Still here, just been busy......

I have been on hat kick.  Still have 3 more to finish and post.  Made this little boy hat for a friend.  I think it turned it out pretty good.  I think I used this free pattern.  LOL

 

I am late on posting the next rows for CAL.  Sorry about that.  Just been busy.  I will try and get a few rows posted soon.  I GOT a part-time job.  Whoo hooo.  I am so excited and so grateful for the help from a dear friend.  :)

 

So is everyone ready for Thanksgiving?  What about Christmas?  I can not believe this year is almost over.  Where did the time fly to? 

 

If you stop by, take some time to say Hi.  :)

Untill next time.



In Loving Memory....

 

Kaylex Elise Wilson

April 23, 2010 to November 13, 2010

 

We all miss you dearly and think about you every single day.

Love Grandmaw

 

 



Just a heads up...Update on CAL

Just a heads up that I was able to get the update on the CAL today.  Sorry for being so late.

Dear God!

Dear God,

I'm writing to say I'm sorry
For being angry yesterday
When you seemed to ignore my prayer
And things didn't go my way

First, my car broke down
I was very late for work
But I missed that awful accident
Was that your handiwork?

I found a house I loved
But others got there first
I was angry, then relieved
When I heard the pipes had burst!

Yesterday, I found the perfect dress
But the color was too pale
Today, I found the dress in red
Would you believe, it was on sale!

I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!

I have this circle of E-mail friends,
Who mean the world to me;
Some days I "send" and "send",
At other times, I let them be.

When I see each name download,
And view the message they've sent;
I know they've thought of me that day,
And "well wishes" were their intent.

I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown so close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because to me they are the "Most"!

So to you, my friends, I would like to say,
Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.

God bless you all is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you "friend";
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write again.

God Bless You

-- Author Unknown

CAL Filet Rose Scarf

You can find it here.

Crochet Thread Baby Booties & CAL

Finished my thead baby booties today.  Size should be 0-3 months, guess should measure.  :)
I still need to find buttons and also want to find some small bows to place in center to cover the boo boo I made.

I will be doing a CAL.  Care to join? Our project is a Filet Winter Rose Scarf.  If you can crochet, then you can do filet crochet.  I will be writing up the instructions from a graph and also posting pictures, so that anyone who has always wanted to do filet can join in the fun.  I plan on doing this slow, as it is close to Holidays and I do have alot going on.  Suggested thread is #10 or smaller and needle to match thread.  I plan on using Aunt Lydia's Copper mist 350 yds and will need approx. 5-6 balls.  I will also use my #5 1.90mm neede.

Give a shout in the comments if you plan on joining and stay tuned.  Should be starting in about 7 days or so.

Pattern is called:

Pretty butterfly from Gourmet Crochet

Delilah Pearl Collection Thread Baby Shoes

 

 

 

Here is a link to the Filet Winter Rose Scarf.

Little different then the graph I have, I think.

 

 

Pumpkin Beanie

I can not believe I almost forgot my pumpkin beanie I had made to wear to a Halloween party over the weekend.  I hate to dress up for Halloween, so I figured I would make a hat and wear an orange shirt and go as a pumpkin.  LOL  Pattern can be found here.  I did add the curly que.  I also had to add a few more rounds before the ribbing edging. 

Wanted to add photo that was taken at Books A Million during our weekly knit/crochet meeting.

The lady behind me is Bobbie.

 

Tatted Angels

Been a few days since I have been here.  Not much to show either.  Ok here are two different patterns for baby tennie shoes.  I did the one on left first and did not like what so ever.  Tried a different pattern for the one on right, and love it.  Now I just need to do another one to be finished.  Pattern for the one on right can be found here.

 

I have also been tatting some angels motifs from Teri Dusenbury.  So far I have done 2 and not really happy with either one.  The first one was done with white w/ metallic thread.  Ok the metallic thread is a pain in the butt to work with.  So I tried another in dark purple, still not happy.  One of the hands is smaller then other, not sure if I missed some stitches or just pulled to tight.  Plus the extra joins I did to get hands and head center need to be neater and possibly tighter.  Not sure.  Being a beginner in tatting, I do not know all the tips and techniques.  I plan on trying again untill I get it like I LIKE.

