Happy Birthday Matt!

To my first child, Matthew, I want to wish a very, happy 32nd birthday today.  I love you Sweetie!  You're Mom's favorite 1st son!

Standstill on the Doll I'm Making

ARRRGGHHH!  I finally got the crocheted doll I'm making assembled.  I made a skirt for her but I can't show you what I've accomplished so far because she's indecent!  I mean, who wants to see a picture of a topless doll plastered on their computer screen!  I'm trying to create some sort of top for her to wear.  Stay tuned, this project hasn't beat me yet!  Here's the pattern I started with but either me or the pattern is goofy so I'm winging the clothing.  Have a great day y'all...

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Here is a cute, feminine cardigan that can be made to fit xs to 5x sizes!  Check it out 'cause it's cute.  Happy Hooking!  :)

Search Amazon.com for crochet sweater patterns

Best Wishes on Your Birthday Dad

Dad, where ever you are, I'm sending you loving wishes for your 78th birthday.

Is it Me or the Pattern???

This doll that I've been working on frustrated with since August, is STILL driving me crazy!  Here's the pattern that I'm using.  I have all the parts to the doll made--just need to sew her legs on.  Now, the pattern did not come with directions for hair but I winged it based on other doll patterns out there.  I have also completed the bloomers.  Mine don't look the same but they'll do.  Take a look at the instructions on the dress.  The counts for the bodice don't compute.  I'm tired of it so I'm trying to use another pattern for the dress.  Wish me luck 'cause this dolly needs it before she gets flushed down the toilet--lol!  OK, it's back to the hook for me...Hugs y'all!

Search Amazon.com for doll pattern

New on the List of Links for Round Afghan Patterns

I have been maintaining a list of links for free, crochet patterns for round(ish) afghans.  There is a beautiful new one I just added for a granny round ripple.  Check it out and see some of the others that you may have missed.  If there is a problem with any of the links please let me know and I'll figure it out.  Have a great weekend y'all!

Search Amazon.com for round afghan patterns

What Did DH Order Now?!

The old lesson "don't jump to conclusions" came back at me this morning.

Every now and then, dh will get into one of the shopping channels and order some strange things.  So, this morning when I rushed to the door in my robe and the  mailman had a package in his hand I wondered what the heck dh ordered now.  Our sons were having birthdays soon, and Christmas was on the way.  Also dh was having a birthday next month and I thought, "Gee, maybe he bought his own present."

Then I looked at the address label, and lo and behold it was addressed to ME!

Now I know I didn't order anything so what could it be???

It's a roll of paper towels!  Then I remembered that I did a survey concerning different brands and now I'm supposed to use these towels and compare to other brands that I've used.  These will come in handy so it is nice to get a surprise "freebie" in the mail every now and then.

Take care y'all and come back again soon....Hugs.....

ps--It's a good idea not to jump to conclusions but in this case, I had a nice surprise.

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Soft Green Chenille Scarf is Finished!

This is a simple scarf made out of just sc and dc with shells on the edges.
The yarn is :

It is a little frustrating to work with.  A few times when I had to frog a stitch and when I wove in the ends, little bits of the fibers came off in my lap!  I love the finished item though--very soft and cuddly.  This item will probably go to a 'tween girl for Christmas this year.  

Search Amazon.com for christmas crochet patterns

What I Enjoy about Fall...

The season is getting ready to change.  Fall is in the air.  Even though we're still having temps in the 90s during the day, the evenings are sometimes dipping down to 50s.  A few leaves are changing colors and will soon be falling from the trees.  Another blog writer wrote about what she enjoyed about fall and I thought I'd put my 2 cents in about what I think of it too.  So what do I like about this soon to be here time of year?

1. We usually don't have to run the heater or the a/c so utilities cost less
2. Pumpkin cappuccino, pumpkin pie and basically any pumpkin foods
3. Homemade soups and stews
4. Colors--golds, browns, oranges and scarlets
5. The comfort of snuggling down under lots of blankets
6. Beautiful scenery with the trees changing colors
7. Clothes made for cooler weather
8. Television reruns are done with

I say "fall" and not "autumn." I'm sure there are more things but this is what I was able to come up with quickly. So, what are your favorite things about fall/autumn???  Hugs...

Search Amazon.com for autumn

What's Teddy Holding?

Teddy is holding on to the leg to the doll I started making a while ago.  Poor dolly has been languishing on a small table in the family room waiting to have some legs attached.  Teddy is zealously guarding the leg I finished last night.  I have lost all interest in this project and I'm finding it very hard getting in the mood to work on it. For several weeks, most of the shoe part of the leg has been done and the materials for this project have been staring at me every evening when dh and I kick back in the family room.  OK, I've promised  myself no new major projects are to be undertaken until this one is done!  I do need some "brainless" projects to work on that I can shove in my purse and work on at doctor appointments and such.  Anyway, I thought I'd just bring you up-to-date on what's up in my crochet world.  Have a great day folks!

