Timeless Creations

My Friendshipghan Is Done!

2012-01-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

I don't believe it. :P I finally got all my squares out, and the afghan that was put together so far; not too long ago. I had put it away when my Mom came to visit, to clean up my Craft Room in case she wanted to stay in there on the blow up mattress. (Plus, my Craft Room was a tornado zone anyway and needed to be cleaned up... Kinda like right now.) Anyway~~ I got all the squares and laid everything out on the floor to see how many more I might need/if I could just do a couple more myself and finish it. Well I had enough. ?? I don't know why I didn't finish it back in November. Well... Yes, I probably do know. I was too busy finishing up all my stockings, the Snuggie, Holiday Wishlist crocheting... I probably just put this away for a while. Anywho~~ I got the Flat Braid join video going, and finished it! I just have to weave in some loose ends. I washed it (dog hair, string, lint...) and it is soooo soft now! I can't wait to cuddle up with it on the couch. Thank you to all my Crochetville friends! :)

Random Blog Post...

2012-01-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

I've been crocheting more squares for the Friendshipghan CAL. And, I found some squares I had made and forgot about. :P Bonus. Can you tell what my favorite square is lately? :P It's #24 from "99 Granny Squares to Crochet", by Leisure Arts. The two little squares on the top right are square #98 from the same book. I like the diamond in the middle of the square look. I think it's cool. And, I like navy blue and turqoise and off white together, too. In case you couldn't tell. The teal and warm brown/tan I was experimenting with a smaller weight (scrap yarn, but it looked like Caron Simply Soft); trying to see how small I could make this square with a smaller hook and smaller weight yarn. Well. Only about ten inces is the smallest I could go. So. I will have to make square #98 for smaller squares... Until I decide to try something new. :)

I painted my nails. What do you think? :D I sent a picture to my Mom and she said it's "Crazy." lol... I never used to paint my nails much at all. Only for weddings or special get togethers family reunions, graduation parties.. We don't have much of any of that since we moved here. But when my Mom came to visit, she had her nails done. And got me doing my nails.. It's really easy to do. I just painted my nails white, and got some full nail stickers (?) at Walmart and I cut them right in half. I stuck them on the bottom half of my nails. I saw a similar thing in Cosmopolitan magazine, called "New Moon". I have had to touch them up a lot it's starting to annoy me. I think that's why I hate doing my nails. I like the way they look right when I finish them; but then they get chipped too soon, and I get mad. Or then one of my nails will break and I have to cut them all off. Plus, painting my nails and waiting for them to dry cuts into my crochet time too much! :P Oh well. Sigh...

Red Neck Cling Wrap?... LoL

2012-01-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

I made pancakes this morning. I have probably said this before, but... I usually make a double batch; so the kids can just get them out of the freezer in the morning rush before school, when they are sick of cereal.

Well I didn't have any freezer bags, or containers with lids, to put the leftover pancakes in. So, I improvised... Lol!. What do you think? It's Red Neck Cling Wrap. It reminds me of those elastic bowl covers. But... Red Neck Cling Wrap had a catchier title. (I know, I've lost it...) I just thought it was kinda funny, so I had to post it... :P Maybe it will make you smile. Or even laugh. ;)

I finally bought a Wax Warmer. (What are they called, anyway?...) I almost bought a red one I liked, a couple weeks ago. But, I carried it with me around the store; then put it back thinking, "I don't really *need* this.." Well then I decided to buy it. And guess what? No red ones were left. (That is the story of my life lately... Grrr) I finally get the money to buy something and it's gone. Ugh!... Oh well. I like this one, too. Too bad this picture isn't a scratch n' sniff. I got Caramel Vanilla Spice wax bars; they smell so good!

And, another square I finished. I mailed this out; thinking, "Oh all I have to do is put four stamps on it. I know it's $1.71 to send one square." Well I forgot about the postal rates going up. Like two days before I sent this. I think I was 3 cents short. :/ I hope it still will make it.

I Have a Sick Child.. I Think?...

2012-01-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

Eon is home from school again today. He says his head hurts, and his throat and stomach. (These are his complaints every time he doesn't feel good, by the way... So I never know if I should believe him or not.) Sigh... The school nurse called on Monday, and I went and got him early. And, although he doesn't have a fever, his eyes are glassy. There *is* something going around. I wouldn't care if he stayed home from school, except for two things: 1. The homework he comes home with the next day is RIDICULOUS. And 2. He only has 3 and a half absences left. For the rest of the year. Ugh... I keep telling him he only has so many absences left. But he doesn't care. What would they do? Fail him for the whole third grade because he has too many absences?.... I don't know. He did good for the whole last couple months of last year. He didn't miss one day. ~~Anyway~~ I made him some hot tea and biscuits (and he ate breakfast~ for his stomach "hurting", he sure is eating a lot. ?). And he's watching Kung Fu Panda, wearing his Snuggie. :P

*I'm supposed to add this: "This design contains artwork that is © 2006-2008 FunDraw.Com."

(I got the teddy bear clip art from that site.) Isn't it adorable? :D

Love Bugs

2012-01-24T19:51:00.000-08:00

I finished the last of these love bugs today. I was trying to find a cute Valentine's Day thing to crochet for the three kids I send things to on Pine Ridge. I kept looking, kept looking, kept looking... I just got tired of trying to find anything; and I thought, "Why dont' I just make one of my Ami Love Bugs?" I hadn't crocheted one in a long time. I ended up making one for each of them. From the left: Nia's, Dre's, and Tia's. :) Dre is a little boy. So I made his "boy" colors. :) Oh, and I made the red heart pops, too. With Wilton's candy melts and molds. I was going to use chocolate. But then I saw the red candy melts so I thought I would try those. I think I prefer chocolate better.

~~Anyway~~

Here is a square I finished, too. I have been (slowly) getting back into crocheting squares for the Friendshipghan CAL. I was too busy crocheting for Christmas and the Holiday Wishlist. Then I got burned out of crocheting for a while.

Pizza Dough Recipe

2012-01-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

I made pizza again last night. I remembered saying I should post the recipe. I looked for it online last night and couldn't find it anywhere. I don't remember where exactly I got the recipe. It was either in a newspaper, or my Mom gave it to me from some mail she got?... Anyhow, I think it would be okay to post it here since it was a free recipe to begin with.

Pizza

3 cups all-purpose flour or 2 cups all-purpose flour & 1 cup whole wheat flour
1 package rapid rise yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup very warm water (120* to 130* F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon basil & 1 teaspoon oregano or 2 tsps. Italian seasonings
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
your choice of toppings

In a large bowl, combine flour, undissolved yeast, herbs and salt. Stir water and oil into dry ingredients. Mix in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. roll dough to fit bottom and sides of 10 x 15 inch baking pan. Spread sauce on dough. Top with remaining ingredients.

Bake on lowest oven rack at 450 *F for 20 minutes or until crust is golden.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes by me: I have used tomato sauce with garlic salt & Italian seasonings (whatever I have) for the "Pizza Sauce". I just got pizza sauce yesterday. I also don't use Parmesan cheese. Next time I will try that, though. I also want to try some other toppings, some time. Last night I was just tired and hungry ;and just wanted pizza. Can you say "Grumpzilla"? lol.. The recipe is from a little leaflet (?) called "The Pizza And It's Garden" by Michigan State University ~ I think I originally thought it was U of M, but that might just be because I am partial to U of M. :P

A finished pizza for two boys who just like Pepperoni on their pizza... :P (This is actually the same picture as the one in my previous post...) I love this pizza, because the crust is super thick and yummy. I am not a thin crust pizza type of person... Lol. ;P

Jetta Got a Bath, and a New Sweater

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

Look how filthy Jetta got from our walk the other day. I think she was having fun. I walked up on a trail, because cars kept coming and there was nowhere to go on the side of the road. Well the trail is all sandy. (I think it's a four wheeler "trail"..) Jetta was going crazy. She would start out walking, then all of a sudden jump and dig her back paws into the sand and bolt like a wild dingo. It was so funny. But she was kicking up sand/dirt everywhere. So we both got really dirty. I had to change my jeans and wash my feet & change my socks.

Look at her nose. :P I think she thought she was in trouble, her ears are plastered to her head.
After I took this picture, I gave Jetta a bath.

And a new sweater. :D Actually, I made this the next day. I'm not sure if she likes it... Her ears are plastered to her head again. :P

It looks like she's afraid to move. The first time I put it on her, she was acting like she liked it. But every time after that, she would act afraid of it... So, I don't know if she will want to wear it or not.

Here is my little helper again... We made homemade pizza for dinner the other night. Last week, actually. Eon helped with the fun parts (the toppings). :P

Here it is, ready to go in the oven. I haven't made homemade pizza in a long time. I don't know why. I don't think my husband cared too much for it. But the kids and I do. And my husband doesn't eat dinner with us, since he started his new job. He takes his dinner to work. So, I have been making things the kids like more.

It was yummy.

Jetta Went For a Ride in the Truck :)

2012-01-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't taken Jetta in the car for a while. Every time I would take her, she would pee. I would get so frustrated. I would have to clean the car out and air it out... Spray Febreeze... Finally I just gave up. Then I tried again, just taking her up to get the kids from school/the bus stop. She still did it. Well yesterday; I thought I would try again... I had to pick her up to get her into the truck. And, she was shaking. But I kept petting her and saying "good girl". She was afraid for a while. See her on the floor? :P

Then she got brave and looked out the window. A milli-second after I took this picture, she heard some kids and went right back to her spot on the floor. :P

But after a while, she relaxed and started acting like a real dog. :P This was our second trip (in one day). I rolled the window down, and she was looking outside. (I had her leash on & had a hold of it, in case she decided to jump out, lol..) She didn't pee once! Yay!! Maybe she just needed to mature a little more. She is almost a year old now. :) We saw a horse and rider, going for a horseback ride down the side of the road. Jetta liked that. Her ears perked up, and she wouldn't take her eyes off that horse. I think she would have liked to chase it, if she could. I don't know. :P

Remember, Safety First. :P (My husband's Safety Glasses from work...)

Afghan WIPs and Monkey Bread

2012-01-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Here are some afghans I have had going. This is another "Eye Dazzler" afghan I started, for someone on Pine Ridge. Actually both of these two are for PR, for two of the elders I send things to. They probably won't be done until next winter. I really like this one so far. :) This one is for Alice.

And, I started a second (well it will be my third one of these, but..) one. Because I ran out of the purple I was doing the last row in the picture. And I didn't know when we would be going to the store next, so I just started another one. I got this far, before we went to the store that day. So... Not bad. :) This one is for Florine. After I finish these two, I will have made an aghan for everyone I send things to on PR.

And this is my son Evan's afghan. So far... I started this a long time ago. I wanted to make him one for his Graduation but that was in March, I think? Of last year. I jokingly said "By the time I finish it; it will be a Graduation/House Warming Gift, because he will probably be moving out~ by the time I finish it.." Well both of those things happened and I still haven't finished it. Sigh... I started it with what yarn I had available. Which was a lot of grey and some black. I think I will add some burgundy to it next. Getting kind of sick of grey and black.. :) These afghans are about all I feel like working on lately as far as crocheting goes. I got kind of burnt out from all the crocheting for the holidays & wishlists, and the Santa Tree hats (even though I only did five hats). I just kind of want to do "nothing" for a while...

And, here is the Monkey Bread I was talking about... I took a picture of the dough so I would know if it was rising right. :P I don't think I will use the recipe I used, ever again. I found a good one on Family Fun that I printed out: Monkey Bread. The recipe I used (from cooks dot com, I think) isn't very clear at all. I don't know why I printed it out.. Anyway, it turned out all right.

I got a helper for a while... :P He put the balls in the butter then the cinnamon/sugar mix, and into the pan.

Here he is trying not to look at me, cuz he knows I have the camera... Sigh. :P

The finished Monkey Bread. My Bundt Pan is about a million years old. But, it works~ and I like it. :P I'm pretty sure my Mom gave it to me.

Yummy... Why do I keep baking? (Sigh...) I weighed myself this morning. :(((( I am officially on a diet today. Sigh.... It isn't even like I eat all that much. Just must be harder to keep weight off after you turn 40. :(((

Ha!! I got a picture of him, AND he is smiling. :D Just not looking directly at the camera... :P

Oma's Baby Sweater

2012-01-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

This is a baby sweater and bonnet I tested the pattern for, in the Liebe Oma group on Ravelry. I had left a comment on someone's baby sweater a long time ago. I had forgotten about it. Then just recently, she left me a message, asking if I wanted to test the pattern. It had been a while since I had tested any patterns. I get a little stressed out if I get too much going on. Testing patterns, joining swaps... But since I hadn't tested in a while, and the Holiday Wishlist for Crochetville was over with, and all my Christmas crocheting was done; I joined the group, and wallah.. Here we are. :) I think this sweater will fit a bigger baby. According to the measurements/ charts online, it might fit a 12 month old or bigger baby. My babies were all big. They wore a 12 month size when they were 6 or 9 months old. A 2T when they were one year old... So. Maybe this will fit a six month old. Who knows. I am sending it to Pine Ridge Reservation. I started another one for my neighbor. She is due in the beginning of May, and it's a boy. So hopefully I can make a newborn size.. If not, I will have to do something else for her.

A close-up of the buttons. Nothing spectacular, at all. But. :P The owner of the pattern/Liebe Oma group said the pattern should be available in the Spring.

2012-01-04T08:54:00.003-08:00

Some Holiday Wishlist Crocheting and Other Stuff...

2012-01-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

Well I started this post December 31st. Last year. But I am actually posting it today. January 2nd, 2012. I can finally post pictures of some of the crocheting I did for the Holiday Wishlist, since they have all (well, almost all) been received. These are some slippers, done in Christmas variegated and red. I almost wanted to keep these for myself. :P But I said "I can always make myself a pair later.."

This is a dress potholder I made for someone else. Her favorite color is purple.

A doggy coat. It fit her dog, I'm so glad. The only other dog sweater I made was for my friend's dog in Colorado. And I could try it on her/re-do it if I needed to. So I was really hoping it would fit okay, but I had no idea if it would..

