Added New Link for Another Round Afghan Pattern

There is a pretty new free pattern for a round ripple afghan at JR Crochet Designs. It is a beautiful variation on the round ripple. Why don't you go on over to her place and check it out... Under the header for my blog is a link to a page full of links to free patterns for round afghans. I have added this pattern and it is listed under today's date. Have fun and I hope that if you make of of these afghans you will either blog about it or send a link to me so that I can go see your pictures. I love the round afghans and can't get enough of looking at them and seeing how others adapt the patterns and use different color combinations. Have fun y'all...

What Do You Look for in a Blog?

When I read blogs and intend to follow them, I look at several things. The first thing is subject matter--does it interest me? Does the writer talk down to the readers or is she even friendly? Is the blog just a "store front" for etsy or other sales venue? Let me explain what I mean.

Subject matter--that should be pretty much self explanatory. The vast majority of the blogs I read are about crocheting. The authors post pictures of their finished projects and usually post what patterns the project was made with. I also enjoy blogs that are about being thrifty--within reason--I may make my own laundry soap but I'm not going to grow my own coffee beans :).

Authors who talk down to their readers. I don't mind if you mention that you have certain talents or educational background. Just don't be a bragger--it is boring to hear someone go on and on about how great they are. Be friendly with how you present yourself and also realize that your way of doing something isn't the only way.

There have been a few blogs that I've read a few times but decided not to continue with because the majority of the posts were illustrations of what was for sale on etsy, ebay or other online store. No matter how cute your blog is, I'm not going to be a "regular" there. You may be saying, "but Sharon Marie, you have adsense ads and Amazon ads on your blog." Yes, that is true but if you notice, I am not selling anything in my posts.

I had been following a couple decorating blogs. They were all about "my house, me, me, me" and I stopped following them. I enjoy reading about your adventures in decorating and commiserating with you over the difficulty in selecting paint colors but when it appears to be a bragging book about what you have then I'm not interested, sorry... Don't care to read blogs that are largely used to promote businesses or products. If I want to read ads, I'll google whatever it is that I'm looking for.

Also appreciate bloggers who ask my opinion. There is no way that I can leave comments for every post I read but I certainly do read the posts on the blogs I follow and often I leave comments when the poster asks a question of the reader--if I have some ideas about the subject matter.

Nothing has happened recently and I'm not upset with anyone or any blog. I just thought it might be interesting to post what I look at before I decided to follow a blog. I follow over 200 blogs (many haven't posted in months so I'm not reading all of them everyday) and I wanted to open a discussion to see what others look for in blogs they follow. So what do you think? What are your ideas? Maybe this discussion can help us improve our blogs... Hope y'all are having a grand weekend. Hugs...

ps--I know that I have to work on being "friendlier" here. I have "people" issues that I'm working on and I do appreciate all of you who visit me here.

Ta Da! Afghan Is Finally Finished :)

I'm happy and pleased as punch that this afghan is finished. I made the squares almost a year ago but didn't crochet them together until now. I also improvised with enlarging it and the edging as I was working on it--it all came down to what yarn was available in my stash. There isn't a pattern for this--just make traditional granny squares in your choice of colors and sizes. Here's the pictures:

Still Working on the Afghan...

Yep, it's the same picture as the last time I wrote a post about this ghan--I don't want to spoil the grand reveal. Anywho, here's the update on my status with it. I decided since I had a lot of black yarn left, I would make 5 granny-ish rounds around the entire thing. I frogged a bit and got started. Well, I ended up with only enough black to do 3 rounds so I went on an archeological dig at the stash site and came up with some odds and end balls of gray and a reddish (maroon/burgundy/wine/claret) color. I ended up making 7 extra rounds and I'm working on the last 2 sides of the edging. I have a few ends to weave in too and then it will be done. I'm really happy that I wove the ends on the squares in as I made them otherwise this may have become a ufo again! Stay tuned...it won't be long now! Y'all have a great weekend!

