I Want To Believe

Buttons and Clouds

2009-01-28T11:07:00.016-05:00

I wanted to post some pictures of my succesful handspun yarn to date. The first yarn I made was with buttons. I was really obsessed with this idea for some reason. So, here are the fruits of my labor of love. After I finally got the button idea out of my system, I moved on to super thick and thin yarn.

What Lost Buttons Dream Of...

2-ply, 5 ounces, 70 yards. One ply has a core of crochet thread with buttons pre-loaded before spinning. The Other ply is slightly thinner and was spun normal, no core. Spun and plied on Penguin Quill Wheel Jun 27-29, 2008

Partly Cloudy

Handspun yarn, 2-ply, Corriedale-cross. White single has very large fuffy sections with no twist alternating with very thin with heavy twist. Blue single was Kool-Aid dyed with a little bit thick and thin. Unbalanced plying, alternating between the two. 63 yards, weight is 2.9 ounces. Dyed, then spun and plied on a Penguin Quill Wheel. July 10-17, 2008

I have made other singles, quite a few, nothing that really jumps out like those two, so far. But I am hoping that shortly, I will have another one to add, already named "TigerLilly". Stay tuned.....

the big update

2009-01-10T10:00:00.002-05:00

My bad! I know, I know, I haven't posted for a very long time, but I hope to be better about it from now on.

Well, let's see.....I did finally get myself a spinning wheel in June of 2008. It's a Penguin Wheel. That means it looks like, well, a Penguin! It is a quill wheel with no flyer, more in common with a Rio Grande or a walking wheel, then a typical wheel most people use nowadays. I decided to go this route for several reasons. First and foremost, since there is no flyer, there is no restriction to what I feed my wheel. One inch across buttons, giant weird clumps, felted flowers, the limit is my imagination! It's been a lot of fun so far.

And now, drum roll please.....TaDaaaah!!!!

Penguin Quill Wheel, number 258. Manufactured between 1972 and 1974 in Sunshine Canyon, Colorado. Black walnut veneer with pine upright. Single treadle, direct drive with no belt. Spindle wheel sits directly on drive wheel with an adjustable spring to tension the spindle head down onto the drive wheel.

Still looking for a wheel

2008-05-17T23:52:00.002-04:00

I am about out of my mind trying to pick out a spinning wheel. Damn, every one that I am interested in has been discontinued. I have found one that I like, but it's a quill or spindle wheel only, it would be able to spin anything, in theory, basically limited by the ability of the operator. I would be the operator, and I'm not sure what my level of ability is anymore. Quill spinning is tricky, not everyone likes it or is able to do it. I am not sure which category I fall into....I wish I could track someone down locally so I could "give it a whirl" on their wheel and try before I buy. I've had several people tell me that it's not that hard, just slow going. But, for the yarn I think I'm going to be making, it might be the only way for me to go. i want to make the super chunk funk with all kinds of stuff spun right into the yarn. I don't think I could compete with all the other beautiful yarns being spun out there and I have to find my "niche market."

You spin me 'round

2008-05-12T01:42:00.009-04:00

I might take the plunge and buy a spinning wheel. I used a Majacraft Suzie some years ago, but I wasn't able to work on it for various reasons. That really upset me and it's something that I put out of my mind for a long time. But now, I think it's something I want to get into. There was a really nice group of people in the local guild and I would like to get involved in some group activities. I really don't do much outside of the home other then helping out my Mom and some social contacts would be good. So, we will see, budget is always an issue, it may just be a big pipe dream.

Baby come back!

2008-05-07T23:28:00.005-04:00

Well, well, look who's back? Or should I say bad? Yes, I've been very bad for a long time about posting to this, or any blog. No matter, times have changed and so have I, as the song goes, so it's time to get back into the swing of things.

Many changes have taken place. The boyfiend and I got married, we bought a second home, we have a hamster, turtle and another dog. It's funny because the house I'm in now is about half as big as the other one that I just visit, but there are twice as many lifeforms here. The second house was a necessity as my mother's mobility is declining and I really needed to be near her. She did not want to move near me, as the regional hospital with all the specialists are near her. So, we bit a really big bullet and got a small second home for me to live in to help her out. She isn't to the point where she needs to live with someone full-time either, so this situation is working out. Down the road, I feel we can always sell this house as it's small and would be good for a single professional person working at the hospital, or elsewhere.

So, in case you didn't pay attention, we are up to three small dogs, Barney, Blossom, and Teddy, one hamster, Franklin and one turtle. The turtle, Fang, being the most recent addition.

As for yarn, well, I took some time off from it. but now I'm back, with some new ergonomic hooks and a gleam in my eye.

Another Sunday Night

2006-03-19T22:51:00.000-05:00

Another Sunday night alone. I am sure glad that I have the Gnomes to keep me company, although they mostly sleep. But, the soft, gentle snores from across the room is somewhat comforting to me.
The Boyfiend took off a few hours ago to work, but I don't think he will get very far. He really needed to take a nap before he left, but it wasn't in the cards, so I think he will be taking one soon.
Tomorrow I have plans to finish up the doggie swap that I signed up for at Craftster. I have a few of the items done, but have to get the big project finished for the Friday sendout deadline.

Spa!

2006-03-16T23:11:00.001-05:00

Finally! They got the spa open again at the motel my Bro stays at. I had a great time soaking my sore neck. The water was so hot, though, I thought I was in a lobster pot. I expected a giant set of tongs to appear and lift me out when I was done.
We had a little dinner at my house before we went over there to soak, just a something from Subway. I haven't eaten there in longer then I can remember. It was good, but the chili wasn't what I expected. I guess they changed the recipe or something.

Sore Neck

2006-03-15T23:58:00.001-05:00

I don't know what I did, but I sure have a sore neck. It feels like I got kicked by a mule. But in reality, it probably was a lumpy pillow. Regardless, by the end of the day it feels like the mule visited.
I am not one for taking any medications, but I may have to break down and take a tylenol or aspirin. I just don't like taking stuff like that, I know it's basically harmless, but it gives me the creeps. There are a lot of people I know that take a pill for every twinge that they feel. I don't think that's right. Pain is there for a reason, so we know we've hurt ourselves and so we know our limitations and don't do worse damage.

No Spa!

2006-03-14T23:33:00.001-05:00

Once again The Bro is visiting in town. The bummer is though, that the spa and pool at the motel he stays at is down for maintenance. They hope to have it up and running by Thursday or Friday. we are hoping for Thursday, since Friday doesn't do us a bit of good. My neck is still sore, so a good soak would help out a lot.

Clean At Last

2006-03-12T22:15:00.000-05:00

We got so much stuff done around the house, I can't even believe it. We moved most of the furniture in the living room and cleaned everthing. We finally got the white elephant moved upstairs and also removed severla small pieces of furniture that we didn't use, but were still sitting around. We threw out a speaker that just made a buzzing sound, but I was using for a plant stand. I managed to shuffle things around and the plants are still happy.
It was a great feeling to get so much accomplished in one day.

White Elephant

2006-03-11T23:03:00.000-05:00

I hope to finish up a lot of cleaning projects this weekend. But, I am not sure it's going to happen. There are certain things I can't do alone. I want to move a mirrored dresser, but it's too heavy and akward to move by myself. I think that it's going to have to wait for a few more days. The problem is it's parked in the living room and I am so sick of walking around it and pretending it's not there. Like it's a white elephant and we pretend we can't see it.

The TreatMan Departs

2006-03-09T23:17:00.000-05:00

Well, The Boyfiend finally had to leave out tonight. He is doing much better, his leg is still sore, but he has a full range of motion for him, or at least, back to where he was at. His knees aren't the greatest as it is, so we were pretty concerned about this. I guess we will have to wait and see the long-term affects.
The gnomes weren't all that happy to see him go. Barney isn't crazy about him, as Barney thinks he is The Man, but The Boyfiend is the Bestower of Treats around here, so he serves a function in Barney's eyes. Blossom just knows that someone is missing and doesn't like the change and also think of him as a Cookie Dipensing Unit.

Almost a Pantry

2006-03-05T20:18:00.000-05:00

I did manage to get some things accomplished today. I did some work in our entryway, as I want to reclaim some of that area as a kitchen pantry. We seem to have alot of appliances, things that we don't use on a regular basis. So, I am putting them out on a shelf and gaining a bunch of countertop space in the kitchen. Hooray! There is light at the end of the tunnel!
I have been really pushing myself to write anything lately, but the truth is, I don't have anything interesting to say as all I have been doing is cleaning. So there it is.

Another Friday Night

2006-03-03T23:14:00.000-05:00

We went out for supper for Friday night. it was kind of a disappointment. We went to a newer restaurant. I tried a tuna steak, which I never had before, and I can say I will never try again.. I thought it was pretty dry. The Boyfirend, who has had that before, said that is the way it is. So next time I will pass. The main thing, is the service was terrible. Very, very slow. And once we got our food, it was like we didn't exist. I had to ask two different waitresses for a box for the leftovers and that took 15 minutes for them to take care of. So, we won't be going there again. the rest of the evening consisted of doing laundry and going shopping. The Gnomes had a good evening, I cut up a hotdog for them to share as a little treat.

I Wish I May...

2006-03-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Boy, do I ever wish I had tomorrow off from work. The Boyfiend is still here, as his leg is still a little sore. Also, at work they didn't get it together in time for him to leave out. The have a problem with organization there, to say the least. so, with him around, it would of been nice to have a day to ourselves, of just relaxing and sleeping in, but it isn't meant to be.
On another note, I am on a quest to find some crewel yarn in this town. I think I am going to fail. I have found some kits at St. Vinnies, I think that is going to be my main source of crewel yarn. The problem is, the kits are vinatge, and while some of them are kind of cool, the colors are a little too primary for me.

A Big Fall

2006-03-01T22:43:00.000-05:00

The Boyfiend took a fall on the ice outside our door. He can barely walk. We went out and did some errands, at Walmart of course. He ended up using the little power scooter to get around as he can't put hardly any weight on his left knee. We hope that it isn't something really bad, that it is only a bad bump. that would be a huge problem if it turns into torn ligaments or something on that order.
I was thinking that it seems like all we do is shop, shop, shop. We don't buy a lot at a time, it seems like maybe we better start making lists or something to get a little more organized and cut down on all the trips.

Blossom Finds a Sense of Humor

2006-02-28T23:25:00.001-05:00

Blossom is getting a lot more playful she seems to be getting the idea that we are playing with her, not trying to upset her. If you scrunch your fingers across the couch like a spider, she swats at your fingers and paws at your hand. Then she'll roll a little bit, so you can rub her belly. It's pretty cute how she does that. Of course, she sits and watches Barney messing around with us and I think she is pretty smart, she's put it all together pretty quickly. She also went and jumped into the bed this evening for the first time. She watched Barney go in there to snooze and a few minutes later she did the same. She definitely learns from example really quick. A smart and resourceful girl to have made it through the puppy mills. She seems happy here.

