Major Stash Enhancer

Earlier this week I felt the need to add to my stash. It's not as if I needed yarn, but I wanted yarn. I needed to visit my almost LYS and fondle some yarn. I say almost local because there are 2 others that are closer, but Ralph had to go to Greenburg and I accompanied him. He dropped me off at Knit Wits , and I did some major damage to my "stash cash". Here's what I got !!

4 Scoubidu's (2 pink, 2 blue), I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it but it was 50% off and I liked it ! Then we have some Cashmerino Chunky (to the right), moving back some Autumn House Farm , Finneans Rainbow in wisteria, continuing on Outback Mohair (0858) , then some Eros(4796) and 24K(1362), and last but not least some Kid Seta in Mood Ring (631).
So for your viewing pleasure a few close-ups........................

First we have the Kid Seta, it's so soft, it's almost like nothing is there ! I want to make the Allegheny Moon Mobius from Amazing Crochet Lace (cool patterns!) I thought this color way would look good with jeans.


Onto the Eros and 24K, they really look amazing together ! I'm not usually a fan of nylon yarns, but these two really look so good together and they don't feel bad either. I'm making a shawl from these an it's working up to look great ! The 24K has some real sparkle to it as you can see, and the colors in the Eros are very rich looking.
And then we have the last of the close ups, the Outback Mohair, which by the way comes in a really large skein. And the Finneanns Rainbow.
Do I know what I'm doing with all of this .................. well sort of, at least everything but the Scoubidu (but it's really soft and it was 50% off)
Needless to say I did some real $$ damage too, but I have been stashing some cash for yarn and I didn't spend it all ! I had $10.00 and some change left over and it's still stashed away.
I've got lots of projects going at the moment too, I've started a Monet Afghan for myself, thanks to Drew, The Crochet Dude for such a great free pattern, I'm also working on something with some of my vintage yarn, and I just got some baby seagrass in the mail to make the cool hat that Pam Gillette made on Uncommon Threads. Plus potholders and 12 inch squares for an exchange. Whew................... I'd better get off the computer and start crocheting....................
Hope you enjoyed my stash enhancement!!!!!!!!

FO's

Wow, time sure does fly ! I had intended to post some pics before this, better late than never. Unfortnately I don't always remember to get a picture before something is gone.
So here are only a few things. First is the 7 point star afgan, it's a super easy pattern and it's done in threadart chenille. Unbelievably soft, it could be a little bigger, the next one will be.
Then we have a picture of my Snuggly Scarf and hat, this is done in some Red Heart Baby Soft that I had in my stash. The hat is about half of a skein and the scarf is one full skein plus the leftover half from the hat. The combo is very warm.

And last but not least is this hat that is done from some handspun I had in my stash,there were two complimentary colors.This is my dog walking hat, it's great to plop on in the morning to hide the "bed head"I still haven't finished the afghan for my sister, it's about half done and I've put it on hold. Since I've started it she's decided she wants new livingroom furniture and I'm waiting to see if my color choice is okay. But I have started a Monet Afghan . I made one a while ago, but it wasn't for me,so I've started one to fit on my bed.

I think that's about all for today..............

Need to Vent

This is just going to be a quick post to let off a bit of steam.

My garage door has been squeeking for quite a while and had gotten to the point of almost being unbearable. So I took some good ole WD40 a couple of days ago and sprayed every place that squeeked. Well don't you know that one of the wheels of the stupid thing came off of the track today ! Of course dear Ralph thinks my curing the squeek with WD40 caused this to happen !
Ahhh, husbands..................what would we do without them !?!

Vintage Acrylic Yarn

I'm the lucky receipiant of lots of vintage yarn ! My cousin called and said that she came across some yarn and a few magazines that belonged to my aunt. Then she asked if I wanted it. How could I say no ? First of all it belonged to my dear aunt, which makes it super special and second, who among us doesn't want to add to their stash at no cost. This is what it consisted of...............

As you can see, lots of truely vintage stuff, one even has a price sticker of 47 cents ! I'm not quite sure yet what I'll do with all of it , but some of it will become an afghan or maybe just a lapghan for me. And I just got these vintage books in the mail yesterday, I ordered them before I knew I was getting any yarn. That's another thing to make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I have been crocheting also, but have only taken a few photos, which I'll save for the next post. I've made several hats for a friend of Ralph's that has just started chemo, an amigurumi crochet giraffe for my nephew's wife, a couple of hats for me and another Snuggly Scarf (i love, love,love this scarf) this one is for me. I'm also working on an afghan for my sister and another for my nephew. I threw in some of the smaller stuff to break the boredom of working on afghans. They really look good when finished but are a bit boring to work on.