 

 

So what have yall been up too?  I would love to hear from you, so leave some love, so that I know you have been here.  :)

 

Sharing some pictures of the furbabies and my babies.

Has been a while and thought since I have nothing really to share, I would share some pictures of my furbabies.  I love my DOGS!
Here is Honey, Flashy Fawn Boxer.  She was born Dec. 13, 2004 and will turn 8 on her birthday.  A little information on her.  She was paralzyed late Aug. 2010 and by Dec. she had some movement back.  To this day she is not 100% but she can still get around with no to little assistance.  I hate how the camera makes the eyes glow.  She is not evil.  LOL  Actually she is very loveable and gentle.

 

And my Deu Boy.  Deuce, White Deaf Boxer, who was born on March 29, 2007.  Honey is mom.

He is deaf but does know sign languae.  Most I made up but there are a few I use that are ASL.  He is nothing but a cuddle bug and a kisser.

Now is that rotten or what?  He loves to sleep on my bed with his head on my pillow.

 

Sitting here and typing out their birthday has made me realize how old they are.  Where does the time go?  I say that all the time when I look at my youngest who is 16, has learners permit and is always wanting to go to Mall to spend time with friends.  Man I am getting OLD.  LOL

Picture of my youngest Nicole aka Nikki at her birthday this year.  She is standing with her cousin (my sister's oldest daughter who is only 2 months older then my daughter).

 

Ok my oldest daughter is 24 and my grandson will be 6 in Nov. 2012

 

 

 

Hopefully by the end of the week or mid next week I can share some finished projects with you.  I have a tatted snowflake and a baby tennie shoe to finish up. 

 

 

 

 

Crochet Alligator Scarf

Been a while since I posted.  I have been trying to come up with something fast and easy to crochet, that would bring in some money (need fundraising money to go to D.C. 2013 Memorial Day Parade that my daughter will be marching in).  I finished my alligator scarf today, had to add his eyes.  Took about a week to do, with all the frogging I did.  Still not happy with the outcome.  He needs to be a bit wider for one and just not sure on the other.  So I will working on another and doing some tweeking here and there to see if I can come up with something I am really happy with.  I think the kids at school would like.  Our mascot is a Gator and our colors are purple and white.  I used 2 different patterns.  Crocheted Alligator Scarf by Kathy S.  & this one which is not free.  Pictures are not very good, probably should of waitted for the sun to be out better.  I used Caron Simply Soft in color Pine & a size I hook.  Tatting is on the back burner for now.  Waitting on some books from the Library.  Sure wish they would hurry!!  :)  Soooo how is everyone and what have yall been doing??

What a dreary day today

Well it is raining and I just can not get motivated today, so I figured I would update my blog today.  Yesterday I did manage to get 2 projects finished.  I was working on a crochet pineapple snowflake (can be purchased here) & heart's desire (a tatting pattern which can be found at here).

The crochet pineapple snowflake I plan on making 2 more and doing another 3-D snowflake.  If you are wondering how to make a 3-D snowflake, I do talk about it more here.  This pattern will make a larger 3-D snowflake.

The tatted heart's desire, well not really sure what I will do with it, but I did get more practice by making it.  I do have a boo boo in a join but I think it is not really noticeable.

Between working on those 2 project, I had a sick Deuce.  He is my 70 lb. white boxer.  I woke up yesterday to a mess on the kitchen floor.  Could tell he was not feeling well.  He ate breakfast but around 2:00 P.M. breakfast came back up.  He pretty much stayed at my feet and would stare at me with those puppy dog eyes (mom love me, I do not feel good).  For supper I decided to see if he would eat some plain rice.  He did not want that either.  Right before going to bed, I tried again to get him to eat some rice and he did.  This morning I gave him a little more rice and he ate it.  I also offered him a doggie kibble and he ate, but did not want to risk upsetting tummy again.  If the rice stays down, might go ahead and feed him normal at supper.  Right now he is sleeping on my bed, which is typical at this time.  LOL
When my boy does not go outside and bark at something (there is always something to bark at & squirrels to chase) then I know he is not feeling good at all. 