2006-02-27T20:52:00.000-05:00

I expected to have tomorrow off from work, but for some reason they need me for the entire day. That really bums me out as The Boyfiend is in town for the day and we had plans to do stuff together. But oh well, that's what happens when you are indispensable. I think I should have myself cloned and send me to work for myself. That way, I would actually get a day off when I sign up for one by being able to send myself to work.
On an entirely different note, I traced the pinup girl with hairbrush onto the hankie this evening and I am going to start on that shortly. It's small enough that I think I can put it in a zip-loc and bring it to work, that way if I get a few minutes on break to do something other then get fresh coffee or go to a restroom, I got something to do. At least I would be getting something done that I had planned to do on my imaginary day off that I almost got to enjoy.

Ready, Set, Embroider!

2006-02-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I have an early shift, so I am going to try and get to bed at a reasonable hour. I ended up going to JoAnn's and looking at embroidery floss and such. I got a multi-pack, filled with an assortment of colors. I decided that I am going to do one of the pinup girl patterns from Needlecrafter. I was thinkning on doing the infamous pinup girl with lipstick, but decided in the end to do the girl with hairbrush as a first, get-my-feet-wet project. I found an old hankie that I am going to give it a try on. Later, I will try on some pillowcases, but for now, it's a start.

Not Much Of A Day

2006-02-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

But I did manage to finish painting my new craft room. I still will have to do all the trim, but I don't think that will take all that long, it's only where the walls meet the floor. I give it about an hour tops. We didn't even have an actual supper last night, just kind of snacked a bit and called it good. The Gnomes are doing good, no problems with them.
Lately, I have been surfing Craftster for embroidered or crewel work. I don't know why this has me so intrigued right now, but it does. maybe because I am thinking about how to decorate my new space and the fact there is going to be a bedroom nook that it has me thinng of jazzing up some pillow cases and small table cloths. We shall see what comes of it all.

A Day Of Rest, Sorta

2006-02-24T23:16:00.000-05:00

I had yesterday and today off, as yesterday was Barney's surgery and today was just in case something went wrong with him. Nothing did go wrong and Barney is doing fine, but one can never be sure with little dogs how they are going to recover.
I ended upspending most of the the day working upstairs, trying to get that room cleaned up and finish painting. Well, I ain't gonna make it. I still got to do one little area, kind of an alcove for lack of a better description. Also, there is still plenty of junk in the room and I have just been working around it. I ended up taking a break from painting to rearrange some of the stuff so I can start moving the junk out of that room. I reorganized an area on the landing at the top of the stairs and started putting all the Christmas decoations in that spot. It isn't much, but it's a start. I am also slowing tunneling my way into the smaller room and will start working on that too. I managed to get most of the clothes bagged up and put in the closet, so at least all the clothes will be in one area. It's kind of depressing to me that it got that messy, but at least I am trying to take back control and that does make me feel a little better about the whole mess.

The Day Of..

2006-02-23T23:10:00.000-05:00

Well Barney made it through dental surgery with flying colors. He had 5 teeth removed, but still have some left. He did really well and seems to be just sleepy for the most part. he had a little chicken again for supper, as he had to have something to eat and also, his antibiotics need to be taken with food. so, he didn't have a great appetite, but he ate enough to make me happy.
Thye Bro came over for dinner this evening, so we had like a mini Thanksgiving. Roast chicken, stuffing, corn and gravy. It was a nice hearty meal. We ended up just sitting around and watching a movie. He left a little while ago. I was planning on going to the Spa with him, but we were both too tired to stay up for that. Otherwise, it was an uneventful evening with Barney resting comfortably. Blossom seemed to know something was up as she kept sniffing his head, but he didn't seem to mind at all and liked the attention.

The Day Before

2006-02-22T21:05:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow morning is Barney's dental surgery appointment. We already know from the consultation that he will lose quite a few teeth. he already had his bloodwork done, so we know he is good to go. We are just very worried, as it's very hard on a small dogs system to be put under for anything.
Tonight, The Gnomes had a special meal, all kind of goodies, including roasted chicken. I thought it would be best if barney had a big meal, since he can only have water after 9 pm. I know he won't feel like eating very much after tomorrow for a few days.

Work, Work and More Work

2006-02-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

I am so looking forward to having a few days off. I have been working on organizing my house a little bit better and doing some cleaning. But, it's really hard to do when you work part or most of the day. I will be so happy when it reaches Thursday and I have a full day off to get some projects done, start to finish. It is such a burn to get half way done with something and have to walk away instead of finishing it up and being done with it. Now I know how the Egyptians felt when they were building The Pyramids.

Mission Impossible

2006-02-20T23:44:00.000-05:00

I spent i don't know how much time, looking for the instruction booklet to one of my sewing machines. I may just give up and pay for a new one. It would be a copy, not an original, but that's better then nothing. I really feel that I need to oil the machine before I do much more sewing with it. I think it's going to set me back about 15 bucks, but it's better then paying for a new machine because I ran it without being oiled properly.

Heavy Thoughts

2006-02-19T23:40:00.000-05:00

I watched the movie Constantine this evening. A very interesting movie, I must say. I would like to see another movie, like a part two or some sort of followup. It would go a long way to explain what's going on in the World today. Sometimes I really wonder how long this can go on. We are using fossil fuels like there is no tomorrow, and tomorrow is just around the corner. i am not sure what got me on such a heavy thought patterns this evening, but I would guess it was the movie. Although this is something I have been pondering for a long time. The President says we are on the verge of an energy breakthrough. God, I hope so.

Just Plain Cold

2006-02-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

I Can't say that today was a stellar day. it was horribly cold outside. At one point we marveled that the sun had come out and it really warmed up. when we got home and checked out the temperature, it was a mere 3 degrees below zero.
The big outing of the day was a trip to JoAnn's for the Presidents Day Sale. I got a kit that had a small cutting mat and a rotary cutter, among a few other useless little things. I also got a small Omnigrid ruler that is see-thru.
The Boyfiend had to take off for work today. We managed to have a steak dinner before he left. That was a nice evening.
The Gnomes have not enjoyed the cold snap one bit. They look at me like I must be crazy expecting them to go outside. I think they're right.

Freezerburn

2006-02-17T23:38:00.000-05:00

It finally stopped snowing around midnight last night. I did get a call shortly after 10 pm to come in and work today. So much for all my plans of housecleaning. Oh well, you gotta be a team player. The windchill was horrific today. I fueled up just before I had my lunchbreak. When I got home for lunch, I checked the weather and it was 12 degrees with a windchill of 6 below zero. No wonder I thought my teeth were going to shatter when I was fueling up. As I type this now, it's 6 below zero with a windchill of 28 degrees below zero. I can't tell you how much that stinks to go outside right now. I will have to take the Gnomes out for one last time and they are going to hate me for it.
The Boyfiend made it into town around noon today, so he just beat the worst of it before it got super cold outside. He is not home for long, though, as he has to leave again tomorrow. Maybe next weekend we will have a Valentines Day dinner. It just wasn't in the stars to work out this weekend. I didn't get him the spatula yet, as I didn't want to go out in this weather to do any shopping. He got me a beautiful heart shaped pendant with mother of pearl, diamonds and rubies or garnets. It's quite lovely, I just need to get a thicker chain before I wear it out, the chain is a little to thin for my taste and I would be in fear of it breaking and losing the pendant. It was a really nice surprise and something I will always treasure.

Snow, Snow and More Snow

2006-02-16T21:57:00.000-05:00

We got snow alright...It didn't start snowing until shorty before I started work, of course. Luckily, I didn't have to go far out of town. I just worked locally for a change. Usually I end up going on a 20 mile voyage to some backroad somewhere. Dispatch did their best to get everyone in as quick as possible, i think a lot of drivers ended their day around an hour early, and were greatful for that too. I have tomrrow off from work, technically, but I am sure that before the night is over I will get "The Call". I am sure that someone will get snowed in and not be able to dig their way out by tomorrow morning. When I got home from work, I had about 7 inches of snow in the driveway with a couple of areas that had drifted to between 2 to 3 feet deep. But, fortunate for me, the plow hadn't gone by and packed the end of the driveway so it only took me about 45 minutes to dig my way in. Tomorrow, the windchill is supposed to be well below zero with the windchills. that is reallly depressing to me. There is no way the busses can keep up with those kind of temperatures. I won't freeze, but I will be keeping my coat on, that's for sure.

Hawk -Eyed Maltie

2006-02-15T23:34:00.001-05:00

Work went alright this morning, nothing out of the ordinary. Afterwards, I picked up Barney and we went to the vet to get his bloodwork done. It was still kind of early, so a little later I went to McD's and got a plain double cheeseburger for The Gnomes to share. I wanted to give Barney a treat for being so good at the vet. I don't think Blossom had ever had anything like that before. She watched me like a hawk after that, like I was going to pull another cheeseburger out of my pocket and hand it to her. She scarfed her half of the burger down like it was Manna for Heaven. I can't say I blame her, that dog food really is stinky. But, back to reality, The Gnomes need a balanced diet and treats are nice once in a while.

Well, The Bro stopped by briefly. He was in town for about two hours, one of which was spent visiting with me. We ended up getting some KFC for supper, he checked his email and then took off, back to his motel about an hour away from here. He will probably be spending a few days here next week, so we will get to visit some more and go sit in the spa and relax. Tomorrow might be very interesting at work, as we are under a Winter Storm Watch, expecting 7 inches of snow and 25 mph winds. I really hope not, I hate the snow.

No Snow is Good

2006-02-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

We were supposed to get 2 inches of snow today, but luckily, this didn't happen. I had a busy day though, anyhow. I was really glad when the day ended, I was pretty tired by the time it was 4pm. I did end up going out buy The Boyfiend a box of chocolates in a heart shaped box and a card. I am also going to buy him a spatula. I know, not very romantic, but hey, it's a really nice spatula.
I didn't get to do any knitting today, I really didn't get to sit around much. I wasn't hurried, but just steady.
After work is when I went shopping. There was a magazine at Shopko that looked kind of neat. It was about sewing stuff for your home. I am tempted to go back and get it, but I want to get the spatula first and that was at Walmart. There was some fabric that I liked on clearance at JoAnn's too, so I'll just have to see how the dollars pan out tomorrow. But for now, I am thinking about going to bed early tonight, as I have a very early day tomorrow and also Barney has to go in for his bloodwork.

The Ole Switcheroo

2006-02-13T21:12:00.000-05:00

So much for my day off tomorrow. Originally, I was supposed to have the day off. Then, I was asked to work for 3 hours in the afternoon. I really was the only one available to do it, so asked, is a relative concept. Now, they need me to work tomorrow morning for an entire 8 hour shift. it's not too bad, really. I would rather work the whole day and be done at 4pm, then work just for a few hours and be done at 4pm. Also, I was supposed to bring Barney in for some bloodwork tomorrow in the morning, but I was able to switch that to Wednesday morning. I hope that this isn't the start of a flu epidemic at work. I also had to put in a request for time off for the end of next week, as that is when Barney will be going in for some dental work. that's why he needs blood work done this week. He will probably end up having his few remaining teeth removed, so it is going to be a major medical procedure.

