I'm Still Here...

I know I haven't posted lately but life has been a bit chaotic. We decided not to buy the Florida townhouse. I loved it but because it has a flat roof, the insurance was going to cost up to 150% more than a comparable home with a traditional roof. Since the plan is to ultimately move down there when I'm eligible for Social Security, we're just getting a manufactured home in a 55 and older community and taking what would have been a down payment for a townhouse and pay cash for a manufactured home. That way, we can save more money, and easily sell it or rent it when time comes to permanently move down there. When that time comes, we'll sell out here in Kentucky and buy a house down there. Hopefully by downsizing, we won't end up with a mortgage. We're headed for Florida sometime next month to do a quick move in and maybe paint some walls and that sort of thing. We had a home inspection done and it was in very good shape although needs a little tlc to make it pretty.

I have accomplished a few crochet projects and I have an afghan in the works. Here is an afghan that was supposed to be for a baby but I got a little carried away with the size.

No pattern, I just graphed it out on graph paper to use a variety of sizes of traditional granny squares.

Here are a few more dishcloths that I made from a pattern found in the Leisure Arts book Dishcloths (12 Designs).  This is pattern #8 by Barbara Clark. I picked this book up at WalMart and I think (not sure) that it is one of those Walmart exclusive things. 

I love this dishcloth pattern so much, that I am using it as the basis for the afghan I am making for our Florida place. Here's a little glimpse at it.

The green is a mills end that I picked up at Joanns in Tavares, Florida earlier this year. The red and white are Red Heart Super Saver. This afghan is a bit slow going because it is made completely of single crochets. Not sure how big it's going to be--all depends on how long the yarn lasts.

Take care everyone! Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Hugs,

Sharon

So Very Sorry--

I have been neglectful to some of you and absent for some time now. I have been rather busy but that's no excuse.  First, let me show you what I received from a giveaway hosted by Debi. I love the color of the yarns and I think it will make a pretty scarf and hat for a special young lady. I love the hook--seems as my hands become more arthritic, these thicker-handled hooks make a difference. Thank you Debi, I am so sorry for being slow about thanking you.

We have finally finished our bathroom remodel! 13 months ago, we started collecting/assembling/purchasing what we thought we needed and/or wanted for it. Hubby gutted it and everything from ceiling to floors was replaced with the exception of the bathtub and we had that refinished by a "tub guy." By saving, getting things on sale and getting everything a little at a time we were able to keep the credit cards in our wallets and not use them. Husband did most of the work himself and his buddy helped a bunch too.




I went to Florida again. I went there to go house shopping for a winter getaway. I did a whirl wind week of looking at places that didn't need much work, were in a safe neighborhood and met my minimal budget. I found a townhouse that I liked and seemed to meet most of our criteria. I did a walk-through video that I ended up having to post on youtube because the file was too large to email to my husband. We are scheduled to close on June 13th (Friday) but there is a very good chance that we will close sooner since we scurried around hither and yon and got all the paperwork/red tape taken care of. Here's the video I sent to hubby.



Of course after all of this running around I had to get sick. I'm recovering from another URI--scary since I recently came back from an area close to Orlando, FL where that new MERS disease has infected people. Slowly recovering and now hubby has it--poor guy.

I want to stress the point that we are not rich, both of our houses cost less than what many people commonly pay for one. This year we paid off our house and we're also into the sweat equity thing. This place in Florida is very dated as you can tell by the appliances and cabinetry. It's in very good repair though and I'm not in a big hurry to change everything out. This place is our get away from the winter place to go and it is a perfect size if one of us should be end up a widow(er). That's really a gruesome thought!

I am finishing up a baby blanket that I'm late getting done and it has grown to a small afghan. Maybe I should use patterns instead of winging it!

I hope you all are well and that signs of spring-time are warming you up and putting smiles on your faces.

Take care my friends....
Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (05 May 2014)

Today's link is for a pattern for mini plant hangers. The designer uses hers for growing herbs.  I remember my first apartment and one of the few decorative touches I was able to afford was a plant in a similar (but larger) hanger hanging from the ceiling. Ahh, the memories this pattern brings back. :)

Enjoy!

Thursday's Tricks (24 April 2014)

Use chalk to remove grease stains from clothes. Simply rub white chalk on the affected area and wash as normal - the chalk will absorb the grease and be washed away in the cycle. Has anyone tried this one? It sounds like an inexpensive way to get the grease off.