 

So how is your weather and what do you plan on working on today?

Latest Tatted Project

Have been spending alot of time tatting.  I think my crochet hooks are getting jealous.  LOL  I was working on what I call a snowflake.  The pattern says Base Motif #2.. I found on the internet and forgot to pin so I could offer a link.  I only printed and for some reason there was no printed url at bottom of page.  I hate when I do things like that.  I do have some boo boos but I am learning and also trying to make sure I work on tension.  I have problems with that the most.

 

Will take a small break and try to get some crocheting done.  I have a scarf exchange in Oct. with the ladies I meet with here at our local Books A Million.  If you happen to live in Lake Charles, Louisiana or close by, we meet every Thursday at 6:30 P.M.

 

Well I guess that is all for now.  Nothing new to report.  How are you spending your time??????

Frustrated:Learning from mistakes

I guess I will start at the beginning.  My daughter is in band and is in high school.  Her school band has been chosen to march in the 2013 Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.  So I have been on a quest as to ideas as to some small items I could make and sell.  I want to chaperon this trip.  The estimated cost per student is $900 this does not include food.  The kids will have tons of fundraisers between now and then.  But I need to try and raise my $900 plus extra for food.  Ok so I decided to make Carnival Earrings over at yarnplayertats.  So I loaded up my shuttle like she states for the beads.  I get he 1st ring made and notice my beads are not sitting like hers, and somehow my thread has twisted and my stitches are not sitting properly.  I try to undo the stitches to start over but was unable to do so.  So decided to trash and start over again.  Still not understanding why my beads do not sit properly, I started again.  This time I got to the point where I was adding the 9 beads and just could not figure out how to do it.  I have not added beads to rings so was a little confused, but after stopping and then thinking about the pattern and instructions, it hit me as to what I was doing wrong with beads and why they where not sitting properly.  The pattern says to slide up beads, which means when you are ready to start that ring you slide beads for that ring onto the thread that is held in your left hand.  I was sliding beads into place from shuttle which means they where on the shuttle thread when worked.  Soo once again I try to undo as many stitches as possible to save thread.  I am working with Lizbeth size #20 color #131 and is tiny thread.  I ended up cutting and removing my beads and starting all over.  So 3rd try is always a charm, right?  Well I did it, after all day I finially finished the 1 earring.  Came out pretty good too.  So to hide ends I decided I would knot like some of the others I have heard done.  Well I think I knoted wrong and after I cut the ends the knot came undone.  All that work done the drain.  Said a few words, decided to take break and catch up on my True Blood episodes.  So after I cooled down, decided okay need to find way to hide ends and had heard of few methods, so decided to visit youtube.  Good old youtube, such a wonderful place.  I found 2 videos that show how to hide beginning thread if just working with shuttle and also found video that shows how to hide your finished thread ending.  I hope this information helps you. I did take picture before taking apart to salavage beads and earring part.  Is rather hard to see the round bead in center, but it is a pearl in an ivory color.  Seedbeads are also ivory in color.  I did not have a teardrop bead for long loop so I added a few extra seedbeads.  Today I will attempt again and use the knowledge of hiding thread.

Pros & Cons of Needle & Shuttle Tatting

My biggest struggle with tatting was getting my picots uniform.  Well I had some input from experienced tatters at the forum about cutting strips of paper and using this.  Well I just did not see how that would work and be very tedious.  I was searching YouTube and stumbled across this video which shows you how a strip of paper, probably should say stock paper, something thick and and stable.  Of course after I watched, had one of those Ahhh Haaaa moments.  LOL
Video Here!

