Jimbo Hook at Last!

I received my Jimbo hook today! It is absolutely gorgeous. I am semi-speechless... or else I couldn't type about it.LOL. Its perfect in my hand, and will go straight to work on the lapghan I'm making for dd. Without further adieu.... My size H.... for your viewing pleasure...Want one?
Visit his blog for more details.

So I've finally started on a few Christmas presents. My SIL loves black and pink anything. So, I've decided to make an Elizabeth Hiddleson doily called "cobblestone" in bright pink and add some black beads around the border. I know she will heart it!

And, finally... school starts next Monday! Yep, a week from today. I'm going to attempt to make dd#1 a messenger bag to take along. Ok. I don't sew well but my SIL promises this is e-a-s-y. We shall see. I'll be using some bright John Deer fabric, batting, and interfacing. I've got the pattern cut out. Oh, I forgot to mention SIL doesn't use patterns she freehands it out of her mind. She taught me how to make simple totes, this just takes it one step further and adds the flap. Well, good luck to me! *gulp*

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by my sis, Su to list 6 wierd things about me.

***I don't eat fish. Can't stand the smell of fish. Not even the thoughts of fish of any sort. However, I heart shrimp of any kind.

***I can't stand the feel of that sticky, knitty, polyester lining material on alot of blankets, and baby stuff. It kills me to think about the way it sticks to your hands...

*** I sleep on flannel sheets and covered with a blankey all year long.

***I won't drink diet drinks or flavored waters of any sort. no question. Ill wither up first.

***I like cold pizza for breakfast. Guess thats one of those teenage things that never left.

*** I'm left handed, but you couldnt tell that by my writing. It amazes so many that watch me write I thought I'd add that in.

***Obsessive house cleaner./ organizational nut....Cant stand piles, or messy anything.

I don't know if 6 people even read my blog. If you read this consider yourself tagged. My 6 are:
WENDY, Jackie, MELISSA, Kel, Kimberly, Lori,


Happy Monday!

The duct tape adventure

Here are a few pics of our accomplishments with tape.
***A Capri Sun Wallet
***A paint chip wallet
*A Starburst bracelet ***A Starburst Bag

We also made a Ramen noodle purse. I just didn't get the pic up tonight. All in all it is a great project for older kids to do. We had a great time putting all this stuff together.I guess the hardest part was folding thingsand seaming them with the clear tape. Other than that its a breeze and a great way to recycle things we already enjoy :-)

Duct Tape & Luck

I visited a forum yesterday called Craftster.org. Originally, I was looking round for crochet junk as usual. But, something new caught my eye. I clicked on the purse, wallet, bags topic and found the cutest things made from wrappers covered in clear/duct tape. Needless to say, we are attempting a few wallets and bags today for the dd's just in time for school. I've never mentioned that I'm addicted to paint chips. You know, those little things you pick thru at Lowe's or Home depot? Yeah. I keep them for scrapbooking. But now, they will have another use IF this turns out well. :-) I'll be sure to post pics tonight!

30 minutes

30 minutes is such a short amount of time isn't it? There are alot of things you can accomplish in that time. You could watch Andy Griffith. You could wash your car. You could also browse all the crap you do on a daily basis on the internet. Read a newspaper, or magazine.

30 minutes. such a small amount of time. WHY is it that I can't get 30 minutes to do this? I dont care about the dishes, or the garbage, or the tv. All I want is a cuppa Joe and the laptop. This is my time. I want to do what I want to do. If you cant find something come back in 30. Take a shower. Watch a show. Leave me be. Maybe in a perfect world... I'll find my quiet time... as soon as school starts back* smiles*

Foodie Friday~~Cowboy Spaghetti

1 pound spaghetti
Salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil,
3 slices smoky bacon,
chopped 1 pound ground sirloin
1 medium onion, chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped
Ground black pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce, eyeball it
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1/2 cup beer 1 (14-ounce) can, chopped or crushed
fire roasted tomatoes 1 (8-ounces) can, or tomato sauce
8 ounces sharp Cheddar
4 scallions, chopped


Heat a pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and salt the water. Cook to al dente or with a bite to it.
Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and bacon. Brown and crisp bacon, 5 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon. Drain off a little excess fat if necessary. Leave just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add beef and crumble it as it browns, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onions, garlic and stir into meat. Season the meat with salt and pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Add 1/2 cup beer and deglaze the pan. Cook 5 to 6 minutes more then stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Add hot spaghetti to meat and sauce and combine. Adjust seasonings and serve up pasta in shallow bowls. Grate some cheese over the pasta and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with crisp bacon

A simple square, et al

So I started making a simple lapghan for dd to use during football season. Not using a pattern, just a simple granny square outta my head in her school's colors. I'm going to crochet a pocket on the back so she can fold it up and use as a pillow on the bus, and maybe sew a strap on to make it easier to carry. Nothing fancy, but I like it. And, it gives me an opportunity to use that TOTC hook that has pined for my attention.... I've also started a "spring rose doily". Its available here. I'm using some of the pastel threads that Jackie sent me on it. I've also started a grape cluster doily, for a Christmas present. The pattern is free, over at CELT's vintage patterns. Check the sidebar for a link to her site. So with 3 projects going, no one can say I'm not a multi-tasker now :-).

Trish K " Tala Doily"

Here are the latest doily I completed. From Patricia Kristoffersen's "Doilies with a twist" Its called Tala. Made with size 20 ecru Cebeila. I haven't blocked it yet. I just have camera-itis. And had to try out the macro feature. :-) Oh, and its 11 inches in diameter.

