Another very lovely site.....

I was checking out sites and ran across yet another one that many of you may already know about.  I'm a tad slow on such things.

This is Sara London at her wordpress blog.  Her colors remind me a lot of Lucy.  She has some awesome patterns. She is writing a book - as are all great designers these days it seems.  When I looked through her photos I noted a pattern for a granny square top that one of my buddies at Ravelry had posted from a pattern on there....so she is around, and I haven't been paying attention!

Take a look at her site. The colors could cheer you up quicker than a holiday drink! ;o)   Below is one of her badges - if you do click on it on my site, it won't do anything! Just had to grab something colorful from there!

My Happy Corner

It is always good to have flowers on dreary days ... I so love the Christmas Cactus.  It's very delicate and colorful, and cheers up even the cloudiest day.

Wishing you and yours a very joyful and blessed New Year!

Monster Crochet blog

Whilst digging through crochet blogs I found this rather delightful tidbit of a blog - well, much more than a tidbit, but still quite delightful.  Monster Crochet.

She designed this really lovely shawl which is quite a spectacular undertaking.  I hope you enjoy checking out this blog and seeing what strange things lie within! ;o)

Patterns for Free

I have just discovered a new source for patterns!  And why didn't I think of them before? BOYE!  Seems they are hooked up with Wrights and Simplicity, to just name two.  So I would recommend that you take a gander.  

I found this very awesome beret called Blueberry Beret, and it looks almost as it if it's knitted.  VERY pretty!

What do you think?  This looks like a keeper to me!

I am becoming an amigurumi junkie!  I have again run across an exciting web page full of patterns. These, however, are not free - but they are wonderful. I believe these to be similar to the ones on the previous post.

I especially like the ostrich, Olga........

If you get a chance, visit the web site Delicious Crochet and see what Paula has to offer.  So many CUTE patterns!

Now off I go to finish a couple of projects.

An Astounding Web Site

There are many web sites out there that have amazing people designing projects for us all, some more amazing than others.  Well, this is one of the MOST amazing designers I have ever seen! If you take a look at her site, go back to the beginning and see her original designs and then see how she has grown into making intricate and delightful creatures.

Now this site isn't for the faint of heart! Well, in the sense if you wish to make something she designs, that is. The newest patterns are extremely delightful!

Please stop by and visit Amigurumi Artist and spend some time viewing the most wonderful collections of amigurumi pets and pests you have ever seen!

My Traveling Scarf Returns Home!

This beautiful scarf has returned home from making it around the whole continent!  I asked each person to write about their mom as I dedicated the scarf and journal to my mother, and theirs.

I had to take photos of it in sections as it is so nice and large - warm and soft and fuzzy, and BEAUTIFUL!!

....also, below is a photo of what came out of my goodie gift bag! Yay!

 Top photo - bottom to top: My square, Margaret's, Rebecca's, and Paula's on top.

 Second photo - bottom up: Becky's, Dawnn's, Liz's, and Karen's

 Third photo - bottom up:  Jessica's, Peggy's and Tanya's!

....and last, but not least, my gifts - beautiful postcards from all around, teas, chocolate, not pads, magnets, and a lovely wash cloth! Wow! THANKS!

The most wonderful part of this is what each person wrote in my journal about their mother. I cried so much I could not read it all in one sitting! One thing I have learned - mothers everywhere are dedicated to loving their children and raising them right, even when they have to give up things for themselves to make it right for the kids.

How lucky we are to have mothers who loves us and teach us respect, love, and working hard to attain our goals!

For Lessie

In our Itsy Bitsy Kitchen swap, I made Lessie a Leopard Spot potholder. Somehow it looks a bit more like a spot on a cow to me! ;o)  On the other side I used a variegated yarn to, again, try to replicate spots on a big cat. As I had a Tiger button, I went ahead and put it on one side in the middle as the "top" as you only need one side on a potholder against a pot.

Then I sewed a ribbon on the bottom of a hand towel, and at the top I made a looped holder with the Tiger button to keep it in place....matching the potholder. I put in another towel in brown, and gave her all the left over ribbon, yarn and buttons in case she wanted to make something more.