So stop back soon, I promise there will be more pictures to see ..................

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm

Where does the time go !?! I can't believe how long it's been since my last post ! Let me wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day ! I hope you get to spend it with some one you love.

Now on to the things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm............................................................

A week ago last Friday my aunt passed away, my Mum's sister. Mum will be gone 22 years in April and I need to share a little story about her first.

I moved to Florida in 1984, being the "baby" in my family I was definately Mum's favorite (at least i like to think so) Anyway, after being in Florida a short time, my telephone rang one weekday afternoon and it was Mum ! This was really unusual because we only talked on Sundays (long distance calls were more expensive then and weekend rates were less) The first thing Mum said to me was, everything is okay, but I just heard this song on the radio and "I just called to say I love you ". Yep, she had just heard that old (it was new then) Stevie Wonder song, and called me, her baby. A few months later she passed away and ever since when I hear that song it makes me remember that phone call from Mum. I used to ball my eyes out everytime I heard that song, sometimes I still do.

Okay, now fast forward to 2007, my aunt is in the hospital and not doing well at all. My cousin is in from out of town and they have told her to call anyone that would like to see my aunt, this is on Monday. Well, Monday goes by and Tuesday and Wednesday, she's still hanging on. Wednesday nite I silently told Mum to come get her sister, Thursday, the same thing she's hanging on and now several times through out the day I silently told Mum to come and get her sister. Well she hung on until Friday and I do think that maybe Mum did come for her. Why do I think that ?

Well, Friday evening I went into the kitchen to do some baking, it was just about 7PM ( i had just finished watching the network news), I turned on the radio and Stevie Wonder is just starting to sing, "I just called to say I love you". Okay, not really a big deal, I smile to myself and continue on with my baking and 20 minutes later on the very same radio station Stevie Wonder is again belting out, "I just called to say I love you". This time as I smiled to myself it was through tears. I think Mum was telling me that she came for my aunt and stopped by to tell me she loves me. You might think that I'm nuts, but that's okay. Because even after almost 22 years of not having Mum around, I felt like she was right there in my kitchen with me, if only for a few minutes......................

Bbbaby It's Cccoold Outside !

I know in my last post I wanted the rain to go away, and go away it has ! It's really gotten cold here in the past week, wind chills of zero and highs in the teens and twenties. I know that it's supposed to be cold here in January, but just a couple of weeks ago it was in the low 60's. Ahhhhh, winter time in Pittsburgh.

On the crochet front I have a couple of projects going right now. Two afghans,more like throws, one for my sister as a housewarming gift for her "new" house and the other is for my nephew, who will be moving to NYC to start a new job in less than two weeks. I'll post pictures when there completed. I also started a hat last night late(around 1am)for a friend of Ralph's. The poor guy is going to be starting chemo soon and is really, really upset about the hair loss thing, so I thought that a couple of hats might make him feel a little better. The one I started last night is the "Boy Beanie" in SNB Crochet, I'll finish it up a little later.

Well I've got some laundry calling me so I gotta run........................

Rain, Rain Go Away !!

It's January, in Pittsburgh, we're not supposed to have so much rain. Sheez, I feel like I've moved to Washington, the state, not PA. I guess I should be happy it isn't snow, because we'd be really buried in the stuff by now. But at least snow makes it pretty for a little while, the rain just makes it muddy, wet, dreary. Some of the plants think it's springtime, peonies that I just planted in the fall are starting to poke their little heads up. Weird, weird weather this winter, so far, I just hope it doesn't go too far in the other direction.

Hmmmmmm, not much else is going on, just been crocheting scarves for the Red Scarf Project and my partners at Crochet Depot . Just waiting for this rain to stop.
Talk to you soon !

How Pittsburgh Are You ?

My brother sent me this and since I haven't posted in a while, I decided this was the perfect thing to share. I'm hoping it's the kick in the butt I need to get back into the swing of blogging.

Go ahead and take the quiz. See if you can understand how "real" Pittsburghers talk !

You are 100% Pittsburgh.

Great job! There's nooooo doubt about it. You're from Da Burgh. You deserve a reward, so go have an Ahrn City or two. And GO STILLERS!

