Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (30 April 2012)

Here's a cute pair of baby booties to crochet. They look like cowboy boots complete with spurs! This is an interesting pattern and small enough to make on those hot summer days that are coming up. Enjoy!

Not Much Going on Today

Not too much is going on today. I'm washing clothes and I'll be putting them on the clothes line in a few minutes.  Ummmmm, having some Starbucks coffee. Nah, I'm not a coffee snob, I just get such a good deal on it at a salvage grocery store in Louisville that I've been buying it lately. Another thing I've been wasting time on doing is making stick figures  online. Here's my little empty nest family--

Okay, I don't hear the washer anymore, time to hang some clothes. Think I'll work on a baby blanket while I watch the clothes dry. Take care....

Another Quick, I Want to Share with You Posts ;)

I saw this and thought it was so cute and fun that I wanted to pass it on with you. This blog shows you how to make scratch off tickets! Check it out!

I'm so excited! For over a year I've been saving points from various things I'm doing on the Internet and finally had enough to cash in for gift cards at Amazon and I bought a Kindle Fire. Whoo, hoo! I love my 3G Kindle and I'm like a kid at Christmas time waiting for my Fire.

Y'all enjoy your weekend...

Make Your Own Buttons

One of my friends on Facebook posted this link and I have to share it with you before I forget. Here's how to make your own buttons out of bone rings or other similar round objects. Really great idea when you consider how expensive buttons have gotten. Here's the link .

Shawl Is Done!

Here's the finished shawl.

 Closeup of the Edge--

For the edging, I made shells out of triple crochet. I ended up with less than 3 inches to weave in of the darker yarn!

Next project is started. I'm making a baby blanket out of pink and off-white. Not sure if  I'm going to use another color or not. I have to make up my mind soon.

We got our garden tilled up today. Down here, folks say to plant your garden on Derby weekend and that's coming up soon.

Later my friends...

Quick Trip to Thrift Store Yesterday

I made a quick trip to the local thrift store yesterday just because I had a few dollars burning a hole in my pocket and also because I hadn't visited there for a while. I bought only 2 things but I'm pretty darned happy with what I got.

The first thing I got was a pretty summer top in new condition. It's an Old Navy brand and was only $3. It should go with most everything because it's white and I think it may look nice belted with a sash to wear with a broomstick skirt--I'll have to check this out though..

And then for $5, I got this serving dish that matches my Pfaltzgraff dishes. I'm always on the look out for odds and ends to match these except I do not need any more plates (I have 70+), saucers or coffee cups. Serving pieces and bowls are what I'm scoping out.

There's a story about these dishes. When dh and I were newlyweds, he brought me back a basic set of these dishes from the Navy Exchange overseas in the Philippines. There were only 4 place settings so I  kept them packed away like a sentimental keepsake or something. I started finding odds and ends of this design at thrift stores and yard sales. I have an aunt who is seemingly able to find anything and she bought me a gazillion pieces too. So for the last 10 years we have been using these dishes. DH doesn't like them because they get very hot in the microwave so I keep a couple odd plates just to reheat things on. I love these dishes and the thoughtfulness of my non-domestic husband surprising me with the original set. Sometimes he amazes me. :)

Only 2 more rows to go on my shawl! I've been bad about keeping up with weaving in the ends when I change colors at the end of every row. Maybe I can "hide the ends" to take a picture in the next day or too so you can see the "finished" project. ;)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pfaltzgraff Dishes Available at Amazon

A Bit of Musical Humor for You Today

I've had this sitting in my email box for quite a while meaning to share it with you but oh, well, it's that darned old timers making me forgetful. Anyway, what was I saying??? Oh yeah, I want to share this funny musical video with you. Enjoy everyone!

Just Letting You Know--

I found a yarn giveaway. Go to allfreeknitting and put in your entry. There will be 5 winners and each winner will receive 2 skeins of Alp Natural yarn. Good luck everyone!

Hmmm, What's Wrong with this Picture??

I was looking at the picture of the shawl I'm working on and I realized that the spacing between the groups of  3 double crochets, seems to have a bigger "gap" between them since I picked up this project to work on after not doing anything with it for a while. See what I mean?

Then I realized that I didn't put the ch 1 between the sets of  3 dc when I first started! I sometimes get confused because all "basic granny" patterns are not the same. Some have the ch 1 between the groups of  3 dc and some don't. Some patterns have a ch 2 in the corners and some have a ch 1. I'm so confused! The pattern I'm using doesn't say to put the ch 1 between the groups so I should have reread the pattern before I resumed work on this. If this was only a single color I would frog it but I'm going to say that I wanted a smaller "gap" at the top/neck of the shawl to make it warmer around the neck. Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Comes in Ebook format too!

