A Hat Is Ready to Come Off the Loom

I have a hat ready to come off the loom.  I looked at a video tutorial to check out the procedure.  Mickeyssmail has numerous great tutorials for the knifty knitter. He also has a few video tutorials for crochet projects AND he has a facebook page too!  Here's the tutorial for taking a hat off the loom and finishing it off.

 Hat picture coming soon--I hope!

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Son and His "Kids"

My son has had the sweetest Cocker Spaniel named Spike.  Spike is a tan-colored little boy.  Spike is so attached to my son that when I babysat one weekend Spike moped the entire time he was with me and only moved to go outside and go potty.  Now, my son brought home a rescue little girl Cocker Spaniel named Coco as a sister and new playmate for Spike. She is very sweet!  Here's a picture of the 3 of them.

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Starting With My Knifty Knitter Again...

I've been thinking of breaking out my knifty knitters and making some hats for my guys.  I haven't loom knit very much so I decided to go to youtube and check out some videos there. Here's one by piggelwiggins that gives a great lesson on getting started.  I've only made a couple hats a few years ago with my knifty knitter so I really need some help review here.


Have a great week everyone!  Hugs...


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A Classy Crocheted Hat...

When I saw this pattern for a hat, I knew I had to make it.  It is classy looking and slightly sophisticated in appearance.  I dug in my yarn stash and came up with the following yarn in lime green:

The yarn is medium weight (4) and that is comparable to the yarn required by the pattern.  Despite the fact that I crochet loosely, the yarn has a minimal amount of give and results in a snug fit.  So, this hat is going to a tween as a Christmas present.   I won't keep you waiting any longer; here's the picture of my completed project:

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

YEE Haw!  It's a cowgirl outfit for a 7" doll!  Get your copy here.  Hugs....

More Vintage Comedy--The Little Rascals!

I posted a vintage video of the Three Stooges the other day.  Today, I have another vintage video for you--Little Rascals.  Where the Stooges used comic violence the Rascals used cutsie humor and loads of talent such as dancing and singing.  Here's one of their shows for your enjoyment:



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Here's A Bit of Vintage Comedy--The Three Stooges

When I was a very little girl, I loved The Three Stooges.  I was terrified of them at the same time!  I would hide behind my dad's old vinyl recliner and steal glances at the television to watch them.  When Moe would clobber one of the other guys, I would fall behind that old chair until the sounds of eye poking, head clobbering, and face smacking were silenced!  Here is one of their short episodes for your enjoyment...



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SCAM!!! "Rachael" from Credit Card Services

The scammers called again today at about 7:17 PM.  The lady said her name was Rachael and she was with Credit Card Services. A recording says they're calling about our credit card, there's no problem with it and we need to talk to them if we want to lower the interest rate. This time their phone number was different but the prefix was the same as another time when they called.  The number they called from was 502-000-9912.  It is really a strange looking number and a few times calls have come from a "000" prefix but different area codes..  I'm reporting them again.  One of these days they may quit calling!  I keep telling Credit Card Services to take my name off their call list and STOP calling me but they still do. Oh, and by documenting the calls here, someone else may see that these callers are scammers and not fall for their line. If you google this telephone number you can see that many people have received calls from this number and are getting upset about it.


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Round Ripple Afghan Done--Just About...

Here it is!  Finished except for weaving in the ends.  In real life the main color is more of a mauve-ish.  It is a present for a friend of mine.  I hope she likes it.  I don't know if the color matches any of her stuff; if it doesn't then maybe she can just keep it on a shelf until she needs it to cuddle up with when watching TV or something like that.  I have several afghans that I've made that don't match anything but I just pull them out as needed.  I'm goofy about liking to work with different colors that don't necessarily match the decor--silly Sharon :). I used Aggie May's pattern (she's on crochetville.org).  She is very generous about sharing it with folks who pm her for it.  I LOVE this pattern! 

Time to weave in those ends and then finish the doll I started sometime ago.  After that, I have a hat I want to make--even have the pattern printed and the yarn assembled and all stored in a ziploc bag ready to go.

Have a great week everyone!

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A Handsome Son!

Just had to share a picture of my handsome son Justin.  We went to Ft. Knox last weekend to see the Traveling Wall and made a quick visit to Patton Museum there too.  I got a bit worn out after viewing the wall--temperatures in the 90s and NO place to get something to drink.  I'd go again though even in the heat to  honor those who gave their lives.  It has been a long time since Justin and I did anything like this and I really enjoyed it.

ps--If you want an "unmarked" copy of this picture drop me a note and I will email you one.  

