Yarn & Hook Happy

Mindless hookin'

2012-01-25T15:14:00.000-08:00

Just what I need to do and maybe get me out of a rut. Though honestly I'm not in that much of a crochet rut because I have huge amounts of ideas running in my head at pretty much any given moment! Ongoing projects, Katlyn wants a striped beanie with a flower...ok, Steven's Bender beanie...coming along, Samantha's blanket...coming along slowly.
Then there are the ideas!! Oh so many of them, first off it never helps that I spend too much time on pinterest, because the fabulous things I see and pin end up in my head as well! I have a green blanket I am designing in my mind for my Niece Danielle, a rainbow beanie I want to make, and hooded clock that I want to make but haven’t found just the right pattern yet, a gorgeous purse, some heart garland...just endless things and really I never get anything started. I second guess everything, every color and end up not doing anything, wandering.....ok well on to something simple and mindless and a great stash eater! I found this on pinterest (of course)

http://teawagontales.blogspot.com/2012/01/bit-of-kitsch.html

I love that's it's simple granny squares and yet lots of colors! Maybe if I start a granny blanket I will get some much needed anchoring! I suppose it can't hurt to try anyway!

I am doing some housecleaning around my blog as well, getting rid of outdated links and moving things around a bit. I am going to have to design a new header picture as well, since I can't seem to get the one I have to fit across the entire top, hmmmm. I have some more changes coming too, just getting them worked out!

Listening to: I Said the Wrong Thing to the Right Girl by Keel

Weekend things

2012-01-23T07:16:00.001-08:00

Did some yarn dying this weekend. I had an idea and it worked out almost the way I wanted. I say almost, because it is kool-aid and it's not quite as dark as I like. I am going to have to get some acid dyes to get the effect that I really want. Anyway I do like how this came out regardless. I striped the kool-aid when I had it in the crock pot (which I just had the picture up and have mistakenly deleted and can't get it back!!!) and then when that was done cooking in I "flipped" the yarn over and sprinkled in patches the same colors. The colors all bleed down throughout as is cooks along, but there are usually still some bits of white mixed in and on the bottom, so the "flipping" (seriously using that term loosely, because one cannot possibly "flip" wet yarn!) So this is Lemon-Lime (green), Blue Raspberry & Berry Blue (blue) and a mix of Pine-Pineapple & Lemonade (orangey/yellow). the yarn I used was from my swap partner, Riverstone Worsted by Louet, very nice yarn for dying.

All done and ready for drying

Another view

A crazy messy

Ok the red mess above is an experiment gone wrong. Red kool-aid in any form (strawberry, black cherry, fruit punch, etc) is very strong, you would think I would remember from when my kids were little...red kool-aid never comes out of the carpets! Anyway, the yarn soaks the red up super fast and it really just takes over, anyway the above was done the same as the green & blue combo only with Berry Blue & Strawberry and then when it was flip over time I realized that the red was not going to play nice at all and the blue has turned to purple...sigh. Ok then I added Black Cherry in spots and waaalaaaa...that's the result. It's not that bad right? I am thinking fingerless gloves for it. I used Wool of the Andes for this messy, which I have a few more hanks of still. So all in all that was my weekend project. I did manage to get some cleaning of the house in and took the puppy for his first shots and worked on Steven's hat. I really need to just buckle down on the hat and get it done and move on to the next item!

I think I need to buckle down in everything I do, work, household things and crochet. I am wandering right now and that's not always a good thing.

Listening to: Ladies Love Country Boys by Trace Adkins

Yarn Diet & Destashing!

2012-01-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well I decided last week while driving to work (all my ideas spring up in traffic!) that I really need to do something about my yarn stash! I have been accumulating yarn for so many years that I just don’t remember! I have donated some in the past, but it never really makes much of a dent in the reduction process. I tried using up a lot with my last ripple, and while I did use loads of it, it still never quite gets the bins emptied! I have 8 bins stuffed full and baskets and vases and jars, all around the house. Heck I even have 2 hanks hanging as wall art in my living room on a pretty hook (must take a picture!) So I decided (remember back at the start of this paragraph?) to go through it, and that’s what I did last Saturday. Now the yarn that I have in 98% acrylic, you know all those Red Heart skeins that are forever on sale...I have my bins organized in color groups, variegateds & “fancy” yarns. By fancy I mean any yarn that is not Red Heart or the equivalent, so Fun Fur or Suede or such. So I went through each bin one at a time and pulled out everything I would not use (reality check!) anyway I managed quite well indeed on getting the numbers down! I have 3 bags stuffed and ready for donation drop off tomorrow and organized much better. I now have a bin for Homespun, for variegated, groups of colors, the fancy ones and WIP's. I got rid of old magazines and pattern books I will never use as well. Made lots of space and this weekend I am going to match up yarns with patterns so that things will have a purpose.

These bins BTW

I also decided that instead of buying yarn for no good reason (HAHAHA, seriously there is always a good reason!) Ok, without using some up first, I will not be purchasing any random yarns. I get yarn monthly from a swap I am in on Ravelry so I am not really in a yarn deprived state and since I have to buy yarn for my swap partner, I still get to acquire new yarn, it just doesn’t get to be for me! My Daughter is very proud of me!

Ok on another note, please someone explain to me why it is every. single. time. I try to write a paragraph someone feels the need to talk to me!!

That's it, I'm off to complete some work at this place where they pay me!

Listening to: Sound of Madness by Shinedown

Update for today.

2012-01-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

Slow going around here at work since I got a new computer on Monday and have spent the last 2 days getting it set up and removing the important documents from my old dinosaur of a computer. I feel so fancy now since I have windows 7 on this one and it moves at a much faster pace. So anyway...I finished my project bag for my swap partner and it's in the mail finally. So on with the pictures.

Here we are in the blocking stages, note the absence of wonkiness.

Final product.

It might look a little bit wonky, but it's not really and the blocking made a huge difference. I was going to add some other flowers to the body as well, but my daughter liked it as it is. I will try another and see if I can reduce the amount of wonkiness and add more flowers!

Ok back to work and adding more programs on to my new computer!

Listening to: In a Week or Two by Diamond Rio

Happy Milk Day

2012-01-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Yep it's Milk Day...who knew! Milk was deliver for the first time is glass bottles on this day in 1878. There know you have that random bit of silly trivia.

Ok now on with the show. I have gotten the majority of the project bag finished. Actually everything except the embellishments and the drawstring cord. It is now in the blocking process in hopes that the wonkiness of it will go away.

Here's a picture of it finished but not blocked yet.

I was going to weave the drawstring in right under the scallops, but it's really looking like it will not work well in that position! I will try it out later if it's all dry and ready to come off the vase I found to use as a shaper for drying!

Back to work now :)

Listening to: No Time by The Guess Who

Wonky bag?

2012-01-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

Monday morning and my project bag is nearly complete, but it's wonky somehow! Ugh, that's what I get for trying to make up my own pattern!

This is where I am at with this....see it? wonky! Can I block it and have it right itself? I so have no idea and while it didn't take me long to do, I really don't want to rip it out, I have an idea in my head and want it to be this! Ok, I have another round of black after completing this current one and then I am going to do a pink round for the drawstring and then a pink scallop to finish it up, can you see it with me? Sigh...I am going to google blocking right now. We shall see how it turns out!

Listening to: Sound of Madness by Shinedown

1st project of 2012

2012-01-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

And we're off! I have this project bag I am trying to make for a yarn swap, let's see how it goes!

Today's work

the start the other night, I had to rip this out though it wasn't flat!

And included just for your viewing pleasure....

Death the Kid

Yep the reason I was up super early on a Saturday and why I am sitting around crocheting instead of cleaning house as I should be doing! He only likes to sleep snuggled against you and when he's not asleep he likes to run around testing his new teeth on things and since he's only 6 weeks old, we let him sleep! It's like having a newborn in the house again! Waiting on my Daughter to get up so she can be on puppy patrol & I can shower! I have a puppy pen on order but it hasn't gotten here yet, we got him sooner then expected since the mother of the puppies gave up on them. What was I thinking???

Kid is awake again so I must go and play with him!

Listening to: Bittersweet by Apocalyptica

A partial record of 2011

2012-01-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Some things done, others not photographed or on another computer. I am trying to keep a better record for 2012.

A few projects that I had posted to flickr.

I will see what I posted on Facebook as well and maybe there's a few things there! Ugh, well I did but I can't get the images into the mosaic program! Crap, and my Sister is rampaging here at work so I will have to try later when I am not listening to her bitch about her job :)

Listening to: Sulfur by Slipknot

Beginning of the year already!

2011-12-29T15:27:00.000-08:00

I really should do an end of year round up of pictures, but lord knows where they are all at. I will add the pictures of Katlyn's Creeper that I got done just in time for Christmas! I got a scarf done for my Niece too, but didn't take pictures of that. When I see her again I will try to get some. New puppy came home with us on New Years got a few things ready for him. Went to JoAnn's and get some fleece remanents and made him a bed and a bed for Max because I don't want him to feel left out. I saw a link for it on Crafster.org and will have to hunt it out again to post up the link. Super easy and quick and both dogs loves them!

After thinking about it I did get loads of things done this past year. Finished up my big ripple, hats done up like crazy, Lucy bag, a Creeper, star garland, fingerless gloves....hmmm, not as bad as I had thought!

Blanket started for Brooke

Creeper

Ok I really must find all my pictures, I think they are on this computer here at work and on my laptop! Let me run off and see, maybe I can get a year end mosaic together to make it simpler!

Listening to: Ten Ton Brick by Hurt

2011-12-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

A couple of things...I have been getting Christmas stuff done! Yay! I got this cute garland done for a swap I am in on Ravelry. the one on the left is made with some cream colored cotton yarn I have had for many moons, I believe the Bernat makes it and the green one is made for cotton yarn that I recycled from a sweater I bought at the Goodwill back in 2007. The things I have laying around my stash! I actually have used this green yarn twice this season, it's also a couple of balls on my Christmas wreath :) I haven't taken any pictures of the garland done yet, but grabbed couple extra stars on my way out the door this morning so I had something to post. The green has different color variations in it, though I chose all the same colors grouping for the garland, the lighter green.

This hat is for my Nephew who is very muchly loving rasta colors and slouchy hats, so I whipped him up a quick Christmas gift!

Next up will be a Bender hat that I am trying to design for my Son and trying to get my Niece's blanket done as well! Oh yes and a hat for one of the girls at my night job and a Creeper for my daughter's stocking...crap!! Hmmm, there's 12 days left until Christmas, losing tonight though because I work all day and night! Sigh...........I will just hook on and hope for the best!

Better get some work done so I still have a day job!

Listening to: Knock Yourself Out by Toby Keith (my Ipod has a major crush on Toby Keith!)

Holidays are here....yikes

2011-12-05T11:25:00.001-08:00

I have big plans, really I do! I just have to get them done :) I did manage one thing so far, pretty good for the 4th day of the month (posting this on the 5th but I did it last night)

While it is a terrible picture, it is up and hanging on the front door for all to see and by all I mean my neighbors across from me because no one else comes up our stairs except for us & them! It's all good though because I love it and my Daughter though she did rolls her eyes this morning upon seeing it for the first time (she was away house sitting this weekend) like it. I LOVE the Christmas season, I love the lights, the sparkle, the cold weather (my skin hates that part), the decorating! I do miss Christmas mornings when my kids were younger and the tree was filled with presents for them to tear into. Now that they are grown they don't want the legos and cars and barbies....sigh I am old! I will just go along and enjoy the hell out of the season!!