Catch Up Time

2006-02-12T21:48:00.000-05:00

Today, The Boyfiend had to take off for work. We spent some time getting his stuff together to go. I didn't have much time to do anything else. I am hoping that tomorrow at work I have some time to work on the dobby hat that I am knitting. I guess that i will have to post some pictures of my finished projects, since this is called The Yarn Files. I have actually finished two hats that I haven't posted about. One is the Kitty hat, and the other is a hat for The Boyfiend. I have yet to start on the sweater for Blossom, but it's kind of late in the year to be messing with that. I really should be making her a raincoat. I think in the yarn department, I will be working on stuff that would sell at a craft show. It seems early to be thinking that way, but I will have to make a lot of things to sell to make it worth the cost of renting a table at a show. I will probably make a bunch of scarves as they are easy, but I also will try and make some hats as I got many compliments on the hats that I wore throughout the winter.
lately, I have been trying to do Spring Cleaning, for lack of a better term. I really need to have my own craft room, it's just too much of a mess having this stuff in our living room. It's hard to find what I need, but mostly it's just a mess to have to hide all the time. So, that is taking most of my free time for now.

Showing Some Life

2006-02-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

Blossom is really starting to show some life. She does funny things, like zooming around the kitchen when we come back into the house from going outside. She really does love to chew on rawhides chewies, despite her lack of teeth. she has a really cute little personality, if she would just let go. It will take some time, though, we realize this. She is comfortable, that is for sure. She has no problems snoozing wherever we put her. Barney likes her, the other day he must of boosted her butt up onto the couch, as she was up there sitting with Barney when we got home. She also got it figured out that if she sees the Screaming Gnome run to somewhere, she should follow him. She is a quick study for being a deaf little dog.

Once Again...

2006-02-10T23:44:00.000-05:00

Once again, not much done. I worked in the morning, came home, The Boyfiend got back into town. He made us some great steak sandwiches for lunch. I ended up taking a nap for a few hours this afternoon, which I really needed. I don't know why I am so run down lately, but I am. The fun thing is that we had a Taco Night. That means we make taco's from scratch, kind of a build it yourself taco buffet. I really love when we have taco's. It's funny though, that the guacamole stuff that we buy contains very little actual guacamole. I still like it, but I think it should be called Tasty Green Stuff, or something like that. Barney was kind of hanging around the table, but there really wasn't anything there for him. We did give the Gnomes each a little taste of steak leftover from our lunch sandwiches, so they were happy.
I started cleaning up my sewing machine, as I need it to make some Little Gnome outfits. It's almost Springtime, and my knitting and crocheting will be winding down a little for the Summer. I will still be making some stuff, I am seriously thinking of trying to sell some stuff at the local craft shows next Autumn. If I could make enough money to offset the Christmas costs, that would be great.

Slow Days are a Good Thing

2006-02-09T23:57:00.000-05:00

I had a pretty easy day today. I didn't have to work until 4 pm, so I ended up bumming around with my brother. I got back a few hours before my shift and we ended up eating leftover porkchops for a late lunch. I did the work thing and was in the spa by 10:35 pm.
While I was riding around with The Bro, I did get a few more rows done on a hat I am working on. It was posted on the Internet, with some sort of mistake, as far as I can tell. I got that hashed out and I started working on it a few days ago. I have been using it as a work project and not meshing with it at home, so it's been going pretty slow. I originally found the pattern on craftster, with a link to the blog it was posted at. But once I started working on it, I realized there was a problem and posted it again on craftster. The responses were that it indeed had an error and I wasn't losing my mind. So, I just used the pattern as a guideline and I am doing my own thing to some extend.

Chops for Supper

2006-02-08T23:27:00.000-05:00

Today was a pretty easy day at work. Meaning, everything went according to schedule and I was running on time. After work, I got started on making a porkchop dinner, as I had invited The Bro over in the evening. I ended up making almost like a casserole of porkchops, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy over the whole thing, baked in the oven. We started off with a salad and had mixed veggies and biscuits along with dinner. It was a great meal and it was nice that we had a salad first, because that really cuts down how much you pig out. We both need to loose some weight, so that was a good thing. After that, we went back to his motel and sat in the spa fro a while and then I went home, I was really tired. I read a little and now, I am going to bed. I am just exhausted and really need some serious sleepytime.

The Boonies and Back

2006-02-07T19:10:00.001-05:00

Today was a rather long day at work. It entails picking up a half dozen or so of our eldery clients and driving them all over town to run their errands. It can really get to be a lot of stops. Also, they don't live in town, but out in The Boonies. So, it's about 45 minutes just to go get them and 45 minutes to get back into Civilization. The roads out That-A-Way left a lot to be desired. They were pretty bad this morning and on the return trip they hadn't improved at all. I was busting through some snowdrifts across the road. I am just glad that my day ended when it did, much longer and I would of been driving in the dark.
The Boyfiend is at home for the day, but since I was at work for most of it and he has some other family plans involving the bowling alley for the evening, it's going to be a short visit. I can't bowl, as I have two bad shoulders, but besides that, they allow smoking and I just got over my coughing spell that lasted 2 months and don't want to tempt Fate.
The Gnomes seemed to have a good day when I was at work. They aren't cuddling up together all that often during the day, but they are definitely getting along. They will cuddle in the evening on the couch when I am home from work, as long as I lift Blossom up onto the couch as she can't make the jump like Barney can. I'm not sure if they see each other as anything but a heat source. Whatever the case, they trust each other enough to sleep so that's a good thing.

Cleaning Day

2006-02-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

I was able to finish up a bunch of projects around the house today. I still have some more work to do in the bedroom, but I am happy with what I got done. I didn't have time to do much of anything else today. My brother stopped by for a little while, but he will be out of town until Wednesday. We did make plans to get together and rent movies on Wednesday evening. I just have to figure out what I am going to prepare us for supper. He ends up eating microwave food most of the week as there is a microwave in his motel room. So, I want to make something really substantial, like meatloaf or a roast. Other then that, I didn't have too exciting of a day, just cleaning and cleaning some more.

Sunday Nappies and Not Much Else

2006-02-05T22:59:00.000-05:00

It's not snowing anymore, but the wind is really whipping things around out there. I went out for a few things at the grocery store. Dogfood, bagels, and a bag of salad. I also got some Tipperdogs, which is another name for cheap hotdogs that we give to the mooching neighbor dog. I also went to Goodwill, but really didn't get much. Bias tape in two different colors was the extent of my shopping. Their prices are getting a little to high for my taste. They used to be a place that I went to all the time, but in the last few years I have not bought much there because of the prices. I can go to St. Vinnies and get the same stuff for about half the price.
The Gnomes and I ended up napping through the Superbowl, I really could of cared less about the two teams. I wanted to get more done around the house, but I have been really fatigued lately and a nap was right up my alley. I have tomorrow off from work, so I hope I have a burst of energy and get a bunch of stuff done around here.

Crafting Area Blues

2006-02-04T22:26:00.000-05:00

I did go out and do a little shopping today at St. Vinnies. I bought some coats and other clothing that show a lot of promise as material for tiny doggie outerwear. I don't think I will have a chance to do any sewing this weekend, as I am doing stuff around the house. Sunday evening, I may be able to get a little sewing done, but as it is, there are several sweaters lying around and the polarfleece vest I cut out the other day for them to wear. With the turn in the weather, I am not as worried about making Blossom a raincoat as I was yesterday. I wish it was still a priority, as I really hate the snow and would rather have rain anyday.
The weather turned suddenly nasty today. It must be about 15 degrees out there with the windchill. It's around 24 otherwise. I had to go out and shovel the driveway, there was about 5 inches of snow with drifts of about a foot in some spots. It was good exercise, but there are other things I would of liked to do. I don't think the Gnomes have spent more then two minutes at a time outside, they were so not impressed with the wind. I doubt that they could see much of anything down at their level with the snow swirling around.
I have spent most of the day just trying to do a little straightening up around here, as I decided it's time that I get a craft room going so I can work on all these projects. I am tired of using the living room floor as a table. I end up not finishing anything because it's so frustrating not having a proper area to work in. So, hopefully within the next week, I can get my craft stuff in a new home instead of crammed under the coffee table.

Dry Clean Only

2006-02-03T22:45:00.001-05:00

I had mentioned in an earlier post about Blossom's love of rawhide chewies. I think this picture shows that I wasn't kidding when I said there was about 15-20 different chewies to choose from. Keep in mind this is just the ones they hauled up onto the couch. There is a plethora of them laying around The Little Gnome couches on the floor. They were chewing on them for about a half hour after coming in from a potty break. A half hour seems to be the limit for being able to hold their eyelids open. Barney is crashed out a little bit out of camera shot on the armrest. Her tummy fur is growing in nicely, she was spayed on January 18th, about a week before I picked her up. Blossom really hates going outside in any sort of inclimate weather. It's been drizzling or snowing a good part of the day and she wanted nothing to do with going out in that. She has the idea though, that if she does what she needs to do, then we all go in immediately. So, we were out for about 1 minute all together. She still gave me the Evil Eye like it's my fault it's drizzling out. I will go to JoAnn Fabrics tomorrow and look for some waterproof fabric and make a little rain poncho for her. Something simple shouldn't take me too long to make. I suppose I could go really easy and make one like the fleece one I made last night out of any old thing and cover the outside with duct tape. That would give her that retro Judy Jetson look and probably look pretty cool too. I do plan on going to St. Vinnie's tomorrow before I go to JoAnn's. I was going to see if they had winter coats on sale yet to cut up into doggie duds. I will have to check for waterproof type clothing. Maybe I can find something suitable to make her some raingear. Barney only gets upset with the rain if it's a hard rain, otherwise, he seems to enjoy being out in the rain or snow. I think he would stand out there and sniff every snowflake that falls if I would let him. It's funny that he seems to be what you think of a little boy, wanting to walk through the puddles and mud. She is the little princess that wants to always being dry and clean.

Pattern Problems

2006-02-02T23:04:00.001-05:00

I did end up frogging the hat that I had started. I haven't actually restarted the hat since I haven't heard back from the author of the pattern. The general consensus on craftster is there is an error in the pattern. Actually two errors. The first error being, the first and last stitch are selvedge stitches and not part of the pattern, just something for you to use when you seam it together. Second, the pattern as written is not divisible by a 4x4 ribbing. You will end up with the 4x4 ribbing not alternating properly once you seamed it together. There would be two knit panels next to one another. So, a person would have to add 2 stitches or substract 6 stitches to get it to work out right. I may scrap the whole idea of that hat and find a similar pattern, such as Pinky at knitty. I am not sure yet. It's not like I wasn't able to figure out the problem, but I feel like maybe Fate is saying to do a different pattern.
The House Gnomes are doing fine this evening, they are resting comfortably. I'm not sure it's possible for them to do anything other then rest comfortably, but I suppose there is an outside chance. I cut out a simple blanket style coat for them out of some of the fleece I bought. It seemes to be a good design. Although I will have to sew on some velcro and finish the edges, I was able to put it on Barney. He seemed pleased with the style and fit. I will be changing it a bit, as I really don't like having to fasten the belly straps all the way under his belly. I would rather have one long strap that fastens on the side, then two straps that fasten underneath him. Other then that, it will be a good start.

