Socks for ME!

I made these socks for myself over the past couple days. It was a bit exasperating. I had one nearly done when I tried it on to measure for length and I couldnt get it over my ankle. I was SO mad but I frogged the whole thing...2 minutes for about 5 hours work....and started over with a larger hook. Thing that got me was my gauge was correct....but the pattern must have been for VERY small people. I had to upsize from an F hook to an I...and then they came out perfect. Thats why socks are so tough to make. The patterns are easy....its the sizing that causes the trouble since there is less stretch in a crocheted sock than there is a knitted one. But I am determined to get really good at crocheting socks.....all kinds.

I got the pattern from a sock booklet I ordered from Annie's Attic. I used Cotton Plus in Thistle. One skein makes one sock with a small amount left over. I think I am going to make another pair in another color.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

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Secret Santa Swap

I had SO much fun with the Secret Santa Swap on CFL. My partner and I decided to wait till Christmas morning to open our exhanges, so here is what I got.

A wonderful Christmas book and bookmark, (cant wait to read it) some lovely yarn, (have to think of something really special to make with it) a little notebook, a star shaped Christmas photo frame, (maybe I can get someone to take a pic of Ron and I to put in it) some toggle clasps for my jewelry making and a little blown glass ornament. Thank you SO much to my partner Monet....I LOVE everything! I hope you like your gifts too.

Hope everybody had a great Christmas. Enjoy your continued holiday season!

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Our Tree

I finally got the tree decorated tonight. If I do say so myself, I think it came out beautifully....one of the nicest trees I have ever had. Ron said I did a beautiful job, and considering what a perfectionist he is, that is praise indeed :)





Like a lot of people, I collect ornaments. I always get a few Hallmark ornaments every year, but I also collect other kinds as well...especially blown glass or porcelain. I got this one about a week
ago when we got the tree.

And this one was made in Egypt

and trimmed in 24k gold....all glass and crystal.

And this is my Clara from the Nutcracker. She is all porcelain. She is jointed at the waist and legs and is one of my favorites.



I hope you enjoyed looking at my tree. I will be back again soon.




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Fingerless Mitts

I have been seeing a lot of fingerless gloves lately. But most of the patterns have been pretty standard and plain. I searched for a good hour before I finally found THIS pattern. These were VERY easy to make...only took a few hours for the pair.....and they are nice and warm. I made them for my D but I think I might make some more to give for gifts in different colors. I used the Simply Soft and I upped the hook size by one to get the proper gauge and they came out great. The pic isnt all that good since I am no expert in modeling while I take a photo, but you get the idea. Check out the pattern and give them a try!

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Something Quick and Easy

These Pepperming Candy Coasters are todays Pattern-of-the-Day at Annie's so you only have about 5 more hours to get it. Each coaster took about 15 minutes to make. I tied up the set of 6 to give to my hair dresser tomorrow as a little gift. The other 2 I will find other uses for. You can put a hanger on them and hang them on a tree or use them under a candlestick. You could even join them to make an afghan. Go give them a try!

Note: My computer is fixed and I am back!

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Tree Skirt

Ijust finished this little tree skirt for my D's tree. She uses my old artificial tree.....a 4 ft., so she doesnt need a full size skirt. The pattern is VERY simple....find it here. As you can see, I didnt embellish it with the ribbon but its not necessary, since I used more than one color. A tip: If you decide to do a stripe instead of a solid color, carry the colors up the side instead of ending them off. Then just sc along the edge to cover them. MUCH easier :)

ETA- 12/12/08: I took a photo of the skirt underneath my D's new, full size tree I think it looks great!

And if you need a festive cape, this is PERFECT! I put it around my shoulders and it works just great. So it has a dual purpose. I used the Lion "Thick and Quick" Chenille.....has a velvet feel to it that is just right for the holidays. But be warned....this skirt only measures 17" and it used 4 skeins. One each of the red and green and 2 of the cream. So if you want to make a larger one, its going to cost you :) Unless you can find a sale....or just substitute 2 strands of worsted.

