~ another hook & earring jackets ~

A size 'I' Susan Bates crochet hook handle.  The handle was made with Sculpey clay in 'pink pearl' and Fimo clay in 'white glitter'.  The hook itself is not the hook I bought at AC Moore on Friday - I chose to use an older pastel color hook I had in my stash.  :)

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Earring jackets

Materials:
- small amount embroidery floss (I used Prism tie-dye)
- sz. 1 (one) steel hook

Directions:

Ch 7, sc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in last ch from hook, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook.  *dc in same ch as previous dc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook.  Repeat from * 9 more times.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  End off.

Insert stud earring to wear.

***Debi Y's version***

~ spool knitter giveaway ~

Christy of 'Crochet Happiness' is having a giveaway.  Hop on over to her blog for a chance to win this really cute spool knitter that she and her hubby have crafted together.  If you win, you will get a nice little set - the spool knitter, instructions, a plastic yarn needle, and 3 small balls of yarn.  You have until midnight Sunday, May 6th to enter.  Good luck to you all.  :)

~ a wip, a new hook & baby blankie 2c ~

This is a wip that I am working on - it's taking for-e-verrrrrrrrr. 

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Yesterday morning I went to the City of Bowie Job Fair - which was a bust because there was really nothing there for me - unless I wanted to be a cop or a firewoman (too old for that) or wanted to work in a bank (too chicken for that).  There was also a few other 'working with the public' jobs that are definitely not for me.  

Since I was so close to AC Moore I decided to drive on over for a quick look around.  I ended up buying 1 bag of mill-ends turquoise yarn, a pink pen, 2 blocks of polymer clay, a pack of Prism tie-dye embroidery floss, and 2 Susan Bates crochet hooks - size I and J.  When I came home I made this handle on the size J crochet hook and I'm planning on making the size I hook today. 

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This is baby blankie 2c - it measures 23" x 32" and I crocheted it with various brands of 4-ply worsted weight acrylic yarns.  There is RHSS, Vanna's Choice, Bernat, Loops & Threads Impeccable and ILTY!.  The pattern is very similar to the 'round in circles' blanket - it's the same, but different. 

Thanks for dropping by - enjoy your day.  :)   

~ The Log Cabin giveaway ~

Emma of 'The Log Cabin' is having a giveaway.  Her blog is 6 months old today and she wants to celebrate.  Hop on over and leave a comment for your chance to win some very nice prizes.  :)

~ Two on Tuesday ~

Two things that make me smile:

*  getting ready to go to the Dollar Tree.  I wonder if there will be any good stuff in the craft section for me to play with today. 

*  these two:

even though they give me their fair share of aggravation - most of the time they make me smile.  :)

~ 'Take 2' square ~

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic
- I hook

Size: 6"

Note: the extra ch 2 at the beginning of Rnd 1 does not count as a st

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

Rnd 2: Ch 5, dc in next dc, ch 2. *dc in next dc, ch 2. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the 3
rd ch of the beginning ch 5.

Rnd 3: Sl st over to corner ch-2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space, ch 1, dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 corner space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1. Repeat from * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.



Rnd 4: Sl st over to corner ch-2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner ch-2 space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1. Repeat from * 2 more times. Join as before.



Rnd 5: Sl st over to corner ch-2 space, (ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in same space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1. *(4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next corner ch-2 space, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 1. Repeat from * 2 more times. Join as before.



Rnd 6: Sl st over to corner ch-2 space, (ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in same space, ch 2, skip next 4 dc, skip ch-1 space, 3 dc in next dc, ch 1, skip ch-1 space, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, skip ch-1 space, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2, skip ch-1 space, skip next 4 dc, *(4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next corner ch-2 space, ch 2, skip next 4 dc, skip ch-1 space, 3 dc in next dc, ch 1, skip ch-1 space, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, skip ch-1 space, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2, skip ch-1 space, skip next 4 dc. Repeat from * 2 more times. Join as before.



Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc evenly around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 space. Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

***Debi Y’s pattern***

~ campground pics ~

I'm back from the campground.  We came home last night because there was a water main break, which of course, meant no water at the trailer or the bathhouse.  We were only there for 2 days and that just didn't seem long enough. 

Here's my Vince cooking breakfast for us.  This has kind of turned into a tradition of sorts when we're there.  This time he cooked in the kitchen, but all the other times he cooks on the porch with his portable camping stove.  It's a good way to wake up all the boys when they are there with us.  Doesn't this look delicious?  It's another good reason that I enjoy the campground - breakfast is served.  :)

We also enjoy riding our golfcart around.  These pictures are of one of the lakes - such a beautiful, peaceful place to just sit and look around.