Hat Trick

2006-02-01T23:31:00.001-05:00

This morning I slept in a little, that was nice. The Gnomes weren't ready to get up, but I rousted them out of bed anyways. They are truly amazing sleepers. When Barney first came off the chihuahua assembly line, Inspector #481 scooped him up and said "This one is great! He hasn't opened his eyes for days, what a perfect specimen of a chihuahua." The other inspectors gathered around and all they heard from Barney was a little snore.
I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon riding around with The Bro. He was checking on a few clients out in The Boonies. It was fun to do a little more talking. He then dropped me off and went on his way out of town. He will be back a bit on Friday morning, then again for a few days next week.
I started a new hat while riding around, but I will have to frog it as I think there is a typo in the pattern. Suspecting this, I only did a few rows, just enough to see if I will like the looks of the yarns I am using. I will post more about this when I contact the pattern author and find out for sure if there is an error on her part or mine. It's probably something I don't understand, being a Novice Knitter

Gnome Home

2006-01-31T23:38:00.001-05:00

You want to talk about a sinus pressure headache, well I felt like I got punched in the eye from first thing this morning onward. It makes for a long day at work. I did get to do a little crocheting and got most of a hat for The Boyfiend done. I had made it once already but it was slightly too big for his head. Hard to believe there could be a hat too big for that head. But anyhow, I had to frog the thing and start over.
The Two House Gnomes were fine when I got back from work. When I pull in the driveway, I can usually see Barney in the window, watching for me. He has a pretty good grasp of when I should be coming home. My schedule is on the fridge. Sometimes I see little scuff marks on the floor where Barney has pushed a chair over to stand on so he can read my schedule. He is a little near-sighted. I also believe he has an alarm clock set somewhere to wake him up minutes before I arrive home so he looks loyal and attentive.

See in the picture the look of innocence Barney tries for, but doesn't quite achieve? When I pull in the driveway, he starts running around the house, screaming like a little girly-man. Even Blossom, who is deaf, is alerted to my arrival by The Screaming Gnome. Sounds like a great name for a Seattle grunge band. We spent some time together, then I went to visit The Bro, as it's his last night in town. The spa helped my sinuses a little, just enough that I think I will be able to sleep tonight. I already got The Gnomes settled into the bed, so I better hurry and finish typing before they sprawl out and I have to sleep in the crack between the mattress and the wall.

The Family Tree

2006-01-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

I went and visited The Bro tonight. He is once again staying at a local motel while in the area working. He brought a bunch of the photos he is collecting from various family sources. His hobby is the family geneaology, which has been an interest of his for about three years now. In this amount of time, he has managed to get a pretty large collection. He brought along, "the best of the best" to show me, as it would take hours to go through them all otherwise. It was pretty amazing to see pictures or copies of pictures almost one hundred years old. What was also neat was to see how some contemporary relatives have a striking resemblence to ancestors from decades ago. He also had a family tree showing names, dates, childrens names, on and on. Needless to say, the hat I had brought with to work on, didn't get touched. But he is only in this area for another day, so I got to take advantage of the time that he is here.

Fabric for Coats

2006-01-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

I managed to get to JoAnn Fabrics today. They have a really good sale going on, as they are getting their Spring stock in soon and need the space. I got three pieces from the clearance area, all for under $2 per yard. I also got a remnant from the remnant bin. Then, I got a couple pieces from regular stuff that was on sale. All in all, I am pretty happy with what I bought. The Two of Them will be very well dressed in the not-too-distant future. I got some fabric, the black and pink tweed, that will turn into a great Jackie-O style of coat for Blossom. The other two fabrics are more casual, and will end up as Blossom's loungewear. The paisley as a kimono and the mystery blossom as maybe a sundress. I got this rather stately fabric to make a coat for Barney. He has a few sweaters, but no formal wear. It'll be a nice fashion statement when the two of them go out together in their nice coats. I may even try to make some sort of hats to complete the outfits.
I also got some barrettes and clips that I will be using to make hair clips for Blossom. She doesn't need them quite yet, but will within the next month. I have no intention of letting her grow out into a full Maltese coat, but I would like the top long enough to clip back out of her eyes. With her hearing impairment, it's very important that her vision is never obscured. I would rather have her hair be longer on her head and barretted back, then always be messing with it to keep it short. Also, it looks cute that way. The rest of her body I will keep in a "puppy cut".
Blossom and Barney are getting along well, Barney is hunting her down to cuddle up with her without being prompted by me to keep her company. It's funny, he sniffs her ears once in a while, like he knows something is wrong with her hearing. I smelled her ears and looked inside, so I know there is no infection brewing that he is sniffing.

Nappin' Time

2006-01-28T23:54:00.001-05:00

I really don't have much to say about today. I was very tired and ended up napping a lot of the day. I guess I was just rundown. Of course, I had a lot of help napping. I took The Two House Gnomes with me and got no arguements.
I really wanted to go look at some fabric today, but I just couldn't get motivated enough to leave the house. Hopefully, I will feel better tomorrow and get out a bit.

They must be Gellin'

2006-01-27T22:34:00.002-05:00

I am so glad that the weekend has finally come! I signed up for less hours at work next week so I can spend lots of time with our newest family member, Blossom. I am afraid that Barney is a bad influence. He is showing her what Chihuahuas do with all their leisure time. This is an action shot, meaning that their eyes are open. Notice the look of annoyance and boredom on Barney's face at having his picture taken, yet again. Now, note how Blossom seems enthusiastic about the whole picture taking experience. Blossom is deaf. So, the look on her face is not from me making kissy sounds to get their attention, but making goofy faces at them. This also goes back to the look of annoyance Barney has. He feels Mommy shouldn't be acting like an idiot in front of The New Girl. The next one would be a relaxed shot, more typical to the usual behavior around this house. Barney is very glad he has furry eyelids so the camera flash doesn't cut into his intense schedule of sleeping, napping and dozing. All in all, they seem to be getting along very well. I think they got those Gellin' shoe inserts in their little fuzzy feet because they sure are relaxed all the time. There are no issues over food or toys. Blossom, despite having no teeth do to prior neglect, really likes to gum on little rawhide chewies. There are only about 15 to 20 of them lying around for her to choose from.
I will have to go back to JoAnn fabric's and try to find some girly girl fabric or fleece to make her a nice coat. Something in a pastel, preferably pink. She is a girly girl and I know she wants a pink leopard print coat with rhinestones on it, a Mommy can tell these things.

Dos Amigos

2006-01-26T23:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I was able to get a little friend for Barney. Blossom has moved in. She is a Maltese from The Michigan Pekingese Rescue. I had been in contact with the Director about adopting Blossom. On Thursday, my brother drove me to the place Blossom was being fostered at and we brought her home. She seemed to settle in with Barney rather quickly. This picture was taken about an hour after arriving.
She is maybe a tiny bit smaller then Barney, but they seem like a good match. Barney was flabbergasted when I brought her in the house, he couldn't believe his eyes!
I think they will get along great and this will give Barney something to do other then stare out the window when I am gone.

Popcorn, Anyone?

2006-01-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

Ah, today was a nice day. I got to sleep in this morning. then we went for a ride to check up on The Boyfiends parents in Rapid River. We brought Barney with, he really enjoys the car ride and having the Grandparents fuss over him. We also brought them some groceries, but I didn't have to deal with that, The Boyfiend went shopping while I was just getting up and dressed. That is one thing I really don't like to do, grocery shopping. Once in a while I will find some enjoyment, maybe if there is something special I want to prepare, but usually I hate going to the grocery store. I really don't like to go anywhere but St. Vinnies and sometimes to Goodwill. Everything else is too crowded and a rip off as far as I am concerned. Oh, and the Yarn and Fabric stores. Those are all right in my book too. But that is basically it in the shopping area. I can remember hearing about these places that you grocery shop at online and they deliver the groceries to your house and thought that was the stupidest thing in the world and those people must be so lazy. Now, I understand. They just either don't have the time, or like me, just hate going to the cold, cramped grocery store. It seems that everything I want off the shelves are either being blocked by a person, their cart, or they quit carrying it or making it. I imagine these people at the manufacturing plant rubbing their hands together and saying with great glee "Oh boy, people reeeaallly like this stuff, we better quit making it as fast as possible, we wouldn't want them to actually enjoy one of our products." I like Cinnabon popcorn. I think the next time I want to get a box of it, there will be a guy in a dark glasses with a trenchcoat, hanging around the microwave popcorn isle. He'll be like "Pssst, hey you, you lookin' for some popcorn? I got the good stuff here. Cinnabon popcorn, not even past the expiration date." He'll flash open his trenchcoat and sneak me a box out of a secret inner pocket while I palm him a 5 dollar bill.
I hope it doesn't come to that, but deep down, I believe it will. Pretty soon Trenchcoat Man will be the only place to go for the good stuff like Magic Shell topping for icecream, Cinnabon popcorn and real Orange Crush.

Splish Splash

2006-01-24T23:38:00.000-05:00

My brother is visiting again. His company pays for him to stay in a motel. I think it's great because the one he stays at has a spa. So, I went and sat in the nice, hot spa and relaxed for a while. That was great for my sore ankle, which is sore for some unknown reason.
I am working on getting a little friend for Barney. He really needs a buddy to keep him company. I don't expect them cuddle up right away, but just to have a warm body in the house with him will be comforting.
I still haven't started on the fleecy dog coats, but I hope to do so this weekend. I have found a few patterns that look like they are easy and also nice looking. I do have some ideas of my own and will be doing a little modifying. I still haven't come up with a cute name for my dog clothing yet, but something will pop soon. It's not like I would be marketing these things on a national scale, but I would like to have a catchy name. We all dream of being our own boss with something going on. Or at least it's something I have dreamed of, having some sort of small side business that makes a little Christmas money and is fun to do.

The Nailfiles?