Ok the wreath was so easy to do, picking the colors was the hardest part of the whole project. Once the color scheme was decided I went to my stash and grabbed a few greens that worked together and and pretty deep red and threw in the cream and tan to give it some rusticness. No gluing so all yarn is still usable and I can see this being a year round door decor, changing out different colors for the seasons. Idea came from here
I am doing a rasta colored hat for my Nephew, trying to design a Bender hat for Steven and have my Niece's blanket to finish up all in the next 2 1/2 weeks....oh yes I have a swap partner on Ravelry that I have not shopped for, but at least got the homemade thing out of the way! I am really not very good at these swaps and don't think I will be doing many more. I know what I like, but I ALWAYS worry about what other people like and question everything I pick out. Ok enough of this! I really need to get some work done, being as it's Monday and I have not done much yet! Ugh, it's Monday and I have my 2nd job tonight!!! Great, now I am bummed again!

Listening to: Burn by Three Days Grace

Completed

2011-11-13T15:20:00.001-08:00

The blanket is done, all the way, ends woven...done 100% YAY!

Chibi wouldn't move so I could spread it out properly, I worked around her. Used up lots of stash for this and that made me happy. Only bought the first 2 skeins way back in 2007 when I started it. Used some skeins completely and had to improvise some of the rows, but all in all I love it. Really don't know what I am going to do with it...keep it or give it away.

Listening to: Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince......it's a Harry Potter weekend around here!

The End!!

2011-11-10T10:20:00.001-08:00

Yes, I finished the giant ripple last night! It's folded up and waiting patiently for the end fairies to come along and get rid of all the dangling bits!

It looks so much smaller all folded up and of course these pictures are terrible, but believe me it big and the colors rock!

Ok can I say right now that I am not loving the blogger changes! I cannot get anything to line up and stay where I put it, so if these pictures are scattered, it was not my intention for them to be like that!!!

Now since I am sure the end weaving fairies will not be paying my house a visit, you will find me curled up on the couch watching The Big Bang Theory and weaving and cutting tonight! I do have to squeeze some sit-ups in there too, I have developed a bit of a pooch and not liking that at all, I am quite comfortable with my bootiliciousness and can deal with having calves that do not work with regular boots, but I'll be damned if I will have a belly!!

Anyway, just wanted a quick share with y'all on the finished (well finished crocheting anyway) blanket and will have WAAAAYYYY better pictures when all ends are woven!

Listening to: Head First by The Babys

Why yes, I am a terrible blogger

2011-11-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

Goodness, I really can't believe I even have this blog anymore, I am never here even though I have made a permanent tab for it to remind me! I take pictures, save them on my computer for use here, but then I get distracted on Ravelry or Pinterest and that's me gone! Ok enough rambling. I have a bunch of new stuff done. Well maybe not a bunch, but I have been getting things done!
First up, no pictures for it yet though is my giant scrap ripple! I am on the last 2 rows and those should be completed tonight while sitting and watching Top Model with Katlyn, yay!!! Of course I have a million ends to weave in, but I am sooooo happy to have it near the end! I have other projects to get done and I really wanted to get this done before moving along the project list. I do manage to get small things done in between, because it is Queen sized and not an easily managed project for transport. Wait I do have a picture, not a full one, but just a reminder shot of what it looks like...

Just a tease!

Ok next up, I made some fun wrist warmers, they a Ogre Wrist Warmer, pattern from Lion brand using Vanna's Choice yarn, which I do love even though it's "just acrylic" Fairly easy pattern, though I had to make adjustments because there is no way on a chain 20 base that they would fit a normal person, just way too tight and with no stretch, not going to work.

they work good :)

I think that's it for the moment, I can't seem to figure out how to get this blog set-up to work and have the pictures arrange right...see what happens when I go away too long!

So after all this time it's just a short post, but I have lots of hats in the works for my Cousin and finishing a blanket for my Niece and blankets for my Son, Steven & my Granddaughter. Plus Christmas gifts for all the kids in the family! Busy, busy, let's hope I have time to blog again ;)

Listening to: Push, Push by Cinderella

New stuff

2011-09-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Yes I have new stuffs that I have not really photographed, but being as the weekend is no nearly upon us, I will get to snapping and posting. New hat, new yarns, blankets completed...lots of new stuffs I tell you!
Back soon!

Listening to:
Kick in the Teeth by Papa Roach

Hats & things

2011-08-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ok I have some updates on the whole hat thing. I really love the pattern I used, it really is so easy, I mean insanely simple, I did 3 hats in about a week!

So now on with the pictures, though I have someone popping up talking to me on Facebook and I hate that flashing thing so I have to make it go away!

here is the Simply Soft one, dark sage I think the color is, I've had it for a long time and I was originally going to be making her a Legend of Zelda type of hat so this color suited that and I just picked it up when I made this hat.

ok here is the one that is in the basket of my last post, 21 different colors of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, this one came out great, she loves it and wears it a lot in fact! Still really easy, just lots of changing colors and of course the dreaded weaving in of the ends!

#3 well this one she loved the yarn when we went to Jo-Ann's and so I bought it and whipped up a hat. This yarn is Bernat, Mosaic in Optimistic, really super soft and works up lovely. I love how the colors just change up. I think I will go check out what other colors they have, Girly is gone for a few days dog watching at my sisters so maybe I can whip up another hat for her!

I have loads of cotton to work up into dishcloths and potholders, and I need to finish my Niece's blanket for her birthday and finish up a baby blanket for Andrew's baby and well I do have lots of fabulous yarns to turn into scarves...sigh so little time. I really should just glue a hook to my hand! Of course right now it's mid August in Southern California and surface of the sun hot outside and well crocheting just comes up a bit short!

I did dye 2 skeins of yarn last weekend and I am going to get some more Kool-Aid tonight to do some more this weekend, I am using a crock-pot this time and wow, it is super easy and super fast! I did take pictures and will have to pull the files off of my phone to upload here, but really so much fun! I forgot how much fun it is to do and the colors are great too, now I just have to figure out what to do with the yarn!

Ok back to work, need to gather some files for the boss and clean off my desk!

Listening to:

One Thing by Finger Eleven

At last~

2011-08-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI, if you hit enter after typing your title it posts to you blog! ugh!

Anyway back to the post I was about to type!

I made a hat =) I have yet to take pictures of the hat because my Daughter whipped it away as soon as it was finished! She wanted a slouchy hat, I found a very simple pattern here and whipped it up in a weekend using Simply Soft yarn in a dark green. Now she wants one using a bunch of colors like my Lucy bag that I never posted here, so I can't show you the picture of it, but I do have a picture of the WIP

oh how I love a basket full of yarn! It's all Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. I like to go to the website and pick out random colors and then get a package of yarn in the mail! Simple joys really!

Should be done with it this evening or tomorrow sometime and will post a picture of the finished product along with the green one. I might get creative and do a pokeball too!

So that is what I am working on at the moment, plus the potholders, plus blankets. The blankets don't get much work done to them when it's 100 degrees outside though! I do want to dye some yarn with Kool-Aid though, so I might be doing that as well, haven't done that in ages! I do plan on taking out my real camera and taking better quality photos though because these iPhone shots are really not doing my yarn any justice at all and you really should get to enjoy the pretty colors as best as you can!

Ok that's it for today, I should get some work done around here being as I am at work!!

Happy Friday!

Listening to:

Hollywood Nights by Bob Seger

Really bad pictures, but a cute scarf!

2011-07-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Remember that yarn I got from Toni...the NuMei 2 posts ago? Well I worked it up and TA-DA. The scarf is done. Hey what else does one do when watching the first 7 Harry Potter movies in a row?

Terrible pictures taken this morning at work after attaching the flowers and fringe...yes 2 flowers are there I love how they blend in. Anyway the scarf is off in the mail so I am hoping she will like it. She doesn't even know I have it done so she will be surprised!

Nothing terribly new other that the scarf, I am planning out Christmas gifts...maybe if I can work out the idea I saw. I am going to attempt it tonight so crossing fingers that I can get it to work because I know people always like handmade gifts! Oh wait is that just me? Now if I just had a magic wand to get things done =)

Listening to:

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum

whole lotta nothing

2011-07-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yep I have gotten nothing done lately, nothing at all in the way of crochet, I want to, I think about it....but I never seem to get a hook in my hand! I went to JoAnn's on Saturday looking for styrofoam balls for a new project that I ran across HERE did you know that small styrofoam balls are not all that cheap!! I had to pay $4.49 for 12 balls about 1 or 1 1/2 inches diameter that's roughly .37 cents each, for something I was going to cover up with yarn. Sigh...I am too cheap for my own good at times. It really irks me the most because I ended up not even using them for this project because they were too big. My Daughter says "Mom, why don't you just wrap the yarn up from the beginning?" Good question, why don't I do that and guess what it worked just fine! So a wasteful trip to JoAnn's you might think BUT while there I did happen to stroll through the yarn section and found this

.97 cents per skien. Only 79 yards each, but it's wool and I loved the colors. Bought 2 of each color, they didn't have very much left in stock.

I yellow and the bluish/yellow one are the same colors but I used the one bluish/yellow one to make the above mentioned project. Ready???

sorry the pictures are so bad, indoors with an iPhone just not the best quality. Anyway, how cute are these yarn ball flowers! I am just madly in love with B. Cheniful! What a fun blog over there, click the link above and go check her stuff out! I made these with the new Baby Wool I got and I have this sitting on my dining room table where I tend to sit most of the time with my laptop open and they make me smile. My daughter thinks I'm silly =)

So that's what I've gotten done lately besides putting together my new bistro set for my balcony! It was a birthday present!

Ok I shall be gone now and cross those fingers I manage to pick up a hook tonight after getting off work and then going to the grocery store and then going to the reptile store and then cleaning up after a gillion animals....hook?? haha, we shall see!!

Listening to:

Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac

some pictures

2011-06-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

I managed to hunt down my pictures of my most recent yarns. First up yarn given to me by Toni, she bought it when she went to a graduation in Bakersfield and I am going to make her a scarf with it.

2 of these and if it wasn't a millions degrees right now I could play with it! I just might later tonight anyway. I will probably just make her an Airy Scarf like the Malabrigo one I just whipped up, she really liked it and it works nicely for the summer mornings being as she lives in Santa Rosa and it tends to be cooler there then here.

I bought these at Cast Away on Sunday before leaving town and drug my Son Steven and Toni (his girlfriend) with me

Oh the Malabrigo goodness here! I have the Lime-Blue roll up into a center pull ball now and should get to work on that scarf. So many choices now and soooo many WIP's to complete!

Ok photo update done, the last 2 shots are iPhone bad shots, but trust me the yarn is yummy! I am leaving work early today and I should get something done before that, so I will finish this post for today!

Listening to:

Falling in Hate by Five Finger Death Punch (up to the "f's" now)

dishcloths and stuffs

2011-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Oh I really have nothing exciting to check in with...really I haven't gotten much crocheting done lately, I did manage to finish a small dishcloth. 20 chains to start and 20 rows and finished up with a sc all the way around. I decided I am tired of sponges and the nasty smell they seem to acquire so fast! No matter what I do...new sponges, old sponges run through the washer and dryer...nothing helps so I am trying dishcloths that I make myself. I am feeling very green in doing so too! I like the way it works, just takes getting used to. My Sister asked for one as well and I am going to do some facecloths as well. I am trying to get Katlyn to make some. She worries that they are going to be crooked since every time she tries to crochet, the item ends up a bit wonky and she gives up. I told her she needs to COUNT her stitches, but she has no need for that! ^.^ I told her that they will be used for washing dishes and wiping counters and I don't care if they are wonky. I think she just might do it this time and maybe the simpleness of it and a fast finished product will motivate her learn more and make her own things! We will see!

I am working on getting the potholders completed by the end of the month so I can ship them off to Tony which works well for me, since it's his birthday as well!

