Just Another W.E. Wednesday

Twelve, midnight already, 

I was just in the middle of a round,

I really should go head to bed,

but just can't put my blankie down...

(Sing to the tune of:  Just Another Manic Monday)

It's just another Wool Eater Wednesday,

It sure is a fun day,

but even on a work day,

I still find time to cro-chet!...

Now were you singing with me?  I hope so!...  I really loved the music of The Bangles, back when I listened to it on a cassette!  Oh, but as I work on my afghan now...

I find it so sad though that TWO wonderful musical talents have passed away, just in the short time I've been working on it.  First, if you remember, Etta James; and now Whitney Houston.  Only 48 years old; going before her mother, and leaving behind a young daughter of only 18...   My heart goes out to them both.  My favorite songs, sung by Whitney, are I Will Always Love You; and the most beautiful version, I think, of the Christmas song, Do You Hear What I Hear.

Well, so far I've now completed a full 18 rounds on my wool eater afghan, keeping in mind that each round is a color made by crocheting 2 rounds of crocheted stitches.  Remember?   In my last W.E. Wednesday post, I left off feeling "peachy", did I not?!...  Since then, my next three rounds HAD to be made in honor of the New York Giants winning the Superbowl!  Yes!  Woo Hoo!!!  Hence, the colors blue, red, and white!...  Oh, but when I heard Whitney had passed away, the only color I felt, in the sudden sadness and mourning for the loss of such a talent in the music world, was black.  She had her share of troubled times, it seems, so may she rest in peace now.  

Now, as I was making these latest specific rounds of colors, I found that my fingers were sometimes getting sore, or my thumb was actually feeling sore rubbing on the metal hook I was using.  So I finally purchased my first Soft Touch Crochet Hook!

While it didn't have a softer, cushion-y grip that I somehow imagined it might have, I did find my newest little tool helped very much!  However, I can only use it on the second round of each color, because my hook needs to hold up to nine loops at a time on that round, and the new hook just wasn't working for that...  So, now, working back and forth from my metal hook to my soft-touch hook, at least my fingers are getting a break every other round.

Bouncing back from a remorseful round of black, I now begin my next rounds of PINK!..  for Valentine's Day of course! I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday, whatever you did, and however you celebrated!

...And thanks again for stopping by!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, here it is, Valentine's Day, but it's so cold outside; and it's very quiet around here, considering it's a holiday.  I was just sitting here, having some tea, but am so glad you could join me today!...   Would you like a cup too?

I've decorated the house some, here and there, keeping everything in the holiday spirit!  

My dining room table is set up very simply, and I've kept my medium-sized Christmas tree out for the year, like I said I would!

I'm afraid it needs a few more Valentine decorations to cover up the white wire that comes with the strand of heart lights.  Thanks to Debi, at Dly's Hooks and Yarns, who sent me a few heart shaped bangle bracelets.  With those, and her pattern, which you can find HERE, I made three of these ornaments to hang on it!
 

I skipped rows to get the size I wanted, and then just added a ribbon and rose, but I love them, Debbie!  Thank you so much for sharing your pattern!

At the center of the tree, there hangs a tag I received in a swap from Jane, at Anything but.. Plain Jane.  A very pretty collage of pretty things on this one..  I love it Jane!  Thank you!

Of course I couldn't forget to decorate without at least a couple of my favorite dollies...

..so here they set at the bottom of my tree.  Next year, maybe I'll have a little heart shaped box of chocolates held in the larger dolls hands!

Moving to the kitchen, you see my window, always kept closed, for the view I'd rather not see outside it. Still, I do my best to keep it cheery looking.

The dollies and animals may not be everybody's cup of tea, but they are my cup of tea!  They make me smile!  The cafe curtain look is new, though!  I bought three table runners at the dollar store, and used them for curtains instead!  The decoupaged vase in the center of the sill is one I made last year.  The pinwheel was made by and given to me by one of my nieces!  The doll in red gingham was once a good friend's, who is no longer with us.  So you see, sometimes my style of decor holds more sentiment than the eye can see. 

I've been so busy with schooling, keeping house, an irregular work schedule, errands, wedding planning with Dear Daughter, etc., etc...   Occasionally, I try to paint, collage, or doodle something into my Book of Days journal, like this one, I most recently did...

Still, at night, I kick up my feet, light a candle, watch some t.v., or a movie, and work away at the wool-eater afghan I'm making!  I will show how that's coming along tomorrow, hopefully.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day today, 

and remember....

