My Grand-Doggie and His New Sweater

Finally I got a chance to see my son's furbaby Tiny. Tiny is an itty-bitty chihuahua that at the ripe age of 7, was adopted by my son and daughter-in-law. As soon as I heard about him and how small he was, I made a nifty blue sweater for him. In the pictures, it is kind of hard to see but there are ridges down the back of the sweater. Pattern is archived but you can still access it. Something I learned a few weeks ago about archived pages, is that if for some reason you can't get to the archived page you want, you can go to the top of the page (with the error message on it) where it shows you a bar graph looking thing with dates and if you click on a different date you may be able to access the page.

And my baby with the grand-doggie:

I am going to be honest with you, I did get in a hurry and "goof" on this sweater. I forgot to put the buttonhole on the front and I ended up putting a snap there and a "dummy" button on top for a decorative look. I love this pattern, it is easy, cute and made for small chihuahuas.

I spoke out on political/serious subjects yesterday. I try to keep this blog fairly free of controversial topics but yesterday was an exception and I'll try to steer clear of these types of topics from now on. Too much drama in the world already and it is nice to have a drama-free zone.

That's all for now folks--hope your weekend is going well.

Sharon

Sadness in Our Home

Our Opi passed away this morning. We weren't expecting it so there is much sadness here. Here's a look at happier days with him.




For more about Opi and his sister Nellie Belle, you can see their blog here.

A Little Bit Different Sort of Crochet Project

I know I have been more or less absent from here lately and I'm sorry about that. I'm behind on the CAL to make my chi's hats, posting Monday pattern link and the photo a day for June. Life has just gotten in the way.

I'm frogging a blankie I made for Opi and Nellie Belle a few years ago out of magic ball (left over) yarn. The stitches were too big and their little paws got tangled up.  Out of the salvaged yarn, I am spool knitting a super-thick cord and crocheting it with an "S" hook into a round comfy  mat for them to have on the chilly floor. This is a project to work on when I'm out on the patio. I must say this is a very time consuming thing to make.

I have some more things to share with you but that's for another time. I'm still trying to catch up on my blog reading.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Today this spool knitting book is free on Amazon. Be sure to check the price at checkout to ensure  that it is still free.

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Spool Knitting Goodies

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.

Happy National Dog Day!

Happy National Dog Day from mine to yours!

Opi

Nellie Belle

Babies Went to the Vet

The kids went to the vet today. They had to have a checkup and get some of their shots. It is amazing to see our diva--Nellie Belle--become a timid and scared little girl when she is usually a rambunctious alpha dog. Opi was his usual calm self. Here's my kids:

Opi with his dad

Opi's shirt had "attitude"

Nellie Belle

My husband gets a kick out of me dressing the "kids" up to see the vet. I told him that it was like when I was a kid and my mom would make sure we were all cleaned up to see the doctor and that our underwear didn't have holes in them lol!

Hope y'all are having a great week...

My FurBaby Model Went into Hiding

I made Nellie Belle a shrug based on this pattern. After having her try it on 3 times for "fittings" she ran off to bed with dh. That is totally out of personality for Nellie B--usually she has to be the last one up. Anyway, I'll "capture" her tomorrow and have her model it for you.

Nellie is Kickin' Back with Dad...

Just thought I'd share this cute picture of Nellie Belle. This is the position you'll see her in most nights as she cuddles in the recliner by her "daddy" and gets her belly tickled... :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Search Amazon.com for chihuahua calendar 2011 (several versions/prices are available)

Nellie Braved the Cold to Greet Her Daddy

I couldn't resist sharing this photo of Nellie Belle and Ray with you. There are a couple more pictures of the chi kids, ready to greet Ray after work, on their blog.

Look--Ray brought in the mail too--An Annie's Attic Catalog!

Search Amazon.com for annies attic mysteries

Opi Is in Photo Contest

Kodak is having a photo contest on Facebook. If you could, I'd appreciate it if you would vote for my Opi. Here's the page http://apps.facebook.com/holiday-pets/entries

I asked for help from my crochetville friends but it was kicked off the board. I don't know how many times I have voted for contests other members were in and I almost feel "picked on" over this. Sigh...

And We Were Off to the Veterinarian's Clinic Again

My 2 chis, Opi and Nellie Belle have problems with allergies. Nellie was scratching quite a bit and Opi was too but he really tore his skin up. The vet checked for fleas because that's a common cause for skin allergies but neither of them have fleas. Both little ones ended up getting steroid shots and Opi is on antibiotics too. Here's a picture of them ready to go to the vet's.

Don't they look like they're saying, "Please don't take us for shots Mommy. We'll be good"?

Happy Birthday Ray!!!

Today is dh's birthday.  He's 4 1/2 years younger than me--sshhh don't tell anyone!  Here he is coming home from work today and Opi and Nellie Belle are greeting him with balloons. I made him a cake and brought home some KFC--one of his favorites. I told him that we'd go this weekend and he should pick out something for himself. I never know what to get him. I said he should get whatever he wanted as long as it didn't have wheels because he's been talking about Camaros, Harleys and Ford 4x4s.  Men and male menopause geez... ;)

Hope y'all are having a great day too.  Hugs...