Ok I thought I had yarn pictures on my work computer, but I don't so no pictures right now. That just make for a boring as hell post....sorry! I will get some pictures and post, but I am at work right now and should be doing something!!

Listening to:

Country Club by Travis Tritt

(I am listening to my Ipod in alphabetical order right now...up to "c", started on Friday!

Had a weekend out of town...

2011-06-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have new yarn and new photos, but unfortunately have to work 13 hours today and have no time to post much of anything.

I will say that I was in Santa Rosa for my Granddaughter's 3rd birthday and I went to Cast Away and got some more Malabrigo hanks! So I will be back soon with the pics!

Listened to:

Heading For A Heartbreak by Winger

Scarf finished

2011-06-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Finished my sweet Malabrigo yarn scarf. I like it, it is a bit shorter then I usually wear, but it works fine. I decided to add a couple of flowers to it while working on it and the fringe and since I wasn't sure how much yarn I would have leftover for the flowers and fringe I finished up the scarf and then made the flowers and fringe. Next time I will whip out the flowers and cut the fringe first and then just crochet until the yarn is gone. I don't have too much left of the yarn, but I definitely could have added a few more rows. Hindsight...

......here it is all done.

I like the flowers done in the same yarn, they are there just subtle and gives it a bit of character.

I am going to work on getting my other Malabrigo yarn wound into a ball instead of the hank and start a Queen's Anne Lace scarf found here. Looks like a fun scarf and something different for me.

I also need to work up a swatch for someone who wants to buy a ripple blanket for me. So that's what's next on my list, besides all of the other WIP's I have going as well.

I bought the 3rd season of True Blood on DVD and have 1 disc left to watch, so I can swatch while watching that. Need to mail off the swatch tomorrow so she can approve the colors and the pattern and I can get started on it.

Now I am off to complete my to do list for the day so I can actually watch my DVD. I have a mightly to do list...

Laundry......nearly done at this time.

Plants re potted.....done

Balcony....mostly done, swept clean of leaves and deck scrubbed, unfortunately the people next door let their dogs piss on their balcony and the smell is horrific out there right now. Sending a letter to the board, oh hell I'm VP of the board!

Trash out....done

carpets (cat puke)...little steam cleaner comes in very handy

dust

pictures hung....still have to add details to the green one, but will measure and hang the others

boxes packed....this just pisses me off. people wants all this stuff but I have to pack it up and move it for them. I won't even go into the boxes stacked in my dining room waiting for them to get moved, oh wait that will be my job to get to deliver them. vented there, sorry

Off now~

Listening to:

B.B.K. by Korn

New yarn

2011-05-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, I found a fabulous yarn store while visiting Santa Rosa for Brandon's graduation! Just such a great little shop, I loved how it was set up and the ladies were friendly and the yarn, oh the yarn! Just yummy! I bought 3 hanks, when I was only going to buy 2 but I'm telling you it's hard to resist when presented with such gorgeous colors and glorious softness!! So here they are for you to gaze at and really just so soft and beautiful...did I say that already?

Malabrigo, Silky Merino in Atardecer. The colors in this are just stunning! 51% Silk 49% Merino Wool...just 150 yards of goodness I say!

Malabrigo, Worsted in Mariposa,

the first yarn I laid my eyes on and it was instant love! I am working on a scarf in this right now!

Malabrigo, Worsted in Lime Blue.

Do you see a trend happening? Yes I do have a new found love for Malabrigo yarns! It's not even crazy expensive and I can't wait to go back to Santa Rosa and visit my sweet yarn store there again. Really you should visit if you're in the area, Cast Away in Santa Rosa, California on 4th street! I will be taking some pictures of the store front next time, it was raining on Saturday when I went so didn't want to stand outside in th rain taking pictures!

Here's the scarf....a simple stitch and very light and airy. Ok the picture is mostly about the yarn, but you can see a bit of the scarf. I am thinking of adding some flowers to it as well, haven't worked out the details just yet, was very excited to get started on something with my new yarny goodness!

Ok, off to work on my scarf now!

Listening to:

The dryer, nothing else at this time.

UGH!! Well at least it's my Friday!

2011-05-25T09:28:00.001-07:00

My week has been insane, I am going to Santa Rosa tomorrow for Brandon's graduation!! YAY! I am so happy and will have loads of pictures from said event! Anyway in all of this business that means my crocheting gets pushed aside a bit, though not entirely because I am working on potholders and I carry that in my purse and get a few stitches in on a break at work.

These are coming along slowly, but at least it is a very portable project! I do love the bright color of the cotton for these, though I was told that they were too girly. I did reply that they could easily be pink so don't criticize the girl with the hook...he changed his mind and thinks the color is fab now =)

So anyway I will have these on hand to work on in Santa Rosa and will be taking Brooke's new blanket yarn and working on those squares, though I don't think I have posted a picture of those here...let me check.

Nope not posted yet,

just small squares in purple, lilac, green and yellow all bordered in white. Just random colors put together, I will have to get some pictures of it spread out when I get home. Brooke likes it so far, she saw it last trip up when I had a couple of squares done, she was very excited that it was going to be for her. I have Steven's new square done for a 20 square blanket since I never did complete the one I started for him in Lime green and Purple, I have a bunch of squares done and I will do something with it eventually I'm sure! Brooke might love it =)

Anyway I better get some work done here so I can go home with a clear conscience while I'm away. I still have to pack and go to the store and get a few things for the animals before we leave at o'dark hundred!!

Listening to:

Superstar by The Carpenters

Headache Saturday

2011-05-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Blah, blah day, I haven't felt 100% all day, worked a bit on my ripple and will do some more after dinner if this blasted headache would just go away. Took the dog for a walk to get some air, didn't help. Well he was happy though. Really need to curl up on the couch and crochet, that usually helps. Going to make dinner and see if that helps! I will post a picture after that!

Just a tired Tuesday

2011-05-17T22:02:00.001-07:00

I work 2 jobs, now only 1 of those jobs full time and the other is 1 night a week...Monday night to be exact, but it's still a long day for me and when I get up on Tuesday morning my poor feet give me a hollar about having to be stood on for 5 hours straight the night before! Anyway that means no crocheting done or at least any measurable amount, I did get a tiny bit done on the ripple yesterday (Monday) morning while waiting for Katlyn to get ready for school and got a row done on a potholder today, so a teensy bit going on. I do have the ripple in my lap as I type, but have only done about 10 stitches on it tonight. Tonight I have a board meeting and before that I had to feed Katlyn and myself but since I was crazy starving from lack of food intake yesterday and not much today I ran to Jack in the Box and we ate fast food! Oh yes and Sheldon got a new jumbo sized tank so we set that up as well before the meeting. Crazy 2 nights so far, I'm pretty tried and really think I shall crawl into bed after pushing the publish button on this!

Oh yes, most important news, Katlyn passed her California High School Exit Exam!! Her first time taking it too and so now that is done and out of the way!! WooHoo!!

That's all folks, short and sassy!

Listening to:

Silence

Eeeeek, I have pictures

2011-05-15T20:42:00.001-07:00

Well only one picture, but that counts...right?

I have made it to row 101 on this ginormous ripple. It's not that big really, it does fit nicely on a queen sized bed though. Only 21 more rows to go and then the weaving in of the ends, the most fun of any thing I make! I will be happy when this is done because I have so many other projects in the works and have had 2 people (not family) ask me about price to make one! I have a list!!

I went to my storage unit that I have had since moving up to Northern California in 2007, sadly I have not really had a place to keep everything. When I moved back down to So-Cal I stayed with my Sister for a few months and had no place to keep my things.

Then when I moved I moved into a friends house that was fully furnished, so I had yet again no place to put my stuff. Gradually I did retrieve a few things but when he decided that the house needed to be sold, my stuff was again packed up and banished to storage. (not my yarn, that goes where I go...all 8 giant plastic bins of it!) So in October I inherited a permanent address! Finally a place for my stuff, but alas it has not been so yet, I moved into a 987 sq foot condo that was completely furnished, head to toe. I have spent the last few months going through everything, donating things and packing up the things that my Sister is taking to her new place whenever she moves! So in the mean time I have full cupboards, and boxes filled in the dining room and cabinets stuffed with things that are not going to be staying here. I have plans for my stuff, for painting the walls and renovating quite a bit, but for now I am resigned to simply going over to storage every once in a while and grabbing a couple of boxes and then bringing them home! Oh joys of seeing you stuff that you haven't seen....I forgot all about having a Lava Lamp =) It is now on and doing it's thing and gives me a smile! I am downsizing as I go too,

and I do donate quite a bit to the local Goodwill store, but it's great to unpack all of my family pictures and get this place to look like home!!

ummmm, yeah this was supposed to be a crocheting post, but it turned into another rambling of my life....no vomit was mentioned so I think I'm doing good!!

PICTURE time: row 101 is the blue one one the left!

Thanks for looking!!

Listening to:

I Own You by Shinedown

Nothing at all to do with crochet...well maybe somewhere in the rambles

2011-05-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

I have been crocheting and will break out my camera soon, though I have posted some pictures on Facebook using my iPhone. Anyway I have things in my head running around and they seem to need an escape. I shall type them out of my head and then get back to regularly scheduled programming.

I am very grateful for all I have in my life, let me say that right off, that doesn't mean I will not complain about things though. I have a car and am grateful that I do, but other drivers can drive me crazy! Really please I am not a speed demon, I do not need to speed from one light to the next, but please for the love of everything, drive the speed limit!! Nothing will send me over the crazy edge faster then a person driving on a clear road 10 miles under the speed limit. I don't care that we will meet up at the next red light, I just want to drive the speed limit. Can you tell I drive surface streets a lot! Complete venting needed over this and again I'm not complaining because I am grateful that I have a vehicle to drive.

Ok driving down, next...

Saturday morning....ahhh the weekend I can sleep in, wait what's that noise I hear.......oh yes it's Max and he wants to go outside, sigh. Throw back the blankets, shuffle to the bathroom, get my jacket on, open Katlyn's bedroom door to let both Max and Prue out and of course turn off her TV and Wii. Proceed down the hall to see the Moo wants food (she is a piggy bunny) and then seeing that one of the other cats has left me a nice pile of vomit, ugh...step over that for the moment because little dog is bouncing around to go pee, get a plastic bag from the kitchen, step over the vomit again grab the leash and my keys, slide on my outside slippers (I have inside ones too) and leash up little dog...away we go all before 7 am on a Saturday! Ok he does his business and we trudge back upstairs, vomit staring me in the face basically telling me no more sleep for me. I brush my teeth (I do nothing besides walk the dog with my teeth unbrushed!) make my bed...ditto for the bed making and head out to the living room to clean up vomit, oh wait bunny needs food...fill her bowl and give her hay, turn on Sheldon's basking light (didn't mention the lizard yet did I?) grab some paper towels and on the way out of the kitchen notice 2 more spots of vomit...sigh! Clean up aisle 3, 4 AND 5!!

Done with the clean up, fill the kettle with water, measure the coffee into the press, turn on the water to clean Sheldon's dishes, do a couple of dishes, turn off water and realize I don't hear kettle making noise...yep forgot to turn it on, flip the switch, get Sheldon's greens out of the frig, gather what's left of crickets, stop and write a not to self to buy more crickets today, feed Sheldon crickets, chop his veggies, feed him veggies, water's now done, pour into coffee press and flip on computer while waiting........whew!! Make a list for my day ahead even though Katlyn has shopping plans which will include me driving her, but that's ok I need to get crickets =)

Wow, doesn't my life sound fabulous in type!! I actually love it, not the vomit part of course because well that's nasty and stains the carpet! I mean seriously, steam cleaning doesn't get the stain of cat vomit out! (wondering how many times I have said vomit in this entry) I do indeed love my life, it works rather nicely for me and I have learned that there is no use whatsoever in worrying about the things you have no control over. I still worry of course, I am human and have a tiny bit of a heart. I live in a zoo by the way if you haven't figured that out yet. 1 dog, 3 cats, 1 bunny, 1 hamster & 1 bearded dragon.