Note: My computer is down...I am using a friends to post this. So I might not be around as much till the problem is resolved. But I will try to post again soon. Till then....

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I just finished my Thanksgiving Bread Basket. I learned a lot making this basket and when I make another one (for myself) I will do a couple things differently. But I think it came out rather nicely. You can find the pattern for this basket AND a Christmas basket HERE. Tomorrow, I will slice up the Cranberry Nut Bread I made and put the inside to give to the hostess.

Now I am going to go and try and finish up my Thanksgiving Turkey Wreath...my own creation. I will post a pic of that when I am finished, even though it will be after the holiday.

I hope everyone has a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Be safe.

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Snowflake Afghan

Here is one of several WIP afghans I have going.

This one is my favorite....a Snowflake Afghan. I have 2 rows finished.

You can find the pattern here.

The motifs are relatively easy to do....its the joining that

is tedious. A lot of ends to weave in, but its coming out really nice.

I am using Caron Simply Soft in the Country Blue and 2 strands

of Bernat Softee Baby Sparkle in the sport weight. I am starting

to run out of the Sparkle and I havent been able to find any in

the sport weight so far, just the fingering weight, so I hope I have

better luck soon. I wont be able to work on it till after Christmas,

anyway, so its ok. I just wanted to show how it was coming along.

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Smiling Snowman

Thats the name of the pattern for this little guy. I just finished him a short time ago. Giving him to the neighbors downstairs....a retired couple. She likes my crocheting and my b/f suggested I make her something. So I saw this guy in the current issue of Hooked on Crochet and I HAD to make him. The only thing I didnt like about making him was the SEWING. I dont like hand sewing. :)

I did a couple things differently than the pattern dictated. For one, I used sport yarn with a strand of white crochet cotton for the hat instead of varigated worsted. I think it came out better. I also used a varigated, double strand crochet cotton and an esc for the scarf....again, I think it looked better. And I crocheted the cuff right on the mitten instead of making is separate and then sewing it on.

Its a little early for snowmen here but what the heck?

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SIP (Sock in Progress)

Here is the sock nearly finished. I'ts been like that for several days now.....I just got around to taking a pic so I could post it. I have to have my D try the sock 0n before I do the toe so I can see if I have the proper length. I should be able to finish it up this week, then I'll work on it's mate.

I have started another sock for myself in cotton thread and its coming out very nicely, but it's a toe UP sock instead of a cuff DOWN, like this one.

Still looking for a good Thanksgiving project. Hope I find one soon :)

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First Socks

I have been wanting to make a pair of crocheted socks ever since I saw the lovely knitted ones that have been made in K&C. I had seen socks crocheted of regular yarn and they were more like slippers than socks. I wanted regular socks I could wear with shoes. So I was fortunate to find a good book that has step by step instructions about making crocheted socks. The pattern for the socks I am making is in the photo....it's a beginner pattern to get used to the form. Although I have made bootie socks in this fashion, I thought it better to start from the beginning and see how it goes. I am alergic to wool so originally I wanted a cotton blend but I found this Pima cotton and I really liked it so I bought 3 hanks of it....should be enough for a couple pair. I love the color, too. I have the leg, heel and heel turn finished and I have just started on the gusset. If this first sock comes out right, I will continue on to the second one. One thing I like about this pattern is that it's done in one continuous piece. Will post another photo when I am finished.

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My Second Favorite Dishcloth

I say these are my second favorite because my favorite is one I make that is a simple square, alternating sc and dc, but I use cotton THREAD, so it takes longer but its a great cloth. THESE, are my next favorite and they make GREAT little gifts....make up quick, too. I use a pattern that is for a regular round dishcloth and omit the first few rounds. I do 48 sc around the scrubbie and then continue with the pattern as written, with one exception......I skip only 2 dc instead of 3 in round 4, so it lays flatter. You end up with more petals, thats all. But you dont even NEED the flower pattern....you could just make a dc circle and make it look like fried eggs, if you wanted :)

If you are interested in the pattern I used, with all the matching accessories, click here. I actually made the whole set as an exchange gift and it came out great.

