I'm Doing a CAL--Making Something for My Babies :)

The other day, I told you about an upcoming CAL to crochet summer hats for your K9 children. Sara of Posh Pooch Designs has put the day 1 instructions out. Today is pretty simple and all you'll need is your measuring tape. My Opi cooperated for this and his little head is 10". I tried to chase Nellie Belle down but she's not cooperating so I'll have to wait until later when she's less suspicious of me. I think I'm going to enjoy this CAL. I'm trying to figure out what embellishments to use on these hats though. I'll figure something out. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's creations.

Here's a couple pictures of my "kids."

Nellie Belle

Opi

My "kids" aren't going to be happy with me after today. Starting tomorrow, they're going on a diet of allergen-free dog food. They both get allergies, Opi pretty bad sometimes, so we're taking them off all goodies and the special Sunday dinners (canned food) and after 6 weeks, we'll reintroduce things one at a time to see if we can figure out what triggers the allergies. They're not going to like it...

Interesting Site

photo/design from here

I've wanted to learn how to crochet off of charts for some time now. I was going to take an online class but it's $75 and I just can't justify spending the money on myself right now. This site was mentioned in one of the crochet groups I follow on Facebook and I thought I would share it with you. The charts are for cross-stitch but you can also use them for crochet too. There is also the ability to take your own picture and make a chart for it too. Check it out. I'm hoping to see some examples of this type of crocheting in the future. Have a fun weekend folks!

Photo a Day for June 9th

Today's topic for photo-a-day in June is "Your View Today." I love my backyard, sometimes it's like a garden/wildlife preserve. Today, I wasn't able to get a snap of  the wildlife with the exception of a robin in a tree. I ended up making my photo a collage of some of the spots in my backyard--flowers, chives starting to sprout in a pot, garden and the robin I've already mentioned. I just noticed the "orbs" in my garden picture--does that mean there are spirits floating around my veggies?? lol :)

Have a great weekend folks!

Found a Crochet-A-Long for the Dogs!

Sara over at Posh Pooch Designs is having a crochet-a-long. Participants will receive the instructions for crocheting a cute hat for their canine baby via email. After crocheting the hat, you should post pictures of it on Sara's Facebook page. It sounds like great fun so I thought I'd let you know about it too.  Here's the link for it.

Whoo Hoo--More Yarn Up for Grabs!!!

Over at Stitches, Scraps and Sparkles in the Sun there is a yarn giveaway. This is a great blog and you might want to check it out. Homeschooljewelrymom is giving away some Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton yarn (your choice of color) or two skeins of Bernat Shakerspun 100% wool yarn.


Good luck!

Photo a Day for June 8th

Today's photo subject matter is 6:00.

Here's an older picture and it represents what the "babies" want about 6 PM--a snack! Here Opi is chowing down on a pig ear. When we have our supper, either we give the "babies" something to snack on or we have to listen to Opi cry and see Nellie Belle's sad eyes staring at us. The spoiled little ones sure have us figured out.

Here's some more information on the Photo of the Day for June if you're interested.

Chance to Get some Silk Sari Ribbon Yarn fer 'Nuthin!

Fair Trade Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon Yarn
Gifted By: Darn Good Yarn
Reviewed By: Jeanette Benoit, Editor for AllFreeCrochet.com

This Fair Trade Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon Yarn from Darn Good Yarn is a must-have for your yarn collection. This intensely dyed silk ribbon yarn supports a great cause, and creates unique yarn that's perfect for any knit or crochet project.

There have been many chances to win yarn lately. I enjoy sharing these with you because chances of me winning are small but there is a better chance that maybe someone I am "blogger buddies" with may win and that's almost as good! So, you should go here to see the details on how you have a chance(s) to win this beautiful yarn. Good luck everyone!

Photo of the Day for June 7th

Today's photo topic is "drink."

A cold one can taste good after mowing the yard. :)

If you'd like to join in with your own photos, you can get the info here.

WIP Wednesday (06 June 2012)

Getting there...

Photo a Day for June 6th

Today's subject is "hats." This is a picture of my gardening hat.

Bet you thought I'd post a crocheted one. Got ya!

Photo a Day for June 5th

Today's topic is "signs" and I couldn't think which of these I wanted to post so here's 2 pics for today.

Get a Chance to Win "Huggable Crochet" Book

Huggable Crochet
Gifted By: Krause Publications
ISBN: 978-1-4402-1423-3
Reviewed By: Jeanette Benoit, Editor for AllFreeCrochet.com

Huggable Crochet by Christine Lucas features the most adorable cute and cuddly animal crochet patterns you'll ever find. Inside, you will find more than 19 wonderful crochet patterns of animals from around the world. They are divided into 5 chapters: Forest Critters, Farm Friends, Ocean Dwellers, Safari Animals, and Exotic Creatures.