"If you have only one smile in you, 

give it to the people you love."

(Maya Angelou)

Thanks so much for having tea with me today!

((hugs)) 

Wool-Eater Wednesday

Sarah London is hosting a Wool Eater Crochet-Along, and today's the day to post our progress.  According to the number I read on the Flicker website, as of today, there are 458 members...  My gosh, just imagine all those afghans!! 

 

I started a little later than most of the other participants, I think; but I'm almost caught up now, being only one round behind the basic crochet-along schedule that is set up.  Each round, in this case, actually means two rounds of crocheted stitches, where 2 rounds are typically done in one color, then the next round is done in two rounds of another color...  Got that?  If you look closely at the rounds and color patterns in the photo, you probably get the gist!

If you remember from a previous post, I mentioned how I was treating this almost like a diary/journaled, mood-of-the-day type of project; one in which I would just crochet a color, and another color, and the next, so on and so forth, according to my mood, or some specific event/occasion going on at the time.  Well, I'll try to briefly explain my color scheme so far:

1. Rounds One and Two:  I'd read it was a color of balance, order, and safety from fears and anxieties, while it also symbolizes growth, so it seemed to me that green was a fitting color to begin with!
2. Rounds Three and Four:  Soon after I had just started this afghan, I heard that Etta James had passed away.  My own personal favorite song by her is "Misty Blue", so for the next two rounds, I went with blues; one dark blue, and one a misty shade of blue.  
3. Round Five:  Next, Dear Daughter and I were off to a big Bridal Show event, and I had never been to one before!  It was quite an event, and so my next color was a white, in honor of my daughter and all the brides to be that day!
4. Rounds Six and Seven:  Next came Chinese New Year, and having read a little bit about that, I found that red and gold were traditional colors when celebrating this event;  hence the next two rounds of color.
5.  Rounds Eight and Nine:  Soon thereafter, I remember a big jewelry event on one of the shopping channels, on t.v...  There were many items made with turquoise, and oh, how I'd love to have a pretty turquoise ring someday!  The necklaces and bracelets were all so pretty too!...  so where the afghan was concerned, I was in the mood for turquoise!
6. Round Ten:  The next round of white comes from a blanket of snow I woke up to one morning.  It was pretty, but it didn't last long.... which actually made it all the prettier to me!...  Hence the next round of white!
7. Rounds Eleven and Twelve:  As I was crocheting this round of snowy white, I really had no color set in mind to do next. This is, after all, a fly by the seat of my pants project!...  All I know, though, is I was so comfortable and cozy, working on this new afghan, while nearby was my little pot of tea and the empty teabag wrappers that sat nearby....  To be specific, the wrappers were purple...  and there you have it!  As of this morning, my afghan measures about 25" x 34".  

Oh yeah...  this morning...  It was NOT a good one.  It was pretty stressful for reasons I'm gonna try to forget.  But I'm gonna let my sarcastic nature take over, and make light of all this, and I'll just refer to it as "peachy keen".  Yes, that's right!  How was my morning?...   "My morning was just peachy!!!"...

So the next color I'll be working on tonight, with my feet up, and a big ol' smile on my face, will be peach!

Well, I'm off to make dinner now!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Tea for Chinese New Year

Today is Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage, and Sandi is celebrating her second year for this weekly event!

I have not posted a Tea Time post in a while now, but not to say I haven't missed it.  I enjoyed making tea, and little desserts...   and setting the table just so!  Upon hearing of this event, I made it a priority to get out my tea pot, and join in on sending Sandi my best wishes!

I decided to set my tea table up in the spirit of Chinese New Year!  It is tradition I've read, to set out oranges, nuts, and candy, so please help yourself!  I am absolutely fascinated with the holiday, reading up some on it, while on my internet travels!  This is the year of the dragon...  The water dragon, specifically; and while most of us in the western hemisphere might fear a dragon, the Chinese believe the dragon will provide protection and great blessings in the year ahead!

Here you see I even did a little Book of Days journal entry about it, last night as I was watching some television!  I was really in a fickle mood of sorts, doing a little painting; then while waiting for a layer of paint to dry, I would quick wash my hands good and clean, so I could work on another new afghan!

I found this new Crochet-Along to make a Wool-Eater afghan, with Sarah London.  Just like the Round Ripple, I have never tried the wool-eater pattern before either, so I guess I'm feeling adventurous this year!  "Sign me up", I said!  And just to make things interesting, I've decided to throw caution to the wind on this one, working with whatever color that might depict/symbolize whatever mood, situation, or event I find myself in at the time...  Kind of like a crocheted journal of sorts!!  It reminds me of the scarves that Bev did HERE!

