Ramblings of a Crocheting Nana

Oh My How Time Flies!!!

2011-03-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe my last post was Feb 2nd!

Things have been very busy in the Nana household!! Jamie is growing tall faster than he can keep eating and he is such an active little man! He's also cutting more teeth and starting to say more words. His new words lately have been 'uck' for Duck (Thanks to Grandma! [my mom]), Yes, 'ephan' for his new elephant we picked up for him a couple days ago.

My crocheting??? Well in March I finished up some yarn dyeing, felting for the first time and I felted a Bowl, a purse and working on a little bitty bag for someone special.

I also finished up my granddaughter's afghan that was supposed to have been finished for Christmas but she'll get it later this summer for next Winter. It took 6 days from the time I counted stitches to figure out an even number for all the 12" squares and then using Attic24's Join as You go to put them together, add a border and then a second border with picot added. Its totally finished.

Now to get busy on the Boys' afghans! LOL.....I'm gonna take a few days break, maybe work on a small project in the meantime.

Anyhow here is the Afghan for Abby!

Busy! Busy! Busy!

2011-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

My grandson Jamie lives with me full time. I don't get much time to blog, read blog posts or be on the computer other than Ravelry (usually!) I don't even get on Facebook that often anymore either.

Christmas was great! I've been slowly working on blankets for my grandkids and one for my dad which was his Christmas gift. My goal is to try and get it done for his Birthday!

I made and finished a hat for Jamie with earflaps and am working on the same pattern for the other 4 grands.

Here is Jamie in his hat. Camera broke so using webcam photos.

Vaughnde

I am so Sorry!

2010-11-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

I have been away a LONG time! But my crochet time is limited as well as my computer time. Today I am getting a wee breather. My daughter is living with me temporarily and I have had my grandson with me full time since September 11th. Since I have been taking care of him 95% of the time, you can guess where my time goes. My crochet time is limited to when Jamie is sleeping or napping. I am also to be found on Ravelry when I can get some computer time as well.

With the Holidays upon us and my needing to do gifts, I doubt I'll be making a post as often as I wish. I'll try one here and there and Lord Willing, can come back more often in the new year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giveaway on Creative Crochet Blog!

2010-09-04T15:30:00.001-07:00

International Crochet Day is September 12th. Creative Crochet is having a Giveaway of 4 books! Go and take a gander over there!!

She's got an awesome site!

The reason I haven't been around....

2010-08-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

is because I have been babysitting my grandson Jamie a lot lately!

Layna with Jamie in Umpqua River

Jamie enjoying the Water

Having fun on a HOT day!

in spite of having a summer cold....

running away from Nana with a bottle of water!

More Pink & Brown Squares

2010-08-29T15:03:00.001-07:00

I finished 3 more squares and mailed them off....

Close up of Chevron Pattern (byhook on Ravelry)

Chevron Square

Cats Claw Square

Close up of Cats Claw Square

Dream Catcher Square

Dream Catcher Square Close up

Vanna's Choice Pink & Brown Swap on Ravelry

2010-08-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

I love using VC yarns and am slowly building my stash. But I thought You'd like to see the squares I have made so far and mailed out. I'll be working on some more this week! ( No hooky time this past weekend as you can see from an earlier post!)

June Craftster Pattern

Granny Square

Geometric 12" Smoothfox Pattern

Dilly Dahlia (Friend's Pattern)

Priscilla Hewitt Nosegay

Priscilla Hewitt Nosegay Closeup

Blog Giveaways!

2010-08-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Okay will somebody hold my hand and help me step by step on how to put the blogs I love the most including those doing giveaways in a sidebar????

Now....the Goodies!

A couple of friends of mine are doing blog giveaways!

Crochetin' in Georgia has a Cock-a-doodle potholder giveaway!

The Crafty Witch is having a rainbow wristlet and mobile phone pouch giveaway! Her site is in Dutch but you can get Google to translate it for you if you wish. She does put some English in there as well.

BUSY Weekend!

