~ 'guardian grandmas' donations and Halloween stuff ~

What a great end to the week.  I received 2 big 'guardian grandmas' donations from Kate and Sandra W.

Kate (of Stitches, Scraps and Sparkles in the Sun) sent a stuffed bag full of adorable baby hats - 50 to be exact.  50!!  Wow Kate - you've certainly been busy and I thank you so much!!  ♥

The next donation is from Sandra W.  Sandra has also been busy.  Look at these gorgeous baby blankets!  I love them!  I have to say though - if I was a baby, I would love to have that pink and orange blanket - it's so soft and squishy!!

(if I'm not mistaken, it's crocheted with Bernat Baby Blanket yarn)

These 2 soft and squishy blankets are crocheted with the same type of yarn.

I absolutely love this classic granny square blanket.

I love this blanket too - so pretty. 

Thank you so much Sandra and Kate!  I appreciate all of the hard work you've put into these beautiful donations.  ♥

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My sister Laura and I are getting things ready for the Haunted TeePee at the campground.  As you may remember, our sister Teri used to be the "Mistress of Horror" and she thoroughly enjoyed it.  When she passed away at the end of 2012, we all decided to carry on in her name.  Last year was my first time participating and I'm definitely not a Halloween-scary type person, but I did have fun.  Scaring people is fun - watching them scream and hug each other, but not the little kids - I didn't scare them.  Who brings their small children into a Haunted TeePee anyway?  I'm talking about children that are small enough to be carried and are already crying before they even get in the place.  Makes absolutely no sense to me.  Well anyways - I've got most of the costumes washed and hanging up in garment bags.  If you count the hangers, you can see that there is 16.

Here are some masks that I washed.  Vince strung up a line so I could hang them out to dry.  Today I will be brushing them.

Do you think I should use this baby to show off all my crocheted baby items?  Ha-ha.

(pay no attention to me - I was sick for the last day and a half)

Tex and Ladybug have a new friend.  Actually, Tex didn't even bother with it - Ladybug kept sniffing it and trying to turn it over.  I wonder what she was thinking?

Since I'm going to be busy with the Haunted TeePee preps, I probably won't be around blog-land too much.  Laura and I have a few trips to make to the campground and internet service is not good there at all since we are in the woods.  

'guardian grandmas' donations will be posted, and emails/questions will be answered when I'm able.

See ya when I can.  :)

~ asymmetrical round ripple ~

I did not like the previous round ripple I was crocheting because the points were almost the same size.  I started another and I like the size difference of the points on this one better.

I am using 4-ply worsted weight acrylic and a 'J' hook.

Notes:
- the ch 2 at the beginning of Rnd 1 does not count as a st.
- beginning shell = (ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
- shell = (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
- v-st= (1 dc, ch 1, 1dc)

Directions:
Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in the 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to the 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, sc in same dc as joining st, ch 2.  *sc in next dc, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 3:  Sl st into 1st ch-2 space, beginning shell in same ch-2 space, skip next ch-2 space, ch 1.  *shell in next ch-2 space, skip next ch-2 space, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  

Rnd 4:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3, shell in next shell, dc in next dc.  Skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, skip next dc.  *dc in next dc, shell in next shell, dc in next dc, skip next dc, dc in ch-1 space, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 5:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, shell in next shell, dc in next 2 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next dc, skip next dc.  *dc in next 2 dc, shell in next shell, dc in next 2 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next dc, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 6:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, shell in next shell, dc in next 3 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next v-st, skip next dc.  *dc in next 3 dc, shell in next shell, dc in next 3 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next v-st, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 7:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, v-st in next shell, dc in next 4 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next v-st, skip next dc.  *dc in next 4 dc, v-st in next shell, dc in next 4 dc, skip next dc, v-st in next v-st, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 8:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, shell in next v-st, dc in next 4 dc, skip next dc, shell in next v-st, skip next dc.  *dc in next 4 dc, shell in next shell, dc in next 4 dc, skip next dc, shell in next v-st, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

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If you have crocheted round ripples before, then you know what to do next.  Keep following the pattern by working 2 rnds of shell st in the points, and then 1 rnd of v-st in the points.  Increase the dc's on the sides as the pattern dictates. 

