A Couple Dishcloths Finished

Here are a couple dishcloths I finished last night. I think I'm going to like these. I especially like the "texturedness" of them.

Pattern

Starting to Make Dishcloths

Last night I started to make a dishcloth right before bedtime. I only got 1 partially completed but so far I like the pattern I'm using. The pattern has "ridges" that should be helpful when washing dishes and counters. Most people like crocheted dishcloths so I figure that I can put aside some of these as last minute gifts or maybe to give to our neighbors.

More Dishcloth Patterns

For Some, Holidays Aren't Cheerful

For many people, the holidays are not the season of happiness and cheer. For some the holidays bring on bouts of depression because of sad times in the past and separation from family/friends due to distance, death or dysfunction. After reading one woman's blog recently who was seeming to suffer this way, I was really touched. Maybe if we just reach out a hand of friendship we might ease the suffering of people like her. It isn't always the financially challenged who need our help during this time. I found the following article is right on to help someone suffering from seasonal depression.

9 Holiday Depression Busters

By T. Borchard

These 9 rules help me put the joy back into the festivities–or at least keep me from hurling a mistletoe at Santa and landing myself on the “naughty” list.

1. Expect the Worst

Now that’s a cheery thought for this jolly season. What I’m trying to say is that you have to predict bad behavior before it happens so that you can catch it in your holiday mitt and toss it back, instead of having it knock you to the floor. It’s simple math, really. If every year for the last decade, Uncle Ted has given you a bottle of Merlot, knowing full well that you are a recovering alcoholic and have been sober for more years than his kids have been out of diapers, you can safely assume he will do this again. So what do you do? Catch it in your “slightly-annoyed” mitt. (And maybe reciprocate by giving him a cheese basket for his high cholesterol.)

2. Remember to “SEE”

No, I don’t mean for you to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist. SEE stands for Sleeping regularly, Eating well, and Exercising. Without these three basics, you can forget about an enjoyable (or even tolerable) holiday. Get your seven to nine hours of sleep and practice good sleep hygiene: go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up in the same nightgown with the same man at the same time in the same house every morning.

Eating well and exercise are codependent, at least in my body, because my biggest motivator for exercising is the reduction in guilt I feel about splurging on dessert. Large quantities of sugar or high fructose corn syrup can poison your brain. If you know your weak spot–the end of the table where Aunt Judy places her homemade hazelnut holiday balls–then swim, walk, or jog ten extra minutes to compensate for your well-deserved treat. Another acronym to remember during the holidays is HALT: don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

3. Beef Up Your Support

If you attend Al-Anon once a week, go twice a week during the holidays. If you attend a yoga class twice a week, try to fit in another. Schedule an extra  therapy session as insurance against the potential meltdowns ahead of you. Pad yourself with extra layers of emotional resilience by discussing in advance specific concerns you have about X, Y, and Z with a counselor, minister, or friend (preferentially one who doesn’t gossip).

In my life with two young kids, this means getting extra babysitters so that if I have a meltdown in Starbucks like I did two years ago–before I knew the mall was menacing to my inner peace–I will have an extra ten minutes to record in my journal what I learned from that experience.

4. Avoid Toxic People

This one’s difficult if the toxic people happen to be hosting Christmas dinner! But in general, just try your best to avoid pernicious humans in December. And if you absolutely must see such folks, then allow only enough time for digestion and gift-giving. Drink no more than one glass of wine in order to preserve your ability to think rationally. You don’t want to get confused and decide you really do love these people, only to hear them say something horribly offensive two minutes later, causing you to storm off all aggravated and hurt. (This would also be a good time to remember Rule #1.)

5. Know Thyself

In other words, identify your triggers. As a highly sensitive person (as described in Elaine Aron’s book, “The Highly Sensitive Person”), I know that my triggers exist in a petri dish of bacteria known as the Westfield Annapolis Mall. Between Halloween and New Years, I won’t go near that place because Santa is there and he scares me with his long beard, which holds in its cute white curls every virus of every local preschool. Before you make too many plans this holiday season, list your triggers: people, places, and things that tend to trigger your fears and bring out your worst traits.