2006-01-23T23:38:00.000-05:00

Well, it's just about that time again. You know the time I speak of..It's time to clip Barney's toenails. I plan on doing the deed tomorrow afternoon. I work tomorrow morning for one of my usual six hour shifts. The Boyfiend is home, unusual for a weekday. He will be spending some time with his parents in the afternoon. I will spend the afternoon in meditation. Remember the show Kung Fu? When he jumps up from meditating and runs outside carrying the iron cauldron, burning the dragon tattoos into each forearm? Well, that's what it's like to cut Barney's toenails. If I catch him when he is asleep and I can get an average of four nails cut before he wakes up and realizes what's going on. For the rest, I either need a team of Oopma Loompa's to hold him (maybe four to hold him and three for the short musical/dance number). Or, I can spend an hour or so begging him to let me do one toe at a time, very slowly. I really don't think it bothers him all that much to get his nails cut, I have never even nicked him. He has white nails, except for two, so it's easy to see the quick. He just likes to see me sweat. Anyhow, that is my agenda for tomorrow. Also, my Mom will be leaving tomorrow, mid-morning. I don't expect her to bug out at 6 am. with me. The Boyfiend will be here to get her packed and feed her a nice breakfast. I gave her a little hairtrim this evening. So, no yarn today.
On another note, my Mom and I went to JoAnn Fabrics and I did find some cute polar fleece after all. I also got a cute remnant piece of flannel with doggies on it. I think I will go back and get some blue fleece to go with the fabric. Still, the selection stinks, there really isn't much polar fleece with a nice small scale pattern. Chihuahua's aren't known for their broad backs. As big as some of those patterns were, I would be lucky to have one eyeball of a teddybear fit on his back, let alone be able to tell what the pattern is supposed to be. So, I hope that this weekend I can make a small coat for Barney. Maybe not for him, so much as be able to fit someone as small as him. I would like to come up with a simple, but nice coat pattern, easy to put together, that I can make and hopefully sell. Any ideas for a good name for my up and coming canine clothing line, please feel free to comment. I am at a loss, all the good names are already taken.

The Visitors

2006-01-22T23:47:00.000-05:00

My Mom is visiting for a day or two. She needs a little hair trim, so it's a working visit. We made a turkey for dinner and had The Boyfiends parents over too. The turkey turned out fabulous, very juicy and tender. We had Stovetop and some veggies too, but started things out with a salad. Now that everyone has visited, we can finally take down the Christmas tree. About time, I have been wanting to set up my exercise machine down her, so I will actually use it. Other then cooking and cleaning, the day was pretty quite. After everyone left, my Mom and I watched a couple movies and she went to bed early. So, I am up taking care of the blog, then I'll watch a little tube and go to bed.

Polar Fleece Deficit

2006-01-21T23:51:00.000-05:00

Today was a lazy day, which I really needed. I slept in and didn't get much of anything done. I worked on the double ended crochet hook scarf a little bit, but mostly I surfed on the internet looking for free dog clothing patterns. I really got this idea stuck in my head that I could make a go of it. I don't know how I would be able to compete on the internet, but I think if I thought on a smaller scale and sold to local pet stores and breeders, I would do alright. I might make a few knitted sweaters, but I really don't think people would be willing to pay a decent and realistic price for the amount of work that would go into one. I think polar fleece, felting sweaters and the like would be the way to go. That's one thing that I had problems with, I couldn't find any polar fleece that was cute at all. Just giant scale patterns of sports or ugly doll bear looking things. I think that I will have to go to Green Bay or order online to find anything decent.

The Longest Day

2006-01-20T23:36:00.000-05:00

Today was a very long day at work. i started at 6:30am, got done around 10am, went back at 5:30pm and finished around 9pm. I was happy that the roads were dry and bare. There had been a treat of snow showers, and to the south of us, they really got blasted with snow. The Boyfiend was driving through that blizzard and said that there were many accidents and totaled out vehicles along the highway.
I didn't get any crocheting done, but I did do a few other things. I went to the Goodwill store and also to St. Vinnies. I bought a really cute purse and a few scarves. I am not against buying handmade scarves, made by other people. At least I can appreciate the workmanship. One thing I found that I was really happy about was a xxsmall dog coat. The kind that is similar to a horse blanket. A strap across the chest and one under the belly. It is actually too small for Barney, who weighs in at 7.4 pounds. But, I can use it to make a pattern from, it wouldn't be a problem to make the pattern a few inches bigger all the way around. I already have found free patterns on the internet for the same thing, it was just nice to see one up close and personal. I think I am going to make a stab at selling clothing for small dogs. i have some great ideas in my head for little outfits. Or at least, I think they're great ideas. I think most of them would be sewn because, let's face it, people don't want to pay for a hand knit garment and i don't want to sell my work for nothing. it's not fair to me to work for peanuts on something as labor intensive as hand knitting a fitted sweater, even a tiny one.

Scarf Cheater

2006-01-19T20:38:00.000-05:00

Well I finally got my tax stuff from work. The Boyfiend got his quite a while ago. We are expecting his return shorty now, but that is going to be used to bring Barney to the doggie dentist. At a recent appointment, we were told that he will probably have to have his few remaining teeth removed. He just had a full dental not even two years ago, but it's just a thing with small dogs to have teeth problems. I think if you started with a puppy, you could get them used to dental care. But Barney was 8(?) years old when we got him and did not appreciate my attempts to brush his teeth one bit. It was very upsetting to him and I didn't do anything other then scare him badly.
I have cheated a little on my "No UFO's" rule and started another scarf. This one is skinny though and should be done shortly. I'm using a double ended crochet hook to make it. It's going to be more like a boa, really. I was thinking on making a curly scarf, but wanted to give this double ended hook a try. It's pretty easy, but I wonder if it uses more yarn then other methods. I also have the itch to break out my hairpin frame, but I am trying to control the UFO's so that got nixed. I promise, promise, promise that I will get two old projects completed this weekend!

It's All About Barney

2006-01-18T22:35:00.001-05:00

I will be glad when the weekend comes and I can sleep in. Usually Barney wakes me up around 7am, I think he is worried that I will be late for work. So, I get up and we go outside, then he goes and waits in the bathroom for me to come in and take a shower. On the weekend, I just tell him, "come on, we're going back to bed!" He gets a big smile and by the time I get to the bed, he is already sacked out in the middle so I get to sleep in the crack between the mattress and the wall.
I believe most small dogs are from another planet. They are here to dominate and enslave the human race. Especially Chihuahua's. They have that large Brain Dome and send out their brainwaves and impose their will on weak humans like myself. Notice in the picture the large size of The Dome. He probably sends back reports to his home planet while I am at work.
"I have the Large Ones completely under my control at this time. I now have four small couches for my personal use. In nice weather, they put me in a backpack designed especially for transporting me and carry me on scenic tours through the woods. The bigger of the Large Ones, brings me a glass of icewater every night while I am in bed and offers it to me for my drinking pleasure. I much prefer to drink from a tall glass then that silly ceramic water bowl painted with flying dogs they paid lots of money for. I really love the pained looks on their faces when I turn up my nose at the special meals they prepare for me because of my lack of teeth. They make sure to turn on an appropriate tv show when they have to leave me alone, little do they know I am surfing the internet using their credit cards to order more small dog stuff! Just wait, one day they will get a big box delivered from La Petite Maison." He throws back his head and gives a little evil doggie laugh.
Me and the other Large One have been thinking about getting a companion for Barney. The thing is, he is about 10 or so years old, he doesn't need a puppy to harass him. Right now his favorite toy is my oven mitt and all he does is "steal" it from me and bring it into one of his beds to nap with. Not exactly wild activity. We don't dare to wash Oven Mitt, for fear it will lose whatever essence that Barney finds so comforting. Matter of fact, Oven Mitt is now capitalized, as we talk about it like it's alive. "Have you seen Oven Mitt?" "Why no, did you check Barney's yellow bed, I saw it in there napping with him earlier..." We feel that when his best friend is Oven Mitt, it's time we intervene and look for a small, sleepy buddy for him to spend time with.

New Project

2006-01-17T23:27:00.000-05:00

Yes, yes, I know I said no new projects, but this is something I have put off for too long. I am now working on a wiener dog sweater. I told a lady that works at the library I would make a sweater, but I have had a terrible time finding a pattern for one. Basic stuff I can figure out on my own. Even a regular dog sweater, but I just didn't know how to approach making one for such a long, short dog. Well, I finally found one to use. It's more of a cape style, but I think that will be fine, since they are so low to the ground, it's not like they have a lot of leg to worry about. I have the cape part of it about half way finished, then I will have to make a yoke part and graft them together. I will see what I can get done tomorrow at work. It's a hurry-up-and-wait kind of day tomorrow, so I may be able to get something done on it. I also am going to make one out of one of the sweaters I felted down the other day. The one that I thought I would use, is now too small for that size of a dog. I can make a sweater for Barney out of it. But there are two that should be big enough to trace the pattern onto. The one of the left with the skinny stripes is big enough, but the one on the right is destined to be used for a Barney sweater.

Just a Couple Updates

2006-01-16T22:10:00.000-05:00

I thought I would talk about some things that I haven't mentioned for a while and get caught up, in no particular order:
I was able to finally give The Grace Hat to the recipient, a disabled person who rides my bus and didn't have a hat at all. She seemed very happy with it, Thank God!
The Hairpin Lace Scarf was shipped off the day after it was made to my Oldest Brother's Wife. She liked it a lot, it looks nice with her brown suede coat. I didn't want to say anything on the blog until I was sure she had received it, as she has been known to read this blog.
I haven't finished The Kitty Hat, I have to figure out where I put the gosh durn flippin bag with the hat and yarn!
I am still fighting this annoying cough, it just won't seem to let up.
I have been working on a felting project. I had a hard time trying to get the sweaters to felt properly. I don't have a washer or dryer so I was sloushing them around in the kitchen sink. I think they may be alright. Right now, they are in a dryer at the Laundromat, so I will know the results in about 20 minutes. If the sweaters felted down the way they are supposed to, I will be using one of them to make a dog sweater for a Doxie, owned by a librarian. I think it has been a fun project so far, but I don't think I would recommend doing this without a washer, my fingertips are just about raw from agitating the sweaters with my hands. Next time, I will either do this at the Laundromat, or wear some sort of gloves.

The Test is Done!

2006-01-15T23:24:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the test for my Michigan Master Gardener Certification, just now, matter of fact. I am so glad to get that done and out of the way. I will turn it in tomorrow, on my way to work.
I did get a little bit done today on one of my UFO's. I was working on my Weirdo Bobble Scarf. I ended up using up all the yarn that I tied together to make the ball. So, until I got an hour or two to make another ball of yarn bits, it'll be a while before I work on it again. I really do like the looks of the scarf, but all that snipping and tying takes forever.
I will be working on the Kitty Hat tomorrow, hopefully I can finish it. I think I am doing the shuttlebus and sometimes I end up with 5 minutes at one end of the shuttle to work a little bit. I got the main body done and have to start on the forehead area and ears.

A Little Bit Better Now..

2006-01-14T19:53:00.000-05:00

Today was slightly better then yesterday. I did sleep a lot, but I guess I needed it. I did start a new project, even though I said I wouldn't until I got some other stuff done. I just couldn't help myself. I surfed into the website of Jane Thornley. I really like her stuff, even though it is knitted. I feel it's pretty much the same ideas as used in Freeform Crochet. I just happen to like her stuff in that it's not too random. Freeform Crochet can be pretty far out there, which I like. But, this isn't a metropolitan area. It's not that I am too shy to wear Freeform, it's that I don't want to be bothered with a thousand questions about it. A little bit I can take, but I have such a social job that I don't want to burn myself out by putting myself in the kind of position where I draw unnecessary attention. I just want to keep to myself sometimes. So, anyhow, I see this website and really like her stuff. So, I put some yarn into a color family and get started. This is what I have got done so far. I like it.

Sicky Poo

2006-01-13T19:34:00.000-05:00

Today was a rough, long, day. I started at 6:30 am, got done at 10 am, went back at 1 pm, didn't get done till 6 pm. So, my short, 3 1/2 hour day turned into a 8 1/2 hour day. I didn't feel well and didn't eat any lunch. I did make a sandwich and took it with, but it's still in my workbag. I started feeling really queasy are 5 pm, but stuck it out till the bitter end. For supper we are going to have spaghetti, but I seem to have lost my appetite for a while and am too queasy to deal with the smell.
The Boyfiend made it back home from a trip into Minnesota. He will be around for the better part of the weekend, then leave out sometime Sunday afternoon. It was funny, because I ended up following him into town and we were waving at one another at the traffic light. Kind of silly, I know, but I was very glad he made it home and was looking forward to seeing him again. He is shopping now, a quick trip to the grocery store. I am glad he likes to go, because I sure don't.
I did work on the UFO kitty hat today, I got a lot done and I am starting on the upper part where the ears will be. I imagine I will have that done this weekend. I won't be doing a lo of fiber stuff, as I have to turn in that test on Monday, before I work at 11 or so in the morning, but I will squeeze in a few rows.
I guess as for it being a Friday The 13th, other then being sicky poo, it wasn't a bad day, nothing freaky happened.

Test!

2006-01-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

I am working on a test for my Master Gardener Course that I took this Fall. The final exam is an open book test of 100 questions. A lot of the questions are common sense, but then there are a bunch of technical ones that I have to search through this huge book to find the answer. I am over half-way done. I am afraid that the test is due tomorrow and that is why there is a big push to get it done. It's my own fault for putting it off for so long, and now I pay the price by cramming.

another UFO?

2006-01-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

Another UFO? UFO=un-finished-object. I hope not. I picked up a hat that I started a while ago and I'm working on it again. It is going much better now, for some reason. I did frog the whole thing and start over. It's the kitty hat from sometime in early December. I think I will be able to finish it either Thursday or Friday night. More likely Friday, since Thursday evening and Friday morning I have to work on a test for my gardening class. I have to get it turned in or I won't get certified.
I really have to buckle down and finish more projects. i got a bad habit of starting a project, then another, then another... I have to focus on finishing what I have BEFORE I start something else. It's boring, though, to only have one project going. Sometimes, you get tired of the yarn texture or the color you are working with, Your eyes wear out. so, I like to have a few going, but this is getting stupid. No more UFO's!!!

Attack of the Flu Bug

2006-01-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

The Boyfiend had the flu last night and into this morning. I hope and pray that I don't get it too. It's a really bad time for me to call in sick to work, as we are a little short right now with one person on leave. The Boyfiend seems to be recovering, but it still ill and tired. I can't remember the last time I had the stomach flu and I don't want to.
I am still trying to hand off the Grace hat. It's been done for a while, but I haven't run into that person lately. I really hope she likes it, as it was such a pain for me to make.
As I mentioned before, I don't want to have a bunch of UFO's floating around. I am going to pick up a project that I started and didn't finsh. i think before I start anything new at all, I am going to finish two projects that I have not completed. I have the kitty hat, the skull scully and the weirdo bobble scarf that I can think of. I hope that's it, but there might be one more around. I know I have a knitting project, but I don't count that one, it's just not the same as crocheting.

Wanna Panta?

2006-01-09T21:51:00.001-05:00

I was able to finish my panta today. I got the bulk of it done on sunday evening, so there was only a couple of rows to complete. I got two rows done at work and finished the rest of it at home this evening. It'll be nice to wear when I want something, but not as warm as a hat. There is quite a bit more purple in it then the scan shows. Maybe I can get a better pic later. I will have to try during the day with natural sunlight. I did mine a little different then the ones at Craftster.
I cast on 51 stitches.

1st row of: 13sc, 7hdc, 11dc, 7 hdc, 13 sc, in back loop only.

2nd row: chain 2 to turn, sc in next stitch, put hook into same stitch as the first sc you just made (like you are going to make an increase) draw up a loop, 2 loops on hook. Put hook into next stitch, draw up a loop, 3 loops on hook. continue on to pull the 3rd loop (the one you just pulled up, closest to hook) through the other 2 loops on the hook. 1 loop on hook. *Now, place hook into same stitch as the one you just pulled up the 3rd loop from. Draw up a loop, 2 loops on hook. Place hook into next stitch, draw up a loop, 3 loops on hook, continue on to pull this 3rd loop through the other 2 loops*. Repeat from * to * all the way across.
Repeat these 2 rows until it's the width you want. End with row 1, then go back across using sc only, in back loops only. Use very loose tension for the 2nd row and for the final row of sc. I actually used a hook 2 sizes larger then what the yarn called for on row 2. Remember, your starting chain should be a little shorter then what it takes to go across your forehead and around to the nape of your neck , under your hair. This thing will stretch alot and you will end up with too big of a panta otherwise. Tailor row 1 to fit the size of your head, maybe you will only have 44 chains, so you might do: 10sc, 7hdc, 10 dc, 7hdc, 10sc. Have fun!

Another Project Done!

2006-01-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

The Hairpin Lace Scarf is done! It turned out pretty nice, I think. I didn't find that it was too difficult to do, I believe that I will be doing more projects using the hairpin frame. It's something that could be done while watching a movie, as it's pretty repetitive.
I also started working on a panta this evening, after I was done with the scarf. It's a Finnish garment, kind of like a headband. But rather then wearing it around the top of your head, you wear it across your forehead and down under your hair at the nape of your neck, so your ears are covered. It is a very popular project at Craftster right now, in both the knit and crochet forum. There are one or two variations already. I will probably be able to complete it at work tomorrow during my break, as I am over half done already. It goes really fast and would make a nice, quick gift.

Grace Hat Done!

2006-01-07T17:12:00.000-05:00

I finally have the Grace Hat done! It has been such a labor, I can't even describe it. It wasn't that hard to make, it's just not what I wanted to create, so it seemed to take forever and a day. Now, I can get back to things that I really want to work on. I have a bunch of half finished projects that I either have to finish, or frog. I don't want to have a mess of UFO's floating around to haunt me. I got enough of that kind of thing in my personal life.

I will be working on and hopefully finishing a hat and the Hairpin Scarf this weekend. that is my mission, other then the usual household stuff I have to do also.

Fifty Loops

2006-01-06T21:48:00.000-05:00

I added fifty more loops to the hairpin lace, on each side. I felt that one hundred loops just wasn't going to cut it. Now, I just have to make one more panel and lace them together. Then, I will have to go around the edges and do some sort of finishing. I spent the rest of the evening cleaning around the house, as I had put off a few things during the week. I mainly made what felt like a thousand trips up and down the stair hauling christmas decorations, but it was really more like ten trips. that was more then enough to tire me out, as I am still fighting a cold. the Grace Hat will have to wait until tomorrow evening. I dont have much left in me and I am almost ready for bed.

Spa+Yarn=Not Much Done

2006-01-05T23:29:00.000-05:00

I went t o visit my brother at his hotel room this evening. They have a spa there, so we ended up making two visits to the spa before the night was over. I was hoping the hot water and steam would drive this cough out of me, but no dice. It was very relaxing anyway.
I brought the winning ball of orange yarn with me and my hairpin lace frame. There is a nice, comfy recliner in his room, so I put my feet up and worked on my hairpin lace while The Bro sat at a small table and did his paperwork. We got considerable amounts of yapping done also. The Bro's hobby is working on The Family genealogy, so he gave me the rundown on the newest information he had gathered about our Bloodline. He is going to start archiving the photographs and copies of photos and portraits in his collection. It's amazing how much information he has been able to gather in the last three years.
So anyhow, I was busy using my hairpin lace frame for my first project. I did practice with it once before, but didn't actually make anything other then a panel. It really is coming along nice and I think I will be doing this more often in the future. I feel like it's something that you can pick up and put down and not worry about loosing stitches. Right now there is 100 loops on each side of the frame. I think that is about the right length and I can start on another panel.

And The Winner Is...Orange!

2006-01-04T23:52:00.000-05:00

I am still fighting this cold. It's not so bad anymore, but still really annoying. I got just enough of a hack that it's driving me nuts. Oh well, it'll just fade away soon, I hope.
I have been working on the beachball floppy hat. I got four out of six panels done. I have two each of red and white. I have two blue panels to crank out, then whip stitching the whole mess together. I can't wait to get it done with, but I also don't enjoy working on it, so it's a catch-22. I really should force myself to finish it up so it's out of my hair. I guess that is today's resolution is to finish it by this weekend, or better yet, by Friday, so it's not hanging over my head.
On to bigger and better things, I decided to do the scarf for my Mom in hairpin lace. It's something that I know how to do, but have never made a project using the technique. I finally decided what yarn to use. Surprise! It's an orangey pink kind of yarn from JoAnn's Sensation line of yarn. It's pretty like a sunset and very soft.

Blue Tuesday

2006-01-03T23:01:00.000-05:00

My brother dropped in while we were having supper. Unfortunately, he had already eaten, but he stayed to visit. He will be working in the area for a few months, so it will be great for us to visit.

I got two white panels of the new and improved Grace hat. This hat is drudgery for me. I can't explain it, other then I would never do a hat in that color combination or that pattern. I intend to make six panels, two each of red, white and blue. Then seam them together. I also am still trying to nail down the pattern I want to use for my Mom's scarf. I have it down to two different ideas, so I am pretty close to making a choice.

I still have this stupid cough, but worse yet, my nose is sore from constantly wiping the drips. I keep telling myself that it will go away in the next 24 hours, but it just ain't so. So it's just a Blue Tuesday to me with my sore nose.

