Happy Halloween!

Quaff, oh quaff this cup of coffee!!!...  I got up late this morning, and am posting this quick before I go to church!

"Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe", wrote Edgar Allan Poe in his poem "The Raven".  I always loved this line, ever since seeing how Homer says it in the Simpson's version of the poem!!  It's funny, if you haven't seen it!  But what does it mean?  By definition, quaff means to drink heavily, which sadly, in the end, is a problem that probably killed Poe in 1949, when he was only a 40 year old man.  Nepenthe, by definition, is an anti-depressent, something taken with intent to forget sorrow or pain.

In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to post "The Raven" as read by James Earl Jones.  What a voice on this man!  As perfect for this poem, as Vincent Price was at narrating his part in the song "Thriller"!!

I love that poem!  It's gotten to be as much a tradition to me as the "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" special!

Speaking of traditions, 

I got out my book of spells yesterday...

Ha! Ha!.. My big ol' recipe book, I mean...  and I baked my Great Pumpkin cookies!!  

Today the kids and I will be decorating them with frosting and candies of different sorts!...    We'll also be carving our pumpkin that we picked up yesterday!  I was so relieved we had a fair assortment to choose from!  Usually, by now, they're all gone!!!  I hope I can show some photos of everything tomorrow..  We'll see if the camera is cooperative or not! 

Happy Halloween to everybody!

God bless..  Have fun today, and hope you're enjoying

this holiday weekend!

 

WIP Wednesday?

Hmmm...  I would think a more appropriate title for today's post might be "Where've You Been Wednesday"!

Well, for one, homeschooling has consumed much of my time.  There is always teaching, studying, note taking, researching...  and then still, in my own spare time, planning ahead!  But Dear Son is doing well, and I'm continually and increasingly encouraged by his progress!

When our studies are done, we've been working together on a little art project!  Inspired by Jen's Tea Light Jars, at Craft-O-Maniac, I decided to get out some clean, empty jars I've saved, along with some paint brushes, tissue papers, old magazines, and Mod Podge.

I started a witch, while Dear Son decided he wanted to help make the ghostly little friends that hang out with her!  We're still working on the ghosts, but I think my witch is done now!  I tried putting hair made of yarn on her, but didn't like it.  I could try making the hair with paper, as suggested, but I think I like her just the way she is!..   Maybe we'll put some eyes and mouths on the ghosts tonight, before the 106th World Series comes on t.v. tonight..  the Rangers vs. the Giants!
 

It's the Rangers' first time playing in the World Series, 

so I'm routing for the Texas Rangers! 

At night, while watching t.v., is when I get most of my crocheting done.  I most recently finished my 1918 doily, in a crochet-along with Glor, at Crochet Galore!  

I haven't made a doily in quite some time, so I really enjoyed making this one, and can't wait to make another!

I'll be working on my latest project, tonight, while watching the game...  but I'm only giving you a little peek!

  

It's been taking me some time, this one, and all the while, I'm just HOPING it will look nice when I'm done!  Right now, I couldn't tell you when it might be done.  I'd like to think, certainly by next WIP Wednesday, but we'll see...  I've got other little projects going on the side, of course, with Christmas only...   what is it??..

  

 58 days away?!!

Well, at least my Halloween decorations are up, all around the house, which is nice, since we didn't really get to celebrate last year, with "the big bad move". 

I love the holidays, and that really was a disappointment at the time.  We don't have anything big planned, but we're going to enjoy it this time around, if even we just pig out on candy while watching "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"!!

Anyways...
I've got all my Halloween potholders and towels out...

Hmm..  Can you tell which crocheted towel is begging to be put to rest?  I hope Cynthia, at Home Matters 1st, is seeing my pretty quilted potholder on the left, all pretty on display!  She's the one who made it for me!..  The stripe quilted potholder on the right is one that I made myself with Halloween fabric scraps!

Here are some painted terra cotta pots I've made...
(a few years ago, that is!)

  I have these set in my hutch in the kitchen!

They were fun to paint!

 

I wish I could be getting more baking done than I am right now, but I did get some pumpkin muffins made.

  

I found the recipe, thanks to Pammy Sue, HERE, over at Scotty's Place!  I used a spice cake mix to make them, and I remember Dear Son saying "Man, these are good"!!..  Now he's asking me to make MORE!  Tradition, however, calls for me to get baking my Great Pumpkin Cookies, as Dear Daughter has recently reminded me.  Time is always such a crunch!..  I may at least mix the batter tonight, and see if I can get baking them tomorrow sometime.  You can find the recipe HERE...  I always get out all the fixin's, so that I can frost and decorate them with little pumpkin faces!  They're the best!

Finally, I settle down to read...

whenever and wherever I can fit it in.