Search Amazon.com for learn crochet

The Finish Is in Sight!

I have all my squares sewn together and I'm about a 1/3 of the way done making an edging on the afghan I'm finally assembling. I decided to enlarge it a bit so it's taking a tiny bit longer to finish but I think it will be worth it. Here's a sneak-peek:

Search Amazon.com for granny squares

Saint Paddy's Day Greetings!

An Irish saying for my friends and others:

May those who love us love us.
And those that 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.

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!!!

Hint, Hint...

I've been told that it is hard to buy presents for me. Let me tell you, that just isn't so! I'm a crocheter and as anyone who has a fiber addiction knows, yarn is always a welcome gift. Perhaps a few skeins/hanks/balls of a special yarn would be appreciated. Hey, even better, I have 3 yarns that are a staple in my stash and are always welcome. They're all Caron yarns in the 1 pound size. I try to keep white, off-white and black on hand. The dark blue is almost a staple too. Michaels has them as does Meijers or check out Amazon too. So you see, I'm not a difficult person to buy for. Perhaps you might like to pick out a more colorful yarn in the one pound size--GREAT! There is also a chance that whoever buys me yarn will get something made from it so you see, it's a win-win situation. Y'all have a great day.... :)

A UFO Has Become a WIP

You  may remember the squares in the following picture from last spring. One phase of the census job I was doing then was to be available in the basement of our city hall to hand out census forms to people who may have lost or not received any. Usually, no one came in so I crocheted all these squares and promptly put them aside until now. Soon, they will become an afghan! I laid them out on the bed in out guest room again and I am crocheting them together. I plan to add an edging and then voila I'll have a small afghan or throw for the chair in our living room! The yarn is all odds and ends from other projects in burgundies, grays and black.

I just added the wip Wednesday button to this post because I haven't anything else to share at the moment! Have a great day everyone. :)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (14 March 2011)

Here's an interesting take on a throw made from squares. With the weather warming up, it is time to work on smaller projects or projects made out of smaller parts.

I'm a Bit Irate Today...

Do any of you have a wireless router at home?  I have a linksys router. I was irritated a couple years ago when I got it because after purchasing it, I could not get it to recognize any wireless devices. So, I called the company and for an additional $10 they were able to help me. Now, when my son comes over, he is unable to connect to Internet here. Good mom that I am, :) I let him use our laptop so no biggie. Last night, I replaced our deceased printer with a wireless one. Now, I cannot get it to work wirelessly. When I call linksys, they want $32.99 to reset the router and that does included 1 year support. They really like to milk their customers. I decided to just use the printer with wires and shop around for a different brand router from a company with better customer service. Do any of you have suggestions? My computer runs Vista if that makes a difference.

Hooded Scarf--A WIP

This project was going to be a "To-Go" project but I can't remember why I changed my mind and took something else with me when I went on a trip recently. Anyway, this is going to be a hooded scarf when it is finished. I saw pictures of the pattern on ravelry.com and found the pattern here. The recommended yarn is Lion Brand Homespun but the Yarn Bee yarn, Riot Eyelash, that I used has a similar gauge. I'm a little bit superstitious about posting pictures of wips in case the wips become ufos :(. This is also a stash-buster project for me because the yarn came from my stash. I love this color and the yarn has a little pizazz to it. This may go in my gift drawer--I'm not quite sure yet. I'm starting to ramble on here so here's the pics:

The main part of the scarf is done. I need to make the hood portion. This pattern is a bit different from other hooded scarves I've seen. Most of the ones I've seen before you make a scarf and put a seam up a portion of the back to make the hood. This one has a hood made separately and then sewn on. Thanks for visiting--y'all come again...

How True...

This morning I was reading some of my favorite blogs and this one had a great cartoon posted that I'm sharing with you. This blog always has relevant articles to read about politicians and the state of our country. Check it out.

