Snowflakes for Christmas

This is a pattern from a designer on Ravelry.  It is called Ariel and her’s is beautiful! I’m not too pleased with mine so far, though. I will finish it today. There are only 8 rows and it has taken me (as usual) a little extra time to figure out her terminology. The chart on the last page helps a lot. I was thinking of adding it to my handmade Christmas tree this year if I don’t send as a gift.

The photo makes her snowflake look tiny, but it is about 5” across so think I am right with gauge. 

I just made up a coaster while watch a football game. Hard to sit still and do nothing, and didn’t want to snack! I was off at the end, ending up with the wrong amount of shells (miss the first stitch) so added it at the end. Good thing it is for me! LOL!

Just made the one to keep at my chair. I have to hide them from Ginger who seems to go hunting for trouble when I leave the room!

Have a great hump day!

 

Some of my Favorite Projects

I FINISHED THIS FOR MY NEPHEW 14 YEARS AGO. I STARTED IT WHEN HE WAS A  YOUNG TEEN! EACH SQUARE IS THE SIZE OF THE BLACK ONE AND SEWN TOGETHER. EXHAUSTING!

I MADE THIS FOR MY YOUNGER BROTHER. I LOVED THE WAY IT TURNED OUT, BUT WISH I HAD NOT USED THE BURNT ORANGE COLOR. IT'S IN ONE OF THE VANNA WHITE PATTERN BOOKS (NEPHEW'S DAD).

I MADE THIS FOR MY NIECE WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 6 OR 8 YEARS OLD. SHE HAS FOUR CHILDREN OF HER OWN NOW (DAUGHTER OF YOUNGER BROTHER, SISTER TO NEPHEW)

I MADE THESE FOR MY NIECE, DAUGHTER OF MY HUSBAND'S SISTER

MORE OF THE AFGHAN I MADE FOR YOUNGER BROTHER, BEING HELD BY HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, MY BABY SISSY

A PRETTY SQUARE I DESIGNED. I REALLY LOVED THE COLORS!

MY FIRST SHAWL…SERFINA. I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT SPELLING. I REALLY LOVED MAKING IT.

ONE OF THE SEVERAL CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENE DOLLS. SENT TO MY YOUNGEST NIECE.

ANOTHER SQUARE I DESIGNED. SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN THEM UP, BUT GUESS I STILL CAN ONE DAY.

SHOES FROM ONE OF THE CROCHET BOOKS FOR TODDLERS. GAVE THEM TO MY FIRST GRANDCHILD

ANOTHER SERAFINA SHAWL. (SERAPHINA??)

PART OF THE MANY SQUARES OF CAT FACES I MADE FOR MY OLDER BROTHERS WIFE, MY OTHER SISSY. SHE AND I ARE THE SAME AGE (SHE IS OLDER BY 36 DAYS!)

I MADE THIS EEYORE FOR MY YOUNGEST GRANDDAUGHTER. I DON'T THINK HER MOM EVER GAVE IT TO HER. IT WAS TO BE PUT IN A FRAME.

I MADE THESE FOR A SWAP I THINK….???? MAYBE I KEPT THEM???

ANOTHER CAT FACE FOR THE AFGHAN. IT TURNED OUT GREAT!

If you want to know about any of the patterns just leave me a message and I'll go look them up!

Happy Crocheting, Knitting, and crafting!

 

Coasters and other little things...

 NOT  A  HALLOWEEN  CONTEST!

In my group on Ravelry we are doing a "contest" of sorts where you have to make something for one of the three holidays coming up and be finished by 10/30 (or is it 31?). I am not part of the drawing so I get to make whatever I want. I am using the Maple Leaves for part of a gift package for Christmas so that counts!  I am going to make a Christmas Stocking, too, although may not finish it in time. There is always another contest down the road!

The two greens are actually the same coasters. I think the true color lies somewhere in-between, but am leaning more toward the one below.  I started using a pattern, and then veered off as I am often inclined to do.

The Maple Leaf coasters are a pattern on Ravelry, Fall Leaves by Michelle. I'm not sure she was the first to come up with the pattern as there is another one on Ravelry that is a little older and posted first. I don't like the leaf tail/stem too much as it kind of gets in the way. If I make these again, I will leave that part off.

