I Like This Hat but...

This is a boring hat pattern. I think it is boring because many of the stitches used are slip stitches and the hat grows very slowly and I lose interest quite often. I do like the appearance of the completed hat so it's up in the air whether or not I'll finish this hat or it will end up stuck in the corner of a closet as another ufo. I have some yarn I ordered at WalMart that I need to pickup for another project.

Take care everyone. 

Hugs,

Sharon

Buttons - Navy Pea Coat 1 Dz - Black

Thursday's Tricks (27 March 2014)

The following hints for using microfiber cloths come from my husband's favorite newspaper and online columnist--Heloise.

Uses for Microfiber Cloths

Auto
Keep several microfiber cloths underneath the front seat of your vehicle. Use them to dust off the dashboard, radio and steering wheel.

Bathroom, Kitchen
Store a couple of microfiber cloths in these locations because they will clean and shine the chrome, spiff up mirrors and are great for wiping off the sink. When the cloths become dirty, toss them into the washing machine.

Pets
Freshen up your dog by lightly dampening a microfiber cloth with water and wiping over its fur. If your cat or dog needs to get the gunk out of its eyes, a microfiber cloth will do the job nicely. And if your pet, like Cabbie, my miniature schnauzer, gets a dirty beard after eating, the cloth will remove that food crud.

Plants
To take dust off live or artificial leaves, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe over the leaves. This will also add a bit of moisture to the real plants too.

Visit Heloise's page to read more of her helpful hints.


Microfiber Cloths

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (24 March 2014)

Twinkie Chan, the upbeat lady of crochet offers this free tutorial on crocheting a cupcake-shaped dishcloth.

Flour Sack Dish Towels

Thursday's Tricks (20 March 2014)

• Make a zigzag pattern with hot glue on common plastic hangers to keep shirts from slipping off hanger.

• Use buttons to keep pairs of earrings together for storage and travel.

Today's tricks come from Craft Passions. See this page to read a few more tricks that are up her sleeves..

Hints from Heloise Books

A UFO--Now a FO

That's right, I've now turned an unfinished object into a finished one!  This poor afghan has been languishing since the holidays waiting to get the ends woven in. Last night I finished it and washed it. Now it is time to get my rear in gear and get it to the post office. I made this so long ago that I don't know where I got the pattern from. I know it was from a magazine and I went through my stack of them and couldn't find it. When I run across that pattern I'll let you know where you can find it if you want it. Lucy at Attic 24 has a similar pattern except that it's more of a tutorial and doesn't tell you how big it will be and I don't like surprises especially if I'm buying yarn specifically for a project. I like knowing approximately how much or little of a color I need. Anyway, here's the picture--

 I love the autumn like colors of this one.

Take care everyone. Spring is coming!

Hugs,
Sharon

Crochet Magazines from Amazon

Another Hat and a Scarf

Here's a couple more projects I did on vacation. Here's another of the hats I seem to be fond of. This one I used yarn I had picked up at a thrift store. It was $2 for the colors I used plus a few almost complete skeins of baby yarns.

pattern

For a little variety, I made a scarf. I had used this pattern one other time and liked it. I seem to fall back to the familiar things and sometimes have to talk myself into leaving my comfort zone and trying different patterns. 

Pattern

Recovering from the upper respiratory infection that I became laid up with virtually as soon as we got back to Kentucky; I noticed that my fingers stiffened up but after a little bit of crocheting they loosened up and felt ok again. Crochet-- a stress reducer and a great boon for arthritic hands too!

Take care everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

Free (but don't know for how long)--12 Halloween Crafts to Crochet: DIY Home Decor

Halloween Costume Ideas, and More 

Large Selection of Crochet Hooks

How to Make a Magic Circle.

This came from Facebook and I thought it was well worth while to share it. I've been lazy learning how to make a magic circle so this tutorial will come in handy. Oh, and if you click on it, it will enlarge the tutorial picture and then it will be easier to read.

That's all for now. Time for nighty-night. ;)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Here's a pattern for a cute little chick that would look great in someone's Easter basket. It is hard to believe that it is Lent and that our schools are having a snow day. I'll be so glad when the weather warms up.

Easter Basket Goodies

A Few Hats I Made on Vacation--

I got off the slipper kick for a while and made some some hats. I used a pattern that I have previously used but modified it by putting a flower and a button on the side instead of a bow. Here's the ones I made:

I love the brightness of the yellow hat and I wonder why we wear darker things in the winter. It might cheer us up to wear bright things. As I'm typing away about bright clothes in the winter I'm going to tell you that the 3rd and 4th pictures are of the hat that I'm going to keep for myself--the darkest of the batch. Guess it's hard to break old habits. ;)

Take care everyone...







