Until I Come Up With Something To Blog About...Here's Something To Ponder......

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Bunny Bums

Holy freakin crap! I was RAOKed again!! My husband is starting to get jealous!! My jaw almost hit the floor. Here's the list of things I received...in no particular order...

• A ball of gorgeous silvery metallic crochet thread
• A zippered pouch that is totally me (I really like it a lot!) it is destined to be my new traveling hook case! This was not on my wish list but this is absolutely something that I would buy myself. It was also filled with goodies!
• A bottle of milk & honey body lotion (Burt's Bees)
• A Clover yarn cutter pendant in silver! (I almost fell over when I saw it because I've been wanting to try one)
• A packet of ball-end piercing needles. I fairly new to crochet and I've never seen these, but I like to say ball-end piercing needles...I'm guessing they're yarn needles.
• Lip shimmer in watermelon (Burt's Bees)
• A hand crocheted blue flower bookmark! (I hope the person who made it didn't go blind in the process because the stitches are tiny...and perfect!)
• 5 absolutely stunning stitch markers. (these left me speechless!)
• A cute little note card with bunny bums on the front and a funny note inside!

At this point, after oogling over my loot I begin to wonder if I'm being followed or if my phone line is tapped. Every single beautiful gift are things that I would buy for myself or have been eyeing. So here's to you, J Firsow. You honestly turned a frown upside down and I thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. I am sending you good vibrations and hope that karma will treat you as well as you have treated me! Thank you!!

To Deneen...

Why is Deneen so cool? Because she says damn, hell, and shit; she is a stay at home mama (can't get much cooler than that); she crochets (what crocheter isn't cool?); she says that she's 40 but she doesn't look it at all in her picture; she's The Godmother of Adagio teas; she's smart, funny, and has a really big heart....oh, and she feeds her daughter "dirties"! HAHAHAHA I laughed so hard when I read that the first time that I woke my son from his nap! To answer your question, Deneen, I've only made one thing from plastic bags so far but here are some ideas for other projects. I made a tote bag for my sister-in-law using Marlo's pattern. It's kinda hard to get used to working with the plastic bags, but it goes pretty fast. My next adventure will be a big market type bag with a longer strap/handle.

...In Other Crochet News...

I have about a quarter of a row left to do on my scarf submission for this book. After that I will felt it, photograph it, and send in my idea. This whole deal has been pretty fun. I've never really come up with an original project for crochet and be satisfied with it. Even if I'm not picked, I'll have a really cool scarf!

From The Mouths of Babes

The other night I was sitting in the living room crocheting...like I always do. My son comes running in yelling, "Mama! Mama! Mama!" I asked him what he wanted and he points at me and says "Crocheting!" I had a good chuckle over that. I asked him if he wanted to learn how to crochet and he said "Yes!" I'm excited about the prospect. With his beautiful blue eyes and the ability to crochet, I'll have to beat the little girls off him!

So I was looking at my yarn stash and I realize that I have a problem. I have several skeins of some pretty nice yarn but I'm afraid to use any of it. I can never seem to find a pattern worthy of my precious stash. Am I alone?

I can't think of a good title

Saturday was a pretty sweet mail day. I received my sample from Adagio teas just for linking to their site! I got a little tin of Tangerine tea and a hand written note. I was floored about the note. What company out there still does that? That's it, I'm going Adagio all the way!! Also in the mail I received a beautiful red plastic bag!! Another Crochetville RAOK!! I know I'm going to sound crazy, but the color is so beautiful!! Thank you so much crochet plastic bag fairy!! I'm serious, I love the color of this bag! Oh dear, I'm such a nerd!

Today was the last day to sign up for the Spring colors yarn swap thingy. I'm ready to get this thing going. Supposedly there's a survey coming my way tomorrow. I've never been involved in a swap before and I'm really looking forward to it.

I frogged my submission for the book and have reworked it. I really like how it's turning out. I think I have a fair chance of being picked, but I'm not holding my breath. It's nice to challenge myself. I'm enjoying the process of developing a design. I've never done it before.

That's all the news from Lake Wobegon (listen to NPR on Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings and that will make a lot more sense!) Take care everyone!

Oh, Canada!!