Ok I will stop typing now and pick up my hook as I can see it sitting there sticking out of the blanket I am working on waiting for me this one, remember it???

Listening to:

The New Pollution by Beck

Revamping.....

2011-05-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

I am doing a bit of revamping in my life and getting my self more organized. I am hoping this will get back on track as well since I am doing quite a few new projects right now and posting them at Ravelry and on Facebook.

So please watch this space!!

Listening to:

Liar by Korn

(funny song for the moment!)

More things~

2010-04-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

2 more scarves~

Pink one, I love! Made for a friends Daughter
Yarns used:
Paton's Be Mine - Plushy Pink, Paton's SWS - Natural Pink, Bernat Bamboo - Linen, LB Fun Fur - Soft Pink

And my friend Tre's scarf
Yarns:
Mode Dea Wild - Flames, Vanna's Choice Baby - Little Boy Blue, Wool that I handdyed using kool-aid, Sensations Spirits - Berry

She lives in England and took me ages to get them to her (sorry Tre)

Next up is a baby blanket for Tre's newest grandson
45 squares...done. Just putting them together now!
Homespun, Super Saver and Bernat yarns used, will have to get exacts at home!

At work right now, so I best get back to work for the time being. Have more projects to post, so will get the details and pictures sorted out soon!

Listening to: Born Like This by Three Days Grace

9 Christmas Scarves

2010-01-06T21:37:00.001-08:00

I got 9 done for Christmas gifts! Felt really good too as they were well received, makes me happy everyone liked them. I have a listing of yarns for all but for the moment I am just going to post a quick picture as I have been messing with the look of this blog and trying to get it neat and tidy!!

That's is for now, back soon with my detailed list!

EDIT...Yarns used on above scarves...left to right~
White & Black ...Vanna White Glamour - Platinum, Bernat Ping Pong - Brilliant Black, Poof - (the fluffy white one)
Orange scarf ...LB Homespun - Wildfire, LB Wool-Ease thick & quick - Pumpkin, LB Fancy Fur - Jungle Print and a bit of black worsted weight
Pink ...LB Homespun - Parfait, LB Fun Fur - Soft Pink, LB Jiffy - Light Pink, LB Jiffy - Silver Heather
Red & Black ...LB Homespun - Edwardian, Mode dea Wild - Flames, Sensations Angel Hair - Black, LB Fun Fur - Red
Green & yellow ...LB Homespun - Olive, Deborah Norville Serenity - Golden, Simply Soft Brites - Lemonade, Red Heart Foxy - Grass
Blue ...Vanna's Choice - Colonial Blue, LB Jiffy - Silver Heather, Sensations Angel Hair - Blue
Purple & Green ...Red Heart Light & Lofty - Pheasant, LB Jiffy - Grass Green, LB Suede - Fuchsia, LB Fun Fur - Copper
Black & Pink ...LB Homespun - Edwardian, LB Fun Fur - Soft Pink, Sensations Angel Hair - Pink/Gray, Moda Dea Aerie - BlackPurple jeweltones ...LB Homespun - Nouveau, LB Jiffy - Violet, LB Chenille - Brown, Paton's Cha Cha - Jazz

Listening to: nothing at all, complete silence (Dexter DVD just ended)

Don't mind me

2010-01-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

Just making some changes, will have a new post shortly. I have lots of new scraves done and will get the pictures up soon!

Scarves!!!

2009-12-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, I'm making scarves for Christmas gifts this year and am trying madly to get them all done! I've got 3 completed, one on the hook and 5 more to get done!! Wanted to finish 4 by today, but nope not going to happen. I will work crazy all weekend though and hopefully get them mostly done! 2 need to fly to the UK so I need to get them packed up and ready for shipping on Monday for sure or they will never make it in time! Anyway here are a couple of pictures, I will update the yarns over the weekend, just wanted to get something posted!
Black & Pink Jeweltones

On my hook now.

I have to take pictures of the other one still and will put that up and update what yarns I used, I don't have all of that info at work with me.

Listening to: Take Me Away by Seether

Is it wrong?

2009-11-10T11:30:00.001-08:00

I want to buy yarn. Is that wrong when I have so much already? I want to buy yarn that all goes together and make granny square blankets. Is that wrong? I have so many things in progress, that I just don't know that I can justify buying more. Sigh.

I have been crocheting

2009-09-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am working on a pink and white Star blanket for Brooke. I started some granny squares using Vanna's yarn in yellow, green and 2 different blues. (don't have the info at work but will find it) and going to start christmas scarves shortly.
I will pop back in with pictures soon!

Listening to: Cool Change by Little River Band

WOW!!

2008-12-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe I haven't been here since June!! I am working on stuff and will get things posted up. I take tons of pictures so that's never a problem. Actually photography has become my passion! I am loving it so much that I never seem to do anything else!

here is Brooke though!! =)

Listening to: Little sister by Elvis Presley

SHE'S HERE!!!

2008-06-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

Introducing Brooke Isabel Anderson!

Born June 13, 2008
Weighing in at 6lbs 6.5 ozs....19 inches long.

My first grandchild!

Listening to: Over and Over by Three Days Grace

ok seriously!

2008-05-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

It took me FOREVER to sign in tonight! I had to reset everything, I guess I should really update a bit more often!

I have done more on Brooke's pink star blanket, I added 3 rounds of white and have started on pink again, she due in 21 days and there are 2 other ones I want to make for her!

I will see if I can get a picture of it spread out in it's star shape. I have pink camo yarn for one other and I really want to do one using Lion Brand Organic Cotton! I better get a move on.
Photography is taking up a lot of my time right now, but I am going to put some time aside to crochet again!

That's my update, short and sweet!

Listening to: Breakdown by Seether

hey peeps!

2008-03-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Looky here a new post! I really need to get on top of this blog! I really like blogging, but I seem to be so busy all over the place!

I have 2 more rounds done on my pink star! I'm up to 15 now and as soon as I finish round 16 then I will put some white one it for a few rounds.
Here it is...all pretty in pink! I have been working on it more lately. My Grandmother fell and broke her hip, so there was a lot of hospital time, is which I could sit and work on it and still sit with her and keep her company!

Anyway that's my latest update...

Listening to: Grand Illusion by Styx

No excuses

2008-02-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

I've got none...my neglect on this blog has been bad! haha

I am on round 13 of the Pink Star. It's slow going but since I bought more yarn for another baby blanket for my Granddaughter, I better go a move on! ^.^

Here is the progress!

That's the latest! Hopefully I can get some more done tonight, since it's a tv night! :)

Listening to: If Everyone Cared by Nickelback

Crochet update!!

2008-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

I started another Star! This one is in pink though since we found out the baby is a girl! I will finish the other Star for a friend who is having a boy in May.

See I am crocheting a bit!! I am still editing pictures more then crocheting but I am trying to balance them both out! Plus with my first Grandchild on the way, I must start making tons of things for her!! I am going to have to learn sweaters! I better finish this blanket fast!

That's my update for now, as soon as I have any new stuff I will be back again!! ^.^

Listening to: Man In A Box by Alice In Chains

I'm back!

2008-01-17T15:14:00.000-08:00

I have not been crocheting that much. I have unfortunately taken up another hobby that is taking up the majority of my time. I am taking a lot more pictures and editing them in Corel Paint Shop Pro and having a great time with it!

Anyway back to the crocheting. I have been working sparingly on my baby star blanket and am up to round 19
That's it, that's all I have for now! Be back soon!

Listening to: Now or Never by Three Days Grace

Still Alive and Kicking!

2007-12-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

I'm still around...I just made a move back to Southern California though, so I haven't updated yet! Bear with me...I'll have pictures up soon!

Listening to: Mixed Bizness by Beck

A week later...

2007-12-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

Here we are yet another week has passed by...I added more to the ripple and to the Baby Star, got a new tattoo and got a picture of my first grandchild! Dang! I don't have a picture of the ripple but everything else is a go!

First here is round 14 of the Baby Star that I am making for my first grandchild! Now as it develops it looks very blue and that was not my intention...it was supposed to be neutral. If the baby is a boy then it's fine but a girl I will have add a pink border!

Next up is the picture of my first grandchild whose father is my first born... I will be a Grandma in June of 2008!

Ok and last but certainly not least is my new tattoo...I have wanted a new tattoo for a couple of years now and finally went and got it done on Monday.
This picture is right after he finished and cleaned it. I am quite happy with it!
Ok enough news for today...I'm sure there will be more soon!

Listening to: Famous Monsters by Saliva

Star update

2007-11-25T12:08:00.000-08:00

I am up to round 12 on my Baby Star! It's nice to work on in the evenings, not that it keeps me warm but it's very easy to work on while watching tv.

I did 9 rounds in the multi and then 3 rounds in white. I am going back to multi again for I don't know how many rounds yet, it's random at this moment. Just what ever looks good I guess.

Now on to my ripple! Row 88 is done and it is huge now. I believe that leaves 16 more rows to go!
That is Katlyn's hamster in the middle of it...my Daughter said she needed her picture taken! I will add the next color today...it's cold and it's a football day so it works out nicely!
Ok my mind is a blank right now, so this is all I got to write, sorry, I have issues!

Listening to: Every Rose Has It's Thorn by Poison

Sunday crocheting

2007-11-18T17:32:00.000-08:00

I have gotten my baby star to resemble a star!
It's coming along nicely and fairly simple to do while watching TV so that is nice. I don't know how many more rounds I'll put on in the Multi before changing to White...I'm kind of playing it by ear with the whole color scheme. Just doing what tickles my fancy!
I am going to work on my ripple tonight and then take new pictures of that becasue I haven't had any updates on that in a long time!
Tomorrows my day off and I will be running errands and getting the house ready for Thanksgiving. I'm not going anywhere this year so I invited everyone over! I don't have to make the turkey, just everything else...I can't wait! I usually go to my Sister's house and just help out there (though I will miss that like crazy!!!) This is the first Thanksgiving in about 7 years that I've done. It should be fun...I have plenty of beer if things go wrong though!
Ok that's it for now, I'm off to work on my ripple!

Listening to: Silver, Blue and Gold by Bad Company

I see stars...

2007-11-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

Ok I've started my next blanket. I've gotten a few rounds done anyway, which at the beginning of this blanket doesn't take too much! Anyway I'm using Red Heart Soft Baby in Powder Blue Twinkle.

Just different angles of the same thing. It really does look like a star now! That was taken last night. I've gotten a couple more rounds done that I will photographer tomorrow. I'm sleepy now and don't feel like pulling out the camera and then taking the right picture and then uploading it and well you get the idea!

Haven't pulled out the ripple yet but it's coming out tomorrow to get some much needed fresh air!

I'll leave you with a picture that I took on my way home from work today! AAAHHH! Great day to be alive!

Listening to: The Sha La La Song by Toby Keith

Finished!!!