Another little journaling project I made recently was this.  It is a journal to make record of what inspires me on my travels through Blogland!!..  Hence the title, "Inspirational Souvenirs".  Here I can record the beautiful things I come across, from time to time, thus saving that admiration and inspiration I felt, that little somethin' I was able to take with me from the places I've visited!

This one, again, is made simply from a black-and-white compostion book, bought at my local pharmacy!  (I think they better stock up, because I'm gonna need 4 more for a swap I'm in at MAS!!)  The bird on the cover was given to me, and was made from a beer can!!..  I recycled the peel off seal from a can of peanuts for the silver-colored background circle you see at the center!   Kinda pretty, I think!  But more of a learning tool, this book is...  The idea to make this specific journal comes from Effy, who runs the Book Of Days journaling event, who mentions we can record what grabbed our attention, actually try it, and then record that!  So, I intend to record all branches of art, which in my mind includes not only painting, but crochet, recipes, home decor, scrapbooking, etc., etc....   So this book will include drawings, paintings, and photos of what I've made, such as the Round Ripple Afghan I just made with Pammy Sue!

Speaking of baking..  I did recently try a new recipe for Mud Hen Bars, and it was a hit!

You can find the recipe HERE.  Not a gorgeous photo I suppose, but these just came fresh out of the oven, and were still cooling.  Soon after, I cut them up into bars, threw them into an airtight container, and they are almost gone already!...   I think I'm going to have to make them again!

Well, I guess that about wraps up the latest around here.  Dear Daughter has chosen a wedding gown, and we spent a good part of our Sunday, at a Bridal Show Event.  I've never been to one before, honestly, and it was quite the experience.  I'm not usually one for crowds, but it was a nice crowd, and I mostly just enjoyed the time spent with my baby girl!..   Till next time... 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

My Weekend & My Afghan!

What a great 3-day holiday weekend I can honestly say we just had!  (for the most part, at least!)  Saturday began quietly, as I continued to gradually take down the Christmas decorations, and later I baked some homemade custard and then a broccoli-corn bread recipe I've been wanting to try.  It came out good..  a nice variation for the typical plain old cornbread.

Dear Daughter came to dinner that night, after which we all watched a couple movies together...   Lots of laughs and lots of fun!

Now, before I forget, I'm ashamed at how long it took me to find time to post this, but I received a tag recently from Georgie, at Puddin' n Pie!  Hooray for happy mail!   We were in a Tag-A-Month Swap at Creations by Tee, and this is what she was so kind, and talented, to send me!

I absolutely LOVE this gorgeous tag, celebrating 2012, in Marie Antoinette style!  Thank you so much Georgie!  It's beautiful!   

Moving on to Sunday, it began with a bit of a snag, as I met with matter of slight disagreement with one of the other members of the congregation of our church.  One certainly hopes such things wouldn't happen in a house of worship; but it simply became necessary, in my mind, and after a fair amount of time, to defend myself in the matter...   Well, as I did so, as nicely as I knew how, it didn't turn out very well.  What can I do but hope the matter at hand will iron itself out; and hopefully, in time, there will be no hard feelings, right?... 

After leaving the church that day, Dear Daughter and I went to look for wedding gowns, and I was feeling MUCH better!  Oh my gosh, were the emotions running full-throttle that day, as my baby girl looked absolutely stunning in everything she tried on!  She does, in fact, have a favorite gown in mind already, but is taking some time to think about it...   to shop around a little still, and consider her options.

Monday was to be my day of rest.  I just put my own foot down, and was determined!  "I'm going to park myself on the couch, watch the movies I bought 2 MONTHS ago and haven't YET had time to watch, maybe light a candle, and I'm going to finish my afghan!!"

Time for just plain fun and relaxation is often hard to come by, and recently, I even journaled about it in my Book of Days.

I ended up watching two Audrey Hepburn movies, "Funny Face", and "Paris When it Sizzles";  and loved them both!...   and I finished my afghan!

I'm so happy with how it came out!  I love the colors, but now I'm just a little perplexed on how to place it on my bed...    I'm going to show a couple of photos, and if you could, any advice is welcome!

Tell me which way you think is best...