I am almost done with the mystery story "Murder On The Prowl", by Rita Mae Brown, and am sure I will be starting a new book by the weekend!  In the meantime, Dear Son and I are up to Chapter 7 in "The Lightening Thief", the story of Percy Jackson, written by Rick Riordan.   The story's good so far! 

I'm just seeing the commercials/trailers coming out about the movie, "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1", released to theaters on November 19th!...  Oh my gosh, I can NOT WAIT!  I loved every book in the series!!..  The only part I dread, is seeing if and when any of my favorite characters get killed in this part of the movies.  Call me a baby..  a big sap, if you must...  But I just KNOW I'm going to need to bring my tissues, for sure, for those parts!..  Still, I'm counting down the days!!..  Only what?..  23?..  22 days?...  I've got to get the widget for this!

Well, that's it for now.  I've got to start dinner!

Thanks for stopping by!

    

A Bewitching New Pattern!

Hmmmm..   How long has it been since I've shared a new free pattern?  Looking back, (gasp!)...  Apparently, it was in January!  "Too long" I would say,  so I'm very excited to share this new one with you today!

Broom Bonnet Hildie

(c) Pattern designed and written by TLS, beansieleigh

October 10, 2010

Materials needed:
Approximately 12 oz. 4-ply WW acrylic yarn, in black
Small amount of orange 4-ply WW acrylic yarn for hat band.
Small amount of peach/flesh toned 4-ply WW acrylic yarn for hand.
Size H crochet hook
Straw broom, approx. 33" in length from top to bottom
Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Small amounts of notions of your choice for embellishment
Hot glue (your choice) may be needed for assembly.

Gauge:  2 rnds/rows of sc = approx. 1/2"

Level of difficulty:  I'm suggesting some experience is necessary before starting with this pattern, but the stitches are easy, and I hope my instructions may be helpful enough even to a beginner.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain, chain stitch
sc = single crochet
sc-dec = single crochet decrease
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
BLO = back loops only
Rnd = round of stitching

*Note:  Unless otherwise noted, each round will end by joining with a sl st to the first st of that round.  In rounds of dc, ch 3 will always count as your first dc.  When you see asterisks in the instructions, follow what is said between the asterisks till you've completed that row/round. 

Instructions:

Hildie's Dress: 

Ch 26, join to form a ring.

Rnd 1)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (26 sc)

Rnd 2)  Ch 2, hdc in each st around.  (26 hdc)

Rnd 3)  Ch 3 (remember, counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in next st. *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (39 dc)

Rnd 4)  Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around.  (39 sc)

Rnd 5)  Ch 3, dc in each st around.

Rnd 6-7)  Repeat Rnd 4-5.

Rnd 8)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 9)  Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (52 dc)

Rnd 10)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (52 sc)

Rnd 11)  Ch 3, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (65 dc)

Rnd 12)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (65 sc)

Rnd 13)  Ch 3, dc in each st around.

Rnd 14)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 15)  Ch 3, dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (78 dc)

Rnd 16)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (78 sc)

Rnd 17)  Ch 3, dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (91 dc)

Rnd 18)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 19)  Ch 3, dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 6 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (104 dc)

Rnd 20)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 21)  Ch 3, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (130 dc)

Rnd 22)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 23)  Ch 3, dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st.  *dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st* around.  (156 dc)

Rnd 24)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 25)  Ch 3, dc in each st around.

Rnd 26-37)  Repeat Rnds 24 and 25.

Rnd 38)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (156 sc)  Fasten off yarn and weave in the end of your yarn.  Set aside.


Hildie's Arm and Sleeve: (beginning at the hand)

Rnd 1)  Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook.

Rnd 2)  Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around.  (12 sc)

Rnd 3)  Ch 1, *sc in one st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (18 sc)

Rnd 4-6)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 7)  Ch 1, *sc in 7 st, sc-dec* around.  (16 sc)

Rnd 8-10)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  At end of Rnd 10, switch to black yarn for the sleeve, weaving in any yarn ends before you proceed.  Next using black yarn, and your yarn needle, sew the arm to the dress, referring to my photo, or in whatever position you may prefer. (You may use hot glue for this step, but I don't suggest it. If you do, make sure glue does not stick the layers of your dress together in any way your would not desire.)

Rnd 11)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 12)  Ch 1, in BLO, sc in each st around.

