Opi Gets a New Sweater Too...

It wasn't fair that the little girl got a new sweater and not the little boy. So, I got my hook out and some left-over yarn and went to work. It's a little big but that's ok, Opi will be warm.  So here's the man of the hour---Opi!

Looks like a cowl collar!

Now the kids will stay warm  when if I get motivated to take them walking. :) 

Nellie Belle's Sweater is Finished

I finished Nellie Belle's sweater just a little bit ago. She once again was a bit irked when I made her put it on for pictures. Here, may I present Miss Nellie Belle in all her glory--

Maaa, not the camera again???!!!

OK Sweetie, Momma loves you...

Another look at the sweater

The pattern I started out with is from Lion Brand's free patterns. I Mentioned in my previous post that I modified the collar, back, chest and added leg straps oh, and used different yarn than what the pattern called for AND a different size hook. Hmm, is it a new pattern?

Search Amazon.com for crochet patterns for dog sweaters

Finishing Up this Project for Nellie Belle

This little coat for Nellie Belle is based on a free pattern found at Lion Brand website. OK, I didn't have the right yarn and I modified the collar and I modified the number of rounds for the back and the chest piece and it still didn't fit right so I added some "straps" to give Nellie B some extra leg room. Lots of ends to weave in--mostly due to all the modifications I did. Here's pics of Nellie B and she's not too happy playing model for me. She had been snuggled under an old Mexican throw on her daddy's recliner when I rudely took her covers and put this on her. Hope you enjoy...

If looks could kill! 

Leave me alone 'K?

Couldn't Resist...

OK, this is a little far fetched but if you think about it, don't we tend to listen to the smooth talkers and their unbelievable promises?

Just a Reminder:

ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION !!!!    From a teacher in the Nashville area.  "We are worried about 'the cow' when it is all about the 'Ice Cream.'  The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year.  The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest.  I decided that we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot.  The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support.  I had never seen Olivia's mother. The day for their speeches arrived.  Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better  place. He ended by promising to do his very best.  Everyone applauded and he sat down. Now is was Olivia's turn to speak. Her speech was concise. She said, "If you vote for me, I will give you ice cream."   She sat down.  The class went wild. "Yes! Yes!  We want ice cream." She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure.  Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it?  She didn't know.  The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream.  Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a landslide. Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds.  They want ice cream.  The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess. This is the ice cream Obama promised us!      Remember, the government cannot give --anything to anyone -- that they have not first taken away from someone else.         Did you vote for the ice cream?  Remember this: November 2, 2010 is Take Out the Trash Day!

In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

In-Store Coupon : Weekly In-Store Specials : Hobby Lobby - Hobby Lobby

Thought I would share this with my friends here so we can all save some money. Have a great day and hugs...Sharon

How to Fix Congress

I received the following in an email and I thought it worthy of being posted in my humble blog rather than forwarding to 20 people as was requested. Today it is time to vote so this is very timely.

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!! 

 

A friend sent this along to me. I can't think of a reason to disagree.

 

I am sending this to virtually everybody on my e-mail list and that includes conservatives, liberals, and everybody in between.  Even though we disagree on a number of issues, I count all of you as friends.  My friend and neighbor wants to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2010."  It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.    

I know many of you will say "this is impossible."  Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval rating of any entity in Government. Now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.  

We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House.  These people will become American heroes  

                       ********************************** 

            Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits.

   12 years only, one of the possible options below..

   A. Two Six-year Senate terms

   B. Six Two-year House terms

   C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2.  No Tenure / No Pension. 

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.  

3.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. 

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.  

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.  Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.  

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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Ever wonder how it is that some crocheters can make rectangular granny squares?  Here's a pattern that might answer that question for you.  Enjoy and happy hooking...

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Halloween!

Halloween is a fun time of the year. What a better way to celebrate than to gorge on candy especially if it is chocolate. Often times, children have no idea of how Halloween celebrations first started. Here's an animated look at the origins of the holiday, its traditions and superstitions related to it. Try to control yourselves, don't be frightened...





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Slipper Confusion

The slipper pattern I use quite frequently is a little confusing if you've never made them before. I've been asked many times about what to do after chaining 11. Hopefully the pictures I'm posting here will help out with that.
Here is where we are making the 12 rounds prior to what we'll call part 2 that starts with the ch 11:

Here we have started part 2 by chaining 11.