Chargers for Cell Phones

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (03 March 2014)

Here's a cute newsboy slouch hat pattern. I've always wanted to make a newsboy hat but so far I've been distracted by other projects. Maybe I'll get to this one soon since I still have some time before I get in a bind with making things for Christmas.

Have fun!
Sharon

Luggage at Amazon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (24 February 2014)

Here's a sweet pair of baby booties that resemble ugg boots. This pattern comes in 4 sizes for babies.

Take care,
Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Patterns (17 February 2014)

Granny squares make beautiful afghans and other crocheted items. There are many, many different types of squares. Here is one I found on the Internet for you.

The pattern is in symbols here. I'm not too good at reading the symbols but I'm learning.

Have a great week everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

Amazon has Yarn!!!

Another Pair of Slippers--5 More Pairs to Go...

This is a man's pair of slippers. 5 more pairs of slippers to go! The latest pair shown below is made of one strand of navy blue and one strand of black yarns.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Hugs,
Sharon

Slipper Socks for a Man

Once again, I am showing you a pair of slippers. These are for a man. The yarn I used for these was 1 strand of Red Hearts Team Spirit yarn in navy blue and white and one strand of navy blue. Here they are...

pattern

Take care everyone.

Hugs,
Sharon

Thursday's Tricks (13 February 2014)

Since I'm getting ready to go on a trip I'm going to share a few travel trips that I learned to follow the hard way.

• If you pack medications in a pill keeper, put a piece of tape on the lid to keep it shut. Fold under one end of the tape so that it is easy to grab and pull off. After my meds bounced around in my carry-on, the pill keeper popped open and I had medicinal crumbs all over the inside of my bag.

• Before you pack the clothes you are taking with you, inspect them to ensure they fit, are in good repair and aren't stained. A friend recently packed some brand new clothes without trying on before packing and unfortunately they didn't fit.

• After missing a connecting flight because of weather, I learned to always put in my carry-on bag basic hygiene necessities such as deodorant, tooth brush, paste and also a clean set of undies. :-)

Hope you're having a good week and are staying warm.

Hugs,

Sharon

Slippers for a Child

I'm still churning out slippers. These are a pretty peach and green color; the color isn't "true" in my lighting. Many more pairs to finish before the end of the month. I should really stockpile these because most people seem to like them unless they have tender feet then the ridges seem to be irritating.

Here's the picture of the latest pair:

Pattern

Take care everyone and hugs to all...
Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (10 February 2014)

I keep coming back to this pattern. I love the classy look of this hat. I make it with a larger hook so that my hair doesn't get mashed down so much.   Here are a couple of my versions of this hat. On the variegated version I put a flower instead of a bow.

Boye Ergonomic Aluminum Crochet Hook Handle

Hash Browns and the Waffle Iron

A few days ago I posted pictures of hash browns cooking in a waffle iron. Last night I tried this myself and it worked out great! I have a small waffle iron and since there are only 2 of us it worked out great. I used frozen hash browns and cooked them on the waffle iron after spraying the waffle iron with Pam cooking spray. They turned out great and weren't greasy at all!  My opinion of these--definitely a winning recipe and will do again.

Place frozen hash browns on preheated waffle iron that has been sprayed with Pam

Close the lid and latch. Cook until steaming is almost gone.

Check once in a while to see if they're done to your taste.

Put a little ketchup on and YUMMY!

Waffle Makers and Irons

Another Pair of Slippers

This pair of slippers is the regular size for men. The yarn I used was one strand of red from Caron pounders and the other strand was a navy and white color from Red Hearts Team Spirit line. I like the patriotic look of these. Here they are:

Pattern

These slippers are great during the cold winter months. My feet are very cold, has something to do with thyroid problems, and I make the women's slippers from this pattern and often wear them over socks to bed at night to keep the ol' tootsies warm.

Hope y'all are staying warm and cozy.

Hugs,

Sharon

Slippers for You at Amazon

XL Slippers for a Man

Pattern

Here's a pair of slippers that I made for a large man. It is hard to tell from the picture, but these slippers are a good-looking dark green and black color.

I haven't forgotten to show you the picture of the afghan I was working on. It is finished with the exception of weaving in a bunch of ends. 

Take care everyone and stay warm!

Hugs,

Sharon