2010-08-16T11:39:00.001-07:00

Oh man! Was I ever busy this weekend and this Monday morning I'm pretty worn out! Here is the reason! I had Jamie from Friday evening until late late Sunday night. Man, I'm glad that little one sleeps through the night although I didn't get much sleep! Its the first time I've had him overnight since he was born and its like being a first time mom all over again but I sure enjoyed it and I know there will be much more times I'll have him over. I need to beef up on toys for Jamie!

Jamie looking at the pictures in the picture bible

Silly Face!

Happy as a clam! Feet covered because he keeps scratching his eczema until it was bloody. Only thing I could think of was to wrap them to keep him from scratching....shades of his mama! She did the same thing as a child too! Thank goodness she's outgrown most of it!

Dyeing Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool!

2010-07-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

Oh My Gosh! I had a BLAST doing all this! 4 weeks ago I took a whole day and half to wrap the whole skein of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool on my ironing board legs upside down in a figure 8 and then tied it off with some acrylic yarns. Between Life and other things I didn't get around to getting them dyed until yesterday. Enjoy the Photos! I know I'll make something scrumptious with the yarn when I get around to it!

Now the Particulars:

14 Lemonade Packets

7 Orange Packets

7 Lemon Lime Packets

2 Watermelon Kiwi with 4 Cherry Packets

Made up the Koolaid Packets in the 2qt jars 2 hours ahead of time

Soaked the Yarn for 1.5 hours.

Put Yarns into Jars and covered with Saran Wrap to keep the yarn from drying out.

Poured water between jars in waterbath canner

Turned on stove and kept at Medium 1 hour, then down to Low for another 2.5 hours. Total hours cooked 3.5 hours.

Turned off stove and left in jars to cool overnight putting a square pyrex glass lid on top of saran wrap to keep moisture in.

Carefully took out this morning, put in plastic tub and then transferred to kitchen sink and rinsed out carefully. No colors leached out other than the milky white residue left from the yellow lemonade. Put in towel and carefully pressed all water out as much as possible with hands, then took to bathroom stepped on it carefully to get more water out and hung to dry on shower head.

Judith's Shawl

2010-07-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Its finished! Started June 17th, Finished July 5th. I love it, nice and soft, drapes well and will keep her warm this winter.

My Best friend Judith is turning 65 later this month and I felt she deserved something spectacular to celebrate that milestone. So I made her a shawl in Vanna's Choice Denium Mist and Seaspray Mist.

Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

May Your day be full of Fun and Blessings!!

I am heading to church in a while and we are having icecream sandwiches after church then I'll come home, have a wee bit of lunch and bike over with some snacks to the park where I hope to see my daughter, son in law and grandson Jamie. They are having some fun stuff going on at the park. Then later tonight I'll be at my folks house watching the fireworks from their back porch.

Changing Colors & Drawing in Yarn Tails As You Go

2010-06-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is a Fabulous YouTube of how to do it and less messy. I'm definitely gonna adopt this!

Changing Colors & Drawing in Yarn Tails as you Go

Golden "50th" Anniversary to my Parents

2010-06-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

This photo is of my children and grandchildren. My youngest is Layna and her husband Mike with grandson Jamie. My oldest is Bekah with her husband Jon and their 4 Abby, Ben, Sam and Judah (by age). I am in there as well behind Abby and Ben :D

The Cake

Cutting the cake

Dad eating his bite

Mom eating her bite

Happy 50th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

It was a WONDERFUL Celebration! We had unexpected family come and even friends we hadn't seen in over 18 years (for my folks) and 14 years for me. It was Wonderful! We even had plenty of food left over. My sister and her girls plus me and even both parents pitched in a wee bit...got everything ready for when people started showing up for the open house. My Oldest daughter Rebekah and her family came and she went and got her little sister and her family so my girls and their families were there as well as my 5 grandchildren. They were the only great grandchildren of Dad and Mom's 8 greats that were there to celebrate! I hope my parents get another 30 years with us at least Lord Willing!

Happy Father's Day!!!

2010-06-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

To my Dad first of all: You are the MAN in my life other than my Lord Jesus!

To my Sons in Law: Jon and Mike...Thank you for your love for my daughters and your wonderful job in raising my grandchildren! May the Lord bless you both!