2007-11-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

Finally done with Katlyn's blanket. Yay~ I can now finish my ripple! Plus I am a starting a baby blanket using Beth's Little Star pattern with Red Hearts Soft Baby in a print multi and white. I think that I will finish up my Baby Snow Dragon that I am currently stalled on and get the multi colored one done and give them to my Niece and Nephew for Christmas be cause with it being November 12th already (I started typing last night), there is no way I will ever get their blankets done by Christmas! I have had a bad crocheting year! I had SOOOO many more projects done this time last year. I also had many projects lined up for this year! I just don't seem to have a desire to get anything done! I was very excited for my ripple and now that is sitting in it's bag a little over half done and neglected! Ok well that I blame on myself for not getting Katlyn's done in a timely manner in the first place so I did banish it to it's bag until Katlyn's was finished but there really is no good reason that Katlyn's took so long in the first place! Well now that I have rambled a lovely rant over my lack of enthusiasm for crocheting right now, I will give you some pictures!
I added a slight shell border just to girly it up a bit more then the boys ones that I had done previously. And honestly to say it is done 100% is a bit of a stretch because I ran out of yarn will 4 inches to go on the border! FOUR INCHES!!! I have to go and buy a skein of Grey Heather Simply Soft for 4 inches! I searched all of my yarn stashes last night thinking that I had put aside the bits leftover for each square but NOOOO. Ok that's the whole truth now! When I am done with this post I am off to the shower and then off to Joann's to get the blasted yarn and finish this off! Anywooo... This is the pile of yarns that was left after the weaving and snipping! That is a lot of weaving and snipping I tell you!
That's the end of my tale for the time being! I wll get pictures of the starting of the Star (which I don't really need until June, but am VERY excited about) and hopefully make some progress on the ripple as it is very cold here lately and having the ripple on my lap will keep me toasty!

Tata!!

Listening to: You Make Me Smile by Blue October

need a different life

2007-11-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

I have pictures to prove that I have been working on Katlyn's blanket. All of the squares are put together and now I am weaving the never ending ends before putting the border around it! Yay! I have gotten one panel of ends done but I still have a long way to go!!! I will be working on it this evening while watching tv.
Here it is! Look at all those ends. It is nice and warm so working on it is not a problem but the last week or 2 has been crazy busy with birthdays and Halloween and such! I really need to get my act together and get some stuff done!
Here are some cute Halloween pictures of our trick or treating adventures. Work! We know how to have fun!

Brandon.
Katlyn!
See, these are the reasons I haven't been blogging!

Listening to: There's Only One Way To Rock by Sammy Hagar

Back in Action

2007-10-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

I've made progress!!! I finally got Katlyn's 20th square done for her 20 Square Blanket, now to put it together! Oh and weave all the ends in, but at least it's good to go.
Here is the last square done and my empty yarn container!! Yay!!
Here's the start of the blanket. Here we have the making of an actual blanket! I am so excited to get this done! I can get back to finishing my ripple and knock out some Christmas gifts! I haven't been doing anything else except this blanket so there's really nothing else to update. I haven't even been playing on Ravelry or checking my email, that's going to be bad because the 2 groups I belong to generate a lot of email and it tends to take awhile to get through them all.
Ok well enough of that. I best get to stitchin' & bitchin' at this blanket! My Daughter's birthday is Saturday and I have to get it done. Plus get the cake and the party stuff, good thing tomorrows Friday! Be back soon!

Listening to: Hold You, Kiss You, Love You by Toby Keith

bad blogging girl...

2007-10-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

Dang it's been a few days, ok 6 days, but here I am. I am on #18 of Katlyn's blanket! So close. It will be the only thing I work on until it is finally done. I really want to get my ripple done but that will have to wait. Here's #18 in progress I am at work on my break in the picture. It's on round 5 of the grey right now.

I am finished reading my last book until after Christmas. I can not read and crochet at the same time. That's square #17 on the mail and my book hanging out last night.

Here are the fingerless gloves in the works. I am using my Baby Alpaca yarn and it is super soft. I love the colors of this as well. I can't wait to wear them.

Ok that is my official update for now. I will hopefully have a better update next time.

Listening to: Bleed It Out by Linkin Park

I'm back....

2007-10-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've been back but haven't posted. I have been catching up on reading emails and blogs and unpacking and laundry. I haven't crocheted anything since Monday on the train ride back and even that was short lived as my Sister gave me a book to read and once I start reading, well that's it, I'm hooked until I'm done with the book. I just finished it tonight while making dinner. Now on with crocheting again. Oh wait, she gave me the second book too...oh well at least the books are fast reads! Anyway the book (s) are so called "chick-lit". I personally don't care for that term BUT...I just finished "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin. I enjoyed it, I love a quick light read that I can lose myself in. Next up is "Something Blue" by the same author. Hopefully I can get so crocheting done in between all of that! I will get Katlyn's blanket done BEFORE her birthday on the 27th! Oh no!!! I just remembered that I have 3 squares to send out and I'm late with them! CRUD!!!!!
Here I am snapped by my Daughter, working on wrist warmers/fingerless gloves made with my lovely Baby Alpaca yarn that I bought for my birthday. See I did a little crochet. Of course this was on the way down before I got the books! oopsie!
That's about it. I will be taking yarn pictures tomorrow hopefully if the sun comes out! I really need to get some more stuff going on as the boredom around here is getting bad!!!

blogging on vacation

2007-10-07T22:45:00.000-07:00

Well I've been gone from home for a couple of days. I brought yarn with me for the train ride and yet didn't really get all that much done. I am still at my Sisters house, we are heading back to Nor-Cal in the morning. Back on the train at 6am. The trip down was nice. We had a table on the train and that was nice for the kids and great for spreading out. We put our snacks and drinks out and had plenty of space. I hope the trip back up is equally as pleasant.
My Aunt flew in from Tennessee and surprised everyone, so that was an added bonus! My Neice and Nephew were very surprised to see us and very happy that we were able to come done. I am hoping that I can get at least one more of Katlyn's squares done on the trip back. I finished up the one I was working on so I am down to 3 left! YAY!!

Got to go and finish packing. I have lots of pictures to upload when I get home!!

Wednesdays crazy!!

2007-10-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok I have some pictures to post. First one will be the hat I just made for a friend at work. His favorite hockey team is the San Jose Sharks, so I made his hat black & turquoise.
and here is my Daughter modeling it.

I gathered yarn for the trip and will be making a scarf for my cousin using these
I will also be bringing the last 4 squares for Katlyn's blanket to finish up and some yarn for a hat or 2 as requested by my coworkers and my alpaca for some wrist warmers and a matching hat for myself. Sounds like a lot BUT it is and 10 hours trip and I would rather have too many projects then not enough! Whew, now off to pack all of this stuff into my rolling yarn tote, hopefully it will all squish down in there and still have room for the puzzle books and pencils that my daughter is taking for us as well!

Tuesday's gone

2007-10-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

It's the end of the day and I got nothing done today. Ok I got stuff done just not any crocheting. I went to work, went to the bank, went and bought headphones for my ipod and made a list. I am taking a train trip down to Southern California on Friday with 1 of my sons and my daughter. We leave at 6 am and I will need a bit (or a lot) of crocheting to take and my ipod and my camera and batteries and some entertainment for the kids. Not to mention the clothes and baggage that also needs to go. Anyway that was my update for today. I'll try to be better tomorrow with some better information!

Going Pink

2007-10-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

I've gone Pink for the month. I went on over to Shade Tree Crochet today and Tracie has gone pink! I love the idea and checked out Pink for October and signed up.

New toy

2007-09-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have another picture of my camera front back

I am having fun with it. I was going to buy a case for it, but hey I'm handy with a hook & yarn...I will make one.

Now an update of my ripple. I am on row 86 right now! It is snuggly and warm and I can't wait for it to be finished to use it!

I'll leave off with a random picture taken with my new camera

That's it for now!

Later Sunday...

2007-09-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

I went out and bought a new camera while waiting for the Bears game... Yay me! I have been wanting one for awhile now and while I still want the Nikon D40, I can not afford the $600 to get it just yet. This one is great and it's pink. I will be playing with it tomorrow in the daylight hours and can't wait to see how the pictures come out. This picture is a bit blurry, but that's my fault, not my new cameras!
Here's how I was spending this afternoon/evening Blanket on my laps and football on the TV! Never mind that the Bears lost. grrrrr.....
Here's my ripple up close and personal. I don;t like flash shots, but it was evening time and that's all I could get. More pictures tomorrow!

Sunday Football

2007-09-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

Finally a game I really want to watch on TV! The Bears are playing the Cowboys this afternoon! I am going to get my things gathered early so I can just settle in on the sofa for an afternoon of football. I stated on the green section of my ripple and will try to get an updated picture up sometime today. I also have to get a beanie done for a friend at work and scarves out for my Cousin Sara. I might just work on those smaller projects while watching football today. I set a goal that when I get back to the Camo yarn on the ripple that I would start my Nephews ripple of Camo & black and the ripple is next after the green that I am on right now so....that is going to mean a whole new blanket started! I really have to plan this out better, I did the same thing last year for Christmas. I just don't plan enough time to get everything done. Pk I best get off of the computer and get some going around here. I'll grab the camera first.

Listening to: Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen

5150

2007-09-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

What a day! Super busy at work and now I'm home facing a sink full of dishes, dinner preparation and 2 squealing girls for the next 2 days! UGH!
I hopefully can get some things done during all of this though as my Mother's birthday is next week and my Daughters 20 square blanket is still in need of 6 squares and my ripple is over half way complete. The ripple is a joy to do right now being that it is getting down right cold at night lately, so having it on my lap is quite cozy! I haven't taken any pictures yet, but it's coming along good. Just a quick post for now as the dishes are calling and the kids are wanting food!

New Stuff!

2007-09-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

I got 2 new books this week and received some new exchange squares! Yay! Here are the books I got: Amigurumi by Elisabeth Doherty. I've loved her stuff for a while now and am very excited to make her patterns! This is her website if you want to check out her other stuff. I also got this one: at Joann with my 40% off coupon. Nothing too fabulous, but oh well. That's what I get for an impulse buy!
Here are the squares I've received over the last couple of weeks from my exchange partners.
I am now up to 14 completed squares for Katlyn's blanket! Only 6 more to go!
I have gotten to lavender again on my ripple bringing me up to row 77.

Ok I think I've gotten all of the updates done for now. We'll see what happens over the next few days.

Listening to: Rocket by Def Leppard

Hello

2007-09-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Here I am again. I've been sick and working and just haven't had any time to update.

I got more yarn dyed this is called Funny Valentine. I used Tropical Punch and Pink Lemonade kool-aid for this colorway. My Daughter loves it. It will be added to her Babette Blanket.

I have worked on her 20 square blanket and only have 7 more squares to go until all of the squares are done. She will be quite happy.

I have some more rows done on my ripple. My daughter is holding it up for me, row 71 is underway. Now this shot shows all of the ends that I have to weave in ugh...I've tried to get some done, I think I have about 6 rows done. It is going to be quite an undertaking! I am starting to worry about the yarns that I will run out of and unable to replace, what am I going to do? Wing it I guess!

That's about it for now, I have to make some scarves for my Cousin and still get the Christmas stuff started, good thing it's Football season again!!! That means more TV time so I can get a lot of crocheting done!

Got to go a crochet!

Listening to: Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders

woo-hoo

2007-09-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have stuff done! Just a bit, but still at least something. I seem to be working on the same stuff all of the time and seriously, who wants to read a blog that says the same thing over and over.

I did not get all my yarn dyed that I wanted to as they called me into work on Monday and that meant no days off until today. I did get one skein done though. I used grape and lemon-lime. I love the green of the lime, the purple is a bit darker then I was shooting for, but I'll use it anyway. Maybe darker isn't the adjective I am looking for, maybe more flat, the purple doesn't pop as much as I would have liked it too with the green. I think I'll call it "Limeplosion" I'm off again for 2 days so I'm hoping to get the other 3 skeins done. Actually I will set up one as soon as I'm done posting this.