The Traveling Wall Visits Ft. Knox

This last weekend, the Traveling Wall was at Ft. Knox, KY.  My younger son and I visited it to pay our respects.  Here are a few pictures of our visit.  I was teary-eyed when I saw all the names.  I don't know how I escaped knowing anyone who died in Vietnam.


This traveling tribute is a true depiction of the great sacrifices made throughout the history of our country. It consists of: 

• Displays representing statistics from every war/conflict that the USA has been involved in.
• A series of World War II panels portraying the entire timeline of events.
• A Korean War tribute representing the timeline of the entire conflict with corresponding battle maps and photos.
• The Traveling Vietnam Wall – 80% replica (largest replica) of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. The "wall" stretches over 380 ft long from end to end and contains all 58,253 names. The "wall" is current through 2009 and is constantly being updated to accurately pay tribute to those who died during the Vietnam war.
• A timeline, series of facts and figures, and a display of art from Vietnam veteran artists depicting patriotic and veteran themes.
• A display of USA founding and significant historical documents including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other historical documents.

• Panels for honoring Law Enforcement and Firefighters with pictorial display.
• A panel memorializing the casualties at the Ft Hood 2009 shooting.
• Pictures of each of our commanders in chief throughout history.
• A 9/11 tribute with the names of all 2984 casualties organized by where they were located at the time of death.
• The AVTT "Gold Dog Tag" display.  This one of a kind tribute honors those who have fallen and to which there is not currently a memorial for their honor and remembrance. Each dog tag permanently records the casualty information (full name, branch of service, rank, date and location of casualty) for that American Hero. This tribute is updated constantly and would be accurate to the day it would arrive at your location. Currently the AVTT Gold Dog Tag display is the tribute to those who have fallen 1) In hostile military actions between the end of Vietnam and the 9/11 attack and 2) As a member of the armed forces who have given their life in the Global War on Terror. 

For more info on this exhibit, visit this page.

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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

I fell in love with this pattern for a hat.  It may make it on to the "short-list" of wanna make projects!  I really, really like this one!  Can you tell that I like it?!  Enjoy everyone....
















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And Here's Tooter Turtle!

I can hardly believe I found this cartoon! I couldn't remember the name of it, just when the disillusioned turtle would learn his lesson and call out "Mr. Wizard, Mr. Wizard I don't want... ." This was one of those Saturday morning cartoons that I looked forward to watching back in the old days.  I'm so happy to have found this!  Have a great weekend every one!

Reverse Single Crochet--How-To Video

Many times I'll see pics of completed afghans and the creators will post that for the nice, simple edging they used a reverse single crochet.  I've tried to do that but I am all fumble fingers.  Here is a video I found on Youtube that illustrates the technique.  She makes it look so easy!  The technique she uses is what I've tried to do--but I still can't do it!  I'll have to practice more.  I usually give up and just do a plain single crochet when I want a plain edge.  I will master this technique though!  The weekend is almost here so y'all have a great one!  Hugs...

1949--Jane Eyre Film

The classics have long been used as the bases for making films.  Here is a 1949 version of Jane Eyre.  Despite the "shaky" filming, often over-dramatic acting and numerous literary licenses taken with the script, this is an entertaining film! 





J ane Eyre is a young orphan being raised by Mrs. Reed, her cruel, wealthy aunt. A servant named Bessie provides Jane with some of the few kindnesses she receives, telling her stories and singing songs to her. One day, as punishment for fighting with her bullying cousin John Reed, Jane’s aunt imprisons Jane in the red-room, the room in which Jane’s Uncle Reed died. While locked in, Jane, believing that she sees her uncle’s ghost, screams and faints. She wakes to find herself in the care of Bessie and the kindly apothecary Mr. Lloyd, who suggests to Mrs. Reed that Jane be sent away to school. To Jane’s delight, Mrs. Reed concurs.Once at the Lowood School, Jane finds that her life is far from idyllic. The school’s headmaster is Mr. Brocklehurst, a cruel, hypocritical, and abusive man. Brocklehurst preaches a doctrine of poverty and privation to his students while using the school’s funds to provide a wealthy and opulent lifestyle for his own family. At Lowood, Jane befriends a young girl named Helen Burns, whose strong, martyrlike attitude toward the school’s miseries is both helpful and displeasing to Jane. A massive typhus epidemic sweeps Lowood, and Helen dies of consumption. The epidemic also results in the departure of Mr. Brocklehurst by attracting attention to the insalubrious conditions at Lowood. After a group of more sympathetic gentlemen takes Brocklehurst’s place, Jane’s life improves dramatically. She spends eight more years at Lowood, six as a student and two as a teacher.