Go here to enter. Good luck, I hope one of my blogger friends wins!

Just off the Hook!

This was a "purse project" (project carried in purse) that I finished this morning for a quick sense of accomplishment. This is a modified version of the pattern I often use for slippers.



Dusting Slippers

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (04 June 2012)

photo from http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90234AD.html

This week's pattern is from Lion Brand. It is a circular afghan called Caitlin's Circle Afghan. If you look under my blog's header you will see a tab that lists other links to free patterns for round(ish) afghan patterns. i like this pattern because of the big wedges of colors.

Photo a Day for June 4th

"Close up" is the topic for today's photo. Here is a closeup of a lily in my backyard. My camera is not efficient when it comes to closeups. The auto focus seems to "slip" in and out as I aim the camera--grrrr....!

I love my lilies. I have this one growing in 1/2 of an old whiskey barrel that sits on an old tree stump. Originally, I put the lily bulbs in the barrel as a temporary measure until I figured out a place to put them. I liked them so well in the barrel that there is where they'll stay.

And It's Coming Along Nicely So Far--

The afghan I'm making for a friend! Love, love, love this pattern. It's simple and by varying the colors you can get an entirely different look. Pattern is found here.

Photo a Day for June 3rd

June the 3rd's photo topic is "On your plate."

I made hamburger patties to freeze. I buy the super-duper size chub of very lean ground beef at Sams and then use an old Tupperware hamburger press and containers. There were 26 hamburger patties and 3 packs of hamburger for other meals that I got out of 1 large chub.

I stopped at Big Lots to check out their yarn. I really like this color and came home with a pile of it. I hope it's good stuff. Big Lots price is printed on the label so it might be "cheapo stuff." It's a dark purple with a white thread running through it. I thought it would make a nice hat and scarf set. I'm bad, I'm supposed to be busting my stash and not adding to it. Sigh...

For more information on Photo a Day for June see here.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Hugs to all...

Score

My mil brought me this yesterday. She found it at a thrift store. Score! It's a soft, fluffy-ish, light gray yarn. I think it will make nice hats or maybe a scarf.

Photo a Day for June 2nd

Today's topic is "Empty."

My furry babies bowl is empty (almost) and needs to be filled!

For more information on the Photo a  Day for June see here.

Red Heart With Love Yarn Giveaway

Another chance to win more yarn and we all need that.

Red Heart With Love Yarn

Sponsored by allfreecrochetafghanpatterns

The winner of this giveaway will receive 2 skeins of Red Heart With Love Yarn: one skein Violet and one skein of True Blue. Red Heart With Love yarn is unlike any other acrylic worsted yarn you've seen. It's thick and sturdy but not scratchy. This is a deliciously soft yarn that you'll want to whip up into a cozy afghan.

So go here to enter!

Good luck!

You can buy at--> Red Heart With Love

Test of Fire: Election 2012 (Official HD Version)

Photo a Day for June

There's an activity going on to post a photo a day. Each day will have a new topic that should be represented in the photo. You can see more information here if you'd like to participate.

Today (June 1st), the topic is Morning:

Morning = Coffee, BIG mug of!


Note: this is the 1st time my walls turned out the correct color in a photo I've posted here!


Instead of those pricey single-serve coffee makers:

A Finished Crib Blanket

I really enjoyed making this pattern. It did seem to take a long time but maybe that's because it's mainly made out of single crochet.

The pattern is here.

Nice yarn stash storage unit:

WIP Wednesday (30 May 2012)

It's gonna be an afghan when it grows up! So far, what I have isn't representative of what it will look like. There will be broader bands of color through out the afghan.

The pattern I'm using is Hills and Plateaus Throw. It takes a bit of concentration the first 2 rows but then it is pretty routine crocheting that I like. In my version, I charted out the use of color and width of the stripes and also I'll be adding about 9 rows. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Y'all take care...

A Great Family Day

Yesterday, my younger son and his family came over to have a cookout with us. I am so thankful when they come to visit because they are always so busy working with their "not the same" working hours. So, I made cupcakes that the girls went crazy over (just from a cake mix I got at Aldi's). We had some crab salad and potato salad, baked beans, chips, Nathan's Hotdogs and thick hamburgers with all the toppings. It was pretty  much traditional picnic food and not too complicated so that made the day even more enjoyable.

Son burning cooking the burgers

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My baby boy son

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The oldest kid Ray "Keeping Things Cool"

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 Hey, dil Karen was already cool in the pool!

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dil and granddaughter of my heart

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Great-granddaughter of my heart.