I have been working on my ripple and am up to Row 67. Got to stand back pretty far to get it all in the same shot! Here's the last few rows I've done. From the last update (row 60) I added the Brown and then started the repeat, well actually the reverse repeat. I ran out of the pink Dazzelaire that I had so I found a rose in Wool Ease, not perfect but since this is a "scrap" afghan anyway it will have to do! I will be improvising on a couple of other colors as well. That was really the idea behind this, using up what I had on hand and I think I've done a fair job of that. Haven't really made much of a dent but haven't purchased any more yarn since the Choco Cherry either. I am on a strict yarn diet until I get some stuff finished up. So unless it's Christmas gift related, no yarn buying!!!

Ok one more thing that I did was a gift for a friend at work. It was her Birthday on Friday and I wanted to make her something and this is what I came up with I made her a cupcake with sprinkles! I made the pattern up my self as you can probably tell because it is a bit wonky but I couldn't find a pattern that wasn't complicated. Sounds silly, how complicated can a cupcake be, but with all the kids running around and trying to get dinner, dishes and laundry done I just simply didn't have time to sit a read the patterns that I could find, so I just made it up as I went. I ripped it out a couple of times, but whatever! She liked it and that's what I was going for anyway. I used the white shell edge to cover the seam only because I ran out of the Dazzelaire (pink) that I had left from my ripple and figured white would be more frosting like anyway and then I sewed the seed beads to the top for the sprinkles.

All right then I think that about covers everything now! Got to get to dying some yarn!

Listening to: Talk Dirty To Me by Poison

I love days off!

2007-08-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

I can get things done! I finished an exchange square and cleaned the fish tanks and colored my hair and made breakfast for my Daughter and her friends that slept over and were up until the wee hours giggling and being silly!

Ok on with the pictures!
I did this using the Choco-Cherry that I had left from my ripple and a scrap of pink and a lovely dark Brown (Caron 1 pounder) I like the colors in this and my daughter really wants me to do and whole blanket in these colors. I guess that will be added to my long list of projects!
Here's a side view for the 3D effect.
I bought some Kool-Aid to dye some more yarn, so hopefully I will be able to do that tomorrow since the kids are in school and it's my day off again! Yay me!! I have some colorway ideas and then I can use the yarn for my Daughters Babette Blanket since that will be done in natural fibers. Can't wait, I love dying yarn, and posted the process before in here. It's always fun!
I'm making dinner right now so I've run out of time. I will update ripple progress with pictures tomorrow and hopefully my new colorways!

It's sooo easy....

2007-08-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

To let the time slip on by without even realizing where it goes! A week has gone by and I have not an entry done during that time! Ok I have been working on my ripple. I did the Choco-Cherry rows and then added a dark brown (Carons pounder). I finished those 2 rows last night and then realized that I had no more variegated that would go next. My Daughter then suggested that I just reverse the whole process and well now that is exactly what I am doing! I have started the Choco-Cherry rows again which brings me up to 63 rows! So I think with the exception of 2 of the colors I will have enough stash left to do just that! Stash busting has been fun with this. I will have to do another stash buster after all Christmas gifts are done! I have Samantha's daisy planned out and will have plenty of time to get that done, Riley's ripple will be close and Brandon's graph-ghan is going to be my biggest challenge!!!

I don't have any yarn pictures because I have switched to working days instead of swings and the kids have all started back to school and i haven't got a routine settled in yet and by the time I get home and start dinner the sun has faded and I haven't taken a photo!

Here's a picture of my Niece her 16th birthday party this past weekend!
And here's my Son Brandon...what can I say, he's the life of any party!
I'll try and get my yarn pictures up!

Listening to: Sponge-Bob on the TV

Ripples and fish

2007-08-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

I have pictures today! I am now on Row 60 of Ripple #2 and I am so loving the colors! The last color added is TLC Essentials in Choco Cherry, I love this colorway! I will definitely be using it again for a project! Then right before that is Dazzelaire in the Rose color, no label for that so I am not sure of the exact color name, and then before that is the Strata in Passion. Those are the last 3 colors I have added. I am trying very hard to use up stash yarn but then I find some fabulous color at the store and I have to add it to this ripple! Anyway that's the story behind the last 3 rows, I am trying to locate the information on the other colors used and will update those as well. Since joining ravelry I have a place for better record keeping. Here's another shot of the ripple
It is getting really hard to get in photo of the whole thing!
Here's is another project that I am working on
I redid the fish tank this weekend! It is now home to 22 fish with more to come!
Here's one of the Angels (in the glass) and here's the 6 Cherry Barbs, fish are very hard to photograph!!! That's it for now, I'm off to run some errands and stash dive to find next next colors for the ripple!

Listening to: Sermon by Drowning Pool

Quickly

2007-08-10T09:27:00.001-07:00

I have been working on my ripple but didn't take a picture of the progress yet...oops

I also came up with this idea while working yesterday to make a Daisy in Black, so as soon as I got home that is precisely what I did!
I love it! I have no plans for it, I just wanted to see how it would look! I also got my invite to ravelry in my email this morning! I was quite excited because I had heard people have been waiting for a while and it sure looks like a great community! So now that will be another thing for me to work on!
That's it for now, I have to go into work early today and then 3 days off!

Happy Day

2007-08-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have got pictures...I have gotten stuff done and photographed!!! Yay me!

I finally got to row 54 on ripple #2! I am very happy to be able to say that because it has been stalled for so long. I got a new color to add to it as well.
I will be using Red Heart Strata in Passion, which has pinks, reds and a bit of black. Can't wait to see how it looks. I think that way I can go to a red after and then incorporate the other colors I haven't used.
Now on to square info, the pink square on the left is Sam's new square. I changed it from the first one I made I used the orange for the middle of the flower and then used green in the background to make the flower stand out better. I like it a lot better, now I just need to get 27 more done!

OK, there's today's update. I hope to get some more work done on the ripple so I can put new pictures up!

Listening to: It's Been Awhile by Staind

Quick Thursday!

2007-08-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't done too much this week! I'm slacking around here. I took pictures of Katlyn's stack and laid them out as well. I need to finish SOMETHING!!! Miss Katlyn now wants a Babette Blanket too....aaaaccckkkk. Running out of time for everything. Anyway, here's the pictures for today.
Stacked and waiting....

Laid out and looking more blankety!
Peace!!!

Monday, Monday

2007-07-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

I am now half way done with Katlyn's 20 square blanket, I got all 3 exchange squares done, an am working on a solid row of my ripple! Yeah for me! I don't have any pictures right now because both cameras need batteries. My Daughter has been taking a lot of pictures!!! So today I am cleaning and going through the WIPS I have around the house and figuring which is next on the list to finish up so I can get going on Christmas stuff! Nothing too exciting to report but I hate going too long without a post! I'll come back later and update the day!

this is a new square that I will be using for Sam's blanket. I like the green background and I used the same orange for the middle as I will be using for the solid squares.

Whew...an update of sorts!

2007-07-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

Finally, something done! I have gotten back to Row 48 again on my ripple. Not as much fun the second time around I tell you! I didn't have the same enthusiasm for each row this time and with the new Harry Potter book in the middle of it all, well it took me quite a bit of time to get back to where I was before. I have also been working on exchange squares for my Crochet Partners group, they are getting Daisy squares! Here's a partial square
It still needs a couple of rounds to get it to 7 inches, but it will continue in the same color (which is has lovelier shade of purples then the picture shows!)
I have no other pictures but will get some more up soon!

Edit: The colorway is unknown to me at this time as the skein was one from my stash and I don't believe the wrapper was with it. I am still trying to find out though, possibly Red Heart Grape Ivy, of course a discontinued colorway.

Listening to: Vogue by Madonna

Monday today!

2007-07-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well I'm not done with my book yet. So that means not as much crocheting. I have gotten a bit done on my ripple but still not quite back to where I was before the frogging incident! It's so frustrating that I lost all of that time and energy simply because I didn't count....grrrrr. I have housecleaning to do today because not only have I neglected my hooks, I have also not done too much in the way of housework! I will make the time today to crochet so I can get back to where I was and then I can get some pictures posted, because I do not like having a picture less post!

Ok I have now finished my book! Only it's 100 degrees outside and I can't have a giant blanket on my lap at this moment!!! I guess when the sun goes down a bit then I will be able to get some work done on it...We'll see what happens!
Wish me luck!!

Listening to: My son talking to me!

Harry Potter Break!

2007-07-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm off reading this weekend...will be back on Monday!

Froggin' along...

2007-07-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

I have taken a giant step backward! I had to rip out 6 rows of my ripple! :( I was happily crocheted along and then realized that I had 12 stitches instead of 11, ok...so I look at the previous chevron and CRAP there's 10 and 12 there too instead of 11 and 11...grrr. I stop and check which row I had made an error in and it's down in row 44. I tried oh so hard to ignore it and just make some adjustments to get it back in order BUT knowing that it was there prevented any progress at all! So on with the ripping!!! I am now back to the beginning of row 45, so no pictures, no progress, no nothing!!!

Wait I did get my Daughter to do a teeny, tiny bit of crocheting That's it though, she gives up after a short time and gets mad because it's not coming out correctly. I told her she needs to have patience and count her stitches but she just says forget it! How does one become interested in a hobby???
I done back to the ripple and try to get back to where I was before!

Listening to: Some Like it Hot by Power Station

Purple People Eater

2007-07-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a tote yesterday in which to put my ever growing ripple and found this I started a purple variegated and white blanket for my Mom some 15 years ago. I frogged it a couple of times, as I didn't like the pattern I was using or something like that. I figured one giant granny would be simple enough...hate this blanket, I always have and I think that's why I can't complete it! I don't even know why I hate it so much, I think it's the colors. Anyway it was in a tote bag that I am now using for above mentioned ripple! I think that I will finish off the yarn that I have with this blanket and send it off as a snuggly. It's good size, so it will work for her when she's watching TV in the evenings. That's the story of Mom Big Purple Monster!

On with the rippling! Of course right now I am in the middle of a purple crisis with this as well! I actually had to go and buy a skein of yarn yesterday because I have nothing to match the variegated that I am currently using and naturally the color I had to buy was yet another purple! That makes 3 solid purples. I'm afraid I could be stuck after that because I don't think I have another variegated purple and even if I do what am I going to use to get out of the purple rut?
Here we are in the tote and with the purples! I guess we will see what happens next or if I am truly stuck in a rut! Here is the big picture of of the ripple! Row 48 completed!
I'm off to stash dive and see what I can come up with!

Listening to: Come Out And Play by The Offspring

Order of The Ripple

2007-07-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Well I went to the movies this morning and saw Harry Potter! Can't wait until next weekend for the new book. I took the whole weekend off to read it. Geek...yeah, but I love Harry!

Anyway I have been working on my ripple #2 and am up to row 45. I started a color the other day for row 42 but hated it and had to go back to me stash and figure out some new color scheme! It's getting a bit tougher to get the colors to flow together without looking too garish! Here is the picture of row 45 It's getting harder to photograph as well! I really am liking the purples and the variegated between them. It's Monet by Red Heart. I've used it on exchange squares and really like the colors in it and how they are so tranquil.
Ok that's it for me so far today! I did get another square done for Katlyn's blanket done as well. I am really going to have to hunker down and get it done so I can start on my Christmas gifts!

Listening to: the dryer!

Here we are...