WIP Wednesday for 25 April 2012

I've started working on one of my ufos and I should be finishing it up soon. It's going to be a nice, warm shawl that I plan to wear with jeans or denim skirts this fall and winter. The yarn I'm using is Caron Dazzleaire that I found at the Dollar Tree.

Here's a look at my progress:

A closeup look at the yarn:

The pattern I'm using is very basic. I found it somewhere on the Internet years ago and neglected to include the url or other reference. If someone knows who to give credit to let me know, but it is such a basic thing that it might not belong to anyone. Anyway, here it is:

Basic Half Granny Square Shawl:
Ch 4
Row 1: 2dc ch2 3dc in fourth Ch from hook. Ch 3 turn. (ch3 = first dc now and throughout)
Row 2: 2dc in first dc, (3dc ch2 3dc) in next sp (in between 3dc groups), 3 dc in top of turning chain. Ch 3 turn.
Row 3: 2dc in first dc, 3 dc in next sp, (3dc ch2 3dc, Point made) in next
sp, 3dc in next sp, 3dc in last dc.
Repeat row 3 until the shawl is the desired size. Then add a border, fringe or finish however else you may want.


And here's my never-ending piece of work--Nellie Belle!

Don't Forget Mother's Day.

Not Happy with Blogger...

Don't care for this new blogger. Had a hard time posting pictures--said I didn't have enough room to post more.  Then it let me do it. I wonder what is going on??? With this new layout, I forget to put labels on my posts and this will make it harder for me to find certain posts in the future. I also forgot to put the title on because of where the new spot is to put one. Hmmmm......

Pink Chenille Scarf

I made this scarf from a stitch pattern I found in The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet. This book is great to learn new stitches/designs from. Because one end was scalloped and the other straight, I made 2 sections of the same size and whipped stitched them together so both ends had the scalloped look to them. I used a chenille-type yarn from my stash Hobby Lobby and it is so soft. I think I made this a bit big but that's okay; I can wrap it around my neck a few times for extra warmth. Here's the pics:

I'm also working on a ufo shawl that I started a few months ago and put aside because it has lots of ends to weave in and that sometimes frustrates me. I really want to finish it because it's starting to look nice. That's a picture for another day.
It's really been chilly here the last week or two. Hope y'all are staying warm! Take care...

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (23 April 2012)

I've been looking at many afghan patterns lately online and in some books I have. I ran across this one and really thought it was cute although not necessarily what I'm looking for at the present time.  What is nice about this one is it would probably be one that a boy would like and sometimes it is hard to find things to crochet for boys.

Have to get to the post office today. I'm way overdue mailing something out...Sometimes it is tough being a hermit. Take care everyone and y'all have a great week....

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Love This Square But...

Love this:

But not this:

Gee, my walls look a strange color here. 

I think I might use these squares as accent squares but not to do the entire afghan. I think it took me about 20 minutes to weave in the ends on one square so it would take quite a few hours to weave the ends in on all the squares in an afghan.

Looking for a Pattern

I have promised to make a queen size afghan for a friend of mine, my choice of patterns. It is for another Minnesota Vikings fan so it will be in purple, white and gold. I was thinking I could enlarge this pattern enough to make it the right size and play around with the placement of the squares to make a really interesting look to it. I'm still searching in case I can find something "better." I know that with the weather warming up, I don't want something too big to work on so squares seem the way to go. I am definitely open to suggestions about other patterns. Send me your ideas....

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Take care....


Caron Natura 1-lb. Yarn at Amazon

Today's Project Is a Purple Scarflette

Just whipped this up today. I saw some purple novelty yarn in my stash and decided to make this as a quick project to use up some novelty yarn called "Knitting Funky Fringe' and a partial skein of purple yarn. I used a wave stitch and kept on going until I used two things of the novelty yarn.  Maybe I should have used a more lacy stitch to show off the yarn. Anyway, here's a picture:

Y'all have a nice weekend....

Baby Blues Sweater...

It's finished! I frogged the collar and crocheted shells around the neckline. I sewed ribbons to the top to have a pretty closure. I also applied fray check to the ends of the ribbons to well, prevent fray. ;) Anyway, I am so glad it is done. Here's the finished product:

Oops, looks like I didn't smooth the front down before snapping a pic.  The color is off in this picture, the sweater is darker blue and the background is actually sage green and rust stripes. The sweater is going to get a quick wash and then put in my gift drawer. 

Think I  may resume work on a shawl that is currently languishing in UFO limbo.

Take care y'all...