Then I added little gifts that had "spots" to go with the theme, as well as a knit magazine.  Here is her photo with the goodies, and below that the kitty playing with one of the balls! ;o)

Hell's Canyon, Idaho

My husband and I took my BFF from Savannah to the Hell's Canyon Recreational Site along the Snake River. Then on the way home we traveled up the Kleinschmidt Grade, which is a one lane switchback up the side of the mountain, to travel into Council.
It was not what I would call fun - an experience perhaps, but NOT fun....except to be with my BFF and hubby.

Beautiful scenery.

Food!

I received my new Southern Living magazine today, which was a pleasure to read.  Lots of Fall goodies, beautiful Fall colors, and FOOD!

One of the most wonderful finds was a new blog to me - perhaps some of you have seen it...it's called Southern Plate and the writer/cook is Christy Jordan of Alabama.  I have gone a bit through the site and it is quite wonderful!  The photo below is of her dessert pizza called Apple Doozie.  Even if you don't cook, she's a wonderful read!

This looks soooooooooooooooooooo yummy!  I wonder what the calorie content is?????

"The Ranch"

Every so often I mention that hubby has gone to "The Ranch" - but it really isn't a ranch. It is 5 acres out of 540 that we sold near Council, ID. We kept the five as it was in an area where you can see forever - we are in Idaho and a great deal of what you see is in Oregon (the furtherest mountain ranges).

In between the beige/brown mountains and the ones that look blue is the Hell's Canyon recreation site, and the Snake River which divides the two states.

We have a nice size trailer (we like to call it an RV as it sounds so much more refined!) there, and it has been there almost a year now. Hubby spent one night there, and I haven't spent any! We are still trying to get the electricity worked out, so I hope before the Fall turns too cold and wet I will have the chance to take the dogs up there and spend a weekend relaxing, crocheting, and listening to the birds!

Coffee, Tea - you name it!

So, after reading lots of posts about the Keurig coffee pot, I broke down and bought one at Costco.  The one I bought is the Platinum Brewing System, but it isn't sold under that name.  It's very nice, easy to use, and has lots of the original kinks worked out that you often see in the complaint section....well, hopefully it will last! Only have had it for a week or two.

Costco gives you bunches and bunches of coffee, along with the extra filter you can use to make coffee with your own ground coffee - whether fresh or from a can.

If you like FRESH coffee in the morning, and strong, this is for you.  I have yet to find coffee, other than my brand, that is the medium Columbian roast, or anything that is half & half, so I only have one of theirs and one of mine.  Too much REAL coffee makes me stay up all hours (playing WORDS with Friends with my BFF) and/or makes my heart race. Neither is good...well, playing WORDS is! ;o)  I have started using the larger cup size so that the strength is at least diluted somewhat.

The downside - hubby doesn't bring me coffee in the morning while I'm still in bed! He started it because I like really fresh coffee - cold or hot - and now I can get it right when I get up. No waiting.  Poor me - no longer spoiled.

Tut tut, as my mom would say!

Little Useful Christmas Gifts

My BFF mentioned Christmas and a dilemma this year as to what to make. I had been thinking of the idea of making fancy pot holders this year. My brother went nuts over the double one I made two years ago, so made him another one this past year. He loves them as they aren't too big, very strong and thick, and he can use them as hot pads when he brings his dish out in a fancy container. I've given him the two, so think I will do a couple in a theme - like a Christmas or Thanksgiving - that type of thing.

Another thing I was thinking about was what my mom brought back from our living in Japan. They were glass covers - so when you have a coke (or in her case bourbon and coke!) the water weeping from the glass doesn't get the table tops wet....and had matching coasters. I think using a better cotton that is color fast for those would be good....is there such a thing???

Don't you like little useful things? Items that are quick, and can be bright and cheery and used sort of like an accent to the kitchen until they get dirty! ;o)

Fast and fun - can't beat that for Christmas presents made by you, sealed with a kiss!

Exercises for People over 50

EXERCISE  FOR PEOPLE  OVER 50

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. 

Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

Knit one, Crochet two.....