Wrap rubber bands around the ends of a hanger to help keep clothes from slipping off. This is another good idea. I've started switching over to velvet hangers (they work very good too) but this is worth a try before I spend money on more hangers.

 More slip-proof velvet hangers

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (21 April 2014)

Sometimes you just have to have flowers as the finishing touch on your crocheted projects. Today's link is to a pattern for 2 versions of crocheted daisies.

To go along with the idea of "daisies" is Doris Day singing Please Don't Eat the Daisies.




 





Buy the video "Please Don't Eat the Daisies"

Switched to Crocheting Dishcloths for a While

I wanted something brainless to crochet so I broke out my patterns and found what I was looking for in Dishcloths (12 crochet designs) published by Leisure Arts. I saw this pattern for a dishcloth that is crocheted corner-to-corner and I thought I'd give it a whirl. After making 5 of them, suffice it to say that I enjoy this pattern very much. A couple of the dishcloths I made out of scraps of yarn. These will be for everyday use here at home. The "nicer ones" are going in the gift drawer to be gifted to someone at a later day. And here's some pictures--

Crochet Patterns for Dishcloths

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (14 April 2014)

Here's an elegant and feminine shawl that would look beautiful for a bride or for a young lady to wear to the prom. I don't think it would take more than a few days to make either.

Have fun everyone!
Sharon

It's the Easter Bunny!

Sitting like a lady

Showing off the booty tail 

Here is my latest FO--the Easter Bunny. This pattern needs a bit of tweeking and proofing but overall, I like the design and how it turned out for me. I want to figure out a way to make it part of our Easter centerpiece. Maybe I'll sit it on a large decorative dish with Easter grass and put some foil wrapped candies around it. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Hugs,
Sharon

Thursday's Tricks (10 April 2014)

• Brown sugar get hard? Toss a couple of the larger sized marshmallows into the bag with the brown sugar and then seal it up.
• Keep your dishwasher extra clean with white vinegar. Pour ½ cup into the detergent cups and run the empty machine for a complete cycle. 

There's a couple hints for this week that I found. Hope everyone is enjoying the spring-time weather and blooms. 

Take care--

Sharon

Free Ebook at Amazon

Browsing around some groups I belong to on Facebook, I found this link for Crochet Rag Rugs Basic Pattern Collection in Kindle ebook format. I thought that I would share it with you. The price is right--FREE! It is for Kindle, but there is a free converter called Calibre that is available so you can convert it to another format for other book readers.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (07 April 2014)

Here it is--it's a crocodile flower! Actually, it's a crocheted square made with crocodile stitches. It's has a very striking appearance. So go here and check it out.
Enjoy,
Sharon

Bunnies Everywhere!

It's that time of the year again when Easter bunnies leave colorful eggs and candy goodies for us. I have decided to procrastinate a bit on my current crochet projects and make my own bunny for this Easter. There are many, many bunny patterns out there and I thought that I would share with you some patterns to hook up your own bunny in time for this Easter. I started out looking at Crochet Pattern Central. Under it's new owner, updates aren't done as frequently as the previous owner did them so I included all the working links to bunny patterns here and included patterns from other sites too. You will have to do a copy and paste thing with these links in your browser. I just posted links here thinking they would work without using the link thingie as I was typing up this post, but it didn't work out that way--DRAT...

