~ my eyelashes... ~

...are falling out.  Here is what they look like:

left -    ((((     ((             right -    ))))   ))))

I read that it's related to menopause.  Jeez.  I stopped at CVS to buy some fake eyelashes, but all they had was black.  That won't do - I have blonde/grey hair.  Do you think anyone will notice if I used Bernat's Boa yarn?  ---Just kidding folks.---.  :)

~ new name again ~

Hi ladies - I've changed the name of my blog to "Crochet, Crafts & Gardening".  It's still me.  :)

~ 4th baby blankie ~

Finished this little baby blankie last night.  Just 4-round grannies edged with yellow.  (I used the joining that I have posted on my right side bar.)  All of the yarns are RHSS, Vanna's Choice, Bernat and ILTY! and were already in my stash - I didn't purchase any extra yarns.  :)

--no, I take that back - I bought the ILTY! a few weeks ago--  

~ blankets for W ~

Back when I gave J all his blankies, I knew that I wanted to give W some blankets too.  (since W is 11 years old, they're called 'blankets' - not 'blankies')   When W came home from school and saw J's blankies all over the couch, he said "Whoa - looks like the Ya-ya train came through here."  He's so funny. 

My son recently cleaned out his room (think it had something to do with that crazy moon thing) and decided that he could pass these blankets on and I immediately thought of W.  I hope W likes the blankets that Ya-ya brought for him.  :)  

~ X O squared ~

While waiting in the car for J's bus, I crocheted this square.  What should I name it?  I was thinking something like 'X-O squared' because when I look at it I can see the big X, and the circle, which is the O.  Sound stupid?  I don't know.  Let me hear everyone's ideas please.  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the name ideas ladies.  I liked 'hugs & kisses' but there are some projects out there with that name - and since a few of you said that you liked 'X O squared' - I'll go with that one.  Thanks again.  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Materials:
- 4-ply ww acrylic
- I hook

Size:  6" 

Notes:
- ch 2 at beginning of rnds 1 & 2 do not count as a stitch.
- I crochet tight, so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:

Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 5, dc in same dc as joining, skip next dc.  *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 5.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *{ch 2, sc in next ch 2 space}, 2 times.  Ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  {ch 2, sc in next ch 2 space} 2 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 2, 3 dc in each of the next 3 ch 2 spaces.  Ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 2, 3 dc in each of the next 3 ch 2 spaces.  Ch 2 , join as before.

Rnd 6:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 1, 2 dc in ch 2 space, dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in ch 2 space, ch 1.  (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 1, 2 dc in ch 2 space, dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in ch 2 space, ch 1.  Join as before.  End off.

***Debi Y's version***

~ what do you look for....~

...in a blog?  Sharon Marie from Sharon's Eclectic Retreat brought up the subject on her blog and it really got me thinking.  I like crochet blogs that are for the most part, original to the blogger.  Mostly crochet - but I do like other crafts too - and I like a blog that updates regularly.

What I don't like is copycat blogs. Same projects in the same colors, same silly words. If I click to a blog and I see stuff I've already seen more than a few times, then I click out. No need to waste time if I've already seen it.

Advertisements and such on blogs doesn't bother me - just don't overdo it.  A few blogs I've been to take forever to load (no, I'm not on dial up).   

I also prefer blogs that don't feel the need to use foul language just because.  I know we're all grown women and in my 49 years, I've most certainly heard it all before, but for goodness sakes, it's not really necessary.  If you feel that bad - then don't blog that day.

Well - that's it for now.  If I think of something else, I'll come back and edit.  Have a good day.  :) 

~ 3rd baby blankie and my night-time workspace ~

Here's my 3rd baby blankie.  The pattern is 'Soft Waves' by Jan Eaton from the book '200 Ripple Stitch Patterns' that was published in 2006.  I used all Red Heart Super Saver yarns (that I had in my stash) with a J hook and it measures 21" x 28".  Now I'll just toss it in the dryer for about 20 minutes and it will be soft as butter.  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is my night-time workspace.  I've been sitting in this spot since we bought our house in 1985.  Well, same spot, different couches.  :)

If you have a favorite workspace - blog about it - I'd love to have a peek.  :)

  

~ on my hooks ~

1. a scrappy round ripple

2. 'round in circles' blanket

3. 3 'dly's baby blankies'
   - 1 with regular grannies
   - 1 with squircle v2 squares
   - 'Soft Waves' ripple

4. a mohawk hat for my great-nephew

~ cake for all ~

Materials:

- 1 1/2 oz. 4-ply ww acrylic
- J hook
- styrofoam  5" round x 2" thick
- flowers
- glue

Size:  approximately 6 1/2" (including ruffle) x 2 1/2"

Notes:

- do not join rnds, use a stitch marker
- I had to make my own size of the styrofoam (gluing and trimming)
- I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:
 - for top and sides:

Rnd 1:  Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2:  2 sc in each sc around.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) around.