Here you can see where I am doing 10 sc down the first side of the chains:

After doing 10sc down the first side of the chains, do 25 sc around to the other side of the chains:

(At this point, you will have 35 sc)

Do 10 sc up the back side of the chains for a total of 45 sc to work on:

At the end of that row, chain1 and work the remainder of the 9 rows in the back loops. The following 3 photos show you how it looks after working the first 3 rows in part 2:

The next 3 photos show you what the slipper looks like after doing 9 rows in part 2:

The last 3 rows are decrease rows. These rows add the heel to the slipper. These stitches are also done in the back loops but for the decrease stitches and the sc in between them, I don't worry about doing them in the back loops--I use all the loops. Here are some pictures with all the rows done. You can see that the back is now rounded into a heel:

The next 2 pictures show you a completed slipper:

If anyone has any questions just drop me a line and I'll do my best to help you. I think the big problem with making these slippers the first time is visualizing them. After the first pair it's a piece of cake--I promise!

Hugs to all,
Sharon

WIP Wednesday

Here's what I'm up to right now.  I do have more irons in the fire but this is my fastest project.

This two-toned blue item will turn into slippers when completed.  Can you see the twister seal? I use it for for a stitch marker! Here is another pair of slippers from the same pattern that I finished this week:

For these slippers I used a strand of pink and a strand of lavender yarns. I just love mixing up colors and seeing how they turn out.  Here's a link to the pattern I used-- http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/slisoc.html


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I Have an Idea for Our Politicians...

This being an election year, politicians are slamming each other left and right. One topic that has many of us interested is health care reform. There are allegations that some politicians are proposing a $2000 deductible for Medicare recipients and rumors abound that some medical procedures won't be available for elder folks. My solution--For an entire term in office, make our politicians live off of checks the size of an average social security check and see how well they make ends meet and pay for their health care and meds. Plus, for medical care, they will only be allowed to use the Medicare program. They can get a supplemental policy for Medicare IF they can afford it out of their social security checks. I don't believe it is ethical for folks who have at least 6 figures or more in their savings to play god with those who are less affluent. We're not talking about low-life people but rather people who have been productive individuals but are now having to chose between putting food on the table or paying to see a doctor and getting recommended care. What do you think, should our politicians personally test-drive the new program?


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Updated List of Free Round Afghan Crochet Patterns

(Above Pattern by Aggie May)

I almost missed this link for another free pattern for a round afghan. The comprehensive list of links is found here. Hope y'all enjoy. I really like this one. Actually, I like 'em all! One of these days I'm going to make one. So far, I've only made a bunch from the pattern that Aggie May on crochetville pm'd me. So many patterns, so little time...


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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Here's a cute vintage potholder pattern.  This might make a cute gift for the cat lover on your holiday gift list so check it out!  Hugs...

Search Amazon.com for vintage potholder patterns

Slippers Are Done!

Here's the latest completed project of mine. After these, I'll wait until I get a few pairs completed before I post pictures. This time of the year, I make quite a few pairs of these and I don't want to burn you out on them. Anyway, here they are, my favorite slippers!

Edited to add this link:
Pattern is from http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/slisoc.html 

Happy Birthday Ray!!!

Today is dh's birthday.  He's 4 1/2 years younger than me--sshhh don't tell anyone!  Here he is coming home from work today and Opi and Nellie Belle are greeting him with balloons. I made him a cake and brought home some KFC--one of his favorites. I told him that we'd go this weekend and he should pick out something for himself. I never know what to get him. I said he should get whatever he wanted as long as it didn't have wheels because he's been talking about Camaros, Harleys and Ford 4x4s.  Men and male menopause geez... ;)

Hope y'all are having a great day too.  Hugs...

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Moved Widget For Children's Online Book

I had a widget on here for a children's online book of the day.  I have moved it over to my chihuahua's blog. You will find it in the column on your right side. I decided to do this to "clean up" a bit here.  Have a great day folks!

Latest WIP--Slippers

I have so many projects that I'm working on now but today's post is about one of my favorites. Here are some slippers that I've designated as a "purse project" because I carry them in my purse to work on when I get stuck waiting somewhere. I started these today and in one more sitting they should be done! Slippers made from this pattern are a frequently requested gift so I try to have a few pairs stashed for the unanticipated need for a gift. Link for pattern is here.  Anyway, here's the pic:

Getting in the Season's Mood...

I'm getting in the Halloween mood.  So here's a spooky-looking witch to put a little fright in your day!  ;)

On another note, I see my ex-sister-in-law has been visiting and I just want to say "hi" to Twila!

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