• http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=5113&lang=us
• http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/flopsy-bunny-toy
• http://makezine.com/craft/craft_pattern_spring_bunny/
• http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=13
• http://www.amigurumitogo.com/2012/06/baby-bunny.html
• http://hodgepodgecrochet.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/babys-first-bunny/
• http://earning-my-cape.blogspot.com/2012/08/ballerina-bunny-free-crochet-pattern.html
• http://stitch11.com/huggy-bunny/
• http://www.crochetville.com/community/topic/99594-honey-bunny-amigurumi/#entry1729027
• http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80018AD.html
• http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/08/amigurumi-bunny-pencil-holder.html
• http://www.craftown.com/Bella-the-Bunny.html
• http://sheepdogsfleece.blogspot.com/2011/04/hungry-bunny.html
• http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80448AD.html
• http://apocalypseknits.blogspot.com/2010/06/jen-travelling-bunny.html
• http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60480A.html
• http://www.amigurumitogo.com/2012/05/bunny.html
• http://thekansashooker.blogspot.com/2009/03/lil-bunny-pattern-original-pattern-by.html
• http://littleyarnfriends.com/post/20661140774/crochet-pattern-lil-bunny-cupcake
• http://vickiehowell.com/2011/03/new-pattern-bitty-bunny-amigurumi-toy/
• http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00145&cat_id=333
• http://littleyarnfriends.com/post/25927958061/crochet-pattern-lil-granny-bunny
• http://thekansashooker.blogspot.com/2012/10/bun-bun-tri-ami.html
• http://rickrackandribbons.blogspot.com/2011/07/bunchy-bunny-pattern.html
• http://www.amigurumitogo.com/2012/09/kawaii-bunny.html
• http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00529&cat_id=313
• http://www.crochetnmore.com/bunnycandypouch.htm
• http://www.craftown.com/Easter-Bunny.html
• http://crochetnplay.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-favorite-free-patterns-love-bunnies.html
• http://www.crochetville.com/community/topic/9786-miffy-the-bunny/#entry129488
• http://www.nyanpon.com/2012/09/mini-candy-corn-bunny.html
• http://gnathalie2.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/mint-bunny/
• http://www.craftown.com/Miss-Bunny.html
• http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-bunny-egg/
• http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/bunny-flowers-free-crochet-pattern.html
• http://www.mazkwok.com/2014/02/bunny-head-applique-free-crochet-pattern.html
• http://donnascrochetdesignstheblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/bunny-in-basket-free-crochet-pattern.html
• http://kawaiipatterns.wordpress.com/2010/07/16/bunny-key-chain-_/
• http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Easter/Bunny%20Photo%20Frame%20Fridgie.pdf
• http://www.crochetnmore.com/bunnyplantpoke.htm
• http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/cff-pocketPetBunny.html
• http://6ichthusfish.typepad.com/6ichthusfish/2010/03/amigurumi-bunny-rabbit-pattern--by-abmckenna-2010----head----begin-with-2-chain--round-1--into-the-second-chain-from-the-h.html
• http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00931&cat_id=333
• http://www.crochetville.com/community/topic/81739-realistic-bunny-pattern/#entry1350874
• http://www.amiamour.com/2010/02/patches-the-carrot-loving-bunny-pattern/
• http://sheepdogsfleece.blogspot.com/2010/08/mr-bunny.html
• http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/FunkyBunny.html
• http://freepatternsbyh.blogspot.com/2011/07/scrap-bunny-amigurumi.html
• http://craftroom.tumblr.com/post/20243451718/amigurumi-sleepy
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sniffles-the-bunny
• http://stormyzcrochet.weebly.com/snuggle-bunny.html
• http://thecraftfrog.com/2011/03/04/march-monthly-spring-bunny/
• http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/Easter/Bunny%20Towel%20Ring.pdf
• http://www.craftydeb.com/free
• http://members.optusnet.com.au/we2/chenillerabbit.html
• http://www.crochetkim.com/patterns/chenillebunny.html
• http://www.allaboutami.com/post/17307940820/sweetheartbunnypattern
• http://strngbn.tripod.com/chocbune.html
• http://loopsoflavender.blogspot.com/2012/03/chocolate-bunny-crochet-pattern.html
• http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80095AD.html
• http://colorfullcreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/crazy-bunny.html
• http://blackmoonflower.blogspot.com/2011/01/cute-bunny-pattern.html
• http://amigurumiplanet.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/bunny-dango.html
• http://makezine.com/craft/craft_pattern_spring_bunny/
• http://craftbits.com/project/amigurumi-string-bean-bunny/
• http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC00174&cat_id=333
• http://www.littlethingsblogged.com/2012/10/amigurumi-sweet-bunny-pattern.html
• http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2010/01/tea-cup-bunnies-or-rapid-rabits.html
• http://www.amigurumitogo.com/2012/09/dust-bunny.html
• http://swirlsandsprinklesblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-bunny-coffee-kozie.html
• http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/03/easter-bunny-pin-or-fridgie.html
• http://crochetbot3000.blogspot.com/2011/03/zombie-rabbit.html
• http://studio-ami.tumblr.com/post/27496866463/white-rabbit-amigurumi-pattern-this-is-a
• http://freevintagecrochet.com/free-baby-patterns/enterprise9305/bunny-baby-bib-pattern
• http://freevintagecrochet.com/toy-patterns/lily63/sleeping-bunny-pattern
• http://artedonia.blogspot.com/2010/07/vinnie-bunny-free-pattern.html
• http://kandjdolls.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-amigurumi-crochet-pattern-tuzki.html
• http://freevintagecrochet.com/free-toy-patterns/enterprise9305/bunny-toy-pattern
• http://freevintagecrochet.com/toy-patterns/coats318/bunny-toy-pattern
• http://freevintagecrochet.com/glass-jacket-patterns/coats307/childs-bunny-glass-jacket-pattern
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/Crochet-Bunny-Peep/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/Rainbow-Brite-Bunny/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/Amigurumi-Chocolate-Easter-Bunny/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/Easter-Bunny-Crochet-Pattern/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/A-Large-Bunny-Peep/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/A-Small-Bunny-Peep/ct/1
• http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Easter-Crochet/Three-Piece-Bunny-Set/ct/1
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-lovey-2
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-boo-2
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-in-a-dress
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-and-bear-buddies
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-amigurumi
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-hat--booties-booties
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-janks
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marshmallow-bunny
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easter-bunnies---conejitos-de-pascua
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/love-bunnies
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fuzzy-bunny-baby-blanket
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ice-cream-bunny-baby
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-purse
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-treat-bag
• http://www.yarnspirations.com/pattern/crochet/one-skein-bunny
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-floppy-bunny-slippers
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-boots---bunny-ears
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pink-little-lady---free-amigurumi-crochet-pattern
• http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your-hat

