Tagged: Wierd things and what not...

So, Beth tagged me for this lil game, and I'll give it my best shot.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Ok, so 6 wierd things about moi:
1. I'm left handed and red-headed, and have freckles. Now, how many in the free world can say that? Wierd...yes.

2. I know stupid stuff. You know those Jeopardy questions? Yah. I could win on that show. I have all this mental storage area devoted to who made what, when did this occur, and who died on this date. All that, and I have probs balancing a checkbook. Geesh.

3. I love old movies. I could sit and watch TCM all day. Something about those old movies just interests me. The older the better. But, movies from the 40ies are the best in my book.

4. I'm a labeler. Yep. Everything has a place and everything in its place. If not, read the label and put it there. Scary. I labeled my kitchen cabinets, the laundry room, the kids drawers, the bathroom, oh my ..dare I mention the fridge? ok not the fridge...but I did label the freezer where certain things go... oh my.

5. I dont like people, in general. Why? I have to deal with to many of those"fake" people. YOu know the ones, perky fake smile....happy every freaking day....oh and always leaving LOOSE CHANGE in the mailbox. grrr. I just wanna smack the crap outta them....

6. Germaphobe. I live with clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. I wont touch door knobs, use anyones pen, etc. I dont get sick alot, so I'm ok with being wierd like that. Heh!

Now, to TAG!!!
1. Deneen 2. Pink 3. DonnaLynn 4. Kelly 5. Bron 6. Chicksey

Rose of Erin- pinwheel section problem

I think there are more problems in this pattern than it is worth. But, in trying to struggle through it I am noting each problem and my solution.

pinwheel area: In this area the pattern calls for 85 loops. Now, maybe it is just me, but by following the pattern word for word I came up with 70 loops. I did try to add an additional row and increase the loops to 85. As I moved on to the rosettes, I found that there was NO WAY that 13 rosettes were going to fit around those 85 loops. So, I pulled off the rosettes and frogged the last row I added to the pinwheel round. Back at 70 loops I ended up with 14 rosettes completing the circle. I have wondered if maybe I connected them wrong is why I ended up with one extra. I will research this. It is very possible. However, I am happy to have come out with even loops around.

I am now making the rounds between the rosettes and pinwheel motifs. So far it is working out as the pattern states. If I find another problem I'll be sure to note it here. under the WIP label. I welcome any comments, and tips on this doily. I will try to connect the rosettes in a different manner to see if indeed it can work out evenly to 13 rosettes as the pattern calls for. Wish me luck!

Meet our newest addition "Daisy"

To the house of "Dixie". Her name is Daisy. She is half yorkie, half pekingese. "yorkese" is you please. She is the size of a potatoe, weighing in at 10 oz.

Tablecloth Saga

Here are the latest pics of the tablecloth. i'm on round 17. had to frog 3 rows this week due to me not paying close attention to the pattern photo. One thing about older patterns they say..ok you can crochet... just follow the PHOTO, so I dont have to write out the pattern play by play. Some of us ...mainly "me" needs play by play sometimes......

Patricia Kristoffersen Doily

Meet "Rosa" from PK's 'Doilies with a Twist'. She was created using size 20 Opera buttercream thread and a size 10 steel hook. She measures about 10 inches in diameter. My newest edition to the thread gallery ............."Rosa". I really enjoyed creating you!

Snow?

What is this stuff? And why cant we have some. I feel terrible for all the awful weather that has been beating across the US. I see the pics on the news and net. But, still...a part of me longs for just enough snow to tromp in, make snow angels, and snowmen in....not in Alabama. We havent even had a true frost yet. No snow... not even a flake. If you could send some our way. I'd sure appreciate it!

Foodie Friday~ Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort

4 velveeta singles

2 garden fresh tomatoes, sliced

1 large peeled and thinly sliced Vidalia onion

((if you are feeling naughty, add 3-4 slices of crisp bacon))

8 slices bread

1/4 cup Land O Lakes butter, softened

Place cheese sliced on slices of bread that is unbuttered and layer thinly sliced garden tomatoes on top of cheese and the thin slice of Vidalia onion one side of 4 of the bread slices to within 1/4-inch of edges. Top with remaining bread slices. Spread softened butter over entire sides of the sandwiches. Warm Teflon® coated non-stick skillet on medium heat for about 2 minutes. Cook sandwiches over medium heat until golden brown, turning once. Makes 4 sandwiches.

Problem with Rose of Erin Doily

whirlwind complete, with correct number of loops (85)

you can find this pattern link here.

There is not alot of info out there about this pattern. So, I thought I would post what I have found out, and maybe help someone else along the way.

The Rose of Erin doily is an old Irish crochet pattern. The copy I am using dates back to 1953. Back then it was assumed that everyone knew how to make things "work". The problem with the writing of this pattern is that at the end of the pinwheel section you do NOT have the number of loops indicated on the pattern (85 loops). I had 70. Therefore, to make the pattern "work", you would need to increase 20 loops in the final round instead of 5 as it calls for. I wish there were a cheat sheet of sorts out there to help with those older patterns. If you know of one, please let me know.

So, after researching it I have completed the pinwheel section with the right number of loops. I'm scared of the roses section, wondering what problems await there. It always made me wonder why there are only 13 roses instead of an even number?