I found a lovely sweater that I started knitting around 1974.....and never finished.  I have carried it from hither and yon thinking that one day I would actually finish the bottom ribbing, sew up the sleeves, and then do the neckline.

Haven't.

Yet.

Size 10 or medium. Right now I'm an XL on top & tum tum & medium around the hiney - but with this it is the TOP that matters most.    I shall fit into it - I shall, I shall, I shall!  Next year.

With it is the tote from McCall's Patterns which is also 40+ years old and in great shape! :o)  I love totes! I have tooooooooooooooooo many!  Do you have totes?  I can't make up my mind as to which one I love the most, but I do love them all......

.....and measuring tapes,

.....and tapestry needles,

.....and yarn,

.....and buttons (how does THAT figure???),

.....and patterns and magazines,

.....and something else   -   I love, love, love manly tools that are made for women! Hah!

I finally had hubby pull out all my tools with which I came when we married (and which he confiscated) so I can keep them in my closet. I have two Dremel's, a Cat sander and a Mouse sander (isn't THAT cute!), and a drill that went dead.  Will replace that one.

I had a socket set, but he couldn't find it so will replace that, too. I need a fairly versitle tool set.  Something in pink, eh?  Then he'd keep his hands off!

I have a hammer and wrench he has stowed away, as well as my big screwdriver that you can flip out the Phillips side, turn it around, and it then makes a regular one. Love it - BUT - as it is older and losing the magnetic quality, I might as well replace that one, too, don't cha think!??

I'm winding down the swapping for this year except the Amigurumi toys.  Love them!  I have 3 more months of those to do, and then I'm done. In between I will concentrate of making something for me, making some patterns, and putting those 12 afghans together....and perhaps some Christmas presents.

What are YOU going to do for Christmas???

Saturday Night and I'm Out of Gas.....

Today hasn't been particularly busy, nor has the week.  It's just that I stayed up late, got up early, and actually "went into town."  That means I have to drive a whole five miles one way.  Lazy me!  Today there was a luncheon hosted by our new pastor's wife, and she fixed it all herself! She engaged hubby to help her serve, and it was awesome.  I really enjoyed the company and the getting out - but ate too much.  I cracked down on myself the rest of the day to keep the calorie count down - the chocolate cake for dessert, however, put me over the whole calorie thing for the day. SOOOOO worth it! ;o)

I've been playing Scrabble with my BFF quite a lot. Hopefully she doesn't tire of it as I think it is helping to keep my brain alive! I'm a bit addicted, I must admit.  I have an iPad and she has an iPhone and we play "Words With Friends" - very nifty neat. If you have a chance to download it I highly recommend the app.

I have it hot off the press from my DSS that there are rumors now in the professional realm that the new iPhone will be out in January, most likely through Verizon, but not quite a done deal yet.  I'm waiting ... tap, tap, tap ...

Today I received an awesome gift from Lizavietta on Ravelry.  She was an Angel, along with three others, in my Notions Bag Swap...so you can see that I really lucked out by being stung! Hah!  I'm so glad that I have often volunteered to do this for others as it really makes a difference in their feelings and ours, and I feel so honored to be gifted such wonderful handmade, well loved, items.

Isn't this BEAUTIFUL! Scrumptious yarn!

And it has TWO pockets......

Tomorrow hubby is taking leave to drive up to our RV on "the ranch" to check it out on an overnighter! Hooray! This will just the second time that I get to spend the night by myself and just veg around the house - playing Scrabble with my BFF Bev most of the evening! Not that THAT is much different, but not cooking will be!

I have an elephant (body debuted on my other blog) nearly done to show you all - stay tuned for updates! ;o) SOOOOOOO CUTE!

Another week in my world.....

Well, this has been an eventful week....made lots of squares, most all from Priscilla Hewitt's patterns....finished bordering several of the sections to my Granny (Nanny) McPhee afghan, which will be huge and lovely! I'm going to post photos of the various sections on Wednesday, although they aren't put together.

I did a tutorial on Ravelry in the Vanna's Choice Fan Club for the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), and if this link works, start with post 382.  It takes a bit to load as there are so many photos.