Hope you have some fun with these.

Hugs,

Sharon

A Ladies Camouflage Hat

I had plenty of yarn left after I made the man's camouflage hat so I decided to make a more feminine camouflage hat. I love this pattern and have used it many times. To make a little larger hat to cover the ears better I will up-size the hook I'm using. This time I used the G hook like the pattern calls for; it will also fit a girl or be a more snug fit for a woman.

Now I really need to get my act together and finish a ufo or 2.

Take care,
Sharon

Amazon Fire TV

Man's Hat is Finished

Here is one of the projects that was bugging me and it is now finished. It became less frustrating working with all the slip stitches as it progressed. I may actually make a few more of these for the guys in my family. Here's the finished project--

I definitely like how the camouflage yarn looks with this pattern. The hat looks small but it stretches quite a bit.  The pattern is located here if anyone wants it.

Take care everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

Thursday's Tricks (03 April 2014)

Put Your Dishwasher on Double Duty

You've finally learned how to load it correctly, but are you really taking full advantage of your dishwasher's scour power? A dishwasher can reach 155 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria — just the ticket for sanitizing some of the more unsavory items in your household. Tossing these 10 soiled staples in the dishwasher will save time when hand washing or the washing machine just doesn't hold water.

Rubber boots and flip flops*. Freshen your step from summer's sweaty buildup by placing shoes horizontally in the dishwasher rack (make sure to remove the boot liners before hitting START).  Add a little baking soda to the mix for extra deep cleaning.

Plastic hair brushes. To zap all the dirt, skin and debris that collect in the bristles, first use a comb to remove all the excess hair. Then, toss brushes in the quickest cycle available and finish the job by running the dry cycle.  Note: Do not wash brushes with wooden handles

Stove burner grates. A hassle to clean by hand but a dream to throw in your dishwasher's bottom rack.

Potatoes. Yes, potatoes! Lay them flat in a dish or place them on the top rack and give them a bath in the rinse cycle sans detergent. A lifesaver during the holidays.

Baseball caps*. While caps can lose their shape in the washing machine, they do magnificently well in the dishwasher. The normal cycle is all it takes to tidy up these toppers.

Athletic accessories*. There's nothing like the smell of ripe sports paraphernalia to make the whole family run screaming out the door. Shin guards and knee pads are safe for the top rack. Just skip the dry cycle.

Dish sponges. Often the germiest frenemies in the entire kitchen, dish sponges can be successfully sanitized in the dishwasher with the rest of your dishes through a full wash and dry cycle.

Plastic or metal-handle garden tools. No wooden handles, please.

Refrigerator shelving. Newer models are usually dishwasher safe, but consult your user's manual to be certain. You may have to do some maneuvering to fit the shelves in the bottom rack.