WIP's

So, I'm working on the tablecloth throughout this year. I cannot ONLY work on that so I'm going to have a variety of wip's to go along with it. Here, starts that saga as well: (pics clickable)

wip #1 Rose of Erin Doily.

I've been wanting to make this doily for along time. Finally, decided to stop procrastinating and hop to it. I'm use a size 14 hook and size 30 Altin Basak thread. It is going to be about 16 inches when complete IF the pattern I'm using is correct. Its bugger small, that is a fact.

wip#2 Valentines stuff

I've never been one to celebrate a holiday in thread. But, I'm trying to broaden my horizions. i'm making a few valentine doilies.I havent blocked the big one yet so it looks alittle frumpy. I ran out of room on the board. And, yes there is a black one. Not everyone is into the "red and hearty" things. lol.

And last but not least.... a pile of yummy threads just waiting to turn into something lovely!

Size 20 Opera threads in black, sage and buttercream.

leftover lemon and fushia...for butterflies maybe?

Pineapple Centerpiece Doily

I started this back in October for my grandmothers Christmas

present. I learned a valuable lesson about buying more thread than needed when ordering online. I ran out of the yellow 3 times. Had to reorder 2 times. gak. I chose to use size 10 Flora varigated lemon thread and ecru thread (my grandmothers

choice). It measures about 36 inches across. As you see it is still on the blocking board but, I'm so glad to finally have it to that point! I'll be glad when I can get it to my grandmother. (and if anyone can tell me how to align my pics properly I would greatly appreciate it)

Crochet Catch-up

I have been very<--------- busy lately. But, I've actually accomplished alittle crocheting. I'm making a few small valentine doilies for the big day. Also I finished the Pineapple centerpiece for my grandmother. I'll be posting those pics as soon as they are off the blocking board. I still haven't pulled the Cathedral Window afghan down and started on it again. Yes, I'm procrastinating. Why do i HATE<----- that thing so much?

So here it is Friday. I have resolved not to cook tonite. We are ordering pizza. Something that doesnt happen alot. Hubby is working late. DD #1 is out for the evening. Just me and #2. We are gonna play a few card games, maybe battle via an xbox game. and cuddle. Sounds like a good plan to me. Have a great weekend guys, and spend some time holding ur hook!

Foodie Friday ~ SMORES recipe

Foodie Friday

Smores.

graham crackers
marshmellows
hershey chocolate bar

you can build a campfire if you wanna. but my way is as follows:

Fire up the gas grill. skewer the mellows and burn them as desired. place the gooey goodness between 2 graham crackers with one small chocolate hunk and smoosh.

That is heaven!

Update: Hiddleson Tablecloth

Here is the latest pic of the tablecloth. I'm on rnd 11. 1000000000000 more to go... LOL

The New Year Project

This is my goal for 2007 . Its a pinwheel and pineapple oval tablecloth designed by Elizabeth Hiddleson. Yes, its a LARGE project. That is why I'm dedicating the whole year to it. Little by little, it will grow. I may not make it as long as the pattern calls for. We will have to just wait and see.

This is how much I have completed so far......

I've ordered some threads to start new projects, so until they arrive I will be devoting alot of my free time to this lil bugger. I'm also going to pull the Cathedral Window afghan out of storage and work on it again. Trying to complete it this year.

Starting off Natural

I've never been good at resolutions. Why make one if I know that I will break it. This year though, I have read quite abit, and researched this "resolution". So i'm hoping it will endure. I'm going to try to go "natural" this year. What does that mean? the dd's both have dry skin. we can only use one brand of laundry detergent, one brand of shampoo, one brand of soap.. you get the idea. I read an article about what is actually in laundry detergent. I had no clue, most store brand detergents are made of petroleum products. they even have a msds sheet. I read up on that at www.tide.com. What if, all these skin ailments are related to that? so here's the drill.

Since, I have frontloader washer/dryer I wanted to find a HE brand of "natural" detergent. And, yes there is one. Seventh Generation has free and clear laundry supplies, and natural scented. I got the lavender fabric softener, and unscented detergent....they also have other household products. The price is the same as TideHE in the same size bottle. Except, with this brand you only use 1/3 of the recommended amount. front loaders need low-sudsing detergents, so it all works out. If I calculated it right, I will get about 90 loads out of a regular 50 load bottle. It has been 2 weeks, and there has been no reactions to the detergent. Usually, when dd got out of the shower and wrapped in a towel. The rash-type breakouts and itchyness would happen. And, it hasnt yet. Fingers Crossed.

So, since that was working, I began to read up on other products, brands, etc. To see what else we could try on our unforgiving skin. Kissmyface has some natural olive oil soap. natural cleansing and moisturizing, and unscented. The ingrediants are: soapnified olive oil, water, and sodium chloride. Cant get much simplier than that. I've bought a few other products off this website. Shipping isn't bad and arrives in a timely manner. I'll run through some of the other things as soon as we try them, and give you our opinions. If you have any items you like, and would recommend, lemme know.

Happy 2007

I hope you all had a great new years day! We went to hubbys family's house in Tn.
They live on the river, and the girls enjoyed picking up large mussle shells. We will paint on a few.

Another cool thing was my Christmas cactus, that was once my great grandmothers, and NEVER blooms, figured out it was Christmas and bloomed right on time.