I am left almost speechless!! Today I received a very special RAOK package all the way from CANADA!! In this package was a bunch of plastic bags!! That may not sound too exciting to some folks, but I about peed my pants! There were some grey ones (from a Canadian WalMart), some blue, green, and purple ones, and a pretty pink polka dotted one!! That's not all, folks...I also got a little yellow note pad, sample of Cinnamon Spice herbal tea, a little bead organizer (perfect for travel!), retractable tape measure (I've desperately been needing this!), a package of beads (beautiful colors), yarn needles (another thing I've been needing), and some cinnamon-y heart shaped candies (yum!)!!!! The very thoughtful elf decided to remain nameless, but I do have the address!! Now for some detective work! I would like to tell this person whom I hope is reading this that I am truly thankful for the gifts. I am very grateful and touched by your generosity. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Take care and have a wonderful day, everyone!!






Special thanks for providing the Canadian Flag animation goes to:

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada , we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee

Eureka!!

Well, Bob's my uncle! I've created something that I am very excited about and that I plan to submit for consideration for an up coming book. Please refer to my previous post for clarification. I am so damn excited!! What's really great is that I stumbled into this creation much by accident. I was trying to do one thing and it came out something completely different! My husband even likes it! Thank you, Mandi's Brain, for actually doing something constructive!

Nose To The Grindstone!

Ever since I read this post at Crochetville the wheels and cogs in my head have been in motion. I would love to be able to create something and then get to see it in print! I've been trying to come up with something but my creative juices are but a trickle! Ugh! I did create this weird spiral thing-a-ma-bob. I might explore that avenue a little further. The deadline is fast approaching, too. It's March 7...which is my birthday so there's no chance of me forgetting it! I want whatever I make to be awesome but I don't want to throw a lot of money at it trying to develop and perfect the design and then not have it chosen. I'll keep you posted but, sorry, no details.....because there aren't any at the moment! Ha!

Yesterday I worked on my plastic bag stash...holy cow I've got bags coming out of my ass! I got one huge bag full of bags cut into strips and put together to form a ball of "yarn". I've got 3 more to go! I really wish I could get my hands on some more exciting colors, though. I have a ton of clear and white bags, and some blue, yellow, and brownish blah ones. I would like to find green or red perhaps. Every time I go to the grocery store I raid the plastic bag recycling bin...you should see the looks I get...it's hilarious!

So I found out the other day that there is a yarn store in my town...well, it's not exactly in my town but it's really close by. The only other place locally that has yarn is WalMart and I hate WalMart! Otherwise I have to drive 30 minutes to Asheville on I-40 in my ugly old '76 Cutlass!! That car scares me. When it comes to safety I know all the passengers are safe because it's a tank. But it's 29 years old! I practically have to carry a garage in the trunk just in case something happens. Granted I'm somewhat enjoying this learning experience, but it's not fun to have to worry about stuff like that when I am traveling with my 2 year old! I will say this, I'm damn proud of that car. Last April it took us to Miami and back with no problems! How in the heck did I get off on that subject?

This morning Geof and I were watching Sesame Street and what did I see?! Elmo has a crocheted afghan on his bed! That's right! Elmo was having trouble getting to sleep so this opera singer came and sang to him. On his bed was a pretty scrap afghan done in what I'm guessing was a shell stitch. Also last night I was watching the History Channel...yes, I'm a dork. There was a program on called Modern Marvels and the subject was George Washington Carver. I knew he was an awesome scientist...but did you know that he crocheted as well!! That should qualify him for sainthood!

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

My Valentine was super sweet to me. I don't expect anything special for Valentine's Day simply because I think that love should be expressed throughout the year. However, yesterday, my husband handed me some money, took my son, and said those words every fiber addict/tired housewife loves to hear, "GO BUY SOME YARN!!" While I was away he cleaned the entire house, did the laundry, washed the dishes, and when I returned he had a 4 course dinner ready! Yes ladies, I am lucky and I know it! I ended up at AC Moore where I purchased 8 skeins of Patons Classic Merino Wool (on sale!) 2 skeins each in Leaf Green, Royal Purple, Rich Red, and Black; size D & E hooks, and 2 skeins of Lion Brand Magic Stripes in Denim Stipe. The Patons will be made into a bag which will then be fulled. The Magic Stipes is trying to become some socks, but we're not getting along too well at the moment! It's a beautifully rainy day here...I know what I'll be doing!

This Is A Bitchfest...Reader Beware!!

