Back From Illinois and a Few Projects

I went to Illinois last Thursday for an extended weekend. I only wish that I would have had more time there. I went to visit an aunt who has some health issues, a cousin and was able to visit another cousin (once removed) while I was there too. I stayed with a very good friend from my high school days. I have a couple great friends from those old days that I am very happy to say we have remained very good friends now that we are very close to 60 years old. Unfortunately, I was very talkative and didn't take many pictures.

One thing I always do when I go to Illinois is place flowers on my mom's grave and the graves of other family members who are buried close to her. They were very special people and deserve to be remembered.

It was cold in Illinois when I was there but the day I left became frigid. I didn't think about having to scrape the windows on the rental car so when I went out to drive to the airport I had to scrape ICE not snow off the windows. I stopped on the way to airport to get gas and the pump said my debit card was defective. The clerk tried to manually input the number and it still wouldn't work so I used a credit card with no problems. Unfortunately, the pumps needed a kick in the oomp-tee-doo to work because it took 8 minutes to pump in $15 worth of gas. Finally got underway and made it just in time to the airport as the plane was boarding. Whew--barely made it! I am happy to be back in Florida but I always feel like I've left home after leaving Illinois, probably because I grew up there.

I always have many pairs of ladies slippers stockpiled but this time I didn't so I didn't have as many pairs to pass out in Illinois as I wished. While I was there, I made a red pair for my friend.

Pattern

I am getting a few pairs socked away and here's one pair:

Pattern

I got some Hometown USA yarn and looked high and low for a pattern I'd like to make out of it. I wanted something simple but not too home-made looking. I liked the Snap! I Lost My Hat pattern. I made it twice, once in size medium and once in size large. The medium is more child-size than adult and that's why I ended up making the large size too.

size medium

size large

I made an infinity cowl to go with the hats.

cowl pattern

This is all for now folks. Hope you are staying warm.

Hugs,

Sharon

Found a Freebie for Crocheters

Kindle has the book Easy Hat, Scarf and Neck Warmer Crochet Patterns in 4 sizes: Baby to Teen/Adult FREE! I don't know how long it will be free so if you want it, I'd hurry over there and get your copy.

Your cheapskate friend,
Sharon

2015--It's a Wrap

Here is a look at what I made out of crochet and with a loom (1 scarf) last year. Seems like an awful lot of hats, slippers and dishcloths. I can't keep slippers in my gift drawer--they get given away almost as quick as I make them. That's fine with me because I can give a little bit of love to everyone who wears a pair of my slippers. I do have many of these items in my stash at the Kentucky home because one of these days I'm going to have enough things made to participate in a craft show. I wonder how many items I would need???

I used the free Picasa software to made this slideshow video. I merged some royalty-free music together at the audio-joiner website. There are many sites to find royalty free music, just do a google search and you'll find quite a lot to use in your video projects and slideshows.

Thursday I'm heading for my old hometown in Illinois. I have an aunt in poor health and I plan to spend some time visiting with her and bringing her a pair of, you guessed it, slippers. :) I'm going to be staying with a friend from back in high school. I will definitely enjoy having a good visit with her too.

Stay warm and safe....

Sharon

Some Finished Items

Hello everyone! I hope your new year has started out in wonderful ways. I have some finished items to share with you. I didn't want to share things made with the same ol' patterns I usually use so I waited until I made something from a new to me pattern. Here's what I have:

• Made from the Urban Shells Beanie pattern that is new to me:

This hat is very similar to the Rubylene hat pattern that I enjoy making. 

• The next hat I made from the Amazing Grace Blissful Slouchy pattern:

This was going to be for a woman but I think the colors are more manly so it's going to my son who works outdoors.

• Hat for Santa's elf made from this pattern:

I've made quite a few of these hats and they seem to have gone over very well and I get requests for them from time to time.

• And of course, I made some slippers from my favorite slipper pattern:

The first 2 pairs are made in the woman's size and the 3rd and 4th pairs are made in the man's size. I had given a few pairs to a friend and someone asked if I would make some to sell so my friend sold them and gave me the money and that's definitely a nice way to start out the new year.

This is all I have for now. See you later...

Sharon

TurboTax Deluxe 2015 Federal + State Taxes + Fed Efile Tax Preparation Software - PC/Mac Disc

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (04 January 2016)

Today's link is to a free pattern for a practical item that will save you money. Many of us would like to use Swiffers to dust our floors with. The disposable "cloths" are expensive and just another item that ends up in landfills. Here's a pattern to crochet your own. Crochet a few of them and just toss in the wash to have clean ones for the next time. Make them out of cotton and they'll be environmentally "green."

Happy New Year!

Neighbor's Daughter MISSING

My next door neighbor's daughter disappeared before Christmas. I usually don't post things like this on my blog but because I know the father and he's a good guy and a disabled veteran I want to do what little I can to help him. This is so shocking. She's a devoted mom of 3 small children and a loving daughter. If you have any information that may help to locate Kayla please contact Detective Barry at (270) 872-9102 or Radcliff Police Department. Here's the information that is known at this time.