Rnd 13)  Ch 1, working in BOTH loops of each st again, *sc in one st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (24 sc)

Rnd 14)  Ch 1, *sc in 5 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (28 sc)

Rnd 15-22)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 23)  Ch 1, *sc in 5 st, sc-dec* around.  (24 sc)

Rnd 24)  Ch 1, *sc in 2 st, sc-dec* around.  (18 sc)

Rnd 25)  Ch 1, *sc in 4 st, sc-dec* around.  (15 sc)

Rnd 26)  Ch 1, *sc in one st, sc-dec* around.  (10 sc)

Rnd 27)  Ch 1, *sc-dec* around.  (5 sc)  Fasten off yarn, saving enough yarn to whipstitch opening shut.

Now turn arm in the hand-up position, and attach black yarn to one unused loop of Rnd 12 so to start the ruffle of the sleeve.

Ruffle Rnd 1)  Working in unused loops, ch 1, *sc in one st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (24 sc)

Ruffle Rnd 2)  Ch 1, *sc in one st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (36 sc)

Ruffle Rnd 3)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  Fasten off yarn and weave in end.



Hildie's Bonnet:

Rnd 1)  Ch 2, 4sc in second ch from hook.

Rnd 2)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (4 sc)

Rnd 3)  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st.  (6 sc)

Rnd 4)  Ch 1, *sc in 2 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (8 sc)

Rnd 5)  Ch 1, *sc in 3 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (10 sc)

Rnd 6)  Ch 1, *sc in 4 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (12 sc)

Rnd 7)  Ch 1, *sc in 2 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (16 sc)

Rnd 8)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 9)  Ch 1, *sc in 3 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (20 sc)

Rnd 10)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 11)  Ch 1, *sc in 4 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (24 sc)

Rnd 12)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 13)  Ch 1, sc in 2 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (32 sc)

Rnd 14)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 15)  Ch 1, *sc in 3 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (40 sc)

Rnd 16-19)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 20)  Ch 1, *sc in 4 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (48 sc)

Rnd 21-23)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  At the end of Rnd 23, change to orange yarn to begin the hat band.

Rnd 24)  With orange yarn, Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 25-28)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.  (48 sc)  Fasten off orange (weave in end), and change back to black yarn.

Rnd 29)  Ch 1, *sc in one st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (72 sc)

Rnd 30)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 31)  Ch 1, *sc in 2 st, 2 sc in next st* around.

Rnd 32-34)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 35)  Ch 1, *sc in 5 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (84 sc)

Rnd 36-38)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Rnd 39)  Ch 1, *sc in 3 st, 2 sc in next st* around.  (105 sc)

Rnd 40)  Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Folding hat flat, positioning the two edges of the hat brim together to join, you will now crochet through both thicknesses to crochet one row  (exact st count across is not of any great importance, so do not worry).
Start with 2 sc in first st, sc in each st across, ending with 2 sc in last st.  (I ended up with a row of 54 sc.)
Fasten off yarn, and weave in end.

Assembly:  To start, I chose to wrap a 1" black ribbon down the handle of the broom, attaching that, and the bow at the top, with hot glue.

Next, to put your Broom Bonnet Hildie together, you must first decide how permanent you want the pieces to stay attached to the broom.  If you think in time you may want to wash the dress and hat, you should then attach your pieces to the broom accordingly, with temporary ties and/or pins, but if you would prefer, you can simply hot glue everything together.  The choice is yours.  I chose to weave yarn through the top of the dress, to gather, then bringing the dress down from the top handle of the broom down, I tied the yarn tightly shut, then tucked my yarn ends down inside the skirt.  (This way, I can untie and launder if I choose to later.)  Next, attach your bonnet to the broom, with hot glue if you prefer;  however I chose to attach it by tacking it onto the broom with my black yarn and yarn needle, so that I can detach and launder with the dress, if I so choose to.

Any further embellishment from here is entirely up to you!  I added a 1/8" ribbon bow to the sleeve, then I pinned (again, for laundering purposes, but you could use hot glue) a ribbon bow onto the bonnet as well.

Beads, silk flowers, buttons and bows...  They are all options you can go with as you finish your broom doll!
Have fun making her, but please do not sell, distribute, nor publish my pattern without my permission to do so first.

(c)TLS, beansieleigh, October 10, 2010

I think Hildie looks so cute, hanging on the inside of my back kitchen door!

I've got more decorating to do, but it's definitely starting to feel like Halloween around here!

Should you try this pattern, I do hope you'll enjoy it!..  Please do let me know if you try this, and of course if you find any errors.

Today I am linking with Jen, at Craft-O-Maniac....

 and Polly Want a Crafter...

and with Stacey, at FUN To Craft...



and FO Friday at Tami's Amis and other Crochet!

Thanks so much for stopping by... 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

    

 

Keeping Busy and Keeping Up!

My gosh, feel that old familiar nip in the air?!  There's no denying the frosty temperatures we're starting to get here!...  Cold enough, I'm afraid, that we've had to start shutting our windows again...  but still warm enough that we can leave the heaters off for the time being!  Again my head spins, thinking how rapidly these final few months will probably fly by, but I'm getting way ahead of myself!