You know what really gripes my ass? Selfishness!! I belong to a certain crafting message board. On said board there is an area where members can post "wishes" and other members can grant these wishes. We're supposed to mark which items on our wish lists have been granted and everyone seems to do that. My only problem is with the people who write in something like, "Granted...but more is ok!" And then put little teehee's or smileys afterward. To me that says "Teehee, I'm a greedy little poohead who hasn't outgrown my childhood now gimme gimme gimme!!!!" I can understand if it is in reference to something that the person collects. But I saw this little remark beside a listing for a gift certificate that had already been granted! Am I the only one who has a problem with this? We're supposed to be adults. I refuse to reward this type of behavior. Granted it is the American way to want more than what is on your plate. UURRRGGGHHHH!!!!! Alright, I'm done. Now if I've ruffled some feathers, I'm sorry, but I DO NOT apologize!! This is my blog, these are my ideas, you chose to use your time reading them. I welcome comments because that is your right to have them. This is America and I'm sure that somewhere on some old historical piece of paper it says that we are a free nation.

....Today In Crochet....

Today I'm hitting AC Moore, Michael's, and several local yarn stores (I refuse to use abbreviations like LYS...stop being so damn lazy, people!!) Ok, you know what I feel like bitching some more..again it is my right! A lot of people my age and the other people who try to act my age really get on my nerves. I am 22 years old. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, and so forth. I am responsible, reasonable, and able to form my own opinions. Why can't everyone else. Why does it seem that a lot of folks do not mature mentally past the age of 18? You know the people I'm talking about. The ones you see out in public who you went to highschool with. The ones who when you try to have a conversation with the topics of choice are the same ones from your school days. It's as if the past 5+ years never existed to them. Is it not normal to have different priorities? As I recall highschool isn't the "best time of your life" as it is most often billed to be. Well, unless, you're gorgeous, popular, slutty, or sporty. Sure the past seems a lot better than the present sometimes, but that is what your brain wants you to think. It has the uncanny ability to conveniently forget all the bullshit. Mother's know what I'm talking about....there wouldn't be multiple children families if the mother's didn't forget the agony of labor. The grass is not greener on the other side. I guess this rant goes with my first one. People don't want to take responsibility. It's fun to be young and carefree. But we were granted that freedom because there had to be someone responsible looking out for us. Shouldn't we afford our children the same opportunity? Grow up America! It isn't that bad. You can still relive your youth through your children. You can see the world through the eyes of a child. Let your children be children. Be responsible, be honest, be the person that you looked up to as a child. Don't drown in the bullshit. I have resigned to the fact that I am an adult, and I am very comfortable with it...hell, I really enjoy it! I'm 22, I'm responsible, reasonable and have the ability to form my own opinions...why can't everyone else?

RAOK ROCKS!!

Today I was RAOKed!! I was gifted with 3 packets of seeds for tomatoes, nasturtium, and carrots!! I also received several freebie patterns for some really cute projects. What's really neat is that they are the type of patterns that I would pick up myself if I had a life and got out more!! Ha!! I also got some candy hearts which were yummy and didn't last very long. My only problem is that I don't know this person's Crochetville name and it's driving me batty!!! This tiny little package totally made my week. Yeah, I said week...not my day, it made my week!! Possibly my fortnight, but that sounds dorky and I'm not sure anyone knows what that means anymore!! Anyhoo, if you're reading this Fairy Godmother, I am very grateful/thankful/flabbergasted!! Thank you soooo much I'm sending you lots of good karma!!

YIPPEEEEEE!!!

Finally! My order from Amazon arrived today!! I only ordered it a month ago! To refresh your memory, this is what it got Crocheted Socks: 16 Fun-To-Stitch Patterns and 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans : Crochet Squares to Mix and Match. Of course I immediately flipped through them and I am very impressed with them both. The sock book seems to have very thorough instructions as well as a lot of variety with the patterns. The blocks book is outstanding. The index has a picture of each block and page number where it can be found. That makes it extremely helpful when searching for a favorite. Also it has suggestions for using several different blocks in an afghan. I highly recommend this book for anyone searching for inspiration for an afghan. I can't wait get started, but which one first...maybe I'll make an afghan with socks attached!! Happy Crocheting!!

Tag!! I'm IT!!!!