6. Travel With Polyester, Not Linen

By this, I DO NOT mean sporting the polyester skirt with the red sequinned reindeer. I’m saying that you should lower your standards and make traveling as easy as possible, both literally and figuratively. Do you really want to be looking for an iron for that beautiful linen or cotton dress when you arrive at your destination? I didn’t think so–life’s too short for travel irons.

I used to be adamantly opposed to using a portable DVD player in the car to entertain the kids because I thought it would create two spoiled monsters whose imaginations had rotted courtesy of Disney. One nine-hour car trip home to Ohio for Christmas, I cried uncle after six hours of constant squabbling and screaming coming from the back seat. Now David and Katherine only fight over which movie they get to watch first. If you have a no-food rule policy for the car, I’d amend that one during the holidays as well.

7. Make Your Own Traditions

Of course, you don’t need the “polyester” rule if you ban holiday travel altogether. That’s what I did this year. As the daughter/sister who abandoned her family in Ohio by moving out east, it has always been my responsibility to travel during the holidays. But my kids are now four and six. I can’t continue to haul the family to the Midwest every year. We are our own family. So I said this to my mom a few weeks ago: “It’s very important that I spend time with you, but I’d like to do it as a less stressful time, like the summer, when traveling is easier.” She wasn’t thrilled, but she understood.

Making your own tradition might mean Christmas Eve is reserved for your family and the extended family is invited over for brunch on Christmas Day. Or vice versa. Basically, it’s laying down some rules so that you have better control over the situation. As a people-pleaser who hates to cook, I make a better guest than host, but sometimes serenity comes in taking the driver’s seat, and telling the passengers to fasten their seatbelts and be quiet.

8. Get Out of Yourself

According to Gandhi, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others. But that doesn’t necessarily mean holding a soup ladle. Since my name and the word “kitchen” have filed a restraining order on each other, I like to think there are a variety of ways you can serve others.

Matthew 6:21 says “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In other words, start with the things you like to do. For me, that is saying a rosary for a depressed Beyond Blue reader, or visiting a priest-friend who needs encouragement and support in order to continue his ministry, or helping talented writer friends get published. I’d like to think this is service, too, because if those people are empowered by my actions, then I’ve contributed to a better world just as much as if I had dished out mashed potatoes to a homeless person at a shelter.

9. Exercise Your Funny Bone

“Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods,” says a Japanese proverb. So, if you’re with someone who thinks he’s God, the natural response would be to laugh! But seriously folks, research shows that laughing is good for your health. And, unlike exercise, it’s always enjoyable! The funniest people in my life are those who have been to hell and back, bought the t-shirt, and then accidentally shrunk it in the wash. Humor kept them alive–physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Remember, with a funny bone in place–even if it’s in a cast–everything is tolerable.

From: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/12/08/9-holiday-depression-busters/

Cute Christmas Cartoon for Kids (Big People Too)

When my kids were kids, I loved the Berenstain Bears books. I bought every one I could find. I do believe that I bought them for myself because the kids could take them or leave them. Anyway, as I was looking for some Christmasy Cartoons to watch on Youtube, I found The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree. Here for your enjoyment is this cute cartoon.

Note: If my blog is playing music, you can mute it at the music player that is now located at the bottom of the page.





More Berenstain Bears

Hi-Fiber Cheeseburger Anyone???

I had scheduled the free pattern of the week ahead of time and forgot about it when I whipped up my version of it last night. The only change I made to my version was I made a square slice of "cheese" instead of the round one in the pattern. So, without further delay, here's a hi-fiber cheeseburger for you--

• Pattern

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (10 December 2012)

Do you need a quick to make gift for a younger child?  Here's a cute "cheeseburger" that might fit the bill.

To All of You---

Little Opi's Christmas Sweater

I finished Opi's Christmas sweater last night. I pondered for a while on what to embellish it with and ended up making a Christmas tree out of a plain ol' triangle and decorating it with buttons for ornaments. The white "fuzzy" yarn is a "shedder." It's made by Bernat and I got it at Walmart specifically for the Chis' Christmas sweaters so it's a bit disappointing that little bits of fluff end up everywhere when I touch the sweaters/yarn. For inspiration, I used this pattern. I "winged" the Christmas tree. I'm looking forward to dressing up Opi for Christmas. Poor little guy has allergies and has to wear a shirt all the time otherwise he'll scratch his skin raw so he's used to wearing clothes unlike our Nellie Belle.