Vince took this picture of me - I'm talking to Bobby on the phone explaining how to work the dishwasher.

This is me too. 

While riding around, we came across this fancy golfcart - pretty cool.  I wonder if it has one of those 'ah-oo-ga' horns.   

Back at the trailer looking at our front gardens and finding that they need weeding and cleaning .  Here are a couple decorative stones I made.  All you need to create these is cement, a couple of the aluminum baking pans from the Dollar Tree and some glass gems.  You can also use river stones.  Mix the cement - pour into the pan and then add your decorations.  Let the cement harden and then pop it out of the baking pan.  Easy, peasy.



The S K Y stands for Stoneman, Kennedy and Yorston - my sister, my daughter and us.

Of course I got some crocheting done - just a little though.  I think I made 4 or 5 other little circles after this picture was taken.   

We also went to the Super Walmart to get groceries and you know I had to check out the yarn aisle.  Not much really, but I did pick up 5 skeins of RHSS that were on sale for $2.00 each. 

After the Walmart shopping, Vince stopped into Dick's Sporting Goods to look for a mirror for the golfcart, and right across the street was the biggest Joann Fabrics I've seen so far.  You know I had to go in and check it out.  I behaved myself and only bought a circle punch and 2 skeins of Bernat Pipsqueak.

All in all, we had a great time even though it was only 2 days.  We need to go more often.  :) 

~ 'giggles fun' winner & a wip ~

And the 'giggles fun' winner is:   Cynthia! 

Congrats Cynthia - I'll get the giggles yarn in the mail to you either today or tomorrow. 

Now to re-cap:  all you have to do is knit or crochet a 6" square and if there is enough left over, send it on to a blogging friend so she (or he) can knit or crochet a 6" square. 

When you have finished with your square, blog about it and link back to where it all began on Pat's blog 'Hooks and Books'. 

Have fun!   :)

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Here's my next project - a baby blankie that I started working on last night.  Vince and I are going to the campground tomorrow morning, so this is my project to take with me. 

Thanks for dropping by my little part of the world.  Enjoy your day.  :)

~ Two on Tuesday & a granny square ~

Two things that make me smile:

*  watching a crazy robin try to get in my car.  My husband first noticed the robin a few weeks ago - he sits on the driver's side mirror for a little and then starts flapping his wings like crazy and bumps back and forth against the window.  I have no idea why he does this - maybe he sees himself in the reflection and thinks it's another bird.  It's funny.

*  knowing that our tax returns have been filed and that we will be receiving a refund - (yay!)

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Received another granny square in the mail yesterday to add to my 'blogging friends granny square blanket' - this one came from Sarah of 'Crochet by Sarah'.  This square will fit in perfectly Sarah - thanks very much.  And thank you for the crocheted rose too - I love it.  :)

~ baby blankie 1c ~

Finished up this baby blankie last night.  I crocheted it with Loops & Threads Impeccable and ILTY! with a 'J' hook.  It measures 24" x 35".  The border is 1 round of hdc and then the flat braid joining (the link is over on the right sidebar).  The lovely Ladybug is our model for today.

A note about the ILTY! - I had written before saying that it was a little too expensive for me - it's $3.99 a skein - but I find myself still buying the variegated skeins.  They are different, pretty and very soft.  On Friday when Vince and I were out running errands I stopped in and bought a few more skeins.  I couldn't help myself.  :)   

~ granny squares & some 'giggles' fun

Received another granny square package in the mail yesterday - this time from Tara of 'little things'.  Along with the granny squares, she also sent me a very nice coffee cup sleeve - this will be good to keep in my purse for those coffee stops when I'm out running errands.  Thank you very much Tara.  :)

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Pat of 'Hooks and Books' is hosting some 'giggles fun'.  She made herself a dishcloth with this bright and colorful giggles yarn and when she was finished, she sent me a skein to crochet a 6" square.  I, in turn, will then choose one person to send what is left of the yarn to crochet or knit a 6" square.  If there is enough yarn left over after you make your square, then you will pass it along.  If you would like to join in the giggles fun, please read Pat's original post, and then leave a comment on this post only and I will draw out one lucky name on Wednesday morning, April 18th.

I crocheted a 6" granny square with 1 strand of white baby yarn held together with 1 strand of the giggles yarn.  I used a 'J' hook.  I'll admit, it was a little tricky, but the end result is so soft and squishy.  I think it will be ideal for a face washcloth.  