Info on Baby Sweater

I loved the baby sweater I was making until I got to the collar. The directions were not easily followed and my collar turned out all frumpy looking. I looked at other's finished sweaters on Ravelry and some of the other collars are also kind of frumpy looking so it isn't just me with this problem. I'm going to frog my collar and I think I'll just put a pretty shell edging on mine. I looked around for the pattern since some of you asked for it and it's here.  One thing I didn't realize when I started the pattern is that there isn't any way to fasten the front. You need to improvise something if you want it to close. Another problem with the pattern is when making the 2 front panels, you should actually make the yoke one stitch smaller because when you make the pretty shell design, you have an extra stitch which is no big deal when you sew it together but it is an error that should be fixed in the posted pattern. I'm going to try a snap closing with a bow at the top and see how that works out. Stay tuned...

A Quick Share with You...

A friend posted this on Facebook and I have to share it with you it is soooo funny.




This is a quick one because I'm off to a doctor's appointment (just routine). More information on the baby sweater coming up. See you later....

Running Short...

Running short on the yarn for this baby sweater. I may or may not have enough left for the collar.  I bought this yarn eons ago and was going to use it to make a coat for my Opi so I only have the 1 skein. I'd hate having to try to buy another skein just for a yard or so. Hmmmm, I might have to come up with a nice contrasting color for the collar, or I can check out some of the novelty yarns in my stash and see if they'll work. Then again, maybe, just maybe there's enough yarn in that tiny little ball to do the collar.  I don't know so stay tuned...

Oh, if you're wondering who Opi is, he's my little chihuahua boy--

Crochet Dude Crocheting Tools

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (16 April 2012)

I know, I know, I've been really forgetful about posting Monday's free patterns lately. I'm trying to do better but I have what my sons call  "old timers" and it makes me forgetful. Today I remembered--YAY! Anyway, today's pattern is for a patriotic table setting and it includes placemat, napkin ring and coaster and it's rated for a beginner crocheter. It's nice looking and should be a quick project to work up in time for the patriotic holidays coming up in the next few months such as Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July. Anyway, here's the link for you.

Everyone have a nice week!

Needed a Quick Finish Project

I needed a quick project to keep my crochet mojo going. So, I made a 1 skein scarflette project using a wavy stitch. I dug out a spare button from my button jar and voila, it was finished in no time.  Hubby says it looks like a camouflage scarf. Hmmph, I don't think so because the colors are a little brighter and lighter than cammo colors. Anyway, here's a look at it:

Thanks for visiting. Hugs...

Update on Blue Baby Sweater

I'm working on a blue colored baby sweater sized for about a 3 to 6 month old baby. I had this pattern saved on my computer for a few years so I really don't know where it came from. Wish I would have saved where I got it from so I could share with you. Anyway, so far I'm liking it. I have the back and one side of the front done. Need a couple sleeves, the other side of the front and a collar yet. I have to go to the store for some ribbon to use on the hat and booties to go with this.

Hope y'all hare having a great weekend! Hugs...

The Baby Twins Have Clothes

My baby twin models are now both dressed. They still don't have any names. I was thinking of Simon and Simone, Nicholas and Anastasia, Buster and Rosie (Daisy) or I don't know. I'm open to suggestions for naming them. Anyway, back to the clothes thing, Goodwill didn't have much selection so I'll try to find something a little dressier later on at another thrift store but right now, they both have play clothes and sleepers. Here they are all set for play time:

I'm going through a second childhood playing with my dolls! Hubby just rolls his eyes at me when he sees me with them.

Mailed Giveaway Items Except...

I mailed the items for those of you who won the giveaway. I haven't been able to mail one because I still need Linda's address. So, if Linda is reading this, please send me your address so that I can put the men's slippers in the mail to you.

My Baby Models and WIP Update

I've been sleuthing around the 'Net looking at baby dolls that are approximately newborn size. I actually found a good deal on ebay and ordered one. Then I saw another and ended up winning the auctions for both of them! I really, really wanted one of those life-like dolls but them babies would have moved me into the poor house. I think I did ok with mine. One didn't have clothing so I temporarily put a doll dress on her him from one of the dolls I had here for my adopted g-granddaughter to play with. That doll I'm going to designate as the boy and the other will be the girl. Here they are:

The nameless twins

This will be the boy-twin. I really need to get their wardrobes together lol! I love his yawn.

Here's the girl twin. 

The project I started last night--frogged the darned thing. I don't know if there is errata available for this pattern but I could not come up with the correct number of shells. On Ravelry, one member had a link for errata but it just hooked up to Annie's Attic and when I typed in the pattern info, no information was available. Life is too short and I have too many items on my want-to-do list to stay frustrated with one pattern; so, after frogging, here is what I have:

Got to get busy and "find" my guest room. May be having company from out-of-state next week. Have a great weekend y'all!

It's Finished and Something Else Is Started

Here it is, all finished. In my previous blog entry I posted a link for the pattern if anyone is interested.