That's it for now folks! Have a great week....

Old Christmas Photo

Have you ever found some old photos you forgot about?  I found a small box of photos that I forgot I had. I really enjoyed looking at some of them and in honor of the season I'm sharing one with you. Happy weekend!

Monday's LInks to Free Crochet Patterns(03 December 2012)

In the past, I've made Christmas stockings to put small gifts in.I decided to share a few links here in case you might be interested.

Christmas Stockings

• From Lion Brand
• From Fave Crafts
• From Barb's Crochet
• From Craft Elf
• Let's not forget Crochet Pattern Central
• And don't forget Ravelry
• Happy Holidays
• Wavy Long Stockings
• Grace

There are many more free patterns for Christmas stockings available, just google away if one of these isn't the one for you.

Happy Hooking!!!

My Wonky Dishcloth

Tried a different pattern to make a dishcloth. I love how it is supposed to look. Unfortunately, I kept losing track of what I was doing and it came out a little bit strange. It's just to do the dishes with so that's ok.

To see a much nicer look at the basket weave stitch and the pattern, go here.

Have a great week everyone.

Christmas Decorations

Since the boys are now grown and on their own, we've downsized the amount of Christmas decorating we do. We now have a small, artificial Christmas tree and don't do too much decorating outside other than a wreath and putting some old garland on the spruce trees.

I did buy a couple new ornaments this year:

In honor of my mom who passed away 1 1/2 weeks before Christmas when I was 12

I honor of my grandmother who passed away the day after Christmas when I was 17.

Ornament with happy memories:

I love this one because we were still young when stationed in Hawaii and had a very close-knit group of friends there. 

Ah, the fond memories of my son Matthew when he was a little boy. Somewhere there is one with my other son's name on it too.

I do believe I'm finished with the Christmas decorating  I usually go into a funk before the holidays but this year I'm making a big effort to get into the spirit of things. It has been many years since I started decorating the house so early. A few times I barely got the tree up before Christmas. 

This year, I'm trying to think of the things I've been blessed with and not the things I've lost or don't have. I have my little family and we love each other. I don't have grandchildren but I do have a great granddaughter of my heart since my younger son married her nana. The economy is tough but we're making it. My little family is for the most part healthy and health issues some have are not life-threatening as long as medications are taken. My little chihuahuas, Nellie Belle and Opi, give me lots of love when I'm feeling down. I don't have lots of friends but the friends I have been blessed with are true friends (love you guys). Life is good...

Christmas Sweater for Nellie Belle

1 sweater for Nellie Belle down and 1 for Opi to go. My chi kids are a bit too chubby for the sweater patterns I've found so I've had to improvise on making sweaters for them. Nellie's sweater turned out pretty nice. I only took a quick picture of it to show you and I'll get a better one on Christmas when she's wearing it. Here's her sweater:

This is the pattern, called Santa Dog Costume, I used--with extreme modifications to make the basic sweater. I "winged" the snowman.

I enjoy dressing my little furry kids up but Nellie doesn't like it so I know I'll probably only get her in this a few times. My husband always sides with her when it comes to clothes so I have to sneak them on her lol!

Stay warm...

Star Pennant for Christmas and MORE slippers!

I have a bunch of tiny balls of yarn leftover from the many pairs of slippers I've been making lately. I decided to look up a pattern to make some crocheted stars and use them to fashion a pennant type thing to use as a decoration for Christmas. Here's the result:

And a close up:

They curled up a little so I used a pressing cloth and my steam iron to flatten them. I love this pattern!

I made a chain and every 45th stitch I attached a star. 

Almost finished decorating my small tree and I'll share with you a little later.

Our Internet was down for a few days so I ended up making 3 more pairs of slippers. I just can't get enough of them for some reason.

• Star pattern
• Slipper pattern

Opi and Nellie Belle Need Christmas Outfits

Nellie Belle Christmas 2011

I was looking around for something to crochet for my 2 chihuahua babies for Christmas. I'm going to share some of these patterns with you because I know a few of you have little dogs too.

