6-16-2008: Stash, Crochet, Money Saving Tip & History Trivia

Earlier this month, I was up in Illinois for the wedding of a family member. When I visit there, I enjoy going to some of the thrift stores in search of treasures. This time, I was able to find a nice stash of yarn at a church's rummage sale for only $2. This is a picture of what I got for my money. I'll be crocheting a while with all of this yarn. When I was getting ready to go up there, I was crocheting my fingers off trying to make slippers for many of my family members. I only got six pairs done so I had to be selective about who I gave a pair. This link-- http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/slisoc.html will show you the pattern I used. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures made before I gave them away. I modified this pattern by shortening the "cuff" so that I was able to use up more scraps from my stash.

Money saving tip-- As you noticed, I add to my yarn stash by shopping in thrift stores and rummage sales. You may also have luck at yard/garage sales, estate sales and auctions too. Good luck in your search for inexpensive yarns!

On this day in history 1963--
The Soviet Union launched the first female space traveler, Valentina Tereshkova, into orbit aboard Vostok 6. Go to -> http://space.about.com/od/cosmonautbiographies/a/tereshkovabio.htm to read a short biography about her.

Entry for June 16, 2008

YIPPEE!!!!

I finally finished moving my Yahoo 360 blog entries over to here!!!

I still need to post my list of links but that should be a piece of cake after moving all those entries over here by copying and pasting. Hope I haven't bored you by how long this transfer has taken. Stay tuned...

Entry for May 13, 2008

Entry for May 13, 2008

Money Saving Tip-- As I was working in my flower beds yesterday, I came up with the idea for today's money saving tip. Go perennials and share the green. Annuals are less expensive but every year you buy them they are a drain on the pocketbook. If you must have annuals then try growing from seeds. You can start indoors during the mid to late winter and have plants ready to go in the ground after the last frost. My daisies have multiplied and multiplied. I shared some with my nextdoor neighbor who had shared some plants with me last summer. My irises have also done really well this year and I need to thin out this fall so I'll be able to share some of those too. Sometimes local high schools have agriculture class and a project is to grow flowers. You can buy plants there and that helps out our schools and gives you a bargain too. I have also found seeds for perennials at 10 packs for $1 at one of those stores where everything costs $1. Enjoy! (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 12, 2008

Entry for May 12, 2008

On this day in history 1820-- Florence Nightingale was born. She was a battlefield nurse. Due to her efforts, medical and nursing care for war casualties and nursing in general greatly improved. Go to this page to read more about this inspiring person.

Crochet news-- I have found an interesting site thanks to one of the members at Crochetville.org. It has FREE vintage crochet patterns from the late 19th century and early 20th. You can peruse them at this page on handweaving.net. Hope you enjoy!

Money saving tip-- Limit your teenagers driving to school and joyriding. Let them take the school bus, walk or ride a bike.

Entry for May 11, 2008

Entry for May 11, 2008

Today is the 100th anniversary of the modern celebration of Mothers Day. Go here to read a little bit about this history of Mothers Day. Best wishes to all you moms!
Money Saving Tip-- Wash and reuse empty jars and plastic containers to put your leftovers in. I know those name-brand plastic food storage containers are pretty but they cost money and did you know that plastics are one of the products made from oil/oil byproducts? Reuse those empty peanut butter jars and those margarine tubs and save not only money but natural resources. Along the same lines, reuse those zipper plastic food bags. For daily use of food storage in the refrigerator or packing lunches, there is no problem with washing these bags and reusing several times. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 10, 2008

Entry for May 10, 2008

These are my irises that I transplanted last year from a spot that didn't get enough sunlight. They didn't bloom last year either due to a late freeze in the spring. I was amazed at how big they are and that they are yellow! I just wanted to share these with you. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 08, 2008

Entry for May 08, 2008

On this day in history 1541-- De Soto discovered the Mississippi River. New Advent online encyclopedia has a good article about De Soto and you may enjoy reading it.