... or if perhaps, simply folded and off the bed is best?  I could do that too, as I'm even wondering if the pattern and/or colors are too much for the quilt I love in the first place?  Yes?  No?  I won't be offended, so be honest.  In fact, I'm still wondering if I should paint the headboard black?.. or white?  It is a quandry,  so please help me out, my talented friends!!

Well, much to do around here...  

And Dear Daughter is stopping by later! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hello January 2012!

What a great Christmas we had this year!  Family, good food, presents..  Lots of fun that day!  And would you look at what I found in my window!

Well, the photo's a little dark, I know, but I've had this plant, a Christmas cactus, that was my grandmother's, for about 10 years now.  Never has it blossomed, and I had really given up hope that it ever would.  Come Christmas Day, someone else pointed out to me that my plant had flowers, and I couldn't believe my eyes!  Five beautiful bright pink blossoms for Christmas!  It's in full bloom still this morning!

Hmmm..  If I thought that was big news, just two days later, I was asked by a wonderful young man if he had my blessings, as he would later that day be asking my sweet baby girl to marry him!...   Honestly, had it even been up to me, I couldn't have possibly picked anyone better if I tried; so I said "Yes!", and off he went to ask her that evening...

...and her answer was "Yes!".

I saw this coming, eventually, but I definitely didn't have a clue when it would happen.  It's hard to believe...

...when sometimes it feels like only yesterday, 

that she was taking her first steps... 

Or when I was dressing her up so pretty for a visit to see Santa, or the Easter Bunny!..  Or when she had to stand on a chair, at my kitchen counter, to help me stir a batch of cookie batter!..  I loved reading her stories at bedtime...

I can't help that my heart breaks just a little, and my eyes well up with tears.  Here she is, taking yet another step away from her Mommy, building a life of her own.  It's a bit overwhelming, but truly, I'm so very happy for her....   And if anything, this may bring us even closer together really.  Already, she wants me to look at wedding gowns with her!  She's so excited!  Oh, call me biased, but I can't help thinking, she is just going to be the most beautiful bride ever!..  I just know it! 

Well, what a way to end the year, and here we are, starting a new year!  I've still got my tree up, but am gradually taking down the rest of the decorations, starting from the kitchen first.  Recently Martha Stewart posted about using containers as refrigerator magnets...

and it just so happened I came across a container, at a local dollar store, that I thought would work nicely to hold my pens and pencils on a wall!  But I just glued on some heavy-duty magnets, hung it up on the upper-freezer door; and my junk drawer is now all the more spacious, having removed all the loose pens and pencils that were congesting it before!  It's "a good thing", right?!!  I've got another little something I'll be crocheting for the kitchen, but we'll see when I can get to that.  You know how I've always got a hundred things going at once!  (I really need to learn how to stop that!  ha! ha!)

I'm probably going to take my sweet time about taking this, our biggest tree, down just yet; but this year, I'm considering keeping one medium-sized tree up year-round, so I can decorate it for all the holidays/seasons.  I've seen other people do this, and their trees look absolutely gorgeous!..    So festive and cheerful!...  Something that would lift my spirits instantly, if ever I need!  Take a look at the blog Debbie Dabble, and you'll see what I mean!  I love the idea, and am already thinking about how I'd like to decorate my little tree for Valentine's Day.

I've started a new art journal, called my "Book of Days", an online project hosted by Effy, at Wild Precious Studio.  This is going to be a great experience I think, and I'd encourage others to look into this and join in!  My book is simply made from a $4.99 composition notebook, that I purchased from my local pharmacy, and here is the cover I've put together for it.

The charms I've added to the back edge/binding of the book each represent a little something...

The cross at the top represents my faith.  The bell symbolizes ringing in a new year.  The three hearts represent me and my kids, and how much I love my family.  The key at the bottom (a car key sent to me in some junk mail!) represents progress, or moving forward.  I may add more charms as the year progresses..  We'll see.  The strand of beads you see alongside the charms, are of various colors and sizes, but some of them are the magazine paper beads I have fun making!  (You might remember I made some for a Halloween scrapbook layout.) 

Anyways, so far, we've done a few pages, but we started with two hand-written letters.

   

One letter was written to 2011, as if it were a person, really, stating what my best memories were, and what I was most thankful for.  The second letter, on the right, was to the year 2012, introducing myself in a way, and stating what my thoughts, hopes, fears, and goals are for the year ahead!  The little envelope on the bottom right of the first page holds a 2011 penny, and I've since added a few stamps to remember the year by.