• Christmas dog sweater LINK UPDATED
• Candy cane dog collar
• Peppermint dog collar
• Giget's dog sweater and hat
• Santa dog costume

There are many more patterns out there just google away and you may find the perfect pattern for your furbaby.

My little ones always get Christmas presents. They're pretty darned spoiled. Most of my Christmas crocheting for the humans is done so it's time to find something to make for Nellie Belle and Opi.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (26 February 2012)

I was looking for a pattern for mittens and most of them seem to be for those fingerless ones. I wanted some good old-fashioned ones that would keep the fingers warm. This link is not only for mittens but also a hooded scarf to match. If I'm not mistaken, I made this hooded scarf when I was in high school!

Happy Hooking!

Annie's Attic Mysteries

Another Pineapple Scarf

Tonight I finished another Pineapple Scarf . I've been working on this one between other projects. The yarn I used was some bargain yarn I picked up somewhere and it's probably close to sport weight; the label didn't give a weight or gauge on it. Anyway, here's the picture:

The pattern is Pineapples designed by Elizabeth Ann White in the book Quick and Easy Scarves  from Annies Attic. I think I prefer this scarf made out of the heavier yarn but this is okay too.

My aunt passed away on Thanksgiving. I wish I would have had a chance to see her but at least her children were very supportive and there for her. My family has a tendency to die during the holiday season so I will be very thankful when this one is over.

Have a great week everyone! 

Hat for Son Matt

I made my son Matthew a hat. He works outdoors and for some reason, he can't keep track of his hats. I love this pattern, the only thing I need to work on is how I seam up the back because it looks a little weird. Here it is:

Pattern Link

I had to upgrade my picasa account to fit this picture in. So, to be economical, I'll put small pictures here that are clickable.

Have a great weekend and thanks for looking.

Thanksgiving Greetings

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (19 November 2012)

Today's free pattern is for a unisex ski hat. It looks to be fairly simple and is at the top of my to-do list.

Thanks for visiting!

Another Hat & Scarf Set Plus Slippers

I made another hat and scarf set. This time I used some homespun yarn that I got on clearance because the label was missing. I thought it was off-white or cream color but in some lighting it looks more yellow. Guess it will be ok. These are for a Christmas gift.  Here's the set--

• Hat pattern is here.
• Scarf pattern is here.

Both patterns are from Lion Brand site and for some reason whenever I make their patterns, my gauge is really off and I have to downsize my hooks. So note to self: Check gauge!

Here are the slippers I made after I said I was finished making slippers for a while. :)

• Slipper pattern is here. 

Thanks for stopping in. Y'all are very much appreciated. Hope you're having a great weekend.

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Hat to Match Pineapple Scarf

After making this scarf:

I decided to make a hat to match because I had a lot of matching yarn. I thought that since the scarf was a little fancy that a plain hat would be best. I used this pattern without the flower. I should have checked my gauge in the beginning because after I finished the hat, it resembled this guys rainhat:

So, I frogged the entire thing and crocheted it again. I think it turned out pretty well. Here it is:

So, to sum up the changes I used in making this pattern-- I omitted the flower, downsized the hooks I used by 2 sizes and I used Lion Suede yarn instead of Homespun. This set is going to a special person for a Christmas present. I think she'll like it (fingers crossed).

Thanks for visiting.

ps--an update on my friend in the hospital. He is hoping to come home Monday. My husband talked with him today and he sounds much better. Thanks to all of you for your prayers.

A "Toe Tapping" Video

Thought I'd share this with you. The dancing and the music had me bouncing around in my chair and my toes tapping! Hope you enjoy it too...

It's a Scarf!

I finally made something besides slippers. I made this beautiful scarf from Annie's Attic Quick & Easy Scarves. The name of the pattern is Pineapples designed by Elizabeth Ann White.The pattern called for a light weight yarn (3), but I used Lion Suede, a bulky (5) weight yarn. I made a few less pineapple repetitions so it wouldn't be hanging below the knees when worn. I highly recommend this pattern. I never made anything with a pineapple design before and this pattern was extremely user friendly.

Thanks for looking!

ps--I have a confession to make, I started another pair of slippers last night.