After teaching for two years, Jane yearns for new experiences. She accepts a governess position at a manor called Thornfield, where she teaches a lively French girl named Adèle. The distinguished housekeeper Mrs. Fairfax presides over the estate. Jane’s employer at Thornfield is a dark, impassioned man named Rochester, with whom Jane finds herself falling secretly in love. She saves Rochester from a fire one night, which he claims was started by a drunken servant named Grace Poole. But because Grace Poole continues to work at Thornfield, Jane concludes that she has not been told the entire story. Jane sinks into despondency when Rochester brings home a beautiful but vicious woman named Blanche Ingram. Jane expects Rochester to propose to Blanche. But Rochester instead proposes to Jane, who accepts almost disbelievingly.

The wedding day arrives, and as Jane and Mr. Rochester prepare to exchange their vows, the voice of Mr. Mason cries out that Rochester already has a wife. Mason introduces himself as the brother of that wife—a woman named Bertha. Mr. Mason testifies that Bertha, whom Rochester married when he was a young man in Jamaica, is still alive. Rochester does not deny Mason’s claims, but he explains that Bertha has gone mad. He takes the wedding party back to Thornfield, where they witness the insane Bertha Mason scurrying around on all fours and growling like an animal. Rochester keeps Bertha hidden on the third story of Thornfield and pays Grace Poole to keep his wife under control. Bertha was the real cause of the mysterious fire earlier in the story. Knowing that it is impossible for her to be with Rochester, Jane flees Thornfield.

Penniless and hungry, Jane is forced to sleep outdoors and beg for food. At last, three siblings who live in a manor alternatively called Marsh End and Moor House take her in. Their names are Mary, Diana, and St. John (pronounced “Sinjin”) Rivers, and Jane quickly becomes friends with them. St. John is a clergyman, and he finds Jane a job teaching at a charity school in Morton. He surprises her one day by declaring that her uncle, John Eyre, has died and left her a large fortune: 20,000 pounds. When Jane asks how he received this news, he shocks her further by declaring that her uncle was also his uncle: Jane and the Riverses are cousins. Jane immediately decides to share her inheritance equally with her three newfound relatives.

St. John decides to travel to India as a missionary, and he urges Jane to accompany him—as his wife. Jane agrees to go to India but refuses to marry her cousin because she does not love him. St. John pressures her to reconsider, and she nearly gives in. However, she realizes that she cannot abandon forever the man she truly loves when one night she hears Rochester’s voice calling her name over the moors. Jane immediately hurries back to Thornfield and finds that it has been burned to the ground by Bertha Mason, who lost her life in the fire. Rochester saved the servants but lost his eyesight and one of his hands. Jane travels on to Rochester’s new residence, Ferndean, where he lives with two servants named John and Mary.At Ferndean, Rochester and Jane rebuild their relationship and soon marry. At the end of her story, Jane writes that she has been married for ten blissful years and that she and Rochester enjoy perfect equality in their life together. She says that after two years of blindness, Rochester regained sight in one eye and was able to behold their first son at his birth.  

This summary for Jane Eyre may be found here as well as more information on the story and character analysis.  Enjoy!


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Teddy Bear Gets a Shirt

I was trying to organize one of the spare bedrooms today.  This room temporarily lost a closet to the new hall/stairs leading to the garage.  One of these days, we'll put a small closet back in there.  For the time being, I have a pile of "stuff" to do something with.  I found a box of stuffed animals that I had here for my dil's granddaughter to play with when she was smaller.  This "nekkid" teddy bear called out to me that he needed a shirt.  Then, a loose pattern was in the room for teddy bear shirts!  Musta been in the stars for this bear to get a new shirt today.  Here's the pic of him and the link to the pattern.  If you're going to make this, take the designers advice and MEASURE where she says measure and don't guesstimate because I had to add extra on the side seams before sewing them up. Takes a tad bit over 1/2 hour to make this.  Enjoy!

Major Dad--Good Sitcom for the Family!

I was watching this episode of Major Dad on hulu  and it cracked me up! I hope you enjoy it too! I'm almost finished watching all the available Major Dad shows they have and will be sad to see the last one. I just love a cute, wholesome sitcom. Enjoy!




Major Dad

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Here's a sharp looking free pattern for a Ribbed Scarf and Brimmed Hat from Lion Brand.  Sharp looking, and rated as a beginner's pattern. Check it out!  Have a great week "hooking!"

ps You need to be a member of Lion Brand to access their patterns. Go ahead, they won't "spam" you.  :)

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I Reported the Bums to the "Do Not Call" Folks!