To my grandsons: Ben, Sam, Judah and JJ...May you all grow in the Grace of Jesus and learn good lessons from your dads!

Breakfast Baked Oatmeal

2010-06-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well I couldn't get the pictures to post so I'm giving you a link to my Picasa Album :)

I'm so sorry I haven't been around lately...its been a BUSY week! Anyhow, I thought you'd like this recipe. Its one of my favorites but I haven't made it up for a few years. So I made me a batch yesterday for my breakfast...Man was it ever SOOOOO Goooood!

Breakfast Baked Oatmeal
1/2 c. melted butter (or margarine)
1 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon ( I used 1 tsp)
3 c. Oatmeal (I used quick cooking oats)

Mix together and cook at 350 deg. for 45 minutes.

You can also add: apple bits, raisins, dried fruits (any), coconut, chopped nuts, chocolate chips etc. This serves 10. It can also be frozen in single serving sizes if you wish.

For me: I added 1 cup coconut, 1 cup choc chips, 2 cups dried cranberries and 1 cup walnuts chopped. Yummies!

Good Tips! 15 Uses for Baking Soda

2010-06-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I have MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) from years of being exposed to bombing chemicals (aka bug bombs), making homemade soaps and fragrances. To this day I have a hard time handling being around someone with perfume or heavy sprays. Over time, I've also developed allergies or reactions to cleaning chemicals including Bleach.

So coming across this was a Aha moment! I saved the tips but thought my blog friends and family might want the same tips!

Enjoy!

51 Uses for Baking Soda

I'm in Crochet! Magazine

2010-06-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Boy was I totally surprised this morning to read that my comment on the digital edition of Crochet! Magazine was put in! Go and check it out!!

Crochet! Magazine: From Our Readers

Doing the Happy Dance!!

Cream Cheese Chicken

2010-06-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

This sounds so YUMMY! Check it out at "From my tiny Kitchen" I plan to make this sometime next week. Since this makes a good 6 meals...I'll portion it out for several meals over the month.

30 years since Mt. St. Helens Blew!

2010-05-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

And I graduated from High School! I cannot believe how fast the years have flown! I remember the day the mountain blew....that was the beginning of a difficult summer for me. I lived in Tacoma in the house I grew up in that my parents bought on Tacoma Avenue South when I was 5 years old. We had ASH everywhere and it was a pain in the you know what!

I graduated H.S. on June 10th then in July lost my mom's dad my grandpa to mesthelomia lung cancer although we didn't know what it was then and we do now. I remember we celebrated Grandpa's homegoing with 3 different memorial services and Mom and I sang in 2 of them. We didn't go to the California one. Grandpa's favorite song then was How Great Thou Art and it has become one of my favorites also. Since I am deaf, I signed the song while mom sang it voice.

I wonder what you were doing when the mountain blew 30 years ago today?

14 Point Afghan

2010-05-15T09:11:00.001-07:00

I was testing this Pattern for Donna at SmoothFox and I'm sure she will have it up soon. I finished it to my satisfaction last night after working feverishly on it since Mother's Day. Unfortunately my Walmart no longer carries the Carrot colored Red Heart Yarn so I had to subsitute a couple of other yarns....the row after the carrot color is called Wood Brown and it has a reddish tone, then the one right after that is Dark Brown and I think it came out fabulous! Its a wonderful lap Afghan and one could go bigger if one wanted. I just decided to stop right there :)

Round 19

Round 28 Last bit of Carrot Color

Round 28 Last Bit of Carrot Color

Final Round at Round 31 in Gold

Original Colors: Carrot, Gold, Warm Brown

2 extra colors added at end: Wood Brown and Dark Brown

Happy Mother's Day!!

2010-05-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

The shawls are finished! Rebekah's was sent to her and she loved it! I finished mine Saturday night just in time to wear to church on Sunday. Mom and Layna received theirs Sunday afternoon at my house and I received the most beautiful Purple Doily my mom made with no pattern just from her head!