I posted the second installment on my other crochet site for color changes. Takes toooooo long to post in Ravelry.  It is a fast and dirty tutorial, so if you have any questions, feel free to post them there.

My oldest brother sent me a photo of his "baby" Russell (the cat) who has taken over the afghan I made him in the Muddy Waters swap in the VC Fan Club (VCFC from here on out!).  Thought I'd share the happy cat!

I also was fortunate to spy a new amigurumi pattern for free!  I cannot believe my good fortune....a sea horse! It is gorgeous and I intend to make that beauty soon. If she still have her last page up on her site, look to the bottom right of this blog and see Sonya's web page - Curly Girl.  She's from Georgia - my favorite state!  If you haven't already, check her out as she has great patterns for free, and for sale!!!

Speaking of Georgia, have you seen Curb Appeal on the HGTV?  It's only 1/2 hour, and is really fun to watch (less if you tape it!).  All takes place in and around Atlanta, so you KNOW I have to watch!  I think that Designed to Sell is often done there, too, as I see some of the same people on there. So much better than the murder and mayhem I see on the TV shows these days.

Until next time!

My Nephew Is Getting Married!

Bill is my hubby's first wife's nephew....and now mine, too! Lucky me!  He is with the Border Patrol far from home, but doing well.  As a matter of fact, so well that he has found himself madly in love with a gorgeous doll!  They met where she works, and now will be married by the end of this month.

Aren't they just the cutest!  They visited his parents in Colorado before the wedding so more family members could meet her.  Seems like a lovely girl, and I wish them all the best!

Congratulations Bill and Blanca!

Provencal Afghan for Niece Lynne

This post should probably be on my other site as I didn't make up the pattern for this goodie, and I am trying to keep those things separated (so hard to do!), but I did make two of the squares, one my own design.  However, I loved the bright and happiness of it that I thought I'd share in both places.

I love the border which brings it all together.  The only things missing are some additional leaves that I want to put around the flowers.  Only one square came with leaves and I think it really does make the afghan look better, so I started to put them on....have quite a ways to go, though.  Thought everyone might like a 'look-see' ahead of the end game.

Lynne really needs some happiness and smiles and love - she has had a bad year. Hopefully she will get plenty of good vibes when she sees this afghan. :o)

My new Caribbean Squares & Patterns

These are my two new patterns for the Caribbean swap in Ravelry. I call the top one in green and cream The Chevron Square and the bottom one is my 5DC Granny.

These are both take offs of the original granny squares and are easy, easy, easy...and you can change the colors to change the looks. Of course, I do all my color changes in Air Crochet, and join with the invisible join rather than a slip stitch, but you don't have to. I'm giving the old fashion instructions.

Chevron- 9" square: ch 4, join

Row 1: Ch3, 2dc in circle, ch2; 3dc in circle, ch2. Repeat from * two more times, join. Change colors (If you don't Air Crochet, you may join the 2nd color by sc to a corner and ch2 or 3 according to how you join - 2 for an invisible join, 3 for a slip stitch) 12 dc

Row 2: 3dc, ch2, 3dc in each corner space. 24 dc.

Each row hereafter is the same - all corners have 3dc, ch2, 3dc. All of the others are treble crochets which reach down to the row below in the middle stitch. This elongates the stitch to join the same color, and also keeps it at even with the dc's in the corner. Each row you change colors so that the row you are on will reach into the same color stitches two rows below, working over the row right below.

If this is confusing let me know. You can make this as big or as little as you want. I ended with a last row of hdc. (also please pardon my not weaving in the ends on this one!)

The second square is just a basic Granny Square, but using 5DC (clusters) instead of 3dcs....it gives it a more sturdy feel and a rather rounder look to the stitches in the corner.

On the 5th row I do 2dc, ch2, 2dc in the corner, then one dc in each of the next 4 stitches - then do one dc in the next stitch, holding the last 2 stitches on the hook, do another dc in the between the next 2dc (between clusters), again keeping the last two stitches on the hook, then do it again one more time in the first dc of the next cluster, pulling the last yo through all loops on the hook. In using a different color this gives it a "chicken foot" look to it....I am decreasing two stitches this way to keep the square from getting wavy. Each side will have 3 of these decreases.