As promised here are my pros & cons of needle & shuttle tatting.  Remember this is from my own experience.

Needle Tatting Pros

• The way the thread is held mimics the way I hold for crocheting which makes it easier and faster to put my stitches on the needle.
• I can actually see how many stitches are on the needle.
• I find hiding the ends are much easier.

Needle Tatting Cons

• Working with a tail is very tedious and I spent more time untwisting the thread.
• I am not very good at guessing how much I need for a project and could mean a lot more joins for larger projects
• Once the stitches are off the needle, it is almost impossible to unpick the stitches if an error is made.

Shuttle Tatting Pros

• You can wind more on a shuttle and not have to worry about working with a tail.
• I find that my finished work lays flatter then my needle tatting work, not sure if this has something to do with the Shoe Lace Knot that is done after each ring or chain in needle tatting, and also something I may not be doing correctly.
• Shuttles come in different sizes and I like the smaller ones.
• Picking out wrong stitches are easier.

Shuttle Tatting Cons

• I think for me was how you hold thread.  I felt awkward with the traditional way (pinching thread between thumb and pointer finger), but received some advice of holding thread between my thumb and index finger.  Which has helped and I think with more practice I can actually enjoy shuttle tatting more.
• I find it hard to be able to see the stitches I have made, but once again with practice that will come.

So I have come to a conclusion.  I prefer shuttle tatting over needle tatting.  Yea I know, I was all for needle tatting and I think for smaller projects I will use needle tatting.  But over all using the shuttle will be my method.  I really do encourage everyone to learn both methods.

Wanted to show you my shuttles.  Nothing fancy, as they all came from Hobby Lobby.  I got the large red one first, then the white one with the bobbin, then the green & orange one with out bobbins.  I like the last ones better.  I can wind more thread on those then the bobbin and they are small.
I am working on making my daughter a lanyard for her keys.  Pretty simple design that will be repeated on the other side too and joined to top picots.

 

I meant to publish this yesterday and just lost track.  On Thursday I meet a few ladies at Books A Million for our weekly knit/crochet meeting.

Feel free to leave comments.

We are still here....

Just a little wind blown.  We are expected to get rain tonight and tomorrow with more wind.  Have had a few branches break, but as long as they are not on my lines, I am a happy camper.  :)
Daughter did not have school today.  Only thing we got was wind and even that was not too bad.  They will be off tomorrow since they expect rain and more wind.  Possible that the roads will be flooded.  Will give a holler tomorrow evening and let you know how it went.

I managed to finish my bookmark that I had started with my shuttle.  Did pretty good.  I did run out of shuttle thread and had to do a join.  I think that came out okay too.  I just need to find a good tutorial on how to hide my ends.  I was having a hard time getting my picots to come out like they where suppose too.  Can not tell that there are suppose to be two different sizes.  LOL  Oh it is same pattern as the other one I did with the needle.  You know the one with the big ole boo boo.

 

Well did some searching and found a great way to get them uniform in size.  I will share that secret with you tomorrow along with some pros & cons of shuttle & needle tatting from my personal experience with both.  

Another Big Ole Boo Boo!

Was working on my needle tatting last night.  Working on  a snowflake.  Pattern here.  I was having a hard time trying to keep everything straight (pattern and the thread:OMG! the thread twisted so much, much more then Isaac...LOL) and to make sure I was joining to the correct picot.  I was on the 2nd half and was about to finish up 3rd part of 6 parts when I forgot to hold thread to make a ring and it dissappeared and was never saw again.  If I had more tatting under the belt, I could of salvaged, I think.  But what was made is never going to see the end.  I did get picture before I took apart to salvage the beads. I was hoping to finish even with some small boo boos and other ooppsy, but guess will chalk that piece up to practice.  So I decided to finish bookmark with shuttle that was tossed aside when needles came in.  Almost there.  I have found new way to hold thread that makes shuttle tatting a little easier on me. 
Okay here is picture and please try not to laugh too hard.  :)

Well  looks like Isaac will not bother us TOO much.  Depending on which way it goes once it hits land, will depend on how much rain and wind we will get.  Today is nice and windy but I think tomorrow will be a tad bit windier then today.  Will keep yall informed.