2007-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Ok got the test squares done for my Niece. We went to Wal-Mart on Sunday and got Simply Soft Brites in Mango to go with the Watermelon. My Daughter really likes the orange and pink together so I guess that's which way we're headed! I haven't decided how to put them together yet, I was thinking of outlining them in dark brown but my Daughter said "ewww" so we'll do some experimenting and see what looks best!
Pictures not good, sorry, the batteries died and I have to go get more!
On with the ripples! I am at row 39, color 20. I am really loving the way it is turning out. So far no color repeats and have only purchased 3 skeins for it and I really didn't need those, just liked the variegateds!
Not getting done very quickly, but it's not really being made for anyone in particular so I'm in no rush. I do like working on it though, I am just easily distracted by other thoughts and projects. AND my Daughter and I discovered that there are 95 Snoopy statues around the city here in Santa Rosa so on my days off we went around taking pictures of them. I think we are up to 34!
That's it for now, I am going to try to finish row 39 and 40 before work!

Listening to: Come A Little Bit Closer by Jay and The Americans

A day off

2007-07-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well we are back to Sunday again. I've worked on both ripples and Katlyn's squares and have designed a blanket for my Nieces Christmas gift! I will be making her a blanket using the Daisy squares and intermingling those with solid squares, done in pinks. The colors are not final yet, as I have one idea and my Daughter has her own idea to the color scheme! I am going to do a couple of test squares and see which colors work best together for an 8 year old and Little Miss Katlyn will also have a choice as well. I am also going to make a ripple for my Nephews Christmas gift. His is going to be Camo and Black. Very boy and he will love it! He's 5 and really loves anything I make him anyway! I also have Brandon's Confederate Flag graph ghan to do for Christmas as well! Looks like I'm in for a busy few months! Ok well now there's my list of to dos and here's the pictures of the dones!

Here is row 36 done:

Here's a daisy with the first test color.

I think I will try it with light pink solids and with a green solid! I'm going to go to the yarn store today and see what other Simply Soft Brites as well. I was also thinking orange! I'll post the differences.

That's it, I'm off to go buy milk for my son so he can have cereal!

The Day After

2007-07-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

July 4th is over and I have a major sunburn to prove it! We went out to the beach for a couple of hours yesterday to have a bbq with camping relatives and while I was taking pictures and just hanging about, I stupidly forgot to sunblock myself! My children covered but me NOOOO! After 45 years you would think I would know better! Anywooo

I did get some yarn time in as I wasn't doing the driving. I took the ball of Noro that I made a square with the other day and this is what I ended up with this is the Noro Kureyon in #156 I got most of the way through another square but ran out with half of the last round to go!

I also did these this is my new Noro in color #214. Now after working these up and realizing that I can only get 5 squares from each ball I am rethinking the whole blanket of Noro squares! It will cost me a fortune if I do the whole thing in Noro. I haven't decided quite yet what I will do, but I do love the Noro and how the colors evolve with each round! I could just make this a long term project and pick up balls of Noro when I can or I could mix the squares with other non acrylic yarns that I have!

Anyway that about sums me up for now. Didn't get in any work on my ripples because they just don't travel as well as squares! Will work on ripples today! I now have to go to work with a sunburn and suffer through that!

Listening to: Count On Me by Jefferson Starship

Happy Birthday to me!

2007-07-03T10:43:00.001-07:00

Ok I went shopping. I didn't go too crazy, I only ended up getting 4 things of yarn. Not too bad considering how much yarn my LYS has! Here's the pictures of today's presents to myself!

This is Noro Kureyon color #166

This is Noro Kureyon color #214
I can't wait to see how the squares come out with these!
I also got these super soft yarns!
Misti Alpaca in Spring Touch
Misti Alpaca in Garden Glance
These will be used for a new ripple I think! I haven't quite decided, but it was so lovely that I couldn't pass it up!
That's it for today! I'm off to play with yarn!

Listening to: A Little Too Late by Toby Keith

One more day...

2007-07-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well it's here, my 45th birthday is tomorrow. uugghh! I think I will just curl up with my yarn and forget the rest of the day! Maybe I'll go yarn shopping...hmmm, I like that idea, yarn therapy!
I have a new square Someone posted their squares made with a ball of Noro Kureyon over at the Granny Along and I couldn't believe how wonderful they came out and since I've had these 2 balls of Noro for over a year just waiting for something to be done with them, I grabbed one and made a square. I love the color variations and can not believe I never thought of a square before! I was so sure I was going to use it for felting that I guess I just stayed in that direction. I can't wait to see how the other squares come out. Seriously, the Granny Along blog does not help my crochet ADD at all! First the Easy Daisy Square and now Noro squares! Too. Many. Ideas. Here's my ball before the first square: The colors of the squares are going to be so fun. I think maybe this will be the yarn I buy.
I have a progress photo of Ripple #2 Row 31. I have to now figure out what color will be next as this my last "planned" color. Stash diving today!
That's it, I'm off to do some errands and stash dive!

Listening to: Get Stoned by Hinder

Therapy Thursday

2007-06-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Not really too much therapy going on, except for crocheting! I sent off my exchange squares one of them being this guy I saw this over at the Granny Along and loved it. The pattern is over there in the comments. Super easy to make and perfect for my square exchange.

My Ripple has been coming along, not too fast but I'm making a little progress Row 26

I have also taken pictures of the exchange squares I have received so far.

I think that I will put them together with black when I have enough of them.

I have a new love for Flickr. I am finding the most wonderful pictures there and just fascinated with all of the shots. I have taken some of my pictures and am playing with them in Photoshop as well and finding that could be a new hobby as well, just what I need. I do believe I can combine my love of yarn and my love of photography somehow though!

That ends Therapy Thursday for today, thanks for playing!

Listening to: I Need To Know by Tom Petty

Sunday morning

2007-06-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well here I am to update again..man you would think I could do better at this updating thing! I just got a new phone and have been playing with that trying to figure out all of it's features and I seem to work A LOT!
Ok, have pictures! First up is the progress shot:
this is row 21, color 11. This is going to be a very large project! Everyone is in love with it as well, so there will be a battle as to who will be getting it!!
Here we have my fish Krull the Warrior King. This is his first Internet appearance, I hope it doesn't go to his head!
I did get another of Katlyn's squares done and I am now on number 9. I also am working on some fancier squares for my granny exchange over at Crochet Partners. I have a bunch of squares that I have already received as well that I need to take pictures of and post them for everyone to enjoy! I love getting squares from all over.
That's it for today! I'm out and off to the market so I can feed this large household!
Listening to: Crazy On You by Heart

How is it Wednesday again?

2007-06-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where the time goes anymore! I have been working on 3 different projects and that means there's not a lot of progress on any on but at least they are all getting worked on. Here are some shots of each project!
Ripple #2 row 15! I've changed the color of this row twice now, even after semi planning the first 10 colors. I didn't like the green/purple variegated that I had picked out, the green didn't have enough blue tone to it and it didn't really look right. I went to my stash and found this darker variegated and hopefully it will balance out. I need to match a solid to it now!
Here's ripple #1, almost to the 3rd repeat. It's not going to be very big even when I get more yarn for it. I believe the yarn that came in the kit was intended for 4 repeats and that really doesn't make it very big. We'll see how it ends up after the the 3rd row of the bulky green variegated, that will tell me how mush more yarn I will need and how big it will actually be.
Last but not least is Katlyn's stack of squares! They are grower, slow and steady! I actually have number 8 almost done. I work on these while on breaks at work and when I'm in the car (not the driver) and much to my children's dismay, when I am standing in any line (like waiting to enroll 2 of them in summer school) for more then 5 minutes. They are very portable and I keep the container in my car at all times!
So that's my update for today, I am working on my exchange squares as well in between all of these projects and getting everything ready for the fair!
Peace!

Listening to: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) by Billy Joel

TGIF

2007-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Well here we are at the end of the week. I don't believe that I will be getting my first ripple done in time for the fair, oh well I should have thought of it sooner. I do have my animals to enter though so they will at least get a shot and I will have to work the blanket for next year. Denise's pig will be there and maybe Momo I just need to fix his eyes. I might enter some of my scarves as well because I believe there is a category for that.

Anyway I have made progress on my variegated ripple, it is quite exciting to work on because each color is only two rows so you are always working with a new color yarn. The problem that I am having is that right now the weather has turned very warm and the blanket is pretty good size (width wise anyway) and the more colors I add equal a lot more blanket to work with! It's going to be difficult soon! I will be going back to making a lot of some projects for the summer months! Here's the picture I love the colors so far!

My Daughter lets me know her opinion as well, she's not loving the latest add on, but I told here to wait and see if it works with the next color and if not I'll redo it.

that's it for me I'm off to work!

ooops!

2007-06-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well I have no will power! I went ahead and started a new ripple right in the middle of trying to finish the first one! I just couldn't resist that fabulous Banana Berry colorway! DRATS...Anyway I did work on number 1 as well, so I am making progress. I started the variegated with 250 beginning chains so it's a good size and will become a monster to work with as it gets hotter outside, so it will definitely not be my summer time project. I went through my stash yesterday and matched up variegateds and solids and think that I have a pattern. I'll post as I go. I am using my new book "200 Ripple Stitches" and am using number 28 or 29 or 30 (they are all the same stitch just different color variations and names), pretty basic with nice deep V's.
I so love the colors!
I have also gotten another square done for Katlyn's blanket! I will be working on my first ripple this evening so I will be that much closer to knowing if I will have enough yarn to complete it in time for the fair or not. I will have to order more yarn if not but I don't know if that will give me enough time... Knitpicks is having a fabulous sale this week and I am ordering stuff already, why because it's on sale and with the ripple I'm doing I will be using up quite a bit of yarn and really why am I justifying???
Ok I'm off to crochet now..there just doesn't seem to be enough time in a day to get everything done that I want to!

Listening to: Big Dog Daddy by Toby Keith

Happy Monday!

2007-06-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Well here I am again. I got another of Katlyn's squares done, I'm now up to 6 (and a half). I bought some yarn, we made cupcakes and I got a bunch more rows done on my ripple. Oh yeah and I bought a new book!

Here's the yarn I LOVE the colors in the variegated! It's called Banana Berry and got the Spring Green to go with it. I have doodled up a color scheme for a new ripple...it will be rows of variegated yarns (all different) with a solid in between each couple of rows. I haven't decided if the solid will be just one color through out of matching up to each variegated row though! I have numerous skeins, both used and new, of variegated so I thought this would make a great stash buster blanket! I really can't wait to start it!

Now on with the book, I got it at Joann's with my 40% coupon yesterday. After going through it I believe that I have been doing the Soft Waves pattern for my in progress ripple this whole time! All the writing and swatching was for naught! The pattern I am doing looks exactly the same! How does one come up with and new pattern if there are so many out there already??? Anyway back to the book, it has beautiful pictures but I don't know about 200 patterns...I think it should be called 200 colors variations with a couple of stitch patterns, BUT that's just my opinion!

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday, he passed away in 2000, but we always make a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting every year for his birthday. This year we did cupcakes as I don't know what happened to my cake pans! I don't think he would mind because seriously, what are cupcakes but tiny little cakes anyway! Katlyn cheated by making some with Vanilla frosting!

Here is the progress of my ripple It's looking great and I really love the yarns. There are 100% wools and Alpaca blends and they are all soft and toasty. It's not going to be a huge throw, but it work out for watching TV on a cool night.

I'm off today so I can get some more done on it and see how the yarn usage is going to work out!

That's about all I've got for today, the boys are out and about for awhile and that leaves just me and the girl so I do believe I will take her to lunch! Happy note, Christopher started his first official job today! He's very excited about that! He'll be 18 in a month too! Where oh where did that time go!?!