 I just finished off the square with another row of dc and the last row in hdc to reach 9".

What do you think???????

ETA: One of the members of Ravelry told me that one of Patricia Hewitt's squares, Maze Granny, looks a lot like this one. I will post a link later - but her's uses a front post treble, so isn't as flat or as wide of a stitch so it is a different look...here 'granny' shows behind the posts while mine doesn't.  Sure is pretty, though!

Here is another version in different colors and 12" instead of the 9"....

On our way to a snack bar......

So husband told me he would take me out "to eat" - well sort of. We knew it would be snacks, but it wasn't enough of the right food for me as I am being serious on my diet. The Kiwi and celery sticks did not fill me up one bit. Now have to find something under 200 calories to eat.

We went to a fund raiser and it was $20 to have your photo taken with the Idaho governor, Butch Otter, and his wife Lori - I told him he was a cheap date. :o) Clinton gets $10,000 a photo! Hubby is 6'2" so they are all about the same size...except Lori has 3 or 4 inch heels on.

I look like a munchkin! ;o)

Bev's Charity Square and a Day Lily

This is a Day Lily from White Flower Farm in Conneticut - I didn't get permission to use the photo, so I hope they won't mind. It reminded me of the square I just finished for Bev for her Safe Haven afghans. I wouldn't mind have a whole slew of these - both the flowers and the squares! The colors in the square are all VC Baby colors from Lion Brand. One nice thing about this line of yarn is that the colors are all meant to blend well with one another, and generally do.

Hope you are having a bright, sunny day both in weather and in your heart!

ETA:  The pattern is a Gerbera Daisy posted at Crochet Mary Ellen's Home on the Web. Not that hard, but a little twisty while making it. Hang in there, it comes out beautiful!

Charity Square......

I have finished the square to send to Bev...photo to come later...and am now embarking on another project the hubby thought up for me....don't ya love it! As if I didn't have enough to do already (still cleaning from company and getting ready for more company this weekend).  However, something that needs to be done - spraying weeds with the four-wheeler.  Our drive up the hill has these awful sand type burrs that are coming up early, as well as the puncture vine that has also developed early. Must be due to the rain...so I'm going to commit murder on those little devils!

I visited a wonderful little shop in Boise called Knit-Wits which has been around for many years. It was owned by a grandmother, mother, and now the daughter.  Lovely!  She had a wonderful scarf that she crocheted with an old pattern so as soon as the pressure lets up I plan on trying that same pattern.  It is almost 3-D and looks quite like it is knit. Can't wait to do this, but REALLY have to buckle down and finish up the other obligations.

Ending on a cute note, I caught my dog Maggie sticking her tongue out! ;o)

White Bird, Idaho

On a recent trip up to Canada (thus the absence from here) I took this photo of White Bird...more of the town is to the right. To the left, and out of view, is White Bird Grade which is a road going up the side of a mountain with many, many hairpin turns.  This is a really beautiful part of Idaho and where the trees start to show up more and more after leaving the high dessert of Southern Idaho. Actually, the prettiest places were near Julietta, Moscow, and up the 95. Beautiful hills, trees, and farm land.

The bottom photo is of the real White Bird Grade before the new highway road was put in (it is to the left of the photo, but you can't see it!) - notice the zig zag lines! It's a real road!

Now back to reality....working on crochet and keeping track of my daily company for the next 3 weeks! ;o)

Sometimes things just don't work.....

Have you ever had one of those days? Weeks? Months?

Well, this has been one of those months for me. I am not sure if it is the stress of dealing with my husbands cancer issue daily, my own minor health problems, or doing too much and stretching myself thin. I remember last year I was able to be in 6 swaps at once with no problem, and finish early. This time I feel stretched at 3.....and I'm forgetting to make squares that I promised people. That makes me feel awful, especially as one of those wonderful people is my BFF.

I started a project - the mood one - and misplaced it. Forgot about it. Looked for it. Yesterday I finally found it stuck in a bag with doll "stuff" - and I'm so behind on it. My original moods were pretty cloudy, so am glad even with the stress that I'm looking forward to bright yellows!