4 Generations

Front Row: Layna & Jamie

Back Row: Mom and me

My Purple Doily

My shawl

Layna's Shawl

Mom's Shawl

Rebekah's Shawl

My youngest grandson Jamie loved his mama's shawl so much he was chewing on it! Layna was happy to find out that her shawl was throw in the wash and dry in the dryer. Bekah's, Layna's and My shawls are all Vanna's Choice in Seagreen Mist, Denium Mist and Purple Mist. Mom's Shawl was made with Jarbo Garn Duo a wonderful #5 bulky from Sweden purchased at Middleford Yarn and Stitchery in Medford Oregon. They have other colors too so I do plan to buy more of this type of yarn from them in the future....hmmm maybe for slippers or socks as this yarn must be handwash and lay flat to dry.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and I hope ya'll did too!

Giveaway Giveaway Giveaway

2010-05-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Over on Molly's Blog A wonderful book about faith and history. The excerpt Molly gives makes me wanna get this book too!

Make your own Canvas Bag

2010-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

I learned about this from Prayers, Crafts and Life about making your own canvas bag for a $1000 Kroger card giveaway contest. So I went and made my own and you can see it here and go vote for me!

I really enjoyed making this design and I do use canvas bags when I go shopping. Soon I'll make my Fruits and Veggies Mesh bag...maybe this weekend!

My Birthday a wee bit early!

2010-04-08T14:40:00.001-07:00

I will be 48 years old on April 12th! On Tuesday April 6th for Rook Night we celebrated my birthday. We had Ham, Green Bean Casserole, Fruit Salad, Mashed Potatoes (which I did not have) and Pillsbury Rolls. Then we played 2 games of Rook before opening up my presents. I received: A red and white kitchen set and a gift card to Walmart from Lou, A gift card to Grocery Outlet from Sherri, A bag of Yarn from Aunt VJ one of which is Lion Brand Homespun in blue and a couple of pillows (desperately needed) from my mom. I still plan to get a knitpicks ball winder and some Lion Brand fisherman's wool from Micheals sometime this month as well.

Squares I have done Lately

2010-04-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Two days ago I finished a new to me 12" square called Flower Garden and I have the picture here. I also finished one called Blooming Lace last night but haven't taken the photo yet and when I do I will post it here as well. The flower garden one has 3 butterflies on each side. I don't know if you can see them but the middle is a flower and then at each side it looks like some spaces with a middle loop in them and those are supposed to be the butterflies. The Close up is lighter than the original color which is a Caron One Pound Deep Violet.

I also plan to do two other 12" called Mum's the word and Pineapple Granny.

Block a Month Along on Ravelry

2010-04-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

March Ravelry 12"

March Craftster 12"

Here are the new squares so far finished for March. I still have a February Charity one to do yet and then I will start on the ones for April :) Hmmm I know I did the 6" for March as well but can't remember where that pic is at the moment!

Grandchildren enjoyed the Hats!

2010-04-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry I haven't checked in lately. Its been busy here but here are pictures of the grandchildren enjoying their hats the day I gave them to them on March 28th. Benjamin had his birthday first so he got his, then Abby, then Sam then Judah even though their birth order is Abby, Ben, Sam and Judah. I gave Sam his before Judah because Judah was nursing and wouldn't understand so Sam got his first even though Judah's birthday is in April and Sam's is in May.

They all loved their hats and I think they got to use them when in NC last week to see their dad graduate from Boot Camp. Jon is now in VA for more training and the family is back home. They were happy to Celebrate Easter and Jesus with Daddy!

The Hats are Finished!!!!!

2010-03-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

Abby's Hat

Benjamin's Hat

Samuel's Hat

Judah's Hat 2 sides are different

All Four Hats together!

The Pom Poms were what did me in...I'm gonna get me a pom pom maker! It ain't easy using Cardboard squares! The wheel one I made was worthless....so I really really need a honest to goodness pom pom maker! The reason Samuel's is different is because I was having trouble making it like the others and got frustrated so found this really neat pattern and just did it that way. I hope all four grandkids love their hats LOL!

Chainless Foundations

2010-03-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Oh my! I love doing the single crochet chainless foundation in crochet! Its saved me time and is much easier than that unsightly pulling with the chains then single crochet on top of the chains.