Listening to: Back In The Saddle by Aerosmith

Short Stack

2007-06-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

I have 5 of Katlyn's 20 squares done. Almost done with number 6 too! I've gotten to the repeat of colors on my ripple and I am concerned about the amount of yarn that they provided in this kit. I know that I changed the pattern, but I am not really using the yarn too much differently. Some of the yarns are definitely going to come up short and that will bad simply for the fact that I am trying to get this completed in time for the fair! Maybe I shot too high this time! We'll see what happens after this repeat and then I'll decide if it will get into the fair or not. If not then I will just be entering smaller items. There's always next year!
here's the short stack!
I have also com to the realization that Christmas is coming fast and I have BIG plans for making everyone's gifts again. Brandon's being the biggest as his is going to be a graph afghan! I best get crackin'
That's all I have on this fabulous Friday morning! I'll get some pictures up over the weekend!

Listening to: I Disappear by Metallica

Cruising

2007-06-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well I have pictures today of my progress of the ripple for the fair and the yarn that I dyed on Sunday. I also got another square done for Katlyn's blanket. When I get this ripple done I am going to only work on getting her blanket done! (Yeah cuz that will happen) I now have other people outside of my kids requesting things from me, hats, blankets, pigs, sharks...how does one crochet a shark?

Anyway here is the yarn that I kool-aid dyed I love the colors! I went Kool-Aid shopping on Monday and neither one of the markets I went to had any Blue, Green or Pink Kool-Aid! I'm going to have to call my Sister in SoCal and have her send it up to me...I know they carry it at the market down there!

Here is my progress shot of the ripple Only a billion more rows to go and then it's off to the fair!

I'm off to do the fun stuff...laundry, dishes, before going to work!

Listening to: Spellbound by Triumph

A new week

2007-06-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have been busy! I love when I actually have time to be creative. I finished the number crunching and swatching and finally sat down to start on my new ripple that I want to have done in time for the Sonoma County Fair! Here's the progress so far:
The only problem with a wavy pattern is that I tend to have more problems with the rows coming out to the same number each time! I don't have that problem with the more pointy ripples! Oh well, it will make this blanket more interesting.
I got another square done for Katlyn's blanket over the weekend to. I take her squares to work and in the car so when I'm waiting for something or on a break at work, I can work on them. They are much more portable then the above mentioned blanket will become.
Last night I decided that I needed a Kool-Aid fix as well. so I dyed some more yarn.
My son thought it would be fun to dye his hair as well.
That didn't work out for him though!
I'll post pictures of the finished skein later on. Let's see what else I can get done today!

Listening to: Rag Doll by Aerosmith

Update for today!

2007-05-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

First off...I have the finished kool-aid yarn to show off.
It came out a bit different then I thought it would , but I really like it. It has a sherbet feel to it. Now to make something with it.
I pulled out all of this: yesterday so that I can make a ripple from it. The original pattern that I started and frogged was one from KnitPicks and while I didn't mind the pattern so much, it was ridiculously TOO much for some of this yarn. The Quarry yarn and the Suri Dream yarns are VERY fuzzy making stitch finding super hard!! I tried to work by feel, but every row was a joke and I had to add and subtract stitches each time. So I will be using it for a simple wavy ripple that I am trying to design as I swatch it. We will see how it ends up! I want to get the whole thing done in time to enter it in the Somona County Fair and I have until June 22nd to get it entered! EEEKKK...I haven't enter before and I'm a bit nervous. I will be entering the pig that I did for a birthday present and see how he does as well.

That's it for today, I've got to get going to work...14 hour day today!

Listening to: How Much I Feel by Amborsia

Happy Tuesday!

2007-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Now you would think with the 4 days off I would have gotten some kind of post up! I was playing with photoshop and trying to get these pictures that I take with these crappy cameras to workout better, but I don't know I think if you have a bad picture to start, there is only so much you can do to it. I foresee a new camera in my future!

Anyway back to information! Not tons of crocheting done but I did get organized a bit, so that helps when I sit down to crochet. I managed to get the sunglasses case done though. I do like the way it came out even though my kids think it is too big!

I used Sugar n Cream yarns in Hot Pink and Lime and lined it with a pink Hawaiian fabric that I have. Now my glasses are safe and secure inside my purse.

I found a LYS this weekend that I did not know existed until Friday when I happened to drive past it and there were beautiful hanks of yarn hanging in the window! They carry fabulous yarns and I can't wait to spend my paychecks there!! Ok, maybe not my whole paycheck, but I do see a huge chunk going to that store!

Since going into the store I was inspired to dye my own yarn again.

This started off as an experiment with the tie dye dyes that I had left over. That didn't work, don't try it! All I ended up doing was turning the yarn a weird pinkish color...so I broke out my trusty Kool-Aid! Always performs I expected. I used Orange, Grape and Cherry. the colors are usually a bit more vibrate but I think the over dying had something to do with that. I think I might make some wrist warmers with it now.

On Sunday we went to Bodega Bay to go Clam digging! Cold and muddy but we had fun!

I think that's it for today!

Sharon, thank you always for your kind words!

Listening to: And Love Said No by H.I.M.

Happy Friday!!!

2007-05-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

Well I got a few things together, not accomplished entirely but I'm coming along! I started a quick project yesterday out of necessity for myself. I lost my sunglasses case and since I LOVE my sunglasses (Mother's Day gift, last year) and since I can't afford to replace them, I figured...what the hay!!! I can so make one out of yarn...anyway here's the picture: (please forgive the quality, I can not seem to find a camera that takes good pictures around here... I need my KODAK!!)
Notice how it is a lovely granny square. I am joining over here...click with caution though, you will spend a lot of time admiring every one's work there! So I felt that I should use a granny for this particular project. I have a pink Hawaiian print that I will line it with and I will post pictures when I am done. Both of the yarn are Sugar n' Cream, the Lime is left over from Christmas potholders! I'm just making up the rounds as I go but so far the center is DC, the next 2 rounds are HDC, the 4th round is SC and then the last pink round (right now) is HDC. Nothing fancy just trying to give it a bit of stability!

Ok Daughter gets out of school early today so I am picking her up and then we are going to lunch and then off to find some fabric so she can start a purse that she wants to make!

Quick update

2007-05-23T10:33:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick update for today! I was too busy fooling around with the colors and header of my blog and now I have run out of time for more then a quick post! This is the progress so far of my first Baby Snow Dragon:

There he is in pieces! I have a few more pieces to throw in the mix and then put him together! I have a 4 day weekend coming up since my car is now in need of major repairs and I will not be able to go down to Southern California and visit my family....grrrrrr. I guess that means I will crochet my days away!!! I am thinking of starting a stash busting ripple and join here to keep me motivated! I also want to make a Star Afghan in red & black for my son, but that will have to be done in secret! That might prove to be hard, but I can just work on it at work & keep it in my car trunk. TOO. MANY. PROJECTS.
Oh well, it keeps me sane!

That's it I'm going to work!

Back again!

2007-05-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have been active...not enough crocheting but at least active! I did get exchange squares done and sent and started on my next set before I am late again! Working a swing shift really seems to mess up my day! It seems like a great thing...I don't have to rush with the kids to get ready and off to work, I get quiet time by myself in the house for a few hours and I can even get dinner ready before work, BUT getting home at 9 at night just has me catching up with the kids and going to bed with no real relax time. Plus on nights when I have my second job, well I get nothing at all done! I really need to schedule crocheting time! Ok enough ranting!

This is how my Mother's Day started out:

I don't recall why I needed to go to Wal-Mart...wait I think one of my boys wanted Hemp & Beads to make a bracelet...that's it. So off I went to Wal-Mart nice and early on Mother's Day to get my son something! I did get a little something for myself while I was there:

I'm going to make wrist warmers with the Red Heart and another Baby Dragon with the Bernet Softee Chunky! My first Baby Dragon is moving along, I had to put him on hold while getting the squares done, but I will pick him up today.

I got a kit to make your own tie-dyed scarf as well and had leftover colors so I was able to do a shirt for my son and a tank top for myself! My Son Brandon is a bit of a hippy and LOVES tie-dyed clothes!
So after Wal-Mart we went back top the house and did a little tie-dying and then packed up and went to the beach and while I won't bore you with a bunch of beach pictures I will give you these:

After the beach it was nap time and pizza for Mom!! Aaaahh Mother's Day!

That's it for now, I do have list of things I want to make and have even ordered and needle felting kit from here. I am going to try making an eyeball as shown on Monster Crochet and attach it to a felted messenger bag that I am trying to design, we'll see how that turns out!

Listening to: Lie To Me by 12 Stones

How not to spend a Friday night!

2007-05-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Well the day started off normal enough. I got the kids off to school and did my regular stuff before going to work, I even gathered belongings to start my new project,
since I had completed the wrist warmers:

I took my project in my yarn tote to work with me and even got the head done while on break!

All is well a good so far...then about 8pm I get a voice mail from my Daughter stating "they are taking Christopher to the hospital" ...don't you LOVE those kind of messages! Anyway I call to see what's going on and apparently during his bike riding stunts, he fell! So I arrive at the emergency room to find this:

Nice right?! (He was quite thrilled to know that I had my little camera in my purse)
Handy little thing to have! Doesn't take the best yarn pictures but it's convenient in my purse!

Anyway after much waiting around, a CAT scan and Xrays, he's fine. Just a lot of road rash! Did not make him all that happy to sit there for 4 hours to find out nothing was wrong, but oh well! I did get to work on my dragon though since it was in my car, so here's the progress on that:

Head done, body 99% done! Now off to the drug store to get some Vitamin E so we do not have scarring!

Listening to: Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier

This little piggy...

2007-05-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

He's done and off living in his new home! She loved him and I am happy! People now want more! I'll have to see about that! Anyway here he is:

I used Bernat Satin to make him and I like it a lot, it's soft and easy to work with. Not everyone thinks he looks like a pig but oh well!

This is a close up (just because) of my current project...more on that to come!

That's it I'm off to crochet!

Listening to: Somebody Save Me by Cinderella

Hola Peeps!

2007-04-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all...what's new? Nothing too exciting on this end. Had two boys go to Prom over the weekend so that was a bit of a challenge! I decided to make the necessary corsages to save a bit of money (actually quite a bit) but not a bit of my sanity! I have never made a corsage but figured "how hard can it be??" Well long story short, it's not all that hard just a bit of a challenge to hide the parts that you don't want to be seen. Here are the pictures of the 2 wrist corsages and 1 boutonniere:

and a close up of the pink one.

Everyone was happy and after much running around trying to get pictures of both of them and their dates all was successful! Here are pictures of both of them with their dates!

And on top of all this...Andrew (on the top) is a Senior but his girlfriend is only a Junior and Christopher is still a Junior, so that means I will be doing this all over again with the two of them next year!
Good news is that I can probably make money making corsages and boutonnieres next year!

Okay on to crochet related news...nothing much to report. I'm still working on the amigurami pig for Denise. I stuffed the head and the body and tried something new by putting lavender in the middle of the stuffing so that it has a lovely scent to it as well!

I will leave you with a picture of the first blanket I ever made! It's not perfect, the ends of each row are either a bit short or way too long but I still have it have it after 27 years or so.

That's it for now!

Listening to: Vogue by Madonna

Tuesday Madness

2007-04-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

Well here I am again! I am ridiculously busy and not in a good way. I am busy with my jobs, busy with my kids and just going non-stop! I haven't much time to sit and crochet! I am working on an amigurami pig for my son's girlfriend right now and I had to pull out my sewing machine because one of my other sons decided it would be fun to take apart two pair of pants and then put half of each together! So I had to sew a red pant leg and a black pant leg together to make up a brand new pair of pants. I need to take a picture of the finished product on that but he is not here at the moment and is wearing them! Here's a picture of my work space:

That's my desk and sewing center! I'll get the other picture posted tomorrow (maybe) and will get the pig done so I will have more pictures and projects to show off. I did buy some Softee Chunky in cream to make this guy! I love him and I think I will make a couple of them to send off to my niece and nephew as well!

That's it for now, I hope to be back soon!