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Fall Exchange

Today I got my package from my exchange partner and here you can see what I got. A lovely fall shawl. Aren't the colors just gorgeous? I absolutely LOVE it! And I dont have a shawl so it will certainly come in handy on chilly nights. And I got a hazelnut coffee scented candle....mmmm...smells wonderful :) And a skein of Bernat yarn....its soft and fuzzy and I will have to make something special with it. Thank you SO much, partner! As usual, I had a LOT of fun with the exchange.

I saw this quote in my e-mail from Stephanie Pearl-Mc Phee a/k/a 'The Yarn Harlot'.

" I am not wasting time knitting or wasting money buying yarn. I am creating useful and beautiful objects that will outlast me and my days. I am creating a legacy to outlive me."

This is how I feel about crocheting. I bet YOU feel the same :)

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Happy Halloween!

Been working hard on my Fall Exchange with CFL....and I finally finished this little fellow a little while ago. For only having a small online image and no pattern to go by, I think "Sam"came out pretty well......thats what I call him. I think he kinda LOOKS like a Sam :) I hope my partner likes him. I have attempted to write down the pattern...you can find it on my pattern page.

I started working on another piece to give, as well, but I wasnt that happy with it, which is why I made "Sam"....but if I have the time to finish the other thing, I will send it along too.

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The Snowman Scarf

I finally finished my D's Snowman Scarf and I think he came out rather well. I measured him....he is about 5-6 inches wide and SIX FEET LONG! But my D is a tall girl so it wont matter. I hope she likes it.

No pattern for this one....just cast on with your Knifty Knitter and get going. I used the pink colored long loom and used all the pegs....so this scarf is actually a flat tube. Took a lot of yarn.....probably cost me about $40 for everything but its thick and warm. :)

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Hanging Around

I saw this pretty Mum in the store and had to get it, but had no place to sit it. But I have a LOT of hooks. I had a problem, though.....no hangers. So I figured I had all this yarn.....why not MAKE one :) I found a pattern for this easy one HERE. I decided to use some Lion Homespun I had leftover from a teddy bear I made. Only took me about an hour and a half total to do it. And problem solved.

I think this would make a nice, easy gift item, too...with or without a plant inside :)

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One More...

I finally finished this skinny scarf. It must have been about a month or more ago that I started it and ran out of yarn, I decided to give it as a Christmas gift. I cant give you a link to the pattern, as it was one of Annie's Pattern of the Day, but you may see it again if you check out her site every day, like I do. I did add ONE thing to it that wasnt in the original pattern....I did a single crochet border around the edge to give it a more finished look.

I still have 2 more skinny scarves I am working on but they will be put on the back burner till I get a good start on the Christmas gifts.

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Rainbow Ripple Sherbet Baby Afghan

I decided to make ONE more ripple afghan and use up some of the ancient baby yarn I had...and I have a LOT.. Pattern is available HERE. No photo, but you dont really need it...its just a basic pattern. There is no edging in the pattern so I just did a simple reverse single crochet, which finished it nicely.

Now its on to Holiday gifts!

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The "Make Me A....." Swap

I got my package today from my exchange partner...and I am THRILLED! As you can see from the photo, she made me TWO felted bags! They are just adorable...and they have matching cell phone covers. The blue will go GREAT with jeans and the cream one will be perfect for more dressy occasions. She also sent me a lamb tape measure, a lighted crochet hook, pumpkin candles, a row counter and some candy...thats gone already, LOL! And she even sent me a booklet with felted bag patterns....thats something I dont have. I cant wait to try one!

I am looking forward to my next exchange.....its so much fun!

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Wont You Have a Seat?