Tea and The Shire

2006-01-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

I found this little deal the other day. It's really a coffee press, but I will be using it for the fine art of making tea. I have almost always used teabags, but I thought it would be fun for my palate to get some loose tea. I always thought it was more civilized to use loose tea. That's what elevates it to an art form, in my mind anyhow. Of course, now this means I have to find some loose tea for sale in this frostbitten little Shire.
Many times I refer to my small town in Upper Michigan as a Shire. That would be a direct link to TLOTR movies. Often, I feel that our neck of the woods is lacking in a lot of the refinements found in civilization. Like loose tea, for one, and people who use their turn signals on a consistent basis. But in exchange for the loss of some things that city dwellers take for granted, I get The Shire. Most people here live in a Microverse. I personally know two people who have never left the County I reside in. Green Bay Packer games are more important then any other televised event (win or lose, no matter). Most believe all things evil or bad are beset upon us by The Trolls. Trolls are people living "Downstate" in Lower Michigan. They live below "The Bridge" (being The Mackinac) and thus, are Trolls. They are jealous of the rest of us Yoopers, living up here in God's Country. Bad things The Trolls punish us with would be high fuel prices, poor snowmobiler etiquette, poachers, any and all economic decisions regarding the U.P., since they are made by Trolls with Evil Intentions and usually to the detriment of The Shire. Never mind if any of this is true, the Shirefolk believe it is so, therefore it must be. Everyone needs a whipping boy and Downstate is it for us.
Cheddars, people from Wisconsin, are usually viewed with mild affection, like second cousins with buck teeth. They view us as second cousins with buck teeth and freckles. They are much closer to Shirefolk in the genepool, as they are all farmers (aren't they?) and the homestate of our Beloved Packers. Also, one of the better FleetFarms resides just south of Greenbay. I wonder if they have loose tea there?
So, the People of The Shire live in a sort of self-imposed obliviousness, that sometimes, really is For The Best.

Invasion of the Snowman Snatchers

2006-01-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like this little snow man. It's really a lapel pin that I bought at our local Walgreen store. There is something about the eyes. They are definitely watchful and slightly threatening. I am glad that it is intended for me to wear, with the eyes pointed out toward the Unsuspecting Masses. It may be that they are an invading army, disguised as small innocent snowman. But, they didn't get it completely right. They couldn't get the eyes to shine with Humor and Holiday Cheer. Instead, they shine with a piercing intelligence that threatens all of Humanity. I think that in order to Save the World from this quiet threat, I must go back to Walgreens and buy the rest of them as soon as possible. Or, maybe I just need a nap.

Taco Kisses for the New Year

2006-01-01T00:38:00.000-05:00

The day started out with a little workout. We got about 6 to 8 inches of snow and had a bunch of shoveling to deal with. We did the good deed of the day and shoveled out the 93 year old neighbor also. Then we progressed to The Boyfiends Parental Unit and made Tacos for a late lunch or early supper. We really wanted to be home for the evening and avoid traveling the 16 miles when the sun first goes down. It was just the right temperature the the roads would freeze as darkness fell. if you wait a while, the salters go by and then it's safe to drive again. I brought a big bag of yarn with me and picked out the yarn to be used on the scarf project. I am still working on a pattern.
Later, we went for a ride and celebrated The New Year riding around in our car. Barney, as usual came along, sporting one of his new sweaters. We are home now, other then that, it was uneventful and relaxed.

The Long Chilly Night

2005-12-30T22:39:00.000-05:00

I am so glad this day is over. I had the chills all night long and got very little sleep. I had terrible body aches and felt awful. I did make it through a full day of work, luckily it was very slow paced.
I called my Mom and told her that it would be best if she didn't come for the New Year's weekend. I don't want her to catch whatever pestilence that myself and The Boyfiend have. He is sick also, but it turns out to be Bronchitis and a bad headcold. Either way, I don't want to run the chance of infecting my Mom with something like this.
During the conversation with my Mom, she mentioned that she would like a scarf made, so I am busy working on finding a pattern and what yarn to use. I have been surfing into CrochetPatternCentral and KnittingPatternCentral, looking for something promising. I kind of have an idea of what I want to make. I would like something with a flared pattern on the ends, like a fishes tail. I vaguely remember seeing something a while back that may fill the bill, but I think it was a neckwarmer, not a scarf. I will have to do a little more research and see if I can remember where I saw it.

Barney's New Bed

2005-12-29T20:06:00.001-05:00

Barney really likes his new bed. We put it in his usual spot in the front window. He had a real sheepskin pad to lay on before, which is very soft and cushy. But, it didn't block any drafts or the cold that radiates from the window. So we went on a mission to find him a bed for Christmas. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we ended up getting him two beds at a Target store. This is his winter bed, made by Woolrich. It's green corduroy and chocolate brown faux sheepskin. When he wants to look out the window, he just rotates and rests his chin on the edge of the bed. No need for sitting upright with an unsupported chin anymore!

Orange Yarn=Hat

2005-12-28T23:36:00.000-05:00

I started working on a hat this evening. I got the yarn on clearance at JoAnn's. It is a combination of orange and blue. I am using a pattern from the Vogue on The Go! Series "Crocheted Hats". It's got bobbles and it's a short cap. I wanted something that isn't too big and has a little ventilation to it. I hope to be able to get it done by the end of the weekend. I haven't been able to get much done lately, it seems. I think it's just a matter of time management. I have to put yarn as a priority and maybe a little less T.V.

What to do with Purple Yarn

2005-12-27T22:45:00.000-05:00

I have a some purple yarn with little thingies in it. Tags of different color, if you will. I really like it, it's soft and strange. it fills a lot of criteria for me. But, What to do? I feel it would make an excellent scarf, but i also don't wear scarves nearly as much as hats. I would kind of rather make a hat out it and get some use out of it, but I just can't find a pattern that jumps out at me. I was thinking that maybe I might lean toward something like this Panta at Craftster I really like the idea of some deep ridges to showcase this yarn.

More Yarn and Decorations

2005-12-26T23:58:00.001-05:00

We went for a ride today. We drove down south a ways towards Milwaukee, as The Boyfiend wanted his sister to visit with his son. His sister is a school principal and really has it together, they will have a great visit for a few days. After we made the exchange, we did a little more shopping. We got a bunch of outdoor Christmas decoration at give-away prices. Then, we went to Michaels and I got a little more yarn, as it still was on sale. It was a long day, as we didn't get home until very late. We also got Barney two little dog beds. One is a winter weight, with fuzzy fabric. The other is more summery, with a floral cloth fabric. We wanted to get him one for Christmas, but we simply couldn't find a nice one around here. We ended up getting the two at Target, which we don't have around here.

Christmas Day

2005-12-25T23:53:00.000-05:00

I guess I was a good girl this year, as I got a lot of nice presents. I got a floor lamp similar to an Ott lamp, one with a daylight bulb. I really wanted a good light source, as I found myself putting down crochet or knitting before I wanted to because my eyes were fatigued. Then again, I never really want to put it down. I also got a digital camera, which will be great for a lot of different things, not to mention helping with pictures for this blog. Something that was for me, but we all can enjoy, is the DVD of "The Fellowship of The Ring", from my favorite series of movies.
Finally, I got an MP3 player. It's kinda funny, as it is actually geared for children, from Disney. It's pink and says "Always a Princess" on it. But, the price was great for the features it has. I will be making a cozy for it soon, so it won't matter what it says on it. So overall, I had a really great Christmas, in the present department. I got The Boyfiend a DVD, some chocolates and a blender. The blender is the thing he really wanted, as he (and me too) really loves malted milkshakes.
The dinner was prepared by us at The Boyfiends parents house. It went well, with the ham turning out juicy and delicious. We had a French silk pie from Schwann's for dessert. It was over the top rich.

Another Scarf Made

2005-12-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

I made this scarf using Moda Dea Espree "Salt and Pepper" and Patons Brilliant "White Twinkle". I used a P hook and held together both strands for the entire project. I crocheted a chain about 5 feet long. I then single crocheted back. Then I chained 4 for the turning chain, 1 triple crochet into first stitch, chain 1, skip 1 stitch, triple into the next stitch, chain 1, skip one, all the way across. Then I single crocheted back into every stitch to give it a little stability. I ended up with the ladder effect you see. I know this is pretty simple and obvious, but I just wanted to mention that when I was done, I still had half of the Espree (eyelash) and better then half of the Brilliant (little thinner than sportweight sorta). It naturally stretched to be about 5 and 1/2 feet long and 2 and 1/4ish inches wide, when I was done. I am really happy with the look and also being able to stretch out my yarn to make two scarves. I also think as shiny as this stuff is, a little goes a long way and it looks best as a skinny scarf. It took me about two hours to do this, while watching Willy Wonka (the original one) You will notice that to the left of the scarf, there is a Barney hair. I am sure a few were crocheted in for added warmth.

Last Minute Shopping, I Hope

2005-12-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

I really hope that this is the end of the last minute shopping. I am really tired of pounding around the malls. I did get The Boyfiend a few small presents that won't be mentioned here, as he is nosy.
Again, I didn't get anything done in the crocheting arena, but I will tomorrow night. I feel like I am going through some sort of fiber withdrawl. The rest of the weekend is going to be dedicated to crocheting and maybe a little knitting. I will be making the silver scarf tomorrow for sure and hopefully, some other skinny scarf. I tried starting it before, but didn't have much success as I couldn't decide on a pattern. I really want to stretch out that yarn, as the Patons wasn't on sale, or cheap.

Four Days of Christmas

2005-12-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

I am so glad to be done with work today! This starts the Four Days of Christmas for me, in other words I have the next four days off! Today was a terrible day for driving. I don't think I have seen such stupidity since The Forth of July. I was just glad for it to be over and still be in one piece. From work I got a small Christmas bonus in the form of a $25 gift card for groceries. I thought was was really super nice and very appreciated. I am making candied sweet potatoes and a pineapple cheese casserole for Christmas dinner.
I started to crochet a scarf about 5 different times and I just haven't found a look that I like. I would like to do a pattern that will stretch they yarn a bit, but I don't feel like doing my typical drop stitch knitted scarves. I know there is a way to do a drop stitch crocheting and I think CrochetMe! has a pattern. I will check later. I really need to crank out about three more scarves and two hats.
The Grace Hat is really getting on my nerves, I haven't figured out a way to make the hat out of wedges. I mean I understand the idea, but I haven't sat down to figure out a stitch count or pattern so it comes out right the first time. I also am going to make The Boyfiend another hat, he picked out a ball of yarn the other day, a sort of heather grey in chunky. I just have to choose the pattern, but I think this one will end up being knit.

Grace Hat Revisited

2005-12-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

I wish I had this project done. I showed Grace the hat and she wants something different. Part of that is my fault, I should of had her draw a sketch of where she wanted the stripes. Now, what she wants is something that looks like a beachball, that is even worse then the skunk stripe over the top of the head. But, I will persevere and get it done sometime this weekend. I really think I should of just said, "this is what you asked for, this is what you will get" because it is what she asked for. I don't mean that I wanted a sketch so I knew what she meant, I already knew what she was asking for, but so I could pin her down and say "this is what you asked for, this is your own drawing"... Oh well, better luck next time.

The Snowmen Cometh

2005-12-20T21:23:00.000-05:00

Remember the Snowman Problem I have? Snowman Acquisition Syndrome? They just keep coming and coming...They are taking over the tree for sure and possibly our house. Big, small, it doesn't matter. They seem to find a way to our home. There is even one out in the yard now. I have a snowglobe shaped like a snowman with a snowman inside of him. How cannibalistic is that? Newsflash! Snowman eats Snowman! But there are worse things to collect then snowmen, like balls of string......