Finally have blinds in my home. Six weeks and nothing on the windows. Good thing my house has few windows facing the street and none except the kind you can't see through facing the neighbors! This is the large dining room window. I wish I had asked for two blinds like I did in the study. I don't know why I didn't think of it. I have another one in front that is split into to windows that open, and should have had that one done up in two blinds also. That way you can open only one blind to let in air.

These blinds have made a huge difference in the temperature in the house, too. That is certainly great considering how hot it gets. With the spray foam insulation I am hoping for a less expensive electric bill now.  I ordered them on special from Lowe's. They are Bali's and asked them to be made with ZERO light so I can close them up flat. I hate it when I get new blinds that are off the shelf and they are set to allow some light to come in. I know that I have to have some circulation at the bottom to prevent moisture from accumulating on the glass and dripping. 

This is the sunset in front of my home. I think the ones in WA were prettier as you did not see houses, just trees at the bottom…but it is quite lovely nonetheless.

I have been busy unpacking boxes. I think this will be the part of my life that goes on and on and on! I have been doing it for 50 years. I don't think in all that time as an adult I have unpacked all the boxes from a move except one time. Maybe two. Considering I have moved over 40 times, that is a lot of unpacked boxes. Hopefully things will open up soon and thrift stores will start accepting donations.  If not, I might just put the donation boxes on the street with a "FREE" sign attached!

I finally had a doctor appointment to transfer all my records. I need to get a vet for the dogs and get them licensed here. In-between I must get my drivers license. I have the car registered here, but still need to transfer the title. For some reason in TX they don't seem to care where your car is titled! I have the utilities in my name, I have a TV service (not that great!!) and internet. 

Just need to keep Ginger from chewing up the fence!

THREE MONTHS? WOW!!

I find it hard to believe that I have been off line for three months. I guess that birthday was exhausting!  It has mainly been an effort to get ready for selling the house in WA state moving, and now unpacking. The new home is below….I live in Texas now! Quite a different life here. Most houses are built with either brick or rock or a combination of both. In my subdivision the houses do look a lot alike. I was trying to get them to put some of the front in wood, but I was too late for the order. They had one like that in another subdivision and I fell in love. Some day, when I am rich, I may have the front redone and the deep dark brown wood put in to make it feel like a ranch home.

                                            

The house sits on 1/2 acre and there isn't much land in front. Most in back, so we walk a lot around in back. Will soon have something other than grass back there! I now walk about 3 miles a day. Can't walk them because of my arthritis and bursitis. Shouldn't have big dogs.

The dogs seem to think they are doing all the work!  So many boxes…the garage is plum full. Just like every other house. However, my niece is here cracking the whip and helping get rid of the packing boxes and supplies, as well as helping in the garage. She is amazing! Has even been bringing me left overs for dinner and she is a great cook, too! Nice to have her living so close!

                    

My next door neighbors to the south side are a young couple with two children, one 5 year old Pitty mix, and her mom who lives in the cabana! They built an apartment in the back yard for her.

My dogs became awful once they heard their children playing and the dog in the yard. Our old neighbors didn't have dogs in their backyards. Ginger started chewing up the fence. The four dogs had a little runway going in front of the fence as they ran back and forth.  After a couple of weeks we worked out a routine and text each other when the dogs went out. It has really been good as far as the dogs now not barking and snarling and tearing up the fence.

BUT:  Along came BarxBuddy. What a great idea and it works like a charm.  I have been able to keep the dogs from barking at the children and running back and forth in front of the fence. Now we hope by tomorrow or Monday I'll be able to stop the "dog wants to eat dog" behavior when she puts her dog out and I put mine out at the same time. These people are great and should be able to enjoy their backyard, too.  I hate it that my dogs have been so bratty. I pray this will be the answer.

OCTOBER: 

                                            

I am having a contest in my group on Ravelry just to have something to do and to get rid of some of my yarn (which takes up about 1/3 of the garage!).  It is a holiday contest, just make something to do with Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, and then I draw your number out of a hat (or pot). Maybe draw two.  Anything to have a distraction! Nothing fancy as far as a contest goes, but EASY!

Happy October!