Last Pair of Slippers for a While

We had a friend going into the hospital today, so I  made him a pair of slippers too. He had a tumor on his bladder and when he was opened up this morning, they discovered his prostate also had cancer and both were removed. If you wouldn't mind, he could use our prayers. Thanks everyone.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (12 November 2012)

When the weather gets chilly, I like to wear a shawl in the house. Today's pattern is for a sweet shawl made with a pineapple pattern. You can see it here. Hope everyone has a great week!

Husband Finished His Chores

A week ago our combination microwave and exhaust vent died. Since this is the 2nd one we've been through we decided to get an "old fashioned" counter top microwave and the traditional range vent hood. After removing the old microwave, we noticed our tile back splash had been tiled around the bottom edge of the old microwave and  we had to put something there that would coordinate/complement the old. I walked into the kitchen a few minutes ago and saw that Ray finally finished up the back splash  The new vent is great too; the bottom is sealed and cleanup is a snap. Here's the new look:

Husband told me to let you know that the kitchen is not crooked, my photography is! Take care...

Finished Object Friday (09 November 2012)

Yes, it's more slippers. I finally made a pair for a gentleman on my Christmas list, but there are three more pairs for the ladies on my list. I really have to get moving on  making the other things on my Christmas list. I don't know why I'm so addicted to making these slippers lately. I have more ladies pairs made than I really need. Although, sometimes I'll give spontaneous gifts of them away. I'm just rambling on here. Here's the pictures:

Ladies made of variegated and navy yarns

Ladies made of brown, rust and coral yarns (left overs)

I'll probably wear these

Ladies made of variegated and purple yarns

Men's made of gray and navy yarns

Link to pattern.

Y'all have a great weekend!


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Yes, I'm Still on My Slipper Kick!

Ta Da! Two more pairs of slippers for some lucky ladies. You probably already know where to find the pattern for these but just in case, here's the link for it. I've been bad about starting projects lately and turning them into forgotten ufos. I keep going back to making these slippers. I was going over this years projects, and these 2 pairs of slippers brought the total number of pairs of slippers to 30 made this year! I'm going to warm up a bunch of tootsies this winter!

 

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (29 October 2012)

I've had a request to make someone a scarf for Christmas. Like many of you probably do, I've been going through my books and online looking for the perfect one. There are so many beautiful ones out there. Here is a link to a freebie from Caron that I wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoy.

Have a great week everyone!

7 More Pairs of Slippers

It's me again. Lots still going on. I'm still going to a lot of appointments for me and family members. I had bullied my mil into having her 1st colonoscopy and it ended up abnormal--she had some precancerous polyps removed and then had to go to the University of Louisville Hospital to see a "specialist's specialist" as she refers to him. She had some other "spots" removed and will have to go back from time to time to have other exams and procedures done. These spots are viral and not cancer.

My son had a growth on the top of his head. It resembled a flesh colored gumball. We took him to have it removed and the Lord was looking out for our family again it wasn't cancerous. My son's primary care practitioner had us very worried because she said it looked cancerous.

I've had more appointments than I care to count lately. I had a bone density test done and my bones are porous--not quite osteoporosis, but osteopenia.  My bones are 25% less dense than a young person. I'd been taking calcium prescribed by my primary care provider but after a visit to a dietitian  I learned that I should be taking a chewable calcium citrate and NOT calcium carbonate as prescribed. For women who have had gastric bypass surgery, please take calcium and make sure it is the correct type of calcium! This week, I finished having the 2nd root canal in 2 months (a total of 4 in the last 2 years) and my dental problems are likely due to not taking the correct calcium. I need to get permanent fillings in the teeth that have had root canals and crowns on them too so I still have more dental work to be done. For all middle-age women, it is a good idea to check with your doctor about calcium supplements.

I'm also going to doctors for my VA disability. Out of pride, I didn't pursue it for many years and now that I'm older and my service connected health issues are well, I guess you can say becoming issues I'm pursuing care for them. More on this on some later date.

Here are 7 more pairs of slippers I made this month. I'm using up odds and ends of left over yarn and single skeins I have on hand. Here they are:

Edited to add pattern link.


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