Rnd 4:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) around.

Rnd 5:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) around.

Rnd 6:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc) around.

Rnd 7:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc) around.

Rnd 8:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6 sc) around.

Rnd 9:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc) around.

Rnd 10:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc) around.

Rnds 11 - 21:  Sc in each sc around.  At end of Rnd 21, join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

 - for bottom:

Repeat Rnds 1 - 10 of top.  At end of Rnd 10, join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

Insert styrofoam into top piece.

Matching stitches and holding top and bottom pieces together, whipstitch thru both loops of bottom piece and front loops of top piece together.

(I think that makes sense)

For trim:

Join with a sc in any free back loop, 2 dc in next loop.  *Sc in next loop, 2 dc in next loop.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.

Decorate as desired.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ TMNT hat ~

My grandson James asked for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hat - and he wanted Michaelangelo - so this is what I came up with.  I'm not totally happy with it, but James likes it and that's all that counts.  :)

~ a tote bag ~

I've finally finished this bag.  I had originally wanted it to be a purse, but it came out way too big for me.  I'm gonna use it as a tote bag instead.  The inspiration came from Crochetbug and the pattern came from here.  :)

~ new flip-flops ~

I bought a pretty pair of flip-flops Friday - I'm getting ready for Spring weather - and I crocheted around the straps with Sensations Tropez bought from Joann Fabrics a long time ago.  :)

~ On my hooks ~

1.  a scrappy round ripple

2.  'round in circles' blanket

3.  3 'dly's baby blankies'
      - 1 with regular grannies
      - 1 with squircle v2 squares
      - 'Soft Waves' ripple

4.  tote bag

5.  a cake

6.  TMNT hat for my grandson J

So much to do....  :)

~ Can I ask... ~

...what in the world is this for?



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/bell-single-sleeve-shrug

~ Squircle v-2 ~

~~my trusty pattern-writing notebook and sweet-smelling pencil (sprayed with Mary Kay's 'Thinking of You')~~

Materials:
- 4-ply ww acrylic yarn
- I hook

Size:  5"

Notes:
- ch 2 at beginning of Rnds 1 and 2 do not count as a stitch
- I crochet tight, so you may want to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:
Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2.  *sc in next dc, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space.  *ch 2, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, 3 dc in next ch 2 space, ch 2, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 2, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, 3 dc in next ch-2 space.  Ch 2, skip next 2 ch-2 spaces, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Sl st over to ch 2 corner space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner space.  *{ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space} twice.  Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  {ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 space} twice.  Ch 1, join as before.

***Debi Y's version***

~ 2nd baby blankie ~

I finished my 2nd baby blankie - this one is for a boy.  I crocheted it with RHSS blue and a mystery light green w/medium blue, medium green and yellow spots.  The mystery yarn was bought at the thrift store in a bag with a couple other different skeins so I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's an old Sayelle yarn.  Feels like it.  This little baby blankie measures 27" across.  :) 

~~~

This 18 point round ripple is based on Angelfire's round ripple - I added an extra increase round at the beginning and then changed a couple things.  I didn't write out a proper pattern for it - just notes.

~ he makes me happy ~

I brought 4 blankies with me today so J could choose which one he wanted.  And you know what?  He picked all 4.  I just love him.  :)

~ a request from my grandson ... ~

..and how can I say no?  I'm over my daughter's house watching J and crocheting my 2nd baby blankie for my project.  It's an 18 point round ripple worked in a mint green w/medium blue, yellow and green spots for the middle and medium blue for the rest.  J asked me who it was for and when I told him he just looked at me blankly (doesn't quite understand I think - he's only 4).  He then asked if he can have a blankie.  I told him that when I get home I will look thru my blankies to give him one.  He was happy with that answer.  He's such a cutie.  :)

P.S.  I've crocheted baby sized blankies for him but now he needs a big boy sized blankie.