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Of course the babies were there too.

Today I'm remembering those who sacrificed so much for us.

 Have a great week everyone.

A Time for Remembering...

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have gone before us; the military who stood tall ready to protect us and for some their loved ones who have passed on. Traditionally Memorial Day in the U.S. was celebrated on May 30th and called Decoration Day. It was a day to decorate the graves of our fallen heroes. Now it falls on the last Monday in May and we use it more for the first camping trip of the year, the first cookout, picnic or vacations and swimming pools open for the season. As you raise your cup to toast the opening of the season, remember those who gave all so that you might have your life and freedom.

For me, Memorial Day always brings my brother to mind. He was born on May 30th--the traditional date for Memorial Day (date didn't vary then). He means so very much to me. We have disagreements and sometimes fallings-out but he's still my brother and he is always in my heart. Here's an early happy birthday greeting Little Brother!

Me and my brother!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!!!

And It's Another Chance to Win Yarn!!!

Go to this page on All Free Crochet Afghans for your chance to win some Martha Stewart Yarn. The winner of this giveaway will receive 2 skeins of Martha Stewart Crafts yarn Lion Brand Yarn: one skein of Glitter Eyelash yarn in sterling, and one skein of Extra Soft Wool Blend in lemon chiffon. Seems like there are a lot of chances to win free yarn lately. Good luck!

What's in the Box?

My door bell rang, the furbabies started barking something fierce. I go to the door and I'm greeted by this huge box.

I bring it in, open it up and much to my delight I see this:

It's some "raw" afghans! I'll be putting these afghans together for my good friend. Deadline is before Christmas so I do believe I'll make it.

That's all for now, I just wanted to let you see the ginormous pile of yarn that found its way to my house.

Hugs...

Another Contest to Win Yarn!

Picture from here

You can win 10 Skeins of Pickles Thin Organic Cotton Yarn by going to this page and putting in your entry. Sounds like a super prize to me! You get an entry for blogging about it and there are a few other opportunities for extra entries. I've never heard of this yarn before so it would be interesting to check it out. Good luck, I hope one of us wins!

Summer Hat Made

Needed a quick sense of accomplishment so I made a summer hat. I love this pattern. It was easy to work up. The only thing I wish was different about the pattern is that it had a gauge posted. I crochet rather loosely so this did turn out a tad bit big. That's okay, because I'm sure there will be a little shrinkage when it gets washed. I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby.

Here's a link for the free pattern.

Thanks for stopping in...

Your Chance to Get Some Yarn

(photo from http://www.allfreecrochet.com/sweeps/Magenta-ish-Stitch-Rock-Love-Sheep-ish-Vickie-Howell-Yarn)

Go to this page on AllFreeCrochet for your chance to win Stitch.Rock.Love yarn. There are a few options to get extra entries such as blogging about it like I'm doing. Good luck, I hope someone I know wins yay!

WIP Wednesday (23 May 2012) & Other Stuff

Working on my latest project, I have decided that I am a sloooow crocheter. I really have put several hours into this most days for about a week. OK, the truth be known, I am slow and easily distracted. I did start weaving some ends in after changing colors to save the procrastination at the the end. Anyway, I'm in love with the colors. If you've seen a previous post on this, you know that my cousin is expecting twins and I'm gambling on at least one being a girl. I still haven't heard if girls, boys or one of each will be joining the family but I know they will be loved. Now, here's the progress.

Yesterday, I posted a link to this article on a crochet group. I didn't make comments or evaluate it and no one had problems with me. What happened is some folks started bashing lawyers, talking about SEX, and acting like tattling little children "I'm going to tell Mr. X (the group administrator)." Needless to say, the whole, entire benefit of the article was lost because it was pulled from the group. I find people like these difficult to deal with. I enjoy sharing ideas and information with others but I find it hard to socialize face-to-face. Anyway, what made me irked is after being away from the computer for several hours, I saw all the bashing going on and as I was posting a comment that went something like "chill ladies" the entire posting went poof. So, what we are saying is that if you don't like what something says, write trash comments and then it will be pulled and others who may have benefited from the link don't matter--only your childish brattiness does. The group administrator was yanked out of his bed by a whiner and that's when he pulled the post. Some group members said the caller googled him and that's how his home phone number was obtained. I don't know if that is fact or speculation.  What I do know is that a little maturity wouldn't be remiss here. I'm climbing off my soap box now.

We're having beautiful weather here--in the 70s, warm and sunny. This weekend our weather is supposed to get in the 90s and that will be nice because our swimming pool is set up and the water will be warming up in the sun for this holiday weekend. Anyone have any big plans? I do believe we'll be in the pool and cooking out. 

Hugs to all you wonderful people....