Spring!

I am finally beginning to think that spring has arrived to my little section of the world and that it is safe to pack up the bulky winter coats and sweaters.  Spring and Autumn are my favorite seasons - I love all of the colors!  Here is a peak of spring around my house

I planted some peas along my fence line this year.  The fence had been overgrown with Virginia Creeper, so Little Man and I spent an entire afternoon clearing it and trying to untangle and save a honeysuckle that had been growing as well.  I hope to plant some sunflowers along the fence later this year too.

These are growing along the side of my house.  I wish bleeding hearts stayed in bloom all year and not just spring.  The little delicate flowers are beautiful and I love to see them all in a row.  The carpenter bees seem to like them too as well as the butterflies.  

These wild violets sprinkle the hill in my backyard giving it a splash of color.  I have heard of people using them to make jelly, but I don't have enough of them to try it.  Besides, I think they are to pretty to pick.

These have been at the top of my hill tucked into a cluster of trees since we bought the property.  I have no idea what it is, but it comes back every year. Thanks to a Facebook friend posting a picture of her flowers in bloom I have discovered that this is Dogwood!  

My Stargazer lillies are starting to crop up, a gift from my oldest daughter last year for Mother's Day.  The get the prettiest flowers on them and I keep this pot on my back porch.  When the flowers are in bloom the porch smells so sweet.

And the true marker of spring are the little, blue Robin eggs.  I used to keep bird feeders in the yard, but last year our cat, Nibbler, decided it was more fun to hang outdoors than indoors.  She also discovered that she could catch the baby birds when they were learning to fly.  It wasn't a good thing.  Many days I spent chasing the cat away.  This momma bird wasn't to smart when she created this next.  It is only about 2 feet off the ground!  Momma is a feisty one though in that we often see and hear her chasing Nibbler away from the tree!  These babies might have a chance if momma keeps it up!

I have some garlic, lettuce and celery growing in the garden.  I started some tomatoes and cucumbers as well.  What has me most excited is the little, blurry seedling you see above.  I am hoping it is a carrot.  Now carrots are supposed to be the easiest thing to grow, only I can't ever get them to grow!  A few of these little seedlings have popped up on the carrot row this year.  Maybe I will get lucky!  

And while I tend to spend more time outdoors this time of year, my hands are still on my knitting needles in the evenings.  I am trying to finish up a sunflower toddler sized afghan I started quite some time ago.  I want to give it to Princess for her birthday.  Will post pictures of it next time.

Until next time,

2 summer sundress

Just wanted to share my latest project for Princess A.  I love those little dresses with crochet or knit tops and fabric bottoms.  I found this pattern on Ravelry and it is called the Two Summer Sundress because it is made in such a way that your child should be able to wear it for 2 summers (bet you couldn't guess that from the name could you!?)

 Doesn't she just look so sweet and angelic in this picture? 

And the back?  The pattern calls for ribbon on the inside of the straps and waistband to keep it from stretching out and I really think that the pattern could use some visuals for that.  Princess A seems to like it pretty well.  Now to find the perfect flower to go with it for her hair and for next months June Blooms series.

Until next time,

Lazy Kitty

I used to think that my life was tiring sometimes.  Chasing the kids around the house, preparing 3 meals a day, cleaning, laundry, cleaning, laundry, crochet, let the dog outside, exercise, help with homework, volunteer work etc.  You know how it is, you've been there too. 

Then I saw this:

and I just knew that my life couldn't possibly be as taxing as it must be for my poor little kitty, Nibbler.  Seriously, how difficult must it be that she just falls asleep in such an unusual and probably uncomfortable position, knowing that as soon as H moves her little snooze is over.  Such a hard life.  I should count my blessings, and you should too!

Until next time,

Some pics of recent projects

Finally getting around to taking pictures of some recently completed projects and thought I would share with you.  Below each picture is a link to the pattern I used in case you want to give it a go.

The Magic Loop, One piece Barbie dress

The Lyon Hat

Baby Tree of Life Throw
You will need to log in to the Lion Brand website to see this pattern, but once you create a free account you get access to TONS of free patterns for both knit and crochet

Tangled headband
I did not work mine as a tied headband as the pattern calls for. Rather, when it got to the correct length for my head I joined the beginning row with the end row as I bound off

Butterfly Hat
I only worked 3 rounds of the butterfly pattern before beginning the decreases and it fit H perfectly!