How Pittsburgh Are You
See All Our Quizzes

Resolutions

First let me say that I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I had a very nice one, Santa got me my very own laptop ! A few other small things, perfume, clothes, all things that I needed.

Okay, now onto the resolutions............................
In years gone by I've made tons of different resolutions, I'll stop picking my nails, I'll eat better and exercise more, I'll diet. Of course I could go on and on, but needless to say at some point in the year (usually january) those resolutions were broken one by one.

So this year I've decided to make one that really shouldn't be too hard, I resolve to be more caring and nicer, especially to those that are closest to me. That's it, that's my resolution for 2007, just one, but one that I feel should make everyone's life a bit better. And maybe, just maybe by making only one resolution I'll be able to keep it.

Wishing you and all of your loved ones a very happy new year, one that is filled with good health, love and laughter.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all................................

I'm a Tree !

Since I only have a couple of minutes to post, I decided to this would be a good post. Thanks Deneen.

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

What Some Walnuts ?

Here's some nuts...................

There's some nuts....................

Everywhere some walnuts................

Trust me there are even more walnuts, all over my kitchen counters. This is how I spent my morning, and mmmmmmmmm,mmmmmmmmmm, my house smells sooo good. But now I have to go package them up, some for the neighbors, some for the mailman, some for people Ralph works with, some more for family and friends. Gotta get it done, 'cause Santa Clause is comin' to town !

A Little Bit of Christmas

I thought I'd share some photos of our little tree. Here it is all 4 feet of it, on top of my sideboard, well out of the way of playing dogs.



Another one of "little tree", this time with the flash off. Isn't it cute ?

A few of Rudolph's friends. Can you name them all ?

Rudolph, his girl friend and the miner. Do you know their names ?

And last but not least Santa and the rest of the gang.

Stay tuned for photos of my even smaller tree that's in the kitchen and also outdoor decorations.

HO HO HO

Happy Monday !

I can't believe it's Monday morning already ! The weekend just flew by. The weather was absolutely beautiful, sunny and warm, warm that is for the Pittsburgh area in December. Saturday my brother and I went to my sister's 'new' house with her and ripped up some orange, wall to wall carpeting. We tried to convince her that the orange was very retro and retro is 'in', she wasn't buying it. After all was said and done, she can't use just the beautiful hardwood floor. The previous owner had nails in every board on every stud, no creaks, but you can't have just the hardwood.

Ralph and I did some power Christmas shopping for each other. A couple years ago we decided instead of each of us going out separately and getting each other clothes, perfume, jewelry and that sort of thing, that we would go shopping together and get things we really want. So Ralph got a new 42" plasma TV for the computer room, which we now have renamed the 'media center'. I got, are you ready, I'm soooooooo excited, a laptop ! No, I'm not using it right now. I just attempted to hook up the wireless router and I need an ethernet cable. We have one here at the house but I don't know where Ralph put, so I have to wait until he gets home. I also got a few comfy, casual, velour pants and jacket sets.

Now all I have to do is crochet a couple more potholders and dishcloths, make my sweet spiced nuts and I'm done with all of my Christmas stuff. Then I'll have more time for crocheting scarves for the Red Scarf Project .

Gotta get to the grocery store..................

I'm Issuing a Challenge

I found out about the Red Scarf Project from the latest Crochetme Newsletter and would like to issue a challenge to everyone that reads my blog. It doesn't start until January, so there's plenty of time to get all of your holiday stuff done. Scarves can be whipped up very quickly, you can get one or even two done in an evening.
You may be wondering if I'm issuing this challenge because I'm adopted, the answer is no, I'm the youngest of 6. However, there are 3 people in my family that were orphaned and were lucky enough to be adopted. The first became part of the family almost 4o years ago (yikes), my oldest brother(#1) married a girl that had been orphaned, fast forward about 20 years and another brother (#2) adopted a little girl that was orphaned, fast forward again about 17 years and the son and wife of brother #1 adopted a little boy(he'll be 3 in may) that was also orphaned. All 3 were lucky enough to be adopted, but there are so many that aren't and with just a few hours of your time and a little yarn you can make them feel loved.
So consider yourself Challenged, I hope you participate.

It Comes In Fours Meme

from: Deneen


Deneen tagged me a few days ago, so here goes........................


Things You May Not Have Known About Me

Four jobs I’ve had in my life:
1. attendant at a "Wash, Dry and Fold" laundromat (one of the grosses things you could ever do, but hey, I needed the money)
2. cashier
3. floral arranging (loved this job, it just didn't pay enough)
4. banking, new accounts and lending

Four movies I would (and do) watch over and over:
1. Brigadoon (an oldie but a goodie)
2. Hook
3. Michael
4. Steel Magnolias

Four places I have lived:
1. Winter Springs, Fl.
2. Longwood, Fl.
3. Sanford, Fl.
4. Glassport, PA

TV shows I love (or would love) to watch:
1. ER ( i've been watching since episode one of season 1)
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Boston Legal

Four Places I have been on Vacation:
1. Daytona Beach
2. St. Augustine
3. Ocean City
4. All of the New England states except Maine (did a driving vacation to see them, too little time to make Maine)

Four of my favorite foods:
1. CHOCOLATE (the darker the better)
2. chicken
3. vanilla ice cream
4. Lays potato chips

Four of my favorite books :
1. Spencerville, by Nelson Demille
2. Upcountry, by Nelson Demille
3. The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks
4. Message in a Bottle, by Nicholas Sparks

So now you know everything there is to know about me.

Support Our Troops

I'm passing along an email that my sister sent me this morning. I've already done this, it can be done more than once and I'm hoping that you may take a minute of your time and send one too. Thanks.


Something cool that Xerox is doing: If you go to this website, www.letssaythanks.com can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it, and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch

Wow, It's Been Over A Week !!

I know, I've been a bit lax on my blogging this past week, but I've got a lot accomplished. Just scroll down and look at all of the pictures.

My nephew was here for Thanksgiving, (acutually he arrived on Tuesday and left on Sunday), he loves thrift stores and I think I might start to visit them a little more often myself. I got all of this yarn for $6.50 ! All of it is 100% wool, the cream colored is Turbo Swilan from Switzerland and the grey, oops I mean siver birch (10 skeins all of the same dye lot) is Columbia-Minerva Icelandia. So when all of my holiday crocheting is done, some of this is going to be slippers for me.


Okay, then I received these beautiful stitch markers in the mail, they were from the swap at Fiber Freaks . I love, love, love them !

Next, I made these to send to my swap partners, sorry for the bad photo I was in a rush. These took me a bit of time, as they were my first attempt at stitch markers. It was really fun making them and I plan on making more !

Another package arrived in the mail for me and it was my teddy bear from the swap at Crochet Depot

I finished up the bear for my partner and packaged it up with a couple other things and sent him on his way.

I also decided I needed a new purse and I wanted it felted or fulled (whichever term you prefer). All of the patterns I could find didn't have a flap to close the purse, something that I really think is needed. So I messed around and came up with the purse below. It's made using Cascade 220, the color in the photo didn't come out very well, it's one of the tweeds. It reminds me of cinnamon toast, so I guess this is my Cinnamon Toast Bag.

Next, I needed to get a scarf done for my sister-in-law for a gift. Below is a pattern that is in the 2007 Crochet Pattern A Day Calendar, it's the Snuggly Scarf and the pattern is by Deneen . It's done with Lion Brand Homespun and it works up amazingly fast and looks great.

So now that her scarf was done it was time to dig into some of my "yarn haul" stuff and work on a scarf for my sister. Again, I couldn't find a pattern that I really liked, I wanted something that would show the "fuzziness" of the yarn. So I fiddled around and came up with the scarf below. It's "Sis's Scarf"

Here's a little close up , it's difficult to tell, but the "fuzziness factor" remains.

I've also begun a scarf for my brother and should have it done this weekend.

Besides crafting, I made Thanksgiving dinner, including 2 pumpkin pies ( yeah, i know they're quick and easy) , a pumpkin spice cake and a triple chocolate cake.

So you see, even though I haven't been blogging, I've been keeping busy. Now I gotta get back to the laundry........

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. May you have plenty to eat, in a warm safe place, surrounded by those you love.

Redi-whip or Cool Whip ?

Yep, the big pig out day is almost here ! I love turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, all smothered in gravy. But most of all I LOVE a huge slice of pumpkin pie covered in Redi-Whip. Now there is a great debate in my house over Redi-Whip and Cool Whip. Ralph hates Redi-Whip, me, well, Cool Whip is okay, but tastes a little fake. Besides that, Redi-Whip brings back lots of childhood memories of squirting as much of the stuff as possible into your mouth straight from the can ( i still like that) . Redi-Whip is a food that not only tastes good, it's also fun to play with, you can't say that about Cool Whip.

So, what's your favorite, is it Cool Whip or Redi-whip ?