This blog has all the answers:

Blogpost #30

Chainless Single Crochet

Chainless Half Double Crochet

Chainless Double Crochet

Joining a Chainless Foundation

Be sure and leave some messages on Theresa's site. Her videos on Youtube are the bomb!

The Sunroom Giveaway

2010-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Check out The Sunroom! They are having a Birthday Giveaway!

Popcorn Puffy

2010-03-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

I'd never done a popcorn stitch before. Had to go to youtube to check out Theresa's video on how to do it. But the pattern is from the book "Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs" by Edie Eckman. It's a library book but I have it in my wishlist on Amazon. I really want this book to be added to my slow growing crochet/knitting library! I used Motif 104 for this. I'm hoping to make another one today using greens in the middle and the same sunflower yellow as in this one just reversed from how this puffy looks. Its a hair short of 6" but when blocked it'll make 6".

These two puffy's are for a granny square swap on The Gathering Room. I hope the person I send it to likes it!

Block a Month Along on Ravelry

2010-03-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

I'd fallen behind a bit on my blocks trying to do the hats...so on the 9th and 10th I did a couple of them from January Charity Square and February's 6" 6-7-8 square. I used a RH Saver Ombre called HollyBerry and I love it. The colors I am using for my Afghan for each month's squares are Aran, Woodsy (Ombre) and Dk. Green.

This is the Charity Square in its fullness.

This is a close up. I just love this pattern!

Woodsy and Dk. Green February 6-7-8 Square

Aran February 6-7-8 Square

Grandchildren's Hats

2010-03-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

The Hats are coming along...here are Abby's and Ben's. Abby's is the Claret and Ben's is the Blues and Greens. Green is his favorite color! These do not have the pom poms on them yet but when I get all 4 hats finished then I will post an update with all 4 with the pom poms. Working on either Judah's or Samuel's right now...will see how it turns out.

Foot Updates

2010-03-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

Pictures below are the most recent taken on March 10th. I still can't do a whole lot but I am definitely being prolific with my crocheting. Those items are coming in new posts! I really appreciate your prayers! Thank You!!

Pictures below were taken on the 8th of March...3 days after the fall.

Fall & Sprain

2010-03-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

Friday when I was taking my things back to the car from Walmart, my foot went into a broken tile area of the Mall's porch and my ankle went twisted completely. Maintenance got my dad, went to the ER and came home. I'm out of commission to walk with dad and to babysit :( So whats a girl to do? Crochet and do some emails of course! Here are the pictures of where I fell and what my foot looked like on Saturday. I will have pictures later of a couple of the hats I'm working on for my grandchildren. Oh yeah and in between all that I have been sleeping and resting. Its tiring to use the walker and use muscles you didn't know you had either LOL!

March is National Crochet Month!

2010-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

International too if you check out Ravelry!

Check out this Message on Not Your Granny's Croche t. She has declared it's National Crochet year instead of month! I like her idea....

Took a break from crochet yesterday on March 1. But today I'm itching to pick up my yarn and get busy on the hats for my grandchildren. The pattern is from Crochet World and its called Cool Hats for Happy Kids. The actual pattern I am gonna do is called Big Top Hat. Doing the pompoms are gonna be the fun part because I haven't done pompoms since I was a teenager!

So my friends...Happy National Crochet Month (Year)!

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-28T18:57:00.001-08:00

I won all 3 events I entered in and got my Badges of Honor!!

I finished the hat for my mom first, then the doggy Bartje and last the baby pants!

Baby Pants is Finished!!!

2010-02-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

After I finished doing my digital scrapping and being on the computer for most of the day, I sat down to finish the baby pants and got them done just before Midnight. They are definitely too big for Jamie but thats okay...I'm already working on a smaller version of the same pants in Caron's Simply Soft Chocolate for him!

The legs look uneven but they are not. The stitches are the same in both legs.

Digital Scrapping

2010-02-28T08:08:00.001-08:00

I LOVE to Digital Scrap and have been doing so for almost 3 years. Yesterday I sat at the computer and made this gorgeous layout for a swap called Swap Crop on Scrap Girls for a friend that I met in 2008 at the Scrap Girls Convention. She's a hoot and I love her! So I thought I'd share with you the layout that I made for her and for you to enjoy!