I filed a complaint with the "Do Not Call Registry" about Credit Card Services.  I'm just so ticked that these people are free to make calls trying to scam people!  ERRRGGGGGHHHH!

It's Been A While But the Scammers Are Back!

I haven't received calls from scamming companies that promise to lower my credit card interest rates for a while.  Today, they're back in action.  The call came from 779-000-2145 (Name not found) at 3:02 pm.  I pressed 9 to get them to take my name off the list.  The lady wouldn't do it without me giving her my number!  I told the wench that since SHE had just called me, she already had my number and should lose it because the next time I received a call from that number I was reporting them for violating the provisions of the no-call list.  Geez, some people need to get REAL jobs and leave the rest of us ALONE!

Edited to add:  Got ANOTHER call from another phone number for the company Credit Card Services about lowering my interest rates.  The number on my caller id was from "wireless caller" with the phone number 813-332-5027.  I pressed 9 again and told the operator to stop trying to SCAM me!  The gentleman hungup.



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Elementary Statistics My Dears...

My daughter-in-law's 6th grade granddaughter called for homework help and I'm not quite up to snuff on statistic problems...you know--mode, median, range, stem and leaf plots--all that sort of thing. I had to look up help on the Internet! The basic problems she had to do came back to me after review but geez, I was totally lost for a while there and I had a college statistic course (a requirement for a BA in history)!  Here's a video from Youtube that may help you if you're confused (like me).  A bit more elementary video is found here but it does not allow embedding to other sites.  Have fun y'all...!!!!
Oh yeah, before I forget to mention:  Math Playground is a great site to go to for homework help. Nope, they're not paying me to mention this; I have used it with great results before helping tutor this young lady a year ago.




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Great Song...

There is a ton of controversy about building a mosque near Ground Zero. We need to remember that our country has been built on a foundation of religious tolerance. It wasn't Islam that caused such tragedy to happen on 9-11 but rather some warped, fanatics twisting the religious tenents of Islam for their actions. Christianity has its shames too--child molestation, the Crusades and lets not forget when the Americas were newly visited by Europeans whose mission was for God, gold and glory and resulted in the enslaving and death of many natives. So, "Remember who we are!"


And here is a news story that shows a little glimpse at how individuals on both sides of the story feel about this issue.

On this day in 1906, 16 August, Prince Franz Josef II Was Born

Prince Franz Josef was born at Frauenthal Castle in Styria on 16 August 1906. He was the first son of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria.  To read more about him go to this Liechtenstein Museum page  and this Royal Forums page for more information on him.

Monday's Link for Free Crochet Pattern

Today's pattern is for one version of the classic ripple afghan.  Easy to make and always appreciated.  Hope you enjoy.  I've made a few of this style, the first was a baby one before my first son was born almost 32 years ago.  I had saved it but my ex husband wouldn't let me have it because he kept it to use for the daughter he and his second wife had!  Hugs...

My Round Ripple So Far...

I just love round ripple afghans.  This is the pattern a member from crochetville.org has generously shared with members who pm her requesting it.  This is being made as a gift for someone near and dear to me.  I can't say who because this person doesn't know anything about it.  I'm using yarn from my stash--4 different brands of ww acrylic.  I really need to work on shrinking my stash so I can get into the extra bedroom where it is stored.  Hope y'all have had a great weekend.

My Current Crochet WIPs

I haven't really posted too much lately about my crocheting.  Right now, I am working on my 1st crocheted doll. I am using this free pattern.  Of course, my doll won't be known as Goldilocks because her hair is black.  She needs legs and clothes.  My embroidered mouth leaves something to be desired and I made some make-shift eyes out of buttons--a little black button on a big white button-- because I didn't want to buy any eyes or attempt to embroider some.

I also started another round ripple.  I'm not sure how big it will end up being because I'm using odds and ends of yarn that I have in my stash.

Stay tuned for more updates...

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Monday's Link for Free Crochet Pattern

Here is a versatile pattern that has adjustments to make an afghan, baby blanket or lapghan.  The simplicity of the design is very appealing.  The pattern sounds like a piece of cake to make too.  Is this on my to-do list you may be asking?  Just about everything I see is on that list lol!  What I make is the result of what I feel like making at that instant and what I have enough yarn on hand for.  Enjoy this one folks!

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Monday's Link for Free Crochet Pattern

Most of the ladies who read this blog have enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls and may even collect them.  Here is a sweet wedding outfit to crochet for your Barbie or a friends.  For me it might be a challenge but for many of you it should be a piece of cake.  Hope you enjoy!

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The Promised Picture of a Junior Spiderman!