A Christmas Tree Tea Cozy! It's Cupcake's Scalloped Tea Cozy, but I did it all in green and added some "ornaments" and a star. :P

A Poinsettia potholder. The poinsettia was confusing. This was the first time I have made this one, from the Ultimate Book of Potholders. I don't know if I will do it again. Maybe I will.

Here are some cinnamon rolls I made. So last year... :P I was really in the mood for brownies that night. But I only had two eggs left (and I didn't feel like going to the store). Then I thought, "What about cinnamon rolls?" I hadn't made cinnamon rolls in forever. They didn't even last 24 hours. Like most stuff around here... :P

Here's a fun peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made for Eon the other day. I saw this in Martha Stewart Kids, I think. Pretty basic. Cut out a shape in one piece. Cut the crusts off. Put the peanut butter & jelly on the whole piece, then put the cut out piece on top. I think he liked it. I know he's nine years old, but... He wanted the piece I cut out too. A puzzle sandwich. The things that keep kids entertained... :P

Today is "hair cut day"... The kids go back to school later this week. And they both needed a hair cut before they even got out for break. But we haven't had the money. So, today's the day...

Happy 2012 everyone!

Happy New Years Eve 2011

2011-12-31T16:01:00.001-08:00

2011-12-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I think he liked it... :D Here is Eon, opening the "big present"~ the Snuggie. From the smile on his face, I would say he likes it, huh? I was worried he would be bummed. Just like the time I wrapped his Spiderman blanket up for him & he thought there was going to be a toy in there. Of course, he got some toys, this time... Excuse his bed head. :P He couldn't wait to open his presents..

Here it is, on him. :) He has worn it a couple times since, when he was cold.

Here is a picture of Eli, opening one of his presents... :)

I don't think Jetta cared about any presents. She just wanted someone to play ball with her... Dog has a one track mind. lol

I think she "liked" her duck we got her, though. Here she is playing with it. She totally destroyed it already. She had a hole ripped in it and the squeaker out on Christmas Day. Sigh... I have been picking up pieces of stuffing ever since. She hasn't destroyed her angry birds toy yet. I guess that one's next... o.O (You can see her angry birds toy on the floor in the picture above..)

We are having some computer problems. Sooo... If you don't see me posting for a while, then you know our computer finally crashed. I'm surprised I was able to upload four pictures today. I tried yesterday, and it took two hours to upload pictures. Then it said "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage"... (grrrr)

Santa Came To Our House!!

2011-12-25T16:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went out to check the mail. When I was walking back to the house, I notice a Walmart bag by the front door. "Huh?"... I saw Christmas wrapping paper & present inside. At first I thought it was maybe from one of our neighbors. I couldn't think who it would be from... Well, it was for Eon~ and it was from Santa Claus!!! Eon wrote a letter in school to Santa. One of the things he said he wanted was legos. Well look what Santa brought him!! :D Santa Rocks!!

I *think* it was from his teacher. But I can't imagine buying something like this for every student in her classroom. That was so awesome of her! I told Eon, "You better write a really nice thank you note to Santa!" He said, "How will I get it to him?" I said "Well how did you get your first letter to him? Maybe your teacher can deliver it to Santa.." :P So cool. It made both of our days.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

To all my blog friends, Merry Christmas to you and your families!

More Christmas Goodies...

2011-12-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

I made these today. They are called Holiday Pretzel Treats, from the Family Fun website. I was looking for ideas for kids' Christmas Cards, and saw this recipe. I thought it would be fun to make (and yummy). I'm taking these to my son's classroom for the Christmas party this week. Plus I gave some to my neighbor, with the rest of the stuff I had on the plate/tray. And some in both of the tins I have going. So, there was a lot... I was going to save the ones on the right for maybe putting one more tin together. I also made another batch of M&M's cookies today. I didn't take a picture of those. I went to my neighbors, and gave them the cookie tray and the two hats. She put them under her tree. :)

Some Christmas Goodies..

2011-12-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

I made some peppermint bark yesterday. I don't remember where the recipe was. I googled about four different ones. This is only about half of the pan I made. The other half was for the vultures that were flying around the kitchen. ;P

This is the plate I will be giving the neighbors. She brought us some goodies over on this same plate. I am so lame I thought I would just take my goodies over to her on the same plate. Hee hee. (She will think it's funny..) (I washed the plate, btw...) lol Oh, from the left: M & M's cookies, using M & M's mini baking bits, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and the peppermint bark. <--- This was the recipe I ended up using. I was going to try her Christmas Tree Peppermint Bark, but I still haven't found any good Christmas tree cookie cutters to use. So I ended up using just a regular bark recipe instead..

And the two plastic "tins" (? I guess tins are plastic now?... I could only find little tiny cookie tins to buy anywhere here. The only good sized ones I could find were these.) Anyway, these are technically not filled all the way yet. I still want to make another batch of peppermint bark. And another batch of cookies. And I want to try some of the Saltine Toffee Paula posted the recipe for on her blog... I don't know if I will get it all done. But I at least have to make more bark, OR another batch of cookies... So I can finish filling these up. One is for my youngest son's teacher. The other one, I haven't fully decided yet who it will be for. I might give it to our other neighors.

I finished a pair of slippers yesterday. I really liked making these. Someone had posted a bunch of slippers they had made for co-workers, on Crochetville. And she posted the links to all the patterns. This was one of the patterns. I think it might be new favorite slipper pattern. It's just easy, and looks cool. (IMO) I added the ties, since the cuff seemed a little loose. I didn't read the last part of the pattern where she said she added a couple sctog's on the cuff part. I will do that next time. I crocheted these with a skein of the yarn the wonderful Elf sent me for the Holiday Wishlist RAOK. :D I put these in a pile of slippers I am sending to Pine Ridge. I think I have a good enough sized pile to send them pretty soon.

The slipper pattern is called Short Faux Heel Slipper Sock, it's a free Ravelry Download.

The Snuggie is Done

2011-12-17T22:17:00.000-08:00

Finally! I don't really know how long it took me to finish this, because I put it away for a long time. Then re-started it again later. It took me just over a year the second time I picked it up. Anyway, it's done now. I wrapped it up and put it under the tree for Eon. He saw a big present under there, that wasn't there before. He said, "Is that big present for me?", with a big smile on his face. I said "Yes." I hope he will like it. I don't think he has any idea what it is. I've been working on this thing for so long, it's kind of become invisible... :P I will just have to keep my blog post hidden from him. It was so much easier when he couldn't read... lol

Eon's Christmas concert

2011-12-17T17:30:00.001-08:00

Eon's Christmas concert a video by KnitMama247 on Flickr.

A short clip from the Christmas concert.. :)

2011-12-16T13:49:00.000-08:00

Well... After trying for days to upload a video here, I guess it isn't possible. I know I have done it before. But I can't remember how. So... Here is a picture of Eon at his Christmas Concert the other night. Doesn't he look like he's having fun?... 0.o (He is next to the girl w/ the red and black striped dress.) I begged, pleaded and argued with him about wearing something a little nicer for the concert. But it wasn't worth the battle... I guess not everyone dressed up. But the little kids who did looked so nice. All the kids did such a cute job singing. I wish I could post a video for you to hear and see it. :(

Here are all the hats I have done so far. It's taken me three or four days just to finish one hat. (Sigh.) I asked the boys what they thought about them. "They're gay," said the teenager. :( But the 9 year old said they were all right. So, I guess I will take his word over the teenagers. Since they will be going to elementary school aged kids... They're for the Santa Tree at his school. I'm working on another one. But I don't know how much more I will be able to finish.

I also made two Santa Hats from Mimi's Santa Hat pattern. They're for our neighbors' little girls. The older one rides the bus with our son. I'm also making some cookies. I have one kind done, and in the freezer. I still want to make one more kind of cookies, and some peppermint bark. I got some plastic tins (?) for cookies today, finally. I have a couple tins I could probably use. But my Grandma gave them to me. And I don't want to give them away....

Here are the girls' hats, "wrapped" up.

And here is a Jetta Picture of the Day. :P I've been singing her Christmas Songs, "Jetta" style...

"Have a Holly Jolly Jetta.
She's the best puppy of the year.
I don't know if she will grow
into her big ears.
Have a Holly Jolly Jetta.
And in case you didn't hear.
Oh by Golly have a holly, jolly Jetta this year..."

I know, I've gone off my rocker. Here's another one I sang to her when she was sitting by the fireplace getting warm one day:
"Jetta's roasting by the open fire.
Her fur is getting pretty warm..."

LOL... That's as far as I got. I know, I'm weird... I keep myself entertained, though. :P

Only 8 more days til Christmas!!!

A Peppermint Pony!

2011-12-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Look what came to me in the mail ~ A Peppermint Pony. :D All the way from Florida. TampaDoll and TampaGuy sent it, along with a beautiful angel Christmas Card. I just love it. Thank you both! My fireplace mantel isn't going to have any room pretty soon. I'll have to start hanging cards up somewhere else. :)

The Crochetville Elves Are Busy!

2011-12-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

Look at the HUGE box of yarn I got yesterday from Amanda!! :O I could not believe it all. She also sent two wrapped presents for our boys. That was so wonderful of her!

Look at all of it. Caron Sinply Soft, and Country, Patons Twister, Lion Microspun, Bernat, Red Heart (one of the colors I had just run out of that day and was kinda bummed cuz I really like that color & wanted to make a hat out of it~ And a magical elf sent it to me in the mail!!). She also sent Sugar n' Cream dishcloth cotton, Baby yarn!... I am going to have enough yarn to last me for a long time and will be able to make lots of stuff for charity and hats for the Santa Tree. Thank you so much, Amanda!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

This is the card she sent, too. I am getting my fireplace mantel filled up with cards!!

Here is Eon with his present (right in from off the school bus)... :D

Legos!!!! Thank you!! He has been playing with them ever since. He even brought it to the bus stop this morning to show all his friends. He loves them, thank you. <3

Look! A rare moment, caught on camera... ;P My teenaged son even smiled. He liked the plane he got, too. Thank you so much for thinking of my boys, they love getting things in the mail. Every time I get anything; they get all bummed, "I never get anything." So it was really special and meant a lot to me that you sent them legos, and wrapped in Christmas paper, too. Thank you so much, Amanda!
<3 <3 <3

This is how many hats I have done for the Santa Tree, so far... :) Only four. (Sigh...) I want to do a few, at least. I have a fifth one started. I have been busy all day. I mailed my brother's package out this morning. I was the first one in line at the Post Office. But I had to wait 25 minutes for it to open. (Ugh...) Then, I went to the bank. Had to wait 15 minutes for it to open. Then I went to the store and got a few things (they're open 24 hours so I didn't have to wait ;P). Came home. Changed the sheets on the bed. Did laundry. I have been smelling a yucky (vomit) smell from one of the boys' rooms... I figured it was the one the dog sleeps in. I looked in her kennel. Yup.... Ugh...... So I got a bucket and gloves, and cleaned that up. Still smelled it. Went back in there. I will spare details. But I had to go get the bucket back out again. It smells better as far as *that* smell goes... Now I have to clean out the hamster cages. The fun never ends... :P
I hope you all have a great day.

I Have Decided Something...

2011-12-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

Alert the Press... :P I have been crocheting a lot for the Holiday Wishlist. And still trying to finish up Eon's Snuggie. I feel like I've been crocheting for months, for Christmas. Well. Technically, I have been. Since July. I think I am just burned out. And so I decided, I am only going to crochet hats for the Santa Tree at Eons' school. So far, this is what I have done. I'm using the EZ Earflaps Pattern, I found it on Ravelry. :) Even though we are not so well off, with my husband having been laid off since last December; I know there are a lot of families worse off than we are. And I want to help them in some way. Since I haven't been volunteering at the school this year, I figured this can be a way to "volunteer" my time. :) So that's what I am busy doing right now.

Here's a picture of our tree, all decorated. We don't have a skirt under, (or presents) yet in this picture (I just did that this morning); but... Only twelve more days until Christmas!! :D

Holiday Wishlist RAOKs I Have Received!

2011-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

Lookie what I got!... This is from Auntbubbels. Snowman soup, Butter Rum coffee (yummY)~ I gave the hot chocolate to the boys, and the coffee is for us adults. :P And a Christmas Card. <3 She wrapped a couple things, so we didn't know what they were...

I let Eon open them. :P

Three snowman ornaments, and two cool pens, made out of recycled plastic water bottles~ So cool!! Thank you so much, auntbubbels!

Two days later, I got another one! My favorite candy, Werther's. And another Christmas Card. It was weird, because I had just bought a bag of Werther's candy that very day~ Not for me, for my Dad. (It's his favorite candy, too.) And I got a bag sent to me in the mail. :D The Crochetville Elves are working their magic! :P

Here is one of the snowmen auntbubbels sent, on our tree... So cute!!

This isn't from the Holiday Wishlist, but from someone I write to regularly. (A pen pal :D)

YARN!!! :D I love it, thank you Sue! (I don't know if she reads my blog at all, but..)

And here is one thing I have crocheted for someone for The Holiday Wishlist.. Slippers. In Christmas colors. :) She has already gotten these, so I can post about them. That was one of the things on her list. I have crocheted other things, too. But no one has received them yet, so I can't post them... It isn't much, but.

I'm Sewing Hole in Socks...

2011-12-10T22:41:00.000-08:00

I know, I probably didn't do this right. I must be going crazy, sewing a hole in socks right now. I guess I just wanted to get my mind off of everything I have to do for Christmas. Well, nothing I really "have" to do. But... Eon is down to three pairs of socks. (And those are the ones I just bought him.) I had been thinking "Maybe I should try and fix some of his socks.." Well tonight I looked in my big box of old letters for the one from my husband's Aunt, which shows how to darn a sock. (Someone was on the computer.) I couldn't find it, and so I just did this. I cut a piece of one that didn't have a match and had a huge hole, too. And sewed it on. I don't have any darning thread. I think I'll go get some soon. There's something gratifying about fixing a hole in a sock. Plus I hate to just throw them all away. Call me weird.
I used Jetta's tennis ball inside the sock. She knew I had her ball and was acting worried. (Even though she had another ball, right in front of her on the floor.) :P She's a funny dog.

She was getting warm by the fireplace today. :P If we don't have a fire going, she will lay by the space heater to get warm (when she is tired of bringing me her ball, that is..). I wonder if she is cold at night. The kids' bedrooms are cold. (But they have a bunch of blankets..)

I looked for some websites on how to fix holes in socks. Here is a good video of how to darn a sock. And I also found this article on knitting daily.

Thank You, Paula!!

2011-12-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

Jetta got her Stocking in the mail yesterday from Paula!! :D It's SOOO cute, Paula. Thank you so much!!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Look at the cute little 2011 tag~ I love it! And I love the red, green top part of the stocking with the sparkley red yarn.

And look at the little paw!! I LOVE it, Paula. It's absolutely perfect. Thank you so much!! I did make a video of Jetta, when we first opened it. I went to get my camera and the battery was dead (GRRR!). So I had to do it with my phone. And I can only do a video for 7 seconds in order to upload it.. Sigh. So, I will try and post that next, after I get the kids off to school. :)

Thank you, Paula!
<3 <3 <3 <3

I Got My Stocking Stuffer Swap Package Yesterday!! :D

2011-12-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Jetta had to check out the package... :P

Look at my awesome stocking Tonya made me!!!! I love this pattern. And I love the colors she chose. (My stocking is the biggest of the whole families now... Hee hee!) :p

Look at all the goodies that were inside! Peppermint Puff candies. I used to like getting the "Bob's soft peppermint sticks", at Walmart. Mostly cuz they're only a dollar, and they are soft and kind of melt in your mouth. Not like regular candy canes. But then this year I found Peppermint Puffs, and I have gotten those. I like them even better. She put a pair of adorable snowman socks (my favorite colors!), a super tiny cute little sewing kit. I'll put that in my purse. :P A peppermint candle, which I lit last night. A felt heart ornament from Michaels. A memo pad with a pen. Awesome. And a poinsettia kleenex pack. Which I will be afraid to ruin and use just on my nose!! :P

And look what else!! Tonya knows how to stuff a package! Snow Glad It's Christmas sticker book (I love it!!), two different butterfly stickers, and a tea cup butterfly stationery pack (I *almost* bought that one at Michaels), and a stationery "T" pack~ Thank you! I can always use stationery and I am always running out of it. A magnetic list pad with "T" on it. :D

And, last but definitely not least, because I think this is my most favorite thing of all!!! I was so impressed~ Peppermint bark in a Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter~~ How cool is that!? I LOVE it!! I want to try doing that myself, for gifts this year. I was going to do cookies. But this is way more fun. I found this site, and hopefully I can try it soon. (Since there's only 19 more days til Christmas~~ Yikes!!!) And an adorable Felt Christmas Tree Ornament. I think she made it by hand~ it's so cute!! You are multi-talented and I LOVE everything, thank you so much, Tonya!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Here is my new stocking hung by the fireplace. :D See how much bigger it is? Hee hee... Actually, now I have guilt. Oh well... I am the one who will be stuffing the stockings, and I haven't gotten anything for myself. So.... :P

*****Thank you Tonya!!*****

Thank You, Mimi!!!

2011-12-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

Look what I got in the mail today, from Mimi! :) My very first Christmas Present. :D I got my very own, Mixed Breed Border Collie/Blue Heeler Dog Ami, crocheted by Mimi!! :P Mimi even got Jetta's spotted Paws and chest right. And, her big ears!! I love it!!!! Thank you so much, Mimi. And, Mimi sent some Monaco yarn~ which will be put to good use! And a little tag that says Tina. :P From a pair of jeans,. Hee Hee! I want to find something to sew it onto.

I'm not sure if Jetta thinks maybe she had a puppy... :P That couldn't be possible, since she is fixed. She actually probably thought it was a treat or a toy... She was too excited since I had just let her out of her kennel. Right after I took this picture, she immediately got her ball for me to play with her.. O.o

Thank you Mimi!
<3 <3 <3 <3

I Painted My Nails

2011-11-29T17:41:00.000-08:00

Now I can pretend like I'm a yarn snob... When I go to get my Red Heart yarn from Walmart.. :P

Stocking Stuffer Swap Package

2011-11-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

My swap partner Tonya received her swap package, so I can blog about it all now. :) This is the stocking I made her. With an unidentified furry yarn (held double) in my stash, for the cuff. And I had to order the Red Heart Holiday yarn. It's the Holiday Cheer Stocking from Lion Brand site, that I have been using for almost all my stockings. I think I have the pattern almost memorized now. :P

And this is a towel potholder set I made for her, with the same yarn.

I got a bunch of these towels and potholders to make for almost everyone this year. Myself included. I love them, they're so cute.

And here is all her stuff, together. The wrapped present is a book by Anne Rice, a flamingo with a Santa Hat, KansasHookers Santa Ornament, two angel ornaments, a bookmark that says "Nurses have a heart of gold", the towel set, and some dinner mints that I *think* she wanted. I also sent a book of stickers, a box of Christmas cards, and a chocolate Santa. :D

My Mom is here visiting for the week so I might not be getting on the puter much... Have a Great Week, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful day visiting with family or friends!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Santa Hats

2011-11-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Eon had been wanting a Santa Hat (and I had been wanting to make Mimi's Playful Santa Hat pattern).. And now that all my stockings are done, I finally got around to doing it. :) (I forgot to post that I finished my last stocking.)

I made one for me, too. I used Red Heart Holiday yarn for mine, and Bernat baby something (it has a shiny strand in it).

Look, Mimi's Santa Hat for her Dachshund Ami, fits our hamster perfect. :P

Stocking #7 is Finished

2011-11-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

I know it is non-traditional.. This one is for our 14 year old. The white "thing" is supposed to be a lightning bolt. I used this Lightning Bolt Scarf pattern as a sort of guide to do the lightning bolt. I only increased to 4 hdcs, and then sc'd all around it when I was done. It's supposed to be an "AC/DC" stocking. I'm thinking about sewing some black letters (AC/DC) on the cuff. But.... I really don't like sewing by hand. Maybe I will get in the mood to, before Christmas.. Now I only have one or two more stockings to go. My husbands', and *maybe* one for Jetta. Plus my swap stocking. I am still waiting for the yarn to get here, for that..

I also finished doing the French Knots on this Santa Ornament from the KansasHooker's blog. How cute is this? I love it. :) She has the cutest ideas.

And, another picture of Jetta~ from this morning. :) She's getting big. I don't know if she will get much bigger than this, though. She's almost ten months old. So... She might be almost full grown.

A Fur Baby Giveaway..

2011-11-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

Paula of Crochet and Cross Stitch Pattern Slut fame, is having a Contest/Giveaway today!! If you have a fur baby, or know someone who does that would love a fur baby stocking, go enter to win! :D I probably shouldn't have entered, but... What the Hey.. I have been wanting to crochet that stocking anyway so if I don't win I still can. :P Since this post is about fur babies, I thought I would share more pictures of our Talented Monopoly Playing Dog, Jetta... ;) Did you think I was giving *my* fur baby away, from the title of my blog post? :P I guess it does sound that way. But, no... I think we'll keep her. ;P

I think she would have tried to climb right up on the table if she could. Do you like our Monopoly pieces? :P Lego stormtrooper and horse? :P

Look at that cute face :)

I Got My Central Park Hoodie Out....

2011-11-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

...and cast on for the hood. Alert the Press!! :P This looks like a knitted garment for a member of the Addams Family. :P I must have blocked the pieces at least twice, each piece. But they still curl. Annoying. It has only been over three years since I started this sweater. I wanted to knit a cabled vest for Eon, for the Christmas Concert at his school. I spent like a whole day looking for patterns online, and in my magazines and books. Then when I got him after school, I asked him if he wanted to wear something nice for the concert and he said "No." Soooo.... I guess I'm not going to waste my time knitting him a vest that he won't even wear. I miss the days where they loved me making things for them. Oh well. I still have the Snuggie to finish that Eon still wants. Anyway... back to the Central Park Hoodie... I was still in the mood to knit, after Eon said he didn't want a vest; so I dug this out and started working on it again. After I finish the hood, I think all I have left is to knit the band, and sew it up. I'm amazed I've even gotten this far on it. :/ And don't ask me why I dug this out when I still have to finish all my Christmas Stockings. Especially when there is only a little over one month left until Christmas!! Only 37 More Days Until Christmas!!!... :0

I made some muffins this morning. I used to make muffins all the time. When our kids were younger, one of them used to call them "Muddins". So now whenever I make them, I say "I'm Making Muddins". And everyone who is in our family knows what I'm talking about. :P These muffins are called "Muffins From the Big Apple". I got the recipe from a Muffins cookbook I got from a Pampered Chef party, like a hundred years ago. ;P Here is a recipe for Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins. Not exactly the same as the recipe I used, but close enough...

I am thinking about trying to get my Etsy store going again. I don't know if it is worth it though. I only had one pattern that I was able to offer (my cousin made it into a PDF file for me). I have no idea how to create a PDF file. And don't know if it is worth it to crochet some of my things up to sell... Maybe some of you who have Etsy stores have some advice? :D

Have a Great Day Everyone :)

Random Blog Post.. :P

2011-11-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

I went to JoAnns a while ago to look for yarn for my swap partner. (Which, they didn't have and I ended up ordering it online... It still isn't here. Sigh.. ) Anyway, they had some super cute ornamnents. Like this red mitten. I thought, "I could totally make that." (Maybe... lol) I think it was $8.99. It was probably half off or something. But still. (Can anyone see the price on the tag?..)

Here is a white one.. It looks like the embroidered stitches are all loose... (Which might be why no one bought it...)

Look, Our Dog Has Talent!... :P She can play Monopoly. (Not really.) She kept puting her paws on the board, so we moved the game to the kitchen table. (It's still there, too... It's an ongoing game. :P)

Today is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day... Who Knew?

2011-11-14T19:14:00.000-08:00

I sure didn't. I had two of the drawers out of the fridge today to clean them out, since they were both empty. (And my Mom is coming next weekend, so... :P) When we got back in the house after I picked up Eli, he said "You're cleaning out the fridge?" I said "Well, I'm cleaning a couple drawers... Why?" "Today is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day". Funny. I guess this proves I am a nerd. LOL... I didn't clean the whole fridge though; so I'm not a total nerd. ;P Apparently tomorrow is "Have a Party With Your Bear Day", and "National Button Day"? This site has all the different holidays you may have never heard of... :P

Where Did My Three Day Weekend Go?... :(

2011-11-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

My brother came in to town (kind of) today, and we met him for lunch. I hadn't seen him since my Grandmother's funeral (not a good time..). Two years. I wasn't really drinking that~ I borrowed my husbands' beer for the picture, just to be goofy. :P

Me & my Hubby <3

The boys (they are getting to the age where they hate having their picture taken... Sigh...) I practically had to bribe them to take this picture...

On the way to meet my brother for lunch, we saw about 15 Big Horn Sheep in the mountain pass. So we stopped to take pictures. This is only the second time I have seen Big Horn Sheep since we have lived here. (Almost four years now.) The first time, I only saw two. (I was still pretty excited though.)

This one looks like he was posing for the camera. :P

I made some Empanadas one day... I can't remember what day it was. We had a bunch of leftover Ham in the freezer, from when we had friends over last weekend. I wanted to try something different. I had been looking in all my old Family Fun magazines, cuz Eon wanted to make something with a paper bag. I didn't find any paper bag projects, but I found a recipe to use up all that Ham: Ham and Cheese Empanadas Recipe I made my own Empanada Dough, using this recipe. So it was quite time-consuming. It made ten empanadas. But, I read in the recipe you can freeze them unbaked. I might try that another day, for just popping in the oven for a snack. (Teenagers... :P) Oh, I used a small plate to press an imprint, as a guide for cutting out a circle. Worked great. The bottom of the plate measures exactly five inches across. (The plate they are on, in fact... :P)

Mimi's Dachshund Amigurumi is Finished!

2011-11-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

I posted yesterday about Mimi's Dachshund Amigurumi pattern. I still don't know if I am spelling that right or not.. lol I finished it this morning. I had the dachshund done yesterday. I crocheted the hat and scarf this morning. Isn't it adorable? I just love it. :D It measures five inches tall, with the Santa Hat on.

Here it is next to my phone. :P So you can see how really little it is. I think this is the smallest ami I have ever crocheted. My eyes were going a little buggy doing the black parts (paws), and the hat & scarf. I think my eyes are getting bad. :( Or I'm just not used to working with thread...

Dachshund Amigurumi by Mimi Alelis

2011-11-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

I didn't have any pictures to show for this blog post, so here is a picture of a dachshund. :P I have been admiring Mimi's little amis that she has been posting on her blog. I thought they were so cute. I mentioned that maybe she could make a little Santa Hat and it could be a Christmas Ornament; since I have been seeing little dogs with Santa Hat Ornaments everywhere. Well she made one. It's so cute!! I don't own a dachshund, or know anyone at all who owns one. But it is so cute, I couldn't resist buying the pattern. :D So, stay tuned for my version of Mimi's Dachshund Amigurumi pattern. Although I doubt it will come out half as cute as hers do.

Mittens

2011-11-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

I finished these today. They are "Grow (?) Mittens". Someone sent me a handwritten copy of the pattern, which is kind of old? And she sent me a pair of mittens she knitted me from the pattern. <3 This is the third pair I think have knitted. The color is off. It's really "Carrot". Looks kind of orange-y/ red to me in the picture... I'm sending these to a girl on Pine Ridge.

Eons' Pillowcase

2011-11-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

...is done! I was only going to cut out the fabric tonight; but I ended up sewing it together, too. :) He said "Can you put it on my pillow?" <3 So I put it on his new pillow. (We had to throw his old one out when he was sick a while ago. It was so old, anyway..)

Here it is, laying flat. Not bad for an old sheet, eh? :P

Although, I didn't realize... This sheet had a bunch of holes and rips in it. :( I tried to get the part with the least rips (and stains-looks like someone spilled Kool-Aid on it or something). But I still see some holes in it. I don't know if you can see the rip in almost the middle of the picture. I'm thinking about making some "patches" and applique them on. I don't know what shapes, yet, though. There are holes in "odd" spots. Oh well. Not bad for a free pillowcase. :)

And, I'm making progress on my Christmas Stockings, too! #6 is done. All my "gift" stockings are all finished now. And, I have the perfect idea of what kind of stocking to make for Eli now, too.

My First Sewing Project

2011-11-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

...with my new sewing machine, that is. :) I finally watched the DVD and figured out how to thread my machine. That's the hardest part for me. (Well besides getting frustrated so easily when something goes wrong with sewing...) I finished a set of pillowcases. We have been needing pillowcases, badly. We only had about one set. So every time I would change the sheets; I would have to wash the old ones, so I could use the pillowcases again. Well I got an email from my husbands' Aunt, telling me how to sew a pillowcase. She said you can use old sheets. Well, I have some of those (thank goodness for saving everything, lol..) These are from a Full size sheet set I think (I'm almost positive) I had in high school. When we got married, we got a bigger mattress than a full size. So I hadn't used the sheets in forever. But they came in handy for fabric for pillowcases. :)

Here is the new one, with the old pillowcase on the bottom. You can see how threadbare it is. (I will still probably keep it, though, until it rips and falls apart, lol...)

I still have lots of other old sheets I can use; since we still need more pillowcases. I am going to cut fabric out for one for Eon next. I also got some black fabric to make a pillowcase for Eli for Christmas (hopefully). Using this video. :) I want to get some black and white print fabric for the edging, and plain white for the little strip. I wanted to make an Angry Birds pillowcase for Eon, but I can't find any fabric for that anywhere. So... I might just have to make a colorful, kids pillowcase for him. :)

Oh, to sew the basic pillowcases here; I cut out two pieces 40x32 inches. Then with wrong side facing you, fold down an edge 2 1/2 inches wide; pin, and sew along the long edge of fabric. (This is the pillowcase opening.) Then with wrong sides together, sew the long seam- then the short seam. That's about it. Easy Peasy. Which is about all I can handle, when it comes to sewing. :P

Only 52 Days Until Christmas!!

2011-11-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

I guess I can blog this, since Walmart has a Christmas Tree up the DAY after Halloween.... ?? I think that is kind of a little bit much. They had Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff all out at the same time. Weird... It seems like you used to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put up your tree.. Oh well. I guess it's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas, right? I started crocheting for it, in July. :P

Stocking #5 is done! Here they all are, so far... I am crocheting my Swap partners' Stocking right now. But, I would like to get a special yarn for her stocking. Which means I will *have* to go to JoAnns... ;P Which I probably won't be able to do until this weekend. I guess I could start another stocking, meantime. I only have one more for "gift" stockings, then the rest are for us. I still don't know what kind to make for Eli. He keeps saying "I don't even want one". (Sigh..) I told him "I have to make you one. What else am I going to put all the coal in?" lol....

This was my cake my husband bought me for my birthday yesterday. He did the lettering himself. :P Yup, I'm 42 now... :( Yes it was Carrot Cake. In case you wondering why there is carrots on it... :P
I got lots of birthday wishes and a wonderful eCard from Mimi~ Thank you, Mimi! <3

It's a Monster Mash...

2011-11-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here are the boys' costumes before we went out Trick or Treating last night. :P The Grim Reaper, and Frankenstein. :P I think they had fun. Eli kept saying "This is boring", and "This is too much work for just a little candy"... (Sigh... Teenagers) They got a bucketfull each, and then we went home. Eli wasn't feeling good (none of us were, except Eon~ for once).

Jetta was pretending to be a real dog. (LOL...) I'm just joking. I almost was going to crochet ~ or buy her a costume. But 1. I don't think she would have liked it, and 2. We didn't have enough money to buy her a costume, and 3. I have enough on my to-do list to crochet, as it is. So I said to her, "Do you want to be a *real* dog for Halloween?" :P
She still has some issues... But I think she is getting better. She's only 9 months old; so she is still technically a teenager puppy, right? :) Our neighbors' dog was a cowboy. Hee Hee... He had a Halloween bandana on; and she said he had a cowboy hat, but it kept falling off..

#4 of 8 is Done...

2011-10-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

I know, it was only 7~~ but the number keeps growing. I figured I was going to make one for my Step-Mom, so now it is 8. But I just remembered, I also joined the Stocking Stuffer Swap at Crochetville. So it actually is #4 of 9. This is Eons' Custom Made "Red with black stocking".. I used black boucle yarn for the cuff part. The picture is kind of dark. I kind of combined two stocking patterns for this one. I started out with the Holiday Cheer Stocking, but only chained as many as the Stocking Bells Christmas Stocking pattern. (Both are from the Lion Brand Yarn site). I also did this one in rows, not rounds. (Like the Stocking Bells pattern.) I probably confused things more but I wasn't sure if the heel and toe were done differently. Oh well. :P
I am currently on Stocking #5, same red with white cuff thing. I'm almost to the heel part. If I keep going at this rate, I will get them all done with no stress. There's only 56 more days until Christmas. :D Do you have all your shopping done? I sure don't!! I so far only have one thing for both boys, one thing for the puppy (an Angry Birds squeaky toy ball). Which reminds me, I should probably make a stocking for Jetta, too... So that makes 10 stockings. Ugh. (Sigh...) Maybe I will buy her one, at the Dollar Store. LOL

Look what I got in the mail this week!! Three squares, and a potholder! From Lovin2Crochet. Thank you so much, Carole!! I just love the Teddy Bear Squares. And the potholder is so cute. Thanks Carole. I have been trying to get some squares done, in between crocheting stockings. It's hard for me to not get sidetracked... There is a Gingerbread House CAL going on, too. I have been wanting to crochet a Gingerbread House forever. And there's finally a free pattern for one. Sigh... Too much to crochet, not enough time. :( I also might finish Eons' Snuggie. I don't know if I should even bother?... He had been saying forever that he wants a snuggie. Every time I ask him (I just did :P) he says he still wants it. So. That's another thing I have to finish before Christmas. :) The snuggie is easy enough. It's actually just boring... I should get it out and see how much I have done so far. It should go quick. Then that will be two gifts for Eon. :P (Do you want to know what I got them? :D) Okay, I'll tell you. Cuz my kids don't read my blog. (Unless they are standing right behind me.) I got Eli an AC/DC throw plush blanket (he loves AC/DC). And he needs a blanket. And I got Eon a Darth Vader Lego Alarm Clock. :P That's it so far...

Last week was "Say No To Drugs" Week at Eons' school. Monday was Crazy Hat Day, Tuesday was Crazy Socks... I forget which day this was. Pajama Day. (I always wonder if kids wear the Pajamas they slept in.) Eon did not sleep in these, lol! He had the Spongebob PJ pants, and I went and got him the T-shirt- so he would have "matching" Pajamas. So now he has a new T-shirt, too. :) And he has a Spongebob hat... No he doesn't like Spongebob. Why do you ask?.... :P

And, here is a cookie that Eon made for his teacher.... He wanted to make Sugar Cookies this weekend. I was going to start them Sunday, but they had to refrigerate for two hours. And it was already like 8 pm. So I said I would do them while he was in school Monday, and we could make them tomorrow night. Well Monday my husband had off work, and we ended up going shopping (early birthday present for me :D). So I had to do the cookies after dinner. Oh well. They got done. :P (The cookie is a Pumpkin. With chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and pink sugar. LOL) :P

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2011-10-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Don't throw those pumpkin seeds out! Make some Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with them. They must be all right, the kids even like them. :) And they're healthy. High in protein, iron, and some calcium. I found this chart, if anyone is interested. (Mine were made with butter and salt though...) Okay, so maybe not so healthy with butter and salt added, but... Healthier than candy and junk food. :)

It's Pumpkin Time... The Most Wonderful Time of The Year..

2011-10-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Until Christmas Time, that is!.. Lol... We carved the Jack-O-Lantern last night. Well, my husband did the carving. Eli drew the face on it. Eon and I did the "gutting". :P Eon got all the seeds out. And I tried to get all the pumpkin out, to save. 0.o I don't know if it was worth it. But... Once I got started... I cooked some of the pumpkin last night. The rest is in the fridge. I'll have to cook it today. It didn't seem very ripe. It took forever to cook. Once the seeds are dried out, Eon wants to roast them. :) (Now I'm wondering if the seeds will be okay... I guess we'll find out.)

Pumpkin Pancakes. I made these for breakfast yesterday morning. (With canned pumpkin~ We carved the pumpkin at night. So I didn't use it for the pancakes.) They were pretty good. I haven't made them in a long time. This isn't the recipe I used, but it's very similar: Pumpkin Pancakes We didn't use walnuts, and we just used regular pancake syrup. :)

And; since I had almost the whole can of pumpkin left, I *had* to make a pie with it! :D I don't think anyone minded. I could have ate the whole thing. But I was good. I only had one piece. :P I love pumpkin pie. Sigh...

#3 of 7 is done..

2011-10-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

I finished the third stocking yesterday. It looks smaller than the first one, but it isn't. I just didn't have the cuffs folded down the same. I have at least two; probably three more of this same pattern, to do.

Look what I got in the mail yesterday! Another friendship square. Yay.. :D Thank you, Mary (karishema). And a lovely card, too. The color looks off to me. The lightest color is a pale pink. Does it look pale yellow, or off white~ or is it just me?...

Jetta is nine months old today!... I tried taking her picture this morning. This is the best one I was able to get. She was being too hyper. "Ball, ball, ball, ball, ball, ball?..." :P In fact, she is laying here staring at me right now, waiting for me to throw her ball. (Sigh...) I don't know if I mentioned it on here, but I got her fixed a few weeks ago. I already took her to get her stitches out. She was feeling back to herself after about four days, I would say. Then we had to keep her from wanting to run around. Or jump. That was about impossible. But she didn't pull or lick or bite any of her stitches out, and it healed up fine...

Look what I found in the fridge yesterday. I opened the fridge to get some coffee cream out, and just laughed... :P She's a funny dog.

Friendshipghan Progress...

2011-10-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have been edging the remaining squares that weren't edged yet, today; and crocheting another row onto the afghan. I feel like I actually accomplished something. :) I just have a bunch of ends to weave in now. And get some more squares. :D So I can finish it. I think about 11 more should do it. But I can't figure out how many plain and how many mutli-colored/variegated. My brain is mushy today for some reason.

Eon was outside riding his bike yesterday and we saw a grasshopper. I said "Go see if you can catch it". Well... I ended up catching it for him. One of it's legs were gone. :( (Which might be why it was so easy to catch.) I let him keep it in a jar for a while, to look at it. Then I let it go outside. He wanted to keep it as a pet; and put one of his hamsters in a different cage then put the grasshopper in the aquarium. (Sigh...) I said we would have to find out more if a grasshopper would make a good pet or not. And that it would probably die if we kept it in the jar. I think he fell in love with it. It did have a cute face. And it looked like it was smiling if you looked at it face to face. :P

Guess who was outside our back door this morning waiting for us? :D Mr. Grasshopper. (Or Mrs.?) I haven't seen it in a while, so it must be off finding some food or something. We googled grasshoppers, and grasshopper eggs, and then he saw some grasshopper desserts he wanted me to make: Grasshopper pie (that does look yummy), grasshopper pudding, grasshopper trifle, grasshopper bars... (Sigh..) This one little grasshopper is going to make me gain more weight!!.. (Oh yeah, it's Eon's fault, not the grasshopper's.) :P

You are probably wondering what in the world this is?.... When I was edging my squares & crocheting them together today, Jetta was in there with me. She found a Milk Bone she had hid, over by one of my bins. Then she put it over by my bookshelf, then (SOOOO weird!!) started trying to dig at the afghan (some of the squares were just laying there on the ground) with her nose, to "cover" her treat up. It was so funny. She probably thought she buried it. LOL!! She's so cute sometimes...

There it is. Hee hee...

#2 of 7 Christmas Stockings is Done

2011-10-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Okay. Would it be "is" done, or "are" done? Whatever.. :P I finished this today. It's the Lion Brand site's "Holiday Cheer" Stocking pattern. I am going to give this one to my brother. I figured I will get all the "gift" stockings done first, then I won't stress out so much about finishing ours.. (I won't have to hurry and ship them last minute, either.) I am thinking about crocheting one for his puppy, too. (Max is the 5th picture down, so you don't have to read through the whole blog post.. :P ) He LOVES that dog. I have a bunch of ideas of what to put in Max's stocking. But only a couple ideas of what to put in my brothers'. (What do you get the guy who has everything? Or can buy it, if he doesn't have it?...)

I made some more Pickled Eggs. Apparently the last jar I made was just a little appetizer. :P NONE of the kids like them, either. I sent a picture to the 19 yr old, and he said "YUCK"... (So it's not like we all only got one, folks...) I did have two. So you can guess who ate the rest. I used little cocktail onions for this batch. And doubled the recipe I used last time. The cocktail onions are yummy! I am NOT an onion eater. I mean, I like onions. But to eat a plain onion? No way.. (My Dad will eat an onion just like it's an apple!) But I love cocktail onions. (They are basically pearl onions in vinegar, so kind of like Pickled Onions?...) You can see them floating on the top of the liquid.

It's a Monster! Ha ha... The kids try on all the Halloween masks every time we go to the store.

I have so many pictures of Eon with a mask on. :P You can see the little kid behind Eon is putting a mask on, too.... (This is probably one of the ways they get sick, so much.) :/

I thought I would post a picture of the sky one evening. There was snow on the mountain, and the sky was purple, with the moon... This picture doesn't do it justice. The mountain looks much bigger in real life. And the sky was so beautiful... But, I thought I would share it anyway. :)

The Santa Pillow Is Done

2011-10-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

I finished this about five minutes ago. It was all done, except for the little black felt circles for the eyes. I didn't have any black felt, though. And it took two trips to Walmart yesterday, to get some. I had it on my list; but the first time I went in, I forgot my list on the seat of the car. I didn't want to go back out and get it. And I didn't remember the felt until after I got home. Ugh! (I got everything else I needed, though.) Anyway, it's done. :P I think I put the pattern link in before, but here it is again: Happy Holidays Pillow. You have to be a member at the Bernat site, but it's free. (I love free) :) And, I think I mentioned it before as well, but I'll mention it again: The pattern is wrong. I had to increase two stiches each row on the white part, and decrease two stitches on the red part. The rest I did just like the pattern. And I didn't take a picture of the back, but I just did regular sc's and did the "bobble" row, too; for the white part... I think it's super cute.

And here is another Christmas project I got done. Our internet was down the other day. (I wanted to finish the Santa Pillow that day, but couldn't- since the pattern was online.) So I started looking through all my patterns (in books and magazines), to see if there was anything else I could get done for Christmas Crocheting... I think I'm going to give this to our youngest son's teacher. I might make one for us, too. And *maybe* one for my Step-Mom. I haven't decided if I'm going to crochet her a stocking or this, yet... (I'm crocheting one for my Dad. So...) Oh, this pattern was in the Dec 2006 issue of Crochet World, btw... :)

I kind of want to do some Halloween Crocheting. But I think I'm going to skip it. There's a lot of cute things out there to crochet. But... I really want to finish all my Christmas stuff and so I. Must. Resist.... :P I do have one thing almost done that I might finish up though (a scarecrow). Have a Great Sunday, everyone...

Pickled Eggs

2011-10-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

I have been craving Pickled Eggs lately. My Grandma used to make them for the Holidays. It seemed like every Thanksgiving and Christmas, she would have huge jars of them. My Dad and Uncles were downright obnoxious about who got the first Pickled Egg. (It used to irritate me to no end..) But I did like Pickled Eggs. At first I just ate one to make my Grandma happy. But then I would have to eat at least one every time. She gave me her recipe for Pickled Eggs, years ago. But (can you believe it?) I have never made them. Ever. Her recipe, or any other... I finally dug her recipe out yesterday and got some beets and vinegar to make some. But, I ended up using a different recipe (minus the extra ingredients that my Grandma's recipe didn't have..). Since my Grandma's recipe calls for three dozen eggs (I guess she would have to have a big recipe, for the whole family at holidays..) There is no way we would eat all those. So, I used this recipe: Pickled Eggs Recipe Simply Recipes. Now they have to sit for a few days. (But I want one NOOOOW!!!) :P I am going to have to find a recipe that uses like a dozen eggs. That would be about a perfect size for our family. (Especially with two boys who eat like there's no tomorrow..)

Santa Got A Makeover!

2011-10-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, well maybe *Santa* didn't, but this Santa Pillow I was working on, did. :P Remember how badly Santa needed a beard trim? :P Thanks to hunkyscutie on Ravelry (she is making the same pillow). She told me to increase two stiches every row, and decrease two stitches every row on the way up. It's on the Bernat site, which you have to be a member (but it's free) to get the free pattern. I am so happy it worked!!!! Thanks again, hunkyscutie. (I don't even know if you read my blog, but..) :P I decided for the back of the pillow, I am just going to do plain sc's. That beard wasn't "hard", but... I wouldn't want to do it for the second side. It feels good to finally get started back up on Christmas crocheting. Hopefully I can stay on track now and get it all done in time. :)

2011-10-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

I finished another shrug. This is the fifth one I have made. I think I might take a break from shrugs for a while.

I made the navy blue one (a couple posts back) for a girl I send things to on PR. I had asked if she would want one, and what color. But then I just made her the navy blue one, since it had been about a month, and no answer. Well about a week after I mailed the shrug to them, the Grandma wrote me and said she would like one, in light blue. Oh well. My own fault. :)

I have been making cards (and envelopes), for the card swap in October. I signed up for four. So, I am done making cards for that... I made two of the Pumpkin cards, this one, and the next one..

Nothing special. I just made it up. I'm kind of embarrassed to use it. Maybe I will save it, to send to a child... I don't know.

I was thinking about making some pillowcases. I really need some. Plus, I wanted to make some fun ones for the kids. I really need to figure out how to use my sewing machine. (Sigh..) I found this video on how to make a simple pillowcase. She makes it look simple, but I know I would mess it up. :P Well Happy Tuesday, everyone. :P I hope you have a great day. <3

Birthday Boy(s)!! :)

2011-10-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't blogged in quite a while... But I'm sure you can tell from the title of my post, what I was busy getting ready for.. (Okay, not really. But it was worth a shot. :P ) I was pre-occupied with it, though. Friday was our 8 (now 9) year old sons' birthday! And, my husband/Dads' birthday, too. Yup, they share the same birthday. (Incidentally, our nephew/kids' cousin has the same birthday, too. But they live in Texas.) Here are the Spongebob cupcakes I took to his classroom. :D

Here is Eon, passing out cupcakes to his classmates. They were a hit. His teacher loves Spongebob, too. :D And the little Spongebobs were rings. So the kids all got to take home a little something, too. (I was considering getting a little something to give out, but I didn't. So. Bonus...) :D And everyone went home with blue lips! lol :P

I think this student was held back a few years... ;P lol I had to pick Eli up from school, and go straight to Eons' school; so I "forced" him to come with me. (I think he had a *little* fun..)

The cake and presents and balloons, waiting... :) I was a little disappointed, by the end of the day, the balloons were laying on the ground. :/

Eons' balloons...

Hubbys' balloons... :D I have to give him a hard time, since he turned 41. Hee Hee (I am a year older than him, so...)

The cake. Eon wanted a football cake; when we were at Walmart looking, one day. And my husband liked it, too. So since they both liked it, that decided it. This isn't the cake they picked out (that was about a week ago). But it was the best one available. I did the "Happy Birthday" letters myself. (I didn't feel like waiting for them to do it.) I'm glad I took a picture of it, because by the time everyone got home from work/school, the letters were all melted and it just said "Duuuuuuh"... :( Oh well. (The little footballs are also rings, how neat is that?) P

Eating MORE cake.... This is at a friends' house, who also threw a Suprise Birthday party for my husband (they didn't know Eons' birthday was the same day, until I told them.) :P My husband thought we were just going over to their house for a BBQ. But they invited some co-workers (ex-co-workers, really) and their families. Only two, but it sure seemed like a lot of people with all the kids and noise! :) It was really nice of them to do that. <3

My husband eating cake. (He would probably be mad if he knew I was posting this on my blog) :0

So, here is a better picture of him. :P

Eli had fun playing with their rat, Lilly. I think we all had fun. :)

Time to Make Some More Cards.. :)

2011-09-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

So far, all I have done is this one. But I have thought a lot about making cards, and looked at a lot of ideas. Does that count? I kind of like this one. I saw someone else's card (similar to this layout, but a birthday card). I thought "That would work for a lot of sentiments.." And made this one. I am going to join the card swap for October in the Just Because Greeting Card Group. So, I thought I would get a head start on making cards for it. Plus I just need cards to send people, anyway. I might make a bunch of these. I need to get some more of the little leaves. The original card, which I saw at Card Making World; looks like she just used a leaf punch out (which- I have the exact same punch out, but no leaf stamp just like it...) I guess it wouldn't matter. But I like to have my leaves all the same. ?? I used a butterfly stencil to make the "swirling wind" (at least that's what I thought it would look like) effects with embossing. I think it turned out pretty cute. I need to find some envelopes the right size for this card. Or make some... Hmm..

I saw an adorable new Bear with Balloons this morning on Suzielah's blog! I love it. (I will never finish any Christmas Stockings, I keep getting sidetracked by all this cuteness... :P ) It made me think of my Bear with Balloons Cards I make. That would be cute to give together with Sue's bear, as a present. :)

UFO, FO, Puppies, and Pancakes

2011-09-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Since I took a picture of this, I might as well blog about it.. :P This is my oldest sons' afghan I am making him. Whether he wants it or not.. lol. (I hope he will want it.) I started this as part of his graduation present. Yeah. See how long it's taking me?... I jokingly said, "I will probably finish this by the time he moves out and it will be a graduation/Housewarming present." Well, I'm even late to the game for that one, too. Sigh. It will just have to be a present. :P

And, here is an FO. My third "Simple Shrug" I have finished. A friend of ours saw the one(s) I did, on FB. She asked if I could make one for her daughter. I said I could! :) I used Simply Soft for this one, and an H hook. It came out just on the small size of gauge. But, she wanted a size small. So I think it worked out well..

Here it is on me. I shouldn't have tried it on. Now I have to wash it. lol.

And look what I got in the mail the other day!!! An RAOK. <3 Someone sent Hobby Lobby to me. :D I have never tried "I Love This Yarn". I can see why it is named that. It's sooo soft! And all different colors; to make friendship squares, and who knows what else? :D I am thinking maybe a scarf for Pine Ridge, with the burgundy. And maybe another shrug with the plum color? I used just over 6 ounces for this last shrug I did, and the skein is 7 oz, plus two little balls extra. So I should definitely have enough. Thank you, Madison! <3 <3 <3

And, it's been a while since I posted any Puppy Pictures... :D This is Max, again. (My brothers' puppy.) He's SO CUTE!!! I just want to hug him, and squeeze him, and kiss him, and love him! And call him George. :P Maybe someday I will get to go visit my brother (and his puppy) again. He only lives four hours away.

And here's one of the latest pictures of Jetta... It's a Rough Life, being a Dog... :P

And here are the pancakes I was talking about... I saw someones' post on FB about making "Smores Pancakes". I googled it, since it sounds yummy. I saw a bunch of different recipes. Some with crushed graham crackers in the batter... I finally just made regular pancakes, and put all the toppings on: Crushed graham crackers, mini-marshmallows, and chocolate chips. And since we had some, chocolate syrup. (Plus regular syrup.) And, I have to say, they are yummy. So yummy, in fact, I couldn't finish them. (Too sweet/much, for me..) :P But our 8 year old sure did finish his. :D

"Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2011-09-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Well this is a pretty boring video probably to most people. But... I love the rain. (I know, I'm weird..) It rained here Saturday night. There was an awesome thunderstorm. Me and the kids were watching the lightning in the 14 year olds' bedroom. :P Then, Sunday it rained, too. There was some thunder, but nothing like Saturday night. Then, it started to hail! I heard it first. At first I thought "Man, it must be pouring!" And I got up to look and saw that it was hail. ("Oh"...) Maybe that isn't so big of a deal. But in Southern Nevada, it's kind of weird... Right after it started hailing, my husband turned on the Weather Channel and found out there was a Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Warning for the whole county. Hmm. I guess that was the worst of it, here. We didn't get any flooding here. But I noticed in spots along our road the next day, there were huge puddles. Remember this post? I didn't mention it in that post, but last year when it rained, our road gave out. It is STILL not finished, and blocked off. Fortunately, I don't have to drive down there anymore. (Our sons' middle school is (was-since he is in high school now) down there... And, a new elementary school. You'd think they would finish a road that leads to two schools? There are other ways to get to them, but both schools are on or just off this road..) Anyway~~~

Sunday was a somewhat stressful day. Besides the weather (which wasn't stressful, actually); that morning, Jetta got out the laundry room door (which goes into the garage). The garage door was open, and she BOLTED. I RAN out there, as fast as I could. (No shoes, running on an all rock yard~ Not fun~ I can't even walk on the rocks, let alone run?...) I yelled, "Jetta!!! SIT!!!!" THANK GOD she listened to me, and I was able to get her. She was about five feet from the road. That is exactly how Portia got hit by a car. :( My feet hurt for a couple hours, afterwards. And I think I tore part of one toenail away from the toe. Today is the first day it doesn't hurt. But, I got her. We really need to get a fence... (Sigh.) Maybe someday when my husband starts working again. Then,late Sunday evening, our 8 year old threw up. I saw him go in the bathroom and I heard him coughing strangely. I said to my husband, "Is he okay?" (Sounded like a throwing up gag/cough to me..) Sure enough, it was... :( And guess who was unofficially "elected" to clean it up? Yup, me.... :/ It was all over the bathroom~ Floor, toilet, garbage can, wall, tub.... UGH!!! But it could have been worse... If my husband had cleaned it up, it would have doubled or tripled in size, lol. ;P Well the next morning~ early in the morning~ I woke up (at 2:30) to check on him, and the couch was gone (the couch he was laying on). And he was asleep in the chair. Well you know how it is when you're half asleep. I just went back to bed, since he was sleeping and I didn't see anything anywhere. I learned later on that morning that he had thrown up on the couch (it was in the garage). So, he missed school Monday. And Tuesday I picked him up early since he still wasn't feeling well. (I won't get into how much homework he had-- UGH!!-- for third grade???) Well I guess when it rains, it pours. (Bad joke, I know... :P)

Darth Vader

2011-09-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

After making Perry the Platypus, I had to make something for our 14 year old. (I don't know if I mentioned, but he was also having a hard time adjusting to high school.) I asked him if he liked Perry (that was when he rolled his eyes :P ) He said "No". I said "What would you like? Darth Maul?" "Yeah". (I knew it..) "Or Darth Vader?" (I was pretty sure there wasn't any Darth Maul patterns out there. But I did remember seeing a Darth Vader Hot Sauce Bottle Cover pattern and had been thinking about making one, forever..) Well, today was the day I finally did it. And I still have enough time to blog about it, before I have to leave to go get the kids. ;P I just added a bottom, and stuffed it. And sewed on some eyes. I still need to make the light saber. I can't find my needle nose pliers, though. And I need to get some pipe cleaners. I hope he likes it. He liked the Graduation Teddy Bear that I made him. And the Spongebob. :)

"Where's Perry?"

2011-09-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

The Semi-Aquatic, Egg-Laying, Mammal of Action... Here he is. :P I LOVED crochetbugs' Perry, and HAD to try and make one. Even though I don't have the book she used to make some of the parts with. (Like the body and legs). I was still determined. :) I used this Guinea Pig pattern as a start off point. BUT, I did only sc's. And, did 27 rounds all together. For the rest, I winged the arms and legs kind of going by crochetbugs' pictures and guesstimating. The eyes, I just made up. And the bill and tail, I used KristieMN's "Floppy Friends" bunny pattern (the ear), as a start off point, too. (I'm still working on the Knuffle Bunny, here and there, using that pattern... :P So it was "in my brain".. ) Oh, for the hat, I used a Ken doll hat pattern from an Annie's Attic pattern book I have. I used Red Heart Super Saver, in "Turqua" and "Pumpkin". And black, and white.. And a G hook.

I kind of thought, "He's too skinny." :( But after looking at pictures online of Perry, I guess he is kind of skinny in "Real Life". And, my son likes him... :) I made Perry for him; since he is trying so hard, and doing so good in school. (He was really having a hard time, these first two weeks-new school/third grade is a lot harder/different than second grade...) So it was kind of a "reward". I might make more of these. The 14 year old rolled his eyes when he saw it. So, I don't think he wants one. (I will have to try and figure out how to crochet Darth Maul for him... Sigh... Or maybe Darth Vader. Sigh again... LOL)

I was asked by a friend to crochet a shrug (the Simple Shrug) for her daughter. :) I'm kind of excited. I'd been wanting to make another one, but didn't have anyone to make one for... I will have to go get some navy blue yarn though. So... I might *have* to go to JoAnns'... ;P It's for the step-daughter of my husband's co-worker (who got him the job out here to begin with). So, I *have* to get nice yarn to make it with. ;)

Witch Doll

2011-08-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have ever posted about this... (Forgive me if I have. :P I haven't been able to find it on here.) If I did, it was a long time ago~ so maybe some of you have never seen it. Anyway~~ This is a Witch Doll I made for an ami swap on the Friendship Square CAL, for Melissa (a long time ago). Her word was "Halloween". I don't know why I was thinking about it this morning. (Maybe because it's almost Halloween again and there is Halloween stuff all over the stores lately?) ;P I could not find the pattern anywhere. Then I remembered it was "Lis-A-Witch". I typed that in at Ravelry. Nothing came up. I typed in Witch. Nothing... Then I thought "Oh... Maybe it was LIZ-A-Witch"... Yup!! I was hoping I could make another one (someday~ I am getting so sidetracked from all my Christmas Stockings I'm supposed to be making. Sigh...). Now I can. Yay! Liz-A-Witch Doll!

A Pullover, And a Shrug...

2011-08-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

I finished this pullover this morning. :D Isn't it cute? It's for Knit-A-Square. I also knitted a square. I need to take a picture of that.. The pattern for this pullover, and the square that I knitted, are both on this site. Under "knit instructions". I'm not quite sure what size this is. But I know some little one will be able to wear it. <3 And it is made with wool. (Not sure exactly what kind, as it came with a Rat Race Scarf pattern kit I ordered and there wasn't a label.) So it will keep them extra warm (I hope). <3

And this is another Simple Shrug (<--- Ravelry Page) I finished. (A while ago.) I haven't posted it yet, though. Since I was sending it someone. They are scheduled to receive it today. So I will post this, after I know the person has gotten it. :P Update: She got it, and she says it's perfect. Yay!! <3

Here it is, on me. (Oops, I see a couple ends sticking out that I hadn't weaved in yet..) It is a Large, and I wear a Medium. But I just had to try it on. This is the second one I have made from this pattern; in the December 2010 issue of Crochet World. This is the first one I made.

P.S. I see Ads! Yay... :P (I had to do something to my blog to make the ads show... Computer illiterate, I am... :P)

Back To School Time :)

2011-08-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

I enrolled our youngest son into a new school this year. Long story. If you care to hear about it.. His old school (the oldest school in the county) built a new school~ way on the North end of town. (The old one is on this end.) I guess it makes sense, since there aren't any schools over there. But a lot of people have to go to different schools now. At the end of last year, it was so confusing. The school newsletter said all students who currently attended would be going to the new school. (An earlier newsletter said they wouldn't.) Then, the last day of school, my son's first grade teacher said that they weren't accepting any variances. So. I just figured I would find out where he was supposed to go and enroll him there. And I did. The day after I enrolled him, I got a letter in the mail saying the (old) school was a "Needs Improvement" school, and if we wanted to enroll our child in *&%$# Elementary School, they were not a Needs Improvement school. :0 (That's the school he will be attending.) So I am feeling good about things now. Then that same day, I got a phone call from the (old) school saying his new teacher is... o.0 (sigh...) Anyway, I took this picture the day I enrolled him. :P We met one of the third grade teachers. Won't find out who his teacher is until tomorrow night at Open House. :)

We went for a little road trip (only a couple hours). There is a candy store about two hours from here. We went there once, for something to do. And there is a town park nearby so we went there, too. Now it has become a thing to do. Our youngest son thinks it is big fun. :P Although the park equipment was too hot to play on. :( We did see some wild donkeys on the way home. One came right up to our car. (Which makes me kind of nervous... That it might get hit by a car, you know..) :/ It was really neat, though. And I think (hope) people in town know about the donkeys, and look out for them. (This was right in "town", by the way.)

My husband was nervous that it might jump up on the car. (I kind of was, too. My window was down.) :0 So we took off~ and this was the picture I got. Oh well. There was another donkey under the tree in the background (on the left of the tree).

And, a knitting project I have been working on. I recently joined the Knit-A-Square group on Ravelry. I am almost done with this. I'm actually all done with the knitting. I just have to sew it up. I've been weaving in ends.. I haven't done any knitting in a while. I don't know why. I love it.

P.S. Do you see any ads on this blog? I tried singing up for AdSense, and I see blank areas (where an ad might be?).... But, I don't think I did it right. :/

Santa Pillow

2011-08-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

I got a Mary Maxim catalog in the mail recently. I was looking through it to see if there were any cute holiday patterns. I found a cute Santa Pillow. The kit was something like $15.99. I *almost* ordered it, cuz the pillow is so cute. But, we don't have any money right now. :P So yesterday I went on Ravelry to see if anyone maybe had a free version of it, or something else that might be cute enough... Well, I found out that this is a FREE PATTERN!! I love free patterns!! (If after signing in, it doesn't take you directly to the Santa Pillow, just go to search and type Santa Pillow in~ That's what I had to do.) So, I immediately started one. I saved us $15.99 plus shipping. $20 extra bucks we didn't have anyway. :P

So, anyway~~ Does this look right to you? Sigh... Maybe I need to buy a pillow form, so I can see where I need to stop crocheting. And re-do the beard part. It looks way too long. I think Santa needs a beard trimmer for Christmas. lol..

An FO~ But Not The One I Mentioned...

2011-08-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

See what happens when you have a bazillion projects going at a time? Sometimes you finish a lot of them all around the same time. Then it looks like you are a mad crocheting woman. Hee hee. This is my third Pressed Flowers Afghan! I wonder when I started my first one. Anyway, this is for Nia. A 13 or 14 year old girl on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I send things to her Grandma, who is raising her and her little cousin. I made her cousin an afghan a year or two ago: Granny Star Afghan for Dre. (What do you know? There's another Pressed Flowers Afghan in that post... How weird is that? :P)

One side, folded up. I used some variegated yarns in this one. And black, and white. I broke my own "rules" for the first two of these I made. (No black or white, no variegateds...) :P I know, I'm strange. :P

And the other side, folded up. I still have not heard anything from the other girl I made one of these for. Delivery Confirmation said it was delivered. But... I don't trust it. :/ ~~~Anyway~~~ I hope she likes it. Her Grandma does write to me and says thank you once in a while. (They also send me jewelry they made for me.) So... <3 That isn't why I do this, but it's nice to know what you do is appreciated. :)

Here is an afghan I started for the Grandma. <3 It's just like mine. Except, different colors in different orders... I love my afghan.

And, I got my sons' afghan out, to start working on it again last night. Since I finished Nia's. (I was using the off white for hers...) It's just a rectangle granny. But... I like it. I hope he will, too. I made one like this (different colors) for their Grandpa.

Still Crocheting...

2011-08-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Friendship Squares, mostly... This is the "Frame A Flower" square. I found it on crochet pattern central, under 6 inch squares. I just kept going with it to make bigger sized ones. (One of these I made for my own afghan.)

This is the Criss Cross square, from "200 Crochet Blocks" by Jan Eaton.

This is actually a dishcloth pattern. But I thought for sure it was in the 200 Crochet Blocks book. I looked later, and it is. I wanted to do alternating rows of the blue & burgundy. I knew I wouldn't have enough. I should have just done the square blue and the rest burgundy... Oh well.

This is "Daisy Chain" also from the 200 Crochet Blocks book. I really like this one. I keep making it in different color combinations. :) This is the only one I haven't sent out yet. I just made this one yesterday. I wasn't feeling well at all yesterday. I felt like I was coming down with a flu or cold. Kinda feel better today. Maybe it was a one day thing. I hope. Don't need the kids getting sick, right when school is going to start. (Ugh..)

I crocheted another little Q-tip Holder. I made one of these for our kids' bathroom before. I don't know why, I just got in the mood to make another one. I'm sending this to someone on Pine Ridge. I sent her some towels before (lavender, and light green.) So hopefully this will match her bathroom. I don't know. If not, she can stick it in the cupboard. :P

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I did finish something else, too (something kind of big!). But I don't want to ruin the surprise. So I will wait until after the person gets it, to post it here... :D

Polka Dot Christmas Stocking

2011-08-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

After my blog post this morning, I went and got the remaining motifs and stocking out & finished it. :D After finishing all my friendship squares I wanted to finish something else. I still have at least four more of these to go. (Not the same pattern, but four more stockings..)

I'm still weaving in a hundred loose ends. I tried crocheting over them when I could, but sometimes there were too many. It's Priscilla Hewitt's Polka Dot Christmas Stocking pattern.

It's Still Christmas... In August! :P

2011-08-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

I got another HIJ RAOK!! I couldn't believe it. It was from sopo & lil-hippie (Mom & daughter) <3. I kept pulling things out of the puffy and thinking "Huh?"... Two squares, two cards with "Tina" on them. I figured out it was from two different people~ It's a Two For One!! :D This square and FBB cell phone cozy (and beautiful card) is from sopo. I love it all! The square is my absolute favorite color right now.

And this is from lil-hippie. A matching square & (adorable!!) owl. And, a hemp keychain (I love the way it smells). I put it on my keys already. And the cutest little doggy card. :P Thank you so much, sopo and lil-hippie.

I put the owl on my bookshelf next to the angel pin that Mary sent me, too. <3

And, I finally got some more black yarn. (Do you want to hear the story of how I *didn't* get black yarn?... Probably not...) Well, we went yesterday: did some school shopping for the kids, and I got to go to JoAnns!! I just got black yarn, and some white baby boucle for some Christmas Stockings I am going to crochet. (That was enough!~ Yarn is getting way ridiculous. I saw some skeins for $10~ And if I remember they were only Red Heart.?) Anyway. So... I was able to finish edging and putting together all my friendshipghan squares I have gotten so far!

And, I got some crocheting in yesterday, too. Some more squares to send out. Jetta was helping me. :P I laughed when she climbed in next to me & put her paw on my yarn, like she was helping me. "Here, use this yarn..". :P She kept doing it, too. I told Eon, go get my phone (please)?.. (I don't know why her ears are plastered to her head... Maybe she was afraid of my phone. lol..) Um, she really smells by the way. Good thing this picture isn't a scratch n' sniff. I need to give her another bath. Maybe I can con Eli into doing it. He likes to do it, for some reason.. And Jetta is easy to give baths to. (Well she used to be. She was too afraid to move so she just sat there.) Now might not be so easy. We'll see...

Here are all my motifs for my Polka Dot Christmas Stocking. This one is going to be for me. How selfish of me, eh? To make mine first?.. But no one else knows what kind they want/doesn't care. So. I picked one out I liked, and thought, "Maybe if I make one, then they can all decide..." I have almost all of it done. I got to the heel part and got SO confused. I think I might have it figured out. I'll have to finish this when I'm not tired. After this I will start my husband's and then my brothers'. (I'm making the same ones for both of them.) The from the Lion Brand Yarn site: Holiday Cheer Stocking.. My husband said he wanted just a plain red one with a white top. So, I went on Ravelry and looked at Christmas Stockings & found one I liked.. :)

I got a new magazine the other day. (I'm a magazine junkie~ A crochet magazine junkie, at least..) This has an adorable snowman and some Christmas Ornaments (crocheted). I kept picking it up & looking at it. And finally decided to buy it..

Last night Eon said "Tomorrow can you wake me up like two minutes after you get up?" lol!... I said "How about two minutes after I've had my coffee?" (It's been a lot more than that...) I am going to let him sleep. It's summer time! Kid needs to get all the sleep he can. School will be starting soon & he'll have to get up early then...

Cracker Jack Cookies

2011-08-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

Don't look very good, do they? (Hang on... It gets better. ;P) When we went to Colorado last December & visited our friends, my girlfriend had made some Cracker Jack Cookies. I had never heard of them. I asked for the recipe. This is the second time I have made them. I was getting so frustrated, because this is what they came out looking like. But the cookie dough tastes awesome. I couldn't see how they kept coming out so terrible. So, I went online and googled the recipe. After reading some of the reviews, I figured out you are supposed to use ALL the ingredients. I thought you just used any of the ingredients that you had on hand. (I am so dizzy sometimes...) Well after having my husband bring me home some chocolate chips, I still ended up having to go to the store for other ingredients, which I didn't have (shredded coconut & oatmeal). I didn't even want to use coconut, since I hate it. But in one of the reviews I read, it said the coconut is really what holds these cookies together. And, you can't even taste it. Oh, and I used some almonds, leftover from when I made the strawberry mice.

But look how much better they came out! I only added one cup of coconut & one cup of oatmeal (and a pinch of salt~which wasn't on my recipe), since I had already used probably half the cookie dough. I'm so happy, cuz these are awesome cookies!! And I have enough stuff to make more, later. Except chocolate chips.... :P

This recipe is exact-atacly like the one I used: Cracker Jack Cookies II Recipe Funny, I thought it was a newer recipe. Turns out it is a really, really old recipe!! Obviously, it has stood the test of time. :) I'm going to print this recipe out, since it's a little more clear than the one my friend wrote out for me. :)

My "New" Craft Room

2011-07-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it isn't totally organized yet. But... Here is my "new" craft room. :) I think I mentioned before that our 19 year old moved out at the end of May. Well we moved the 8 year old (this was his room) into his older brother's old room (after painting & cleaning it!). Then, I moved all my stuff into this room. (Can you believe all this was in my bedroom?!! :0 Some of it was stuffed under the bed & in the closet... )

The book shelves.

Kind of messy corner (all the bags of stuff were under my bed~ the clothes hanger thingy was for our son, since there isn't a closet in here~ since it isn't a real bedroom..)

My yarn "bins". And puppy. :P She loves coming in there. I put all my stuff in her corner (so she can't go back there & hide anymore). So she was pouting. ;P

My window. :D And sewing machine. Which I *will* learn to use one day! (Maybe after the kids go back to school...)

My Crochetville bag. :P (I don't know if you noticed the one Mary Jo sent me, too~ third picture from the top?... :D )

This is what it looked like, before organizing it. (Even though I still have a lot more to do..) This wasn't even after all my stuff was in here. It did look worse than this. I got the two hamsters out, though; and in my sons' room. I might move them back in here; I don't know~ Once school starts. We'll see..

I hope to get a second hand chair to sit in, in here (and a sewing table & chair, too) ~~~ someday.. :) I am just happy I have a craft room again. :)

Tie Dye T-Shirt

2011-07-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Well, what do you think? I think it turned out all right. He wanted to squirt splashes of color on the parts that didn't have rubber bands on them. It's a good thing he did, otherwise it would have been pretty pale. We did forget one of the rubberbanded parts which was the other sleeve. (Sigh.) Oh well. I think he had fun, and it turned out all right.
I just realized you can see me taking the picture, in the mirror.. Aaaaah! No make up, I just got out of the shower & I'm in my robe!!... :0 lol... (Good thing it's not a close-up :P ) Eon had just gotten up, too. So that's why he's got bed head and is tired looking... :P

Close-up of the center part which turned out pretty cool.

And the sleeve.

I got the instructions on Family Fun: Tie-dyed T-shirts. I was trying to think of other things we could tie dye. Since we still have two bottles of the dye left... Hmmm...

Holidays In July Crochet..

2011-07-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the things I have been crocheting for the Holidays In July RAOK at Crochetville.. I sent this one out to someone today. I got the towels at Family Dollar. I might make one of these for myself, since my kitchen is roosters/chickens; and the burgundy would go good in my kitchen. :) I started another one of these today.

Here are some Angel Ornaments I made. They are pretty fun to make. I got the pattern in "150 Weekend Crochet Projects", by the House of White Birches.

And some more ornaments, Christmas Wreath Ornament by Beansprout Creations. These are so fun.

And, a cute Mini Motif Stocking by Doris Chan. I only made this one (which I sent out today, also). You could stick a little mini candy cane in it. Or other tiny things.. I hope to make lots more. Of all of the ornaments. I also want to make some big stockings, for the chimney. This will be our first year celebrating Christmas as a famiy.

Okay, well this isn't HIJ crochet, but.. It's another Simple Shrug I started.

This is the Granny Ripple Bag by Carlinda.

And some cat toys. This picture isn't the greatest. They are supposed to be fortune cookies. I got the pattern at the Lion Brand Yarn site: Amigurumi Fortune Cookie Cat Toy

And Ice Cream Cone Cat Toys. How cute are these? I had to make a couple. The pattern is by Stormyz, she has some cute patterns. :)

Well, I think the towel topper is the last thing I am going to be crocheting for the Holidays In July. It ends this Sunday. I need to get stuff done around this house. (Sigh..) Today the 8 year old and I tie-dyed a t-shirt for him. He wanted green and brown. I said "Okay" (but in my mind thought "oooooookaaaay.." lol) It doesn't look too bad. We'll see how it turns out, tomorrow. (Have to leave it overnight.) So... Stay tuned for a picture of a tie-dyed t-shirt. :) Til next time~~~
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Goodbye, Wickett :(((

2011-07-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Poor Wickett died.... :( He just turned a year old, on July 20th. (He and his sister, Coco~ the two babies we kept.) He was a funny hamster. Here he is trying to get that piece of dog food from Jetta's bowl. ;P (He was probably trying to get a drink of water.)

This one is blurry. But cute.

He was a funny boy. I can't believe he died. I kept expecting the mama hamster to die (Mia), since she is the oldest... I never expected one of the babies to die. I think I get way too attached to animals. :*(((

These are the only pictures I have of him on our computer.
We will miss you, funny boy. :*(

2011-07-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

I somehow managed to finish a shrug. :P This is from December 2010 Crochet World. It's called Simple Shrug. Which is basically what it is. It was more time consuming than I thought. But not too bad. And it was easy enough for my pea brain. :P I just had to count to make sure I had the right amount of stitches each row. I couln't get a very good photo of it. (I know.. On the floor?) But I put it on a hanger and it was too big.

I made it a size large. It's for a 16 year old girl I send things to on Pine Ridge. (Same girl I made the Tea Cake Box for..) I'm planning on making another one for a 13 year old I send things to there, too. I hope they like them. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease, "Burgundy Sprinkles" for this one.

I finished a second SBT. This one is on it's way to someone... :D

And, I have been getting Friendship Squares!... This one is from Poland! I love the square, and the color. I had to go get some more black yarn. (I'm edging them all in black.)

This is from the US. She sent me an adorable angel pin, too. And I love the card. <3 The colors in this one are so cool. I can't stop looking at it. :P

And another one! I love seeing all the different combinations everyone comes up with. Thank you everyone! <3 <3 <3 I think I am up to 17 squares now.

And, I got a Holidays In July RAOK! A Harlan Coben book, and a beautiful bookmark. <3 From someone in Colorado. I noticed the sticker on the back was a place by where we used to shop. (But, she lives in a different town~ so it wasn't the exact same store...) It brought back memories, though. :) I started reading this. I was going to read some more of it last night, but it was in my bedroom & my husband was already asleep in there. So, I read a crochet magazine instead. :P

A card I made for the Holidays In July. This idea came from an old Crafting Traditions magazine. The little bear is from Sue in Malaysia! I thought it would look so cute in this card. <3 (And it did, don't you think?)

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
<3

Jetta Has a New Cousin!

2011-07-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, just look at the adorable-ness!! Isn't he the sweetest thing? Meet Max, Jetta's new "cousin". Hee hee. My brother got a new Boston Terrier puppy a couple days ago. He's six weeks old. He's SOOO cute! My brother fell in love with him. (He originally was going to get another full grown one, a female. But then he saw this puppy..) :)

Sweetness <3

Look how little he is! That's my brother's foot. :P

Jetta is so happy she has a new cousin! (Not!... Ha ha..) I took this picture of her yesterday. She was acting like a Wild Dingo. (Yeah, like I have ever been around a Wild Dingo..) She was being crazy, though. I got her pictures, in a few calm moments... She will be six months old next Thursday. You can compare my profile picture of her to this, and see how big she's gotten. :)

This is the closest she has EVER been to one of the hamsters, and not ran away cowering, or thrown up. (For real.) She just sat there, and watched the hamster.

:0 !!! She even smelled it! My husband said "The next step is eating it". (He just is hoping..) I got the keyboard down for Eon yesterday and he was "playing" it. I said "Don't you want to take Piano lessons so you will know how to play some real songs?" He said "No I just want to do this" (Boys...) I did a couple videos on my phone. But I don't know how to upload them to my computer. :(((( I used to be able to, but we downgraded my phone plan (toooo expensive). Oh well. At least I could make a video. :)

Here is a picture of a shrug I am crocheting for a (now) 16 year old girl on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I am completely done with the ribbing on one side, and about to this point on the ribbing on the second side, now. I worked on it a little last night; but I was too scatterbrained, and put it down... I had been working on an SBT (Stash Buster Tote), but I ran out of yarn. This is my second one. Sue (TurtleLvr) gifted me two of her patterns on the Friendshipghan Squares CAL. I picked the Pockets-A-Plenty one, but she gave me the SBT, too. <3

This is the first one I did. I thought it came out way too big, but then I went back & looked at the pattern and it said 14 inches tall. I didn't actually measure it, but... I think I'm good. :) I am sending this one out in the Holidays In July RAOK. I made it with "Royal" blue, and "Delft" blue.
Tomorrow we are going out to dinner with my friend from high school. She's coming in to town and we're going to meet for (Anniversary) dinner. She married her high school sweetheart (I knew him, too. Went to his house a lot, actually.) I'm kind of excited. And really nervous. I don't know why?... (Maybe because I haven't seen her in about twenty years..)

Iris Folding Cards

2011-07-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is my latest fun thing to do. Especially when it's just too hot to crochet. Even inside with the air conditioning on... O.o My 19 year old came over and saw the "hamster" card I made for his little brother (last picture). He thought it was really cool. He kept going on about how cool it was and couldn't stop looking at it. I kinda laughed and said "Do you want me to make you one?" "Yeah... But I don't know what." So... Since he likes to play guitar, I thought I would try and make him a guitar one. :P It turned out pretty cool, huh? Well I think it did, anyway. I actually didn't make this one for him, even. But since I like how it turned out so much; I will try and make one for him, just like it. :D

Here is the very first Iris Folding Card I ever made. I made this one up, too. I didn't post about it, since I sent it to someone for the HIJ in Crochetville. But since she has gotten it now, I can post about it. :) I have since then printed out an Angel pattern from this site. (Which is my new favorite site..) :)

And, here is the "Hamster". I don't think I have posted about this one yet. It doesn't much look like a hamster to me. It looks more like a tail-less cat to me... Lol. (It is the "Squirrel", I just didn't put the tail part on..) But.. Eon likes it. (This is the one Evan saw & liked so much, too.) So... I guess it's all good. :)

"Recycled" Earrings

2011-07-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

I crocheted some earrings today. I actually made the earrings in the last picture, first. Then I went on Ravelry and CPC to see if I could find any other ones I liked. I did find one pattern. But I didn't have the supplies (bone rings or the type of beads) I needed. So I decided to do my own thing. I used the rings from plastic pop bottles. :P First I tried cotton thread. But it didn't work very well. Then I thought what about thin yarn? So I looked in my sock yarn drawer. I found this yarn. It worked really well (IMO). I wrote up how I did it on my pattern blog. I called them "Simple Circle Earrings". Not bad for leftover sock yarn and something you would just put in the recycle bin anyway. I like them.

I only had four plastic pop bottle rings. I'm keeping the blue pair for myself. The yellow pair I am sending to a girl on PR. (These were all done with the same ball of yarn~ I did have to cut it in spots to make them almost the same).

And the pair on the left were made with rings from gallons of milk . :P I think I might keep those, too.

These were the pair I crocheted first. They're the Dainty Earrings. I've made several pairs of these before. Well I should get dinner started. I guess that's what happens when you crochet all day. It's time to make dinner, before you know it..

Summertime Fun

2011-07-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am crocheting my hands off lately. But I don't have anything to show for it... lol. Here is a couple things I have done, though. Another Iris Folding Card, a snowman. I got the "pattern", here. All my kids thought it was cool. Even the 19 year old, who stopped by; thought it was cool. The scarf was an old school newsletter. :P And the center, "Iris", a Hershey's bar wrapper. Hee hee. I love making something neat out of "nothing" like that, though. My 19 year old wants one. He said he didn't know what kind he wanted, though. But I have something in mind, that I think he will like. If it turns out okay....

Here is something I finished crocheting. For the Holidays In July RAOK at Crochetville. I used this pattern: Little Wilds Crochet Business Card Holder. I did everything exactly the same, except I chained 28 to begin with. So it will be big enough for coupons (hopefully).

The lining fabric I sewed in. It turned out so cute. I want to make one for myself, and I don't even use coupons. :P Oh, and I used this flower pattern for the flower: crocheted flower tutorial. I am doing another one, in a different color; too.

Pool fun!! This is not our pool. (I wish!) We went over a friends' house this weekend for a BBQ. They said "Bring your suits". I didn't bring mine. I did put my feet in the water, though. It was SOOOO hot. I had to go inside after a while. The kids had fun, though.

They threw some water balloons at each other. :P

The 14 year old got a sunburn, because he wouldn't let me put sunscreen on him. It wasn't too bad, though.

I think even he had fun. :)

Then yesterday we went to the Fireworks in the Park, here in town. It was fun. But smoky (and HOT). I was having a hard time breathing. I was worried about this guy, since he has asthma (and cigarette smoke will trigger an asthma attack). Plus there was all the smoke from all the fireworks... But he didn't have one. So that was good. :)

I hope everyone's summer is going well ~ or whatever season it is where you live! :)

Please Pray...

2011-07-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

I called my Dad today, just to see what they were doing this weekend. My stepmom answered. She said she was waiting for the nurse to call her. (I thought she was talking about her daughter~ who is due this month with a baby boy. But no.) My Dad is in the hospital. (Again.) He had to have emergency surgery Friday night, to remove a blood clot on his kidney (and remover part of the kidney, also?). They did an angioplasty (not sure how to spell that); since he is still recovering from his hernia operation about a month and a half ago... The doctor said there is no way we can open him back up again. So they tried the angioplasty, and it was successful. This is his fourth surgery in two years. I'm starting to get scared. :( He is 64 years old. If you could add him to prayers, it would mean a lot to me. <3
*Hugs*

Friendship Squares... And Other Stuff...

2011-06-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post about the squares I have made recently. For the Friendshipghan Square RAOK CAL (what a mouthful) at Crochetville.

This is one of Kansas Hooker's Baby Uglee's. First time I ever made one. (Finally got around to crocheting one!) I think it turned out super cute. Kinda matches our "uglee" carpet. lol.. I am sending this to someone for the Holidays in July RAOK.

And this is a Tea Cake Box. It's from the February 2011 issue of Crochet World. I'm sending it to a girl I send things to on Pine Ridge. Next month is her "Sweet 16th" birthday. So, I crocheted her a little cake. :P I will be sending other things, too. I was thinking about a jewelry box. ?? What do you think? It can't be too heavy, since I have to send it through the mail.

It was a bit of work. But I think it turned out okay. I hope she likes it.

Better Late Than Never...

2011-06-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

... at least in this case. :) I wanted to get these two "graduation" animals done the last week of school, for our two youngest boys. But, the last week of school was so busy for me. Monday was an Awards Assembly for our middle schooler and for me/my elementary schooler. Tuesday I don't remember what I had going. (I think maybe that was when I started this bear?) Wednesday I was busy making treats to take to the second graders class for Thursday. Thursday I was at his school all day. I shouldn't have procrastinated, but... At least I got them finished. Two weeks late. :P This is the Amigurumi Graduation Bear from the Lion Brand site.

And, I know I already posted about the floppy dog I made. But here it is, with a graduation cap I made him. I knew Eon would feel "left out" when he saw Eli's bear, and say "I want one". Guess what he said?... (I was right..) I made it in his school's color.

Now I can get back to crocheting for the Holidays in July RAOK at Crochetville...

Too Hot to Crochet...

2011-06-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

It has been too hot here to go outside or even to crochet inside (for me, at least..).It has been in the triple digits here. Summer in the desert~ Here we go... :/ So, I have been making cards. Seeing as how my letter pile is stacking up & I need to answer some letters, anyway. This one is a new one I tried out. I got the idea from a "Stamp It!" magazine, early 2010. It was originally a thank you card. It didn't turn out like I had hoped. The original card had a circular stamp inside the punch out. But I don't have anything. And couldn't come up with any good ideas, either. So I tried putting a smaller circle punch-out and stamping around the edges of it. (That's the part that didn't turn out like I had hoped... Sigh.) Oh well. I still think it looks pretty good. I did the white card w/ the embossed dots all by hand/winging it..

And, I made another one of these. I don't have any more of the puffy "h's" left now. So.. I don't know what I will do for another one. I have already sent this one out in the mail, and the other one I will need to take up to the post office..

Funny hamsters... this one cracks me up. He's the boy. He kept trying to drink out of the puppy's water bowl. (A couple times I was worried he would fall in~ he would definitely have drowned) He drank out of it, a couple times; too.

Here he is, trying to get into her food bowl.

It was hard to get a picture of him (non-blurry), he moves so fast.

It's a good thing Jetta didn't see Wickett in her food bowl. She would have gotten scared and went into her corner to hide. :P She is afraid of the hamsters! One day, she threw up because she was in the same room as the hamsters, and I guess she felt trapped; because she threw up. The 14 year old thought it was funny (he trapped her in there). (I should have made him clean it up, then it wouldn't have been so funny...) This is one of her other "safe" spots~ under the kitchen table. She will be 5 months old next week.

I thought I would show a picture I took of our apple tree, yesterday. Look how big the apples are already. Between the puppy stealing them to chew on, and Eon wanting to eat one; if we get any apples from this tree to make anything, it will be a miracle.. :P

Today's The Day...

2011-06-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

I don't believe it... But somehow I managed to finish something!! Eons' puppy. :P It didn't turn out as cute as I thought (remembered them to be). But he likes it. He even made it a little dog house. :P (He named it Fudge.) I had to make the nose a non-official dog nose color. Since the dog was black. And black eyes wouldn't show up very well on him, either. So I used googly eyes. The pattern is in "Crafting Traditions", an out of print crafting magazine.

Look what I got in the mail a couple days ago! It was Mail Day for me, I got this; and three letters! One was from Mimi. ;) This is a Friendship Square~ from supermom. :D I was really suprised; since I haven't even been on that thread in forever. I thought, maybe this is just what I need right now, to get back into making Friendship Squares..

I got all my squares out that I have recieved so far. Some of them were already edged, and I edged a couple more. I had to get Jetta in the picture, too. :P It's a little blurry, sorry.. This picture was taken in my "new" craft room. Yup, I now have a craft room (once again..) It has been about 15 years since I've had one. (Before our second son was born, and we only had a 3 bedroom house.) Well now we have a four "bedroom" house. But one of the "bedrooms" is really an office/extra room. That was the 8 year olds' bedroom (which he never slept in~ long story). Well our 19 year old moved out last month. Just out of nowhere. So, you can see why I am not overly excited to have a craft room again. :/ I also have all three hamsters in "my" room. :/ (They ARE a pain to sleep with, as they are nocturnal creatures..) I don't really mind. I'm the one who takes care of them 90% of the time, anyway. On a funny side note, that is why Jetta is sitting there, not moving. Because Eon had one of the hamsters out of it's cage. (She is afraid of them! I think it's so funny..) She is still really just a puppy, though.. She'll be five months old next week. :D A couple days ago, Steve was playing with her on the floor, and he picked something up and said "What's this? Jetta lost one of her claws." I smiled and said "Or one of her baby teeth?" ;P I guess this isn't her first one. I looked at the other side of her mouth; and same tooth, other side, she has one coming in there. No wonder she has been so whiny. She's teething! I've been giving her lots of ice cubes... :)

You are probably wondering, "What does 'Today's The Day' have anything to do with anything she has posted so far?"; by now.... Well this is it. My husband is replacing the head (and a gasket) on his truck, today. He has been working on it a lot, lately. (He would be so mad if he knew I posted this on here... :P) He had to take everything out of his engine. He was starting to put some things back in and realized the gasket was bad, too. I know absolutely nothing about cars/trucks/fixing them, so.. My husband tries to show me stuff & explain it, but I just tell him, "I had to go down to a G hook, because the one I was using wasn't getting the right guage"... :P (In other words, I might as well tell you about crocheting or knitting, because I don't know anything you are saying about trucks!!!...) :P

I was fortunate enough to get the summer issue of Interweave Crochet, yesterday! I want to make the cover tank (The Grove Park Tank~ "Cover Tank" sounds kinda weird, lol..) I would have to order some of that yarn though. Sigh... I hate that. :( There is a bag in there that I like, the (?) Polka Dot bag.. Not like I NEED another project... (Sigh..) I should just stop buying and looking at new patterns.. Well I hope everyone is staying cool (wildfires in Arizona) and dry, if you are having flooding... Crazy weather! It was 110 here yesterday. I think we broke a record. Maybe not.. It's supposed to be in the triple digits for the next few days. (Why don't they just say the next few months?... Here we go~ Summer in the Mojave Desert~ Ugh...) My fourth summer here, and I'm still not used to this heat. Anyway~~ Have a Great Day, everyone! <3

Not Enough Time In a Day...

2011-06-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

Our middle schooler had his Awards Assembly on Monday. He got two awards! He got his First Year Letter (he would have maybe gotten his third year letter, but this is the first year he has gone to this school..). And, he got a Presidential Achievement Award! Way to go, Eli!! I'm so proud of you. :D (I had to twist his arm/beg him to let me take this picture..)

Later, the same day; I got an award, too. I had gotten the invitation for this assembly about a week ago. For all my volunteering I do... :)

Eon was feeling left out and "sad, because he didn't get an award". (I was surprised he didn't get one, usually he does!) So... I made him an award, too; yesterday. Just drew a paw print, and markers/colored pencils. :P I think he loved it. He had the biggest smile on his face when I gave it to him. :)

He may not have gotten an "official" award, but he DID get all his Sight Word Tags! (I am SOOO proud of him for getting all of them!!) Last Friday was the last day for Sight Word Tag Testing; and so I really crammed with him, and he passed. (I was the only one who was testing that day, so I had to test him. But I didn't cheat/let him pass.. I think I am actually even harder on him than I am the other students.)

I made these for his classroom party for tomorrow (last day of school~ YAY!!!!) They are "Strawberry Mice". I wanted to make something other than cupcakes/cookies/sugary junk. So I circled "Fruit/Vegetable" on the form; and went on to Family Fun dot com to see what I could find to make... I saw these and knew right away I wanted to make them.

Look at that cute face!!! I can't get over how cute they are. I hope the kids will like them. I got three containers of strawberries at Walmart. I had to really dig to find enough for his classroom. Some were totally moldy. The rest were smushy, and not good enough to serve. I wouldn't even make jam with them. So, I found the receipt and returned two containers. What a pain. Yesterday my husband opened the fridge and said "What's that smell?" (He has a nose like a Hound.. lol) The pork chops we JUST bought smelled horrible, and were slimy! (From Walmart... Again..) I am getting so sick of them (Walmart, that is...). He threw the pork chops away. I meant to tell them about them (like it would do any good); even though I couldn't return them~ I did want to complain.. Speaking of complaining... Did I mention how my whole day has been going? I dropped my son off at school & he wanted me to go in to ask his teacher something (ugh..). So then on my way out, I notice my tire is totally flat. Ugh! I WAS going to go to the bank after I dropped my son off, since it's right around the corner, but noooooo..... I have to go all the way half way back home to the gas station, to put gas in my tire. I didn't have any quarters, so I had to go in to get change (from the money I was going to deposit in the bank-good thing I hadn't made out the deposit slip yet). I walk in to a wall of cigarette smoke. UGH!! I hate these casinos in the gas station where people can smoke. Now I'm getting irritated. FINALLY get four quarters (who knew it was so hard to just get change for a dollar? Sheesh...). Put air in the tire. Go to the bank. Get my checkbook out that I went back in and grabbed early this morning for a deposit slip. No deposit slips. Ugh..... 0.o Get one, where's the account number? Oh, yeah... Finished at the bank. Got home then had to do all that stuff with the strawberries (and make all the food) I just mentioned. Clean up puppy pee, even though she has been outside all morning while I was making stuff, and I took her out THREE times amidst the chaos of trying to get ready for school. This whole day has been a two steps forward, one step back kinda day.

Anyway~ Back to FUN stuff... :P

Besides the Strawberry Mice, I also made "Ants on a Log". :P It's just celery sticks, with peanut butter and raisins. I got this idea from when I used to take our kids to a friends' house in Colorado, to "Preschool Day". Someone brought these for lunch. My kids are all older now, but they all still eat every single one of these, every time I make them.

I wanted to crochet the Lion Brand Site's Graduation Teddy Bear, and a Graduation Dog (a pattern I have had for a dog, just going to add a graduation cap to it); for our two boys... Our 8th grader is "graduating" middle school this year. And the 8 year old will feel left out, if I don't make him something, too. I don't know why I put it off until the last week of school, to get started on them???.... I guess I thought I wouldn't have anything to do all week, and could just stay home and crochet. (Sigh...) Between that and forgetting I was going to, and getting sidetracked... I did get them both started. Oh well. :P Maybe I will stay up all night tomorrow night and finish them. (Ha ha...) I have a lot to blog about, just not enough time to do it.. Gotta get dinner started. Have a great weekend. :D

Just For Something To Blog About...

2011-06-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my Pressed Flowers Afghan a lot, lately. I was working on my other one (can't think of the name of it, right now). But ran out of the color I was doing one row on. So I picked this one up, and have been working on it ever since. I think it will be done way before winter gets here. I'm sending it to a 13 year old girl I send things to on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. (The other afghan I am working on is for her Grandma, whom she lives with..) This one is 3/4 of the way done, already. I like doing this pattern. This one isn't the greatest. But I still kinda like it. I've been thinking about doing a rectangle granny one, for my 19 year old. Out of scraps. I've been working on an Aqua Chevron Lace Cardigan, too.
I have been on the lookout for the Interweave Crochet Summer issue. I can't find it anywhere. Oh well... I guess I'll find one sooner or later. :) I sent a picture of my Forest Flower Pullover I finished to them. I don't know if they will use it in the magazine or not. I vaguely recall reading something (I don't remember if it was online or in their magazine) about if they use your photo you will be entered into a drawing to win a years subscription to their magazine. (I read it after I had already sent my picture in.) It would be neat to win, though. :D

Apple or Rhubarb Rumble (Recipe)

2011-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

I found the recipe for Rhubarb Rumble (I was right, you could use apples, too; for this recipe.. I can't believe I remembered that. :P) So here it is, Paula. :) I don't know where the recipe came from; a cookbook probably. I know I got it from my Mom. :)

Apple or Rhubarb Rumble

1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter
4 cups diced rhubarb/apple
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and melted butter. Press half of the mixture into a greased 8" square baking pan and cover with rhubarb (or apples- or half and half?). Reserve remaining flour mixture. Combine sugar, water, cornstarch, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over moderate heat (medium). Cook, stirring constantly until thick. Pour over rhubarb and sprinkle with remaining flour mixture. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for one hour.
(Apples or cherries may be substituted for the rhubarb)

Rhubarb Pie

2011-05-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

After seeing Tammy's Rhubarb Pie ~made with her very own rhubarb!! I'm so jealous... ;) I had to find some rhubarb!! I LOVE rhubarb. I always use to stop at this farm on the way to my Grandmother-In-Law's house, to buy rhubarb. (When we had any money). I usually made Rhubarb Rumble (with the oatmeal/brown sugar topping). I have never made a pie. But, like I already said, after seeing Tammy's... I had to have one. I finally found some rhubarb in the freezer section at Smith's. It was expensive ($2.89 a bag!), but... I had to have it. I had enough to make two pies. The other one is still in the oven. When I was googling "Rhubarb Pie", for recipes, I found this video of a song about Rhubarb Pie~ How cool is that?! I love it. This song is dedicated to Tammy, thank you for posting about your pie Tammy! ;P (I guess it will have to be in a separate post... Still not sure how to post a video.) :)
Have a Great Day, everyone. :)

Rhubarb Pie

2011-05-25T19:03:00.000-07:00