New Camera

I got the new digital camera today. I searched around for quite awhile and came up with a Panasonic tz1. 5megapixel, and has a 10x optical zoom. Which is what I was wanting for sports pics of the girls and of course crochet closeups. I'm a newb with it, and it has alot of functions I have no clue about yet. So here is Millie. She was staring at the treat bag, and not really paying attention to anything else.

Good Morning!

What a weekend. I'm feeling alot better. Not here to gripe about it either! Thanks, for the thoughts, and good vibes. I am really ZINGING this morning! And I need to, since I have laundry to do.. *ICK*

I sat round all weekend and did absolutely nothing. That about killed me. I'm such a neat freak, and to have to watch as everything started cluttering up. well you can imagine...

On the lighter side I did get some crochet time in, though. *yays* I started a Trish K. pattern. From "doilies with a twist" #5 Tala. I've made this one before, and thought I'd try it again. Using size 20 Cebelia in ecru. I'm on round32 of 40. So wow, I did get some crochet time in....

Oh yes, who could forget the knitting attempts. Well, I sat with my stitch booklet and some Navy blue red heart yarn and tried my hand at knit and purl stitches. This is what I've come up with. I have to say I really like the look of the stocking net. I think thats what its called LOL. Nonetheless, I've decided if I'm going to make a wearable I'd like the look and feel of knitting. My first project? I have no clue. I've got some yummy yarn that I bought from Elizabeth. But, can't figure out just what I want to use it on... any ideas for a first project? I'd like to try my hand at socks, eventually. I only have a set of size 10 bamboo needles at the moment. Knitting is not as brain-whacking as I thought it would be. Its more repetitive than crochet (at the moment) Of course, with 2 stitches under my belt, I'm the real pro talking huh? I set a DIY program to record called "knitty gritty". Granted I'm not going to try to "cozie" everything in my house, but a few "stitch-therapy" programs shouldn't hurt alot.

Now, to the new project I'm working up in my mind. DD is in the high school band this year. And I was thinking of a lapghan in the school colors would be a nifty little thing for her to take on trips and to games. I'm thinking of one that has a bag attached so she could unfold and use and then refold and carry easily. Haven't looked up any patterns just plundering it over in my mind. Its been quite a while since I used yarn, but I have a TOTC hook just crying for me to use it again....Maybe I could graph the school initials, or band, or even her name in it. Decisions, decisions, decisions..... Happy Monday ya'll!

Ouch Ive done it now!

I'm not one to make alot of personal posts. But, Since I'm in pain, and can't move I've got to do something constructive before I start thinking about pain again.

This all stems back from an epidural I received when dd #2 was born. The dude had trouble getting it in, and then let it go too high. I was completely numb and couldnt feel anything. Then starts lower back pain. I have episodes with this every so often. Today was that day. I was cleaning house and dancing with that sweet dd#2 when all the sudden it hit me and I fell to the floor in pain. Kids yelled for hubby, he came running to help me up. Now I'm sat here with a heating pad and a bottle of alleve to keep me sane. I've went to dr with this. They never help. Why is that? I'm looking for a new dr. to go to. This pain is horrible. The kids made me laugh earlier and I teared up it hurt so bad. I haven't had a spell like this in a long time. Thank goodness I was off work this weekend. I did have a mini trip planned but i'm thinking the recliner is a nice place to visit and maybe I can crochet a bit later. Anyway, I'm not in the best of spirits and I have no foodie friday report. Unless you want a recipe for ice water. LOL. Send me all your positive thoughts and good intentions. I could really use them as the healing process from back probs is slow and time-consuming.
Hugs!

Thursday's Beauty

No thong today. I've had too much going on this week. I'll be back tomorrow with a recipe, though. Currently, I'm searching for a new pattern...

I thought I'd copy Kari by finding something out of the ordinary that I usually overlook and see beauty in it. Have a great day ya'll!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary today to us! 14 years of up's and down's, good times and bad times... See ya'll tomorrow!

All about me

Here's something fun. Copy this into your blog the highlight the things you have done, too!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

1890 doily & Name doily

This is from an old time crochet magazine. (image is clickable). I used size 30 Altin Basak(Turkish Threads). I had tried to make this doily years ago when i first started crocheted and it was way over my head. I am thrilled it turned out as well as it did this go round. I really enjoyed using that thread, too.

My cousin is getting married at the end of the month. I made this as a wedding gift. Used DMC Cebelia size 30 in ecru. believe it or not, it only took 2 days to make this. AKA boring weekend. :-)

2 Elizabeth Hiddleson Designs

The pineapple doily is called "Tropical Fantasy". It is about 21 inches in diameter. Made with DMC Cebelia size 20 in ecru. The pinwheel is called "Wind Song". It is about 23 inches in diameter. Made with DMC Cebelia size 30 in baby blue. I will have to say the pinwheel almost whipped me. I think its the hardest doily I have ever made. I like the look of the pineapple doily, too. Its different from most patterns that I've seen. Now, what to do with these? I will be framing the pinwheel. The pineapple will be a present, for a birthday, anniversary, etc.

Blocking the Doilies

Today is doily blocking day. I completed the pinwheel doily (finally), and the tropical fantasy doily has to be blocked too. I'll post pics ASAP. On a lighter note, I picked up a set of knitting needles last night for the first time... We'll see what adventures that will lead me into later. Have a great weekend & 4th!