I have been wanting to make this since I saw the pattern about a week or so ago....its SO cute! And the only tough part was getting the pieces sewed together so they were even and so the back was straight. I HATE hand sewing but I think I have the proceedure for THIS one down in case I make another one. Another cute gift....you can give it to a child as a chair for a small doll or to an adult for its intended purpose....a pin cushion. Its looks good without the pins, too. Give it a try....find the pattern HERE :)

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William

I finally got a photo of the new baby, William. He is the one I made the blue overall layette and ripple afghan for. He was barely awake for this shot....at 3 weeks he is asleep most of the time :) His proud PopPop is the one holding him. I still think I am going to make him and Sydney the Christmas suit, but we'll see. Whatever I make, I need to get started SOON!

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The Simple Things

I have been trying to think up easy and quick little gifts for people.....especially for little N....her birthday is next month and she will be 5. With money being tight, but yarn being plentiful, I went online and found this set of patterns. I am going to make a few of these sets and give them for Christmas. It took me about 2 hours to make up this little puff. I always liked bath puffs, but I dont like the nylon kind...I have actually scratched myself using one of them. This one is made of the worsted cotton yarn and is just perfect. I think N will like it too...and so will her mom. I am going to make the rest of the set for her too, except for the facial cloth....she wont need that. Give it a try :)

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Doily #2

Made this last night. You can find the pattern here. Again, its made from the same yarn and its a good size..probably about 24" across. Its smaller than the first one so my partner has a choice as to what size she wants to use. I pressed them both....they dont really need major blocking. Now I have to decide what goodies I will include with the doilies. I always make a pair of earrings and I put a couple skeins of matching yarn in, too. I'll have to think of a few more things. Then its just a matter of packing it all up to ship. I am WAY ahead of schedule...we have till the 29th of the month to ship. So thats a good thing :)

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Is This a Doily?

Technically, yes. I am doing another swap on K&C and my partner wanted a doily but NOT made from thread. I thought about regular cotton worsted but I figured it would be TOO lumpy and not lay properly. So I was searching through A.C. Moore and I found this light worsted, TLC cotton blend...half cotton, half acrylic. It looked like it would be a nice thickness, would lay nice and be easy to care for. I also found a booket with new doilies in it and since my partner said either oval or rectangular, I figured this pattern was like a cross between the 2. It measures 38"x28" and should look nice on a dining room table or a sideboard and unlike a thread doily, it only needs a slight pressing to block it...I just blocked it for the photo by smoothing it out with my hands. I started it yesterday and finished it a short time ago. Its a LOT easier doing a doily in yarn than thread but I am sure this pattern would look really sharp in thread, too. The pattern booklet is called "A Year of Doilies" from Leisure Arts (what would I DO without them?) and this is their "May" doily. I hope my partner likes it. If I have the time, I will make her another doily in another pattern.

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Needs Good Home

This is the afghan I decided to make out of my 30+ year old yarn I got at Jefferson Ward....remember THAT store?? Anyway except for the pattern changes from changing skeins, it came out nice. I had to buy a skein for the edging but that was ok. Finished size is approx. 41" x 33". So now I need to find a charity group that would like it. Anyone have an idea or a group I could send it to. Let me know. Thanks :)

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Anastasia

This is one of 3 afghans I am currently working on. This one will take me the longest. The pattern is simple....its the EDGING that is going to be a killer. Its not only very ornate, its crocheted SEPARATELY from the afghan and then SEWED on! I have never done that before so I sure hope I dont have too much trouble with it. I am a little more than halfway done the center section. I had to stop tonight because I ran out of yarn :) I'll pick up m0re this week.

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My Own Scarf

I sat down tonight with the inspiration to create my own design of skinny scarf and this is what I came up with. You can find the pattern HERE. Its pretty easy, actually, except for the ends....I had to do some creative thinking there. But here, for your approval, as Rod Serling used to say, is my Oriental Fan Scarf. I hope you like it...I do :)

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The Straight Skinny

Trying to keep up with all the online projects....its not easy! And I bet Mini figured I was ignoring the Crochet-Along. I wasnt. :) Here is my skinny scarf. I made it last night while watching the Phillies lose...WAHHH! But enough of that.....thats for my OTHER blog :)

I LOVE the Caron Simply Soft yarn....works up SO nice. And I really liked this pattern too. I made this for my D, as well, but, again, I think I might make one for myself in a differnt color. This color will match the bag I am making for her. You can find the pattern for the scarf here. Just scroll about 3/4 of the way down the screen. I should warn you, though....there are a couple mistakes in the pattern. I think you will probably figure them out :)

Edited 12/08- This pattern was moved and I have updated the link. However I dont know if the mistakes were fixed.