- shell st rnd
- shell st rnd
- v-st rnd
repeat however many times you would like.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ bits & pieces #6 ~

I've started working on a round ripple.  I started it a different way and every other point is just a tad smaller.  I will write up and post the pattern when I can.  

Another baby cocoon finished for the 'guardian grandmas'.  I used my Innovations knitting machine and I had absolutely no problem with dropped stitches or 2 or 3 stitches getting stuck on the one problem needle on the machine.  Yay!!  (I was happy that I didn't get irritated.)

The trick for me is to go slooooow.  Going slow takes a lot longer, but it's still quicker than hand knitting or crocheting. 

My bad dogs waiting for a treat.  ♥

I went through my yarn to organize and to remind myself what yarns were in the back containers and ended up sorting out about 3 bags.  I am going to see if I can donate some to James' school, and to the recreation center at the campground.  Kids (and teachers) can always use yarns in their projects.  

See ya next time.  :)

~ crafty projects and my vops blanket finale ~

I was inspired by 'Lazy Daisy Jones' to craft this beaded hanger.  It was very easy to do.  All you need is a wire hanger, a pair of pliers, and some pony beads.  I didn't add beads to the hook part, but I'm thinking that I need to add something to the section where the beads come together.

This is a little rock I drew our campsite on to.  

I have finished my vops blanket.  I didn't measure it, but in the second picture it's on our queen size bed.  I didn't make it for the queen bed though - it's for a twin size bed.  :)

See ya next time.  :)

~ 9-11 ~

I remember being horrified that the U.S. was under attack.  

I remember being terrified because we thought our brother-in-law was working at the Pentagon that day.

I remember feeling a great sense of relief and thankfulness when we found out that he did not go there that day.

I remember being shocked because I realized I was watching people die on television.

I remember crying.

I remember feeling helpless because there was nothing I could do.

I remember feeling such great anger.

I remember wanting revenge.

~ vops blanket update ~

10 rows done so far.  :)

(vops = variegated, ombre, print and stripes)

~ 'guardian grandmas' donation from Amy S. ~

I received this donation Tuesday and at first I didn't know who it was from, but Amy S. messaged me and let me know it was from her.

Tucked inside the box I found a granny square blanket, 5 baby cocoons, and 9 baby hats.  Amy told me that she made the cocoons and hats on her Addi knitting machines.

Thank you so much Amy.  ♥ 

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Here is the finished baby cocoon that I made with my Innovations knitting machine.  It took me about 3 tries before I got it right.  The trick to the knitting machine is to go real, real slow so as to not drop stitches, or jam the stitches up on the 1 stupid needle that always gives me a problem.

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(you can make the video go faster by clicking on the little sprocket thing, and then click on 1.25 or 1.5)

~ bits & pieces #5 ~

Making more squares for my VOPS blanket.

Two of my mini orchids have flowered.  They are so pretty and so easy to take care of.  The mini orchids only need one ice cube every Sunday.

I bought these 3 at Giant for only $1.29 each.  I guess the flower people at Giant thought that they were done for.  The orchid on the left in the bottom picture shows no sign of flowering now, but I'm sure that it will eventually.

  

New hooks for a friend.

I hope she likes them.

I had plans to go to the campground last Thursday and stay for a few days - my family has started making plans for the Haunted TeePee and a meeting was being held on Saturday.  Well, I had to cancel on that because I had to stay home and wait for a phone call from the manager of AC Moore.  But guess what?  She never called.  What a kick in the butt.  Don't tell me you're going to call and then don't.

Oh well - maybe she'll call this week.  

I wish you all a great week.  :)