Recently I made a small art supply order with Samie, at Journal Girl.  Included in my package was a print of one of her own paintings!   In the upper center it says, "Be brave".  I love that!

I set it in a black frame, and can't wait to find the perfect place to hang it in my room!  Thank you Samie! 

I've joined a Tag A Month group, 

over at Creations by Tee!

  

And here is my first tag, for the month of January...  the theme being Winter fun!  The little girl, on the tag, comes from recycling an old Christmas card!  She was reaching for a bird, flying in the sky; but I decided to cut her out, and make it as if she was building a snowman!  The tag now sets on my desk, nearby my computer!

You can see I've really tend to favor the aqua and turquoise shades of colors lately!  I bought a coverlet last year, from Target, that is like a smoky shade of turquoise, and I've been gradually making things to match/coordinate with it ever since.  Recently, I made myself a doily, for a bedside table, based on the pattern you can find HERE, at Scotty's Place.

Soon after, Pammy Sue was starting a brand new project, asking others to join in on a crochet-along, making a round-ripple afghan!  I've never made an afghan like this before, and have always wanted to.  While still not having an afghan to go with the new colors in my room, this seemed like a good time to get started on one!

So, having started mine last night, this is what I've got done so far!..  about 10 rounds, I think.  The plan is to start with black, and then add various brands and shades of turquoise, alternately with black, maybe even a little white (I'm not sure) as I go along.  I'm excited about it!  After sometimes getting so sidetracked with scrapbooking, it's so nice to just curl up on the couch, with a t.v. show, or movie, and my hooks and yarns!  With thanks to Pammy Sue for the inspiration, and for hosting the crochet-along, I really hope this will come out pretty!

Well, that's what's going on around here! 

Wishing everybody a blessed 

and very Happy New Year, 

and thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Have A Cup of Cheer!

While still working every minute I can these days on cookbook mini albums, I decided to break away from the papers and glues for just a couple of nights recently to bring out my hooks and yarns instead!  I turned on my Christmas tree lights, and popped in a movie, and those couple of nights were the most relaxing, peaceful nights I've had in a while!...   So, here's what I made!

I found the perfect shaped coffee mugs I was looking for at The Christmas Tree Shoppe!  In fact, I'd like to go get more!...  But I think these crocheted coffee mug cozies would be really cute Valentines Day gifts too, with the right goodies tucked inside, ya think so?!!

The pattern I followed, with minor adjustments to fit the particular-sized mugs I bought, was from Micah, at Micah Makes.  This is a great pattern, very easy to follow, and quick to whip up!...   Thank you Micah!  With the exception of ONE, which will be MINE-ALL-MINE...

...the other four cups will be Christmas gifts!!  (I just still have to get the marshmallows!)

Meanwhile, during the past month or so, I participated in a couple of Christmas Tag Swaps!  Now that all the tags have been sent and received, I can finally share them with you here!  For the first round of swaps, via Mini Album Scraps, I received this group of gorgeous tags...

...and honestly, the talent shown in these just amazes me!   

The next round of Christmas Tags came via a swap held by Gloria, at YouTube channel craftergm.

  

Aren't they beautiful?!!  Photos could never do them justice!  Every little detail just fascinates me, every time I look at each individual work of art!  Every one of all ten tags are hanging on display in my home right now, and I know my visitors will LOVE seeing them all!  

Oh!  I almost forgot to show my own tag!  I made the same tag for both swaps, so here it is.  This is the front...

You see the flower center of the fabric flower I sewed myself?  It almost looks as pretty as cranberry glass, doesn't it?!  Would you believe it was made out of a plastic soda bottle, and a red sharpie pen?...   Well, it WAS!!

*Update:  Look for how to make Pop Bottle Flowers HERE!
...And look for the fabric flower how-to HERE!

Next is the back of the tag, where I pocketed a second tag!  I used the Sizzix die Key & Keyhole. Then, on the back of this tag I added a little poem about leaving the key out for Santa, just in case he needs it!  (The smallest tag you see, the little red-patterned hand, just included my personal info for the recipients in the swaps.)

So, I guess that just about wraps things up today.  As for my "Sally List" so far?..  I may need to run to the bank for some rolls of pennies!!  Ha! Ha!..  Oh, just kidding!!  Hopefully I won't need to use them all!  I am full of the Christmas Spirit today, and plan to do some Christmas cookie baking!!

  

Thanks so much for stopping by, 

and I hope this finds you and yours 

enjoying the weekend!