Crochet update-- One row to go and then the edging and I'm finished with a baby rr I'm working on. Dear friend LS, if you are reading this, your furbaby's project is next! I guess you can tell that your "baby's" sweater is giving me the heebie jeebies and that's only because my first try really sapped my confidence. I'll finish it for her. She'll have it before next winter and maybe there will be a pair of slippers for you in the package.

Money Saving Tip-- This tip has to do with using coupons. I recently saw a coupon to save money on a gallon of milk. That's great I thought. The next time I went to the store I proudly tucked my coupon in my purse. Hmmm, what's this? The less expensive brand of milk was still a bargain! The coupon didn't even match the cost of the more expensive milk with the cheaper one! The moral of this story is to check the price of similar products BEFORE deciding to use that coupon!

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 05, 2008

Entry for May 05, 2008

Money Saving Tip-- Instead of throwing away bread heels (crusts), use them to make bread crumbs. For use later, store them in the freezer. I used to do this all the time. I even used them to make dressing for stuffing my Thanksgiving turkey. You can also make croutons out of them. Here's one recipe. There are numerous other recipes on the Internet..just go to your favorite search engine to look for them. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 03, 2008

Entry for May 03, 2008

Money Saving Tip-- Use your toaster oven instead of your big oven. You don't have to preheat it and it doesn't heat up your kitchen as much as your big one. Not only uses less energy, it also doesn't make your a/c work so hard in the summer.

On this day in history 1963-- Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his "I have a dream" speech. Go to this page to read or listen to this landmark speech. Go to MLK Online to read more about the man and his civil rights work.

Crochet updates-- I am making baby blankets for 4 babies due this year. So far, I don't know if girls, boys or an assortment . Rght now, I am making a round ripple baby blanket in girl colors-- because it's yarn I already had. After that one, maybe I'll know the expected gender of at least one of them. Anyway, since they're all due in the fall, I have a long overdue project to redo before I start the next baby blanket. My bff has a furbaby that I need to redo a sweater for that I made. I have my yarn all frogged and I'm set to go after the first baby blanket is finished which should be sometime this next week. Of course, as I finish a project I will post pictures.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for May 01, 2008

Entry for May 01, 2008

Today is May Day. This is a holiday that has been celebrated more in England than in the United States. For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1 was the second most important holiday of the year because, it was when the festival of Beltane was held. It was thought that the day divides the year into half. Here you can find descriptions of Beltane riturals. The Romans brought their holiday celebrations to the Britain too. The beginning of May was a very popular feast time for the Romans. It was devoted primarily to the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers. It was when, in her honor, a five day celebration, in May, called the Floralia, was held. Go here to read some brief facts about May Day. Go to this article to read about the history of Floralia.

Money Saving Tip-- Make your own convenience foods! Do you like the beef flavored rice mix? How about kettle corn? For pennies on the dollar you can make your own. Go here to see how. I haven't tried any of these yet. If you fix any of these recipes let me know what you think. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 30, 2008

Entry for April 30, 2008

Today I'm going to start a new thing here on my blog. With the economic situation now a days, many of us are starting to feel the pinch. I thought that I would start putting a money saving tip in my blog whenever I make an entry. Soooo.....

Money Saving Tip-- When you make your coffee, put coffee in an insulated carafe after it finishes brewing. Saves electricity and keeps coffee from getting that thick, burned taste after warming too long.

On this day in history 1945-- Adolph Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide. Go here to read a short essay on Hitler's final days. Also, go here for another short essay.

Crochet-- I've been taking a little break from crocheting. I had too many irons in the fire so to say. Wellllllll, I have to get busy again. I need to make a baby blanket for my cousin, my very good friend's daughter, the wife of dh's co-worker, and my niece. Whew! I'm pooped out just thinking about it!I'm not sure if I'll make them all round ripples like I've been doing or if I'll try something else. Actually, I have one started but it seems to be slow going since it's made with a smaller hook and uses baby yarn. I was thinking of using that one for my cousin's baby since they live in Florida and use ww for the others. Wish me luck getting all of these finished! (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 29, 2008 #2

Chihuahua!