Drop a comment and let me know you stopped by.  Thanks!

Tropical Storm Isaac

The green lines show where they predict Isaac will make land fall but not certain.  Those green lines have been moving West ever since the depression was named and they where tracking it.  Started out in the panhandle.  Before I went to bed last night land fall was still for Mississippi.  Hope the picture is not too dang small.  The red star is where my oldest daughter lives with her husband and son (my handsome grandson  :).  Then a little more west is Lake Charles.  Where I reside with my husband and youngest (16 w/ learners permit) daughter and my 2 furbabies (boxers).  So today is run around day.  With Isaac slowing down and still moving more West then North, need to try and stock up on things and get some errands done.

We where blessed to find a car over the weeknd for my youngest daughter.  So she has bought her 1st car (98 Toyota Camry).  It is in being put in husband's name (which I have to do today, just in case we need to run) untill she graduates.  Need to pick up some water and maybe some large gas cans and gas for generator (just in case).  I really wanted to sit here and work on my snowflake with beads added and finish it up.  I have just 4 more spokes to finish.  I think it will turn out pretty. 

Please pray that God will protect me and my family and that Isaac causes no real damage. 

Such a rainy day

It has been raining all day off and on.  A good day to stay in and do some tatting.  That is right my crochet friends, I really do think I have my new passion.  I received my needles and have been playing around.  I do not want to give up on shuttle tatting.  I think I would enjoy if I could just find my way of holding the dang thread to suit my needs.  With the needle I can basically hold the thread like I would with crochet, so things flow much better.  Decided today was the day to make something useful.  :)  So decided on a bookmark.  It is called Tatted Bookmark designed by Sandy Baker.  Spent half of the day working on it and finished.  There is a big ole boo boo but I pressed on determined to finish.  Someone suggested to tat a flower or butterfly and place on top.  A great idea!  So after I find a pretty one I really like, will do that.  Ok enough babbling here is the picture.

Shuttle Tatting Tips I have learned........

I decided at first that I wanted to learn how to tat with a needle.  Well my order is taking FOREVER to get here and I am getting IMPATIENT waitting.  Soooooo I thought okay why not learn how to shuttle tat, since I can get one at the local Hobby Lobby.  So I did.  No book just the internet and youtube.  Well what most websites and videos forget to tell you is that....

When a pattern calls for 1 shuttle and the pattern calls for rings and chains do not cut thread, leave it attached to the ball.  If the pattern is all rings, then you can cut the thread.  Received that great tip from The Tatting Forums.  Really nice people there willing to help when needed.

Ok now for the most important tip.  Flipping.  This was the hardest to figure out as to what they where talking about.  I just so happen to come across a website with large pictures and then it hit me.  OH OKAY that is what they are talking about.  I did come across a great youtube video that really shows you what FLIPPING is all about.

I hope this information helps and keeps you from pulling out your hair and banging your head against the wall.  I do have a little left.  :)

Oh almost forgot to tell you.  At Hobby Lobby they had a few shuttles to select from.  I picked up the Starlit Shuttle.  I find it rather big and wished I had picked up the smaller metal one.

Happy Tatting!

More tatting practice.........

Decided to do some more practice but went with a Tatted Ring for finger pattern.  Of course I am not using correct thread and needle size but I wanted to try a test run.  I did 1/2 of the ring pattern.  I am not sure if the incorrect thread and needle combo is what is making my picot become larger after I join.  I included the DOLL needle I am practicing with.  It is way to thick for thread I am using and the eye does make it a little hard to remove from needle.

I am venturing out.....

