Today Is Someone's Birthday...

Totally Dropped The Ball On This One...

It seems that there are a lot of blogiversaries out there this month and I got to thinking....hmmmm, I wonder how long I've been at this whole blogging thing. Well I checked on that tonight and guess what...January 16th was mine!! A big fat D'OH!!!!!!!

I guess with any anniversary you look to the past as well as to the future. I've "met" a lot of great people through this whole process. I've also learned a lot about myself. I also can't help but wonder how long this whole phenomenon will last. I mean is it possible that I will see a 5th or even 10th anniversary? Would that be cool or lame? I guess we'll all just have to wait and see! Thank you to everyone who reads this blabber on a regular or even not-so-regular basis. Thank you for listening and offering up sage advise. Special thanks to Deneen who left my very first comment and who has stuck with me since the beginning offering tons of support both in my crochet life and out. You guys rock!!


"artwork" by me

Revenge Spending

When I am particularly perturbed with my husband, I find it very soothing to spend his money. I don't do it intentionally, something just comes over me and I feel the need to buy something. Nothing too big, I don't want to send us into the pit of bankruptcy, that wouldn't be a good thing. I've had my eye on this for a while now, so last night I ordered it and now I fell much better....and a little guilty but I think I will get over it!!

Noodles, Grannies, & Yarn

Well folks, I think it's safe to say that I've seen it all. Let me just say that I am all for testing the limits in the art of crochet and moving beyond granny squares and tea cozies. I like to see new and innovative patterns as well as materials. I recently signed up for a subscription to Crochet! magazine. I mainly did it for the free issue they let you preview. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I want to pay for a subscription, but I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and doing it. At any rate, I received the free preview issue yesterday, it's for March 2006. I really like the new format and I didn't want to barf on all the patterns...only a couple. Here's the kicker and reason for my blogging. There is a pattern in there for crocheted earrings...but get this, the materials used are spaghetti noodles!! How random is that? Spaghetti noodles! The end result looks like it was made with plastic. I may try it out just so I can walk around with spaghetti dangling from my ear lobes. Hey, you regular readers know I'm not the average crocheter!

Along with the magazine came a product guide that has a bunch of patterns and books for sale. I was flipping through it ooohing and aaahing at a few things when I saw this......

...how freaking awesome is this?!?!?!?!? I must have it! I don't care about the patterns, but the cover just makes me so happy...plus I die laughing every time I see it. If you want your own copy just click the picture!!

Also in the mail yesterday was the latest Knit Picks catalog. There is a section inside about dyeing your own yarn which was pretty interesting. I have yet to try this myself and I found it quite helpful. The catalog also came with knittable yarn samples!!! There was a sample of Wool of the Andes in Mulled Wine and Andean Silk in Bluebell. And of course I drooled all over the catalog. I really really really like a lot of the patterns they have to offer. I really wish knitting didn't piss me off so much.

Well, I guess that's about it. Nothing too exciting in the mail today that relates to crochet. I did win a cowboy cookbook from Marlboro. How that happened I have no idea, but I got a really cool cookbook in the mail today, so that was exciting!

Overdue Thank You's

I just realized that I have a few thank you's that I need to extend to two thoughtful ladies. First of all, thank you to Kimberly for the Christmas card and baggy of delicious teas and chocolates. A woman after my own heart!!!!! I'm going to take a stab at a guess and say that it was from this Kimberly. Thanks again...the chocolates didn't make it through the end of the day....I'm a fiend!

Also, thank you to Bonnie from Bonnie Crochets. She sent a nice little card and wishes for a wonderful day. Thanks again, I love finding surprises in the mail box!

It's Finished!!

I finished the blue doily last night and blocked it. I really like how it turned out. It's bigger than I was expecting, but that's fine by me. The most exciting part is that it actually measures 16" across just like it is supposed to!! Usually when I crochet with thread it's always 1/2 to a full inch shorter than it's supposed to be. I guess I crochet kinda tight. Pardon me while I do my HaPpY dAnCe
...this is what it looks like...

Yeah, I'm Still Crocheting

Since my obsession with snowflakes has taken over my life, I've rediscovered how much I enjoy crocheting with thread. My latest thread obsession.....doilies! I'm currently working on one from a booklet I got at a used book store. It's from South Maid called "Special Doilies For Special Times" and the front cover looks like this...

The doily I'm working on is on the back cover, which looks like this...

The name of the doily is "Orient Star" but it looks more Amish to me. I'm making mine in a dark blue color similar to the blue on the china in the photograph. Things are progressing well, and I really like the pattern. Major props to the writers, editors, and publishers of this booklet, too. This is the second pattern I've worked from the book and both have been very clear, easy to follow, and have had no errors. I think I got my 50 cents worth!