• One of her cards was used in Wisconsin at an atm machine after her disappearance 
• Name: Kayla R. (nee Fernandez) Johnson
• Hispanic
• Age: 25
• Last seen: 17 DEC 2015 at her father's house in Radcliff, KY 
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown sometimes wears glasses
• Height: About 5' 
• Weight: 110 lbs.

The person in the above photo is the last person she was known to be with. He is a convicted felon. He has been convicted of felony child abuse in North Carolina, assault on a female and many other charges. See here for the source of this information and more info on him.

His information is--

• Name: Brandon G. Pegram
• White
• Age: 25
• Last seen 17 DEC 2015 Radcliff, KY
• Hair: light brown
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches
• Weight: about 160
• Piercings: nose and lip

Other pictures:

I Blew It--

I've been involved since we did our winter migration to Florida. Hubby has been working on finishing up the kitchen (it's very close to being finished) and I've been well, supervising and errand running. Before I left Kentucky, I set up a bunch of holiday related posts and I blew it dear remaining readers, because many of my followers didn't like them and 6 of my dear blog friends jumped ship and left me.

I suppose I could say it doesn't bother me because I'm doing this blog primarily for myself but the truth is, I am sad that someone took such a dislike to what I thought was a "treat" that they left. That's okay, because like I said this blog is for me. It is one way that I interact with the real world. I have a tendency to "hide" because of some things I've experienced in the past and this is one way I "socialize."

Christmas here was rather tame. I've been down with an upper respiratory infection for the last 4 days so we decided to stay home and not risk infecting anyone. My kind aunt sent over plates laden with a delicious Christmas meal.

I have a few finished projects to share with you and I'll be doing that soon. I'm hoping that your Christmas was full of love, cheer and most importantly--blessings.

Cheers!

Sharon

Season's Greetings

To all of you may you have a blessed holiday.

--Sharon

Topper's Christmas Carol

Topper was an early television comedy (1953-1955). This series was about a somewhat grumpy and uptight banker, Cosmo Topper, and the ghosts which only he could see or hear, George and Marion Kerby. The Kerbys would often try to get Cosmo to loosen up and enjoy life, but more often they would complicate it. For more series information click here.

Holiday greetings,

Sharon

Topper DVDs

Star in the Night

In this short, 1945 movie, it's Christmas Eve. Three cowboys have just bought out a store of items as Christmas presents, despite not having anyone to give the presents to.

Best wishes,

Sharon

A Smoky Mountain Christmas (Movie)

It's time again to take a break and watch a sentimental Christmas movie. A country/western singer on a trip through the Tennessee mountains runs into a reclusive backwoodsman--and a witch. This is a 1986 made-for-TV film directed by Henry Winkler, starring Dolly Parton and Lee Majors

Hugs,

Sharon

For Your Christmas Holiday Listening....

Today, I'm taking a break from posting a movie or show and I am posting a video that is a playlist of Christmas music that you can listen to as you go about your business. Many of the songs have the words posted so that it is a breeze to sing along.

Happy Holidays!

Sharon

Rudolph

Here's the animated version of the beloved Christmas story--Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  You will hear the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, John Goodman, Debbie Reynolds, Richard Simmons and others. Now, get comfortable and kick back for a spell.

Have fun!

Sharon

Rudolph DVDs

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Here's a Christmas movie that I don't think I've seen. It's It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

Mickey Rooney plays Mike Halligan, a retired cop from Manhattan living in California with his family who decides to show his grandson, who has never seen snow before, what a real white Christmas in New York is like. But he dies from a sudden heart attack in which Halligan makes a deal with the Archangel of Heaven to return to Earth for a week until Christmas and show his grandson the seasonal glories of New York City. (more info here).

Later Gator!

Sharon

Mickey Rooney DVDs

Vintage Crochet Pattern Using Crepe Paper!

I've heard of crocheting with bread and other plastic bags, rags and t-shirts but this is the first I've heard of crocheting with crepe paper! This hat is very beautiful but I don't think it has a long life maybe I'm wrong though (hope). Let me know if you make one or have heard about crocheting with this medium.

Found on Newspapers.com
Cheers!

Sharon

Highway to Heaven Christmas Episode

Here is a Christmas episode from season 5 of Highway to Heaven. This is one of those great, family style show that we no longer see enough of now a days. Grab yourself a cup of eggnog and a few Christmas cookies and enjoy the show.

Sharon

Highway to Heaven DVDs

An Ozzie and Harriet Nelson Christmas Video

It's time to grab a cup of hot chocolate and watch another Christmas video. Today's video is a 1956 episode from The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Enjoy!

Sharon

Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet DVDs

Judy Garland Christmas Special

Today is a Christmas special with Judy Garland that was televised in 1963. An interesting thing about this video is that commercials from that time are included.

Best wishes,

Sharon

Double Header-- 2 Holiday Episodes of Laverne and Shirley

Here are 2 Christmas episodes of the kooky and lovable Laverne and Shirley.

Wishing you a happy and blessed holiday season!

Sharon

Laverne and Shirley DVDs