        
Thanks for stopping by - have a good evening.  :)

~ NCIS, a granny square & a thread holder ~

I am so sad/mad - they are totally screwing up my NCIS.  The story format is changing to all kinds of conspiracy crap - government conspiracy, terrorist conspiracy, drug cartel conspiracy.  I like the way it used to be - a regular (military) person gets off'd by a regular killer.  Gibbs, Tony, Ziva and McGee then go and find the guy with alot of bantering back and forth and with a little bit of humor thrown in.

They've also brought in a girlfriend for the Gibbs character that's being played by Jamie Lee Curtis.  It totally grosses me out when they kiss - they look like twin brother and sister - and we all know that that just ain't right.  Whoever was in charge of casting that part seriously screwed up.

Please NCIS people - put my show back the way it was.

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Yesterday I received this granny square from Stephanie of 'Simply Crochet and Other Crafts'.  It came packaged in this cute little zippered pouch - I think I will use it in my carry around crochet bag to hold all the little what-nots.  Thank you very much Stephanie.  :)

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This is the thread holder that Vince and I crafted.  It took us less than half an hour to make it - and that includes the drying time for the paint wash.  After I took this picture, I ended up gluing a rose button to the long point section - it just looked too bare.

This is what we did:

- went out to the shed to look around for a piece of wood.  I was thinking a block of wood, but I saw a stack of these and figured it would work just as well.  (And I just have to say that moving around in Vince's shed was not an easy thing to do - he has his motorcycle and the golfcart in there, and lots of stuff around on the floor.)

- Vince drilled a pilot hole for the large nail.

- I painted the wood with a paint wash and let it dry.

- I cut out a piece of plastic canvas for a liner to keep the threads protected while it turns.

- I cleaned a 7" long nail (bought at Lowe's a while back) and then hammered it into the wood about an inch deep.  (I used a regular household cleaner to clean the nail, but I'm thinking that I should of soaked it in vinegar to make it shiney)

And there you have it - a really quick & easy thread holder.

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day.  :)

~ Two on Tuesday and an award ~

Two things that make me happy:

*  working on a small project with my husband - yesterday we created a thread holder for me.

*  listening to the neighborhood children laughing and talking as they walk up the street to the bus stop. 

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The lovely Barbara of "Made in K-town' has awarded my blog the 'Liebster Blog' award.  Thank you very much Barbara - I appreciate this very much.  :)

I can't seem to think of 5 things about myself, so I will have 6 things about my family.

1.  My Dad performed at the Grand Ole Opry with his family back in 1980 or 1981 (can't remember which) - I was backstage with a couple of my friends and it was great.   

2.  My Mom is the strongest woman I know.  She's also half Italian so you know she's the best cook too.  

3.  Despite being a high school dropout, my sister Teri is a financial genius.  She owns 7 houses.

4.  My brother Darrell is "special" - he lives with my Mom and helps to take care of things around the house.

5.  My sister Laura is very much a 'people person' - she will do anything for anybody.  She also has the best memory.  

6.  My sister Julie is always happy - always smiling or laughing.  She's also a good cook too.

Now here are the 5 blogs that I would like to pass this award on to:

1.  Mary at 'Crocheting the Day Away'

2.  Heather at 'The Good Life'

3.  Emma at 'The Log Cabin'

4.  Angelique at 'Made with Love'

5.  Caroline at 'The Kansas Hooker'

If you don't participate in blog awards, that's ok - I just want you to know that I enjoy your blog.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.  :)         

~ open mesh rectangle ~

~ medium size ~

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic (I used Loops & Threads Impeccable)
- J hook

Size:  small - 4" x 6"
          medium - 4 7/8" x 7"

Directions:
Rnd 1:  Ch 12, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in 4th ch from hook.  Skip next ch, dc in next 5 chs, skip next ch, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in last ch.  Now working on opposite side of ch, skip next ch, dc in next 5 chs, skip next ch, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 2:  Ch 4, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch 1, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc.  Ch 1, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Rnd 3:  Ch 3, dc in ch-1 space, dc in next dc, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next 11 dc's and ch-1 spaces, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, dc in next 8 dc's and ch-1 spaces.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

For the smaller rectangle, skip Rnd 4 and go on to Rnd 5.

Rnd 4:  Ch 4, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next dc) 4 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next dc) 8 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next dc) 4 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next dc) 5 times, ch 1.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Rnd 5:  Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each dc and ch-1 space around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch-2 space.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

~ small size ~

***Debi Y's version***

~ Bo bunny ~

Hoppy Easter !!