Holy crap, I've been tagged. It's funny too, because I was reading Donna's blog and she had been tagged and I thought longingly to myself that it would probably take 10 years for that to get around to me and by then it would be super dorky. Then, to my surprise I checked my email and saw that I had been tagged!!!! The first thing to pop into my head was "who the crap am I going to send this to?!" I don't know anyone! Oh well, I guess I'll just go down my list of buttons over there to the right and surprise some lucky lady and either make or break her day! Ha! So, here goes...

Music Meme
Thank you, Deneen

• Total Number Of Music Files On Your Computer...If I told you, I'd have to kill you! Seriously, between myself and my husband we probably have over 1500...he's more if a music whore than I am. Of course neither one of us does it anymore. We were both into it in college when it was free.
• The Last CD You Bought... "Born With A Tail" ~ The Woodbox Gang This is a group hailing from Southern Illinois (Carbondale). My husband is friends with them and turned me on to their music. If you have a sense of humor, I highly recommend that you check them out!
• The Last Song You Listened To Before Reading This Message..."Reflection" ~ Douglas Spotted Eagle And wouldn't you know it, it is one from my music files!!
• Name 5 Songs You Listen To Often Or That Mean Something To You...

* "Home Grown Tomatoes" ~ John Denver (it's one of "OUR" songs)

* "Ripplin' Water" ~ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (I've loved this song since I was a child)

* "Don't Bring Me Down" ~ Electric Light Orchestra (Another one I've loved since childhood)

* "Great Day To Be Alive" ~ Travis Tritt (a nice pick-me-up tune)

* "The Color Of Freedom" ~ The Woodbox Gang (my husband had me play this on the stereo when he proposed to me)

• Which 3 People Will You Pass This Stick To And Why... Sherry (Incoherent Mumblings) because I just found out that our children share a birthday and that our birthdays are only 3 days apart. Lucky winner #2 is Lynlee (Lynlee's Life) because I just stumbled onto her blog recently and she fascinates me. Last but certainly not least #3 Jenn (Crochet Crafts) because she crochets and she has a blinkie on her blog that says "Will Work For (Yarn)" so she's got to be pretty cool!

Whew...that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be! Well, I guess I better get started on dinner now. My Amazon books have still not arrived. But I did get something from Viking. They make top-of-the-line kitchen appliances and whatnot. I'm drooling over the brochure they sent. I'm planning my dream kitchen just in case I am Publishers Clearing House's next multimillion dollar winner!!

No Love From The Mailman Today

Well, my books didn't make it today, but I'm sure I'll see them tomorrow. I'm so damn excited it's pathetic!!

I don't really have much to report. I started working on a baby blanket for some friends of ours yesterday. I frogged it today, and started over. I'm pleased with it now so it's full steam ahead!!

What I listened to while I was typing this:
"Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes" ~ Taj Mahal
"Safe Home" ~ Anthrax
"Cadillac Rock Box" ~ Anthrax

Life is better with music!! ....and yarn, of course!

A Good Reason To Look Forward To The Mail!!!

I got an email today from Amazon. The order that I placed on January 5, 2005 is finally ready to be shipped! I'm so excited I could pee my pants!! Here's what I'm so excited about... Crocheted Socks: 16 Fun-To-Stitch Patterns and 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans : Crochet Squares to Mix and Match. Oh yeah, I see you drooling!







Recently Updated!!

Holy Visitors, Batman!!!

At press time there have been 148 visitors to my humble little blog. There have also been some repeaters...not just me! I can't believe that there are people out there who actually want to read my dribble. I really feel the pressure now. I've decided based on this knowledge that it is time that I got a real button for this blog. I drew a sketch with Paint, not to be confused with Paint Shop Pro, or any of those new fangled programs. I'm old school...(aka poor!) This isn't the actual button, I'm just playing around with ideas. I sent a message to Donna, from Crochetville asking for her assistance in creating a button for my dear blog. Anyhoo, without further ado, here's what I'm thinking...

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in semi-crochet news...

I decided to organize my "crafting corner". Actually it's an old book shelf I found on the side of the road that is now hanging on my wall. If I had a digital camera, I'd take and post a picture of it, I'm sure any explaining I tried to do wouldn't make any sense. Anyhoo, it was pure chaos. I can't work like that. I need some semblance of order. You wouldn't really know that to look at my house but it's true.

Have you ever wondered about my life beyond crochet? Well, I have another blog devoted to that!! Here's the button...

I've decided to include a link to it whenever I have a new post. Don't bother clicking right now though because I haven't posted there today. Well I guess that is all for tonight. Until next time...

"Don't do anything that I wouldn't enjoy!"

~My husband

Pop Quiz!

I just feel like taking quizzes today...

You are the Wind Goddess!


Which Goddess are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Ain't I A Dish!

You are Dishcloth Cotton.
You are a very hard worker, most at home when
you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly
born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain
Jane, but you are too practical to notice.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

So is that a nice way of saying that I have the personality of a wet dishcloth? I don't think I wholly agree with the outcome of this quiz. First of all, I wouldn't describe myself as a hard worker. I keep on task and do what needs to get done. I call it having a good work ethinc. I agree with the second part. I am most at home, at home. If "home" means my parents' home. I am extremely thrifty, and proud of it! I can't remember the last article of clothing I bought that wasn't on sale or from a second hand store. However, I was not born to clean. I'm a pig. Always have been, always will be. I saw a magnet on my aunts refridgerator once. It said, "A Clean House Is No Place To Raise Children". She has 3 young girls. Now that I am a mother, it seems to have a lot more meaning. I did a search on Yahoo for that exact phrase because I wanted to post a cute picture with that saying. I couldn't find one, but I found this instead. I'm not a super religious person, but I really liked this passage...

So here it is, almost November and I find that in the middle of the messiest
and noisiest years of my life, chores are never completed and I am taking comfort
in sayings like, “A clean house is no placeto raisechildren!”After all,
contrary to popular belief,the Bible does not say,“Cleanliness is next to
godliness.” I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said that. God’s emphasis is
always on a clean heart. In fact, as I studied Luke this morning, I had just read
in chapter 10 about Jesus’visit to Mary’s and Martha’s home. I read how Martha
welcomed Him but then was distracted with all her preparations ~ the “mess” that
comes with serving people. I have read this passage many times before but
this morning I was struck with the fact that messes will abound when people are
being served~ even when serving the Lord Jesus Himself. Where there is life and
activity,there will also be a mess. Enough to distract us from the
really necessary things. But, really, what’s more important? People or the messes?
Jesus or the preparations? My teens or the noise? My children or the handprints?

Anyhoo, back to the point I was trying to make! I wouldn't say that I was Plain Jane either. I might not "dress" like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears with my shit all hanging out for the world to see in order to get attention. But I do have more than one color in my closet. I like to stand out a little, shake things up from time to time. I'm not Amish! (Not that I have anything against the Amish, I respect their beliefs) Ok, now we're to the last part to disect. I am very practical, I'll agree with that, but not so much so that I'm Amish-ish. (Again, no offense to any Amish out there reading this....of course if you are Amish and you're reading this.....then you're being a very naughty Amish person!)

At any rate...I think I'm more of a Mohair person...

"You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your
share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to
change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes."

...and so dear reader, that is all for today, be kind to yourself and to others...

I Have Angel Droppings All Over Me!!!

I'm on a good crochet vibrations high!! Yesterday I posted my to Later that day, my Fairy Godmother gifted me with a gift certificate to Adagio. The most amazing thing is that I hadn't put that on my wishlist, but I was secretly wanting some. I have never had gourmet tea before and I certainly don't know how to brew loose leaf teas but by golly I'm going to learn. THANK YOU SO MUCH FAIRY GODMOTHER!!! Honestly, the generosity and kindness that I have encountered at Crochetville is absolutely breath taking. Seriously. So often these days people in this society expect the worse from others instead of the best, I'll be the first to admit that I do it myself. That is really sad. Just another reason why...

I CROCHETVILLE!!

In my email inbox this morning was the latest issue of I really like some of the projects in there. I always like something that they have to offer. It is a most excellent publication!! (<--did you catch my ode to the 80s?)

Last night, out of the blue, my husband handed me a credit card and demanded that I blow 40 bucks!! I accepted his challenge without hesitation!! What a sweetheart, no? I've decided to buy yarn. Now here, dear reader, is where I ask for your help. Do you know of a place either online or a chain store where you always get oyur money's worth of yarn? What is your favorite yarn? I found this site viathis site via the latest CrochetMe issue. The prices seem to be really good, plus you get a BAG of up to 10 skeins. Is this a good deal? What's your opinion? I'm still a newbie and I'm not yet clear on yarns (ie, quality, what a good deal and what isn't, what's so bad about acrylics, etc.)

Well, I guess that's all for now...