Seed Bead ring

Do you like the last two?  The snowflakes?  I am planning to revisit the Snowflake Saturday posts and the above are two of my original snowflake patterns.  I hope for them to be available this week so keep an eye out for them!


Until next time,

Making a come back?

Bad blogger! (head hanging down and peeking at you with sad eyes)  I know I have been a bad blogger and disappeared with no forwarding address or anything.  I am not going to give you a big, long sob story about my life getting complicated (it did), or having family problems (we did), or being very busy (I was), or any of the other excuses.  If you are still here, thanks so much for sticking it out.  If you are just finding my little spot on the net then thanks for stopping by, check out some of the older posts for some inspiration, and please take a moment to "follow" me or become my friend on Facebook.  I hope to be posting lots of new ideas, projects and patterns in the future.

During my hiatus I have been crafting, primarily for the kids, but I have begun to work on some Christmas presents.  (If you know me in the flesh don't peek, or if you do peek at least act surprised when you open your present and you have already seen it!).  I picked up knitting (A technique that I thought I hated and discovered I love!) So today I just wanted to show you a few of the things I have been up to.

 

This little dude was a lunch box gift for my son one friday.  He is made from pipe cleaners, homemade yarn pom poms and google eyes

 

And I had to make one for H's lunch box also.  This cutie is based on a project from the Family Fun website

This shawl was my first knitting project that wasn't a hat.  It is Patons Pretty Triangle Shawl .  I admit that this one was problematic for me.  I took the time to actually do a gauge swatch only to realize after I completed my first attempt that while my gauge was correct for the swatch, the shawl was MUCH smaller than the pattern said it would be.  So I increased my needle size and ended up with this.  The leaf pattern isn't nearly as pronounced as the picture in the pattern and the pattern has some major problems with row 9 of the border that I had to play with to get it to work.  Over all though I am pleased with it and it is going to be a Christmas present.

I have also knit a few hats for Caps for Good a part of the Save the Children campaign.  The caps are included in care packages that are give to mothers in developing countries to help lower the number of babies that die due to preventable and/or treatable causes. 

And I have started on a cross stitch project from the Glorious Earth leaflet by praying hands

I know, bad picture but it was the best I could do.  I am working on the top center picture with the eagle.  I have also done the one with the elk at the top left and the path through the fall woods on the bottom left.  This particular project is hopefully going to be completed in time to be a Christmas gift also.

And we got a new furry addition to the family.  Meet Nibbler...

only been home a few weeks

cute as can be!



hanging out with her new best friend



prefers sharing with her friend to eating alone!

Wish I had taken more pictures of my projects.  I have been making something small to include with my kids lunches every Friday.  Unfortunately I didn't take pictures since I wasn't really thinking about blogging.  Promise I will try to do better in the future!

So, thanks for stopping by today and I plan to be around more in the future!
Love,
 

What I have been up to...

 My house has been completely turned upside down and my family has been forced to restructure.  It has been a very difficult time and we had had to rely on God and trust that He will find a way to work the decisions that a 15 year old makes (and a court system supports despite evidence that it isn't a wise one) for good in the long run.  Suffice it to say that there have been a lot of hurt feelings recently and for J and H there still are some unresolved emotional issues.  Those that know me personally will understand.

I just wanted to take a moment to post some of the projects I have been working on and have completed during the many late nights recently.

This is a desk decoration for H's teacher this year.  The apple, caterpillar, and base are made of polymer clay and the chalkboard was purchased.  I wrote on it with a paint pen.  A really inexpensive gift that has a purpose and hopefully won't get added to a Goodwill pile.  H is going to write a thank you note to go with it.

And this is a really bad picture of a felt flower pin I made using this tutorial that I used to close the bag we placed the desk thingy in.

This is an ongoing project that I started when baby A was born almost 2 years ago.  It usually doesn't take me that long to complete a project like this but for some reason I just couldn't commit to this one.  Her room is done in sunflowers (imagine that).  The finished size is about 5.25 by 7.25 inches.  Now to mat and frame it so I can hang it in her room.  The pattern is from Sunshine garden: 10 designs (Leisure Arts leaflet) and is actually supposed to be a pillow.  Lots of cute patterns in the leaflet with sunflowers, ladybug bears, bumblebee bears and more.

 And this is Babs.  Baby A actually named her Beeb but we convinced her that Babs was a better fit (or at least it made a little more sense!)  Babs was made using a free pattern called the Mini Free Spirit doll.  The dress she is wearing is from the same site and is also a free pattern.  Babs has become baby A's new favorite doll and she goes with us everywhere.