A New Link Added for a Dog Dress

I found the cutest pattern today on Sew Doggy Style's blog. On the link page (listed under my blog's header) it is listed as Bib Dress. This is a sewing, not crochet project. Hope everyone is having a great week. It's cold and rainy here. Bah!

Updated List of Links for Round Afghan Patterns (09 March 2011)

I found another free pattern for a round afghan today. Don't know how I missed this since I had already linked another one from this site. Hmmm, guess it's better late than never. Under my blog's header, you can find the link to the page for the links to free round afghan patterns. Patterns are listed by the date I posted them. Hope you enjoy!

ps--if you find any broken links or patterns that I may have missed, let me know and I'll edit my page.

Found a Chance to Win a Great Crochet Book

Go here for a chance to win this book.

If you don't win it, you can always buy your own copy from Amazon. :) Go to --> Cuddly Crochet: Adorable Toys, Hats, and More to order yours.

Bargains--

When I was in Florida, my uncle took me to several thrift stores and flea markets. He knows how much I love them! I was fortunate to find sheets for my bed, a California King Size, for only $20. One set was 800 count and the other was 850. I got dh a couple ball caps with the Navy logo on them for only $2 each. My biggest excitement came from the crochet patterns I was able to grab at bargain-basement prices.

These were only 75 cents each:

Don't know if I'll make these but it is great to look at the pictures.

Few hats and baby things in here that I might make.

Regular Price:

Paid regular price for this at a book store. I have NEVER found
any of Drew's books at a store before.

50 cent items:

There is a cute long-sleeved version of the green sweater that I've been drooling over.

Only 25 cents for these:

One booth had crochet hooks with wooden handles similar to the Bates bamboo hooks. They were only $5. I was going to get a G-hook but they were all out. I thought the price was well worth it. 

Don't you just love a good bargain? I better get busy around here. Birthday or not there are chores to do. :)

I'm Happy to Be Back--

Hi everyone. It is good to be back here the "regular" way. Blogging via text doesn't work for me very well. On my trip to visit family in Florida, I took 2 skeins of yarn with me to make a scarf. I was actually able to make 2 scarves from it and went to the store to buy more yarn. The week I was gone, I almost finished 4 scarves in the evenings while we chilled out.  The pattern I based them on is this one I blogged about before I left. Of course, I modified it a bit because I didn't want such a skinny scarf. I wanted it to be a scarf that would warm a person's neck. This is a very easy scarf to make and I recommend it to someone looking for an easy, quick pattern. This pattern is easily adjusted to make longer or wider. Here's some pictures:

Red Heart yarn, color "Ocean"

Red Heart yarn, colors "Paddy Green" and I'm not sure of the other one, it is a teal color.

Here's a close-up of the chain-like fringe on one scarf.

All 4 scarves.

It is great to be back with dh and the chis but I sure wish I could have moved home down to the warm weather in Florida instead of coming back to the cold. It was nice and warm, probably in the mid-70s when I left Orlando, FL and it was 35 when I arrived in Louisville, KY. It's nice to come home because there is always a little honeymoon phase when dh and I are apart for a few days. 

Today is my birthday. I am trying to figure out how to have birthdays without getting older. I tried to stay at 30 but that's not working because my kids are in their 30s now. Hmmm, I need to figure something else out... I did like Florida.  I was able to have lunch with a high-school chum and her son. We hadn't seen each other since I graduated in 1975. Also liked that I was "too young" for many things such as discounts, living in certain neighborhoods and that sort of thing. I did feel kind of young down there. A phrase I read several times in various newspapers was "women of a certain age." Sounds mysterious doesn't it? I think I'd rather be mysterious than old so next year when I'm 55 I'm going to start using it. Y'all have a great week...

e it will be possible to send pictures. Take care everyone. I hope your week is going well.

Enjoying visiting with family. So far everyone has liked what I've crocheted for them. This is my first post from my cell phone via texting. One day mayb

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