A Sweater Found

2005-12-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

See? I wasn't lying when I said that I had made a sweater for Barney. This was knitted last year for him and finally recovered from the abyss today. I used the pattern My So Called Scarf as a basis for the sweater. I will take a picture of him wearing it when he is not napping. Barney naps a lot, especially when he sees me coming at him with yarn and a tape measure. It's amazing how he changes from a 7 pound chihuahua into an 200 pound magnet with a gravitational pull on the core of the earth when I want to do something with him. I need approximately three more hands and 8 more thumbs when it comes to clipping his toenails. Sometimes I opt for the "Burrito Method". This involves rolling him up inside a towel and after much struggling, pulling out one tightly retracted foot at a time for a pedicure. This method also works with The Boyfiend, who seems to have some sort of Sampson complex about getting his toenails trimmed.

SALE!

2005-12-18T22:48:00.000-05:00

Sunday was another fun filled extravaganza of yarn-ness. The Boyfiend and I went to visit my Mom, before she left for a Christmas trip. We had a great lunch. We then let her open her gifts since she will be leaving to visit on Tuesday. Otherwise she would of spent the next day and a half glaring at her presents, wishing she had x-ray vision. She enjoyed them, a phone with an oversized caller ID and a table top Christmas village with animated ice skaters and music.
Then, I had the brilliant idea of going to Michaels, just to check out the yarn. I really just wanted to look at the yarn, possibly touch it a little. I completely forgot that there is a ton of Christmas stuff there on SALE! Well, The Boyfiend figured it out....I didn't know he could move that fast. It was like watching a bear wearing Carhartts stampeding toward the ornament aisles. He even took a cart.
Much to my surprise, they had yarn on SALE! Not ugly scratchy stuff, but luscious, soft, fuzzy, pretty stuff. With it being on SALE! that justifies everything. I don't feel it's necessary to have an actual project in mind in order to make educated purchases. It really was a great SALE!

A Hat For Grace

2005-12-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

I finally got the hat for Grace done today. Grace is a person who rides the bus sometimes. She doesn't have a hat at all and has really admired mine. So, when she asked if I would make her a hat, it was hard to say no. I just chalk it up to charity work, as I intend to donate some hats to various organizations.
Anyhow, the hat is a bucket style hat, or kind of a floppy brimmed hat if that explains it better. I have the hat done, but still have to chain stitch a white and red stripe onto it as Grace requested. I started making the hat with the stripes as part of the pattern, but decided to add them later, so if she gets sick of the stripes and realizes that they don't match her coat , I can remove them easily.
Everyone really likes that hat of mine, today I had two different people approach me about the hat, asking if I made it and how. I think that I should make a few and try to sell them, but I don't know what to ask for them. I think the yarn would be about 5 bucks and then whatever my time is worth. I will have to sit down and make one and time how long it takes, then decide on a final price.
I was able to find some wool sweaters today at St. Vinnies, so I will be trying my hand at felting in the not-too-distant future. I really think that the bags will turn out nice and it will be fun to make them.
I would like to mention that at the writing of this, it's 7 degrees outside, with a windchill of 7 below. Brrrrr..

Shop Till You Drop

2005-12-16T23:49:00.000-05:00

I was so happy to sleep in today! I really didn't get much done, although I read an interesting thread about felting at Craftster. Really makes me want to give it a try. The problem is getting wool yarn around here to felt with. Most yarn is a wool blend around here, which I don't believe would work. The Boyfiends mother is doing much better, she ended up having to have her gall bladder removed within a week of her hip replacement. Not anything a person wants to go through, especially near the Holidays.
I got Barney a sweater at Walmart. I know, what is a crocheter doing buying a sweater? Well, I got a lot of presents to make yet, and for 3 bucks he has a sweater for the time being. I also can't find the two sweaters I made for him last year, so this will tide him over.

Snowbound

2005-12-15T23:42:00.000-05:00

Work was not pretty today. Not only did I get a minimal amount of crocheting done, I had to make four trips to a town known as Perkins. The first trip was at 7am down two ruts in six inches of snow. A wasted trip, as the people I was meant to pick up weren't dug out enough to get the bus in their drives. The second trip was much better, the temps were on the rise and everything was melting. The third trip was getting a little on the boring side, except for the challenges presented by all the slop spraying up onto the windshield. The forth trip, well, I was just happy to not have to go to Perkins again. I would like to mention that it is 21 miles one way to Perkins.
Well, enough about that. Other then the fact that I didn't end up in a ditch today, there really wasn't much excitement. I did go to the Optometrist for an exam and my eyes are very healthy with little change.

The Blizzard of Duhs

2005-12-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

The winter blizzard held off until I was almost done with work. But it didn't stop people from driving like idiots. I think most people have a tendency to stare at the hood of their vehicle, maybe a foot or two beyond if they are really on the ball. The rest of them drive around with a cartoon balloon over their heads with a DUH? In it.
About 5pm, it started to snow with hostile intent. Now, it's downright nasty out there. I have doubts whether there will be school or not tomorrow. It was cancelled today because of black ice. What is black ice? You ask. Well allow me to educate you. Black Ice means there is a very thin veneer of ice over the road surface. You can see the blacktop through the ice, thus it is very hard to tell it is there until you are sliding on it. It often doesn't glare when light hits it the way regular ice does. Your stopping distance can be three times more then with other snowy driving conditions.
So, no crocheting for me today. Not that the roads affected me, just that less people wanted to drive themselves and were calling for rides.
The Boyfiend made it back in town just in the nick of time. He arrived around 2pm, when it was only windy, not snowy. I am very happy he is home for a day or two.

O the weather outside is frightful

2005-12-13T23:29:00.000-05:00

THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
AS A STORM SYSTEM MOVES TOWARD WISCONSIN FROM THE PLAINS...SNOW WILL DEVELOP AGAIN BY LATE WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL LINGER THROUGH THURSDAY WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF MORE THAN 8 INCHES.
Yup, that pretty much sums things up for me. I have to work tomorrow afternoon. I wish it was a morning shift, but alas, it ain't so. I also have to work Thursday morning, I wouldn't want to miss a minute of horrendous winter driving.
Well, I started a kitty hat today, in crochet. It is that new Walmart brand yarn, No Boundaries, kind of a brown nubby texture to it.
I really like it and I think it will look fantastic when I am done. I wish I could be a little more freeform with my creations. I am pretty much just following various standard, normal patterns, nothing too wild or crazy, yet. But i got ideas, oh yes sir I do...I know that most of the people on the bus look forward to what kind of hat I am going to wear. for a lot of them, the bus ride is the high point of their day for socializing and visiting. If I can give them something to smile about, it's better then giving them a reason to frown.

Snowmen Abound

2005-12-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

Well, today was almost a non-day. It was a boring day, pretty much. I did start on a hat for a person that rides on the bus. She doesn't even have a hat, so I am making her one. She wants it in red, white and blue, the colors of the flag. She has a purple coat. Need I say more? So, I am making the hat, it's going to be blue, and I am chain stitching red and white stripes on the surface. That way, when she is sick of the stripes, I can pull them off for her. Hopefully, she gets sick of the stripes. One can only hope. The Boyfiend had to go off to work today. He will be back within a day or so. He is going to try and change his schedule and stay in the area, rather then going so far out.
We went shopping for ornaments again. I got some more snowmen and other various Christmassy stuff, like Santa and angels. I also got a cute, plush snowman. It called out to me, I couldn't help myself. I have some sort of Snowman Acquisition Syndrome. SAS?

Some Great S.E.X. and a Pickle on the Side

2005-12-11T13:32:00.000-05:00

Today we went to Shopko to get a birthday card. I sneaked over to JoAnn's to check out the yarn bins. That was a great idea if I ever had one! They had the clearance yarn marked down another 50%!! So it was really wonderful
S(tash) E(nhancement) X(-pedition)
The Boyfiend found that the Christmas ornaments were on sale, so he was happy. I found something I've wanted for a while, which was a pickle ornament. It's supposed to be lucky to have one hanging on your tree.

O Christmas Tree...

2005-12-10T23:34:00.000-05:00

Work went alright today, I didn't have any problems, although another bus had some engine problems. That was quickly dealt with by our efficient boss. It started to snow at the very end of the run, which was no surprise.
I didn't get to work on the weirdo bobble scarf today, but may end up doing a little bit yet tonight. I did start to make a kitty hat from yarn that was purchased at Walmart, but don't have enough to make it with just that yarn. I may end up ripping it out and doing it over stranding another kind of yarn with it. I really don't want to spend that kind of money on just one hat. I know, sounds cheap of me, but I really need to stretch out my yarn supply as far as I can. I got a lot of ugly cheap stuff, but not much of the good stuff. I do have a small stash of nice novelty yarn and that really is my favorite stuff to work with. I just don't go crazy over real wool yarn, I like the acrylic best. I never said I was a connoisseur...
On the Christmas tree deal, we started to decorate it tonight. We had lights on it for a few days and are putting a couple ornaments on here and there. I am not really in the mood yet, I guess it really isn't my favorite holiday.

Weirdo scarf from Craftster

2005-12-09T17:39:00.000-05:00

I have been working on the weirdo scarf from craftster a little each day. I started it a few days ago, you know, when I couldn't post anything...Well, anyhow, it's coming along nicely and I had several ladies on the bus oohhhed and aaahhhed over it. I did give true credit, that it is off of the Internet and not my idea. They thought it would be cute when done. So, the bobble weirdo scarf is getting a lot of miles riding around with me. 114 miles today to be exact.
It's still cold, but not so bad that you think your teeth will shatter if you dare to smile while outside.

The move is on...

2005-12-07T08:52:00.000-05:00

Well, anythings gotta be better then what I got! My other blog server is up down up down, you get the idea...
So, being the kind of person that likes to post everyday, that got tired. It seems like I read a lot of blogs here and don't remember blogger falling on its face too often. I suppose someone will correct me on that one, but for now, this is better.
So, this post will appear in early December. I am moving over all of my postings since I began this blog in November so I will have a complete blog since inception.

A Balmy 3

2005-12-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

It’s a balmy 3 degrees outside, with a windchill of 10 below. Today during the day, it really didn’t get much warmer. I am going to have to dress extra warm tomorrow at work, as the bus I will be using runs a little on the cold side. The Boyfiends mother had a hip replacement today and it went well. I worked in the afternoon while he held vigil at the hospital. Later, when the dust settled, we made an apple pie to go with supper tonight and it turned out good.
I almost got the Boyfiends cap done, I got about a quarter left to go. This evening I wanted to work on the floppy hat to match my work sweatshirt, but instead I finished detangling my stash. When I was done detangling, I ended up with a bunch of little scraps. I tied them together and then added other lengths of yarn to make a big mixed yarnball for the scarf.