I also made several hats, booties, headbands, sweaters and a blanket for GTA in addition to starting another cross stitch project entitled "but they that wait" from Glorious Earth, Inspired by Isaiah Book #24011 part of the Praying Hands collection.  It's going to be a Christmas gift if I finish in time.

I plan to finish the Proverbs 31 study in the near future, and I am currently working on a few snowflake patterns for Snowflake Saturdays.  I have run out of white sz 10 thread which makes it a bit difficult to translate what is in my head to tangible items!

Love,

Last minute valentines

I was really good this year about buying valentines for the kids to fill out and hand out to their friends, but I haven't yet bought or made anything for them!!  So now I am scrambling for some quick last minute things that I can make for them to go with their traditional box of chocolates.  Thought I would share them with you

a cute paperclip crochet heart bookmark. 

polymer clay heart beads that you can string onto a necklace

my own heart crochet bookmark

a Valentine centerpiece


and this one is a bit late to make this year but I REALLY want to make one for next year!  Might make a couple to use on the church doors.  A fabric rose heart wreath
Love,

Yoga - not for the weak!

As I posted before I am on a weight loss journey again.  I am doing a lot of things different this time around.  Some by choice, others are being forced upon me, and still others I am being led to.

One of the changes is my exercise routine.  Last time around I primarily walked.  It was wonderful in that hubby and I would walk together, just the two of us.  He would set the pace (which was a good thing because he walks much faster than I do) and we would just walk and talk and visit with each other as adults.  We weren't mom and dad, or employee or Sunday School teacher.  We were best friends catching up with each other.  It really did a lot for our relationship in addition to my waist line.  This time around however, he is working nights.  That means morning walks are out because he needs to come home and go to sleep.  He has offered to go walking when he gets home, but I won't be selfish and let him.  If he does walk it will keep him up longer and that means less sleep for an already seriously sleep deprived man.  Nope, no walking this time around.  Instead I Wii.

Now I am not and never have been a gamer.  I never owned a video game growing up.  I didn't dream of going to the arcades and spending my quarters.  I didn't get a video game console until many years after I got married and even then hubby and the kids played, not me.  Then I heard about the Wii, a console made for the video illiterate.  Hmm, sounds like it was made for me.  Hubby surprised me one day and bought the Wii and Wii Fit for me.  I liked Wii, and played with Wii fit on occasion, but you can only do the same thing so many times before you get bored.  Then hubby bought me Wii fit Plus.

This is a major improvement!  It puts together sets of activities for you that vary from day to day and tells you how many calories you have burned when you complete them.  The game mixes up fun mini game type exercises with strength exercises and yoga.  Let me tell you something, yoga really isn't for the weak!  Sure it looks pretty and calming and serene, but it isn't, at least not for me as I stand on my Wii board trying to contort into positions that I haven't been able to get into for years (if ever) and stand there keeping my balance in perfect alignment (as evidenced by a little blue dot on the screen that seems to jiggle around everywhere BUT the yellow circle it is supposed to stay in).  After just a few poses I am sweaty, stinky, and wondering how I ever let myself get in this shape!  Before you get all discouraged yourself though, I need to tell you something else.  After just a few days, that little blue dot spends more time in the yellow circle than out.  Is my form perfect?  I highly doubt it, but I am doing it and it is getting easier.  I can see the difference it is making in my body.  So yoga may not be for the weak, but it will make the weak stronger if they stick with it.

That reminds me of some lyrics to an old hymn I always liked,

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Isn't that the truth!  I have come to the realization that I can't do this weight loss thing on my own.  Even with the temporary successes that I have had, they have been just that-temporary.  I am weak and I can't do this without Him.  So I searched out for some Bible studies about weight loss.  There are lots of them out there.  I came across one though that really seems to speak to me so I started it.  If you too are looking for something to bring God into your own weight loss journey check it out and see if it is was God would have you do.  It is called Setting Captives Free ~ The Lord's Table and can be done online as I am doing it, or in small groups or in book format.



So, that is it for my update.  Friday will mark the end of week 4 on my journey to the me I see me as.  I am making progress, with God's guidance. 

Love,

Memo from God

How appropriate that I come across this at the beginning of a new year with so many of us making resolutions.  Take a moment and read it, then apply it.  Otherwise it is just a bunch of sweet, meaningless words.

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also:

* Quit Worrying. Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little things that comes your way?