Toothbrushes*. Sterilize brushes in the top rack. Your dentist will thank you.

*Avoid washing with dirty dishes

Tip: items that should NOT be placed in the dishwasher include:
Wood (it warps)
Cast iron (it rusts)
Crystal (it cracks)

The above hints are from Scott Brand. Go to their web site for more helpful hints and coupons too.

Dishwasher Clean/Dirty Magnets

3 Projects I Want to Chuck out the Window!!!

Yes, you read that title right, I have 3 projects I want to toss out the window and forget I ever started them. 

• The 1st I talked about last week. It is painfully slow making this men's hat.  Maybe it's not the hat, maybe it's my CADD (crochet attention deficiet disorder) and this hat is largely made out of slip stitches so it takes forever to get anywhere with it.

Should look like

(Picture courtesy of Ravelry)

Mine

• The 2nd project is a deerstalkers hat. Love the look of this and thought it would make a nice gift for someone. The problem is, after working 91 rounds, I don't know where to attach the brim. I mean theoretically, I know where it goes, but I just don't know where to put it if that makes sense to you. I was going to take a picture of what I've done so far but I couldn't find it so chances are I did toss it out the window and it's blowing in the wind as the old song goes. 

Should look like

(picture from here at freepatterns.com)

• The 3rd project, the zen sweater designed by Doris Chan, almost has me crying in my beer because it should be so beautiful. I have frogged and frogged this baby more times than I can count and it needs to be frogged again. I should have 12 fans at this stage and I only have 10. I should have known this was going to be a problem when I ordered light gray yarn and I ended up with a light tan.

Should look like

(Picture courtesy of Ravelry) 

Mine

So, the plan right now is to work on the 1st project I wrote about here and get it done and out of the way. Then move on to the zen sweater and lastly the deerstalker hat if I haven't really tossed it out the window.

That's all for now...

Hugs,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (31 March 2014)

picture courtesy of Lion Brand

This slouchy beanie is a free pattern available at Lion Brand. I think this would be a great hat for the guys and the girls you make things for. These hats are made of super bulky weight yarn and will have you quickly churning them out hand over fist.

Crochet Hat Patterns on Your Kindle

Ta Da--a Finished Scarf

Gosh, I love this pattern. It's the 3rd time I've made a scarf from it. It lends itself very well to being made into a longer or shorter scarf. Here's my latest version of it--

Pattern

Ravelry Link

The yarn I used was Red Heart with Love and the color is Fruit Punch. This yarn is a bit pricier than Red Heart Super Saver but not that much more. It is very soft--like a much more expensive yarn.  Nope, I'm not getting paid to promote this yarn, just freely giving my 2 cents worth.

Here's another project off to the gift drawer. It is very nice now that no one smokes in the house because I don't have to wash everything before I give it away. Now, I mainly pre wash baby items and larger items like afghans that have had to withstand Nellie Belle sneaking in for some cuddle-time with them.

Take care everyone.

Hugs,
Sharon

Blog Background Went POOF!

Editted--The Cutest Blog on the Block is back. I checked 31 March 2014.--Sharon

Just threw this pic in here for the heck of it!

My blog background disappeared and as I was snooping around trying to find out what happened, I discovered that "the cutest blog on the block" had disappeared and with it my blog background. At first, I was kind of aggravated about it. Then, I started thinking that how kind it actually was of the designer to offer for free the backgrounds (s)he put time and talent into designing. I did find the new background for my blog at Blog Designs by Dani.  So, if your blog background went "poof" and your blog looked like it was loading for an extremely long time, then the host for your background may have gone out of business.

Take care everyone.

Hugs,
Sharon




Google Blogger For Dummies

Here's a Finished Hat

I was confused a few times making the trim on this hat and frogged the trim a few times but eventually I got it. Pattern is called Julia's Hat designed by Natasha Robarge from the magazine Interweave Crochet Accessories Special Issue 2010.  I've had this magazine since probably 2010 and this is the first time I've made something from it. If you don't have the magazine, the pattern is available for download at Ravelry for $5.50. Might be more economical to see if you can get the magazine on interlibrary loan or borrow it from a friend. I had fun making this hat but I don't think it was fun enough to make this my go-to hat pattern for ladies. Anyway, here's my pics--

This hat did use up some left-over yarn--yay!!!

Take care everyone!

Hugs,

Sharon

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