2 new guys.....

Here is snake I whipped up yesterday. I really like his color. He is just RHSS.



I tried the Lionsbrand penguin in a really small hook. "B" to be exact. My original in a "G" hook is right next to him. Do you know I made 7 penguins in all this holiday season. I gave 2 away as presents, sold 3, and kept the rest.

My sis's visit

My sister and her family arrived safe and sound yesterday and we had a blast. It ended all too soon. I fed them lunch here at the house, then bascically my sis and I sat around and talked!!! We talked about the folks, husbands, kids, work(we're both teachers) and last but not least crochet!!!! We plowed through all of my magazines. We ooooed and aawed over the pretty stuff(good thing we have the same taste!) and gagged over the tacky stuff(especially this issue of Crochet Today! there is only like 2 things that are halfway "do-able; IMO) Any how, she loved the chicken I made for her.

We ate dinner at Carrabas Italian resturant. We had soooo much fun. We sat, all 12 of us, around a big high top table. We chatted and laughed until almost 8 that night and then I had to say "Good-bye" in the parking lot.

One pleasant surprise is that everyone of the cousins got along! Ginny and Liz pair up with my Tay. Freddie gets both Devin and Trenton, and of course Austen and Brett. We never even heard so much as a peep from any of the groups. One thing that helped the younger crowd was the dads took them sledding and boy! did they use up the energy. They came home ready to play quietly with new Christams toys

Here is a a last look at my tree, I'm going to start dismantling tomorrow.....

Chicken Potholder

First potholder completed out of my new book....I'm gonna give it to my sister who arrives tomorrow!

Day of Beauty

What a day! My 14 year old daughter and I had a "Day of Beauty"(Not for me, for her!) She had gotten several gift cards for Christmas so we went about spending them yesterday. First stop: The Hair Salon, where she got her hair cut and styled. Second stop: Claire's. She got her ears double pierced.(I have mine done, so why not? I like the look. Mind you, she'll have to wait until she's 18 to get anymore o any thing else done!:)Third stop: American Eagle where we exchanged stuff and got more stuff. Fourth stop:(Ok, I was wearing down a bit, but I cannot let a 14 year old beat me!!) Macy's, we stopped at the MAC counter and she had her make up done and bought 3 items. She looked really cute. All in all we had a fun day.

Stockings,stockings everywhere!!!!!!

I finally finished all 6 stockings and yes!!! they were done in time for christmas eve. I still have to add some holly leaves and berries, but at least the majority of the work is done. I thought they really spiffed up our fireplace.

I keep seeing really cute potholders on Crochetville, so I decided to browse the books at Michael's and bought the Ultimate Book of Potholders by Leisure arts.



Hopefully I can master the chicken and cow ones. They're my favorites and I want to give out for presents.

Only 3 more days until my big sissy comes to visit. She is the only person I know right now that can get as excited as me about yarn and hooks and cute patterns. I can't wait to see her. We both have four kids so things can get wild, but everyone is getting older so we should have some time for visiting and hookin'.

Here is a picture of me and my siblings:

My b-day present

My in-laws gave me $20 for my b-day and it gave me the perfect excuse to spend it on something crochet. This is the book I bought:




hopefully you'll see some cute new projects!!!

Countdown....

Only 2 more school days left until break, I'm frantically trying to finish all my teacher and friend gifts. Why do crocheters always add one more person/gift to our lists?

Weekend Project

Quick update....I stayed at home for 6 years raising my littlest boys. We decided I should return to teaching this fall....the dilema then: who should watch y 4 year old? Well, one day when I had the boys at a playplace an old girlfriend that I knew from my MOPs group sta down and we proceeded to catch up. Well, she is an assistant teacher at a nearby preschool and saod if I needed someoone to watch T. in the morning she would be happy to take him with her to her preschool in the afternoon. Viola! My daycare problems solved. Not only does he get to go to prechool, but gets watched in a loving home all morning long.

So onward to my weekend project: amde my daycare provider this afghan. I hope she likes it. I'm going to be sure to mention how much I appreciate her too.

I sold three of my creatures at the sale on Friday night; the snake, the small peguin, and the Santa penguin. I'm pretty happy with that considering I wasn't there to help promote them. That's about 30% of my inventory, right? I made $22 and went and bought $15 worth of yarn. Yippee!

New additions

Here are two new animals that I made just for the basket.

Basket is done!

I finally finished all the animals I want to put in the basket fo the Open House tomorrow night. I hope people are as taken with them as I am. Wish me luck!

Here's another penguin I'm going to have at the Open House.......

Getting ready for the Open House this Friday

Pinguino Tie dye Octopus-"Jazzy"
"Pinky"

A friend is having an Open House for mom's with businesses this Friday. She thought it might be a good idea for me to set out some of my cuter animals and scarves to sell. I'm excited. She thinks the penguins are going to be big sellers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

My second....Uh oh....now I'm hooked!

This is the snowman from the Lionsbrand website patterns. I did change the scarf and added real pom-poms.(I didn't care for the way the crocheted ones looked.) I also added a bow to his hat to make him a bit more dashing. I think he is soooo cute!

Just a proud mama showing off her kiddos!

Welcome December!

I am so happy December is here! It's one of my favorite months! It's not the seasons, it's not because of Christmas, its not because of my birthday. It's because I get 2 whole weeks off of work. I get to stay home all day, every day with my kids!!!!

Here is a picture of my first try at amigurumi. I have also asked for Mr. Funky's book for Christmas or my birthday. His stuff looks fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I'm a day early but it will probably be about 3 days before I get back behind the ole computer or do any crocheting(sigh).

I am having 12 people over for T-day dinner. The menu is: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans w/bacon, bread, cold veggies, and for desert; pumpkin and cherry pies.

I'll recuperate on Friday(with 4 kids at home....HA! who am I kidding?)I wonder if I'll feel like shopping?

Saturday, we are driving into Wichita for the annual McDowell family reunion. All m brothers and sister and their families will be there. I think as of right now the only person not going to make it is my Austen. He has to work at Target.



I added this picture after this post. I was really proud of my "family" dinner. I thoought it waas very successful. It's funny how one can feel so satisfied feeding a large group of people well.

Here is the first Granny Square afghan I ever completed. I love the colors(they match our bedroom perfect) and It's so soft; made with Homespun yarn.

A lil' snow.......

I'm really happy at how Lil" Snow came out. His pattern is in the Nov. issue of Crochet! magazine. I wonder if I should start the mama and papa?

Sunday

Not too much done this week. I did finish these 2 x-mas potholders. I worked on them simultaneously and they finished up fast. I'll probably make a few more for teacher gifts.

I have deicided to make stockings for everyone, so here it goes....1 down and five to go.

Projects, Projects, Projects

O.K. maybe if I list them; it'll seem manageable:
1. Christmas stockings for everyone( 6-8)
2. Finish TLC "Heathers" cardigan
3. Finish Crochet! magazine snowman(needs hat and mittens)

Things I'd like to do:
1. Christmas afghan
2. Christmas washcloths, potholders
3. fun scarves(puppy scarf, santa scarf from Crochetville

There! Uh oh, this list dosen't make me feel any better.

My first afghans

My first sweaters

Christmas items

Halloween works

Candy corn potholders and Trick or treat bag

Thanksgiving potholder

I have now made 4 of these to give to friends. I hope they like them! I thought he was cute. I can make them in an evening.

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to my blog! I've always wanted to do this and have finally taken the plunge!