* Put It On The List. Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list, Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put in My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

* Trust Me. Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For your sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

* Leave It Alone. Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in My peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do My job.

* Talk To Me. I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what is making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want
to be your dearest friend.

* Have Faith. I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me, you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

* Share. You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any
in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

* Be Patient. I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always
rush, rush, rush.

* Be Kind. Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

* Love Yourself. As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by Me for one reason only - to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to Me. Don't ever forget that!

With all my heart I love you,
GOD.

(submitted by Debbie Preuss to Glad Tidings; 2/2/200)

May you find it in yourself to quit worrying, turn it over to Him, make time to talk to and listen for Him, encourage those He puts in your path, practice patience, and see yourself as God sees you.  I found this memo especially encouraging after Sunday's church service titled "Something New" in which we learned about the things that prevent us from having the abundant life that God promises, and just what an abundant life REALLY is.

Love,

New Year's Resolutions

You have already read about my look back at 2009.  Now let's take a peek at what I have planned for 2010.  Some of these includes links so you can join me in my resolutions.  If you decided to join on any of these, please leave me a comment and let me know that I am not alone!!!

First, a closer relationship with and better understanding of God.  I plan to accomplish this by reading though the Bible chronologically.  (To be honest I have already started this one, but you can still join in.)  You can join my by clicking this link. or go to www.ewordtoday.com/year/ to chose your own preferred version.

Second, I want to see the me I see in my head start to appear in the mirror.  I plan to start this goal with Sparkpeople's Spark Your Body Bootcamp Challenge and Contest.  I have talked about Sparkpeople on here before so hopefully you have picked up on those posts.  If not, check it out.  It is completely free, they help plan your meals, count calories for you, free exercise plans, and exercise videos.  I lost 40 lbs last time I sparked and I plan to lose even more this time.  If you do join up, please look me up...I am sunflowers4me on Sparkpeople.

Third, I plan to start charity crocheting again.  Now that baby A is starting to entertain herself a little more and I can find some time to crochet some, I really want to start making things for babies again.  I primarily make items for God's Tiny Angels, and have off and on for years now.  I have a lot of respect for the woman who organizes it all as she does so with no financial compensations.  If she doesn't collect enough to mail packages out she covers the cost herself.  She really has a heart for these babies and children and for serving God using the talent He has provided her.  I plan to donate 50 items to GTA in 2010.

I have many others, but I really think that I will follow through on these 3 so those are the ones I am sharing.  chicken? Yup!  don't want to post it if I probably won't follow through with it!  Happy New Year's Eve to all!

Love,

Christmas Eve Eve

Hello readers!  It is Christmas Eve eve and I am (believe it or not!) finishing up my very last handmade item!!!  YEAH!!!

At the last minute I found out that the gift I had arranged for my mother was not something that she wanted (even though I told her I was doing it almost 3 weeks ago).  That left me in a quandary as to what to get/make for her as a gift.  I finally decided to buy her a candle (which she loves) and a puzzle (which she also loves) and make her a simple puzzle keeper.  Problem  solved.

By the way, a puzzle keeper is a great little gadget for anyone who works puzzles to have.  Basically you take an empty wrapping paper tube and cut it down to about 6 inches larger than the most common size puzzle that you work.  Then buy some felt ( the kind that comes on a bolt and not the little squares available in the craft stores) and cut it to the same height and the length should be about a yard.  Cover the wrapping paper tube in tacky glue or spray adhesive and then roll the felt onto the tube all the way around it until the felt meets.  Allow the glue to dry.  On the opposite end from where the tube is about 1/4 of the way from the top attach ribbon by folding a 24 inch piece of ribbon in half and crease.  Pin the ribbon about 1/2 inch in from the outside edge of the felt and sew in place along the crease.  Repeat for the bottom side.  Now the recipient can work the puzzle on the mat.  When he/she is done working it for the day simply roll it up (including the loose pieces) and tie it closed.  The felt keeps the pieces from sliding and shifting and you don't have to worry about losing pieces when little fingers or paws come exploring. 

So that just leaves my very last project, a crochet beagle dog for H.  Currently the body, ears, and part of the head are done.  I should have it completed tonight leaving Christmas eve open for baking cookies, making deviled eggs, candlelight communion at church, and our tradition of opening one present each.  And I was worried about getting it all done!  (Usually I am up Christmas eve trying to finish everything!)

