I learned to crochet.
23) I've forgotten how to knit.
24) I love to crochet.
25) I own (?) 1 cat and 3 dogs.
26) I have one child far away in college
27) I have another child still at home.
28) Once I own something, it is extremely hard for me to let it go.
29) My best friend has bipolar disorder.
30) I once dated a man with schizophrenia.
31) I used to drive a Green Volvo.
32) I hate football on TV (live is different).
33) My job is wonderful and I like the people I work with very much.
34) I have promised myself that I will move back to Florida someday.
35) One of my hobbies is Genealogy.
36) I have (among others) French and Austrian (not Australian) ancestry.
37) I am considering obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science.
38) I have two Associate Degrees.
39) Southern born and bred, I'd never live anywhere else, except for love.
40) I have dark brown hair, but now it's red.
41) My eyes are hazel (green & Brown).
42) I can listen to a song I like adinfinitum.
43) I love to read.
44) I abhor spelling mistakes.
45) I try very hard not to correct others spelling mistakes, unless they ask or I'm teaching something.
46) I am very much a night owl and always have been.
47) I have been treated for Chronic Low Level Depression.
48) I grew up with a Mother who had SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
49) I want to own the house I grew up in.
50) I enjoy learning now that I have to pay for my own college.
51) I have lived in, avisited or driven through the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California.
52) I lived in the District of Columbia for 6 weeks.
53) I like the Applachian Mountains.
54) I'm not so impressed with the Rocky Mountains.
55) I think Michelangelo was a wonderful artist.
56) I want to go to Ireland some day.
57) I like Alt. Country music.
58) I never thought I'd like Country music.
59) Sometimes I stay inside the house for days and days.
60) Sometimes I am painfully shy, other times I can be very outgoing. There's no rhyme or reason to the difference in moods.
61) I have learned to take long car trips by myself.
62) I taught myself to play the guitar.
63) I didn't keep up with playing the guitar.
64) I learned to play the clarinet in 5th grade.
65) I didn't keep up with playing the clarinet because I was sent to a private school with no music program.
66) My parents sent me to the private school because they were afraid of the neighborhood where I was supposed to go to middle school.
67) I absolutely hated the private school.
68) Because of that private school experience, I have major difficulties with organized religion.
69) I am a Christian, but don't beat people over the head with a bible.
70) I try to live my life as being a good example of Christianity.
71) Sometimes I fail at being a good example, majorly.
72) I used to have recurring nightmares about driving over a log bridge with my grandmother.
73) I love staying up late and sleeping during the day.
74) I love working the night shift.
75) I miss my family.
76) I dealt with missing my family by pretending we were pioneers.
77) During that pioneer phase, I canned lots of tomatoes and made lots of jelly.
78) I really did not like my mother in law.
79) I did respect my mother in law. She did a good job in raising her son.
80) I don't think my mother in law ever really liked me.
81) I grew up on a farm with goats and horses and chickens.
82) One of my jobs used to be to gather eggs.
83) I can clearly remember helping my Daddy plant tomatos.
84) I can also remember playing in the barrels of chicken feed.
85) I can remember watching the chickens "dance" after Daddy cut off their heads.
86) I can also remember watching my Daddy skin and gut squirrels he had shot.
87)I think fried squirrel, smothered in gravy, is delicious.
88) I love to go fishing.
89) I also enjoy crabbing.
90) I haven't been fishing or crabbing in years.
91) I hate housework.
92) I want to hire a maid.
93) My husband fired my last maid and I haven't gotten over it.
94) I have so many crochet projects in progress I don't want to count them.
95) I keep thinking of new projects and don't know when I'll have the time to do them.
96) I have learned not to order grits north of south carolina.
97) I like all kinds of logic problems/puzzles.
98) I have an addictive personality.
99) Pre-Katrina, I used to want to live upstairs in New Orleans when I was a "little old lady".
100) Now that Katrina and reality (old bones and stairs don't go well together) have both struck, I'm not sure where I want to live when I'm old.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Compulsive Hoarder too?

well, I think I may have discovered I am a compulsive hoarder, as well as a compulsive hooker. The two probably feed off each other.

Check out this list:

SIGNS OF A COMPULSIVE HOARDER
•An excessive amount of clutter (yarn/thread/patterns/stash) that limits living space
•Difficulty categorizing & organizing items (patterns/hooks/stash)
•Holding onto possessions that seem of little or no value (remnants/small pieces of yarn/thread)
•Severe anxiety when trying to throw out an object (WIPs/UFOs)
•Trouble making decisions about possessions (GOTTA HAVE, GOTTA HAVE)
•Feeling anxious, embarrassed or depressed because of clutter (OH MAN!)
•Fears about needing items that could be thrown away (you just might NEED it one day for something!)

The original list was run in a Parade magazine sometime in the Fall of 2005. The stuff in the parenthesis was added by one of the c'ville members, but I think they're so good I'm including them too.

http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13227&highlight=hoarder

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

I'd Walk a Mile for a .......

Guess that shows how old I am, I can remember old cigarette slogans.

I "know" someone, or I should say know OF someone, who is going to walk many a mile.. 60 of them as a matter of fact.. for the Breast Cancer Cure.

She talks a little about it on her blog.

And later I'll put this button on my sidebar, but for now it goes here.


Image hosting by Photobucket




I go to the dentist at 2pm tomorrow to start the process of fixing my broke tooth. I've changed two appointments so far, I'm so afraid of going. This one I have to make. I may not be blogging for a few days.. the pain may keep me in bed.

Nothing much new in the crochet world. Other than I finally bought the (fake) mohair tonight to make my Turban for the hat-a-long that Lady Linoleum is sponsoring. I think I joined this CAL back in January.. sheesh I'm bad.

Oh, and I've been trying my darndest to figure out a pattern written in German. I know what the German words/abbreviations mean (LM = chain, FM = sc, for example), but the syntax doesn't quite make sense. One of the rounds says to chain 2 into the 4 mesh, 3 dc, repeat. huh? How do I chain 2 into the 4? Fortunately there is a picture.. so I might be able to approximate the final result.

That's about it for now.

Things that made me smile today: Seeing a guy in one of those cars made to look like a car from the 50's, wearing a cowboy hat. Usually you see CBHats in Pickup trucks. It just amused me. I'm easily entertained.

Good night for now.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Hearts & Diamonds found

I found a place online that has my favorite quick (about 50 hours worth of work) afghan/throw.

here tis: http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/free-patterns/afghan-patterns.html and click on the Hearts & Diamonds pattern.

I wish it wasn't in PDF form.. but I can live with that.

I think I have pictures of the afghan I made from this pattern near the beginning of this blog. I went and found them and reposted. They should be clickable, ie: you can click them to see a larger picture on another page. Close the page that opens to return here.

Rose & Cream                          Red & White

          

I've made one for each of my sisters and my sister in law. Also for my two bosses and a friend. The love just grows and grows.

My thanks to Julie and Evelyn from Crochetville for leading me to the Purple Kitty site.