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A Lazy Summer Day...

...and the second half of the August Challenge. I made this cute little summer cap. Great for the beach or for just sunning. I used a denim colored worsted weight cotton yarn and a size G hook. Find the pattern here. I am going to give it to my D....she is under the weather with a summer virus. These caps are very fashionable right now....I may even make myself one :)

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Its Finally Finished!

This is the layette I started a couple months ago and got a bit sidetracked on. I stayed up till about 2 in the morning watching reruns of "The Twilight Zone" till I was done! I am very pleased with the way it came out. And I decided to use my model to display the outfit this time. Its a little big on her but thats ok, since the baby is due in Aug. and sure wont be wearing an outfit like THIS till the end of September, probably.

So now its all ready for the baby-to-be to wear. Another project completed. About 10 more to go, LOL!

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August Challenge Part Uno

First off, I have to say its nice to be back....I wasnt able to add anything for awhile because I had a system meltdown. But things are pretty much back to normal.

Second, here is my contribution to the first part of the CFL August Challenge. I was first going to do a book cover but after doing about a dozen rows of that, I realized it was going to be TOO thick and if I did it in thread, it would take me an eternity! So as I was sitting in my chair working on a cryptogram (I love cryptograms!) and staring at my pencil, it came to me.

This pencil cover was made with a double strand of #10 cotton and a #9 steel hook. Six sc stitches worked in rounds till it was long enough and a sl st at the end. I cut the end about a yard long, and, using a tapestry needle, looped it through the last stitch several times so I had 3 loops, then I cut the excess off and cut the loops apart at the bottom. I braided the ends, knotted it and then pulled apart the strands of thread to create a tassle. You could dress it up with a charm or beads instead. Took me about a half an hour and I like the feel of it as I work on my cryptograms :)

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Daisy Charity Square 2

Well, I tried the square again with the next larger hook and would you believe it STILL was 7 1/2 inches when I was done? I was getting exasperated, but I went up ONE more hook size and gave it another try. When I was done, it was 8 1/2 inches! Well, the only thing I could do was take off the last round and do it over with a smaller hook, but it still came out to 8 1/4 inches. I am sending it that way...I hope its ok.


If you are interested in getting the pattern, you can ask for it by e-mail and it will be sent to you, provided you agree to make at least ONE square and send it in for charity. You can get info about the square HERE.

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Update - 4/2/10 - You can no longer get the pattern by request. You now have to join the designer's Yahoo group and then you can access the pattern. A bit inconvenient but it is a nice pattern to have.

Daisy Charity Square

I got the pattern for this about a month ago....and promptly forgot about it. I got an e-mail reminder the other day that I hadnt made my obligitory square in exchange for the pattern...OOPS! So I sat down this evening and I worked on it. Took me THREE hours to make this square....no WONDER she wants people to make them and send them to her :) The thing that frustrated me, along with how confusing the pattern was, was there was NO gauge given. So I made up the square and it came out to 7 1/2 " instead of the required 8. I was NOT a happy camper. So I traded up a hook size and am trying one more time. If its not 8", I am going to send it along anyway. I have to admit its an ingenious design and now that I know how to do it, I will remember in case I ever decided to use it again.