Looking 'round my home, I feel as though I've only just gotten the decorations up for Autumn, while Dear Son is asking, "Where are the Halloween ones? Aren't we getting those out yet?!" 

Well, so far, I brought out a few of my scarecrows... 

and my fall leaf and floral arrangements...

are scattered from room to room...

I got out my candles,

and the newest seasonal-scented air fresheners!

I'm well stocked for candy corn... 

and now that conditions feel comfortable enough,
I'm running the oven, and baking all my favorite
goodies again!  These cookies are called
Sugar and Spice Cookies...  They taste much
like a Gingerbread/Ginger Snap type of cookie!

I'm even joining Susan, at A Southern Daydreamer Reads, 

for a Fall Reading Challenge!

  

The challenge runs from September 22nd through December 20th, and the rules go as follows...

1.  Make a list of books you'd like to read this fall.

2.  Post your list on your blog, bearing in mind that 

you may change or add to the list at any time you like.

3.  Post the direct link to your
Fall Reading Challenge 2010 post.

(I may keep track on my right side bar as well.)

4. Write a post in December, to let everyone know how 

you did!  So here's my list, not necessarily in the order

shown, and knowing very well, I'll never 

get to all of these by December, but I'll do my best!

 

1.  Murder On The Prowl, 

by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

(I'm reading this right now!)

 2.  Freedom, by Jonathen Franzen

(as suggested by Oprah!)

 3.  Confessions of a Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella

(as suggested by Dear Daughter!)

4.  The Shop on Blossom Street series, 

by Debbie Macamber

5.  Guilty Pleasures, by Laurell K. Hamilton  

     (as suggested by Bev, at One Yarn After Another!)

6.  The Doctor's Wife, by Elizabeth Brundage

(as suggested by Pammy Sue, at Scotty's Place!)

7.  Same Kind of Different As Me, 

by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

(as suggested by Molly, at The Bookworm!)

8.  Lana, by Lana Turner

9.  Gracie.. A Love Story, by George Burns

10.  Just Desserts, by G.A. McKevett

(as suggested by my BFF, Marilyn!)

Just recently, I got a new coverlet and bedsheets for my room.  I've had the same ones for nearly 15 years, I figure, and just longed for a change.  After Dear Daughter and I did some shopping around, I still couldn't make up my mind on what style or pattern I'd like, or even what color for that matter!  Then I saw a set that just caught my eye, and for me, this was what I wanted.  

I loved that it had a Celtic pattern running through it, and I loved the color too!..  The trouble, of course, is that this new color now calls for redecorating my entire bedroom!  That really was not my intention, but I made my decision... and here you see I'm looking at paint samples, with the idea in mind that maybe I can paint my headboard and dresser!  Plain old white curtains may have to do for now, until I can make my own prettier ones later...  sometime after Christmas probably.  I hope to at least crochet a throw pillow or two to go with the bed, but first I have to wait for my order of just the right colored yarns to arrive from Hobby Lobby!

I finished my crochet-along sweater!  

No, I did not feel like modeling it this morning, so a hanger will have to do!..  The yarn I used was Caron Simply Soft, in Dark Sage.  This looked, to me, to be a thicker yarn than was suggested, but living in the "Great Northeast", I wanted a sweater that was WARM!..  Sizing ran true to size, none the less, and I never had to alter the pattern at all!  It fits perfectly, and just in time for the chilly weather we're getting!  I'd love to make another one in a different color, but I've already started another style sweater...  this time with granny squares!  

I'm shooting for a little brighter color this time around...  Purples!  I've got about 21 squares out of the 64 that need to be made in all... And my crochet friends know, joining squares and weaving yarn tails will take some extra time, so I can't even predict when I'll get this one done by!  No matter, and no rush though..  I just hope it comes out nice! 

The transition to homeschooling seems to be going well so far.  It's been funny how Tuffy, our cat, loves to participate in class though!!  It reminds me of how Mary's little lamb had followed her to school one day!

With Tuffy, however, he follows us to school EVERY day!  He'll make several rounds around the table, as we work, until he gets comfortable (or until I holler for him to scoot!)...  If he is not disruptive, then I will let him stay. He loves to sit close by, to watch Dear Son do his work, or to listen to him read!  I tried to take a picture of this today, but the photo did not come out...   Maybe another day! 

Well, that's about it!  How's that for some catching up?!  I'm as busy as ever, but at the end of the day, I feel good about what is getting done!...  Tired....  but good!  Thank you for stopping by, and have a great day!  

Today, I have linked with Every Day Crochet,

and Tami's Amis and Other Crochet.