Here's my new project:

WIP Wednesday--A Baby Sweater

This is what I'm working on. I just have an edge to put on it and a few buttons. The pattern is called
The Hexagon Sweater Revisited found at Cozy's Corner. The body of the sweater is made out of 2 floppy hexagons sewn together and then the collar, edging on sweaters body and cuffs is added. So far it's been easy and I hope it finishes up nicely. I sometimes feel like I jinx myself if I post pictures before a project is finished.  On the other hand, posting pictures does motivate me somewhat to finish projects. Not sure what size this is since I used yarn with a different gauge.  The pattern calls for sport weight yarn and I used Carons SS ww. I'm guessing that since the pattern is for a 3-6 month old, mine is for perhaps a 12 month old? Anyway, I'm not sure of how big the little one is who will be getting this so it will probably be one of those "grow into" things.

OK, this is is for now. Hope y'all are having a great week. Hugs to you from chilly Kentucky...

What I'm Up To

About 5' 9" lol! Nah, I've been working on a baby sweater to send to my friend Laurie.  It's for the grandchild of a dear friend of hers. She sent the yarn to make an over-sized baby blanket and there was enough yarn left to make a cute white sweater. I was feeling kind of bad that there was so much yarn left-over ('cause yarn ain't cheap) so I started the sweater. I'm finished with the sweater's body, cuffs and collar, just have a bit of an edging to do down the front and bottom plus sew on some buttons. If CADD doesn't kick in, I should have this finished very, very soon.


I've also been from one end of the Internet to the other looking for a somewhat life-sized new born baby doll to model some baby things. I found one, gently used at a reasonable price but nekkid as a jay bird! I'll be hitting up the thrift store shortly to see what they have clothing-wise for her. Anyway, here's my new baby, she's on her way and should arrive home in a few days.

Take care y'all!

Give Away Winners

OK, here are the winners for the giveaway:  Homeschooljewelrymom, Linda,and Skoots1mom are the winners! You can email your address at sharonmg1957@yahoo.com and I'll get your things in the mail to you.

I am so happy to "meet" some new people here in blogland. I'm sending hugs to all of you...

Links to a Couple Free Crochet Patterns for Kindle Users

As I was scrounging around for free reads to download to my Kindle, I noticed that there were a few crochet patterns. I'm putting them here for anyone else who may be interested. Remember to double-check the price before you hit the purchase button because sometimes they're only free for a limited time.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B007S27JXY/N50-20/KINDLE/

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B007S1XQAU/F40-20/KINDLE/

If you don't have a kindle, you can get a free app for your computer so you can still get Kindle books.

Brotchens: Take 2

Second batch of brotchens turned out great! I modified the recipe so I wouldn't burn the house down  and had much better luck. This time I baked at 425 (instead of 450) and for 13 minutes (instead of 15-20). Look at how great they turned out this time.

Time to let the fire department know that we don't need them on standby anymore tonight.
See ya later...

Bread machine cook books

Almost Burned the House Down!

I tried a new recipe for brotchens. Brotchens are a German roll that is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. I honestly followed the directions EXACTLY and then sat down outside on the patio and went in after they'd been baking at 450 for 15 minutes because that's what the recipe said to do. Smoke was BILLOWING out of the stove! Choke, gasp, turn on the exhaust vent, ceiling fans, and open all the windows and doors! Such a sorry sight I don't even know if the birds I tossed them out to will eat them.

I did have better luck with the deviled eggs I made--

.

And the Easter eggs I made using food coloring instead of the kit turned out pretty nice too. Check out at what I used for Easter grass lol!

I started making some more brotchens so check back with me to make sure I didn't burn the house down!

Wishing you all a blessed Easter.

ps I'll be making a posting tomorrow about who won the giveaway so stay tuned...

Here's the Reveal

Here's the baby/toddler ghan FINALLY finished! I got bogged down with the granny squares and my CADD (crochet attention deficit disorder) kicked in quite a bit. I love how it turned out though. I used this pattern as inspiration. Yarn is Caron and is super soft. Need to wash it and package it up because it's new home is going to be in California. I ended up with quite a bit of extra white yarn so I'm working on a something-something to go with it but that's for another day ;).

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Easter.

Don't Procrastinate, Time is Running Out

You have until midnight tomorrow to enter the Giveaway!!! Go to the post and get your entry in!

Late But Very Appreciative

As I was perusing some of my recent posts, I realized that when I did a "catch-up" post, I neglected to let you see the great giveaway I was fortunate enough to win. Thanks Debi! Debi has a great blog and you should check it out because it is full of all sorts of crochet-y things. Frequently, she posts patterns too.

Now I feel better!

Just a Reminder--

Blooming tree in our yard. Can't remember what it is.

Even though the picture has nothing to do with this post, I have to share it with you because it's so pretty. We planted this in memory of our dear canine friend Barney who passed away a couple years ago.



For the giveaway--> Go here and get your entry. 




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