Hope each of you have a wonderful and very blessed Christmas.  Please remember to take a moment and thank God for the first, and best, gift ever given...that of his Son.

Love,

Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care'
Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:

"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff. So I asked,
"Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.
He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a sweet tea on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his hook it did fly,
Good Grief! He was finished in the blink of an eye!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE!"

~ Author Unknown

 Ain't this the truth!  I sit here crocheting on J's afghan.  I have 2 rounds each on 6 more blocks to go and then to assemble them and put a border on the whole thing.  I also have to make an ami beagle for H from a pattern off of By Hook, By Hand.  After than I need to make 1 more headband.  I did finish A's kitty to go with her Aristocats book using the pattern from By Hook, By Hand also. 

 In addition, we were hit by the snow storm and it dropped 8 inches last night knocking out our power.  Thank God we were blessed enough financially last year to be able to afford a generator that will power most of the house except things that produce heat.  My wonderful hubby went out today and bought a kerosene heater that is big enough to heat the whole house.  He is getting it started up now. 

 In the meantime, I crochet...and hope St. Nick will come early to lend a hand!

Love,

Update

Okay, so at this point I am really kicking myself in the hiney for not having started the homemade Christmas gifts earlier in the year, like ummm January! I seem to end up spending more time online looking for ideas than I do actually crafting which means I don't get a lot done. Still, I am finding some really great ideas so I thought I would share them with you guys since I really don't have any finished projects since my last post.

First, I found a few books as my local Dollar Tree store that featured animals as the main characters. One is a squirrel, one is a puppy and one is a fish. So I figured I would make a stuffie to go with each one and give one to baby A, and the other two go to my neighbor's little girls. (Shh! don't tell it is a surprise!) For the squirrel I am using a pattern from Crochetville called Butters da' Squirrel. My version currently has a body, tail, and a head. Poor thing is still limbless. For the puppy I am using a pattern off of By Hook, By Hand. It is for the Cavalier King Charles puppy if I can manage the loop stitch this will be perfect! And for the fish (that really resembles Nemo but isn't Nemo) I haven't been able to find a pattern that I like so I may have to create my own.

I also found a pattern for a game to make for J. It is called Pass the Piggies and apparently it was/is a pretty popular game. The pattern includes the pigs, a carrying case and how to score. Hope that he likes it! It looks like it should work up quickly, but it involves a lot of joining on the pigs and I HATE joining.

For my dad, who is a retired Navy chef, (hope he isn't peeking!) I am making a chef's hat as a practical joke for him to wear when he cooks at his girlfriend's house. I plan to embroider his nickname on it and possibly make an apron to go with it.

Still working on ideas for my mother and my sister, and her kids. So that is where I am at now. Better get my hook moving!

Love,

Halloween!

Yet another week has gone by and I haven't had time to post. I found a few minutes today so here is an update.

I worked on writing down my pattern for the hand sanitizer clippies and the pattern is now available at my Etsy shop. (Look to your right) It took longer for me to get the pattern written than it did to make the 4 that I have already made!

I tested a pattern for a friend on Crochetville. Baby A has adopted both of them before I could finish up their faces. Their names are BonBon and Bibi.


Then there was trick or treat night. Good ol' WV thinks that if we don't allow children to go door to door begging for candy on the weekend or actually on Halloween there won't be as many problems. As a result we went trick or treating on Thursday. This year baby A was old enough to understand (sort of) what was going on . Daddy walked with her up to a few doors (those that had flat level walkways). When he got tired of carrying her we put her in the stroller. I think she realized she wasn't getting any candy that way (this was the first time she had candy to eat also!) as we walked past one house and she saw her siblings walk up the the woman and walk away with candy. I think this because it was at that time she stuck her hand out towards the woman and yelled, "my bite! my bite!" as she open and closed her hand. Needless to say she got candy at that house! Here are some pics of the kids in their costumes. J has been the guy off of Scream ever since the movie came out. We just buy a new mask after Halloween each year. K went as a smarty pants (smarties candies taped to her pants), H was Abby off of NCIS, and baby A was a hot pink octopus.


So, what else? I started on a bracelet for K. It is made from a pattern for a fancy filligree bookmark that I found on Ravelry. I have 10 blocks done on J's pillowghan. Only 14 more to go! Here is a pic of one of the blocks. It is called Waldo's Puzzle


So, there is the very brief rundown of what I have been doing. Still have lots more on my plate and I seem to keep adding things to it. I doubt I will get it all done by Christmas, but I can try!

Love,