I just saw this and thought it was worth sharing. Hope you enjoy!
(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 29, 2008

Entry for April 29, 2008

Just had to show this one. I tutor DGD in math and a little reading. She looks so cute here during one of our sessions that I had to show you. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 27, 2008

Entry for April 27, 2008

A monument to Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, founder of the Spanish settlement of Cebu, the first capital of the Philippines.
On this day in history 1565 The first Spanish settlement in the Philippines was established in Cebu City by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Go here to read about the early history of the Spanish in the Philippines. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 16, 2008

Entry for April 16, 2008

Here's the rr baby afghan that I finished for the newest member of my brother's fiancee's family. I finally used up most of the "pinks" in my stash. I think I need to go buy more but dh may have fits over it! Anyway, I hope my dear readers like it. It took me less than a week to make. I definitely am getting faster with these.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 15, 2008

Entry for April 15, 2008

On this day in history 1920, a paymaster for a shoe company in South Braintree, Mass., and his guard were shot and killed by two men who escaped with over $15,000. On May 5, 1920, two Italians, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were apprehended by the police. Both men were armed when apprehended and lied during questioning. It was common knowledge that both men were militant anarchists. On July 14,1921 both men were found guilty. The legal manuevering through the legal system lasted until April 9, 1927,when Sacco and Vanzetti were sentenced to death. They were executed on August 23, 1927. This case was well known during the 20th century because proof that they had murdered and robbed anyone was nonexistant. Their reputation as anarchists, and the fact that they were poor was believed by many to be the reason they were convicted and executed. To read more about this trial go to the following webpages
University of Pennsylvania
Court Tv

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 11, 2008

Entry for April 11, 2008

No one said I was known for quickly getting my pictures developed. Here's an afghan that I was making my brother for Christmas '06. I didn't get it finished on time so I gave it to him when dh and I visited him over Easter weekend '07. It is made out of voodoo yarn and a strand of ww. I used a Q hook for this project. It is extremely warm and I enjoyed working on it during the cold winter months.I put aside my other projects because my db and his fiancee liked the last baby afghan I made so much that they asked me if I'd make one for her niece's baby girl who is being born today. This one is pastel pinks and white. When I finish it, I'll post a photo for you to see. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 10, 2008

Entry for April 10, 2008

There has been some discussion lately at a crochet forum I visit about what to do with those little ends of the skeins that aren't really big enough to make anything out of. Well, I'm a hoarder and hate to throw them away. Also, I'm rather burned out on making granny squares. What I have been doing is spool knitting and then taking the cord I've made and using a Q hook to crochet a mat for my fur babies to cuddle up on when they take their "naps." These things are easy to carry in my purse and I often pull out my spool and go to work when I'm stuck waiting places. As you can see from the picture, my Nellie Belle is quite the ham and had to sneak in the picture. I didn't know she was there until I "developed" the picture on the computer! LOL! Does anyone else have any ideas of what to do with small balls of left-over yarn? Let me know! (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for April 09, 2008

Entry for April 09, 2008

My new camera--
I just realized that I have completed quite a few crochet projects this year. Here they are Completed 2008 demi slippers (1pr), chenille afghan, dog sweater for MILs chi, ski hat, half moon shawl, boucle hat and scarf set, red/white dog sweater, blue & white rr, scarf with headband set (2), headband, rr for baby(2), pink baby hoodie .
I started another baby blanket last night. It is made out of baby yarn and a small hook so it will take a while. It's made in strips that will be whip-stiched together after they're all made. Baby isn't due until the end of the year so I have time (I hope) to finish it. I think this will be a WIP in between other things like some of the UFOs around the house (UnFinished Objects).
Yesterday I had to buy a new digital camera. My old one wouldn't recharge. It was a Philips and the battery was built in and couldn't be replaced. Pretty "cheesy" thing to do and definitely not environmentally friendly to have to dispose of a camera after about a year and a half. Oh, and you can bet on me buying a different brand with a changeable battery. (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)