I have been wanting to learn how to needle tat.  So I started watching some videos and looking at patterns.  Decided it was time to order some needles and jump right in.  Well still waitting on needles since Hobby Lobby(had spot for it but was empty), Michael's or Hancock did not carry them.  Found a doll needle at Hancock, not sure what size it is and figured I could practice with that till my needles arrive sometime next week.  :( 
Anyhoo, I used this website for her simple flower pendant.  I did watch some videos on youtube on how to do the stitches and make a ring and how to make a chain.  I need to work on tension and really how to read the patterns.  What do you think?

Well can you believe it.........

Here we are half way threw Aug.  Only 4 months left before Christmas.  Where does the time go??
School has started here and so I have plenty of me time here, even tho my youngest is 16 and is self suffient.  There is no music, tv or PS3 making noise.  :)
Been working on getting my 3-D Snowflake finished.  Just took week and half to do.  Not that it is hard to do, just procastinated.  I used a pattern from Snowcatcher.net and made 3 of them and then followed direction from aboutgoodness.com.  I am pretty please with the turn out.  Still needs some tweaking and working on getting it straight.  I love the color and think I should try pink next.  Would love to get a few more done for Christmas gifts. 
What do you think?

Been a while..........

Well not much going on here.  Weather has been hot and more HOT!  Have a few things on the hooks but decided to take break and make some more snowflakes.  I want to attempt a 3-D Snowflake and decided to go with Pikes Peek from Snowcatcher.net.  She has some really pretty free snowflake patterns.

So what have you been up too??

Granny's Bloomer Pot Holder

Just finished a small birthday gift for my husband's boss' mom.  I really think it turned out okay.
The pattern comes from the book Old-Time Crochet Made Easy by House of White Birches.

Here is what the pattern in the book looks like.

I did not do the trim the way they showed as I did not like how it turned it out.  So I just did the basic shell trim.  I also reversed the colors since the receiver loves red in her kitchen.  Here is my finished project.  I tell ya, I wish I could design.  I would like a pair to wear.  :)



Just checking in............

Not sure about everyone else but we are getting rain and more rain today.  Only thing good about the rain is the nice cool temps.  Has been so hot here last few months, that even the grass was turning brown.  With all the rain, I am sure the grass the growing again.

So how is the weather in your neck of the woods?

Happy 4th of July

WoW!  Where has the time gone?  I do believe that each year flies by faster and faster.  I can remember when time went by soooooooooo slowly.  Dang getting old sucks.  LOL

Not much to share.  I am working on a project called Openwork Tunic from Bernat Summer Days.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars!

You can find how to make these awesome no bake bars HERE.

Now a little abit of what I did.  I used semi-sweet chips.  Returned home and then remembered I had forgotten the graham crackers, soooooooooo I had to improvise.  Not much in the cubbered to choose from but saw the Coco Puff cereal sittting there and thought, hmmmmmm will this work?  So poured some in a baggy and beat the crap out of them.  LOL  They turned out YUMMY!



Ok I am back.

I know, I know it has been forever since I posted.  I am not much of a blogger.  I am going to try and make a point to post at least once a month.  :)  Alot has happened since my last post.  I have finished a few things.  One that I am really proud of.  Large filet piece Praying Hands for my MIL for her b/day in April.  I am greatful that she did see it before she passed away.

I also crocheted a cute octopus for a friend who has 3 large salt water tanks.  For the pattern I used please check out the information at Ravlery.  Mini Ami Octopus

Oh and also crocheted some cute baby shoes for a good friend who is having a baby in June.  Hmm can not find picture so I will link to my Ravlery page.  They are called Piggy Peeps.  A new window will open.

Oh yea almost forgot.  I started meeting with some ladies at Books A Million to crochet/knit.  I have never learned to knit and after meeting with them I decided to give it a try.  Here is the end result of my first attempt at knitting.  I am also working on another dishcloth.

Hmmm lets see is there anything else to report?  Not really sure.  LOL  Oh I almost forgot I have obssesed with Barefoot Sandels and have made 3 pair.  Not sure what happened with the pictures so will have see at Ravlery.  I do plan on making a few more.  :) 

Well I think that might be all for now.  See you soon.