Search Amazon.com for doll patterns

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Seems like most crocheters love to make things for babies.  Here is a sweet pattern for vintage frock for that cute baby girl.  Enjoy y'all....

Search Amazon.com for vintage crochet

Been Thinking about Making Homemade Fabric Softener

Now that I'm a veteran-user of homemade laundry soap, I've been thinking about making my own fabric softener too.  Here's a link to an easy sounding concoction.  I just bought a bottle of softener so when it's about gone I'll whip up a batch of this. DH is worried that it would give him a vinegar-like smell.  Hmmm, you can scent it with essential oils though... Has anyone made this or a similar softener?  Let me know what you think.

“May those who love us, love us; and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping.”  An Irish Blessing

Search Amazon.com for fabric softener

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

Finished Batch of Laundry Soap!

Here are a couple pictures of the finished batch of laundry soap.  Check out how much you'll end up with if you make it.  I used a regular Rubbermaid container because it looked and felt more heavy duty than the other brands.  Here's a hint--with this large quantity of ingredients to mix, I ended up using my hands instead of a big spoon.  Some of y'all might want to wear gloves when doing the mixing.  I didn't because I already have old lady hands--lol!  The container I mixed in was the perfect size because of the extra room in it for mixing action.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Search Amazon.com for rubbermaid roughneck

Time to Make Laundry Soap

Hey, I'm making my own laundry soap today.  This is the 2nd time I've made it.  The first time I only made 1/2 batch but this time I'm making the whole enchilada!  The recipe I use is below.  I did a little re-writing to utilize the "tricks" I came up with.  Without further ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

12 cups Borax

8 cups Baking Soda

8 cups Washing Soda

8 (grated) bars Ivory soap

The easiest way to grate your soap is to use the food processor.  Just don't drop the processor like I did the 1st time--making my 1/2 batch a rather costly endeavor!  This only takes a few minutes to make so even the busy career lady person can make it in her his/her busy schedule (I'm trying to be politically correct here).  :)

• Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
• Use 1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) of powder per full load.  A coffee scoop works really well for this. I got a package of 2 at the Dollar Tree for a buck.  
• This is a "dry" product so there is no mixing with water.  The last time I packaged mine in gallon food storage bags.  This time I'm going to use a plastic container.

This stuff is lots better than the commercial products I've used and you only use 2 Tbsp per load! 

Happy Laundry Days!




Search Amazon.com for homemade laundry soap

Free Crochet Patterns for Christmas Afghans!

(Animation from http://www.heathersanimations.com/xmas1.html)

Christmastime--It's only a few months away already.  I thought that right about now would be the time to post some links for Christmasy afghans while there is still plenty of time to make one.  So here we go:

• SILENT NIGHT XMAS AFGHAN
• Snowman Afghan
• Holly Afghan
• Christmas Ripple Afghan
• Snow Flurries Afghan
• Free Patterns.com Trustworthy membership site. Search "Christmas" in the crochet area.
• Christmas Noel Afghan
• Sparkling Poinsettias Christmas Afghan
• Bunny Slope Snuggly
• Poinsettia Throw
• Free Poinsettia Squares Afghan Pattern

If you want to see more just use your favorite search engine and type in crochet christmas afghan
and you will have many, many results to look at including patterns for sale.  Enjoy y'all!  


Search Amazon.com for crochet christmas afghans

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!

Updated List of Links for Round Afghan Patterns

As some of you may know, I keep a list of links for free round afghan crochet patterns.  I added a new one to the list today. Plus, I found another one too--at least I think is new and not a duplicate lol!  To see the new links, you will have to scroll down to the end of the list. If you notice any problems with any of the links in the list let me know and I will investigate further.  Thanks and Enjoy!!!

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

I saw this and thought it was very simple and most likely easily adjusted for larger and smaller sizes.  I liked it so much that it may go on the "to-do" list.  I haven't really made too many wearables unless you count hats, scarves and slippers so this will be a step out of my comfort-zone.  This pattern was mentioned on another blog and I decided to post the link here because this is such a nice item  Enjoy everyone!

Search Amazon.com for shrug patterns

Update on Lace and Bobbles Afghan

I'm becoming a frogging pro with this afghan!  For some reason, even though my count is correct as I'm crocheting, the next row is off.  I really should have paid attention in elementary school when we were learning how to count!  I think the problem is that I can only count to 20 accurately when I'm using my fingers and toes.  Anyway, I sneaked a row of sc in there to bring the count up to where it is supposed to be.  I'm really jealous of all the write-ups I've read about this ghan being fast to crochet.  For me, it's an exercise in frogging--rip-it, rip-it! Here's my lack of progress so far: