Lovingly Hand Made

2 more dishcloths,

2008-08-28T23:00:00.002-04:00

Well, I've finished 2 more dishcloths, the Sunflower from my Garden Dishcloths book, and then Grandmother's Favorite that Theresa turned me on to. I'm going to get back to the Garden tomorrow, cast on the Cherries. I've also joined a Knit Along group on Ravelry, the group does a new dishcloth each week, and I'm going to join them starting Monday. I think it will help expand my skills knitting wise, and keep me interested.

Without further ado, here are the dishcloths:

My First Dishcloth Tuesday

2008-08-26T11:53:00.002-04:00

Well, I've joined another CAL over on the ville, this one should help me get those Knitted Dishcloths done. It's called Dishcloth Tuesday, and it's exactly what it sounds like. Each Tuesday a group of us are going to complete a dishcloth. This week I didn't do a knitted one, I found a great pattern for a Pineapple Dishcloth and simply had to try it out. Well here it is, my dishcloth Tuesday debut:

I wanted to show the detail a little more, so I hung it from the window latch near the computer. It's made from cotton I bought from the Peaches n' Creme web-site, the color is Painted Dessert. I LOVE this color, bought it in thread too.

CGAG CHALLENGE COMPLETED!!!

2008-08-23T22:15:00.002-04:00

Man, I'm so super excited!!! Here is my finished Double Wedding Ring Lapghan to be auctioned off for Friedrich's Ataxia Awareness, this will be sent off to Jimbo for the Auction to be held in October.

I worked with a great team of ladies that were all working for a common goal, all items made by the team were going toward the auction, and they all did a BANG UP JOB!!! Check out this Thread on Crochetville and see what all was accomplished. I'm am so proud to have worked with this group!

Now i'm fired up to put real effort into the remaining items on my list for this quarter. I'm sooooo far behind, But I'm confident that I can really finish MOST of the items for the Having Fun and Getting It Done, CAL for this quarter. My next projects are Dawn's blanket, and Grandpa Pease's blanket. Also getting some 8" squares for the August Charity for the blitz, the games have really taken all my time, but I should be able to get a few done before the end of the month. Wish me Luck.

GOING FOR GOLD!!!

2008-08-15T20:52:00.002-04:00

Well, as I said before I'm part of the 2008 Crochet Games of Ancient Greece! I'm making great progress and am ahead of schedule and well on my way to getting the GOLD!! My double wedding ring lapghan has been a real challenge, something new and fun, and I'm so excited about it. Here it is as it looks right now! 59.16% completed!!

Go TEAM FARA! Some great projects are getting done, some are already completed!! And Jimbo is likely to be thrilled with all the goodies headed his way for the auction in October!

The 2008 Crochet Games of Ancient Greece Have Begun

2008-08-08T14:09:00.002-04:00

Well over on crochetville.org I am participating in the 2008 C-Gags (as my husband calls them). They have begun today, and I am about 1/2 done with my goal for today. I am making a lapghan sized Double Wedding Ring Crocheted Quilt. In colors purple, sage, black and soft white. I am very excited that these have finally started, and even more excited that my air conditioner is working properly, so crocheting is enjoyable here in the middle of August. YAY!

Cheer me and the other athletes on as we try to reach some lofty goals over the next 16 days! Well wishes always appreciated. I'll post pics as soon as there is something worth taking a picture of!

You know you are from Binghamton when....

2008-08-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

My friend tiffany posted this on her myspace blog, and I just had to copy it and put it here!

You know you are from Binghamton when.....

n:
1.You know better than to spell it with a "p."
2. Bulls (used to be) on restaurant roofs.
3. You can get anywhere in 15 minutes or less (including the airport).
4.You think of its proximity to New York City as one of the best things about living in Binghamton.
5. You think of its proximity to New York City as one of the worst things about living in Binghamton.
6.Cubed, marinated spiedie meat is for sale in every local supermarket at outrageous prices.
7.You've always wondered what it means to be "The Parlor City."
8.You work, or everyone you know works, or knows someone, or is related to someone who works, or worked, at IBM.
9.You are related to someone who used to work at "EJ."
10.You got excited when you saw an EJ Shoes store outside of the area.
11.You know someone who lives in an "EJ House".
12.You have always known what "E-J" stands for.
13. You remember when the Binghamton Senators were the BC Icemen were the Binghamton Rangers were the Binghamton Whalers were the Broome Dusters.
14.Your idea of the ultimate date is dinner at Number 5.
15.You know the tune to "See you at the Giant"
16.You think that people who don't know how to drive in the Johnson City traffic circle are either wimps or idiots.
17.You remember the old traffic circle
18.You have a button certifying that you have ridden all six local carousels.
19.You've used a piece of trash for a free ride on a carousel.
20.You can't bring yourself to pay to ride a carousel when you see one somewhere out of town.
21.You know how "African Road", in vestal got its name.
22.You think eating spiedies and watching hot-air balloons launch is the highlight of the summer.
22.People from 15 miles away think you live in a big city.
23.You have a strong opinion in the great Lupo's vs. Salamida's speidie debate.
24.You know that BCC can also be referred to as the Hornet's Nest, Harvard by the Highway, Front Street U Yale by the Jail, or simply 13th Grade.
25.You've logged time at Aladdin's Castle and can't beleive it's no longer there!
26.You worked at one of the 3,247 Giant Markets in the area.
27.You've skated the moonlight at "Skate Eeeeeestate (skate estate, skate estate, skate estate), Skate Eeeestate!"
28.You've been on the waterslide in town (Slide Estate?)
29.You've bowled at Midway or Riverhouse.
30. Harry L seems like a normal name for a highway, and C. Fred seems like a normal name for a middle school.
31.You don't have to ask "Harry L who?" or "C. Fred who?"
32.You can correctly name all the Johnsons: C. Fred, George F., Charles F, and Howard.
33.This road sign on 17 makes perfect sense to you: BOCES BR DEV CTR
34.You know which church Bazaar is the easiest one to get beer underaged.
35.Speaking of church bazaars, you know that they rule, and in this order: 1) St. Ant'ny's 2) St. Joe's; 3) OLA.
36.There's nothing funnier than the Botnick Chevrolet "I just can't beLIEVE this!" commercials.
37.The Oakdale Mall is simply "The Mall," because there's only one.
38.You refer to your butt in the Polish manner: Your "dupa."
39.You use these terms interchangeably: SUNY, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY-B, or Harpur College,
40.You still look at the State Office Building with a vague foreboding, 'cuz of the PCBs.
41.When you hear someone say "jaycee," you think of a town, not a social organization.
42.You're used to seeing Johnny Hart's caveman cartoons on everything.
43.When someone says "Enjoy," you think of a golf course.
44."Stella Ireland" isn't a woman.
45.You know how to pronounce "Apalachin."
46.You think of "Can Man" commercials as a higher form of entertainment.
47.You know all the lyrics to the jingle for the Rubber Ducky Car Wash sung to the tune of the Sesame Street song..."On the Vestal Parkway next to Miller Dodge..."
48. You use the word "wicked" in everday language.
49.You drive to Pennsylvania to get cheap gas.
50.You used to drive to Pennsylvania to shop, until they dropped state taxes.
51. On kamikaze curve, you don't slow down.
52.You know how "Powderhouse Road" got its name.
53. On Thursday night, there is only one place to go,and you'll run into everyone one you know there....Boca joe's
54. When you go to KFC, you go to Kennedy Fried Chicken .
55. You thought you were so cool going to the icehouse at age 16.
56. You got pissed off when you were younger when it snowed and the only school listed on the tv for cancellation was Blue Ridge
57. When you were younger, you thought that the best perk about being from bing was you didn't have to wait in line to ride the Tower of Terror at MGM, they just let you go to the front cause rod serling was your home fry.
58. You know what 797-9960 calls and the jingle that goes along with it.
59.When you were 14,you thought you were the shit going clubbing at touch of texas
60. You have had to leave your car in the parking ramp downtown because you were too drunk to drive.
61. You have seen an 80 yr old cowboy that wears baby blue wandering the streets aimlessly with a toy gun
62. When people go to concerts and say things like this....http://youtube.com/watch?v=zzyqUJvwXpQ
63. You know when your bored at night that Dennys and Walmart are open 24/7
64. You remember Philly Sales
65. You explain where Binghamton is and people are still totally clueless to its location
66. You know who Jingles is
67. you remember when Macy's was Kaufmans, was Montgomery Wards.
68. Crossing the border to buy fireworks is considered normal
69. You Buy your cigarettes in bulk in PA cuz they are dirt cheap
70. You played smart at Smart Play USA
71. An essential part of the summer was the Spiedie Fest & Ballon Rally
72. The grocery store was the best part of the Discovery Center
73. Seeing a car commerical with Connie Gaults voice is pure torture
74. When your elementary field trips included one to the cidermill
75. You went to school with at least one of Dick's Sporting Goods family members
75. You proudly proclaim as you walk into Dick's in other places that the orginal/founding one is in your home town.
76. The Anderson center was always a field trip
77. when you literally can't go anywhere in town without seeing someone you know
78. When burning stuffed bears and papermache/stuffed tigers is an annual tradition

Comfort coming in Brown

2008-06-26T17:23:00.002-04:00

I had goaled for the Having Fun Getting it Done CAL in the 2nd quarter to assemble 3 comfortghans, and I'm very proud to say I did!!!! Here is the 3rd one, it's browns, squares given by various people on crochetville, and from church, I think 4-6 are ones that I made, I'm not a big fan of brown, but I'm still pleased with the final look!

I'm going to work on some more squares before the 1st, and hopefully get some more done for OA and Krystal.

June Charity Square Along

2008-06-13T12:36:00.002-04:00

Well, it's the first day of the June Charity Square Along, there is one every month and it lasts 4 days (Friday-Monday), this month I'm using this time to meet my goals for my 2nd quarter Having Fun and Getting It Done CAL, my goal is to make 23 6" squares for Online-Angels, and 9 Daisy Squares for Krystal... So far this morning I've made 5 of my squares for OA.

This is a challenge this month because I'm in the Bottom Up Pineapple Shawl class on Crochetville, which just started today and lasts for a week, I've finished lesson 1 and started lesson 2, I figure I'll work 5 squares then do some of my shawl then make more squares. The squares are the main thing though, they're very important to finish.

I'm also working on a scarf in size 10 thread with an E hook, it's 6" across and needs to be 40" long, so far it is 7" long, not bad for 2 sittings worth of progress, it's what I work on while the kids are playing in the backyard, since it's so lightweight it's not too hot to work on.

I completed 1 Fireman Bear so far, I wanted to do at least 5, but I think it's going to end up being more like 2-3 by the end of the month, there are a lot of details to them, and they just take longer to make than I had thought they would. Here he is though, I think he's sooo cute!

I'll post more in a few days when I have some results from the weekend.

Checking In

2008-06-09T09:21:00.003-04:00

Well, I finished the 2nd dishcloth in the Garden Dishcloths book, I made the Birdhouse, I'm really happy with how it turned out, and looking at this one right next to the Tulip I can see I'm getting better, my stitches are more consistent, these patterns are such great practice, and I'm having a lot of fun, the Sunflower is on my needles now, but I need to finish some crochet projects before I let myself really work on it.

The last few weeks I've been working on items to send to a little boy named Casey, he has Epidermolysis Bullosa. I "met" his mom through a woman on Crochetville who also suffers from the disease. I don't understand all of it, but from what I have gathered this disease is the lack of an essential protein that binds our layers of skin together, so without this protein even small amounts of friction cause the formation of blisters and sores on the body. Most severe cases these sores even happen internally, on the esophagus just from eating. There is a REALLY exciting article here that discusses a clinical trial that the treatment was successful on a 25 month old boy, this is REALLY EXCITING, because until this there was no cure for this disease, and now there appears to be great hope for the future!!!

Well, I started talking to Beth (Casey's Mom) and she really wanted a stocking cap for Casey, so that she could get a picture of her boys in matching winter hats, so I made that pretty quick. She talked some about Zachary, and how selfless he is already at the age of 7, how kind he is to his brother, and how he doesn't show any jealousy or animosity, but is just a great big brother, and has really taken things in stride. I wanted to make sure when I sent the items for Casey that there was something special for Zachary, so I made him a blanket of his very own. I am still working on a couple scarves and a ball for Casey, but here is the cap and blanket (Jadyn is modeling the cap for me)

The colors are Red, Yellow, and Navy blue.. it was made with my Chophook, and used the Diagonal Hues pattern from CPC

That's all for now, I'm currently working on a brown-tones comfortghan assembly for the women's ministry, and the blitz item this month is the Fireman bear going to SC. I'd like to get 5 of those done this month, I have about 90% of 1 done so far. I'm thinking about making all the small parts first then doing a mass assembly of the little guys later, it may go faster that way. I'll post pics when I have a full one done.

Tulip Dishcloth

2008-06-04T20:31:00.002-04:00

Well, I actually finished this yesterday, but havn't really had time to put it up here, I made my first Knitted Dishcloth (although I like it better as a washcloth, it's too pretty to scrub up grease, lol). Anyway, it's made with Peaches and Creme Cotton, Color Lilac. It's the 1st design I chose from the Garden Dishcloths to Knit book, and I've already started the Birdhouse....

Swaps and such

2008-06-02T14:48:00.004-04:00

Well, I participated in two swaps in the last month, simultaneously.. crazy of me I know. Well, I must say I had so much fun doing the swaps, and I've already picked out a couple more to do this year, might even try to do the Secret Pals swap this fall... we'll see.

The first package I received was from LaVonne, she was partner for the scarf swap, this was so much fun making some girly scarves for her, and her package to me couldn't have been anymore perfect. It had 3 great scarves, and a selection of candy that included Caramel Cremes (oh yea baby!)

Then just today I was lucky enough to get my package from Theresa, she was the fantastic partner I was given for the Whole Kit and Kaboodle Swap. She asked what sort of things I like to make, and I gave her a few ideas and she went with an AMAZING pattern book for Dishcloths, The Garden of Dishcloths to Knit, these dishcloths are so cool! I've been looking at this book for a while, and just never got around to getting it. Well, now I have the book, the needles I need to make the patterns, and enough cotton to make EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!! Theresa also made me this great wrap! It's a beautiful pinkish/purple color, and SOO soft, I just love it!

The last couple weeks I've also been overrun with 6" squares, as part of the 2008 Charity Blitz on Crochetville, the month of May was spent making 6" squares for the Kingston SDA Women's Ministry, for our use in making comfortghans for people in our area. Look to the right of my blog under the charity blitz to see everyone who has sent me squares and the running total, we're at over 600 already and I'm still waiting on about 6 packages!!! It's been very uplifting for me to be involved in this, and my poor mailman probably can't wait until it's over.

Baby Blanket and some squares

2008-05-19T16:38:00.002-04:00

Well, I found some great square patterns over on CPC and had to adjust some of them to make them 6" with an H hook... many of them called for smaller hooks. Anyway, I wanted to use my new Jimbo hook for the squares, because it's so new and so perfect, and so comfortable to work with that I didn't want to put it down, anyway, here are the 30 squares that I made for the May Charity Blitz

Then when i was done with those, all made during the May Charity Square Along weekend, I sat down last night and made this blanket in 6 hours! Non-stop while watching a movie with the family, and just kept working while Zach watched stuff I didn't care to watch, I need a better photo, my good camera has no batteries at the moment, so for now this is what I have, the color ways in this yarn (Homespun Honolulu) are amazing, it's almost self striping and I used the pattern for Diagonal Hues again, and this one was made with my handy dandy Chophook, be sure to get with Jimbo and get your own Chophook, it's a GREAT hook! This blanket is 32x32", and will be going to Donnalynn in Florida, I'm going to finish more before I send it on, but that's who it's for!

Thanks for looking!

Projects I can't show and May charity Square A Long

2008-05-15T13:26:00.002-04:00

Well, I have finished my project for my Kit and Kaboodle swap partner, it's all boxed up and ready to mail, now just have to get to the post office...

Found out my Scarf Swap Partner is Lavonne, and I'm working on a scarf for her now that I know who she is, and she'll be getting the 2 scarves I've already done and this one, hopefully will be ready to mail by end of next week...

oh, I made a Dot's Little Ditty Bag for my Axe, so here's my Axe Ataxia purse:

I whipped up a few squares for FARA yesterday, I'm tossing them in the collection, and I'll send them all out once I've had my hands on the hook

Tomorrow starts the Charity-Square-Along Weekend for May, since my churches women's ministry is the focus of the Charity Blitz this month I'm devoting my squares to that this month. I would like to complete 30 6" between tomorrow and Monday. Working with a few different colors this time, have some browns set aside, pinks, purple, a harvest colored verigate, black and soft white as well. So, I shouldn't get bored doing the same square over and over.

This week I have to work on projects I can show pictures of, lol.

Comfortghan

2008-05-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

I received some squares WAY BACK WHEN from Pineknott over on crochetville, and FINALLY they have become the comfortghan they were destined to be. Have a look...

I've also been working my partners kaboodle, and made another girly scarf that I'm hoping I can use in the Summer Scarf swap... but can't show those pictures because my partner and prospective partner should see the finished product first!

OOOO, and I won the auction on ebay for the book with The Cathedral Rose Window afghan pattern in it, and I'm bidding on a Jimbo Hook that I'm hoping to win, I'll find out Monday for sure... man I'd LOVE a Jimbo hook.

Speaking of Jimbo, I designed something today:

It's based on the Axe Ataxia button, and I'm going to put it on a purse that I'm probably going to make this week, yay!

Thinking about the week

2008-05-05T09:46:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm in the Having Fun Getting It Done CAL over on Crochetville, and it's been really good for me, as far as working on projects and making real progress on them goes. I posted this same list over there, but want it where I can find it easily later on, here's the projects I want to work on this week:

Finish the Pink Comfortghan
Finish 8 Round Squares on Babette
Have 10 Squares ready to mail to OA by Friday
Start 8 Pocket Tote (if not started this week I'm removing from list for this quarter)
Start Tote for my Kit and Kaboodle Partner

The above are in no particular order, just that's where I want to focus this week, so we'll see how many new projects tempt and side track me over the course of the week, lol.

8" Chophook Square #2

2008-05-03T11:15:00.002-04:00

Here is the 2nd 8" square I've come up with using my Chophook If you havn't already, be sure to get your own Chophook from Jimbo, they'll be available for as long as he can whittle!

As with all my patterns this pattern is free for your use, please link to me as opposed to posting the pattern on your own site. You can do what you want with the squares you make from the pattern, but selling the pattern is not allowed! Hope you enjoy the pattern!! Feel free to send my pictures of your squares to lovinglyhandmade (at)gmail (dot) com

Materials:
Small amount of worsted weight yarn in 2 colors
Chophook (roughly size K crochet hook)
Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
FPTRC: Front Post Treble Crochet
BPTRC: Back Post Treble Crochet
Sc: single crochet
Dc: double crochet
TRC: Treble crochet
Sl st: slip stitch
Ch: chain
Sk: Skip
FO: Finished Off

With Color A:

Ch 4, Join with sl st to form a ring

Round 1: Ch 3, 2dc, *ch2, 3dc* 3 times, ch 2, Join with sl st to top of beginning chain 3

Round 2: Ch1, BPTRC around same st, and nxt 2 sts *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner, BPTRC in nxt 3 sts* 3 times, ch 2 join with sl st to 1st BPTRC.

Round 3: ch1, FPTRC around same st, and nxt 4 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2 dc) in corner, FPTRC in nxt 7 sts* 3 times, (2dc,ch2, 2dc) in last corner, FPTRC in nxt 2 sts, join with sl st to 1st FPTRC

Round 4: ch1, sc in same st and nxt 6 sts, *3sc in corner, sc in nxt 11sts* 3 times, 3 sc in corner, sc in nxt 4 sts. FO

Round 5: Join color B with a sl st to center sc of any corner. Ch1,(sc, ch2,sc) in same st, *(ch1 sk nxt st, sc in nxt st) 6 times, ch 1, sk nxt st, (sc,ch2,sc) in nxt st* 3 times, ch 1, sk nxt st, sc in nxt st, across last side, ending with ch 1, and sl st to 1sr sc, FO.

Round 6: With color A join with sl st to any corner ch2 space. (ch3, dc, ch2, 2 dc) in same corner, *(ch 1, dc in nxt ch sp) across (2dc, ch2, 2 dc) in corner* around. FO

Round 7: With Color B Join with a sl st to any corner ch 2 space. (ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in same space. Dc in nxt 2 sts, TRC in sc of Round 5. *(ch1, trc in nxt sc of round 5) 7 times, dc in nxt 2 sts, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in nxt corner, dc in nxt 2 sts. TRC in sc from round 5* 3 times (ch1, trc in nxt sc from round 5) 7 times, dc in nxt two sts. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. FO

Round 8: With Color A join with sl st to any corner ch2 space. ch1, 3 sc in same sp, *sc in each st and ch1 space across to next corner, work 3 sc in the corner* repeat around, join with a sl st to 1st sc. FO. Weave in ends.

Chophook 8" Square

2008-04-28T22:37:00.004-04:00

Well, I joined up with the Traveling Hook III over on crochetville, and what we're doing is raising awareness for Friedreichs Ataxia (click the Axe Ataxia Button on the left for more information on this terrible disease) by crocheting squares to make afghans, and talking about it!!! While we do we are taking turns using a hook that was made by Jimbo. Well Jimbo makes some BEAUTIFUL hooks, one day I'll convince my husband that I NEED one, and no not just to drool over! He has also made some roughly size K Chophooks- hooks made out of Chopsticks. Head on over to his blog to see how you can get your own chophook (which works wonderfully btw) AND help to fund the much needed research that FARA conducts.

As I sit patiently... yea, sorta patiently, for my 5 day turn with the Traveling Hook I wanted to make up some 8" squares, so that I have a decent sized package to send in when my week with the hook is over, and I thought, "hey, jimbo made the chophook to help raise funds for FARA, i'll use my chophook to make squares for the afghans!" YAY!!! Well, I didn't want to use any old square, and there are LOADS of 8" square patterns available, but I didn't feel like looking for one that would work with a "roughly size K" hook. So here is the first square I ever designed, and it comes out to 8" if you use a Chophook!

Please understand that you can use this pattern for whatever projects you so desire, but do not sell the pattern!! It's free, and it's right here, so if you sell it, that makes you grimy, and who wants to go to bed dirty?? I hope it'll be used for charity purposes, but I acknowledge that i can't control that, so enjoy!! And show me pictures! You can email me pictures at Lovinglyhandmade@gmail.com I'd love to see how you use this or any of my patterns!

Materials:
Small amount of worsted weight yarn in 2 colors
Chophook (roughly size K crochet hook)
Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
FPTRC: Front Post Treble Crochet
Sc: single crochet
Hdc: half double crochet
Dc: double crochet
Sl st: slip stitch
Ch: chain
Sk: Skip
FO: Finished Off

With Color A. Ch 4, join with Sl st to form Ring

Round 1: Working in ring: Ch 3, 2dc *ch 2, 3dc* 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3

Round 2: Ch 1, *FPTRC around nxt 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 sp* 4 times, sl st to first trc

Round 3: FPTRC in nxt 5 sts *ch 3, FPTRC in nxt 7 sts* 3 times, ch 3, FPTRC in next 2 sts, join with sl st to first trc

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in nxt 4 sts * 3 sc in ch 3 sp, sc in nxt 7 sts* 3 times, 3 sc in nxt ch 3 space, sc in nxt 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc, FO.

Round 5: With color B join with sl st to center sc in any corner. (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st, *(ch 1, sk nxt st, dc in nxt st) 4 times, ch 1 (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in nxt st* Repeat around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in nxt st * (2dc, Ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each st and space across* repeat around. 17 sts each side. Sl st to top of beginning ch 3. FO (Square should be 6” at this point)

Round 7: With Color A Join with sl st to any corner, (ch 3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner * Dc in space BETWEEN each st across (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner* Repeat around. Join with sl st to beginning ch 3.

Round 8: Ch 2, hdc in nxt st * (2hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in corner, hdc in each st across *repeat around join with sl st to beginning ch 2. FO. Weave in ends.

Peaches and Cream Done

2008-04-28T09:33:00.002-04:00

Well I finished up the Peaches and Cream Ghan this morning, it's a Christmas Gift for Zach's Grandma Pease, my sil told me that her favorite color is peach, so I went with that for her. Here's the picture:

Some things coming up, are I am testing a pattern this week for Krochet Krystal (the one who designed the Daisy Square), it's a darling Capelet, I'm testing it in the size for Dawny Cakes, she wants it done within a week, so I'll start on that as soon as I get the pattern.

Last night I started a LAce and Bobbles afghan, using a G hook, it's going to be for Dawn, I let her go through and choose her colors, most of them match, at least certainly better than the colors Kenzie Chose for her 5 year blanket. BUt the L&B will be 14 different colors, mostly pinks and purples, but also brown, black, green, and blue.. hey so long as she likes it, that's all that matters.

More later....

Family and Hobbies

2008-04-24T20:29:00.002-04:00

Thought I should put up some new pictures. These were taken over the last couple days, just some shots of the family. First is Zach with girls on the couch, he had been just relaxing and watching t.v when Kenzie decided to snuggle, then jadyn jumped on and Dawn just couldn't be left out. The bottom two are mackenzie and dawn, they both picked me a flower from the Magnolia tree in the backyard today, they are too sweet!

Then here are some pictures of recent deliveries, my joann's order and my shop caron order. Joann's really had great prices on everything, and the two books are books I've wanted for a while now, and the Crochet Lite hooks I've had my eye on, but didn't want to spend $7 per hook, got em sale nearly 2 for 1 so couldn't resist anymore. The Peach and Cream yarn is already nearly gone, it was used to make a lapghan for my husbands grandma, and plans are in place for the other yarn too.

Then from shopcaron.com I bought 5- 1lb mill ends bags, it's luck of the draw with what you get, you know it's caron yarn but you can't choose type or color. Of the 5 lbs I got 3 lbs of simply soft (2 white and 1 purplish) and a yellow pounder, and the teal/blue is a rough coarse yarn, I'm thinking rug yarn, I have a darker blue and gray of the same type that I bought a while back at ac moore, and i'm thinking of making a welcome mat type thing for the mud room with it.

Change in Design

2008-04-21T11:34:00.002-04:00

Well, I've found a new pattern that I absolutely LOVE for a diagonally striped afghan, and have decided to re-do the lapghans I'm making for Zach's grandma and grandpa pease. Poor grandpa pease's ghan hasn't been touched in so long, and I fear I may never finish it, and I'm not happy with how grandma pease's is turning out, and even though I'm more than 60% done with it, I'm just scrapping it and starting over. eventually I'll frog it and use the yarn for either granny squares or depending on how beat up the yarn is I'll make snuggles for the humane society with it, we'll see. But I'm so unhappy with it, that I won't even put up pictures.

So, here is the link to the pattern that I'm going to use for both. Grandma's will be peaches and cream, and grandpa's will be capecod blue, azure, black and cream... the same colors as the blankets I was originally making for them.
The pattern is called Diagonal Hues, and I found it on CPC

I've joined the Having Fun and Getting it Done CAL on the Ville, I've broken down my project list into a quarterly view, and am hoping this will help me get more done, as opposed to thinking I have a year to finish things, giving myself a smaller list of projects and a shorter amount of time on them.

My List for this is quarter is:

1. Grandma Pease's Peaches and Cream Ghan
2. 16 Daisy Squares for Krystal
3. 3 sections of the Babette
4. Eight Pocket Tote
5. 33 Squares for OA
6. Assemble 3 Comfortghans

The quarter deadline is June 30th, and I'll make this list on the right side bar so I can edit it easily, and I'll post pictures on Fridays of my progress on the items on this list.

Woot UPS came by

2008-04-17T16:11:00.003-04:00

I've ordered a bit of yarn lately from two different sources, the first batch came today, it's yarn I'm going to use to make the Babette Blanket I'm really excited to undertake this project, it's going to be something that I do slowly for sure. I usually use red heart or caron yarn for blankets. But I saw this Bernat Super Value on sale and thought I'd give it a fair chance.... it's the same weight and thickness as RRSS except this is SO MUCH SOFTER!!!! I can't believe how soft this is for a plain old acrylic yarn! I'm so glad I took the chance, since this blanket is going to be for me :) I"m hoping to have enough extra yarn to also make a throw pillow or two to go with it.

Here are the colors: pinks, purples, green, and browns

So the projects that I want to finish are as follows:

The ninepatch
The peaches and cream
Dawn's Blanket
Comfortghan assembly
Babette
Snowflakes
Snuggles

there is always more mulling around in my head, but this is what i've got going on right now.

Chophook has arrived

2008-04-17T13:12:00.003-04:00

Well today I received my Chophook from Jim. It's really neat, I made the beginning of a granny square as soon as I opened it, I wanted to see how it felt to work with it. It's really smooth and the yarn glides nicely along it.

Here are some pictures...

It came beautifully wrapped in red felt...

And here it is:

If you want a Chophook of your own here is where you can go to get one Chophook

You can help a really worthy cause and get a great tool to crochet with all at the same time.

Pictures

2008-04-14T16:32:00.003-04:00

Here is a baby ghan I made for my neighbor Margie. She wanted this for her pediatrician. I'm happy with how it turned out, the bottom and top are not identical like the picture with the pattern was, so I do want to try this pattern again and see if I can get that to be a little better. However, my neighbor was happy with the finished product, so that's what is important.

Also I wanted to show this too... this picture is old, but I am working with some ladies on crochetville on a traveling ghan, we're taking turns with it each adding a few rounds. Here is how I received it:

Here is how it left my house:

On the Horizon

2008-04-09T20:59:00.003-04:00

I have to get some pictures taken, I've been working on a peach/cream colored ghan for grandma pease, and also the nine patch ghan for grandpa pease.

I am sending a handful of hats to florida for the march charity on crochetville's chairty blitz 2008... they are late in getting sent, but the person getting them knows and is waiting nicely :)

I bought the Babette Blanket pattern today, more for the line up of the squares than anything else, it looks really cool, i'll be working on this one slowly as time allows.

On the front burner I'm finishing a baby blanket for my neighbor, she wanted something for a nurse in her kids doctors office, needs to be ready by wednesday, it's a granny ripple in colors pink and white. turning out nicely.

Will have pictures up soon, I hope.

Candy Apple Shrug

2007-11-26T17:27:00.001-05:00

Well, I've finished this Shrug for Marshelle for Christmas, It's from a pattern on the Lion Brand web-site called The Candy Apple Shrug, I used Bernat Soft Boucle instead of Lion Brand Homespun. I made only the arms striped and the body part all pink, I really hope she likes it.

Now I need to edit the pics for the Mitten Photo tutorial I'm working on, hope to have it up and finished tonight.

Belly Cast

2007-11-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

Well, Doris came by today and we went to Wal-Mart, I picked up some Christmas Cards so I could send some out to some people on the Ville for the Holiday wish list items, I can't do much but I can do a few cards :)

Well, Doris has been talking about a Belly Cast.. she's due in a few weeks, so it's a good time since her belly is about as big as it's going to get. Plus we're having her baby shower on Saturday and she wants to have everyone sign her belly I think is the plan.

So, we set out with plaster of paris and started covering her belly in strips. My 6 year old took the pictures, I think she did a great job, yay for digital with the LCD screen!!! Good job Kenzie!!!

Well after Doris left with her belly in the back seat Zach did some dancing with jadyn, and it was too sweet to not get pictures of.

Now it's time to bunker down and get my hooks to work for a while.

Another pair of Mittens

2007-11-20T20:46:00.000-05:00

Well here are the Mittens I made for Dawny colors are Dark Orchid, Light Sage,Raspberry, and Turqua. LOTS AND LOTS of ends to weave in for a small project, but Dawn just loves them soooo that makes it worth it! Need to make a pair for Alicia.

Colors don't quite come out right in the photos. I think all the times that I've been "mittenly challenged" as Darski on the Ville calls it, was so worth it for finally overcoming my mitten-makers block. This has even built my confidence up to where I just may try me a pair of socks!

Great Mail and More Mittens

2007-11-19T15:49:00.001-05:00

OK, so multiple posts in one day isn't usually my thing, and may be indicitive of a soon coming lull in posting, but this needs to be put out there. I was sitting at the computer minding my own business, looking at this pattern: Bev's Marvelous Mittens

Making these mittens:

When I heard a "sllluushh" on the front porch and went outside to discover this:

Open it up and it looks like this:

Dump it on a chair and it looks like this:

Get excited children to line em up so I can take a full picture and you get this:

And when you finish lining them up neatly to get a clear view you get this:

And so you don't have to do the math, YES this is a full 48 squares, and that happens to be the number needed to make 1 comfortghan!!!! These were sent to me by Pineknott from Crochetville, and I must say Linda is simply an angel, she has sent me squares before and now this is just TOO MUCH, these squares are really going to make a beautiful gift of love for someone. I can't wait to join them all and show the final product!!!

Now about the mittens, I was scrambling to get Kenzie's done before she went to her Adventurers club meeting today, and I am glad to say, I BARELY met the deadline, but she is in fact off at Adventurers donning her brand new made by mommy mittens. She loves them, she picked the colors, Dark Orchid and Raspberry:

So that's it for today, even if I finish more, no more pictures or posts until tomorrow.

Mittens and Night Shots of Snow

2007-11-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I couldn't sleep very well last night because I felt defeated by mittens.... my new nemesis...or so I thought. Well I finally managed to make 2 matching mittens for Jadyn, now I need to knock some out for Dawn and Mackenzie, because they are going to stage the revolution here soon. So I also joined the Mittens CAL over on crochetville, because I realized if I get comfy with the mittens then I can make them for my side of the family for christmas. But, we'll see if I get comfy with mittens or not. Anyway, here's Jadyn in her mittens:

And I made Doris' coming soon little girl a blanket for the carseat, but I think I need to add to the border like I had originally planned, but here it is as it stands right now:

Also with me not being able to sleep last night, I set my camera to Night Time Flash Mode, and took a few pictures of the snow in the evening. They aren't the most spectacular pictures, I wish I could have gotten a better picture of the tree in the back yard, it really did just look so awesome at around 1 a.m.

This one is the front bushes taken from the door:

Here is the tree in the back:

And I have a few things I want to get done today, talk to my school, make a few 8" squares, make the 2 pairs of mittens, and complete a row (at least) on grandpa pease's blanket.

The Day

2007-11-18T15:57:00.000-05:00

Well woke up this morning looked out the window and what did I see?? SNOW!!!! I was so excited! Last year it didn't snow here until around the 20th of January, so for there to be even a speckle of snow here already, I am just thrilled!! I need to get more pictures, but there wasn't a lot of accumulation on the ground, but here is my proof!

Well, I was in such a good mood that I went up to AC Moore to exchange some things. Had some yarn I actually brought back b/c i didn't need and some thread and then bought a size 7 steel hook to replace the one I lost. Enjoying the feel of snow flakes on my face and a crispness in the air, I walked up and just ha da relaxing time. I love snow by the way, so this has put me over the top.

Came home and checked my messages, and was saddened to find out that I had missed a call from Darlene, letting me know that her father has passed away just this morning. I feel awful and wish I could just go to TX and be with her and help in some way. Darlene is one of the sweetest and most loving people I have ever known, so my thoughts and prayers are with her.

Love ya dar bar!!!!

New Header

2007-11-13T11:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm so excited that I have my new banner for the top of my page, thanks to Janet. I'm a TD with her for the Crazy Cantrel Possee, a Gin League on Pogo. She makes a lot of cool sigs for the tourney pages for everyone, and does such a great job. I asked her to help me out with a banner for my blog, and i'm just real happy with how it turned out. You should check out her site here.

I'll be adding JPCA Designs to my side bar as well for everyone's future reference.

Too Many Ideas

2007-11-12T16:26:00.001-05:00

Goodness, ever have those times where so many ideas are bouncing around your head that you just don't know what to do with them? I'm looking ahead to 2008, and trying to decide what to do. I started 2007 very strong in my resolve to crochet for charity, and then I started college in March and everything simply went to the wayside. I barely crocheted anything, and I'm so far behind on Christmas gifts that I had to scratch the list all together and 2 people are now intended to get crocheted gifts.

I love to crochet, but somehow it always manages to take the back burner to everything from school, to the kids, to cleaning, to cooking, to sleeping, my days are fuller then I would like them to be. But then maybe I'm just terrible at time management.

I would like for this to change for 2008, and I'm starting now. Limiting myself on the computer and planning meals better so they can be made more efficiently. I just know that I can fit in 1 hour a day crocheting, more on the weekends. I want 2008 to be the year that I methodically work my way through my WIP/WIM list and finish these projects that are bubbling up in my head. And the Christmas that I give everyone what I intended to give them in the first place, and the year my kids write to all their grandparents at least once a month, and the year Mackenzie learns to tie her own shoe laces.

I have all this yarn, and all these great pattern books, and a couple awesome hooks that deserve to be used, I need to get on it.

Testing word capabilities

2007-11-11T13:35:00.001-05:00

I just found in here by accident that I can do blog posts right from a Word document. Seeing if this works. Also looking forward to seeing what Janet has in store for me, I sent her a photo and gave her some wording and she said she'd work on a banner for my page. Can't wait to see it, I'm so excited.

Blog Makeover

2007-11-10T15:09:00.000-05:00

Well, it's gotten cold, and my hooks are getting more use these days. School is getting harder and I've decided to take my frustrations out on the yarn. Maybe eliminate my stash next year, and then only buy as I need for a project I am actually starting. Really I should just sell this novelty yarn that's laying around,but I can't seem to bring myself to actually do it. Maybe I'll find a neat use for it. I really do like it as an ambellishment, like the brim of the Mountain Cap I made Jadyn last year, which still fits her and she just loves this year.

Also, the hat/scarf I made mackenzie last year from one of Dot's patterns, I'm going to make a new version this year. Where the scarf comes out of the bottom of the hat and not the top of the head, we'll see how it works when it's done.

I'm doing the November Charity Square A-Long with some other members of Crochetville,I'm wanting to get 25 squares done, I've got 10 about done now. I have to finish my course work still and take 2 mid-terms, so not sure how much more I'll get done.

Kenzie is busy making Cross in My Pockets to send to On-line Angels, and also making Christmas gifts for the people she loves the best. (If you're related to her you made the cut, lol). She's reading more and more and just growing in ways that continue to amaze me.

Well, I just wanted to touch base, havn't used this thing in a while and felt the need to.

~

Happy Birthday Dad

2007-09-11T01:38:00.000-04:00

Somewhere, maybe in Florida, maybe in California, who knows, Keith Roger Secor is celebrating his 53rd birthday today.

Haven't seen you in a long time, who knows maybe you were hit by a bus a few years back. Probably not, bur I wouldn't know. I can't help but think of you today, as I turn another year older, so do you.

In case you think of me and try to look me up, you might see this today too. Well Happy Birthday. I'm doing well. You have 3 granddaughters whom you've never met, and have never seen a picture of you. They are beautiful and amazing. Mackenzie is 6 1/2 now, Dawn is 4 1/2 and little Jadyn just turned 2 last month. My husband, who you've also never met, is a wonderful man, his name is Zach.

Don't fret that the girls don't know their grandfather. They have their PaPa who they adore immensely. It's amazing how loved they are, by all the people around them. I don't even think they really notice you are missing.

Frankly, I only notice today. I'll be over it tomorrow and won't think about again until next year, when being who I am, can't forget that today is your birthday. Whereever you are, and whoever you are with, I do wish you all that you could possibly deserve from this life.

~Your Daughter

Thoughts of Christmas Abound

2007-07-27T12:52:00.000-04:00

Well, I've been so busy with courses and what not that I haven't taken the time to post, design, crochet, anything really. Which I suppose it's a good idea if that changes, seeing as Christmas will be here before I know it, and I have some tasks I'm hoping to accomplish before then. So I'm hoping to be on here a bit more, maybe once or twice a week with pics and updates.

I need to finalize my gift list and then I'll have a better idea of what I'm getting into.

Chris Isaak- Wicked Game

2007-05-19T03:49:00.000-04:00

This song was recently sent to me, and I just liked it, so thought I'd post the lyrics.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you.
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you.

I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you. With you. (This world is only gonna break your heart)

What a wicked game to play, to make me feel this way.
What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you.
What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way.
What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you and,

I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you.
I never dreamed that I'd loose somebody like you no,

I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
I don't want to fall in love. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you. With you. (This world is only gonna break your heart)
Nobody loves no one.

Almost there

2007-04-28T12:26:00.000-04:00

Well, week 6 is just about over of this first term. I am so tired, but this home stretch is filled with assignments. I have 2 200pt papers to write, a final exam, a few quizzes, lots of discussions, and I think my head might actually spin off my shoulders.

Mackenzie is doing well with school, she'll actually be doen here soon. She's excited, I'm excited, and we're ready for summer.

My mom actually has an e-mail address and computer now, so that's cool. Tomorrow and then again next Saturday I'm going to see my grandma. We're hving lunch tomorrow, and I can't wait. It's going to be so fun! After that we are going to the cemetary to see grandpas grave site, not as fun, but necesarry. I havn't been there since he died.

I need to study some more, I have reading to do and I need to get this quiz over with so I can stop worrying about the darn thing.

The Lover In Me

2007-04-27T10:59:00.000-04:00

"The Lover In Me"
sung by: Jessica Simpson

Too long I've been
Denying myself
Hostage to thoughts i'm somebody else
And all the while you
Have been wishing to
Love on me

Mixed feelings and misgivings
That's all a memory now baby
When you saw me
For what i could be
Then i finally saw the same

Now the lover in me
Sees the lover in you
And im happy to say that im so not afraid
For the lover in me
To meet the lover in you
Cause i see what we'll be
And the lover in me loves you

Past it's just that leave it where it's at
I want to live in the moment with you
Wasted so much time
Startling but now i'm
Spreading my wings and begining again

Mixed feelings and misgivings
That's all a memory now baby
When you saw me
For what i could be
Then i finally saw the same

Now the lover in me
Sees the lover in you
And im happy to say that im so not afraid
For the lover in me
To meet the lover in you
Cause i see what we'll be
And the lover in me loves you

No tears left to cry
You're my strongest tide
So amazing how you've taken me away
Yeah
I'm too far off the ground
So heart don't fail me now
Just let me oh let me
Feel like a lover come down

Now the lover in me
Sees the lover in you
And im happy to say that im so not afraid
For the lover in me
To meet the lover in you
Cause i see what we'll be
And the lover in me [3x]

Thursday 13 #2

2007-04-26T10:58:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know I missed last week, so i'm gonna end up putting up 2 today, lol. But here are 13 Things That Happened when I Saw My Grandma for the first time in 13 years.

1- The best warm hug I've had since the last time I saw her
2- Mackenzie Read to her great-grandmother
3- I met Sean's Girls Crete and Clare, and Greg's daughter Heather who I'd never met before
4- My Grandma, who used to tell my mom to let me have a cookie.... over ruled me when I told my kids they couldn't have a cookie (btw that was really cool, lol)
5- I saw a family lineage of her line of our family, dating back to 1624!!
6- I learned my grandmother has had the same pen-pal for more than 60 years... and they still write to eachother!
7- Was given a picture of my grandpa where he was being incredibly silly, and making a face that I thought only zach would ever make, rofl
8- Was able to teach Crete how to finish off a rnd before starting hte next one on a crochet project she is working on
9- Met Emily, who is really cool and funky, and very nice!
10- Took a picture with 4 generations of my family in it!!
11- Was able to sit in a conversation where I'm pretty sure it was established my grandparents know EVERYONE
12- Emily gave my daughters more clothes than they are ever going to need, lol, I mean bags and bags and bags of shirts and dresses and jeans, you should see all the stuff
13- My husband was actaully a little sociable, but was great about wrangling the kids so I could enjoy the time with my mom, grandma, Aunt Betty, and Aunt Emily.

It was such a great day! I was so glad to be able to look through OLD, like from 1920-40's OLD photographs, and sit and talk with her, and when Mackenzie read to her, it was so cool to me! And the girls were so sweet and polite all day, they really put their best foot forward. And they weren't shy with her, they both just hugged her, and jadyn warmed up after an hour or so, then everyone got to see her giggling, and hear her talk, and being silly.

Clare, Crete and Heater are very sweet young ladies, and it was such a joy to meet them. I have so many cousins, and really know very few of them. It's nice to meet some of them. We're going back this Sunday, and going to lunch, then going back NExt Saturday to attend a huge party that Aunt Betty and Uncle Dave are throwing for her. There I will meet LOTS of cousins and their kids, and others that I havn't really gotten to know. I'm really excited about it, should be fun.

It was so great to see her, can't really describe how great. After my grandfather died she went to live with Aunt and Uncle,and he's in the Air Force, so they've moved a bit. Being in Washington State, Guatemala, Florida, and we've just never had the means to go and visit them. Something I'd like to change, and see about going down to see them next spring.

Anyway, I'm still high in the clouds from the visit, and wanted to share some of that with you all.

~Ada

My very first Thursday 13

2007-04-12T19:39:00.000-04:00

13 Movies I'd watch over and over again

1. Monty Python The Holy Grail
2. What Dreams May Come
3. Ghost
4. The Notebook
5. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original)
6. Stargate
7. Mrs. Doubtfire
8. Pirates of the Carribean (any of them)
9. Pride and Prejudice
10. The Little Mermaid
11. Bad Boys
12. Ladder 49
13. Pretty Woman

Mail today...

2007-04-11T16:04:00.000-04:00

So, I sent my hubby out to check the mail today, and he brought me this:

And so I opened it up and find a unch of brown paper:

Pull away the paper and you get:

Well how nice!!! Look at all the beautiful stuff, starting with this:

It's a card that lets me know that Pixiedust has been my unknown pal! Thanks Tiffany, you've been a great sp!!

First off, I LOVE stuffies!!!! And secondly, I REALLY REALLY love the ones that Kristie designs, so these cute little guys are just perfect!!!! I LOVE them, time to pull out another shelf and hang these guys up!!!

So now, let's look at some goodies that I can make into something wonderful some hooks and a magnet:

Some thread:

a bookmark, so cute little ladybug:

Two GREAT, and I mean GREAT books! One is a PK doily pattern book, The Best of Patricia Kristofferson, and then How to Crochet the Celtic Way!!!! If you could see me bouncing, you'd laugh at me!

And of course some chocolate, caramel eggs from cadbury:

which my husband made quick work in claiming for himself, lol!

And like I said before, she has thought of my daughters with EVERY package, and this time is no different:

A wonderful book of how to make puppets based on African Animals, and some beads and string, we are talking about HOURS of FUN!!!!

I have had so much fun being Tiffany's pal! She has been the best! Every week she sent me the best hallmark e-cards letting me know something else we have in common. I have had a blast! Thanks soooooo much!!!!

Secret Pals and completed projects and Yarn!

2007-04-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

Lion Wool My mom sent me!

Red Heart Symphony from mom
Beautiful wash cloths from my AMAZING secret pal. I'm telling ya, I CAN"T WAIT to see who this Seminole loving lady is!!!
Caron Wintuk from mom
Mainstays pounders from mom!
Caron Simply Soft from hubby!!! That's right, from hubby!!!

Ambers Completed yo-yo ghan. I MUST get this in the mail this week!

Skinny scarf for jessica's daughter, again MUST MAIL this week.

My favorite recently completed project is this outfit for a fridn of mine named Flor. She has 2 little boys, and is expecting her first daughter in June. I had to make her this baby girl set and bonnet. The Dress and Diaper cover can be found here

I am so blessed in my life to have such great people who love me. My mom was so great to send me all that yarn, and Zach picked out the Caron himself, I just told him the brand I had a hankering for. I'm hoping to finish a few more small things this week for my secret pal, then I need to mail out my reveal package. And after she receives her items, I'll post pics of what I made her.

This round of secret pals has been a lot of fun. Last round I thought I was unfairly matched, I had an AMAZING ROCK ON secret pal, and I was a newbie, did ok for my pal. But this time, I feel I have been evenly paired. I think I have done well in my job as a giver and thoughtful secret pal, and my Secret Pal has DEFINITELY once again been AWESOME!!!! I won't be in another pal swap until I graduate, and I am so glad to have had such a great experience with it!!

Completed Project

2007-03-07T14:38:00.000-05:00

So here are the items I have made for my friend Tiffany who is expecting her thrid baby in June. This time a girl! :) I am on a non-pastel baby kick. SO I made a black and white round ripple, and a black and white book. But I did want some color, and Tiffany loves purple, so I made the Fire Blossom wash cloth with a h hook and some cotton, and then I made a Pentagon shaped green one. I thought different shapes and colors would be fun. I'm hoping to make it down to the post office later this week, or possibly this weekend, and i'll send these along. I hope she likes them!

Photoshop

2007-03-03T19:32:00.000-05:00

Well, I am starting school in like a month, and I wanted to have some type of grasp of photoshop BEFORE I started so that I wasn't behind the curve when the time came. Well, I have found some great tutorials on-line, and after receiving the program today here is what I was able to do!

Here is Dawn as a sketch:

This one is Jadyn, where the background layer was made Sepia and then the top layer was at 75% opacity. I wanted it to look more like the one of Gavin on Dani's site, but I'll have to work a bit more at it. For a first shot though, I don't think this is bad at all.

Here is Kenzie, when she saw me do Dawn's she wanted me to "draw" her too.

This is a lot of fun, and there are a million more tutorials I want to get through as well. I'm trying to just master the basics and see what I can do. I might even be able to learn what I'm doing, and not look at other people's tuts! Wahoo!! But it is fun to learn, and seeing what will happen as I push each button.

I'm thinking pics like this would make a great anniversary present for my in-laws nicely framed.... hmmmm something to think about. OOO, one of all 3 girls together.... that would be nice!

Second Special Delivery of the day!

2007-02-27T01:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I had my major yarn splurge late last week, and it all showed up on my door today! I'm so excited!!! So what did I get??

Below are 8 skeins of Honolulu Homespun, 3 of Calypso, and 2 of mission, as well as 4 skeins of teal soft boucle by bernat, 2 skeins of purple polarspun and 3 skeins of hot pink polarspun (lion brand)

Here we have 4 skeins of Peach Bernat Soft Boucle, and 8 of Strawberry in the same brand

Below is the thrid of my skeins of the purple polarspin, and 3 skeins of tutti frutti polarspun, 6 skeins each of TLC Heathers in French Lavendar and Teal, 2 violet, 1 peach, and 2 ecru skeins of Lily Elite Cotton, and then a skein of greens with blue and brownish tweed of Plymouth Encore DK weight.

I ordered all of this from the Smiley's Yarn Sale. They had great prices, and a flat rate shipping. So even after the shipping I still paid significantly less than I would have otherwise. And most of these yarns I don't buy because I'm a cheap skate with yarn, with the 3 kids I can always find something better to spend my money on, but this was my annual splurge, and I'm very pleased with it! Now I need to make room for it.... better get my hook going!!!

Wahooo Secret Pal

2007-02-27T01:32:00.000-05:00

Wahoo checked my mail today, and here is what was inside!!! My first package from my secret pal, for me a bookmark, a square for the comfortghans I am making, some stickers, and some INCREDIBLE Chai Tea. Thanks!!!

For my little girls, some activity books. There is winnie the pooh sheets with markers, and a hidden picture book! The frog there is a card.... that should be in the for me picture, but the girls love it and claimed it!!

Thanks so much Ima, I love it, and my girls love it! They just LOVE LOVE LOVE getting mail with their name on it! Thanks so much!!!!

Comfortghan for Sandra

2007-02-23T20:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some much needed pics, this blog is too novel like, and well, I enjoy picture books. So here are pictures of the squares sent to me by various villers for a comfortghan for Sandra (the red, yellow and blue squares), as well os beautiful squares sent to me by Pineknott for the comfortghans I am working on for shut-ins and ill through my Pastor. And an update shot of the round ripple for tiffany, and the 9-patch for grandpa pease. I still need to get pics of the great red blanket, the sheep for mom T. and a couple of other things. But this should suffice for now.

Thanks for looking!

Plastic Canvas

2007-02-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I have busy with plastic canvas a bit lately. Our Women's Ministry at church has been assembling "Cross in a Pocket" to give to people in nursing homes and as we encounter various people during the week. Mackenzie has enjoyed making these as well, she even came with me to the meeting last night!

Today I started a small basket in plastic canvas, that will eventually be in the reveal package to my secret pal. I'm finding it to be a lot of fun! And I'm on a hunt now for patterns and books on this topic, as I am new to this craft.

I assembled another row of Ambers yo-yo ghan today, yay!!!

I was bad bad bad today, I went to AC Moore and picked up 4 lbs of caron yarn. 2 lbs of simply soft, and 2 lbs of standard, but get this, it was Mill Ends..... so it was $2.99/lb!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! The simply soft are in a light lavendar and a deep jewel tone purple, and the standard is in blue and gray. I've never owned gray yarn, but I already have plans for the purples. Set against black it will look real sharp, and I think that's how I'm doing Dawn's 5th birthday afghan. I'm thinking 12" granny squares. I can see it in my minds eye, and can't wait to start it, lol. But I really need to finish other things.

I have made the sheep for my MIL's birthday gift, I need to finish the cake for Holly tomorrow, and I ran out of white for tiffy's blanket, so I need a skein of that before I can continue. And I've edged and joined 2 rows of the 8 for sandra's ghan. It looks really nice, I'm very pleased so far!!

Can't wait until I get my new Digital camera on Friday!!!! This place is going to be exploded with pictures!!!

Oh, I've also finished all the paperwork needed for my financial aid, and I have that squared away, now it's just a waiting game to see how much is coming, and what I need to make up on my own. I'm cautiously optimistic that it will all work out.

~Ada

Reflections on the week past, and looking to the Week ahead

2007-02-18T17:53:00.000-05:00

This last week was crazy. With the snow and all we were happily snowed in. And then when the mail was able to be delivered I had 2 great mail days in a row. On the first great mail day I received 12 skeins of Lion Brand Fancy Fur from my Aunt MAry, I've already made 1 hat/scarf set, and started a 2nd. There is even enough for a 3rd. I also received 20 6" squares from Linda for the comfortghans I am making for members of my community. What a great heart she has!! Also a beautiful letter from my grandmother.

On the 2nd great mail day I received 12 skeins of yarn from my mom. 10 of them are Red Heart "holly" it;s kinda like red homespun. And 2 in red heart soft guacamole. I have started a lapghan with the red heart holly. I'm not sure how big it will be, but I'm going to edge it in black and white. It will be my old high school colors! I'm not sure if it's going to be donated or kept for our house. The yarn doesn't work up very attractively. It's incredibly soft, and really warm, but not so pretty, so maybe it will be a throw we have around here. I'll see what the finish product looks like, if it's not terrible, then it will be a comfortghan for someone. Also on this day I received 2 packages of squares for Sandras comfortghan, and also a package of squares for the ghans for the ghans I'm making for the list from Pastor Troy. SO I'm really excited.

Well, there are things to be done this week. Although not too terribly much. I am trying to crochet as much as possible before I start school in April, so that is adding to my perceived work load. So here are my goals for the coming week:

-Complete the sheep for my mil's birthday present. I want to make her a shadow box with a couple of small crocheted sheep and individual pictures of my daughters. I think it will look real sharp. I also want Mackenzie to write grandma in cursive, and Jadyn has made a small picture, and dawn wants to cut out shapes. Gives each of them something to add to it.

-Crochet a birthday cake for Holly's mom. This is one of the cake orders listed below.

-Begin work on a doily for my known pal. Haven't decided on the colors yet, but I'm leaning toward red and white. One, that's what I have on hand, and 2 I think she'll like it. But thread shopping has never bothered me before, lol.

-Connect 5 more rows or so of Ambers ghan. Her birthday is gonna sneak right up on me if I let it. So really I need to make a little progess on this.

-Complete Tiffany's rnd ripple. I would love to get her items mailed to her next week. And I am so close to finishing now, that I really just want it off my wip list. I think she'll really like it, and I want to get her items out to her.

- Continue working on the 9-patch for grandpa pease. Complete at least 1 more 9-patch, if not 2.

-Put the edging on the squares received for Sandras ghan

I'll go from here. But there isn't a lack of things to do. I need to make bookmarks, and snowflakes. I had the nerve to start another blanket. It's been crazy. I now have 5 blankets in various stages of production. Also there are stuffies I want to make, there are other projects for my secret pal I want to get started, and I want to finish this Bico I started a few weeks ago.... there is no reason why it shouldn't be done. So hopefully this will be a madjor productivity week for me. Hey, if I stay off the internet I should get a lot done!

~Ada

Heard from my Secret Pal

2007-02-16T21:18:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I got a nice e-mail from my secret pal tonight. And I love not knowing who she is. I'm gonna be calling her Ima on here, because her email to me said Imasecret. This is a whole lot of fun! I can't wait for all the fun in store, as this goes on.

She even asked if she could send things for my children... how sweet is that!? I think that's great!!

Here's to the start of a great friendship!

~Ada

100 things you might not want to know about me

2007-02-14T22:28:00.000-05:00

Let's see, everyone does this basically right? 100 things about themselves, well maybe I won't hit 100, but here we go.....

1. I am married to the first boy I ever kissed not on a dare
2. I grew up in NY but never went ice skating, though was able to visit Disney World.
3. I lived in Florida for 4 years, learned how to ice skate, and never went to Disney world...
4. I've only ever been admitted to the hospital for the purposes of giving birth
5. I was hit by a car in 3rd grade, went to the ER but didn't need to be admitted
6. I remember living in the Green House in Unadilla
7. I was accepted to but never attended FSU
8. I have marched in a half time show for the Jacksonville Jaguars
9. I believe when I go to heaven I'll be reuinited with my Clarinet
10. I am the 2nd of 4 daughters or the 4th of 4 depending on which parent you ask
11. I have never received a handmade gift I didn't absolutely love
12. I love knowing that someone somewhere is thinking about me
13. I have given birth twice with an epidural and once All Natural, and if I ever have a 4th I will go natural again
14. I was named after my great-grandmother
15. I wanted to know how to crochet because my great-grandmother was a crocheter and I feel connected to her
16. I am going back to school April 16th to get my Bachelors Degree in eBusiness Management
17. I have recently begun doing comissioned crochet work, and I love it
18. I love learning every craft I can getmy hands on, except knitting
19. I want to make more beaded jewelry than I currently do.... maybe an increased bead supply is the trick
20. I want to own a Jimbo Hook
21. KNowing that I probably won't own a Jimbo, I want to learn to make my own
22. I babysit my neice while my sister works at Wal-mart
23. I don't make baby blankets for family members, only friends
24. Family children get blankets for their 5th birthday, since they will then be old enough to remember who gave it to them and love it
25. My nephew Gavin is the most handsome little boy I've ever seen, and not because he is my nephew, he is seriously just too handsome
26. I'm on a quest to complete at least 480 6" squares for comfortghans I want to put together for shut-ins and sick in my area
27. I am a homeschooler, until my children at least finish the 3rd grade
28. I want to live in Princeton, NC near tiffany.... or somewhere with Lake Effects snow
29. I want to take my mother on a trip to Ireland, fulfill her life long dream, and one of my desires
30. I want to live for a year in Alaska before I die
31. I want to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights in an Afghan when the year is up
32. I remember Mr. Burkett reading "The Cremation of Sam McGee" when I was in 7th grade, can still hear his voice as I recite it, and would love to one day have it in a frame
33. Mr. Smith once made me hand in a math paper where he had bumped my arm to make me mark it all the way up, to show me that I don't always have to be perfect
34. As good intentioned as he was, Mr. Smith failed in teaching me the lesson
35. Being a Marching Brave gave me some of my best memories
36. My first job was McDonalds
37. I love Earl Grey Tea
38. I love English Dessert Teas
39. Milky Way is the best candy bar ever created
40. I am the proud owner of all of Cupcakes Aussie animal patterns, but havn't made any of them yet
41. The smell of lilacs can make me smile no ,atter how grumpy I am
42. I was raised by a woman who would skip meals so that her children could eat until they were full (Love ya mom!)
43. I am not a pet owner, and don't desire to be, but I feel very strongly that those who step up to that challenge need to treat their pets as well or better than they would treat a child
44. My husband and oldest daughter once rescued an orphaned squirrel
45. I thought the squirrel was adorable
46. I didn't see the movie "Ghost" until 2 days ago (I'm 25) and I LOVE it!!!
47. I have a thing for stationary... pens, pencils, notebooks, highlighters, journals, paper that matches my envelopes, stickers.... I'm nuts for the stuff
48. I've passed that love onto my children
49. I don't think there is any such thing as too many stuffies, they are simply too cute!
50. Safety pins are my favorite stich markers..... I just cant seem to figure out how to get the beads on the other side
51. I have more sketches than I will ever be able to write up patterns for
52. I draw and never let anyone see it, no one, not even hubby, it's mine
53. I wish I was able to let go and allow myself to do freeform crochet, but I can't start something without an idea of what it will be
54. I go to Bible study every week, but church not nearly as much
55. We don't own a car
56. We have been without furniture for the last 6 months, but that will change in 9 days!!!
57. I love throw pillows
58. I've never had less than 7 projects in the works at any given time
59. I have a love affair with Swiss Cake Rolls
60. I only own 3 pairs of shoes
61. I must admit I think sock monkeys are ugly little things
62. I love learning to cook new things
63. My husband is a better cook than I am
64. I make bread when I'm really angry... pounding the dough makes me feel better
65. I love snow, winter, cold
66. I love thread crochet, but only own 1 steel hook
67. I want to be able to make wearbles for myself, not just my children
68. I love looking at others people's blogs
69. I have fallen in love with plastic canvas
70. when i was little, i wanted to be a psychologist
71. I started Nursing school, and was doing well, but stopped after the birth of my 2nd child
72. My 2nd child was named for 2 people, and my 1st and 3rd were named for no one
73. I think it would be cool to name a child after my grandma, because I was named after my mother's
74. I don't think that there is any such thing as "too much" yarn
75. I want to place a large order through Smiley's Yarns on-line, especially homespun as cheap as it is
76. I love fridgies, and want to design more of them
77. I am terrified of Dogs
78. Michael Myers is the scariest character ever invented
79. I can't watch Halloween or Halloween II alone, even during the day, with all the lights on
80. I have read the entire Mayfair Witch series by Anne Rice
81. I love being scared, except in regards to #78 & 79
82. My father didn't attend my high school graduation
83. I was once a Bookeeper for Food Lion
84. I laughed when Mr. Gilbert was hit in the chin with the bowling ball pednulum that day in physics, because he didn't blindly accept the laws of physics
85. I love Carrie Underwood
86. Kenny Chesney makes my heart race
87. Can't fill this one in without revealing myself to my sp
88. Living where I am now, is the first time i've lived somewhere with a yard
89. I want to plant a garden with my girls this year
90. I liked and was a little weirded out by "The Confederate States of America" and can't help but wonder.... if the North had lost, they would have fought again right?
91. Best History book I've ever read was "The People's History of the United States" it's history from the perspective of it's losers
92. I cherish the 1 A I was given by Mrs. Jansen... believe me it was a big deal
93. That waterfall in the smokeys in North Carolina will stay with me for the rest of my life
94. "As The Deer" is still my favorite song, ty Jason for teaching it to me
95. Every now and then I still play my old N'Sync Cds
96. I still know the lyrics to the opening theme to "the Fresh Prince of Bel-air" and "blossom"
97. I check that my doors are locked at least 4 times before I can fall asleep
98. My husband is my best friend, and makes me feel very safe and loved
99. This is the year I graduated from High School
100. Mackenzie, Dawn and Jadyn are my greatest joys. Amber, Gavin, and Alicia are the best neices and nephew anyone could ask for.

Secret Pals

2007-02-14T11:56:00.000-05:00

Well it has begun! I have my assignment, and I am just sooooo excited!!! This is special to me this year, since it's the only round I'll be able to particiapte in, plus it will probably be the only round I do until I'm done with school, so I really want it to be just wonderful!!!

Well, I'm off to make a list of items for the big reveal package, and some smaller packages along the way!

Oh, this is going to be just great!

On the right side of this page, I've added an rss feed to the secret pals blog, so if you are interested it's over there, with I think the 5 most recent posts there listed!

Cake Orders

2007-02-12T13:41:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited!!! I have been going through the numbers for how much it will cost to get my degree. And how much I'm anticipating in grants, and the limits on subsidized loans and what have you. And we don't have the best credit, so I don't think I will be able to go through Sallie Mae or what have you to get loans for the difference in what I'm pretty sure I can get. Anyway, I need to find a way to come up with the difference, there are some things I can crochet, I'm getting into making jewelry and things, and I figure it will be at least 4 months before I need to come up with my first payment, which after talking to my school, the payments will be like $150/month that I need to have while in school. So I have some time. And with our taxes I am setting aside some money for our first few payments, so I have more like 6 or 7 months to steadily come up with this money each month. Which isn't a whole lot of time, since building up that income will take probably that long, so I need to start now.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Here is the exciting part. My friend Holly has ordered 3 crocheted cakes! So there is $30 toward it already!! Plus, I'm making her and my friend Darlene each a piece of jewelry to see how they like it, and they will help get the word out as well. And I'm also going to be making crochet hooks following some great instructions from Jimbo.... I know I'm not Jimbo, and frankly I might not be able to do it, but if I can than woot!! All of this has me really pumped that I CAN do this!! And make it work! And really all I need to do is be able to make these payments until we do our taxes again next year, then next year I can use the tax money to make up the difference. Why not do that this year? Well, we currently don't have furniture in the living room, my husband needs to get work done on his teeth, and we need to buy our daughters school books for next school year. Next year, we will only need to buy the school books, so there will be money free to go toward my tuition.

Yeah, so this wasn't entirely crochet related, but wasn't not related either! I'll post pictures of the completed cakes soon as they are completed, and I have a working digital camera!

~Ada

Secret Pals is Upon us!!

2007-02-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited!!! I loved doing the secret pal swap last time, and I'm really looking forward to doing it now!! This will be the only round that I participate in this year, as I'm starting school the day after it officially ends. I have so many ideas in my head as to how to spoil my pal, I can't wait to find out what she likes, and what kind of things she would love to have made forher. Oh, this is going to be soooo much fun!!!

However for today the hooks are kinda being set aside until later. I need to clean a bit downstairs today so that the house is ready for company and the birthday party tomorrow. With any luck it won't take too long. And a couple things need to wait until tomorrow or else they just end up getting done twice.

I can't wait to get either a new digital camera or figuring out what is wrong with mine so I can get the thing to upload pictures to the computer. Hopefully it won't be too long. I've seen some on-line that I like, even a 5mp one for only $95, so maybe later this month I'll be able to do that, we'll see.

no camera!

2007-02-08T23:37:00.000-05:00

I have all these pictures of my progress to upload, and I can't upload them! The USB cable for the camera is broken or something. ANd when I plug it in the computer doesn't recognize it. I thought it was the computer, but then the kids cameras were plugged in, and they were recognized, so it must be my camera or the cord. And the camera works, maybe it's the port? Oh, well. It's the one connected to my video camera, and I'm buying a digital camera soon, so I'll just have to wait. Maybe I can buy a replacement at circuit city or something? We'll see.

Really can't wait to get that camera though.

OH, and I was tagged the other day. And Thanks Shell for making me share 6 weird things about me. Also I am supposed to tag 6 people. Hmm...

6 Weird things about me.....

1. Not that this is weird, but it isn't the norm, I Homeschool my children.
2. I LOVE, LOVE , LOVE Swiss Cake Rolls from Little Debbie, of all the snacks I have tried, these are by far my favorite!!
3. One of my best memories is marching in ALLTELL Stadium in Jacksonville, FL during the half time show during my Senior year at Terry Parker... GO BRAVES!!
4. I am married to the first, not only though lol, boy I ever kissed
5. I was really excited about seeing Cinderella III: A Twist in Time.... I mean c'mon, like you don't want to know if it would have worked out if the magic wasn't on Cinderella's side?? You know you do! You know you want to see it too! I saw it, and I LOVE IT!!!!
6. I buy stationary compulsively! I think it's because my birthday is in September, and we always started school then, and we would get brand new bookbags, pencils, pens, paper, and oh the highlighters. Now I have this thing about buying notebooks... drives my husband crazy!

Ok who am I tagging.....

1.http://daniscrochet.blogspot.com
will think of more later

Rules are if you are tagged you have to post 6 weird things about yourself on your blog and tag 6 more people telling them to come to your blog and read the rules, and what have you..... vicious cycle i guess. And I don't read a lot of blogs, lol. But i'll try to find a few more.

Small Update

2007-02-07T11:50:00.000-05:00

I have been very bust crochetwise this week. Hammering away at my goal list, so that's why I haven't posted in hte last few days. So far I have joined 4 rows on Ambers ghan this week, and I did finish my 10th bereavement blanket as well. I need to get cracking to do the other things on the list, but I was side tracked with the project from the Women's Ministry at church, Cross in a Pocket, and these small fly swatters that say "For the Little Things That Bug You". I'll get some pics up tonight. Well, back to crocheting.

~Ada

Plans for the coming week

2007-02-03T19:27:00.000-05:00

Well, let's see, since I've already begun receiving suares for Sandra's blanket, and I'm working on the ones I'm doing for the ghan, then this week I NEED to finish up some other projects, since I'm thinking assembling the ghan is going to take a bit of time, and will need to be priority once the squares are all here.

So, my very lofty crochet goals for this week are:

finish my 10th bereavement blanket
complete 6 rnds on my mom's doily
assemble no less than 10 rows of Ambers ghan, making a total of 13 rows joined
complete 5 or more rows on the 9-patch ghan, so I can get a new picture for photo friday
3-5 snowflakes
2 bookmarks (these also need to be hidden from people, b/c I can never seem to hang onto them, lol)
Finish 5 more rnds on tiffan'y round ripple, this thing needs to get off my wip list, and into my completed list

I would really LOVE myself if I could pull all of the above off. And I think the stripey blanket is coming off my wip list, and it's going to get frogged, and made into someothing new, I'm not sure though, since I hate the frogging process, but who knows if I'm ever going to have enough yarn to complete the thing, my stash is just simply not that big. But we shall see. Although, if I made only squares with it, it would be interesting to see how many squares the yarn would make.... hmmm things to think about.

This week I also have to keep the house clean, and this time like in-laws coming over clean, because everyone is coming for the girls birthday party on Sunday. I'm supposed to be getting my new vacuum sometime between Wednesday and Monday, and I really hope it's Wednesday. With ours broken, this house SERIOUSLY needs to be vaccummed. The girls are tired of getting on their hands and knees and picking up everything on the floor, and I mean, every crumb, if it can be seen they have needed to pick it up. Although I'm sure it's building character, it is insanely tedious, I NEED a vaccuum. We order the Hoover Cyclonic Fusion.

Guess I should get off here and get to work, there's plenty to do. Have a great week everyone!

Squares Have Begun Arriving

2007-02-03T14:11:00.000-05:00

The family went to church this morning, and had a wonderful day out! It felt so nice to be in church again. As we were getting out of the van and walking up the steps I noticed a bright yellow envelope in the mailbox... what could it be? Hahaha, hubby thought it was for him, but it wasn't, it was a package of yellow and red squares from c-ville's Salos. All for the comfortghan for Sandy.... how quickly she got them to me! How WONDERFUL!!! Thank-you Mary. 16 squares in all, how thoughtful and kind, I really appreciate it!! These are perfect, and I love the different designs in them!

Conversation between cousins

2007-02-02T22:42:00.000-05:00

My 4 year old, Dawn, and my 3 year old nephew, Gavin were on the phone tonight, and here is a transcript of their conversation. As provided by my sil, Danielle, and I on yahoo messenger as the youngsters are talking. So sit back and have a good chuckle

Ada Tomasko: your son is little liek a baby
Ada Tomasko: where is gavin
Ada Tomasko: (im translating, lol)
danielle_moy Moy: lol thanks
Ada Tomasko: is he in his porta crib
Ada Tomasko: he sleeps in a bed
Ada Tomasko: yes please
Ada Tomasko: hey gavin
Ada Tomasko: hey gavin, like she is talking to a baby, lol
Ada Tomasko: how are you gavin?
Ada Tomasko: hi gavin again
danielle_moy Moy: lol her and gavin are talking
Ada Tomasko: im 4
Ada Tomasko: are u 3?
danielle_moy Moy: gavin said hi what?
danielle_moy Moy: oh
danielle_moy Moy: i'm at home
danielle_moy Moy: no we eat already
danielle_moy Moy: we at home
Ada Tomasko: im at home too
danielle_moy Moy: we go doctor yesterday
Ada Tomasko: i have a new bedroom
Ada Tomasko: i'm a big sister now
danielle_moy Moy: no i'm watching cinderella movie
danielle_moy Moy: what?
danielle_moy Moy: oh
danielle_moy Moy: and what u doin?
Ada Tomasko: i love you gavin
danielle_moy Moy: what?
danielle_moy Moy: dawny love me mommy
danielle_moy Moy: i love u too
Ada Tomasko: im watching narnia, b/c its called aslan
danielle_moy Moy: cough cough
Ada Tomasko: do you want to come over tomorrow
danielle_moy Moy: yean
danielle_moy Moy:
Ada Tomasko: do u want to talk to my mommy
danielle_moy Moy: yea i watchin cinderella
danielle_moy Moy: cough cough
Ada Tomasko: alright
Ada Tomasko: you're watvhing cinderlla?
danielle_moy Moy: hang on
Ada Tomasko: we dont have cinderella
danielle_moy Moy: he may have hung up
Ada Tomasko: me and my mommy and my dad and my sisters, she's still talking
Ada Tomasko: hi aunt danielle
Ada Tomasko: i dont want him to cough at my house
Ada Tomasko: or else my mom will laugh and i will cry with daddy
Ada Tomasko: do u want to talk to my mom now?
Ada Tomasko: thank-you

Ok so Danielle and I are laughing about this on the phone now, they are both sooooo cute, and didn't quite get that the conversation should relate to what the other person is saying. Kids are just too cute!!

Premie Hats for BityBabyNurse

2007-02-02T15:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I have completed 10 premie hats for bitybabynurse. They work up really fast, but it's sad to work on. I try to put warm strong thoughts into the yarn as I work on each one, and think of the little person who will be wearing the hat. I pray for the babies that they grow strong and have the ability to go home with their parents, and one day look at the little hat amazed that they were ever that small. I pray for the mothers and fathers who have to visit their little loves in the NICU, that they will have strength and love to get through what must be a rough time. I can't relate, my smallest child was 8lb 8ozs at birth, so it's difficult to picture these tiny hats fitting a baby. But here they are, may they keep the heads of some very special babies toasty warm!

The rest of my evening will be spent working on bereavement blankets for the bltz charity of the month. If a small break is needed I also have squares to make for Sandra's comfort ghan. I've ound some great square patterns inthe 63 squares books. So there is plenty of variation on those. The Sabbath is always dedicated Charity crochet time, it's a nice way to end what is usally a very hectic week.

Off to prepare dinner, and finish getting food for potluck together. Have a great weekend!!

Comfortghans

2007-02-01T11:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I am assembling a comfortghan for a friend of Holly's who is going through a rough medical time. And last night while at Bible Study I spoke with the group (a wonderful group of 5 members of our church) about assembling comfortghans for the shut-ins and sick of our church. I'm really excited about getting the list from Pastor Troy next week. I'm not entirely sure how many are going to be on the list, but I do know that the Lord will provide the yarn needed to make the squares for these comforghans. I want to use my gift and joy of crochet to serve Him. I feel Him calling my to do so, it's why I joined the Charity Blitz over on the ville, so that every month I would have a renewed focus on a worthy project. And participating has been amazing!! But I really want to make a difference in my community. I have to start somewhere right?

Well, I posted over on Crochetville about the ghan I'm making in Jeff Gordon's Dupont Car colors (Navy Blue, Red and Yellow) for Sandra, and asked if the wonderful ladies (and gents) there would be willing to help me make the squares, and send them to me so I could assemble them. And the response since just yesterday has been really overwhelming! I feel so blessed to know such a great group of people. Since yesterday at about 4:30 EST I have received pm's for pledges of 24 squares!! I only need 48 to complete the lapghan, and I'll be making quite a few of them myself. And the wonderful ladies over there have pledged half the squares I need!!!! How incredible is that?? They are amazing! Crochetville really does have the best group of people around!! How wonderful and loving they all are!! Thanks to everyone who is helping with Sandras comfortghan!

Hope you are all having a wonderful day! I sure am!

~Ada

Easy Child Apron

2007-02-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

Finally the pattern is ready to post! I would like to thank, Wanda, Jenn, Jherica, and Daisy for testing this pattern for me. This is my own design. DO NOT SELL THIS PATTERN, that would be grimy, seeing as it's free right here! Also, the pattern is mine, it isn't up to you to sell it. Now, the aprons you make with this pattern, they belong to you, sell them, give them away, what ever you want, you made it, you worked hard on, it's yours.

If you find any errors please let me know. This pattern made an apron that fits my 4 year old, who is just about a size 4.

Gauge: with 4 ply cotton and an I hook 6 rows and 9 dc=3”
Materials Needed: H, I and J crochet hooks, a tapestry needle, and 6.5oz. 4plyweight worsted cotton (Such as Lily Sugar and Cream) in your color choice.
For purposes of this, the wrong side is whichever side you weave your ends on.

Starting at the top

Row 1: With a ”J” Ch 30 (switch to I hook), Dc in 4th ch from hook, and each ch across, 3 skipped chs count as 1st dc (28 dc) ch 3 turn
Row 2-9: Dc in each SPACE between stitches across. Ch 3 turn. At end of row 9 do not ch 3, finish off and weave in ends.

Beginning the body:
Foundation ch: with “J” hook ch 9. (now with “I” hook join with sc to first space of the top piece you just finished. With Wrong side facing ) Sc in ea space along bottom of the first piece then with “J” hook ch 12 at the other side. Turn.
Row 1:With “I” hook Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 8 chs, dc in next 27 sc, dc in nxt 8 chs. Ch 3 turn.
Row 2-22: Dc in each space between the sts of the previous row, ch 3. turn. Do not finish off at end of row 22 ch 1 and turn and you will go right into the edging.

Edging:

At end of row 22, ch 1 turn, work a sc in each space along bottom. Ch 1 at end of row and working along the side of apron work 2 sc around ea dc, and ch 3 up the side. Work 4 sc in the corner. Then 1 sc in each space across to where the top and bottom parts connect. Work 3 sc in the “joint”, then 2 sc in the side of ea dc and ch 3 to top. Then Sl St in each space along the top and sl st around the side of last dc of row now work 2 dc around the side of same dc as last sl st, and around ea dc and ch 3 sp, work 3 sc in joint , and then 1 sc in each space back out to side. Work 4 sc in corner. Then 2 sc around ea dc and ch 3 to bottom. Sl st to 1st ch1.
Row 2: sc in 1st sc, *ch3, sc in nxt sc* across bottom edge. Finish off and weave in ends.

Waist Tie
With “I” hook Ch 121. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (120sc). Finish off weave in ends.
With right side facing Weave in 1st row of dc on the body. Going over 3sts and under 1 st across. So on the right side of the apron you will see 12 dc (including the ends)

Pocket:
Row 1: With “I” hook ch 18. With “H” hook hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each across (16 hdc) ch 2 turn
Row 2-8: Hdc in 1st hdc and ea across, ch 2 turn.
Row 9: Hdc in 1st hdc and ea across, ch 1 work 1 sc around end of each row, 3 sc in corner, 1 sc in remaining loop of foundation row, 3 sc in corner, and 1 sc around end of each row, 3 sc in last corner. Sl st to first sc FO leaving a LONG End for sewing (like 18”)
Pin the pocket to the apron, you can use the dc in the 1st row (where you weaved in the tie) as a guide. This pocket is just the size to evenly line up with the 4 center dc that you went under J I positioned mine so the top of my pocket lined up with the BOTTOM of the 5th row of dc. And I used the sc around the edges to evenly space my sewing.

Neck Strap:

Row 1: With wrong side facing join with sl st to 1st sc. Ch1 sc in same st, and in next 2,(3 sc) ch 1 turn.
Row 2-48: Sc in each sc (3 sc) ch 1 turn
Row 49: Sc in ea st across (3sc) now making sure not to twist the strap, (wrong side should be facing) sl st to 3rd st on opposite side of apron, then in 2nd, and 1st.
Do not finish off. Ch 1, work 2 sc in joint, and sc evenly along the outside of the strap, working 2 sc in the joint on other side as well. FO and weave in ends.

Enjoy your apron!

I love pics, if you make this and feel so inclined, send me a picture of your finished product!

Getting this thing Up to Date

2007-01-29T08:18:00.000-05:00

In trying to bring over all my images from my MySpace Blog, I've decided to try and post a couple of slideshows as a quick way to catch up, and have all the images of the projects I have created right here, so people aren't missing any of the good things I made this year before I made this blog. If you move your mouse over the pictures, and click on one, you will see it a bit bigger, and see the title of the picture.....

Thanks for looking, kind of image intensive I know, hope you liked what you saw!

~Ada

House Fridgie Pattern

2007-01-28T19:06:00.000-05:00

Here is a Fridgie that I have designed myself. I've been thinking about making magnets for all seasons for my fridge, and this is one I've thought of.
Here is the pattern, this is my pattern, please do not sell it. The items you make with it, sell give away, whatever you choose. But DO NOT sell this pattern.

House Fridgie:

Need: "G" hook, small amounts of white, green, brown, and red ww yarn

With White: Ch 4, join with sl st to form ring

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2dc in ring, *3dc, ch2* 4 times in ring (5 3dc groups) sl st to top of beginning ch 3

Rnd 2: sl st in nxt 2 sts, and ch 2 sp, ch 3, (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, ch 1 *(3 dc, ch2, 3 dc) in nxt ch 2 sp, ch 1* 4 times. sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 3: sl st in nxt 2 sts and ch 2 sp, ch 3 work (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, ch 1 3dc in ch 1 space, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in nxt ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3dc in nxt ch 1 sp* 4 times. sl st to beg ch 3. FO

Rnd 4: With Green: join with sl st to any ch 2 space, ch 3 (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same space. ch 1 * 3dc in nxt ch 1 sp, ch1* twice. (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in nxt ch 2 sp. FO

With Brown: join with sl st to the ch 2 space that would have been nxt had you continued with green. Ch3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, *3dc in nxt ch 1 space, ch 1* twice (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in nxt ch 2 sp. ch 1. Repeat from * to * twice. 3 dc in nxt ch 2 space. FO

With red: join with sl st to ch 1 space to right of the pinnacle of the roof. ch 3, 2dc in same sp. FO

Weave in all ends. Attach magnet to the back. Enjoy your FRIDGIE!!

If you find any errors please let me know. If you use this pattern, I'd love to see pictures, so send them my way!!

Thanks for looking!
~Ada

Pedicure for daddy

2007-01-28T16:53:00.000-05:00

Well, today was so cute, I was working on assembling Amber's yo-yo ghan, and Kenzie and Dawn wanted to play with the make-up my mother got them for their birthdays. So, here are the pictures. Kenzie is giving daddy a manicure.... with PURPLE nail polish. See how much her daddy loves her. I mean really how many men would use the pink toe separators and let their daughters paint their toe nails purple?? lol

And here are my toes getting the dawny treatment, in a subtle pearly color. Very nice!!

Fun was had by all! The girls were so happy, and we had a good chuckle.

Moving Day

2007-01-28T16:32:00.001-05:00

I have tried and tried to find the right home for my blog. The poor thing never has enough time to get settled and really grow. I like the ease of change here on blogger, and the fact that I can have side links. so this should now be my permanent home. We'll see how it goes. Now for the next few days, I will be moving everything from my myspace blog to here, becuase I want all my projects from 2007 to be over here. So this will take some time, but I am confident that I can do it. I've already moved my WIP and Completed Projects lists here, so that is half the battle. Soon to come will be pictures and what not. Should be interesting to say the least.

Hope you come back often and see what is new. I have a couple of patterns that will be put on here in the next week. And I'm hoping to do more designing in the weeks and months to come. I have some great sketches that need to be converted to yarn speak, and can't wait to share them with everyone.

So here is to a new beginning and finding the right layout!! More coming soon, so stop back by in a few days, and this place should be cleaned up a bit!

~Ada