The journaling written by Sandi is as follows:

Changing seasons, the sun going down at night and then rising to a new day. So goes our lives. Sometimes its time to end a stage of life, to let the sun set on old things, ways, relationships, habits and attitudes. And in the night that follows the setting of the sun, there is rest and quiet and restoration of the spirit. And then comes dawn, sometimes creeping up on us with a slow transition, and at other times blazing forth, with blinding light in the new day.

This is one of the greatest things in my life- the acceptance of change, the welcome of the rest after a trying time, and the anticipation of a new day, the dawning of a new phase of my life. I am invigorated by the changes coming over me. I am filled with hope. I love most, these times of awakening after a time of struggle.

My Youngest Grandson Jamie

2010-02-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

Decided ya'll should have a chance to see my youngest grandson. I so enjoy babysitting him 4 days a week! He's finally gotten to the point where he can sit up and balance himself now at almost 6 months. Jamie has the most gorgeous blue green eyes you've seen. He smiles real big when you talk to him especially after he first wakes up. Its hard to have a camera on hand then. He knows the sound of Nana's camera and I have a hard time getting him to smile when he knows he's getting his pic taken. I'll keep trying though!

Baby Pants Half Done!

2010-02-28T07:25:00.000-08:00

Thursday I had a day off from babysitting and spent most of the day working on the baby pants. These are shaping up too big for Jamie but may or may not fit my other grandson Judah.

For Great Neice Melody

2010-02-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

I have had this Terryspun yarn from Lion Brand since 2006 and not known what to do with it since I only have 3 skeins and each is a different color. Finally decided to make my coming Great Neice Melody a blanket out of it that can also double as a bath towel if needed.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-02-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

These photos were when I made it. I had to wait until Sunday February 21 to give them to her and her birthday was on the 19th. Poor mom wasn't feeling good that day.

Mom Totally LOVED and adored her hat!

I received the Sunshine Award!

2010-02-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Sandy over at Sunflowrzcrochet gave me a lovely award today... the Sunshine Award!! She passed it on to 12 people and I was one of them. I am thrilled and honored, Sandy, Thank you so much! Here is how the award works:

The Sunshine Blog Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. The rules for accepting the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

My 12 picks are:

Ro at Muses by Ro

Amber Fry at Curls of Sunshine

Vallie's Kids at Vallieskids

Angela at The Nut's Blog

Redflame

Dragonflymom at One Crochet Day at a time

Marty Miller at notyourgranny'scrochet

Susan at My hook and I

Jimbo at Jimbo's Front Porch

Michele at Inspired Crochet Design

Rebecca at Desert Diamond Crochet

Maggie at A Crochet Ninja

Bartje Puppy

2010-02-19T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today is my Mom's birthday. Unfortunatly she wasn't feeling good for me to give her her gift today. So I am hoping to do tomorrow and when I do I'll get pics and post them. Other news...I finished my Bartje Puppy tonight! Whoo Hoo...Started working on him on the 13th and finished him tonight. The pattern is on Ravelry. The Author of the pattern is Alexandra Boonstra. I just love how this came out. He's smaller than he looks in the photos. Bartje is 5.25" high and the heart is 2.5" long and wide both. Enjoy!

Lion Brand Simply Sublime Shawl

2010-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

I began working on this Wednesday Feb 10th because I had been meaning to do this since 2006! Actually I started my own shawl with this Baroque Homespun in 2006 but gave up on it I think because I had the wrong size hook then at that time and other things captured my interest. So the 3 skeins sat in the plastic tub waiting for me to finish a shawl since then. I ripped out (aka frogged) the shawl that I had begun back then and using this pattern that I like started working on it. Oh my goodness, its so easy and quick to do. This is how far I've gotten so far since I started. I put it aside for Ravelympics but plan to work on it in between projects when my hands need a break from the F hook! This one uses a K hook which is really nice! The pictures show how far it has gone and a close up on the edge.

Ravelympics

2010-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

(forgive...everything is upside down, so start at the bottom and read towards the top if you wish!)

Late Saturday Night: Started my Bartje Little Big Heart Amigurumi. Got up to Row 7 on the head before calling it quits for the night as I was getting very sleepy.