Search Amazon.com for male menopause

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

If you've been coming for a visit to my blog for a while, you may have noticed that the little loves in my life are 2 rambunctious Chihuahuas--Opi and Nellie Belle.  Today's free pattern link is for a amigurumi fashioned as a Chi!  Go on over and take a look 'cause you know you really, really want to!  Hugs y'all...

Crochet Project for Chihuahua Kids Complete!

My 2 chihuahuas love to sleep with us; unfortunately they have a hard time getting in bed with us because our bed sits up higher than the norm.  DH made a set of stairs for them to climb on the cedar chest at the foot of the bed then they can hop in bed off of it.  I've been concerned that their nails might scratch the cedar chest's surface so I crocheted a rug to sit on the top of it.  To keep the rug from sliding (with them on it) I put down some of that non-skid shelf liner you can get rolls of at Dollar Tree for, get ready, a dollar!  It works pretty good too. Here's the pictures.  I really need to put some sort of finish on their stairs.  Here's the pics!

Here's the finished project.

Here's the non-skid shelf liner I used

Here's the stairs dh made from scrap wood (I really do need to paint them or something!)

Hope your weekend is going GREAT!  Hugs to all...

ps. I used 3 strands of ww yarn, N hook and did sc in the back looks for a ribbed look.

Search Amazon.com for dog mat

Missing "Daddy"

My fur babies have been driving me up a tree!  Nellie Belle and Opi are missing their daddy.  DH went on a trip for work last Wednesday and the "kids" have been barking all night at every little creaking noise that the house makes!  Needless to say, I haven't been getting much sleep.  Nellie B's usual habit is to go to the front door  about 5 minutes before dh gets home from work.  Nellie gets a sad look on her face like she's depressed or something when he doesn't come home.  The "kids" have their evening routine interrupted too--there's no daddy to cuddle in the recliner with! Mom isn't much of a recliner person but I've been making an effort to give them some cuddle time there.  I've been missing him too but I know that he'll be back on Friday but they don't understand that.  I let Nellie B. listen to the phone when I talk to him everyday and that perks her up for a bit.  I'm going to put some pics in here and then I'll go spend some quality time with the "babies".  

Here's Opi, moping in his "tent"

Nellie Belle says--"Can't find Daddy anywhere!"

I've had plenty of crochet time but I'm not finishing anything because I've been flitting between 3 different projects.  In a few more days things will get back to normal.  I've been wondering what I used to do when dh was in the Navy and deploying all the time then I remember that I had human kids at home that kept me really busy.  The 3 of us at home now need to get lives or something. ;)  Y'all have a great week!

The January Snow Here at Home

The things we do for our kids.  When we had our "big" snow of 4-6 inches, that was a big deal for our little chihuahuas, Opi and Nellie Belle.  If you think about it, that amount of snow hits them in the middle of their faces!  DH, the good doggie daddy that he is, shoveled an area for them to go outside to do their duty.  Here's a glimpse of  the "rest area." Barney, our "big girl" didn't have any problem with the snow as you can see by all of her foot prints.She loves to frolic in the snow.

DH thought I should put this picture in here so you can see what our pond fish are living under. He made this cover to put over the pond to keep all the leaves and winter debris out of the pond to save beaucoup effort to clean it in the spring.

Barney Finally Gets a New Bed

Our little chis--Opi and Nellie Belle have 3 beds between the 2 of them not to mention all sorts of little blankies/mats/rugs that I have crocheted for them to snooze on. For Christmas, Santa brought Barney her own big girl bed. Opi staked a claim to it right off the bat. Today, for the 1st time, Barney was able to take a nap in her own big girl bed.  Hey, you can check out my chis blog if you want to.  Hope you enjoy. Hugs....

Barney Napping in New "Big Girl" Bed

 

Opi, the Bed Thief!

 

Hmmm, Maybe Opi Was Giving Paybacks!

A Crocheted Mat for My Fur-Babies

Hi everyone!  Here is my latest crochet project.  It is a crocheted mat for my fur-babies for resting on the cold floor.  I made it out of 3 strands of ww yarn.  Two strands were from an assortment of scrap colors and one strand was black ww yarn.  I used a Q-hook to crochet it.  The 1st and last rows were single crochet and the remainder of the rows were half-double crochet.  The edging I made by doing a round of single crochet.  The 2nd row of the edging I did by crocheting triple crochet-chain 1-single crochet in one single crochet then skip one then do repetitions of  triple crochet-chain one-single crochet up to the corners.  For the corners, I did double crochet-chain 1-double crochet.  As you can see in the following pictures my chis--Nellie Belle and especially Opi like it.

Hugs to all...Sharon

Roof on Patio Finished!

We had a roof built over our patio this summer. It is great! We should be able to use the hot tub a little longer during the year, we won't have to sit directly in the sun, and the ceiling fans will help to keep us cool! This is something we've wanted for a long time. When we first started talking about it dh wanted to put one of those 1970ish metal roofs on. I vetoed that and guess who won? LOL!

My Chihuahuas Have Their Own Blog!

Opi and Nellie Belle have their own blog now. Go here to visit them. Hugs and wagging tails...