Here's a picture of my new little friend with his spiderman ghan!  Isn't he a cutie?  I am so excited and happy that a crochet project of mine was so well received.  He's won my heart fer sure!

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Lotsa Fun on Vacation...

On July 14th, I went to California to visit some friends. The first stop was to visit a friend in Antioch. I hadn't seen this friend in person since we were in high school back in the 70s! The 2nd friend, has been a friend since 1980.  I met her when I was in the Navy. I only have a few true friends and it is great to have had them for such a long time. My time with them was too short even though I missed my husband and the chis.  Wish dh would have gone with me but he refuses to fly since 911.  Here is a slide show to see a little bit of my trip. For some reason my photos came out blurry and I apologize for that.  Usually my camera takes good pics.

Did you notice that I'm in some of the pictures?  That's a very, very rare occurrence and won't be repeated anytime soon--LOL!

Note:  My friends are as bad as me--we don't like our pictures taken.  So, I switched out a few of  the pictures on the slide show they told me had to GO!  This is take 3 so unless one of us objects to some of the pictures again, this should be it :)

Spiderman Needs an Afghan Too...

A friend of mine shamed me because I made blankets for my friends when they had babies but she didn't get  one for her son.  Shame on me!  She liked the Spiderman version of the round ripple because her son is wild about Spiderman.  So, I put my mind to making one for the little guy.  Then, I got sidetracked and the the thought "I have plenty of time to do this.  It'll go fast."  Yeah, right.  When I finally got down to the nitty-gritty, I ended up making it a few rounds shorter than planned and I was weaving in those irksome ends as I was riding down the road to see them!  Didn't get a chance to do a quick laundering so the little guy has also received some strands of little doggie hairs from my "kids."  He asked me what the ghan was for and I told him that when he covered up with it then Spiderman's web would keep him warm and safe.  His mom has reported to me that he has tossed aside his store-bought blanket.  This little guy is so cute and I was so happy to have a crochet project so well received.  Here's a picture of it---

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I Updated My List of Links for Round Afghans

I updated the list of round afghan patterns that I have here .  The new pattern is at the bottom of the list.  It is a cute baby blanket and the link for the pattern is here if you want to go directly to the pattern instead of visiting the list.  Hope you enjoy!

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Monday's Link for Free Crochet Pattern

I owe you an extra pattern this week since I was bad and didn't have a pattern posted last week when I was visiting friends in California.  Anyway, here is a pattern for mittens for men that was just posted on another blog. They're a small enough project that won't be a hassle to make during these warm hot summer days.

Another pattern that I am linking to for you is the Circles in Square afghan pattern.  The squares are a good take along project and as crocheters know, small projects are much better to work on in the summer.

Have fun everyone and hugs to all...

Playing With Photos Online

I'm back!  I thought I'd do a quick post.  I found another place to play around with special effects.  Here's one of my sons when they were youngsters.

Pencil Sketch Generator by WishAFriend.com

Monday's Link for Free Crochet Pattern

I've been trying to keep a list of round afghan patterns.  When this new one at Lion Brand Yarn came up I decided it would make a great link for free pattern Monday.  Here it is!  If you go here you can see all the links I've gathered for free round afghan patterns.  Enjoy....

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Crocheted Summer Outfit for Doll

Here's my latest finished crochet project.  It is a doll for my friend's granddaughter.  I recycled a doll from the thrift store that was in perfect condition.  Then, I crocheted the outfit.  It's a free pattern but I don't remember where I found it!  I'll look for it and post the link later on.  I'm really looking forward to visiting my friends in California next this week!  Whoo Hoo!  Sharon's coming to town--lol!

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Company for the Weekend

I had company this weekend.  I babysat my son Justin's furbaby "Spike."  The only time Spike wasn't moping on the couch, he was looking out the window, standing at the gate or standing at the front door.  He really misses his "daddy."  He has a sweet disposition and he can pull at my heart strings when he gets that sad look in his eyes.  Here are a few pics of him that I took this weekend.

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A Cute Cartoon from 1936--"Somewhere in Dreamland"

One of my blog followers mentioned that she had been trying to find a favorite old cartoon.  I think that  I may have found it--here is Somewhere in Dreamland.  If this isn't it Lynn, let me know and I'll "sleuth" around the Net some more.



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Vintage Mighty Mouse

I love many old cartoons. Mighty Mouse is one of my childhood favorites. True, there is some violence in these old cartoons; but more importantly, Mighty Mouse cartoons showed that criminals and evil-doers always lose and pay a steep price for their nefarious deeds. For your pleasure here's one of the classic Mighty Mouse cartoons...



Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures - The Complete Series