To give my hands a break I worked on a head hugger pattern from Vallie's Kids that I thought would work for my granddaughter Abby. The first time I worked on it I made the back part too short so ripped out the hdc and added more dc's until I felt it was long enough at 8" then started adding the hdc for the head hugger part. Did 2 rows of hdc and decided to give it a break, starting on my Bartje Amigurumi.

Saturday: I worked on the Baby Pants but ripped out row 11 until I got it right 3x. Started Row 12 (5 stitches) and decided to take a break.

Friday: During the beginning of the Ravelympics I cast on for the baby pants but didn't get very far.

Ramblings and the Olympics!

2010-02-11T19:07:00.000-08:00

No Pictures Tonight. But thought I'd update ya'll on whats been going on. Monday I babysat my grandson and had a blast. Frogged an old shawl I started in 2006 monday night and started crocheting Lion Brand's Simply Sublime Shawl in Baroque Homespun. Its coming along nicely after 3.5 days and already on the 2nd skein of yarn. Its supposed to take 3 but we'll see. Its for me as I had planned that years ago. After this is finished, I will also have finished other projects.

How? Ravelry is having their Ravelympics during the Olympic Games and I'm planning to start and finish 2 projects. One is Baby Pants in white for my grandson Jamie (Daughter Layna's request) and a Puppy with heart Amigurumi. I don't know yet who it will be for. I have birthdays coming up for the older 4 grandchildren...2 in March, one in April and one in May. Jamie's isn't until September. Whew, I'll have to do some fast crocheting to make gifts for the grands but I think I can do it! Just haven't decided what to make yet! I think Abby will get a little purse and hat if I have time for the hat, a hat for Ben, something for Judah and something for Sam.

I hope you all will enjoy the Olympics just as much as I know I will!

January CAL 6" and 12"

2010-02-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

These Patterns and Yarns are the beginning of my 2010 Crochet Block A Month Crochet A Long (CAL). When finished this Afghan will be a bit bigger than my twin size bed with enough room to hang down a bit on each side and cover up the pillows nicely at the top.

Yesterday I sat down to crochet these beauties! I did the 6" Little Dahlia first with the center in Hunter Green and the outside in Aran.

Then I did the second one in Aran, Multicolor Woodsy and Aran.

The 12" Ravelry which was the E-Zee V-Zee Granny was done in Hunter Green, Aran, Woodsy, Aran, HG and Aran. I've never done a 12" before so I was surprised at how long it took and how big it looks.

I plan to do 2 more (one each) of the Little Dahlia as above to round out the January CAL Squares. I also plan to do the January 12" Craftster which I might start today. Then to catch up on the February squares.

You can find the patterns and more about all of this on the Ravelry site.

Newest Gift Creations

2010-02-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Lion Brand 100% Cotton Thick and Quick in Salt and Pepper crocheted single crochet with an S (size 11) wooden hook for Sherri's birthday gift. Loved doing it....however, I think next time I'll make it with an N hook to see how it turns out. Fortunatly I only have a wee bit left and this has been discontinued by Lion Brand.

Sherri lovin' the new washcloth!

My Mom's gift...a washcloth and facial scrubber.

My Mom, Donna lovin' the crocheted facial scrubber I made for her.

A pair of eyelash yarn in fingerless gloves and scarf she received from my Aunt VJ.

Miss Monkey is Finished!

2010-02-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

Before Legs, Skirt and tail are added with finishing touches.

After Skirt, Legs and tail are added before finishing touches.

After Final touches added...below. 1. In all her Glory. 2. Closeup. 3. You can see the tail. 4. Barely can see the tail...well hidden!

Pattern from Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet.

I didn't follow the pattern totally for the little monkey girl and added a few liberties of my own but I'm proud of this accomplishment!

Latest Crochet items

2010-01-30T15:11:00.000-08:00

In the works at the moment are a monkey amigurumi, frog amigurumi, granny squares for a blanket (finished square 2 yesterday) and my slip stitch rag rug strips for my pantry.

I also completed: Amigurumi Birdie, Amigurumi Coffee cup, granny's for a swap on The Gathering Room.