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic
   - 1 oz. white
   - small amount pink
   - very small amount grey
- K hook
- two 25mm wiggles eyes
- two 20mm white pom poms
- one 10mm red pom pom
- approximately 10" of 1/2" ribbon
- one 1" plastic ring
- hot glue gun

Size:  6 1/2" x 10"

Notes:
- work with 2 strands of yarn throughout pattern
- do not join rnds, mark 1st st with a stitch marker

Directions:
Rnd 1:  Ch 2, 8 hdc in 2nd ch from hook.  (8 hdc)

Rnd 2:  2 sc in each hdc around.  (16 sc)

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

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

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

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

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

Rnd 8:  (2 sc in next hdc, sc in next 6 hdc) around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

Ears (make 2):
With pink ch 10, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 4 chs, sc in next 3 chs, 3 sc in last ch.  Now working on opposite side of ch, sc in next 3 chs, hdc in next 5 chs.  End off.

Join white with a sc to 1st hdc, hdc in next 8 sts, 3 hdc in next sc, hdc in next 8 sts, sc in last hdc.  End off.  Sew to head.

- glue eyes to face
- glue red and white pom poms to face in a triangle
- embroider whiskers with grey yarn
- glue bow to bottom right
- sew plastic ring to back

***Debi Y's version***

~ Sharon's giveaway & a potholder ~

Sharon of 'Sharon's Eclectic Retreat' is having a giveaway - you have until midnight tonight, so hop on over and enter for your chance to win.  Good luck.  :)

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I was doing some blog hopping yesterday morning and was checking out Stephanie's blog 'Simply Crochet and other Crafts' and found her 'double-sided diagonal pot holder'.  I liked the look of it so I decided to crochet one for myself.  It's a very quick and easy pattern to crochet.  I crocheted it with 1 strand of Creme de la Creme cotton in 'dalmation' and 1 strand of Knit-cro-sheen (sz. 10 cotton) in a medium blue.  I like how it came out - it's got a vintage feel to it.  Thanks for sharing your pattern Stephanie.  :)  

~ 'ring pop' flower ring ~

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic
   - yellow
   - flower color
- I hook
- plastic ring from a candy 'ring pop'
- Aleene's tacky glue or a hot glue gun

Size:  2 1/4" across

Note:  if necessary, clip off half of the post that the candy was attached to.

Directions:
Rnd 1:  With yellow ch 2, 8 hdc in 2nd ch from hook.  Do not join.  (8 hdc)

Rnd 2:  Sc in each hdc around.  Join with a sl st to back loop of the 1st sc.  End off.  (8 sc)

Rnd 3:  Join flower color with a sc in any back loop, (ch 1, hdc, ch 1, sc) in same back loop.  (sc, ch 1, hdc, ch 1, sc) in each back loop around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

Glue flower to 'ring pop' ring.

***Debi Y's version***

This is what the 'ring pop' ring looks like after the candy is gone:

~ finished poncho, egg hats & a heart ~

I finished my poncho last night.  I used this pattern: 'Light & Airy Poncho', but I decided not to add the fringe.  And I also used an L hook instead of the required P hook.  I like this pattern - it worked up very quick and it was so easy.

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Aren't they the cutest?  I found a 'new to me' blog a couple of days ago - it's called 'Just be happy' - and she came up with the pattern for little hats for your eggs.  When I first saw the pictures of her little egg hats, I actually laughed out loud a little - they are just so stinkin' cute.  William and James love eggs so I decided to give them a little surprise.  James' egg is on the left and William's is on the right - he likes the Washington Capitals, so I made his red and white.  :)

Here they are with their eggs - I had to tilt the camera so I could get more of James in the picture.

William is 12 yrs. old and James will be 6 in a couple of weeks.  :)

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We have a tile pathway by our trash cans and yesterday morning when I took out the trash I happened to notice this one tile.  The grass has grown around it in the shape of a heart.  Pretty neat. 

Thanks for dropping by - I hope you enjoy your day.  :)

~ poncho update, granny squares & a rectangle ~

Here's the update on my poncho - it's about halfway done and I'm not too sure about it.  Missy is very kindly modeling it for me - she's roughly about my size (she's wearing my dress), so I can pretty much tell how many more rows I have to go.  Hopefully I'll like it when it's done.

p.s.  I'm thinking of changing her name to Manny Kin.  :)

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I received these granny squares in the mail today from Renee of 'Renee's Crochet'.  The blue, green and yellow are so pretty together.  Thanks again Renee.  :)

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Thinking about crocheting a baby blankie with these rectangles.  Not sure yet.