I had decided a few days ago that I needed to adjust my "crochet corner" and get it better organized. I am one of those who, when in a hurry, tosses something aside in a bag to get it out of sight. THAT is how my things get lost. Then the yarn starts meeting other yarn and they look like they are trying to have yarn babies! For goodness sake....so I have spent the better part of this weekend winding skeins, re-organizing drawers of yarn, and also purchased another storage unit with drawers for books. It is a bit harder to use than having them in a magazine rack where you can see the binding and name, BUT they are neater looking and I can see most of them through the see-through drawers.

I have my new all-in-one cart organized, too....and have found the best way to utilize it to the fullest. This is the cart that I have a Patent Pending for the design. Right now my BFF has one, and I have one being tested by a lovely lady named Donna Hammell who is known for her Tunisian patterns and crocheting skill. I'm excited to be finally getting to where I can start having them made and sold!! Yay! One thing for sure - even though I designed them for Tunisian graphing, the cart is perfect for organizing yarn and various items for crochet. I'm told it will work for knitting, but still have to have one more person check that out for me! ;o)

On a different note - I have to share. So, here are the granddaughters with their parents .... the whole family is beautiful! THIS cheers me up tremendously!

FINALLY - The Rockland Throw

I am about finished with the weaving in of the ends, but just have to show this beauty to you all. This is for my SIL Carol who lives in Michigan. It took me so long to do that her winter type weather is nearly over and more than likely she won't be needing it until the coming winter.  It was made with love and adoration for her love and acceptance of me into the family. You see, I married the man who was married to her SIL.  Carol's husband was the eldest brother to Amy - who passed away in 2002 of bone cancer.  From all I know of Amy she was a wonderful, delightful person who was a friend to many.  To be able to come into a family of such a fabulous lady and be accepted so readily is amazing. Carol helped that come about, as did all of Amy's brothers and sister, and her father Dick.  I am truly blessed to know them and be a part of their lives, however small that part is.

So, just as a token of my feelings I made this for her. I have another one I am putting together for Amy's youngest sister, Pam, and one for each of her brothers.  They have all given me warmth and I wish to return the favor! ;o)

I loved doing this pattern for the beauty and ease, but have found that I am so use to swaps that doing the same pattern over and over and over again (19 hex's) I get bored easily! Bad girl! I think the colors in the second photo are more true.

I added two rows to the join to give it a little extra depth...it is still smaller than I thought it would be, so more of a lap 'ghan, but still very lovely.  You can find it here ... Rockland Throw by Doris Chan.

Happy Crocheting!

More Cuteness Than A Person Can Stand!

Well, I should stay off the Blog Circuit.  I'm having too much fun looking at other designs and being jealous and wondering why in the world I don't have that type of design savy OR that type of skill!  I think I waste more time wishin' and hopin' than doin' and workin'!

Today I ran across yet another site that has my heart beating SO FAST!  Her name is Beth, and I am in awe.  Her web site "By Hook, By Hand" is fabulous! If you love Amigurumi, you will love what she produces.  And her patterns are to die for.  Take a look!

These just a few - check her out and see what I mean!

  

SWEET KITTY PILLOW

I finished the Sweet Kitty afghan (pattern and photo of my afghan) for my SIL, but had a small gauge square left over. It was smaller than the rest of the squares for the afghan, so could not use it. On hearing that there was a sweet cute little girl in Minnesota that was thrilled each time she saw the kitties on the computer, I felt the best home for this little puppy - er, I mean kitty - was with her.

Now please realize that this is the un-stuffed pillow as Mommy is going to need to do that part, and the ends are not woven in. Once the pillow form is in there it won't look so cockeyed as I had to pin the back to the front for the photo. Note the pins on the back. I doubled the yarn on the back and used the Brick and the Burgundy to give the backside a completely different look.

I hope the little darling will love getting it as much as I loved finishing it for her!  I am hoping to put her name under the Kitty so the pillow will be that much more special for her!

Now, on to finishing my BFF's scarf after picking up the skein I needed - hate running out of color in the midst of a project.  Grrrrrrrrrr.