Red Laser App for iPhone/iPad/iPod

For anyone who is looking for an App that will scan the bar codes and compare prices, my DSS's app was just released and updated and is on the iTunes App Store for free.

It is called Red Laser, and even works with the 4th generation iPod & iPad2 - just not as great because the camera is not as good as the iPhone....but works nonetheless!

My DSS worked on the app and works for the company that released the app, so download it and check it out!  I'd be interested to hear any feed back.

Good shopping!

Apple iTunes Store App

Uptown/Downtown Afghan

Don't think I have posted this here - if I have, sorry. Am nursing a cold and just want to get something up. This is the swap that inspired the Qualia Square.

Gave this to my niece as a comfort 'ghan.  I love the colors - so dramatic!

The Qualia Square

During the last swap on Ravelry I made up a square. The Qualia Square.  I wanted to have it tested as I had some problem with a round and had to fudge it a bit, so two people volunteered to help me with it.

Well, as it turned out two people did help - but much later on (two different people than the original volunteers).  I was very lucky for their help (Margaret and I think Rebby but am not sure about the second person), but we all still had some problems with what I wrote.  

9/8/14:  I will try to re-make this square and see if I can make it right and get it written up correctly. 

Rounds 1-8 re-written as of 9/8/14

More to Come 9/9

This is not written for someone who cannot crochet well, or who needs intricate directions. These are basically my notes....not formulated into good crochet instructions.

I have written this without too much instruction as to when to change colors….mainly just the crab stitches for emphasis on bright colors, however, it is up to you how to make your own square.

Qualia Square

Chain 5 - join (start with a darker color for background)

Round 1: 16 dc in loop (16 dc), join with a slip stitch; ch 3.

Round 2: 2 dc in next stitch, and in ea stitch around, finishing with one dc at bottom of beginning ch 3  (32 dc); change colors

Round 3: (sc, [fptr in stitch below in Round 1; sc in NEXT stitch])*  (in this row none of the stitches from the previous round will be skipped, all will have a sc in them - the fptr is a 'stand alone' stitch between two sc) repeat * around. Join with a slip stitch (32 sc, 16 fptr = 48) 

Round 4: ch 1, sc in same stitch; sc in each stitch around until end of round and then do an invisible join (48); change to a bright color for next round only.

Round 5: Crab Stitch in each stitch around in FLO (front loop only) (48);  

Round 6: This whole round will be in the BLO (back loop only) behind the Crab Stitch:  (48)

In first back loop (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, 1tr); skip two stitches (back loops);  *hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 3 stitches, hdc in next 2 stitches; skip two stitches, {1tr, 2dc, ch2, 2dc, 1tr} in next stitch (full corner made), skip 2 stitches.  Repeat from * around to beginning. Finish by doing 1tr in the very first stitch next to the ch 3 to complete the last corner. (52 stitch, 4 chain spaces); 

FYI:  It is easy to miss a BL, so you would do well to double check your work after each side is completed.  If it isn't right the whole square will be off.

Round 7:  Dc in each stitch; 2dc, ch3, 2dc each chain 2 space; change to a bright color for next row.  FYI: In row 7, be careful to go in/under the loop only in the tr and not go beneath the loop (almost sounds like the same thing!) making it between the stitches as this will cause an unsightly gap. (68 dc, 4 ch 3 spaces)

Round 8: Crab stitch around in the FLO - in using each stitch and in each of the 3 chain stitches in the corners, you end up using 80 stitches around - 19 BL available on the each side for Round 9, and one in each corner for the corner loop. (80);

Round 9:  Join yarn in BL of stitch above first dc in any side of Round 7.  Dc in each stitch across (19) , 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, in next BLO (corner stitch). In this round you will have one loop to use as a corner stitch for the 2dc, ch2, 2dc, 19 stitches per side not counting the corner stitch. (92 dc, 4 ch spaces)

Round 10: Dc in each stitch (23 dc); 2 dc, ch 1, 2dc in each chain 2 space. (108 dc, 4 ch spaces - ending with 27 dc per side)

Round 11:  This is the V stitch round. It does not feel like it will come out right, especially when you get to the end of the row, but it always does IF you count right and skip the stitch behind the FPTR.

Corner and First V: *[1sc, ch1, 1sc in corner ch1 space; sc in next 3 stitches (be sure to count the first stitch correctly); FPTR in 3rd dc in Round 9,  always skipping st behind tr, sc in next 3 stitches; FPTR in same dc as previous FPTR; 

Second V: Skip next stitch then sc in next 3 stitches; FPTR in 9th dc from previous FPTR (12th dc in previous round); sc next 3 stitches, FPTR in same stitch;

Third V: Skip next stitch then sc next 3 stitches; FPTR in 9th dc from previous FPTR (21 dc in round);  skip one stitch, sc in next 3 stitches; FPTR in same dc as last FPTR; skip one stitch, sc in next 3 stitches] … repeat from * around ending with the last sc, join.

Round 12: sc around with 3 sc in each corner chain one space.

Makes a 9: square.

The Next Afghan Joining

This afghan is one of the newer ones from last year. I still have others from 2009! However, this goes to my SIL, who became a G'ma this year, so want to give her something special. Sort of like a prayer shawl because she is so far away from her beautiful granddaughter. That has got to be hard.

I had started bordering in a coral color, but it was too bright so ripped it out. I wanted to try to soften the bright colors, so am using beige...even though it looks a tad pinkish here, it isn't.

After all the squares are bordered, and put togehter, I am going to use all the main colors and do a row of each, then top it off with just one of the colors as the wider border.

WHICH color is the question.

I am a Senior Citizen (sent from the hubster)

It was NOT the senior citizens who took: The melody out of music, The pride out of appearance, The courtesy out of driving, The romance out of love, The commitment out of marriage, The responsibility out of parenthood, The togetherness out of the family, The learning out of education, The service out of patriotism, The Golden Rule from rulers, The nativity scene out of cities, The civility out of behavior, The refinement out of language, The dedication out of employment, The prudence out of spending, The ambition out of achievement. And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!! And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country. Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts! YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN! I'm the life of the party...... even if it lasts until 8 p.m. I'm very good at opening childproof caps.... with a hammer. I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up. I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying. I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere. I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg. I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps. Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life! Spread the laughter  Share the cheer Let's be happy  While we're

Here's a Bit of Spring for You

From My Yard

A time to rest

Wow, what a week. UPS and DOWNS can both take their toll on the mind, body, and spirit. Today was the body.

Ever have one of those days when you wanted to just go to bed? Well, today was one for me. And it was my own fault.

After a hectic week of taking care of my DFIL with the broken hip, I sat up late last night and had TWO bowls of ice cream.  Now, for most people that might not be a big deal, but for me it is disastrous. I am lactose intolerant. VERY lactose intolerant - and I did not take my pills.  The ice cream started talking to me about 1:30 a.m. and each and every half hour after that.

Needless to say I was unable to sleep very much at all, so today I have been dragging myself around.  THEN the electricity went out, and the ice cream was still talking to me.  So, again, for most people that would not be a big deal, BUT - we are on our own water system and have a pump that runs on electricity so without it you can't flush the toilet. :o(  No electricity. No pump. No flushing. Ugh. 

At least I felt better than THIS! 

☟

Whatever was wrong only lasted a few hours (and we do have four bathrooms!) so eventually all was well. I also took an hours nap which really helped.

Crochet?  Well, actually yes - I managed to nearly finish the border on an afghan, weave in some ends on a potholder, and find several patterns I'm interested in making. Not too much, but enough to get me through the day.

So, how was YOUR day?