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Bag Swap 2

Today I got a box from my swap partner for the bagswap at K&C. I was surprised at how HEAVY it was. And was MORE surprised to see what was inside. ALL kinds of goodies! A crocheted bag with accessories....change purse, make up bag and keychain! Not to mention CHOCOLATE....YUM!!! And a ball of pink thread and 2 skeins of eyelash yarn....I am going to make something SPECIAL with that :) And tea (how could she know I drink de-caf :)) and trail mix, a doily (going in my bathroom) and a crocheted edging. But the heavy thing was a hard bound book with knitting patterns...WOW! I guess I am going to try to learn to knit now :) Many thanks to my partner, Michaela....you outdid yourself.

July Challenge - Part Deux

Something you find at a party. Well, no particular party was specified, so I figured this would work.....my own version of the Cupcake Purse. :) Again, I pretty much made it up as I went along with a picture I had seen online as a partial guide. Not sure what I will do with it yet, but I am sure I will find SOME little girl to give it to.

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July Challenge - Part One

I have finished half of my July Challenge for CFL. Something you find in or at the ocean. Well, here is my little Damsel Fish. Looks a bit like one I had when I had a salt water aquarium years ago. I made him up as I went along and I think I am going to use him as part of a mobile of oceanlife and give it to Sydney, since everyone calls her room the "Jimmy Buffett" nursery....the walls are painted in murals of the beach and ocean...its pretty cool.

Second part of the challenge will be up soon. Crochet Away!

Special Socks

These are the kind of socks I wish I had had when I was a little girl. When I first saw patterns for them I just HAD to try making some. I made a LOT of them about a year ago and gave them to my b/f's little granddaughters but they have grown out of them and a request was made for more. :) So I put my other projects on hold in order to make up some more for the girls. Here are some of the ones I made.

I love the look of the sparkly beads but I also love the look that buttons add to the trim...especially since you can now get buttons in so MANY shapes. These are princess socks...they have a couple tiara buttons along with just the different pink and lavender shapes.

These are seashore socks.....they have shell buttons and
sandal buttons....you can even see a little shovel button in the
corner. I think the girls are going to really love these....I just
hope mom can get them to share them :)

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Bag Swap

I am involved in another swap on K&C....its a bag

swap. Any kind of bag so I made this one. Its a BIG one (18" in diameter) but I really like bigger bags....I carry a LOT of stuff :) Despite its size, I think it came out great! My D saw it and SHE wants one..he,he.. The only part that I had a pattern for was the front section....which I believe was supposed to be done in a much thinner yarn but I wanted something larger and this is how it came out. The back is just a large DC circle. You can find the pattern for the front HERE . But be warned....its only for the front and some of the directions may seem a bit off. But if "I" can figure it out, anyone can :)

As you can see, I lined the inside with a different fabric and I think its very pretty. I had to hand sew the entire lining since I no longer own a sewing machine...that took a whole evening since I had to sew the front and back lining together first, THEN sew it in to the bag and THEN sew in the back lining. I sure hope my partner likes it. If she doesnt use it for a purse, its large enough to carry around a crochet WIP :)

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My Birthday

Today is my 53rd birthday. Its a good one. The last few years birthdays for me have been like just any other day. Its nice to have someone to share it with now :) My b/f gave me a very sweet card and is taking me to dinner later on this afternoon to The Dillworthtown Inn. My kids are busy....not surprised....but I will see them later in the week. A friend of mine got me this mug...very appropriate for someone my age :) But you are truly ONLY as old as you feel....and I feel very young :)

A Bit of Whimsy

I found the link to this pattern on KAC....one of the ladies posted it and it looked SO cute and easy, I HAD to try it :) So here is my WIP....its called a "YoYo" Afghan. Its just DC circles surrounded by chains and SC's ....its join as you go and is GREAT for yarn scraps. I am making this one for our"Whimsy Room".....part office, part guest room. Just a little throw as an accent. Great on-the-go project. Find the pattern HERE.
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The New Baby

Here is a pic of Sydney....this is the baby I crocheted a WHOLE bunch of things for that I will eventually include in my blog. She is the CUTEST thing....only about 7 lbs and SOO tiny. I hadnt held a little one THAT little in many years.

Welcome to the world, Sydney! And now I have another little girl to crochet things for :)

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